presents
WebMD Community Talk Show
Serving up a new debate daily, this is the place where putting up your dukes and defending your opinion is encouraged.
See All
Preferences
My Communities
My Discussions
My Email Digests

Rap music being blasted in cars.
Fire/Police sirens.
Any male yellingView Thread

There are not laws that allow these things to happen, it is just that there is no law against it. For example, if you live in a state that does not include the phrase "sexual orientation" in their Equal Employment laws, then it is perfectly legal to fire someone for being gay. That person could sue, but since it is not illegal, they will not win. Same goes for a states Equal Housing laws, without protection a landlord can legally evict someone for being gay.
These aren't past injustices they happen every day in America, to Americans who have broken no laws, done nothing wrong, except love someone others think is inappropriate.
These aren't special rights, they are human rights, the one's guaranteed in the Constitution, but for some reason (usually religious based) are being denied to law abiding American citizens.
KateView Thread

" it seems there are enough laws to protect each of us without having specialized laws for one group or another. Just go back to the constitution, it's all there."
Exactly what I'd expect a white heterosexual male to say. Did you know that in many states, you can lose your job & apartment for being gay or transgendered? If you can explain to me why a group of American citizens who have broken no laws are legally discriminated against, I'd love to hear it.View Thread


An addiction is a disease, yet we do not fund any research to reduce the cost of the end result of this disease. We do, however, fund research for other "self-caused" diseases. What part of this do you not understand?View Thread

You also don't address my main issue, that Lung Cancer research is grossly underfunded. We could easily reduce the cost of care for smokers if just a little more money went into this area of research.
If smokers were more organized we'd clamor for this, but we aren't so the money goes to AIDs (another completely preventable disease) or Sclerosis of the Liver (almost always caused by drinking or abusing acetaminophen).
KateView Thread

With this in mind, I want to make a couple of points:
-Anyone who smokes is aware of the damage we are doing to our health and not everyone is trying to quit. Some of us enjoy smoking.
-There is more air pollution produced by automobiles than cigarette smoke, yet there is little outcry for electric cars.
-If every smoker quit today, the medicare/medicaid systems of each state would go broke because the "sin taxes" we pay for our cigarettes pay for them.
-I am aware that we, as smokers, use the medical system more than non-smokers, however, the amount of money spent on research for a cure to lung cancer is almost non-existent. -If we spent a quarter of what we spend each year in research for Breast Cancer on Lung Cancer research, smokers end of life medical costs would drop considerably.
-Lung cancer kills more people in the US than Breast Cancer, Prostate Cancer and Aids combined, yet we don't put any money towards it because it's assumed that the patient brought it on themselves. That's not always the case. And even when it is, do we not spend money on liver disease, even though a majority of that is brought on by drinking or misuse of acetaminophen.
Lastly, As long as smoking is legal, I have a right to smoke. As someone stated earlier in this discussion, that right comes
with responsibilities and I don't have a right to inflict my choice on others. Even in cold upstate NY I do not have a problem stepping outside to smoke, but ask any of the local bars/restaurants that have closed due to the no smoking law if we sometimes swing too far in protecting one groups rights over anothers.View Thread
WebMD Talk Show
Feel like a friendly debate? Take the gloves off and defend your viewpoint.
Learn MoreWomen's Health Newsletter
Find out what women really need.
Most Popular Discussions
-
97 Replies
-
90 Replies
-
9 Replies
-
9 Replies
-
8 Replies
The opinions expressed in WebMD User-generated content areas like communities, reviews, ratings, or blogs are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. User-generated content areas are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions. Some of these opinions may contain information about treatments or uses of drug products that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment.
Do not consider WebMD User-generated content as medical advice. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your care plan or treatment. WebMD understands that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health care provider. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 immediately.
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
©2005-2013 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.

