More Nanny-State Nonsense
November 19, 2005 By Alan Burkhart
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More Nanny-State Nonsense
November 19, 2005 By Alan Burkhart 
The Anti-Smoking Nazis are at it again. This time, Maryland Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr. and 31 other State Attorneys General have sent a written request to Paramount Pictures asking that an anti-smoking public service announcement (PSA) be included in all DVD movies that depict smoking. Yeah, like there isn’t already enough junk to deal with on a DVD or VHS before I finally get to see the movie.
Here’s an excerpt from the written request: Dear Mr. GreyNow excuse me for being a regular everyday American from the Bible Belt, but what about movies depicting irresponsible sex, gay sex, car theft, murder, rape and drug use? How come these 32 geniuses don’t have a problem with any of that? Are movies like “Natural Born Killers” fine and dandy as long as no one smokes? What about video games like “Grand Theft Auto” that not only depict but reward illegal and deadly behavior? Oh wait, I forgot. Homosexual behavior is considered normal these days. Silly me. Can you just imagine the outrage we’d hear from the gay community if a warning was added to a movie about gay content? Lawsuits would be flying! So, will we see any outrage from smokers’ rights groups over this? Sadly enough, it’s doubtful. It seems that smoking is considered a nasty habit, while unprotected anal sex between two men is normal, healthy, and perfectly acceptable. Never mind the fact that such behavior can lead to HIV infection along with a host of other health issues. Smokers have sat on their hands for so long that it’s doubtful anyone can bring them out of their collective lethargy to demand some common sense legislation… or even more sensible, a lack of legislation. I would consider it a beautiful thing to see smokers marching the streets in all 32 states from which these mentally deficient SAG’s hail. I’d like to see demands of investigations into their professional backgrounds and personal lives. In short, I’d like to see them dealt the same kind of misery that they’d see if they attacked any other cross-section of our society. Various organizations across the globe have found undeniable links between violence in moves and video games, and juvenile crime. Why is it that violent video games only rate a parental warning while tobacco use may end up meriting more gunk on my DVD’s? If I caught my son (assuming he was still a teenager) watching “Natural Born Killers” I’d be far more concerned about the glorification of gratuitous violence than someone puffing a Camel. I’d also be more concerned about books like “Heather Has Two Mommies” in the school library than a group of 15 year-old misfits smoking behind the gym. Teen smoking can be prevented or stopped by proper parental attention. The primary cause of teen smoking is peer pressure, not movies. And by golly, I’m tired of having to keep clicking the “Next” button to get past the ads, previews, FBI warnings and other related gobbley-goop that occupies the vast majority of DVD’s and video tapes. And does anyone really believe that a public service announcement in a DVD will have any effect on teen smoking? Does anyone really think that these kids will pay it the least bit of attention? I have a better idea. How’s about getting rid of all the junk that comes ahead of the movie? I don’t buy movies for previews or PSA’s. I just want to watch the movie! Why can’t these busy-bodies just leave us alone? Related Reading: |
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