Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, among both men and women. It claims more lives than colon, prostate and breast cancer combined. Yet lung cancer is also among the most preventable cancers. Smoking accounts for about 85 percent to 90 percent of lung cancer cases. Other causes include exposure to radon, asbestos and secondhand smoke.
I almost always tear them in half and throw them away.
Sometimes, if I am feeling particularly paranoid, I'll tear them into little bitty pieces.
Is that good enough? Could a determined and dexterous criminal gather all the bits, tape them together and apply for a card in my name? Would a credit card company balk when confronted with an obviously resurrected application?
A test was in order, and when the latest application arrived from Chase Mastercard, I was equal to the task.
The application itself turned out to be quite small, so instead of just ripping it in half, I tore it into small bits.
Next, I arranged the bits on the countertop. It actually took a surprising amount of effort to get them all flipped and aligned properly. It was the kind of methodical effort a methamphetamine addict might enjoy.
Then I grabbed some Scotch.
And some tape.