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seabeyond

(110,159 posts)

99. There is a difference between being empathetic and being hateful. Yes. It is the hateful

Sun Dec 27, 2015, 05:32 PM

Dec 2015

that makes me cringe. I hear it when people talk about smokers or over weight people. I do not even hear it with the drunk or druggie, necessarily. But, when talking about the smoker and the overweight person, they get such a gleeful vilifying/vengeful enthusiasm that I truly cannot comprehend nor would I ever want to be that person.

I could be hit by a bus, and a group of my family, my in-laws would stand around my grave and snark that "She is a smoker, she deserved/earned/caused it." In all their self righteousness. I literally would not want these people at my funeral.

I have never felt the need to lessen the loss of another human being with the cause of their death.

This is one of those, that I do not get it, and I do not want to get it. And I would rather be around a heavy person, a smoker or about anyone else, than the person that walks life in this manner.

I am one that is not proud, nor do I like anything about smoking. I have been trying hard to quit about 5 yrs now and starting up again, with a goal date in the next couple days. I would give anything to not smoke. It isn't something I defend. But, it is not all that I am, either.

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Cigarette smoking. [View all] Kath1 Dec 2015 OP

very stupid with todays knowledge of the consequences spanone Dec 2015 #1

My 62-year-old sister was diagnosed with COPD and emphysema--given 5-6 years to live. TheBlackAdder Dec 2015 #61

All those venues used to be filled wth smoke,so she got a whopping dose of second-hand smoke at work Hekate Dec 2015 #70

Yep, second hand smoke. TheBlackAdder Dec 2015 #72

Mormon stewardesses with lung cancer: one of the things that finally got airplanes clean Hekate Dec 2015 #73

My doctors believe my bladder cancer is from second hand smoke.... marble falls Dec 2015 #175

Really, I'd never heard that davidpdx Dec 2015 #234

I've been told that spouses of smokers are more likely to get bladder cancer... marble falls Jan 2016 #252

Long hot showers? 3catwoman3 Dec 2015 #94

hot shower + chlorinated water = toxic chemicals. Binkie The Clown Dec 2015 #130

Whatever. TheBlackAdder Dec 2015 #168

Probably refering to the presence of Radon 222 in the water CajunBlazer Dec 2015 #214

Condolences on your fathers passing. trillion Dec 2015 #143

Thanks so much. nt TheBlackAdder Dec 2015 #167

Not cool. SheilaT Dec 2015 #2

Smoking killed my mother when I was 10 yrs old. nt Zorra Dec 2015 #3

I'm sorry to hear that. I can't imagine what losing a parent at that age was like. davidpdx Dec 2015 #110

I'm sorry to hear that. That is a terrible tragedy. trillion Dec 2015 #145

I'm guessing you are pretty young. SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #4

Condolences on your mother. trillion Dec 2015 #144

Thanks. SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #149

LOL, yes, so cool. Like in the 60s. Lung Cancer is great! nt Logical Dec 2015 #5

My aunt is dying of lung cancer. JunkyardAngel83 Dec 2015 #134

That poor woman. At this point though, it probably doesn't matter further and she may as well trillion Dec 2015 #146

Yup, that's what I figure. JunkyardAngel83 Dec 2015 #170

I am so sorry, my mom had terminal emphysema and smoked to the end. It must be a terrible.... Logical Dec 2015 #155

I'm sorry about your mom. JunkyardAngel83 Dec 2015 #171

Liberal smokers have been hoodwinked by corporations. SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #6

Yep, oxygen cylinders that folk need to haul around to breathe when they have COPD Nye Bevan Dec 2015 #7

If you do smoke and you enjoy it, I say have fun with it. Your life. BlueJazz Dec 2015 #8

I agree in principle, kind of. SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #19

What you say is true. I don't smoke but I'm sure I do/eat other things that may cause a shorter life BlueJazz Dec 2015 #176

As long as you don't get to collect disability for a lung disease Drahthaardogs Dec 2015 #181

I understand what you're saying and a part of me agrees. The problem I have is> BlueJazz Dec 2015 #187

