Up in Smoke In Ohio
Have I ever mentioned that career politicians are absolute scum… the lowest of the low… the turd that won’t flush, but constantly circles the bowl and resurfacing to your utter dismay? I must have mentioned that sometime in the past seven months since I created this little stink pit we call home… haven’t I? I’m always amazed how those with “the power” can do what they want, or at least think they can. Yesterday we discussed the tu-tu wearing governor of New Jersey and let’s not so soon forget Client Number Nine from the great state of New York. Both cases are flagrant examples of power hungry idiocy for the good of no one but themselves. Of course there have been countless others who have served to make our political system a cesspool of regurgitated falsehoods, lies, and scandals.
Now here’s a story that blew my mind this morning. There’s a little group known in the state of Ohio as the Ohio Tobacco Prevention Foundation (OTPF), created in the year 2000. Their mission is to educate about the dangers of smoking – with kids smoking cigarettes being the major emphasis. They have a Help Quit phone line, counseling, seminars and information on their website to help those with addictions and what have you. The non-profit organization is run by 17 dedicated volunteers.
Here’s where it gets wacky. This “little” organization just happens to have a bank account of 270 million dollars! Holy liver spots batman, that’s a lotta cash! Now you know how the zealots have so much power – it’s because they have the funds. Well, that is “had” the funds. You see, it seems that the state of Ohio is a tad cash strapped these days and state legislators had Governor Ted Strickland sign a measure that allowed the state of Ohio to pilfer 230 of the OTPF’s 270 million for their very own use. You heard it right, they confiscated the funds to do whatever they want to do with it. I guess the message clearly sent here is f@$k smoking teens and it’s tough shineola, people. Wow. As you could expect, the people who run the foundation freaked as did many of its supporters.
"This endowment was set up outside state government for just this reason and, clearly, to reach into it is illegal and unconstitutional and I think immoral as well," said board member Bob Crane. (Why do I suddenly have a visual of Werner Kempler holding his monocle and blurting out, “Hoooooogaaaaan?”) "But, it's going to cost millions of dollars and years of legal effort to unravel this if the governor tries to go after money ...The governor's office has threatened the charities, the attorney general's office has threatened us with personal liability and now, today, the legislature has threatened our kids. I think we'll stand firm."
Well, Bob and his buddies can stand firm til’the Indians win the World Series cuz the politicos of Ohio mean business. The board of directors of the OTPF made a bold move trying to circumvent the state measure and transfer the funds to a Washington DC based anti-smoking organization. The Ohio legislators then quickly passed a law that allowed them to confiscate the 230 mil. Isn’t it amazing how fast government can pass laws and act when it behooves them the most?
Crazy, right? This is all very weird because I loathe career politicians and I despise the smoke Nazis. (Although I do support their efforts to stop kids from smoking cigarettes – because as you know, cigars and cigarettes are two very different animals.) Well, it gets nuttier. The OTPF sued the state of Ohio for misappropriation of funds. The judge basically couldn’t believe the insanity behind it all and made a move to freeze the funds until all could be straightened out.
So go ahead and just try to guess what the good polticos of Ohio had the brazen set of balls to do? They passed another law to disband the Ohio Tobacco Prevention Foundation! Yep, they wiped out the eight year old organization and took the remaining 40 million to boot. Good God this smacks of Cold War communism for crissakes! Can you believe the friggin gall of the people that run that looney bin?
This story is a true testament to the hypocrisy of our government and their fine upstanding officials. And… To add massive insult to injury, the OTPF not only was about to award three major charitable grants – the entire state of Ohio just went smoke free on May 3, in bars, restaurants, and workplaces. What a god damned kick in the butt, huh?
I slowly draw on my Macanudo Vintage 2000 while I snicker with glee at the irony.
Have a good one, dudes,
Tommy Z.
JR Cigar Blog With the Zman
Now here’s a story that blew my mind this morning. There’s a little group known in the state of Ohio as the Ohio Tobacco Prevention Foundation (OTPF), created in the year 2000. Their mission is to educate about the dangers of smoking – with kids smoking cigarettes being the major emphasis. They have a Help Quit phone line, counseling, seminars and information on their website to help those with addictions and what have you. The non-profit organization is run by 17 dedicated volunteers.
