My answers here will be inline. -- Larry C. Lyons ColdFusion/Web Developer EBStor.com 8870 Rixlew Lane, Suite 204 Manassas, Virginia 20109-3795 tel: (703) 393-7930 fax: (703) 393-2659 Web: http://www.ebstor.com http://www.pacel.com email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Chaos, panic, and disorder - my work here is done. --
> -----Original Message----- > From: Marcus [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] > Sent: Wednesday, October 03, 2001 3:43 PM > To: CF-Community > Subject: RE: The Anti Terrorism Act.. > > > > What is willpower? How do you measure it? Its all so great > to discuss such > > nebulous concepts, but what is required is data and a precise > > definition. > > No. Not everything is quantifiable, but that doesn't negate > the existence of > willpower, or it's impact. If its a human behavior or a physiological construct then it can be quantifiable. If you can quantify the thing (and yes I've seen some studies that attempt to do such) then you can measure the impact of "willpower" on a behavior, such as smoking. Otherwise we are getting into the realm of mythology, not science. By not quantifying and relying on myths its becomes little more than what shamans, NLP practitioners and other practitioners of irrational beliefs do. > > As > > I mentioned before cigarettes and tobacco has very strong > physiologically > > addictive components. > > Yes, and among certain races the same has been said of > alcohol, sugar, and > even wheat! But a substances ability to be physiologically > addictive doesn't > engender evil of that substance. Never said that the addictiveness is evil. Its the application thereof I dislike. If an individual gives another a very addicting substance, he's considered evil and jailed as a drug dealer. When a tobacco company does it they get a government subsidy and tax breaks. > > So given that the rate of single instance > > cessation is > > far worse than with heroin addiction, where is willpower in > this case? > > I've heard this time and time again and believe it to be an > old wives tale. > I've sat with people giving up heroin, and seen the convulsions. I've > watched the DT's effect those attempting to give up alcohol. > Cigarettes > don't have any of these side effects other then some irritability. Actually the stats are very strong on this one. the reputable psych journal, Addictive Behavior published an article a few years back that supported this. Remember what I said, nothing regarding the physical effect of withdrawal, I was referring to the rate of successful quitting. What percentage of people successfully quit following a single treatment regimen, which is typically 12 weeks of once per week hour sessions. Smoking cessation programs following this model usually report very low rates, typically around 10%. Similar programs for heroin addiction or alcohol additions report somewhat higher rates, 18% comes to mind but I'll have to look that one up to be sure. > > > > > Furthermore, yes to some extent you do have the right to abuse > > your body as > > you feel fit (careful though you might go blind :). > > How about till I just need glasses? > > However by smoking etc > > you end up making my health care costs rise at an intolerable > > rate. Where do > > your individual rights end and mine begin? > > Again with the socialization arguments? The question you need > to ask is > where does this argument end? If you don't eat correctly you > place yourself > in more risk of heart attack, so do we outlaw Twinkie's (What > is in the > creamy filling anyway)? If you don't exercise you increase > your chances as > well... Do we really place our freedoms on the scale and balance them > against rising medical costs? Don't communities and groups also have rights? Do your individual rights give you the go ahead to pollute the stream that runs through my property? Or do they allow you to pollute the air that I breath? Does it give you the right to yell Fire in a theater or play target practice with your firearms in your backyard? Let me put it another way when do your rights end and mine begin? Your right to play Liberace Does the Sex Pistols ends when you play the CD very loud at 120 decibels at 4AM. > > But to answer your question, my individual rights end where > they impede on > your individual rights. While I have the right to pollute the > air 'I' breath > with smoke, I don't have the right to pollute the air 'you' breath! OK then your right to pollute your lungs not only affects the air that I breathe, but also affects my health care costs, as a nonsmoker I'll be paying for your care far longer than you'll be paying for mine. regards, ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Structure your ColdFusion code with Fusebox. Get the official book at http://www.fusionauthority.com/bkinfo.cfm Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/index.cfm?sidebar=lists
