I don't understand NYC laws (Greek Mike)

Recently the City Council of New York passed a law prohibiting smoking in public areas and public parks due to "health concerns". First of all, I do understand the intention of this law. It is to promote a healthy lifestyle in the city and minimize air pollution.

My friends, the path to hell is lined by good intentions. Now, consider this.....obesity is a HUGE problem in these United States (pun intended). I, myself, am considered obese (I like beer, I like donuts and Homer Simpson is my role model) and obesity is a far greater health risk than smoking. If NYC (especially mayor Bloomberg) is truly concerned with public health, why not tax the obese? Or better yet, prevent obese people from ordered out? or even eating? Seems obscene and offensive? Well, it won't end there porky!

Consider this.... if you are in a closed space for a half hour with your car running, you die. If you are in a closed space for a half hour with cigar/cigarette smoke, your clothes and hair smell. Which emissions are more toxic? So if the city of New York is TRULY concerned with public health, they should also pass a law prohibiting any car that has an exhaust from driving near public parks. Ridiculous? Absolutely!

The true culprit.... Mister Softee ice cream trucks. These are not only bad for the environment (gas-guzzling, toxic emission spewing carriers of delicious frozen treats), but they ALSO encourage obesity! Do not target the cigar smokers off in the corner of the park who are merely enjoying an afternoon smoke, target these diabetes-peddlers!

Seems ridiculous? It is. Smokers are denied basic rights due to strict and absurd laws. Laws passed by out of touch politicians. The fact that this law was passed in NYC (but the police will not enforce it) is a sign of the times... a scary sign. Remember, Hitler was a non-smoker....and he was defeated by three smokers (Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin).

"A man with no vices, has even fewer virtues."-Honest Abe Lincoln.

I started smoking cigars back in my days as an undergrad at Cornell University. I always had an interest in cigars. Everyone cool smoked cigars. Cigars were meant for the very strong, from Hannibal Smith of the A-Team, Winston Churchill and even the main man himself, Lobo all smoked stoogies.

A history professor once told me "A gentleman is well versed in history and art and has a fine palate for alcohol and tobacco". This adage, along with my long admiration of mercenaries, former British Prime Ministers and a comic book anti-hero sealed the deal. I decided to begin my journey at the tender age of 18 by starting with the lowliest, crappiest cigars I could find. I wanted to start at the bottom rung so my palate would become more refined and appreciated of the better cigars. This was a sort of boot-camp for my tastebuds. I decided to start off with something resembling a cigar called "Romeo". These were sold out of a hot truck (their sandwiches were awful anyway) and were so awful that Juliet had a better mind to never associate with it. I started off on "Romeos", White Owl, Philly Blunts and then moved on to better cigars. Although I have to say that some cigars I have come across are rather comparable to the lower rung of the cigar step-ladder (i.e. avoid Helix, unless you like the taste of burnt bark).

So here I am, writing about cigars. I hope you enjoy the blogs. I would like to thank Tony and Eugene for this opportunity. I have to admit, we have carried Cigar Fridays to new levels. From its lowly beginnings in New York Medical College, to smoking on a curb outside Kirkley Lodge, the journey has only begun.