Here’s where it gets wacky. This “little” organization just happens to have a bank account of 270 million dollars! Holy liver spots batman, that’s a lotta cash! Now you know how the zealots have so much power – it’s because they have the funds. Well, that is “had” the funds. You see, it seems that the state of Ohio is a tad cash strapped these days and state legislators had Governor Ted Strickland sign a measure that allowed the state of Ohio to pilfer 230 of the OTPF’s 270 million for their very own use. You heard it right, they confiscated the funds to do whatever they want to do with it. I guess the message clearly sent here is f@$k smoking teens and it’s tough shineola, people. Wow. As you could expect, the people who run the foundation freaked as did many of its supporters.
"This endowment was set up outside state government for just this reason and, clearly, to reach into it is illegal and unconstitutional and I think immoral as well," said board member Bob Crane. (Why do I suddenly have a visual of Werner Kempler holding his monocle and blurting out, “Hoooooogaaaaan?”) "But, it's going to cost millions of dollars and years of legal effort to unravel this if the governor tries to go after money ...The governor's office has threatened the charities, the attorney general's office has threatened us with personal liability and now, today, the legislature has threatened our kids. I think we'll stand firm."
Well, Bob and his buddies can stand firm til’the Indians win the World Series cuz the politicos of Ohio mean business. The board of directors of the OTPF made a bold move trying to circumvent the state measure and transfer the funds to a Washington DC based anti-smoking organization. The Ohio legislators then quickly passed a law that allowed them to confiscate the 230 mil. Isn’t it amazing how fast government can pass laws and act when it behooves them the most?
Crazy, right? This is all very weird because I loathe career politicians and I despise the smoke Nazis. (Although I do support their efforts to stop kids from smoking cigarettes – because as you know, cigars and cigarettes are two very different animals.) Well, it gets nuttier. The OTPF sued the state of Ohio for misappropriation of funds. The judge basically couldn’t believe the insanity behind it all and made a move to freeze the funds until all could be straightened out.
So go ahead and just try to guess what the good polticos of Ohio had the brazen set of balls to do? They passed another law to disband the Ohio Tobacco Prevention Foundation! Yep, they wiped out the eight year old organization and took the remaining 40 million to boot. Good God this smacks of Cold War communism for crissakes! Can you believe the friggin gall of the people that run that looney bin?
This story is a true testament to the hypocrisy of our government and their fine upstanding officials. And… To add massive insult to injury, the OTPF not only was about to award three major charitable grants – the entire state of Ohio just went smoke free on May 3, in bars, restaurants, and workplaces. What a god damned kick in the butt, huh?
I slowly draw on my Macanudo Vintage 2000 while I snicker with glee at the irony.
Have a good one, dudes,
Tommy Z.
JR Cigar Blog With the Zman
Posted by zman at 10:49 AM | Link | 20 comments
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Re: Up in Smoke In Ohio
Good God.
Isn't Ohio the place that wanted to tax pumpkins on Halloween?
Isn't Ohio the place that wanted to tax pumpkins on Halloween?
Posted by briandg on May 8, 2008 at 11:56 AM
Re: Up in Smoke In Ohio
No matter what your stance on smoking is, this is downright despicable! What a bunch of thieving whores! Wonder where the dough is going... poker games on the private jet?
Gawd help us all.
Gawd help us all.
Posted by Zane Grey on May 8, 2008 at 12:05 PM
Re: Up in Smoke In Ohio
Tommy, you lowlife cigar name dropper. You just do that to rub it in to us poor bundle cigar smokers.
But back to the subject at hand. What you didn't tell us is where the f@#k these people got the $270 million in the first place. My guess is that it probably came from tobacco taxes paid by the citizens of Ohio. If so, then the state had a perfect right to put it use as they saw fit, for the benefit of all Ohioans.
If, however, the money came from the big tobacco settlement, and was earmarked specifically for use to prevent smoking, then what the legislators did was totally wrong.
Without that information, any conclusions we draw may be flawed. Let us know if you find out where the money came from in the first place.
I'll think about it tonight while smoking a Partagas 160 on the back porch. See, we can all name drop with the best of 'em.
