Lieberman takes on jelly doughnuts

AP ^ | 12/5/2003 | AP

[playball0]

Lieberman takes on jelly doughnuts Associated Press

Warning: Jelly doughnuts may be hazardous to your child's health. That's what Democratic presidential candidate Joe Lieberman is telling America's parents as he seeks a federal investigation into the marketing practices of junk food companies.

THE CONNECTICUT senator, who led the fight to put parental warnings on movie, video game and music advertising, wants the Federal Trade Commission to determine whether there is a connection between junk food advertising and the rise in obesity among youngsters. "I like doughnuts. I like sweets. I like candy," Lieberman said Thursday. "I'm not saying if you eat a jelly doughnut or have a high-sugar bottle of soda, you're going to get sick, but if you have too many it's going to affect your health."

As president, Lieberman would push for three interim moves while the FTC conducts its study:

--Require junk food advertisements to include nutritional information that somehow issues a warning to parents, much like movie ads are accompanied by parental ratings.

--Ask Congress to require restaurant chains to include nutritional information on menus and mini-boards. There already is a bill pending in Congress to do this.

--Empower the Agriculture Department to set standards for food sold in schools, primarily vending machines. The USDA currently regulates lunch menus, but there are no limits on what companies can sell kids through vending machines.

Lieberman's campaign officials said the senator will not define what junk food is, leaving that to dietary and health care experts.

In the 1990s and into the 2000 presidential campaign, Lieberman spurred an FTC investigation into the marketing practices of the movie, video game and music industries. Aides say he has found a similar pattern with food advertising: Companies are marketing unhealthy products to children too young to read.

While parents can refuse to bring junk food into their homes, advertisements prompt demands from the youngest children and make it more likely that they will buy the products -- sometimes in schools -- as soon as they get enough money of their own, Lieberman aides said.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has declared obesity the top health issue in America. It estimates that 15 percent of children are overweight.

The announcement is part of a weeklong project by Lieberman to push family friendly initiatives.

On Wednesday in Manchester, N.H., he proposed expanding the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Clinton-era program that allows up to 12 weeks of family leave per year without pay.

Under Lieberman's plan, employees would pay about $1 per week into a program that would provide up to four weeks of leave at half pay.

[arasina]

ROFL! Now that is my kind of humor!

[Desert88]

• Studies show jelly doughnuts are a gateway to even stronger junk food.
• It's time America declares war on this vile substance that is destroying our children.
• If you oppose a war on jelly doughnuts, you're nothing but a hedonistic libertine. Go away and download your porn while chomping on your jelly doughnuts.
• Some studies show jelly doughnuts cause brain damage.
• The federal government needs a jelly doughnut czar to co-ordinate national anti- jelly doughnut law enforcement.
• Let's not forget a new federal quasi-police force to enforce federal jelly doughnut laws. Call it the Jelly Doughnut Enforcement Agency (JDEA).
• Personally, I'm opposed to using jelly doughnuts even for medicinal purposes.

[freeeee]

For those who say that parents are responsible for their children, not the government, this will make it a little easier for them to make decisions for their children.

I like labeling too (not mandated of course), but does anyone need a warning to know a donut isn't good for you?

It's like putting a "don't touch" sign on the business end of a chainsaw.

[cwb]

"Lieberman takes on jelly doughnuts."

I feel so much safer, now. I can see the Democrats have their priorities in order. But instead of taking on the Jelly doughnuts, why doesn't Lieberman negotiate with them first...and try to contain them. With Kerry taking on Big Pharmacy; Gephardt taking on Medicare; Edwards fighting against tort reform and Dean & Co. taking on Big Bad Bush, I feel as though I can sleep better at night.

[T.Smith]

You took the words right out of my mouth...er, keyboard.

[jackbill]

but does anyone need a warning to know a donut isn't good for you?

The best evidence is to look at virtually any cop over the age of 50.

[jackbill]

Ich bin ein Berliner?

Some RAT jerk was on C-SPAN the other day, denying that JFK said that "I am a jelly-donut".

I've never heard it explained this way before, but consider his statement. It was all in German except for the last word, which was in English. Berliner is not German for a resident of Berlin, it is "Berliner", which is a very popular jelly donut.

[Rummyfan]

The nanny-state mentality run amok!

[doug from upland]

Don't know if the Tonkin case has any new info

[American in Israel]

Indeed, the hidden story is that Sufcaniot, or the Jelly donut is a tradition!

Strange that a Jew would not know that. A real Jew would. But then, Liberman has always been JINO.

[doug from upland]

Yes, Joe has lost his soul. He gave up what he had left when he ran with Algore.

[Verginius Rufus]

This is a bold ploy to distance himself from the Kennedy wing of the party, which is backing JFK2 (John Forbes Kerry) by dissing JFK1 (John F. "I am a jelly doughnut" Kennedy).

[doug from upland]

Unfortunately, we have millions and millions of stupid people will do stupid things. If the warnings aren't there, it is a bonanza for the slimy trial lawyers. I remember a case in which an idiot lifted up his power mower to trim the hedges. He, of course, was injured. I think lawn mowers now have that warning.

I think one of the most necessary warning labels may never be used. It should be a warning label after the name of each candidate with a (D) after his name.

[playball0]

If the the doughnuts were 50 feet tall and running over cars and people, I can see a government program might be warranted. If people were eating doughnuts and droping dead, maybe. Otherwise, let the market work it's magic.

[samtheman]

It's Howdy Doody Time.

[doug from upland]

The marketplace works great when there is full disclosure.

[Mr. Thorne]

Grab your guns, and head for the Krispy Kreme; the Democrats are coming! The Democrats are coming!