Gilding the tobacco leaf

Gilding the tobacco leaf

EDITOR:

George Will’s penchant for elegant but deceptive prose was evident in his June 18 essay on the newly passed Federal tobacco product legislation. The piece began, as his often do, with a slam at someone he dislikes: “[President Obama’s] subject — aside from himself, as usual — was ...” There followed a narrowly true but misleading assertion that, “The bill was supported by America’s biggest tobacco company ...” The fact is that Phillip Morris (now Altria) supported the bill but its competitors, including R. J. Reynolds and Lorillard, tried to kill it.

Next we read that, “Congress should not be allowed to effectively prohibit truthful communication about a legal product.” That will bring knowing snorts from everyone who recalls the tobacco industry’s decades-long history of deceptive ads and public statements.

In the following paragraph Will asserts that, “Government policy regarding tobacco ... has been, on balance, a success.” Tell that to the people you know who have lost loved ones to a smoking-related disease or who themselves suffer from tobacco-related emphysema, heart disease or cancer.

Curiously, as the text continues below the fold in the page Will starts telling the truth: “Smoking is addictive ... sickening, often fatal ... Ninety percent of all smokers start by age 18; few start after 21. But death and intelligence cost the companies 6,000 customers a day, so that many new smokers must be made daily just to keep up.”

And that’s where the Food and Drug Administration, our nation, and indeed the entire world urgently need to focus: on deterring the cigarette companies from promoting addiction to their products among today’s and tomorrow’s vulnerable teenagers.

ROBERT D. GILLETTE, MD

Poland

What happened to Borts pool

EDITOR:

I was very disappointed by the news concerning the city’s choice not to reopen Borts pool for the summer. In the past my family and I enjoyed spending part of the day there catching some rays and relaxing on a beautiful summer’s day. Last year, the environment and climate there changed, which kept many patrons away. The lack of patrons was cited as the main reason for the decision.

We did not go to the pool much last year because of the arrival of the “gangstas”, “playas” and the drama queen from other sides of town, They came there for one purpose and one purpose only — conflict. For example, one day last summer my wife could sense something was building up as more and more undesirables congregated at the pool site. Fortunately, I heeded my wife’s warning and left before the trouble started. We heard that later on that day a “rumble” had occurred where a stabbing of a young lady took place.

After that incident, we decided it was not worth putting our lives on the line just to have pool privileges. Although the police were visible as security, it did not prevent conflict. I overheard comments on several occasions made by the “undesirables” that “popo” or not, they would not be denied. With that kind of attitude and talk, it’s no wonder the patrons stopped supporting the Borts pool experience.

ZANE PAPPAS

Youngstown

Even parked cruisers help

EDITOR:

I would like to congratulate Salem Police Chief Bob Floor on a great idea of placing police cruisers around town for added visibility.

On one of the first days of the program, a cruiser was positioned on our street and had the desired effect of slowing down traffic.

Police cars are an asset and a crime deterrent. Putting them to use 24 hours a day is a good idea.

CHARLIE PRESLEY

Salem