The Runaway Jury.

[mookydooky]

I just found out that they made this Grisham novel into a movie and it was released today. Everyone probably knew that already, but I've been a little slow with the entertainment news lately. Anyway, I read the book a couple of years ago while I was on the plane. The book was about a guy who was a juror who was trying to manipulate the other members of the jury into voting the way he wanted them to. The plaintiff in the trial was suing Big Tobacco.

I just also found out that they changed the subject. The defendant is now a gunmaker and not a cigarette company. I think I'm disappointed. Being an ardent smoker, I would have loved to have seen a cigarette trial protrayed on the big screen. I have recently come to terms with my cigarette addiction and have realized that I'm probably a lot more like those rats in the lab who hit the nicotine button rather than the food button until they die. Anyway, cigarettes are a topic near and dear to me and I would have been very interested in seeing a movie about Big Tobacco and all its evils. I guess I'll have to wait 'til the next time. Oh yeah, for you Grisham fans out there, I just got done reading "King of Torts." It's a good read so go out and get it, you won't regret it. If you're partial to the social justice Grisham, than go out and get "The Street Lawyer." You'll like that better.

[Daniel ~]

Grisham is...or was a favorite! I have to make some time for reading outside the forums...

Imagine, a world with a plot line! ":O}

[Betty]

I just watched Bowling for Columbine...very thought provoking movie.

I've found that I really like Grisham novels...don't care too much for the movies though.

[Staz]

I too am shocked to hear from you, that they changed the subject of the lawsuite. I read that book less than 2 months ago (in a decompresion chamber, not on an airplane (see Dan you just got to get locked on a metal cylindrical object to find time to read)) and I thought it was great. It would definately evoke strong opinions most people. I for one am a firm believer that we are responible for our own actions. I would have been kicked off the jury befor the trial ever started. But anyway I just can't see the movie have as much impact as it would have if it were about tobaco.

I will have to wait for DVD to find out.

I have see most of the John Grisham movies as well as read about 2/3 of his books. In only one instance did I find the movie better than the book, sort of. The overal story of the Firm was better in print because it was more realistic and more detailed, however I thought the ending was better in the movie. Read it and watch it and find out for yourself.

[Daniel ~]

So Staz, how do you feel about small time drug pushers?

When I was growing up tobacco was about 1/4 of all advertising in prime time. ( Just a guess from memory)Grade Schools had smoking rooms for teachers and the industry was lying it's ass off and covering up their own findings. Lying to congress and pressuring universities to stop their research or not to publish it.

I'm a firm believer in shared responsibility.

I take full responsibility for my own smoking.

But realize this, the same cultural pressures and influences that taught me patriotism, the value of education and respect for the law, taught me to smoke at the age of 7 or 8.

"God Damn the pusher." And NOBODY EVER push a drug like the US Government and big tobacco.

Daffy Duck use to smoke on Saturday morning cartoons.

Staz, you've been blessed and I'm truly glad that this is so. But sometimes I wonder if you realize how various human situations are.

Did you know that the propensity for addictions of all kinds is genetic?

Just food for thought. Good to have to home and back in the forums":O}

[Staz]

And Dan

That is exactly the kind of emotional response that the book brought out in me. Only I was at the other end of the pedulums swing (ok, not at the end but definately closer to the end than the middle).

But if they took the tobaco industry out of the movie, did they also take out that emotional response. Will the gun community be as heated a target as the tabaco industry? I think not.

I have to wonder if the tobaco companies didn't use some leverage to change the subject of the lawsuite in the movie. If they did that would show everyone how ruthless they are. I mean if a movie where to show millions of Americans that more teenager can identify a picture of Joe Camel than they can Identify a picture of George W. Bush, would that rate stepping in and changeing it to guns??? Me thinks the pendulim swings slightly more toward the middle.

[Daniel ~]

Sorry Staz, I don't think I'm reading you clearly. I'm fairly sure I'm not quite getting what your saying. Can you spell it out for me...bad hair brained day for me! ":O}

[Staz]

No Fair Dan

You post then edit while I am responding. (I must type too slow.) I do realize how varied the human condition is. And I am the only one in my family who doesn't smoke. When I was 12 or maybe even 11 my best friedn and next door neighbor had stole a pack of his fathers cigarettes and was passing them out to everyone. I took one, lit it, put it to my lips, and took a deep breath inhaleing deeply, and coughed my guts up. Except on the very rare ocasion when I lite a cigarette for my wife, a cigarette has never again touched my lips. All my friends told me it was "cool" to smoke, but one bout of coughing told me better. I still know 3 of the 5 other people that all started smoking in that alley that day. All 3 still smoke and wish they could quit.

