I was with some Vietnamese recently, and some of them were smoking two cigarettes at the same time. That’s the kind of customers we need!
Meaning of the quote
This quote suggests that the politician, Jesse Helms, was pleased to see Vietnamese people smoking two cigarettes at once, as he believed they would be good customers. This indicates a concerning perspective that promotes unhealthy, and potentially addictive, behavior for the sake of profit. The quote reflects a problematic attitude that prioritizes financial gain over the well-being of individuals and communities.
About Jesse Helms
Jesse Helms was a long-serving, controversial conservative senator from North Carolina who played a major role in American politics and foreign policy. He was known for his opposition to civil rights, environmentalism, and other progressive causes, as well as his confrontational approach to governance.
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The interests of the United States are better served by demanding reform and seeing that reform takes place than by removing our influence from the UN.
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That is why I fought against abortion and that is why if I were still in the Senate I would be doing everything I could to defend the sanctity of marriage.
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The challenge is always before us. Whenever we lose sight of the principles that mattered to our founders we run into trouble.
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It may surprise people to know that I advocate the reform of the United Nations, not its abolishment.
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I want our young people to believe as we did that there is no goal too high to reach if they are willing to work.
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I worked in the media from the late 30’s through the early 70’s. Politics in general became more liberal both nationally and within the state as the years passed.
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We can live our own lives in a way that does not bring reproach on the principles we claim to support.
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I was with some Vietnamese recently, and some of them were smoking two cigarettes at the same time. That’s the kind of customers we need!
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