RAH - The implications of (the tobacco) industry's disregard for human life

There is a vital lesson still waiting to be learned from the attitude and behaviour of the tobacco industry, which for decades has (and, as this article shows, continues to) put its "business interests" even before human health and lives, resulting in millions deaths annually.

It is difficult to get one's head around. Surely, those responsible should be in prison - but no, because what they are doing is NOT illegal. One of their number (Kenneth Clarke, until quite recently, deputy chairman of British American Tobacco) is a long-standing Member of Parliament and a very prominent and highly respected Conservative politician, despite the murderous business he is engaged in and profits from. It's all perfectly legal and above board, and he is seen as a decent, honourable and "responsible" man.

So it is not just the attitude of the tobacco industry itself, but of OUR own attitude to its attitude - if you see what I mean. We have criminals (evil doers!) in our midst - but don't recognise them as such. I suspect that they don't recognize themselves either. Kenneth Clarke is perhaps in reality a nice, well-meaning guy, but in denial of the terrible (death-bringing) business and behaviour he is involved in.

The vital lesson still waiting to be learned is that the tobacco industry is not exceptional, not just one bad apple in a barrel of good apples, but rather, "typical". Most companies put their business interests, although they may not be as blatantly pernicious as those of the tobacco industry, above everything else, even (if it's legal or they can get away with it) above human life and well-being!

It is a terrifying reality to face up to - but face up to it we must. At the moment we are largely in denial (refuse to believe) that our economic system could be so deeply flawed. But it is. And this has profound consequences for the sustainability, and thus the future, of our civilization.

On the root causes of the Sustainability Problem: http://www.spaceship-earth.org/PoS/The_root_causes_of_non-sustainability.htm

To: Guardian CiF Re: The implications of (the tobacco) industry's disregard for human life Date: Friday 27 April 07

In response to the Guardian article, "Smoke and mirrors" by Deborah Arnott on how the tobacco industry continues to advertise and promote its deadly products Link to article and thread at The Guardian. There is a vital lesson still waiting to be learned from the attitude and behaviour of the tobacco industry, which for decades has (and, as this article shows, continues to) put its "business interests" even before human health and lives, resulting in millions deaths annually. It is difficult to get one's head around. Surely, those responsible should be in prison - but no, because what they are doing is NOT illegal. One of their number (Kenneth Clarke, until quite recently, deputy chairman of British American Tobacco) is a long-standing Member of Parliament and a very prominent and highly respected Conservative politician, despite the murderous business he is engaged in and profits from. It's all perfectly legal and above board, and he is seen as a decent, honourable and "responsible" man. So it is not just the attitude of the tobacco industry itself, but of OUR own attitude to its attitude - if you see what I mean. We have criminals (evil doers!) in our midst - but don't recognise them as such. I suspect that they don't recognize themselves either. Kenneth Clarke is perhaps in reality a nice, well-meaning guy, but in denial of the terrible (death-bringing) business and behaviour he is involved in. The vital lesson still waiting to be learned is that the tobacco industry is not exceptional, not just one bad apple in a barrel of good apples, but rather, "typical". Most companies put their business interests, although they may not be as blatantly pernicious as those of the tobacco industry, above everything else, even (if it's legal or they can get away with it) above human life and well-being! It is a terrifying reality to face up to - but face up to it we must. At the moment we are largely in denial (refuse to believe) that our economic system could be so deeply flawed. But it is. And this has profound consequences for the sustainability, and thus the future, of our civilization. On the root causes of the Sustainability Problem: http://www.spaceship-earth.org/PoS/The_root_causes_of_non-sustainability.htm