uptown_isy
The Man Uptown
- Joined
- Nov 27, 2007
- Messages
- 3,002
August 19th 2008 changed the way I smoke
Christian Aliperti, CRA Ambassador NY
No I didn’t decide to smoke a cigar from the other end nor did I just begin smoking. In fact I have been an avid lover of the leaf for over 16 years and have spent this time experiencing cigars and the cigar world like I never thought I would. Meeting people from all over the world and traveling to many countries sharing fine and not so fine cigars with wonderful individuals is a huge part of what enjoying a cigar is all about. As an early cigar boom individual I saw and smoked brands that came and went as well as many that are still here today. I have tasted rare, regular production and vintage smokes and smoked them everywhere from garages to some of the finest cigar clubs in the world. All the while simply loving the nuances of a cigar and the shared company it brings. At the same time I was taking what I thought was a mere pursuit to enjoy the good things in life for granted. That was until I attended the Cigar Rights of America Freedom Tour in August of 2008. This was a gathering launch for the Cigar Rights of America at the Hudson Terrace in NYC and a tour that hit most of the major cities in the U.S. All the big manufacturers were there from the Fuentes, Padrons, Ashton, Davidoff, Camacho, Rocky, Avo, Litto, Drew Estates, Tautaje and all the brands I have smoked and enjoyed over these years. Michael Herklots was the emcee that night either by choice, his passion or being the New Yorker who is in the Big Apple every day. The words expressed by all the cigar companies to the large crowd was that of concern that our “Freedom” to enjoy a fine cigar was under attack. This attack via laws banning where you could smoke and increased taxation would put individuals’ local shops out of business thus inhibiting access to cigars and a place to enjoy them. All of this struck a chord with me, what could be done?
As a new member I contacted Brian Berman who is the Director of CRA membership and inquired as to what a civilian in the cigar world could do help protect all of our rights that were being violated and attacked. He then told me they were developing a Cigar Rights of America Ambassador program. These individuals would be made up of cigar enthusiasts who would help to make others aware of what the CRA is all about as well as encourage individuals to join and fight for their rights. After many conversations with Brian I became a CRA Ambassador for NY as soon as the program began. Since then I have frequented shops all over my state as well as other states, attended events and encouraged many to join CRA and support our right to simply enjoy a cigar without the government dictating when and where we are allowed to do so. I honestly never thought that sitting in a shop or attending an event was something that could be lost however it is now clear to me that this is what is being done. Without organizations and ourselves speaking up for what we want, others will make these decisions for us and history has shown the consequences of those actions. I will never take this freedom for granted again and I encourage all to join CRA to fight for your rights and change the way YOU smoke.
Cigar Rights of America website: http://www.cigarrights.org/
Christian Aliperti, CRA Ambassador NY
No I didn’t decide to smoke a cigar from the other end nor did I just begin smoking. In fact I have been an avid lover of the leaf for over 16 years and have spent this time experiencing cigars and the cigar world like I never thought I would. Meeting people from all over the world and traveling to many countries sharing fine and not so fine cigars with wonderful individuals is a huge part of what enjoying a cigar is all about. As an early cigar boom individual I saw and smoked brands that came and went as well as many that are still here today. I have tasted rare, regular production and vintage smokes and smoked them everywhere from garages to some of the finest cigar clubs in the world. All the while simply loving the nuances of a cigar and the shared company it brings. At the same time I was taking what I thought was a mere pursuit to enjoy the good things in life for granted. That was until I attended the Cigar Rights of America Freedom Tour in August of 2008. This was a gathering launch for the Cigar Rights of America at the Hudson Terrace in NYC and a tour that hit most of the major cities in the U.S. All the big manufacturers were there from the Fuentes, Padrons, Ashton, Davidoff, Camacho, Rocky, Avo, Litto, Drew Estates, Tautaje and all the brands I have smoked and enjoyed over these years. Michael Herklots was the emcee that night either by choice, his passion or being the New Yorker who is in the Big Apple every day. The words expressed by all the cigar companies to the large crowd was that of concern that our “Freedom” to enjoy a fine cigar was under attack. This attack via laws banning where you could smoke and increased taxation would put individuals’ local shops out of business thus inhibiting access to cigars and a place to enjoy them. All of this struck a chord with me, what could be done?
As a new member I contacted Brian Berman who is the Director of CRA membership and inquired as to what a civilian in the cigar world could do help protect all of our rights that were being violated and attacked. He then told me they were developing a Cigar Rights of America Ambassador program. These individuals would be made up of cigar enthusiasts who would help to make others aware of what the CRA is all about as well as encourage individuals to join and fight for their rights. After many conversations with Brian I became a CRA Ambassador for NY as soon as the program began. Since then I have frequented shops all over my state as well as other states, attended events and encouraged many to join CRA and support our right to simply enjoy a cigar without the government dictating when and where we are allowed to do so. I honestly never thought that sitting in a shop or attending an event was something that could be lost however it is now clear to me that this is what is being done. Without organizations and ourselves speaking up for what we want, others will make these decisions for us and history has shown the consequences of those actions. I will never take this freedom for granted again and I encourage all to join CRA to fight for your rights and change the way YOU smoke.
Cigar Rights of America website: http://www.cigarrights.org/
