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Counter Intelligence: Troops Allowed to Spark Up

Military refuses smoking ban despite study

By Xana O'Neill

| Thursday, Jul 16, 2009 | Updated 1:32 PM EST

Counter Intelligence: Troops Allowed to Spark Up

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Tobacco will not be prohibited from the military despite a recommondation from a Pentagon-commissioned report that called for ban.

See why the military refused to ban tobacco and take a look at our list of must-reads that will have you chatting at the lunch counter, over IM or wherever it is that people actually talk these days.

U.S. troops can smoke 'em if they got 'em. Tobacco will not be prohibited in the military despite a recommendation from a Pentagon-commissioned report that called for ban. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said through a spokesman he didn't want to contribute to soldiers' stress in combat situations by removing an outlet to relieve he anxiety.
The company that makes Crocs is likely going under. More than 100 million pairs of the brightly colored, brutally ugly foam clogs that were wildly popular (even though no one over the age of 5 should've worn them) were sold in 7 years. But the company behind the kicks lost $185.1 million and is staring down millions in debt and a grim future.
Model-turned-first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy will sing at Nelson Mandela's birthday party this weekend. Bruni-Sarkozy will perform in public for the first time since she wed French President Nicolas Sarkozy at Radio City Music Hall this weekend. Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin are also among the guests expected to attend the star-studded gala.
A wedding photograph of a British couple shot dead in Antigua last year was used by an Ohio company along with a fake testimonial to promote their business. "We have made $1,080 alone with your MyDishBiz internet business opportunity," the text reads. In the ad, the company claims the pair pictured is Frank and Mary of New York. The business apologized to the families.