But back to the subject at hand. What you didn't tell us is where the f@#k these people got the $270 million in the first place. My guess is that it probably came from tobacco taxes paid by the citizens of Ohio. If so, then the state had a perfect right to put it use as they saw fit, for the benefit of all Ohioans.
If, however, the money came from the big tobacco settlement, and was earmarked specifically for use to prevent smoking, then what the legislators did was totally wrong.
Without that information, any conclusions we draw may be flawed. Let us know if you find out where the money came from in the first place.
I'll think about it tonight while smoking a Partagas 160 on the back porch. See, we can all name drop with the best of 'em.
Posted by roadlizard7 on May 8, 2008 at 12:06 PM
Re: Up in Smoke In Ohio
The money is supposedly being pilfered to help fund a $1.57 billion stimulus package. That does not make it right, but I figured to just add that little fact.
People are doing mighty strange things to survive this horrible economy we are experiencing.
People are doing mighty strange things to survive this horrible economy we are experiencing.
Posted by robert on May 8, 2008 at 12:07 PM
Re: Up in Smoke In Ohio
roadlizard7, over $255 million of the dough did come from the MSA tobacco settlement. Also, Ohio is showing some of the best results for the 46 states who recieved money from that settlement, which is why this stinks so bad. If they do get $240 million they are trying to steal, the organization will be left with just under one year of operating funds left. They are trying to curtail the problem by diverting a huge chunk of the funds to a DC based organization. It is pretty interesting to read about about the whole thing.
Thanks for the heads up Tommy.
Thanks for the heads up Tommy.
Posted by robert on May 8, 2008 at 12:11 PM
Re: Up in Smoke In Ohio
Dang, I got that figure wrong. It should read the $230 mil they are trying to pilfer.
Posted by robert on May 8, 2008 at 12:12 PM
Re: Up in Smoke In Ohio
Actually, it sounds like they're after the whole $270 million now.
And like I said, "If, however, the money came from the big tobacco settlement, and was earmarked specifically for use to prevent smoking, then what the legislators did was totally wrong."
And like I said, "If, however, the money came from the big tobacco settlement, and was earmarked specifically for use to prevent smoking, then what the legislators did was totally wrong."
Posted by roadlizard7 on May 8, 2008 at 12:16 PM
Re: Up in Smoke In Ohio
It's definitely a twisted little ordeal and the hypocrisy along with the irony make for a good story, that's for sure.
Posted by zman on May 8, 2008 at 12:20 PM
Re: Up in Smoke In Ohio
They closed down the Foundation and
took the entire $270 mil. Done deal.
took the entire $270 mil. Done deal.
Posted by zman on May 8, 2008 at 12:22 PM
Re: Up in Smoke In Ohio
I agree that they are wrong. The main point of that comment is how good Ohio is doing with their program. Lots of the states are sitting on the money and not doing much, but Ohio is showing results.
This will be an interesting case because it seems to be making the government in some other states a little bolder and there is talk of them trying to do what the Ohio Governor is doing.
Also, the dissolving of the OTPF is just their current tact at being able to grab the $230 million. It is how they will stop the diversion of the funds to the DC organization. It wouldn't surprise me if the next move is the MSA coming back for the original $255 million since the money would not be used for what it was ear-marked for. However, the biggest winner in the whole deal is going to be the lawyers who do all the fighting. They are all going to win no matter what the final outcome is. LOL
This will be an interesting case because it seems to be making the government in some other states a little bolder and there is talk of them trying to do what the Ohio Governor is doing.
Also, the dissolving of the OTPF is just their current tact at being able to grab the $230 million. It is how they will stop the diversion of the funds to the DC organization. It wouldn't surprise me if the next move is the MSA coming back for the original $255 million since the money would not be used for what it was ear-marked for. However, the biggest winner in the whole deal is going to be the lawyers who do all the fighting. They are all going to win no matter what the final outcome is. LOL
Posted by robert on May 8, 2008 at 12:28 PM
Re: Up in Smoke In Ohio
Wow, it's really good to see that Bob Crane is still around and doing well. I thought that beating took a toll on the old boy.
And remember, "I know nothing! I see nothing!"
And remember, "I know nothing! I see nothing!"
