I don't understand the fuss about teen vaping because I don't know the law. Isn't there a minimum age for purchase of tobacco products? Shouldn't it logically be the same for other nicotine-containing products? It's been 30 years since I had any connection to a teen who used nicotine, so I may just be out of touch.
Yes, according to someone I know in the industry, you have to be of age to buy vaping products. Also, they are not supposed to solicit minors. That's why that scandal a few months ago involving Jewel going into schools was such big thing.
I expect many of the kids get their vapes from straw buyers; evidently there are also a lot of illicit ones being sold on street corners and suchlike. I have the impression that legally they are regulated little better than so-called "dietary supplements."
Just starting to read the article on the Electoral College. The first paragraph complains that two of the last three presidents have lost the popular vote while winning in the electoral College. While this fact is undeniable and lamentable, it's not unprecedented. From 2000 onward, I have not seen one single, solitary mention that Benjamin Harrison lost the popular vote to Grover Cleveland but won the Electoral College. Guess what? The earth did not stop spinning! The country did not collapse! And my sneaking suspicion is that, if demagogues got up on soapboxes demanding the abolition of the Electoral College, most people payed them no mind.
I'm sorry, but this whole thing is sour grapes, and childish at that. Perhaps the electoral system needs to be overhauled and modernized, but for goodness' sake, stop throwing tantrums because the system produced results some of us don't like. I don't know about the Cleveland/Harrison election, and my memory's a trifle hazy on Gore/Bush, but there is no doubt in my mind that Clinton lost that election fair and square. A candidate's job is to earn votes and she didn't earn enough votes. It's as simple as that. Why won't these goddamned cry babies accept that and move the hell on? Why waste time and effort on a side issue when we need to focus all our energy on making sure Trump does not win the coming election? *Either part* of the coming election!
I'm of the opinion that such problems as the Electoral College poses aren't worth the trouble of trying to change the constitution. The Interstate Vote Compact seems far more practical, and it continues to make progress; I expect that I will live to see it pass.
The national popular vote compact requires approval by jurisdictions (states, DC) with 270 electoral votes. Currently it has 202. States in which it has been passed by one branch of the legislature have 69 electoral votes. It is unlikely but not impossible that it will pass before the next presidential election. If that happens there will be a frenetic scramble to campaign in non-battleground states.
Turkey's in, sweet potatoes simmering, about to start the dressing.
ReplyDeleteHow's the weather?
DeleteWarmish, about 40 degrees. Rain been threateing all day.
DeleteThe Constitution’s Case Against High-Interest Loans [Click] And a nearly forgotten law.
ReplyDeleteThe Guardian view on Italy’s ‘Sardine’ movement: politics with panache can defeat the hard right [Click] But we have no equivalent to their song that I can think of.
Boris ‘Teflon’ Johnson’s rise shows how [Britain’s] ruling classes are not fit for purpose [Click]
Is the British establishment finally finished? [Click] A long read. IMO Britain’s problems are certainly echoed on this side of the Atlantic.
Goldman Sachs seeks to rebrand as wealth takes center stage in the Democratic presidential race [Click] Looks like someone got their attention, no?
ReplyDeleteChick-fil-A faces rightwing backlash after cutting ties to Christian groups [Click] “Ted Cruz and Mike Huckabee condemn restaurant chain that also donated to civil rights group Southern Poverty Law Center
ReplyDeleteHistorian Predicts Trump’s Approval Will Collapse [Click] Fingers crossed…
Widespread nicotine poisoning by vaping [Click]
I don't understand the fuss about teen vaping because I don't know the law. Isn't there a minimum age for purchase of tobacco products? Shouldn't it logically be the same for other nicotine-containing products? It's been 30 years since I had any connection to a teen who used nicotine, so I may just be out of touch.
DeleteYes, according to someone I know in the industry, you have to be of age to buy vaping products. Also, they are not supposed to solicit minors. That's why that scandal a few months ago involving Jewel going into schools was such big thing.
DeleteI expect many of the kids get their vapes from straw buyers; evidently there are also a lot of illicit ones being sold on street corners and suchlike. I have the impression that legally they are regulated little better than so-called "dietary supplements."
DeleteSome vaping doesn't include nicotine.
ReplyDeleteJust starting to read the article on the Electoral College. The first paragraph complains that two of the last three presidents have lost the popular vote while winning in the electoral College. While this fact is undeniable and lamentable, it's not unprecedented. From 2000 onward, I have not seen one single, solitary mention that Benjamin Harrison lost the popular vote to Grover Cleveland but won the Electoral College. Guess what? The earth did not stop spinning! The country did not collapse! And my sneaking suspicion is that, if demagogues got up on soapboxes demanding the abolition of the Electoral College, most people payed them no mind.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry, but this whole thing is sour grapes, and childish at that. Perhaps the electoral system needs to be overhauled and modernized, but for goodness' sake, stop throwing tantrums because the system produced results some of us don't like. I don't know about the Cleveland/Harrison election, and my memory's a trifle hazy on Gore/Bush, but there is no doubt in my mind that Clinton lost that election fair and square. A candidate's job is to earn votes and she didn't earn enough votes. It's as simple as that. Why won't these goddamned cry babies accept that and move the hell on? Why waste time and effort on a side issue when we need to focus all our energy on making sure Trump does not win the coming election? *Either part* of the coming election!
I'm of the opinion that such problems as the Electoral College poses aren't worth the trouble of trying to change the constitution. The Interstate Vote Compact seems far more practical, and it continues to make progress; I expect that I will live to see it pass.
DeleteThe national popular vote compact requires approval by jurisdictions (states, DC) with 270 electoral votes. Currently it has 202. States in which it has been passed by one branch of the legislature have 69 electoral votes. It is unlikely but not impossible that it will pass before the next presidential election. If that happens there will be a frenetic scramble to campaign in non-battleground states.
Delete