Dan the Tan Man. Candidate-Lobbyist

Some politicians like to use the “citizen legislator” moniker. Others, evidently, have the right to call themselves “lobbyist candidate”. There’d be no reason to lobby congress when you’re in congress, right?

Dan Humiston, Republican/Orsini Independence candidate challenging Brian Higgins in NY-27 is the President of the Indoor Tanning Association lobbying group.

It was recently revealed that Sarah Palin (R-AK) had a tanning bed installed in the Governor’s Mansion in Juneau. No one really cares, and Governor Palin is entitled to subject herself to UV rays during the long Alaska winters if she so desires. But check out this awesome press release:

WASHINGTON – Today the Indoor Tanning Association addressed rumors that Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, who was recently chosen as Presidential Nominee John McCain’s running-mate, had installed a tanning bed in the Governor’s mansion.

According to online reports, a Palin spokesman confirmed in 2007 that the Governor “did have a tanning bed put in the Governor’s Mansion,” Adding that, “It was done shortly after she took office [in early 2007] and moved into the mansion.”

In locations such as Alaska, tanning beds provide important health benefits as a source of UV light. In the bleak winter months, many Americans experience vitamin D deficiency and the best way to manufacture vitamin D is through exposure to UV light. But it is impossible to get the requisite amount of vitamin D from the sun in cities north of 37 degrees latitude for as many as 6 months out of the year; people living as far north as Juneau, Alaska, are deprived of vitamin D from sunlight for even longer.

In addition to increasing the risk of many types of cancer and heart disease, vitamin D deficiency is also linked to many common wintertime complaints such as fatigue, depression and aches and pains.

While partisan bloggers and the sun scare industry will use this as an opportunity to undermine Gov. Palin and demonize the indoor tanning industry, the fact is that Governor Palin’s decision to get UV light from a tanning bed positively impacts her health.

“Moderate amounts of indoor tanning allow Governor Palin to experience the many health benefits that come with exposure to UV light,” said Dan Humiston, President of the Indoor Tanning Association. “Especially in dreary northern locations like Alaska, indoor tanning can help guard against wintertime depression and ward off diseases associated with vitamin D deficiency.”

“Kudos to Governor Palin for standing up to dermatologists and other members of the sun scare industry who are trying to frighten Americans away from UV light.”

OK.

1. Alaska has a “dreary northern climate”? Does Buffalo? After all, it’s north of 37 deg. latitude, and has winters.

2. “sun scare industry” FTW.

3. Dermatologists are medical doctors who undergo many years’ worth of training in anatomy, science, and medicine. It has been proven that exposure to ultraviolet light can cause melanoma, and most people get enough Vitamin D from incidental sun exposure, and can supplement with diet if they don’t. Dermatologists want to keep you from getting cancer. Tanning bed owners want you to use tanning beds for a fee.

Is Humiston’s campaign even remotely for real? This is the most blatantly ignorant piece of drivel I’ve ever read, and I’d expect it to be written by a gum-clacking teen, but am shocked that a candidate for congress – cum – lobbyist would release it.

McCain's Cheek

John McCain had a biopsy done of some skin cells from his cheek. McCain has a history of melanoma from sun exposure when he was a POW.

McCain urged people to stay out of the sun and to wear sunscreen, particularly during the summer.

“If you ever have any slight discoloration please go to your dermatologist or your doctor and get it checked out as soon as possible,” he said.

Asked if his doctor was confident the problem was nothing serious, McCain replied, “Sure, sure.”

McCain might want to have a word with the Dan the Tan Man for Congress campaign, which has festooned several “Tanning Bed” vans with “Humiston for Congress” banners. I wonder if Humiston echoes this “chaching goes the cancer council” sentiment?