In this latest incarnation, courtesy of Paramount Pictures, G.I.J.O.E will stand for Global Integrated Joint Operating Entity. Apparently, some chuckle-heads thought the idea of a “Real American Hero” wasn’t diverse enough to satisfy today’s politically correct society and I wouldn’t be shocked if by the time the movie hits theaters, these same chuckle-heads decide that the G.I.J.O.E. force should turn to pacifists at the end of the movie. Am I making too big a deal out of this? Certainly, but it is yet another example of people trying to fix stuff that isn’t broken, just for the sake of trying to make a point. This is nothing new; for years, Hollywood writers and producers have used their shows as soapboxes from which to pontificate about the world as they see it. Just look at NBC’s “West Wing,” which used its fictional White House to demonstrate how everything the real White House was doing was doing wrong, in the opinions of the shows writers, producers, and possibly actors.

This is not just limited to Hollywood, of course. This time of year, you can count on politicians tossing out a bunch of garbage just to get their names in the papers. Take Queens City Council Member James Gennaro, who wants a law enacted in New York City banning smoking in cars if there is a rider under 18 present.

“I am just seeking every opportunity I can to denormalize smoking and to try to put it out of the reach of kids,” Gennaro said. “I’ve lost family members…I’ve seen what happens.”

I feel for Mr. Gennaro; I really do. But if he had lost family members in a car accident, would he ban driving? Forget the invasive nature of this law, from a strictly practical point of view, this would be about as enforceable as jay-walking laws. What’s next? Bans against smoking in your home if you have children under 18 living with you? Stop this nonsense; focus on laws that hold people who sell and market tobacco to children under 18 accountable, and leave G.I. Joe alone.

- C.C.S.