Florida Legislators Holding Hands With Big Tobacco

John Hopkins — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 10:04:34 GMT

The legislators in the house and in senate, in the Great State of Florida intend to do something unprecedented in the next few days. They intend to protect a special class of Corporate America and shield them from having to comply with law that every other citizen is compelled to comply. The legislators intend to give very special treatment to the makers of a product in order to save these corporations millions of dollars.

Is the Florida legislature doing this because it will save jobs of Florida workers? No.

Is the Florida legislature doing this to benefit the citizens of Florida? No.

Is the Florida legislature doing this to benefit a very special class of Corporate America? It would seem, yes.

What is the product?

You started using the product when you were just little—maybe 12 or 13. Lots of people used the product and it was regularly thought to be safe. They told you it was safe. They put doctors in ads that told you the product was not only safe, but, actually good for you.

Later, when you watched television, doctors once again appeared in ads telling you it was a safe product. Stars and starlets told you how great the product was and how good it made you feel.

The makers of the product regularly maintained that the product was safe. The presidents of the product manufacturers appeared before congress and swore, under oath, that the product was safe.

It was not until mountains of proof became public that the makers of the product finally admitted it “might not” be as safe as they said. It was not until millions of Americans became tragically ill and died that the makers admitted that, well, it is “possible” their product may have some small role in the illness and death.

The product? Cigarettes.

The makers? Big Tobacco.

The truth? They lied; they manipulated; they fabricated; they injured; they killed; they did it all for one and only one goal—they did it for billions in profits.

Now, the Florida legislature is going to shield poor Big Tobacco and treat them to privileges not enjoyed by any citizen in Florida. Not one voter gets the benefits that the Florida legislature intends to hand out to Big Tobacco.

Go figure. I guess Florida citizens need better lobbyists?

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by John Hopkins

Should Warning Labels Be Added to Strawberries?

John Hopkins — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 18:28:02 GMT

Ever heard of “Polonium 210”? Think Alexander Litvinenko; the Russian dissident we all watched slowly die in 2006 after he was exposed to a toxic substance. The toxic substance to which he was exposed was Polonium 210. Polonium 210 is reportedly 250,000 times more toxic than hydrogen cyanide.

Guess who knows a lot about Polonium 210? Those Big Tobacco guys, that’s who and they have known since the early sixties. Apparently, Big Tobacco studied the effects of Polonium 210 for over 40 years. Why? Well, because Polonium 210 is found in a cigarette, that’s why. One of the researchers who discovered some of Big Tobacco’s research, Monique Muggli, from the Mayo clinic says: “Philip Morris documents show the majority of the company’s internal reports regarding PO-210 were not published.”

Tragically, Polonium 210 is known to cause lung cancer and has resulted in the deaths of approximately 11,700 people each year in the US. So, I suppose it is not surprising that Big Tobacco buried this research as unimportant to the American public. How could they or why would they pay for over 40 years of research into a dangerous cancer causing ingredient in their product? Well, it is not really that important; at least according to Big Tobacco. The mystery was cleared up by a spokesperson for one of the biggies in Big Tobacco. Polonium 210 is also found in food! That’s right; Big Tobacco says they did not need to tell the public about Polonium 210 because, “it’s present in all such plant types, including strawberries.”

Since I really like strawberries, I am pretty disappointed. I wonder if I stop lighting them if they will be as bad for me?

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by John Hopkins

West Palm Beach Personal Injury Lawyer - Toxic Substances

Florida Legislators Holding Hands With Big Tobacco

Should Warning Labels Be Added to Strawberries?