tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141759542968821728.post7978846121502405438..comments2024-01-01T16:01:35.711+00:00Comments on Dick Puddlecote: Seeing The Wood Through The TreesDick Puddlecotehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01481866882188932892noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141759542968821728.post-3118904814372766592015-02-12T23:32:38.873+00:002015-02-12T23:32:38.873+00:00Government lobbying government is unethical. Recip...Government lobbying government is unethical. Recipients using government grant funds to lobby government is also unethical. These practices undermine democratic governance. In the US they are illegal too, but that does not stop the antismokers they just go ahead and do so knowing it is unlikely anyone will object. That is corruption. It is an oligarchy ruling from the shadows, pursuing safe visible action, hoping no one will notice the cascading fiscal crisis.Vinny Gracchusnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141759542968821728.post-78618040010846650902015-02-12T23:05:48.887+00:002015-02-12T23:05:48.887+00:00This is a two edged sword, as this "law"...This is a two edged sword, as this "law" does not affect the vast majority of the population, (non smokers), it is pretty obvious that it wouldn't be high on their list of priorities. Even among smokers, it proved to be not much of a priority, (in Australia), compared with the other more draconian anti-smoker laws that have been passed over the last decade. <br /><br /><br />It sets a precedent but one that other corporations do not believe will ever be applied to them, (food and beverage corps), so they will not fight this. For all the ANTZ screaming, the Tobacco corps have little influence.<br /><br /><br />IMO this is what politicians consider a safe zone, they can look like they are doing something important, (Nicola Roxon in Australia was hailed as some kind of hero for her "win" against the tobacco companies), when in reality all that has happened is that this law has made it easier for the black market to flourish, and the whole "Propaganda Packaging" has become a running joke. <br /><br /><br />They will keep bashing smokers and vapers, because they are easy targets, and politicians are lazy, lack intelligence and insight, and are greedy. However, as things worsen economically, and socially, it will become more and more difficult for these thieves and liars to keep the masks on, they will have already picked the low hanging fruit, (sorry for the mixed metaphors), and will have nowhere else to hide.judenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141759542968821728.post-11857353433563533212015-02-12T21:59:05.709+00:002015-02-12T21:59:05.709+00:00Well, who'd have thunk it? People want the gov...Well, who'd have thunk it? People want the government to do proper government-ey things - securing our borders and stopping people from blowing us up - instead of poking its nose into things that are none of its affair. I'm shocked and stunned.<br /><br /><br />(Actually, I <em>am</em> a bit surprised. Just shows how well the propaganda works.)Sam Duncannoreply@blogger.com