A gift from the US senate: Pipe smoking no longer a pre-existing condition?

[benjiak95]

@pipefriendchs btw, americans do suck at driving, and esp. South Carolinians.

[PipeFriendCHS]

@Chroma2021 the beloved sun rising, available on itunes/amazon etc

[rangu66]

@PipeFriendCHS If you don't mind me asking how much would you say you spent on all your pipes?

[PipeFriendCHS]

@rangu66 I think I have about $9K in pipes

[rangu66]

@PipeFriendCHS Wow very nice I doubt i'll ever have that much spent on pipes but all of your pipes are very nice I'll definitely have some nice ones like yours thats for sure

[pipetech26]

Do you ever forsee (what is your opinion) America going to a Universal Healthcare system? I for one think it is ridiculous that we are the ONLY industrialized nation to NOT implement such a policy. I know many people who simply do not go to the doctor or get surgeries because they can't pay for them... even though they need them. Sad.

[PipeFriendCHS]

@pipetech26 I hope so but dont think it will happen soon

[Cygnus567]

@PipeFriendCHS America used to have cheap healthcare until the government got heavily involved with it. It's the government-corporate relationship that wrecked our healthcare.

[MrPlummerjones]

I am an American who has been working in Europe for a year now and having been a former chew tobacco user I had to find an alternative in Europe (no chew as you might know). I chose pipe smoking and I am really enjoying it despite the lack of "punch" chew has. The videos are great man. I now know its normal to have to relight your pipe. I had a feeling your were dutch! with those "dis and dats" Never had ONE negative experience with the Dutch. Keep up the great vids and hope you like the US.

[Kortcubain]

Haha I've read the comment about where you came from. And a funny thing is that you leaved the netherlands. And my friend just moved there cuse he thought the weather was better than here in Sweden where I live. funny how people see things in different ways :)

[rampagehockey21]

do u inhale.......do they have nicotine? please answer

[PipeFriendCHS]

@rampagehockey21 no inhale, yes to nico

[robertpinnisi]

@PipeFriendCHS not if you use a filter right?

[HOLYHECKITSPAUL]

@robertpinnisi filters arguably dont really do anything, like cigarette filters.

[frankenbat]

Well, I'm not a woman, but I have three screws in my knee. Frankenbat no get no health care...I will raid your villages to strangle and eat your insectoid children!! FLAP FLAP RARRRSQEAK!

[lhschillin101]

Which country do you originate from? And why did you come to America? Just wondering.

[PipeFriendCHS]

@lhschillin101 Netherlands. South Carolina has far better weather than the Netherlands

[lhschillin101]

@PipeFriendCHS I imagine it does.

[flamepimp]

Can you make a video of your move to the US. Did you went alone, how was it with the immigration and that kind of stuff, or if you dont wanna make a video about it, just by a comment, because I'm very interested in that kind of stuff. I want to move to the US too and I'm also from the Netherlands, so that wont we a whole lot different..

[tkachta1]

I just noticed your hat and looked up your location. I live an hour or so down the road in Beaufort. Are there many good pipe shops in Chucktown?

[PipeFriendCHS]

@tkachta1 not really :-(

[sfmacintosh]

I think you intersperse the political videos enough that it should be palatable for those that lean extremely left or right. Personally I find your views to be fairly moderate or purely informative, so thanks! Keep it up.

[woodrobin]

@PipeFriendCHS In contrast with Frenchie1133, I actually rather enjoy the occasional political involvement in your video content. It is always pertinent to the main point of the video, and doesn't detract from my enjoyment at all. In re: seeing adults with missing teeth for the first time -- I hadn't thought of that myself. It takes an outside perspective to point out how bass-ackwards that is -- we see it all our lives and seem to just accept it.

[MinisterKGB]

I once got out of a speeding ticket with my friends we all spoke russian the cop just did not know what was happening so he let us off and actually just wrote out on the ticket paper "slow down"

[Beikes1]

These semi-political vids of yours are truly the best. I just don't get this american "everyone for himself first" mentality. We should all chip in, so that everybody can live a decent life. I pay my taxes with great joy knowing that our society is rich that way, and no one will ever suffer from poverty or unnessecary health-problems. I live in that little Scandinavian country, where everybody's happy :) (we topped the list of the happiest country). Damn It's 4 in the morning here...sure Im /

[georgebaileyhimself]

Legislation aside, I realy enjoyed the story about ".. whipping out the heavy Euro accent and driver's license" when you got pulled over. Nice!

[only1tylerdurden]

way to manipulate the system!!!

[NorthGeorgiaPipe]

Some tight Vocals on that track!

