Don't look now, but if you are on the Post-Gazette's editorial board you might want to call your office.
Remember when the folks at the PG said that working in a smoke-filled bar amounted to "flirting with death"? Well, it seems like the national groups who generated data to support that sort of nonsense might have been relying on some pretty exaggerated data. Purposely exaggerated data. Go figure.
Not to gloat or anything. But this appears to be pretty damning stuff--from someone who supports smoking bans. Here's what he makes of the new revelations (as selected by Reason's Jacob Sullum):
This appears not to be simply an innocent misinterpretation of scientific evidence. Instead, it appears to be an intentional manipulation of people's emotions through the manipulation of scientific findings in order to make public claims that are more startling than they would otherwise be, in an effort to promote a desired public policy outcome....
There are really only two possibilities I can think of to explain what is happening.
One possibility is that anti-smoking groups are lying to the public about the science in order to promote smoking bans. If this is the case, then we face an ethical crisis. Such misconduct would represent a serious violation of accepted ethical standards of public health practice.
The second possibility is that anti-smoking groups are not lying, but that they actually believe that hardening of the arteries can occur in 30 minutes. If this is the case, then we face a crisis of scientific credibility.
Wow. That's an ass kicking.
Of course this will do little to change the PG's position on the issue. Because it's not really about public health. It's about social engineering. Forcing people to live lives that meet the editorial board's approval, and using the full force of government to ensure compliance.
So much for tolerance.
I bet you were thrilled that State Rep. Susan E. Cornell, R-Montgomery lost her primary ace. Surprised, or maybe just disappointed that she was a (R). Certainly not the libertarian (R) that I like to see in office.
Officials smolder as Legislature stalls on smoking ban
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06150/694192-114.stm
Posted by: Amos the Poker Cat | June 06, 2006 at 07:02 AM