LETTERS: CVS decision won’t curtail smoking
To the editor:
Allison Newlon Moser lauded CVS for ending the sale of tobacco products at its stores (“CVS tobacco decision a bold move,” Wednesday Review-Journal letters). Ms. Moser believes that this will create a healthier, smoke-free environment. Her thinking is faulty and wrong. Smokers are addicted and will continue to purchase the product at another willing store that will be glad to have the extra sales and consequent profit.
As for CVS’s decision, it is irresponsible. A business should be conducted to maximize sales and profit as a fiduciary responsibility to its owners. If CVS’s action is successful and millions of addicts gave up the habit, it would be denying governments of tax revenue.
Ms. Moser should learn that we live in a free society, and it is the individual’s decision whether to smoke or not. The only way to curtail the use of tobacco products would be to make them illegal. Now I could support that, but where would we find enough lawmakers with the intestinal fortitude to pursue such a law?
BURTON J. SIMPSON
LAS VEGAS
Hoffman’s death
To the editor:
Philip Seymour Hoffman became yet another victim of the drug culture, leaving behind grief and sorrow for his loved ones. Over the decades that the drug culture has been in existence in this country, thousands of lives have ended because of the poison people put into their bodies in the name of getting high or escaping reality. Three people have been arrested and arraigned in Mr. Hoffman’s death. Lawyers will come to the rescue, and after a slap on the wrist, the beat goes on.
I knew two people years ago who started on recreational marijuana and graduated to cocaine. They had one thing in common: both committed suicide by overdosing on cocaine after financially destroying themselves and their families.
Drug dealers, to my way of thinking, are nothing more than human scum. You fools who smoke marijuana for fun or medical reasons make me laugh. You stand an excellent chance of getting lung cancer, as much as any cigarette smoker. Mr. Hoffman was 46 years old at his death. He looked a lot older.
Have fun puffing, snorting and injecting, you drug-culture people. The price you will pay in the end will bring you back to reality, or to the undertaker.
JOHN TOMINSKY
LAS VEGAS
Antipathy and firefighters
To the editor:
There have been several recent letters regarding firefighters, most in response to Barbara M. Trella’s Feb. 4 letter criticizing their grocery shopping in groups, with others explaining the necessity of firefighters being together in case of an emergency.
I believe Ms. Trella, in her critique, was expressing her antipathy toward firefighters because of their recent actions, and she was not criticizing their work. Firefighters have been held in high regard. Children have often imitated them and police officers, desiring to become first responders as a career. Unfortunately, both firefighters and police officers of late have usurped their offices. While respecting their deeds, many have questioned their rights to inflated salaries, sick leaves and generally taking advantage of their positions. Military personnel face as much or more danger than firefighters and police officers, while earning less pay.
While we will probably never return to friendly officers walking their beats in neighborhoods, it might be nice if firefighters in their ready groups stopped in for a Sunday service at one of their local churches. This might violate their union laws, but they might learn one passage of scripture that would explain the aforementioned antipathy: “A good name is more to be desired than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.”
It’s hard to regain your good name once it’s destroyed.
WILLIAM V. LOFTON
NORTH LAS VEGAS
Paper’s priorities
To the editor:
Can you please explain your putting an article about the passing of an icon, Shirley Temple (“Beloved child star Shirley Temple dies” Wednesday Review-Journal), on page 12A and the winning dog of the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on the front page? I don’t understand your newspaper’s priorities.
CHRISTINE STRONG
LAS VEGAS
