An Actual Logical Story About the new FDA Legislation and it's Ban on E-cigs

[enrogae]

Found this article today...was happy to see it describing the situation as it really is, especially with the portion in regards to the e-cig:

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-siegel3-2009jun03,0,1905325.story

tobacco regulations are no regulations at all



A proposal to put cigarettes under FDA supervision is so limited that it's really a smoke screen for Big tobacco.

By Michael Siegel
June 3, 2009
This week, the U.S. Senate is considering legislation that would, for the first time, give the Food and Drug Administration regulatory authority over tobacco products. Numerous anti-smoking and health groups support the legislation. So does this mean Congress is finally on the verge of stepping up to take on Big Tobacco?

Hardly. The bill in question was crafted, in part, by the nation's leading cigarette company, Philip Morris, as part of a deal worked out between the tobacco giant and an anti-smoking group -- the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.........

Read the rest here

 

[TropicalBob]

It's not a report. It's an op-ed opinion piece by Dr. Siegel, who runs The Rest of the Story: Tobacco News Analysis and Commentary

He's on our side, but don't think this is a report. It's pure opinion, with no balance or fairness required.

 

[LaceyUnderall]

This was a good "opinion" piece

I particularly enjoyed his discussion on "compensation". Since switching to mostly no-nicotine, I find this to ring quite true even with ecigs... as I vape way more with it than I do with nic solutions.

 

[enrogae]

It's not a report. It's an op-ed opinion piece by Dr. Siegel, who runs The Rest of the Story: Tobacco News Analysis and Commentary

He's on our side, but don't think this is a report. It's pure opinion, with no balance or fairness required.

I called it an article, and a story... both of which it is. I never said it was a "report"....

I agree it is heavily opinionated... just as our opposition has been. I am happy that I finally see an opinion on a nationally syndicated news outlet that is skewed towards the logical side rather than the farcical.

I think you just enjoy disagreeing with me Tbob.

 

[LaceyUnderall]

enrogae - If you aren't reading Dr. Seigel's blog... you should. You would find it most interesting (I gather from the comments you have posted on this forum to date).

The comments of his posts also bring out a wide variety of folks, many you will find quite familiar from here... but it also brings some others in who have a different take on the issue. Very interesting reads IMHO and I have learned quite a bit there. Lots of very interesting links provided by his readers as well.

 

[TropicalBob]

Enrogae, nah, I don't enjoy disagreeing with you. But I was a lifetime reporter/editor for some major newspapers and it presses my red button when someone calls an opinion piece an "article" or "story". An article or story in a newspaper is fair and balanced, complete with all sides presented and issues covered. Use those for your education on a topic.

An opinion piece, whether written by some dimwit blogger on a rant or the head of a corporation writing on an op-ed page, is one person's opinion on an issue seen through severely biased eyes. Don't necessarily believe those. Challenge them. Don't call them what they are not. That's all I'm getting at.

The New York Times and Wall Journal wrote articles yesterday. Dr. Siegel, bless him, writes opinion based on his selected, referenced facts. We like his opinion, cheer him on, but we also better read opinions of those who challenge us and pay even more attention to those.

 

[enrogae]

enrogae - If you aren't reading Dr. Seigel's blog... you should. You would find it most interesting (I gather from the comments you have posted on this forum to date).

The comments of his posts also bring out a wide variety of folks, many you will find quite familiar from here... but it also brings some others in who have a different take on the issue. Very interesting reads IMHO and I have learned quite a bit there. Lots of very interesting links provided by his readers as well.

I will certainly check up on that!

 

[enrogae]

Enrogae, nah, I don't enjoy disagreeing with you. But I was a lifetime reporter/editor for some major newspapers and it presses my red button when someone calls an opinion piece an "article" or "story". An article or story in a newspaper is fair and balanced, complete with all sides presented and issues covered. Use those for your education on a topic.

An opinion piece, whether written by some dimwit blogger on a rant or the head of a corporation writing on an op-ed page, is one person's opinion on an issue seen through severely biased eyes. Don't necessarily believe those. Challenge them. Don't call them what they are not. That's all I'm getting at.

The New York Times and Wall Journal wrote articles yesterday. Dr. Siegel, bless him, writes opinion based on his selected, referenced facts. We like his opinion, cheer him on, but we also better read opinions of those who challenge us and pay even more attention to those.

