United Liberty

Popeye’s pipe has been deemed harmful enough to warrant an over-18 label for the jolly old sailor’s cartoons. In Britian, Liverpool’s Primary Care Trust wants to keep kids from watching Popeye since his pipe-habit might lead them to cigarette addiction.

Local Liberal Democrat politician Paula Keaveney said she had fully supported the smoking ban. Keaveney did, however, feel that:

…There was “no rational argument” that children and young people are likely to be seduced by smoking seen in films. “It strikes me this is just interfering with artistic product and censorship and it doesn’t strike me that it will have the desired effect. I haven’t taken to the hills and become a revolutionary since I saw the film about Che Guevara.” A city council document states that the proposal would not apply to films which portray historical figures who actually smoked, or those which provide a “clear and unambiguous portrayal of the dangers of smoking, other tobacco use, or second-hand smoke”.

But not all Brits are excusing the latest “it’s for your own good” censorship ploy. Mark Wallace, associated with the lovely TaxPayers’ Alliance, said that Primary Care Trusts, a form of national health clinic, are “meant to focus on healing people, not on arbitrating against thought crimes”. Wallace continues:

“People have enough trouble getting doctor’s appointments and the tre