Letters to the Editor
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Obama smoking again? It's not about experience -- it's about judgment!
I like Sen. Obama, have contributed to his campaign, and will be eager to vote for him if nominated for President, but I have to say I am one of that portion of the population who find it disappointing that he has ever been a smoker, and even more disappointing that he persists in smoking. Anyone born after 1950 or so would have to have been unimaginably unaware not to know of the proven risks and dangers of tobacco smoking prior to commencing this unnecessary, expensive, and downright stupid habit. So, Barack Obama is bound to have known about the dangers and addictive nature of smoking prior to taking up the habit, whenever that occurred. Even if one categorizes the choice to begin smoking as one governed by youthful indiscretion and therefore worthy of being excused, to have persisted in smoking over the years despite certain knowledge of the health risks to both him and his family demonstrates fundamentally poor judgment on Senator Obama's part. Sure, quitting smoking is hard and often requires several attempts but millions have done it successfully. We'll be much better able, as a nation, to provide and afford the health care for all that is desired, if we relentlessly work to discourage and minimize smoking among all segments of society. Sen. Obama tells us that he has superior judgment -- and I suspect he does indeed compared to either Clinton or McCain -- but if he really wants to demonstrate the full range of superior judgment he'll quit smoking now, stick with it, and very publicly set the proper example for the nation.