Blowing smoke

The Washington Post and other major news outlets are obsessed with whether or not President Obama sneaks a cigarette occasionally. After being barraged with questions, press secretary Robert Gibbs said, "I've not seen or witnessed evidence of any smoking in probably nine months." Tom Brokaw churned out an entire op-ed on the matter, suggesting that if Obama publically declared he is a nonsmoker, the nation will follow his example Pied Piper-like. What is Brokaw smoking? It is amazing how consumed we have become with trivia like this. The fate of the nation does not hinge on whether Mr. Obama takes a smoke break. (FDR somehow managed to win World War II despite inhaling smoke via his trademark cigarette holder.) Not content to let sleeping dogs lie, the Post polled its readers, asking “Do you care whether the president smokes?” Most readers (55%) responded, “No, it's a personal decision and makes no difference to me.” Since America obviously doesn’t care, it would be nice if the media could stop blowing smoke.