My Easter Sunday started off nicely enough. I began my day with my girlfriend and brother and a drive out to Hopewell. The sun was gorgeous and, because of the hint of winter still in the air, gave us all a crisp dichotomy between a new spring beginning and a winter's end. As a man who likes to savor his time, I decided that the day would be suited best by a Padron Aniversary Imperiale.....one of my favorite cigars. This cigar seems to last for several hours after I have finished smoking it, enhancing my next meal and embellishing the one prior to it.
After reaching Hopewell, which was certainly enhanced by the weather's change , we decided to venture out to Peddler's Village in Pennsylvania. This spot seemed perfect because I used to go there on special Sunday's with my grandfather and ride the carousel. We would eat at the famous Cock and Bull, and would spend hours shopping and talking about my school, and what I could understand at eight of his work. Being a professor of history and a World War 2 vet, the man had a lot to teach me, and these times were very special for the both of us.
Feeling nostalgic, I lit my cigar with my girlfriend and brother, and, after visiting the carousel went over to a local cafe for an espresso. Because I couldn't smoke inside, i decided to wait a while for the drink outside in what was becoming an even warmer sun. After a few moments I noticed a couple, perhaps in their mid forties talking rather loudly, and I couldn't help but overhear. "God, that stinks. I wish he would put that thing out already."
I was sure that I'd misheard and went back to enjoying the day. They continued bantering between themselves, but being just loud enough for me to hear, a move that I assure you was not accidental. The two of them seemed intent on baiting me into an argument.
I finally turned over to them and asked if there was a problem.
"Yeah," hollered the man. "That cigar stinks and we have to breathe this air."
What a load of nonsense. I was over thirty feet away from them, and we were all outside. Why were they starting a fight with me over a cigar? If I couldn't stand the smell of his overweight wife, would I have complained to the two of them about her stench? Of course not! We all live in a society that is built around respecting one another's right to enjoy and wear and look how we choose.
"Give me a break," I said. "We're outside and the smoke is not affecting you in any way."
And this was the breaking point in the conversation.
"I'll put that fucking cigar out on your head!" The man was insane. Who the hell were these people. Not only did they feel they had the right to comment on my personal habits, but they both (I include the wife because she was laughing and cheering on her equally overweight husband. We'll see how hard they laugh when the government starts to take away their right to eat chili cheese fries; a joke that is actually not very far from the truth. The government has already started regulating what we can and cannot ingest. Trans-fats are only the beginning my friends) felt it was appropriate to curse at me in public. I remind you that we are in an area surrounding lots of children and their families on Easter Sunday! Was it okay to slander me, to use me as some sort of guinea pig simply to make a ridiculous point? ABSOLUTELY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is perfectly acceptable in these anti-tobacco times to make someone bear the brunt of cruel and unusual ridicule, especially in front of children in order to prove a point to them just how harmful smoking is. That makes a whole lot of sense to me. Let's use anger and aggression as a strategy to help keep kids from smoking. An abusive man starts screaming at me in front of families and they stop to cheer him on, but I try to defend myself for enjoying a perfectly legal, wonderful handmade cigar, and I'm the criminal.
Needless to say the scene escelated, but ended, thankfully, before anyone was hurt. I am proud to say that I finally walked away from the couple and went on to enjoy the rest of my afternoon. The man was still screaming as I turned my back to him.
As I was hinting at before, this man is not alone. He and his wife are part of a huge scheme used by our government to take our rights from us. They can say and do whatever they please to us because they are protecting society from the Tobacco Devil, especially when children are concerned. It is only too ironic that families were around today to witness the goings on with their children, because they are the platform the government uses against us. They use us as a moral example of what and what not to do, and we are supposed to keep our mouths shut and eat their insults happily, and humbly. I for one have had it, and will never let anyone disrespect me, publicly or privately, for living my life how I choose.