It is not the same though. Drahthaardogs Dec 2015 #192

True. If it were up to me, cigarettes would be taxed like my other country. (Australia) BlueJazz Dec 2015 #193

And likewise she'll enjoy the lung cancer or the SheilaT Dec 2015 #204

Read my post numbers 187 and 193. BlueJazz Dec 2015 #212

Make sure you quit by 45 flamingdem Dec 2015 #9

But it is almost impossible to quit once you have started. SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #14

I was lucky too loyalsister Dec 2015 #37

I smoked for about a year and noticed my everyday stamina was going down. I quit to.. BlueJazz Dec 2015 #77

I smoked off and on Blue_In_AK Dec 2015 #123

My sister stopped singing in clubs by 40, and she still developed COPD and emphysema at age 60. TheBlackAdder Dec 2015 #75

I was thinking of a light smoker flamingdem Dec 2015 #98

Cigarettes are so addictive now a days it's hard to find a light smoker. trillion Dec 2015 #148

Wow flamingdem Dec 2015 #169

I have absolutely no doubt that is so. SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #180

Pretty addictive, but there are still what are called "chippers" eridani Dec 2015 #191

I read somewhere that your lungs can repair to some degree after you stop davidpdx Jan 2016 #237

I am 76 and just now trying to quit. RebelOne Dec 2015 #107

Good luck to you NastyRiffraff Dec 2015 #109

Consider trying vaping, as recommended to me below. nt SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #182

I havent had a cigarette in almost 2 years notadmblnd Dec 2015 #208

Very good thinking. Jim Beard Dec 2015 #124

There are a lot of young liberal hipster smokers here in Portland. Arugula Latte Dec 2015 #10

I'm always amazed at how many smokers are food conscience ProudToBeBlueInRhody Dec 2015 #11

It's funny how people are selective about things like that. Arugula Latte Dec 2015 #12

My brother in law is diabetic and an alcoholic. Mariana Dec 2015 #21

Yep, don't start. SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #15

Smoking disqualifies ones hipness randr Dec 2015 #58

The smell of it really bothers me davidpdx Dec 2015 #112

Sorry about your dad. Arugula Latte Dec 2015 #120

Thanks davidpdx Jan 2016 #238

Smoker's Face -- An Evident Reason To Quit progree Dec 2015 #13

I just shake my head when I hear "reason to quit." SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #17

I quit, and it was hell, took endless tries, but glad I did, and a big reason was progree Dec 2015 #22

I hear you Skittles Dec 2015 #24

I read somewhere that the average number of tries is 6. For me, more like 5X that many, progree Dec 2015 #25

I think I quit on my seventh attempt Skittles Dec 2015 #34

Not allowing myself to smoke in my home or car helped me too. beam me up scottie Dec 2015 #40

I had to not drink any alcohol for some time to finally quit for good Skittles Dec 2015 #43

Me too, no bar hopping for me! beam me up scottie Dec 2015 #44

hey, same with me!! Skittles Dec 2015 #46

That's what I had to do. I knew that no way I could drink and quit smoking. Plus where I usually brewens Dec 2015 #54

I quit coffee a couple of years Aerows Dec 2015 #89

Seriously, SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #178

Like my sister in law . . . HughBeaumont Dec 2015 #59

Hope she can do it. SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #80

Congratulations! SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #78

I quit almost five years ago... Stellar Dec 2015 #90

I feel bad for old people who got hooked at a time when most people smoked. Arugula Latte Dec 2015 #125

Exactly. nt SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #150

It's not that hard. Drahthaardogs Dec 2015 #183

Congratulations, but everyone is different. SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #184

Which twin is the smoker? Liberal_in_LA Dec 2015 #203

And the forehead. And the eyes. SheilaT Dec 2015 #211

A smoker's face is much more obvious long SheilaT Dec 2015 #210

Quitting was the best thing I ever did. ronnie624 Dec 2015 #16

Congratulations! SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #18

E-cigs worked for me instantly. Mariana Dec 2015 #26

Good advice Egnever Dec 2015 #33

I wish they had good ones when I was quitting. joshcryer Dec 2015 #38

Most former smokers who use e-cigs Mariana Dec 2015 #65

Absolutely, don't get me wrong. joshcryer Dec 2015 #93

What is your source for that? metalbot Dec 2015 #163

Cigs just don't compare to a good vape. I knew I was quit for good when Skeeter Barnes Dec 2015 #66

