Rothbard on Persecuting Smokers

The Most Persecuted Minority of Them All

Murray N. Rothbard really hits the nail on the head in this one. A very interesting look at the history of something called "neo-Puritanism" and it's effects.

AMERICA'S MOST PERSECUTED MINORITY

All right, consider this: Which group has been increasingly illegalized, shamed and denigrated first by the Establishment, and then, following its lead, by society at large? Which group, far from coming out of the "closet," has been literally forced back into the closet after centuries of walking proudly in the public square? And which group has tragically internalized the value-system of its oppressors, so that they are deeply ashamed and guilty about practicing their rites and customs? Which group is so brow-beaten that it never thinks of defending itself, any attempt at which is publicly condemned and ridiculed? Which group is considered such sinners that the use of doctored statistics against them is considered legitimate means in a worthy cause?

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