Published: Thursday, 4th March, 2010 10:13pm

Smoke Free Blog...

by Across the Pond

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Very little surprises me in today's world but the breaking scandal on the misuse of funds generated from the Live Aid Concert did. Tribalism, feudalism, coup d'etat and 'Presidents for Life' were the post-colonial legacy of many African countries. Few African nations adopted or maintained democracy after the departure of the colonial Europeans. I think it would be naïve for anyone to consider that much of the money went to feeding the poor. A rather pathetic chapter in a never ending area of conflict.

I was intrigued by the Press report on the suggested self bans on smoking at home. We're all adults and know the hazards of smoking, do we really need legislation or community peer pressure to stop smokers.

I admit it. I do occasionally smoke, and have probably smoked a few acres of Virginia tobacco in my life. I also have a case of smuggled Cuban's I am saving for a special occasion. The Cuban's are cigars of course and not people.

Smoking is an addictive, unhealthy habit I know, however, smokers have degenerated to the same social class as crack addicts. Actually crack addicts get treated better as they get to go to comfy rehabs for thirty days every year.

I never smoke indoors, or in my car. When I do smoke on my freezing balcony, I make sure I don't blow any second hand smoke toward any non-smoking squirrels. I am considerate after all.

Josef Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill were smokers. Axis leaders Hitler, Mussolini and Hirohito were non-smokers. Coincidence? Think about it... We really don't need a Scottish Taliban or 'Gauleiters' peeking in our homes for evidence of smoking. A man's home is his castle, albeit it a smoke filled one.

No one should smoke around children, non-smokers or in public places. That is only being considerate and not many reasonable smokers will disagree.

President Obama has just come out of the closet and is an admitted smoker. Will this affect his standing in the polls? Unlikely, at least not in the southern tobacco states of course. I find it hard to envision President Obama huddled under the White House South Portico in January, furiously puffing on a Marlboro while the Secret Service scowls and make small coughing sounds.

At least he doesn't chew the stuff. Now that is really disgusting…….

Across the Pond