The $3 Billion Judgment
Last week, a Los Angeles jury ordered Philip Morris to pay $3 billion in punitive damages to a longtime smoker who has lung cancer. What do you think?
Vijay Thakker,
Cashier
"Three billion dollars? I'm switching to non-filters right away."
Donna Lafarge,
Interior Decorator
"When this guy started smoking 40 years ago, people had no idea it was bad for you. People had to guess based on the hacking cough, shortness of breath, and bloody phlegm."
Marcus Alberts,
Systems Analyst
"Shouldn't Bic have to pay for making the lighters that made the cigarettes deadly in the first place?"
Phil Muncie,
Roofer
"Three billion for endangering the guy's life? Christ, Philip Morris could've had him killed for a measly ten grand."
Lisa Koenig,
Cellist
"Finally, America's educational system is getting the funding it so desperately needs. What? The $3 billion is going to a smoker? Oh."
Donald Astbury,
Investment Banker
"This is a victory for everyone without a shred of common sense."