[Surielis]

Wow! I really AM glad that pipe smoking may no longer be an existing condition! I'm lready on the lower end of things, being in poverty.

[Chakotaysmack]

good vocals on that track! Smooth!:)

[Chakotaysmack]

Anyways! :)

[prokopto]

The US Government is Constitutionally bound to give us General Protection from enemies foreign and domestic, settlement of disputes between States, and the regulation of Interstate Commerce... that is all. Liberty and Freedom come from God not the US government or any man. BTW stopping for a school bus is to keep kids safe so they NEED less healthcare :-)

[MeldePel]

I too come from The Netherlands. And nowadays most Dutch people think it's crazy that more and more medicines aren't covered by health ensurences anymore. But if you look at the allmighty USA, you can see it's actually a lot worse over there...

By the way, just last week I smoked a pipe for the very first time in my life. Too bad is was my friend's pipe and not my own.

I intent on buying one myself very soon.

Keep up the good vids! I really enjoy watching them!

[frenchie1133]

Marc I can't watch your videos anymore. Your politics are eclipsing the reasons I watched your videos. I've ignored it, but it's just getting obnoxious.

[PipeFriendCHS]

Hi Frenchie1133, Your comment had me concerned, so I decided to go on a fact finding mission to see if my videos have become political. I reviewed all the videos in the last 60 days and the percentage of political videos is 1.67%. I am comfortable with that level. I know we are on opposite sides of the political spectrum, but I find value in seeing what "the other side" thinks. For example, I watch Glenn Beck/Fox News occasionally, and while I don't agree with him, his opinions do inform me

[cacrow]

I'm happy with the percentage of political vids you do too :-) Seriously, don't sweat it; it's your channel, so do what you want. People can always not watch.

Cheers,

Crow

[NWPipeSmoker]

Right on, Crow.

-Tom

[frenchie1133]

I guess I'm too sensitive about the healthcare system and Obama's cabinet in general. Too much to lose with a CEO father and many nursing relatives whose jobs are imperiled by these possible changes. I've just heard many references to how great socialism (etc...) is.

You're right. Not too many about politics but the ones that are stung. The Don't Ask Don't Tell post killed me, as did the healthcare one a while back. Maybe I'll just avoid them. I don't dislike you (obviously) I'll just should

[frenchie1133]

...stay away from your political videos. I hate putting something I enjoy as much as my pipes with something I am increasingly resenting, ie: politics.

[PipeFriendCHS]

@frenchie1133 I will make sure to label my political videos as such to make it easier to select them or unselect them

[frenchie1133]

Don't feel th eneed to. I know I should stop being sensitive about that stuff, and the last thing I want to do is change how you do things.

[Chakotaysmack]

Stand Strong !

[AulicExclusiva]

Glenn Beck's "opinions" are to opinion what astrology is to science.

American conservatism has fallen into a black hole.

[ManiacalMikal]

I think you should come to a stop whenever a school bus has its warning lights flashing, M - also, slow the fug down - Canada has a national health insurance policy (has had for a number of decades), and while there are pros-n-cons on either side of the issue, I'm in favour of it - one of the down sides is the gov't taxes the b'jesus out of things deemed harmful (alcohol, tobacco) thus making that part of living kind of tough - I think you'll see this happen in the US soon, too. L8r, pard. MM

[pipesmokinghermit]

@maniacMikal they are already taxing the bejesus out of us for tobacco and alcohol for no real apparent reason except that our government is a failing business. Haha. I think that this health care option isn't the way to go though... Give it (health care) to everyone or no one. I am tired of the government playing favorites. I like Canada's system from what I know of it.

[12kredline]

@pipesmokinghermit ...to add to it. We get extra tax on gas and pay "registration" on cars to pay for our roads that don't get repaired. Sin tax revenue doesn't go to cancer research. Red Light camera revenue doesn't go to the police to aid in stopping crime. Its spent in the general fund which does little to correct the problem or provide better security. So on and So on and So on....Track record pretty much spells out the disaster on the horizon.

[genericsoul]

you're such a bad ass!

[cactusboy33]

Makes me appreciate the NHS more and more. Also the speed limit in the US has always confused me. There are more big powerful cars on the roads and the highways are big long and straight yet the speed limit is 50mph whereas over here in the UK the speed limit on motorways is 70 but we have comparatively small roads.

Oh well, diversity makes the world better.

[vcMalice]

haha i know the speed limits confuse me too. I've never driven outside of the US, but having a 55mph speed limit is more annoying. every speeds anyway.

i think it's a speeding ticket conspiracy :D

[cactusboy33]

@vcMalice Yeah its one of those little things that has always confused me. I'm sure there is a reason for it and it probably has some historical roots or something.

