Fuming over stance on cigarette suit
The Times’ editorial page sank to a new low in responsible journalism on Oct. 19 when it proclaimed, “The rule of law prevails.†How can any sentient being consider the law to have been served when a serial-killer industry gets off with a slap on the wrist after 50 years of conspiracy to lie to our government and society about the addictive and lethal nature of the products that they marketed to our children?
Although a positive disgorgement ruling of up to $280 billion from the neocon-dominated Supreme Court could have provided meaningful punishment for the tobacco cartel, some redress for their millions of victims and funding for prevention of future disease, U.S. District Judge Gladys Kessler’s hands are now tied, and any final judgment she might render against the tobacco industry will be somewhat less than the $15 billion it now spends each year to market its poisonous products.
FREDERIC W. GRANNIS JR. MD
Long Beach
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