Cigarettes harm
I’ve never been a smoker myself but I have very strong thoughts on the effects of second-hand smoke. My dad got lung cancer when he was 54 from cigarette smoking and black lung. He died at 57. You would think my sisters wouldn’t want anything to do with smoking but some of them still do. Some of my nieces and nephews took up the habit, too. Now they have little children that have to inhale second-hand smoke. They all know how opposed I feel on the subject so this shouldn’t be any surprise to them when they read this. My one sister has to be on oxygen 24 hours a day. She has lung problems, also.
My husband used to smoke but he got sick to his stomach once and finally quit. I am thankful for smoke-free restaurants and malls these days. Some cities are even trying to get smoking off the streets.
I know smokers will say, “Well, smoking never killed my 88 year-old grandfather and grandmother.” They were among the small percentage when compared to the ones that do get breathing problems from cigarettes. Not to mention cigarettes are hard on the heart.
Am I being too harsh on smokers? Probably, but I can’t overly stress the importance and how strongly I feel about all the health risks of this lethal weapon we call a harmless cigarette.
Linda Gibson
Star Junction
Honesty applauded
I would like to share with your readers a recent experience I had that confirmed my basic belief in the honesty of people.
As I was leaving Dr. Cary McMonagle’s office one morning last week I held the door for a couple who were entering the building. I didn’t know them, but we exchanged some small talk and I went on to my car. At the time I didn’t realize that a very valuable item had fallen out of my pocket. I had several stops to make on the way to my office and when I finally arrived I still wasn’t aware that I had lost anything. I returned a call to Becky, Dr. McMonagle’s receptionist, who informed me that Albert and Jean Yozie from Grindstone had found something that belonged to me. They didn’t know me and asked Becky to return it.
I thank Mr. and Mrs. Yozie and Becky for their honesty. Every day the newspapers are filled with depressing and tragic stories about the seamier side of human nature. I believe we could all benefit by following the example set by these honest individuals. I think everyone would agree the world would be a much nicer place to live.
Robert F. Danko
Fayette County Treasurer