US Distributing Free Anti-terrorist Cigarettes In Iraq

Author: Gene Borio

February 4, 2005.

Popular CNN reporter Anderson Cooper (ANDERSON COOPER 360°) returned from Iraq with a gift to present to Jon Stewart on "The Daily Show" Wednesday night-- a sample pack of the cigarettes the US military is currently handing out to Iraqis. The packs contain a phone number citizens can use to report on terrorist activities. No brand or source of the cigarettes was mentioned.

The following excerpts are from Cooper's interview:

COOPER:

I actually brought you two gifts....

The US used to talk about sort of winning hearts and minds, but they don't even talk about that anymore, now it's co-opting the Iraqis . . . commanders will tell you that, we don't win hearts and minds....

So now they hand out things . . . . this is a pack of cigarettes with a symbol . . . with a little sticker on it... now the sticker tells you to inform on your neighbor . . . you know, if there are any terrorists in your neighborhood it gives you a number to call . . .

STEWART: I cannot wait to get hooked again on cigarettes....and, after smoking them, inform on all my neighbors!

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart: http://www.comedycentral.com/tv_shows/thedailyshowwithjonstewart/

ANDERSON COOPER 360°: http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/anderson.cooper.360/