Thank you!! SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #81

Bought a kit for hubby today. SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #179

If the nicotine concentration is too much for him Mariana Dec 2015 #188

Thanks, SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #194

Hmm. He could take little sips at first. Mariana Dec 2015 #195

30 ml of 18mg SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #196

Thanks. ronnie624 Dec 2015 #62

My buddy at work and his wife both smoke. I would imagine each goes thru at least a pack Waldorf Dec 2015 #20

why would that be cool? Skittles Dec 2015 #23

Why do you find smoking cigarettes "cool"? darkangel218 Dec 2015 #27

I live in a senior facility. roody Dec 2015 #28

Rec'd for the general topic and the responses progree Dec 2015 #29

Why is smoking an issue on here? akbacchus_BC Dec 2015 #30

There are people who hate you because you smoke. Mariana Dec 2015 #35

This. It always, really, kinda knocks me on my ass to peruse a thread like this. Such venom. Nt. seabeyond Dec 2015 #79

See my post #96, seabeyond. I don't hate my family members. I grieve for them. Hekate Dec 2015 #97

There is a difference between being empathetic and being hateful. Yes. It is the hateful seabeyond Dec 2015 #99

You are right get the red out Dec 2015 #157

I wish you luck with that, sea. Warren DeMontague Dec 2015 #224

Sea, I find this Op unbelievable, now smoking is a problem! What about all akbacchus_BC Dec 2015 #133

Yep. SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #83

Honestly, that is their choice to hate. But am a smoker and no one on akbacchus_BC Dec 2015 #131

Wow. OnionPatch Dec 2015 #197

Please, find one post in which I've expressed hatred Mariana Dec 2015 #198

The post I replied to gives the distinct impression. OnionPatch Dec 2015 #199

I'll tell you who I don't like very much. Mariana Dec 2015 #217

Or some of us actually have watched relatives die of lung cancer. Warren DeMontague Dec 2015 #209

If my post wasn't about you Mariana Dec 2015 #218

Fine. I am thankful every damn day that I didn't pick up that particular habit as a teenager Warren DeMontague Dec 2015 #219

I did not claim that smokers are oppressed. Mariana Dec 2015 #223

Too true ohheckyeah Dec 2015 #222

People have always liked to tell others how to live. Marrah_G Dec 2015 #42

Bingo! It makes people feel superior to know they are doing what they should be doing and others liberal_at_heart Dec 2015 #102

Yes, I hate smoking. I hate that it killed my wife, and I hate that it will kill many more. n/t Binkie The Clown Dec 2015 #132

I am sorry for your loss. liberal_at_heart Dec 2015 #164

Secondhand smoke, though... JunkyardAngel83 Dec 2015 #135

Thank you. nt raccoon Dec 2015 #138

because it STINKS Skittles Dec 2015 #45

I can't smell anything on DU. pintobean Dec 2015 #50

literally and figuratively Skittles Dec 2015 #100

I'm a former smoker, too. pintobean Dec 2015 #103

I'm not militant Skittles Dec 2015 #104

I think it's the ex-smokers who are most rabid about smoking. cwydro Dec 2015 #51

it. will. kill. you. spanone Dec 2015 #52

I don't go into a coughing fit edhopper Dec 2015 #57

You should quit, like overweight people should lose weight. But no one can/should force you. nt Logical Dec 2015 #68

I feel the same about drowning people. Warren Stupidity Dec 2015 #71

Sigh... SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #84

Here's two, out of hundreds of good reasons why: Open Secrets: Tobacco Zorra Dec 2015 #88

Come again? GeorgeGist Dec 2015 #95

Smoking is an issue in lots of places, not just here. SheilaT Dec 2015 #213

Cool? I have a friend who just had his first christmas without his wife CBGLuthier Dec 2015 #31

