Sorry, I won't post here any more.

runamok seems like the kind of person who isn't afraid to lay the smackdown, and to be honest I'd rather there were more smokers with that attitude. we got in this sorry mess we're in by being too passive.

Activist was quoting the socialist party line with all of his ranting about the terrible conditions he was forced to work in, then cried because "da union", bloodsuckers that they are, weren't doing anything about it. That kind of rhetoric makes me crazy.

If "da union" wasn't sucking the company dry, the company would probably be more able, and more willing, to improve conditions.

But there's nothing illegal or immoral about expecting employees to do some dirty, hard work in less than ideal conditions.

I don't even know what socialist party rhetoric is. I was merely talking about a work experience I had. The people running the plant were not nice people. They were similar to slum lords in the sense that they ran the plant under terrible conditions, didn't care about improving anything, and didn't care how many people passed out, as long as they made their profit.

There is no rhetoric involved here. I can't imagine anyone defending employers who don't care in any way, shape or form whether or not the working conditions in their plant make people ill. Unless you've experienced working 13 hours straight with sweat pouring off you, there's no way you can appreciate the callousness of the owners.

Most people did quit the job within the probationary period. I've never been the type of person to quit a job without a better job lined up, so I just kept going in. Eventually, I wound up with an eczema-like skin condition that spread over my entire face. It had to be cleared up with antibiotics, but since I realized it was never going to heal as long as I continued to sweat profusely under those work conditions for 13 hours at a time, I had to take a medical leave and never went back to the job.

There is no spoiled whining here at all. I suppose that something I said must have triggered some kind of angry response in your head. But if you think I am in any way, shape or form a spoiled person who expects anything at all in life, much less luxurious work conditions, you are so far out in left field, I can't even see you.

You would see how ridiculous this all is if you saw me in person because believe me, I am not what you imagine. For one thing, I am a 50-year-old WOMAN. That is how far off base you are in your assessment of me. I guarantee you would bust out laughing if you realized what a harmless person you have been attacking.

I apologize for jumping down your throat. I misread your posts as an attack on capitalism and I'm a big free-market, anti-union, pull yourself up by your own bootstraps kinda guy.

I've been banging around on the anti-tobacco issue for quite a few years now and I've run across many a smoker who hates anti-smoking but still favors big government policies that will gore somebody elses ox, not realizing they can't have it both ways.

Thanks for the attitude adjustment.

I've been banging around on the anti-tobacco issue for quite a few years now and I've run across many a smoker who hates anti-smoking but still favors big government policies that will gore somebody elses ox, not realizing they can't have it both ways.