This technique is not new. In the Roman empire, when the Emperor needed to extort more unfair tax from the oppressed population, he would announce that the tax would double. Allowing outrage to burst, he would then concede a reduction of 50% from the original increase. The population would then be immensely relieved, grateful to the Emperor, and would gladly accept to pay the increase that the Emperor wanted to get in the first place. Control was achieved without employing one single soldier. History repeats itself because people don't care to learn it.

Moreover, this will also give time for the tobacco settlement to take its course. If it goes the way the antis want, the ban repeal will be an academic matter, for state-endorsed criminal organizations like ASSIST will receive immense funding that will be used to spread lies, intolerance and violence against smokers on a scale so far unprecedented.

With the total sell-out of the truth by the U.S. tobacco industry (it astonishes me to see that there is still somebody out there foolish enough to consider the industry as part of "our side"), the concession that ETS is an extremely dangerous poison is just around the corner. Traitors have no loyalty to anyone, no respect for the truth, and no concept of integrity. At this point, I can say that there is no substantial difference between the US tobacco industry and its enemies, as they are partners in the crimes of lying to the people and looting the smokers.

The ban repeal will be acceptable and believable only if it will applied immediately, and for unlimited amount of time. NO DEALS. Anything less is to be fought with any means conceivable. In fact, I believe that this ban "repeal" is far more dangerous than the ban itself, for it leaves matters unsettled, confused, and contradictory, and this is the environment in which the antismokers operate best (actually, the ONLY environment in which the antis CAN operate).

Without meaning to patronize anyone, I would like to invite everybody to stop being naive enough to believe in due process and justice in North America, for the first one is corrupt to political purposes, and the second is just an undefined personal perception, with as many interpretations as there are people on earth.

The only thing that really matters is POWER. Anything else, though corollary, is irrelevant. The power of smokers is immense, but we don't know how to use it.

There cannot be any compromise. We are the injured party, and we are entitled to compensation on many fronts. On the other hand, the antismoking establishment is guilty of at least scientific and statistical fraud and racketeering. There is enough material available to send many prominent antismokers to jail, and make the current Clinton scandal look like second-rate tabloid gossip.

Fascists lie and oppress as a way of living, and respect only power, fear, and force. Being disgusted and outraged is not enough. Whining like frustrated housewives is not enough. Ignored by the media that is anxiously waiting for its share of the millions coming from the tobacco settlement, it is useless to expect exposure of our rightful opinions, and our correct scientific knowledge.

No guilt, no fear, no shame. We are proud to be smokers, for we make an important tax contribution. Unfortunately, with the wealth we create, we find ourselves in the outrageous position of supporting our predators and their parasites as well. Time to get regimented. Time for ACTION, and the first one to take is to join FORCES.

We have been so conditioned to inferiority and guilt, too many of us behave like the dog who licks the hand of his master for not being beaten up, today. Time to remember we are CITIZENS who have a right -- and an obligation-- to exercise our power.

Gian Turci