Till I do find out though it will be one of life's little mysteries.

[vcMalice]

well i think, at least in the eastern US, since it was developed before the west, cars were slower and it made sense. To change speed limits, everyone in the community (or at least a large majority has to support it. Of course people want the speed limits faster, other than right outside their house. So progress is slow xD

[BlackAndWhiteSmoke]

I don't know if this is true for the U.S. But over here in the U.K 75% of the cost of cigarettes is tax. So overall, U.K government raise A WHOLE TONNE of money each day, just by smokers...

In theory, smokers deserve healthcare more then everyone else...

[PipeIsh]

Dude, you assumed it was the shortest day for everyone on YouTube. It was the longest down here in Australia.

[PipeFriendCHS]

@PipeIsh My bad, you are absolutely right.

[vcMalice]

I like HotAsh's point about tobacco smokers never completely being left in peace. I'm only 20 (and I don't know what it's like in Netherlands) but in America, people who teach kids about drugs like to use scare tactics rather than simply explaining it. So most people who don't figure out that smokers aren't forcing everyone else to smoke and that we enjoy it, they will continue to remind us how bad it is for us (like we are completely oblivious). Anyway, I enjoy your vids PipeFriendCHS!

[12kredline]

That camera looks great now! Our current health care is flawed but a government overtake isn't the fix. You can't take from one and give it to another...tell one its a tax and the other its free. Its simply not right. Bad teeth is the fault of the person, not of the state. Save up...fix it. This is coming from a person who has to sell his own stuff to even make rent.

[PipeFriendCHS]

I think healthcare should be like fire coverage, police coverage and army coverage: We all pay into it to make life better for all. Imagine that the amount of fire coverage or police coverage was related to how much you make. Now consider that healthcare is as important or more important to your wellbeing than fire coverage or police coverage.

[12kredline]

The issue is far greater though. Our first responders out here are already borderline out of business. Our government can not control is spending. Turning health care over will only create one more problem. When did my health care no longer become my responsibility? This country has sacrificed over a million people for no apparent cause now.

[PipeFriendCHS]

@12kredline It is not about you, it is about the elderly person who has diabetes, or the single mom who got hit by a car. Or about people with chronic illnesses due to genes and no fault of their own, who can't get healthcare. You may have a genetic disposition yourself to chronic ailments; is that your fault? Would you want access to healthcare if you did?

[12kredline]

I have a chronic illness. I have never once let it be the public's burden. Were not talking about protecting health..were talking about protecting irresponsibility. With my illness and past of serious injuries (2 near death) I expect to pay a bit more and do for insurance. I don't make you pay it...so don't make me pay yours. (said with no animosity). Of course I don't want people to be ill but I also want them to take responsibility which a fair majority does not.

[pyromaster55]

@PipeFriendCHS I know I'm late on this, but I think what 12kredline is worried about is abuse of the system. If the government offers health care to everyone some companies would cut health plans for employees to reduce costs. There is prevalent mentality now of "What can society do for me" rather than "What can I do for society". While some form of health care reform would be beneficial to society, the main problem I see (as a moderate with both liberal and conservitive tendencies) is (cont.)

[pyromaster55]

@PipeFriendCHS the abuse of a system by people whom it wasn't intended for in the first place. Why after all would you pay for health insurance (being a well off individual) when the government would give it to you at no cost out of your pocket? Being a responsible member of society it would be because that is the right and honest thing to do, but many people don't feel that way.

Being an education major I personally see issues in education that I feel are more important, but are being ignored.

[reverendmbrewer]

Are the health risks higher or lower for those who smoke pipes as opposed to cigarettes? Either way great video; I am hoping to see health reform in our country soon.

[PipeFriendCHS]

@reverendmbrewer Both are unhealthy, but since pipes are not inhaled, your lungs are less affected

[thedownsgroup]

Hey Marc. First of all, "The Sun Rising" is a truly blissful song playing in the background! Great to heart after so many years! Truly optimistic song. Second, your story of "I'm a foreigner" is hilarious. Third, it's great to be a pipe smoker. Fourth, the sound quality to your new camera is OUTSTANDING. Fifth, the sun rising will be earlier in the morning hereon. Sixth, as a permanent resident alien myself I too hope for affordable healthcare for all like in my original homeland Europe.

[HotAsh]

I have two opinions, Pipefriend. First, I like the longer beard and I hope you keep growing it. Second, as someone whose income is tied to the economy, I am likely not to be poor enough to be covered by basic government healthcare, but I can't afford private coverage, and therefore I'll be fined, which I also can't afford. It's lose/lose/lose more for me, and frankly, I doubt that anti-tobacco forces here will leave tobacco users in peace no matter which tobacco product anyone uses.

