And if some should die of cancer, oh well

California will probably not raise the legal smioking age to 21 because, golly, they need the tax revenue all those young smokers will produce.

A measure touted as one of the best ways to reduce smoking among young people — raising the legal smoking age — is expected to fail in the state Legislature this week.

By most accounts, it isn’t big tobacco money or partisan politics that threatens a bill that would make California the first state in the nation to raise the smoking age to 21.

Cash-strapped California just can’t part with the tax revenue it gets from the sale of cigarettes to young adults, some lawmakers say.

And in an especially brain-dead statement, Sen. Dede Alpert, said “If this were a health issue, it would be different. But this is a tax issue.”  Uh huh.

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Fire Ants aren’t invading!

Nope, apparently fire ants, the latest in a slew of supposed nasty insect invaders to the U.S. aren’t posing much of a threat after all.  Neither did killer bees, for that matter (remember them?).  And, I suspect, neither will West Nile.

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U.S. bitten by their own free trade bug

I wonder if those Americans who told us how wonderful WTO and Free Trade is still think the same now.

The World Trade Organization today ruled that the European Union can impose trade sanctions of up to $4 billion against the United States in a tax dispute, the biggest penalty it has ever allowed.

The sanctions are 20 times the amount levied in any previous WTO dispute. Experts say their potential effect on EU-U.S. trade would be so serious that the ruling will likely prompt a new compromise between the two sides.

The WTO considered the request from the EU after ruling last year that a system of tax breaks for companies from the United States was an illegal subsidy and violated international trade rules.

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Back from backpacking

My overnight backpacking trip in the Mt. Wilson area of the Angeles National Forest was instructive and fun.  I’ve done considerable group backpacking, this was my first solo trip. I planned it as a test trip for possible longer solo trips.

Things I learned.

1) Bring insect repellent even when you are sure it is so dry there couldn’t possibly be bugs.  There were, in fact, swarms of annoying gnats who enjoyed dancing in front of my eyes, especially on tricky parts on the trails.

2) Use your topographical maps!  This avoids unscheduled adventures such as two miles the wrong way because I was sure it was the right trail (it wasn’t).

I started at the top of Mt. Wilson, dropped 2800 vertical feet, camped in Devore Trail camp, then climbed up that 2,800 feet and went in the back way to Mt. Wilson - basically a circular route.  The final 3.5 mile route from Newcomb Pass to Mt. Wilson was marked “Closed - Hazardous conditions”. (Yes, I’d called the rangers and asked about the route, they said it was fine).  I ignored the sign, as I only had two quarts of water left, and the trail was fine, if a bit washed out in places.

I learned backpacking from the great folks at Adventure 16, a high-end outdoor supply firm with several stores in L.A. and San Diego.  If you live in the area and want to learn how to do backpacking or climbing, go on their trips.  They have trips at many skill levels - from overnights to serious treks in the High Sierras. Their goal is to teach you enough so you can do your own trips, and that’s just what they did with me.  Thanks A16!

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