Stop Apologizing for Vice

 

 

If we’re going to hold casinos and liquor companies liable for their products, then let’s apply THE SAME STANDARDS to all businesses.

I’m getting sick and tired of so-called “vices” having to make all the standard disclaimers and apologies. This is a monumental waste of time, money, and energy. It’s grotesque hypocrisy. Seriously, fuck this. Stop it, dammit!

I’ll explain.

First of all, I have no idea what a “vice” actually is. Is it breathing? Eating? Drinking? Smoking? Gambling? Sex? Shopping? Shopping while having sex? Gambling while drinking? Preening in front of the mirror? Posting too much on Facebook? Buying too many cars? Eating too much? “Vice” is a dumbass word, unless it’s an episode of Law and Order. Besides, who doesn’t love Mariska Hargitay? I adore Mariska Hargitay. But I digress.

Question: Why do sports gambling ads on TV have to post the disclaimer about “PROBLEM GAMBLING” along with a 1-800 number? Same with beer and booze commercials. “Know when to say when.” Slogans are designed to STOP people from gambling and drinking–so what’s the point? Should we buy your product, or not? So, why must they include warnings as part of their advertising and promotion? Next time you see a commercial for gambling or casinos, notice there’s almost always (perhaps always) a disclaimer. In other words — a warning.

Yeah, I get it.

Some people lose big and get hooked on gambling and booze and lots of so-called bad stuff that can be self-destructive. Yeah, that’s life. It sucks sometimes. Especially when your team doesn’t cover the spread. We should try and help those people. Or sign a different quarterback.

But what about the REAL criminals of vice? What about the real pimps of mass perversion? How about BIG BANKS? What about the FAST FOOD INDUSTRY? Shouldn’t there be *RED FLAG WARNINGS* attached to advertising that begs us all to bottom out into massive debt, spend money most of us don’t have, live way beyond our means, and eat garbage that gives us diabetes and makes us the fattest fucking nation on earth???

Think of the DESTRUCTION and all the LIVES RUINED by banks who beg us to take out their credit cards, max credit lines out of our asses, and then get hooked on 20 percent interest rates like junior high school kiddies in a back alley smoking crack desperate for another fix. Where’s the disclaimer? Why don’t banks have some DISCLAIMER about spending too much? THIS is a massive problem in America, a nation that’s never been more individually and collectively IN DEBT.*

Next, think of the DESTRUCTION and DEATH of millions caused by pounding greasy Big Macs and Double Whoppers down the corn syrup coated throats of millions of fat people, tempting millions of unhealthy, hopelessly addicted food jinkies to order another shit pizza or supersized liter of soda pop? Where the fuck are the disclaimers? Where are the HEALTH warnings?

Where’s the disclaimer on Taco Bell?  Warning: This food is shit. It’s not even real meat.

Fact: If we are going to hold casinos and sports gambling and liquor companies liable for their products (which is arguably a good thing), then let’s apply THE SAME STANDARDS to cutthroat banks and deadly fast food pimps. These are the real criminals of modern society.

These are the real villains of vice.

It’s time to put VICE into proper perspective.

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Footnote:  Given the credit card industry has repeatedly fought tooth and nail against federally mandated disclosures on billing statements (hoping to camouflage the high-interest rates, extra fees, etc.) and continue attempts to destroy consumer protections while shoving CAPITAL ONE ads down our throats, they should be subject to the same legal and ethical standards as gambling and liquor companies.