I committed suicide by smoking for far too many years... Contrary1 Dec 2015 #32

my uncle lost his wife 2 years ago at 60. i know my great-uncles were older. 72 + 90+, but my pansypoo53219 Dec 2015 #36

I'm sorry for the responses you're getting. joshcryer Dec 2015 #39

how is smoking liberal? Skittles Dec 2015 #47

This message was self-deleted by its author Skittles Dec 2015 #48

Conservatives are more likely to smoke than liberals. joshcryer Dec 2015 #49

I think you're missing something. Mariana Dec 2015 #64

I think perhaps SHE is missing something Skittles Dec 2015 #105

She's clearly describing the people, not the smoking Mariana Dec 2015 #115

riiiiiiiiiiiiiiight Skittles Dec 2015 #119

Addictions are a disease, and they have nada to do with political views nadinbrzezinski Dec 2015 #185

Well put Nadin davidpdx Jan 2016 #240

I finally quit by vaping :) Marrah_G Dec 2015 #41

Vaping? Isn't that an admission of a chemical dependency or psychiatric-induced behavior? TheBlackAdder Dec 2015 #76

It's called "doing something enjoyable" Marrah_G Dec 2015 #82

I made a post about people who hate smokers Mariana Dec 2015 #114

Not true for many of us. It's because people we know people who died and are dying from it. trillion Dec 2015 #147

Please link to a study that shows Mariana Dec 2015 #156

Well, the important thing is you've still managed to feel superior to smokers... Act_of_Reparation Dec 2015 #121

Even better, the poster has managed to feel superior Mariana Dec 2015 #158

It's the internet Marrah_G Dec 2015 #159

Quitting is difficult enough by itself. Act_of_Reparation Dec 2015 #161

Good post. Explains a lot of the more self-righteous behavior around here, on various subjects. n/t nomorenomore08 Dec 2015 #205

Are you 12? When is smoking cool? Mom died far too young(in her 60s) from lung cancer after... Humanist_Activist Dec 2015 #53

Great. Maybe in a few decades you can share oxygen tanks. Vinca Dec 2015 #55

Cool story. Act_of_Reparation Dec 2015 #122

Lol, how is that very cool? RedCappedBandit Dec 2015 #56

i had a heart attack at 43 from smoking. stonecutter357 Dec 2015 #60

You should try vaping. Not the cigalike things at the gas station though. A good atomizer Skeeter Barnes Dec 2015 #63

And you know SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #86

I use an Aspire Nautalis and local made vape juice Marrah_G Dec 2015 #215

I'm glad you have friends, who happen to be liberal and who happen to smoke steve2470 Dec 2015 #67

Glad you feel reinforced by a peer group, but it's still a deadly addiction. nt Hekate Dec 2015 #69

Someone in my extended family died just this Christmas Eve of smoking-related disease. hunter Dec 2015 #74

I have a friend who has lung cancer right now sorefeet Dec 2015 #85

Is the OP too "cool" edhopper Dec 2015 #87

You said what I was thinking. nt raccoon Dec 2015 #139

There's nothing cool about putting that poison into your body Reter Dec 2015 #91

Did you think liberals are immune to addiction? nt arely staircase Dec 2015 #92

My brother has emphysema. My grandma died of bladder cancer; my grandpa died of kidney cancer... Hekate Dec 2015 #96

Are you sure it is cigarettes? still_one Dec 2015 #101

My godfather developed emphesema from LiberalElite Dec 2015 #106

is this possible flamebait? DonCoquixote Dec 2015 #108

Ding, ding! We have a winner. nt raccoon Dec 2015 #140

Sooooooo glad I quit that filthy habit 13 years ago, shit, I wish I never would have even started. Dont call me Shirley Dec 2015 #111

Important point. SheilaT Jan 2016 #250

Makes me glad I've never been rich enough to smoke. ileus Dec 2015 #113

I said I could not believe it. Kath1 Dec 2015 #116

The post was silly and made no sense. nt Logical Dec 2015 #117

Thank you! Kath1 Dec 2015 #118

Every time you buy a pack of cigs you are supporting the Chamber of Commerce and their GOP lapdogs. LAGC Dec 2015 #126