They should have listened to thier lungs and not the adds.

If you smoke and want to quit but can't I have sympathy for you. I do not pity you. But I do have compassion.

But I also believe smoking will never be illegal. To try to make it illegal would be as big a failure as prohibition was. 10 years ago people were saying that eventually cigarettes were going to be taxed so much that it would cost $5 a pack. Smokers said that when that happened they would quit. Fast forward to New York and California of today and we see that nobody quit.

And as long as smoking is legal the you shouldn't be able to sue. I mean, what's next? Sueing alcohol because they were hit by a drunk driver?

[Daniel ~]

If alcohol is seved in excess of the legal limit or to someone obviously intoxicated, I'd sue the hell out of the vendor.

Personally I'd legalize ALL drugs, but restrict the outlets.

Let me tell one now. I was sick and dizzy for weeks, even months "Learning" to smoke. I could not have answered if asked why I would do this when it sickened me. Such is to power of Advertising, peer pressure, parental example etc..
I just wanted to show the world I could I guess.

BTW I totally hate all hypocrisy taxes. I smoke now because I enjoy it, have no intention to quit.

In the end high taxes will only enlarge the black market...I hope!

[mookydooky]

The very first time I had a cigarette, I enjoyed it immensely. I had probably built up a tolerance to smoke in my youth from exposure to my father's second hand smoke. That first light buzz in my head is something I will never forget. I don't really blame the cigarette companies aside from the fact that they make it available. It wasn't advertisement that lead me to have my first cigarette, it was curiousity. As they say, curiousity killed the cat and it will probably kill me, but then again, my family has proved to be fairly immune to cancer so odds are I won't get the dreaded big C. I don't even kid myself anymore and try to quit. I just keep puffin' away.

[Staz]

Hey Mooky

Dan and I got off on a tangent. We got off on the very same tangent that I think the book envoked in most of it's readers. Something that I don't think a trial about gun manufacturers could reach the same amout of people on the same emotional level.

What do you think? Do you think it will be as powerful as it could have been with the focus being on tobaco. Or do you think the context of the trial itself is secondairy to the overall story?

[mookydooky]

Originally Posted by Staz

What do you think? Do you think it will be as powerful as it could have been with the focus being on tobaco. Or do you think the context of the trial itself is secondairy to the overall story?

Actually, as topics go, I think gun control is almost, if not equally, controversial. I just happen to have a more personal relationship with tobacco compared to guns. Hell, I've never even owned a real gun. I'm sure if I grew up in one of those gun states, I would have different outlook. As things stand though, guns are not really that important to me.

I think though, that the movie would have had a greater impact with tobacco but only if it was made several years ago. Big Tobacco has lost several cases since 1998 I believe. Then there was the $200+ billion settlement with the states. I believe there are additional cases out there too that are currently underway. I think events like that would lower the impact of Big Tobacco as the defendant in this movie.

I haven't seen the movie yet, so I can't really comment as to whether the gun control issue is handled well, but I personally would have preferred tobacco as the main issue.

[dod]

Originally Posted by mookydooky

The very first time I had a cigarette, I enjoyed it immensely. I had probably built up a tolerance to smoke in my youth from exposure to my father's second hand smoke. That first light buzz in my head is something I will never forget.

Unfortunately I know exactly what you mean. I was hooked from the first drag

Wasn't there another movie recently about the tobacco companies being "outed" by one of their own executives? The Whistleblower seems to come to mind, but I could be wrong.

Edit: The Insider

[Daniel ~]

Barbarians at the gate, James Garner, comes to mind.

I'm wondering if age has anything to do with it? As both my parents smoked as well as my teachers.
Also Pall Mall and Camels unfiltered were the brands we stole from our parents...almost all of whom smoked. I remember walking a block or two smoking, then having to sit down with my head between my legs for ten minutes, then repeating this for weeks, before I was "Man enough" to do so without having to sit down. Hmmm. The walking itself might be a factor?

BTW, we smoked every plant and leaf in our yards wrapped in toilet paper when we couldn't get cigs. Clearly there were physiological motivations working themselves out within my group of friends and I.