[Dankdillweed]

The little tail of Billy Budd hanging off the rim of your pipe is driving me nuts in this video. It's a good thing your awesome accent and handsome pipe distracted me enough that I was able to deal with m suicidal ideation.

[Simbul]

I...LOVE...this video...due to quality...or I have had too much wine...

[zanezip85]

Dear Briar Grandfather,

It's with great respect that I comment and thank you for bringing up stimulating discussion as you always do. My statement - "I feel its unfair that you have an abundance of gorgeous pipes, therefore, our government should disperse your hard earned pipes amongst the good folks of this community." Admittedly, the current system is flawed but tax the workers to support the remainder? Zane

[PipeFriendCHS]

@zanezip85 Pipes are different from healthcare in that a country benefits if all have healthcare. If all have pipes, then that doesn't help the nation. Coincidentally, I have held contest to help pipe smokers that can't afford a (new) pipe, and give away pipes all the time. I don't need 70 and gladly share

[PipeFriendCHS]

@zanezip85 Also, in countries with healthcare for all, the populations live longer and less money is spent on healthcare because there is not as much incentive to drive up prices and make money from people's ailments. Police, fire protection, army and hospitals/doctors should cover all citizens of a nation.

[SmokeRingsPipeDreams]

When I've been to a doctor and told them I smoke the occasional cigar or a pipe once in a while they have said: "that's not smoking" "or then you're not a pipe smoker". But I'm sure an insurance company would be different. I hate insurance companies. Speaking of which, it's medicare and medicade and insurance companies that have made medical care insanely expensive.

[TheConiferTheory]

Very interesting thought, as much as I would like it to happen, it does incline one to ask, If pipe smoking would no longer be a pre-existing condition, what about cigar smoking as well?hmm?

[Mindpetals]

You can't speak generally about the States, because from state to state and town to town the seriousness of the laws are VAST... Please remember that. It's like comparing the laws of Humboldt County, CA to New York City -- just as comparing the Netherlands to USA.

[PipeFriendCHS]

@Mindpetals in relationship to schoolbus laws you mean?

[Mindpetals]

school buses, marijuana, j-walking, etc... you name it.

[magicwill25]

My father recently applied for life insurance since he is retiring from his job soon. When he told them he wanted the premium insurance, they asked him about his life and if he smoked anything. They asked him if he had smoked a pipe in the past 2 years. He told them yes and they dropped his coverage down to a basic and charged him an extra 60 bucks a month. Then he had to tell them that it was only a ceremonial thing and he doesn't see himself smoking in the foreseeable future. Lol.

[tokyopuffer]

Hey Mark,

It is nice to hear a view on the US heath care from a European standpoint.

I am in Japan now and we have the option of private or public insurance. I myself have public insurance and it is really cheap.

By the way, what are ya smoking today?

[PipeFriendCHS]

@tokyopuffer Trying Robusto by GL Pease..so so

[amaltoadie]

Marc-

Are you actually a U.S. citizen, or a permanent alien?

[PipeFriendCHS]

@amaltoadie A permanent alien with the option of becoming a citizen (which i might take once equal civil rights are in place)

[amaltoadie]

@PipeFriendCHS If you don't mind my asking, what are some major differences you've noticed between citizenship and being a permanent alien?

[PipeFriendCHS]

@amaltoadie some legal rights and obligations, and voting rightd

[wunc65]

I have to say! I really like the new video camera! The sound and video quality is fantastic!

[Acaciavet]

You dont think these bastards will try to weasel out of this?

[PipeFriendCHS]

@Acaciavet Even the Republicans like this part of the law, so I think we are safe

[Stogieman1]

At 2,500 pages for the Health care bill, and I would bet that one one has read the bill, and if it passes. Watch out what we will be taxed for and what other changes we will get. Now you will have to wait four years, but you get to start paying for it in 2010. What a gift, NOT!

[Essy7887]

well you wouldn't get arrested for passing a school bus. You could 1 get a ticket a fine or 2 you get a summons to appear in court and face a fine and a license suspension, however it wouldn't appear on your criminal record if you have one, in most states.

[TheTearingVIKING]

I want to enjoy a pipe to.

Have to bye me one.

Great videos!

[bigfootuk82]

universal health care is fantastic. here in Britain, our NHS spends alot of money trying to get people to stop smoking. and they strongley discourage it. but we also have good help for people who get sick from smoking.

[bretona]

i had the nicest sunset today when i drove back from my tobacconist's. we have no mountains here where i live, none at all. but the clouds were shadowed in such a way, and sat on the horizon in such a way that it looked like i was back in west virginia, it was great.