That is addict talk. Not cool. applegrove Dec 2015 #127

Yup. JunkyardAngel83 Dec 2015 #137

"And I could not believe these very intelligent women were smoking." SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #151

This will happen if you say anything positive about any smokers. Mariana Dec 2015 #160

I thought the original post was pretty innocuous. Kath1 Dec 2015 #172

Maybe you've never known anyone to suffer horribly from its effects...? Nt JudyM Dec 2015 #173

It was pretty innocuous. Mariana Dec 2015 #174

Garrison Keillor has Lake Wobegon, DU has Lake Virtue. IADEMO2004 Dec 2015 #177

I got no problem with cigarette smokers. Joe Shlabotnik Dec 2015 #128

I sat in the doctors office with my wife when she was told she had lung cancer. Binkie The Clown Dec 2015 #129

I'm sorry for your loss onethatcares Dec 2015 #141

WTH is cool about smoking? JunkyardAngel83 Dec 2015 #136

nothing Skittles Dec 2015 #220

yeah, nothing like COPD. Good luck to them. Cigarettes are more addictive than ever with the trillion Dec 2015 #142

alternatives DustyJoe Dec 2015 #154

Hmmm. I'm not so sure about that. SheilaT Jan 2016 #251

As a former smoker, I have to disagree Android3.14 Dec 2015 #152

that is correct Skittles Dec 2015 #221

switching to thc DustyJoe Dec 2015 #153

Not true. Act_of_Reparation Dec 2015 #162

Are you 16? Jesus Christ! TheManInTheMac Dec 2015 #165

There's nothing cool about smoking. nt LWolf Dec 2015 #166

If you are not a heavy smoker yet nadinbrzezinski Dec 2015 #186

I used to admire an ex who could truly just enjoy a cig during a night out Skittles Dec 2015 #189

Pretty much every country I've been to smokes a lot more than the US Recursion Dec 2015 #190

Not that that's a good thing, but it does make some of the discussions here seem a bit silly. n/t nomorenomore08 Dec 2015 #207

Urgh! It's yucky! SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #226

While I Would Never Consider Smoking In front Of Kids... Corey_Baker08 Dec 2015 #200

I smoked for 25 years. MohRokTah Dec 2015 #201

"I wish I had never started" SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #228

Four years free thanks to Allen Carr's system Babel_17 Dec 2015 #202

Hmmm... SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #231

If you want to stop smoking, the Allen Carr book works (he tells you to smoke while reading it) Babel_17 Dec 2015 #233

Thanks. SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #236

All the best for you and your husband! nt Babel_17 Jan 2016 #241

I smoke various things myself, mostly recreationally. nomorenomore08 Dec 2015 #206

I don't smoke romanic Dec 2015 #216

There is nothing cool about smoking, ever, at any time, in any way. kwassa Dec 2015 #225

I think the OP must be very young Warpy Dec 2015 #227

Oh, absolutely, but I can't blame them. SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #229

I was a smoker when I was young. kwassa Dec 2015 #230

231 replies, 6211 views? Kath1 Dec 2015 #232

I think it started a good conversation. SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #235

Thank you. Kath1 Jan 2016 #239

I hope you don't mind I went off topic with the Allen Carr promotion Babel_17 Jan 2016 #243

No problems. Kath1 Jan 2016 #244

Awwww, you called me by my title! SusanCalvin Jan 2016 #246

Big fan of your work! Babel_17 Jan 2016 #247

I think regardless of the OP's statement, most of the replies in this thread have been incredible davidpdx Jan 2016 #242

And I can appreciate that. Kath1 Jan 2016 #245

It was good to read the successful quitting experiences, too. Mariana Jan 2016 #248

Yes, quitting something whether it be smoking or eating too much is a challenge davidpdx Jan 2016 #249

August 14, 1977. 8:05 am madokie Jan 2016 #253