Posted by Cigar Bomber on May 8, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Re: Up in Smoke In Ohio
Bomber, you are truly weird.
Posted by zman on May 8, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Re: Up in Smoke In Ohio
Hey, you started it, Z.
Posted by Cigar Bomber on May 8, 2008 at 12:35 PM
Re: Up in Smoke In Ohio
True dat. I can't help myself most of the time.
Posted by zman on May 8, 2008 at 2:39 PM
Re: Up in Smoke In Ohio
one of the truest ironies is that the organization will have to rip their own funds and budgets into shreds to defend these funds, and prevent this "crime" (imo...)
The state, with UNLIMITED funds already budgeted to the justice department, and discretion at the hands of the AG, will be free to tie up as much as necessary to take the money, or just destroy it.
Once the glove is thrown, it seems rather unlikely that the brigands will just hoist the white flag, and admit defeat and impotence. They may take this completely to the bedrock, and spend 2 or 3 times the amount of the funds, between the group and the state.
Of course, I may be wrong about these particular moves, but I doubt the intentions will be different.
I'd like to see some large law firm take on the case ProBono, or for the tobacco companies to throw what they have into it, just to screw the state.
The state, with UNLIMITED funds already budgeted to the justice department, and discretion at the hands of the AG, will be free to tie up as much as necessary to take the money, or just destroy it.
Once the glove is thrown, it seems rather unlikely that the brigands will just hoist the white flag, and admit defeat and impotence. They may take this completely to the bedrock, and spend 2 or 3 times the amount of the funds, between the group and the state.
Of course, I may be wrong about these particular moves, but I doubt the intentions will be different.
I'd like to see some large law firm take on the case ProBono, or for the tobacco companies to throw what they have into it, just to screw the state.
Posted by briandg on May 8, 2008 at 4:02 PM
Re: Up in Smoke In Ohio
Hmmmmmmmm, I see we can trust our second layer of Gubiment, about as well as the first layer. Me thinks, perhaps, we have toooooooo much Gubiment..... If I recall correctly, the slimeballs are suppose to work for us.
Posted by Denahue on May 8, 2008 at 4:07 PM
Re: Up in Smoke In Ohio
We the People...yeah right.
Posted by zman on May 8, 2008 at 4:40 PM
Re: Up in Smoke In Ohio
Here's another one for you -
I've worked for the railroad for 30 years, paying into railroad retirement instead of social security. This is deducted from our payroll just like social security, but the amount per month is over three times as much.
Railroad Retirement is very solvent and well invested, so our current administration got the idea to borrow some of our money. They've done this three times and never paid any of it back. Next they tried to pass legislation allowing them to roll the rest of it into welfare, social security and medicare. That amount is about 17 billion dollars.
If left alone, our fund is adequate to support us railroaders for another 100 years, even in this poor economy. They are always looking for more money and ways to spend it, and it took a miracle to stop them this time.
I've worked a long time to earn my retirement, but the feds don't really care about that.
If these career politicians ever really earned a living, maybe they would be a little more respectful and grateful to those of us supporting them.
I've worked for the railroad for 30 years, paying into railroad retirement instead of social security. This is deducted from our payroll just like social security, but the amount per month is over three times as much.
Railroad Retirement is very solvent and well invested, so our current administration got the idea to borrow some of our money. They've done this three times and never paid any of it back. Next they tried to pass legislation allowing them to roll the rest of it into welfare, social security and medicare. That amount is about 17 billion dollars.
If left alone, our fund is adequate to support us railroaders for another 100 years, even in this poor economy. They are always looking for more money and ways to spend it, and it took a miracle to stop them this time.
I've worked a long time to earn my retirement, but the feds don't really care about that.
If these career politicians ever really earned a living, maybe they would be a little more respectful and grateful to those of us supporting them.
Posted by pjandma on May 8, 2008 at 8:00 PM
Re: Up in Smoke In Ohio
It's not very hard to dislike the government, is it?
Posted by zman on May 8, 2008 at 9:43 PM
Re: Up in Smoke In Ohio
What a crazy story. The ends always justify the means when powerful people do as they please.
Posted by CharlesinCharge on May 9, 2008 at 7:22 AM
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