Posted on 09/19/2003 7:01:09 AM PDT by Temple Owl
Editorial Second Thoughts
By William W. Lawrence
Those all-wise and knowing groups responsible for our health have recommended that whole milk be removed from school lunch menus and Penn Delco has followed their advice.
The reason is to cut down on fat and turn little Timmy and Suzy from obese to svelte.
Now the deep thinkers in charge of such things cannot see that whole milk is really not the problem. It has been served in schools for generations and most of these generations weren't fat.
The problem is unhealthy food -- of which whole milk is not -- and lack of exercise.
Here is a more effective way of fighting fat in kids. Let every boy who can do 10 pull-ups have a pass for a free period in lieu of gym. Give every girl who can do 300 jump ropes in 5 minutes the same consideration. Teach those who can't the exercises that will let them can.
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We joined a few of our neighbors in observing 9-11 by placing lighted candles outside our homes. It was our way of showing respect for those who were murdered by the terrorists. The heartfelt prayers offered were even more meaningful.
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The revolving door at 400 N. Broad St. seems to be picking up speed. Robert J. Hall, publisher of the Inquirer and Daily News, has announced his retirement effective at the end of the year. I think Jayson Blair is still available, but Knight Ridder will have to move fast. Actually, in a fit of honesty they could hire Bill Clinton.
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Arlen Specter may not be as popular as the establishment thinks. Of the 248 respondents to our Sept. 10 poll question, 239 said he wasn't doing a good job as senator.
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Sen. Zell Miller, Georgia Democrat, has written a book that mourns the collapse of the Democratic Party, maintaining that it no longer represents a large part of America.
His book, A National Party No More: The Conscience of a Conservative Democrat, will be released in November. In it, Miller looks at what he calls "The growing chasm between the American heartland and the national Democratic Party over such issues as abortion, welfare, gun control, the environment, the arts, education, immigration and national security."
He questions whether the Democratic Party can still field a serious presidential challenge.
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Miller, by the way, has joined two other Southern Democrats, John Edwards of North Carolina and Fritz Hollings of South Carolina, in announcing they will not seek re-election to the U.S. Senate next year. It looks really good for the GOP.
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The Baltimore Sun reports that American interrogators have come up with a few new weapons as they try to pry loose the secrets of al Qaeda prisoners at Guantanamo Bay:
"It could be cupcakes, it could be Twinkies, it could even be a McDonald's hamburger," says Warrant Officer James Kluck, who, as the ranking food service officer, helps supply some of the unlikely ammunition.
"Sometimes, they go up on the base and get (the prisoner) a Happy Meal."
"It's got a toy and everything." Harsh treatment, indeed.
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Did you hear that Pennsylvania wine sales are up dramatically? We now have over 80 wineries, which places us fifth in the nation for the number of wineries, fifth in grape production and eighth in wine production.
We remain solidly in first place when it comes to grumbling about where we have to buy this magnificent health food.
With fine wines already winning in state, national and international competitions, Pennsylvania has taken yet another leap toward making the state an even bigger player in the wine world. In cooperation with other agencies it has hired Stephen Menke as its first enologist.
Menke envisions a planning stage where he would visit all the wineries in the state, consult with wine makers and owners, while also setting up a wine analysis lab.
We suggest that he seriously think about visiting every state legislator and convince him or her to put their constituents ahead of the booze union and privatize the state liquor stores.
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From Jay Leno:
A federal judge ordered the removal of the Ten Commandments monument out of an Alabama courthouse. I guess politicians and judges weren't comfortable walking by an object that says you shouldn't steal or commit adultery.
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Off The Internet:
Winners versus Losers
The Winner is always a part of the answer;
The Loser is always a part of the problem.
The Winner always has a program;
The Loser always has an excuse. The Winner says, "Let me do it for you;"
The Loser says, "That's not my job."
The Winner sees an answer for every problem;
The Loser sees a problem in every answer.
The Winner says, "It may be difficult but it's possible;"
The Loser says, "It may be possible but it's too difficult."
How true!
Now I wonder why?
But fat assed soccer moms think standardized tests and uber lesson programs are what is needed to make sure their little darlings make it. We are grading and testing our children into being both fat and stupidity.
I also read a report where children between 7th and 8th grade experiance no cognitive growth. Why not have a whole year for those ages off from school - instead have them go on camping trips--a year of sports education (which teaches sportsmanship and team cooperation-essential ingredients for a democracy)-swim camps-etc.
Let education be fun-the way it used to be for the Greeks and Romans befire we adopted the British torture method of education.
Specter is now spending big money telling listeners how great a district attorney he was. He couldn't even find the bookie outside his office door in Philly.
It boggles my mind that something like this hasn't been tried.
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