Good evening, everyone. I just received this email from IPCPR and Cigar Rights of America (CRA), and thought it important enough to warrant a post to The Cigarmy. As you know, the hobby of cigar smoking is and has been under increasing attack politically for quite a while. The following request to electronically sign petitions are the very least we can do as consumers, and I strongly encourage you to do so. Join Cigar Rights if you haven’t. Be vocal locally. If you enjoy cigars, and would like to in the future, please read this and sign on. I was signature #7, and they need 24,993 more to progress…
It is time to take the IPCPR/Cigar Rights battle to protect our cigars straight to the White House!Help Protect Premium Cigars from FDA Regulation! Click here to sign our petition to the President H.R. 1639 / S. 1461 – Traditional Cigar Manufacturing and Small Business Jobs Preservation Act You will be required to create an account, type in the letters at the bottom of the screen, and wait for a confirmation email, which may go to your SPAM or Junk Mail Folder. After you receive the confirmation email, you may then log in and sign the petition.
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THIS IS OUR CALL TO ACTION: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness More details are below:
As you know, the FDA is hell bent on regulating, controlling and most certainly ruining premium cigars. So, it is incumbent upon the cigar enthusiasts of the United States – retailers, consumers, and manufacturers alike – to say “hell no” to any proposed new regulation of premium/traditional cigars by the United States government. The infantalization of America will stop here, with us! We are adults, and it is our right to make informed choices without undue government interference. On April 26, 2010, December 20, 2010, July 7, 2011, and again on February 13, 2012 the U.S. Food & Drug Administration publicly posted their intent in the Federal Register to regulate cigars. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration answers to one boss – The White House. See this recent article for details. Now that tens of thousands of this nation’s cigar enthusiasts, retailers, and manufacturers have voiced their opposition to Congress, it’s time to send a message to the Office of the President asking President Obama to tell the FDA: “Stay out of America’s humidors!” H.R. 1639 has been filed in the U.S. House of Representatives; and a companion bill, Senate Bill 1461, has been filed in the Senate. Both are filed under the banner of the Traditional Cigar Manufacturing and Small Business Jobs Preservation Act. This bi-partisan legislation would decree that premium/traditional cigars should be off limits to FDA regulation and, “to clarify the Food & Drug Administration’s jurisdiction in the sale, manufacturing and distribution of traditional and premium cigars.” With over 85,000 American jobs associated with the premium/traditional cigar business, this is an issue of economic stability for thousands of Main Street America small businesses. The community tobacconist is an institution that spans the history of the nation. The federal government has no business threatening them with new regulations, user fees, and efforts that smack nothing short of modern day prohibition. Such legislation could have a profound impact on protecting the industry, from the fields and factories of Central America, to the supply-chain throughout this nation, to the community tobacconist, to enjoying a cigar in the local shop, club or back porch. We can assure you, nothing could rip the soul of the cigar industry apart, like FDA actions. For example, some of the (again) hypothetical possibilities, but that are not beyond the realm of reason include: No more walk in humidors (Canadian model); Limits on advertising and promotions; Banning the very word cigar or tobacco; Manufacturers having to submit blends to FDA for “testing,” before heading to your local shop – imagine the impact on boutique cigar makers; Adverse impact on flavored tobacco products that are made for adults; And price impact due to new fees on manufacturers. This is the short list. Again: Click here to sign our petition to President Obama. |
It’s a dreary, rainy Sunday afternoon in my little corner of Central Florida. So, what better way to spend it than to have a cigar and do a little daydreamin’ about returning to the Dominican Republic for CFC this week. I am entering into full-blown all-Fuente-all-the-time mode for the next 5 days, until our return. Come to think of it, that’s not entirely different than normal; a significant portion of the time I will reach for one of their products. Admittedly, in recent years I have branched out to a great extent into other makers and have to say I am enjoying the variety and depth I’ve experienced in that time. I have added numerous makes and models into my regular rotation. Nonetheless, when smoking for for pure joy, with no need for close attention or review-writing…I love many Fuente cigars. Today, I’m starting with what appears to be a standard Rosado Magnum R52. I say “appears to be standard”, because this particular stick came from the CFC gathering last year. Most of the cigars that were given out on that trip were limited/special/different in some way – and I did not make any notes about this one. It appears to be the same size as normal production (5X52) and wears the same band, so I’ll say it is the same. The only thing that gives me a hint about its origin is the little yellow sticker I placed on it with the date and where it came from. It does have a more mellowed, almost caramel character to the finish that I don’t normally associate with these, but that very well could just come from the extra year of rest. But, this is not a review, merely a ramble.
We’re going back! Two members of the Cigarmy went to the Dominican Republic earlier this year for the Fuente/Newman families’ gathering to showcase CFCF (Cigar Family Charitable Foundation). It was a simply amazing trip, and we had an absolute blast. I just got the email today that there will be another assembling in March of 2012 – with 2012 being the Fuentes’ 100th anniversary in the cigar business. Some portion of us are returning. If you don’t know, the CFCF is a boon to the local people in the Bonao region of the Dominican Republic – providing clean water, medical care, and education to people who previously had none. You can find more information about it