cigarette lawyers

cigarette lawyer nathan thurm

In November 1984 Martin Short impersonated a lying, slithering, corporate lawyer. He would mug for the camera to suggest to the audience that something was not right with his interlocutor. He, himself, could not hide his nervousness. 

I remember that guy. I can't remember his name, but some years before the cigarette companies would have a spokesman to defend them to the public, and to deny any accusations against tobacco, and the cigarette companies. The brilliant stratagem was the constant cigarette, and its ash. He would advertise smoking, while smoking was attacked by 60 Minutes or some other journalist agency. "Hey, see I'm smoking, and I am a high paid lawyer. It is perfectly fine.", his puffing presence propositioned. If the cameraman was fool enough to linger on the cigarette, which ash would only grow, it would distract from the interview, and the interviewer. Look at that ash. Will it fall? A cheap trick of mesmerism.

The cigarette companies were lying, anyone with a little sense knew that. They were protecting their incomes. If they ultimately knew their ruses would fail, they enjoyed all those years there was a debate. Now, that bullshit delay is still used by economic interests. Those that attack climate science, the petroleum and coal companies, are puffing away at their lies. They as the tobacco companies are free with giving money to politicians, and attacking opponents. Every year they delay regulations, they win.

Cigarette lawyers work for other clients too. The NRA and the gun industry has Wayne LaPierre to serve the purpose. The Republican Party has Reince Priebus, and a dung barrow of others.