Losing it

Our Man's usually a pretty easy-going guy with an if-in-doubt, leave-it-out, leave-it-be approach to life; a libertarian if you are looking for a label. Usually, but not today. Today, Our Man is pissed off. Today, he lost a friend to cancer. We say "lost" and talk of heroically "losing the battle" as if it were a fair fight. Our Man sees nothing fair in a woman reduced  to a gibbering wreck, half her weight, in so much pain that her last days were spent in a fog of morphine, unable to recognise her own sons. From perfect health to a painful death in eight months.

She was a smoker.

Ahh, it's a shame but it was her own fault, the more callous might say. Maybe so. She made a bad choice (if starting when you are young and foolish and remaining addicted is a choice), but she paid with her life. What's the Japanese government's excuse? Until 1985 they owned Japan Tobacco and today they still own 50 percent, and resist pressure to tax fags more. You can check the figures and make your own mind up about Japan Tobacco and the government. 

Our Man has made his mind up. Rest in Peace, Miyano-san. Rot in Hell, Japan Tobacco, and all your stinking friends.