I agree with everything you said except that it's not an article. An article isn't limited to unbiased reports -- if that were the case there would be hardly any articles in existence. I am involved in editing/English as well and have a degree in English. I know what an article is and I don't take ANYTHING I read at face value without my own research. (I am a cynic, to boot).

ar·ti·cle (är

t

-k

l)n.1. An individual thing or element of a class; a particular object or item: an article of clothing; articles of food.
2. A particular section or item of a series in a written document, as in a contract, constitution, or treaty.
3. A nonfictional literary composition that forms an independent part of a publication, as of a newspaper or magazine.
4. Grammar a. The part of speech used to indicate nouns and to specify their application.
b. Any of the words belonging to this part of speech. In English, the indefinite articles are a and an and the definite article is the.

5. A particular part or subject; a specific matter or point.

It is an independent part of the publication -- meaning it is separate and inclusive of that publication. Articles are not relegated to only non-opinionated pieces. I would also argue that there is no such thing as an "article" that is truly fair and balanced....at least I've never seen it in my years of study.

At any rate, based on all available criteria I do not believe I called it something it is not.

 

[Kate51]

It does go far enough to answer my one question, being how could e-cigs be banned but not tobacco cigarettes. Maybe there are some sensible minds at work here. At least it's in the rhetoric now, anyway..hopeful. Regulation that is nothing more than the appearance of regulation? In other words, if someone sues someone for wrongful death of a smoker, would the FDA then be the liable one. In short, if they regulate one thing, known to be dangerous and left others in place, and not out and out ban cigarettes, they would be liable. But they would not be able to be sued, unless I'm wrong about that. Cannot sue the Government. However, they are stepping on dangerous ground. FDA is an entity that cannot manage the complaints they are now charged with, undermanned and underbudgeted. Can they afford more mandates? What an unholy mess. At the lease, this is not official legislative speak, so may be just a moot point anyway.

 

[Surf Monkey]

I've been reading the legislation and I have a feeling it's not going to pass in its current form. The restrictions on new products, advertising and labeling are just too restrictive.

That said, now is the time to email, write or call your Senators. They're continuing floor debate tomorrow. I'm calling mine first thing tomorrow AM.

 

[Cancer]

I agree with TBOB, keep are supporters close and our OPPOSITION CLOSER!

 

[enrogae]

I've been reading the legislation and I have a feeling it's not going to pass in its current form. The restrictions on new products, advertising and labeling are just too restrictive.

That said, now is the time to email, write or call your Senators. They're continuing floor debate tomorrow. I'm calling mine first thing tomorrow AM.

I dunno about that. Last report I saw on Fox was that it was looking like it would be an easy pass. It's already through the House, and is being debated in the Senate right now. A lot of Senators are on board and Obama has already said that he would likely support it (which I find crazy). Not to mention Phillip Morris is on board...that's a big hit.

 

[Surf Monkey]

Read my words. I said "in its current form."

 

[Kate51]

They probably won't be able to get enough votes to block it, doubtful if ammendments will even get through. Never say Whoa! in a horse race.

 

[Vicks Vap-oh-Yeah]

Right now, the things that are pushing this bill thorugh the Senate are - its title: "Family Smoking and Tobacco Control Act," and Kennedy's name.

What Senator wants their name listed as voting against a piece of legislature with that title attached to it? This is an image thing - seeing how many Americans never get past the name of a bill before forming their opinions (and many more don't even get THAT far!) it could hurt them come time for re-election.

And, with Kennedy's health - this bill is his legacy - his last hurrah - the big finish. That's why there are only select few who oppose the bill - it has nothing to do with the CONTENTS of the bill, but everything to do with its presentation.


Unfortunately, the contents are what we're going to have to live with if this monster gets passed.

 

[Kate51]

You got that right! Isn't it fun to watch the power plays at work. This is so unrighteous, I can't even believe they believe their own selves it's so ridiculous!!

 

[jennatar]

It's not a report. It's an op-ed opinion piece by Dr. Siegel, who runs The Rest of the Story: Tobacco News Analysis and Commentary

He's on our side, but don't think this is a report. It's pure opinion, with no balance or fairness required.

Let's call it an informed 'column.'

 

[lotus14]

If balanced, fair, logical reporting were required, all of our mainstream media news outlets would be shut down.