David Kaufman wrote a brilliant letter about rights and smokers (Voice, July 26). Mr. Kaufman understands that the issue is retaining the freedom to choose, not smoking. The “zealots” of whom he speaks have been very successful at creating the national hysteria that surrounds the smoking issue. Mr. Kaufman understands that it is the hysteria that drives public opinion, not the issue. He knows that it is a relatively simple matter to focus that hysteria on any number of issues.
History should remind us that propaganda is a very powerful tool. During the 1930s and ’40s in Europe, the radio was the means by which the agenda of zealots was impressed upon the public. Now, of course, the means by which information, ideas and political agendas can inundate the public is much more efficient.
In the case of tobacco issues, zealots such as David Kessler have powerful tools at their disposal. The media and technology grant them instant and frequent access to millions of people. Contrived statistics, pseudo-scientific studies and innuendo provide the so-called facts that support their claims. Propagandists know that the more often a lie is told, the more it is accepted as truth.
Propagandists and politicians also know that to win instant support from the American people or to whip up instant hysteria, all they have to do is attach the phrase “. . . but it’s for the children . . .” or “. . . it is bad for the children” to any issue or agenda they want to force upon us.
So what we have is not a dangerous situation vis-a-vis tobacco. What we have is a carefully and cleverly orchestrated national hysteria designed to further a political agenda. The hysteria can be rekindled at any time and for any purpose. Mr. Kaufman is right. We (all of us) must resist being mesmerized by “thoughtless passion.” We must retain the right to make our own choices. We must not surrender our freedom in a mindless frenzy to be politically correct!
