In a preliminary injunction, Judge Richard J. Leon of United States District Court in Washington ruled that cigarette makers were likely to win a free speech challenge against the proposed labels, which include staged photos of a corpse and of a man breathing smoke out of a tracheotomy hole in his neck.There is no doubt in my mind that cigarette smoking is dirty, smelly and ugly. Still the industry has certain free speech rights. And that is the way it should be.
But, it does again raise the issue of if entities are "People" in terms of "rights". Some say they shouldn't, but then the question is, how do we prevent the government from oppressing business. Also, if your local bakery isn't a "Person", how do you sue them for selling raisin bread without raisins, causing you pain and suffering.
Regards — Cliff
I think one of the greatest magic acts performed in society today is the awarding of people status to corporations/businesses while maintaining that the corporation of government...the business of government...the ENTITY we call government....is NOT a person in terms of its operation. I would offer that more than any other organizational entity....government IS the people.
ReplyDeleteWhat we have here is one "entity" suppressing another "entity."