Brushfire of Freedom
The Irritable Pundit
Of course I see the sign! No, no. It is not what you think. Let me explain while you just sit back, relax and enjoy.
E-cigs, electronic cigarettes, personal vaporizers... call them what you will. They are clever little contraptions by any name.
There are many brands (Blu, NJOY, Jaunty, Puresmoker's Progeny) and types (801s, 901s, sticks, minis etc) but in the end, they all do the same thing. They allow you to puff water-vapor with a hint of flavor and a variable amount of nicotine. Its the closet thing to smoking you can do, but without the smoke or fire, without the the hundreds of seriously toxic compounds from burning tobacco, without the annoying second hand smoke drifting away into someone's face, and finally without any smell on or around you -- whatsoever. Also there is no tar, and wave goodbye to a veritable host of carcinogens. Did I mention you can use them indoors? In airports? Amazing what ingenuity can accomplish. They are relatively new in the US, but somewhat popular in Europe and insanely popular in Japan (of course).
The nicotine you get is from a liquid, and there are many suppliers that make inexpensive tiny bottles of them and ship directly to you. As an FYI, you can get nicotine from many places (it is a common alkaloid) such as in potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant and so on. But of course the king is "Nicotiana Tabacum" or tobacco. You would not believe some of the oddball flavors the liquid suppliers add. Johnson's Creek's "Peach Cobbler" is mind blowing if only because you can’t quite believe what is happening in your mouth. The coffee flavors are hilarious, and since many smokers associate the two together, why not?
Then of course there is the geek factor. A tiny metal tube, various colors and shapes from a standard cigarette look, or a pen, all the way to an oddball screwdriver looking contraption. They come pre-pimped out with colored LEDs on the end (blue, purple, etc) for when you are puffing. Now add atomizers, personal charging cases, batteries, and USB pass-throughs, and the average addicted tech geek instantly enters "Nicotine Nerdvana".
Looking to quit smoking/dipping/chewing? They wont make the claim, but I'll tell you up front that lots of folks believe these things can help and in my opinion they are right. You can slowly lower the nicotine juice content to zero (yes zero) and just continue to enjoy the flavor and experience. Although you might just switch to these from tobacco without trying to lower anything, its a free world for now. Bottom line: These things could allow you to enjoy having the nicotine you are addicted to (yes, you are) without the known dangers of burning a thick tar-filled leaf and sucking the smoke and fumes from it directly into your lungs.
Ok, this is all neat and weird but I admit I am not sounding too irritable yet. Ready for the kicker? The FDA is getting lobbied to outlaw these new little critters by "Big Tobacco". Yes, the tobacco producers, who sell a product known without question to cause cancer and to be 100% dangerous, 100% of the time, are asking the FDA and Congress to outlaw these water-vapor dispensing gadgets because they (wait for it)... "might not be safe".
BWA HA HA HA! (snort) HA HA HA! (snicker) oh my... Say! You don't suppose it is based on the fear of losing market share and a gross profit margin that would make Caligula blush? Do you?
Silly people! The purveyors of guaranteed death, the fine folks who want you to smoke yourself to chronic pulmonary issues and cancer are only concerned for your health! Really! These are the same lovely people who ensure you inhale carcinogens such as Dimethylnitrosamine, Ethylmethylnitrosamine, Nitrosopyrrolidine, Hydrazine, Vinyl Chloride, Urethane, Formaldehyde and the amazingly toxic compounds Hydrogen Cyanide, Acrolein, Acetadehyde, Nitrogen oxides, Ammonia, Pyridine, Mathylamine, Indole, 3-hydroxypyridine, 3-vinylpyridine, Acetone, Acrolein, 1,3-Butadiene, isoquioline, Isoamylamine, and my personal favorite... 3-Cyanopyridine! How could they have anything but your best interests at heart?
I am sure you are asking "This is Interesting and riveting IP, But why would you post this on a political blog?"
Excellent question dear friends! Because this one little "out in left field" drama perfectly illustrates the dangers inherent in the thinking that government is the solution to every need. Faced with a challenge that is a safer and much cheaper alternative (not to mention less unpleasant for passers-by) the entrenched interests turned to government to control and quash in a big way. Tobacco donations are flowing to representatives and PACs so fast it is staggering. If you can't beat them, regulate them!
You see, as government has grown more powerful, it has almost by definition become easier to abuse. Play the right cards, grease the right palms, and you too can crush innovation or competition! Want to drive out independents in any field? Lobby for licensing requirements, then control the process such that no one else can meet the arbitrary standards you set. Community organized bake sales are raising money? No problem, just alert the county health inspectors and shut them down for selling food prepared in non-licensed kitchens! (just happened, seriously). From Homeschooling to pedicures, if it threatens you, call Washington!
You see, when a government gets too large, there is no issue too small for it to control. That is what is happening today, and it is frightening. We have to stop this madness. We have to give warning in any and every way we can. For myself, I will post this blog and produce three short puffs, three long puffs, and three short puffs.
The military types amongst you will recognize the SOS, but the amazing thing is, it tastes like chocolate & almonds.
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