Do I have to turn in my liberal card if I gripe about the nanny state, too?

In today's gotta-gripe-so-I-can-get-it-out-of-my-system news, MA's own Sen. Kennedy has introduced S. 982: Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, which directs the FDA to, among other things, prohibit "cigarettes from containing any artificial or natural flavor (other than tobacco or menthol) or an herb or spice, including strawberry, cinnamon, or coffee".

So, basically, unless they can be designated something other than "cigarettes", banning cloves?

Seriously?

Ugh. I don't smoke and I don't have much sympathy for smokers who complain about most smoking regulations, but banning flavors of cigarette? While leaving menthol, the single most popular flavor) exempt? When the flavors in question have no effect on the healthiness (or lack thereof) of smoking? WTF, government? So not your place.

Oh, but I forget, it's for the childrens.

I should say that this is just one provision in a bill that has some much more reasonable things in it, like prohibiting "a tobacco product manufacturer from using tobacco that contains a greater level of pesticide chemical residue than is specified by any tolerance applicable to domestically grown tobacco.", but... still. Flavors? Wtf?

Sure the government is stupid, but... look! TV!

One of my favorite shows of all-time, Spaced (thank you slyviolet for introducing me to it!), is now available in its entirety on Hulu! If they start getting more Britt stuff up there I am going to be a happy, happy (and gah! much less productive) boy.

If you are one of the five people I haven't made watch it, you may seek pennance here.

Squee!

*waits for Green Wing and Black Books to show up...*


Edit Holy crap!! They have the first season of Green Wing!! This is quite possibly my favorite comedy series of all time, and it's not even available in region 1.

*is ded of joy*

This makes my plan for a Green Wing watching party actually feasible! The problem is that I've already watched varying numbers of episodes with various parties over the years, but this way people could get up to speed on the first few on their own (the first couple run a bit long-- bear with it) and then we could start at, say, ep 4 or 5 in groups. Huzzah!

Who'd be down for this?