Does using cell phones cause Brain Cancer

People smoked for such a long time before there were any contradictory studies providing warnings. The film mentions Reader's Digest saying smoking was bad in '52.

I do know that brain cancer rates in places like Finland (land of Nokia) have increased since cell phones have taken off in popularity.

About a decade ago, I worked as a secretary on a Senate Committee. One day I came across Ted Kennedy, who later was diagnosed and perished from brain cancer. When I saw him, he was working extremely hard, in full tech gear, due to his job meaning he had to be available at all times. He was getting up in years. After he died, a former aid of his appeared on the Dr. Oz show because his own father had been diagnosed with brain cancer. He truly believed that cell phone usage killed his boss.

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie not just for the wicked satire and strong direction, but the generalizations about lobbyists who do things that hurt people, albeit over the top, had a kernel of truth. My old boss is no longer in Congress, but he visited with lobbyists very frequently. They worked for organizations that called themselves "Institutes," and gave staff daily newsletters on industry news.

Lobbyists for "MODs" and other causes get paid far more than many, many members of Congress, who earn about $170,000/year. The only solution I could see was major campaign finance reform. My favorite scene in this film was Aaron Eckhart's testimony before William H. Macy where he talks about cheese and cholesterol. I am still amazed at the Supreme Court's Citizen's United ruling, as it made a widespread problems of pols chasing big money unbelievably worse. It didn't matter the party. Every industry you can think of has an "association" with special interest lobbyists. The best recommendation I can give to you is be careful who you donate your hard-earned money to, be it a pol you've always admired, a non-profit with 501c3 status, anyone. If a lobbyist is unsuccessful at getting legislation passed, they get fired. When Aaron Eckhart's character says he does his job "for the mortgage," that is a statement that is based in reality. I have many former co-workers who left their low-paying jobs on Capitol Hill and make a fortune lobbying in issues they used to work for because of their contacts. In short, they sold out.

When the credits rolled to the tune of The Kingston Trio's song "Greenback Dollar," I just loved it. That movie, while heightened, was spot-on in so many ways. For me, watching Thank You For Smoking Was a cathartic experience.

As I write this, the government is shut down. Why did things reach a breaking point? Well, the thing is, normally, Democrats and Republicans work together harmoniously every day. That's why Congress is able to function. It only becomes dysfunctional when pols cater to constituencies that donate the most money, or if something is a "hot button," issue. That's when they do things like grandstand and block things in committee. Some don't vote in favor of bills they genuinely support because they are up for reelection. Then there are lobbyists who compose legislation to have it introduced by the pol in their pocket. It's pretty flagrant. DC is a city built on patronage. Even those people you see on C-Span counting votes got their jobs through long-term loyalty to some member of Congress. Don't get me wrong, there are many ethical, hardworking people who work in Congress for their entire careers. But there are some who view their time there as a stepping stone to industry. Not all offices are corrupt, it really is the luck of the draw with who you work for. Staff have polls on catagories like Senator with "Worst Temper" "Hardest to Work For," etc. I once encountered a legislative aid in desperate need of help because he worked for the titleholder of "Hardest to Work For." She was going to be on TV and he desperately needed talking points or there was going to be hell to pay. Well, he didn't get them, and I saw the interview, and she really foundered. I felt sorry he would probably get a verbal lashing because I couldn't reach the person he needed. There is an expression that long-term staff have used to describe their time on the Hill. They call it "the last plantation." Why use such strong language? While the 13th amendment eliminated involuntary servitude, it didn't prohibit voluntary servitude. You are an unofficial slave to your member because there are no unions. You serve at their pleasure and can be fired at will. You can work all night and your boss can still tear you down in private if he wants.

I'm sorry, this is just a movie discussion board, but these are observations I had to get off my chest. I haven't worked there in many years and ultimately became a social studies teacher, which helps students learn about government beyond basic "how a bill becomes a law." I learned more about government working there than in any class. At some point, you need to ask yourself, "Am I making the world a better place, or am I actively making it worse?" I found myself thinking the latter. My advice to young people who are considering various careers is to choose a job consistent with your values. Then, you are more likely to be happy. There are problems in every profession, but at least you will be true to yourself and not lie to yourself. Life is short. Don't sell out. There are, of course, other films with this message. The Devil Wears Prada is also a favorite. I was an Executive Assistant to someone akin to the Meryl Streep character. Swimming With Sharks is another good, albeit heightened movie, with Kevin Spacey as a Hollywood boss. A friend of mine told me she saw that film and found the kind of verbal abuse in that film to be just like the stories I'd been telling her about for months. My parents were so proud I had that job, and no matter how much I complained about my boss' behavior, insisted that I work there for a year so it wouldn't look bad on my resume. I did what they asked, but at great personal cost.

So, that is my longer than anticipated essay of my time on the Hill. I pity all the furloughed employees whose livelihoods have been interrupted by these lobbyist-driven, money-driven games. All those ideologues would never have been elected it weren't for SuperPACs. Thank you for reading this and truly, I wish every voter saw Thank You For Smoking. Were it not for the sex scene with Katie Holmes, I wish I could show the film in Government class!