Treated like a Queen FOR Smoking at Office Christmas Party

[BellaKos]

323. Well, I understand ...

I understand far more than I can convey here. But the simple logic is this: If smoking causes lung cancer, then it follows that everyone who smokes will get lung cancer. That is not true, because everyone does not get lung cancer, even those who have smoked for decades. Even major populations of smokers in France and Japan. From that alone -- that simple fact -- is it illogical to wonder if there are more factors involved in this health issue? That's all I was attempting to say.

Now about alcoholism. It is apparent that you know very little about it. Can you please accept the fact that I know far more than the average person about it? Not only have I lived with the effects of alcoholism in my family for decades, but also I've been reading about the subject for decades. And I'll tell you this: A person who *plans* to get drunk on New Year's Eve is, in fact, exhibiting an indicator of Stage One. And from there, it is easy to slip into Stage Two without even realizing it. Keep in mind, denial and psychological dysfunction are parts of the disease.

So, you and I agree on this, however:
"A product that addicts its users, and kills a significant percentage of them, and makes more ill, is not something to be celebrated, or even excused."

And yet, alcohol is celebrated in almost every social setting from New Year's Eve and Christmas parties to Memorial Day picnics to lunch with colleagues and so on. It is delusional to assume that alcohol abuse is not dangerous. And from my perspective, based on experience, observations, and general knowledge, more dangerous than smoking. Yet, people who drink are celebrated and encouraged, while smokers are shunned.

But the point of my comments were not to go against The Church of Conventional Wisdom, but rather to suggest that perhaps there's more to discover about these health issues. And I wanted to point out that the attitude of its devotees is just as condescending as those of Christian fundamentalists. My hope is that The Smug around here can see that quality of self-righteousness in themselves and realize how hypocritical it is chastise and condemn others who assert a different point of view.

But noooooo .... That won't happen, because, instead, I will be misunderstood again and accosted with more statistics and accused of being scientifically illiterate.