Posted on 12/10/2005 12:49:47 PM PST by John Jorsett
Some of the same lawyers who took on big tobacco are gearing up for a new fight today. They want to attack what they call another threat to public health. Soda sales in elementary, middle and high schools could eventually be banned if the Nutrition Advocacy Group, Center for Science in the Public Interest, gets its way.
"Soda pop is the biggest source of calories for kids and it's also the one food that has been shown to promote obesity in children," Michael Jacobson says.
The group's lawyers include some who successfully went after the tobacco companies for millions and they plan to use similar lines of argument that companies are aiming to hook teens for life.
According to government statistics:
75% of all American high schools have contracts and share some profits with a soda company, 65% of all middle schools do and 30% of elementary schools.
The beverage lobby says a nationwide ban wouldn't solve America's obesity problem.
"We all as parents know what the solution is. It's getting kids to eat a balanced diet and exercise," Susan Neely with the American Beverage Association says. "Singling out one product is not going to do that."
The soda industry contends it's already offering more waters and juices and fewer sugary drinks to students.
Even the group filing suit concedes its suit, even if successful, might only eliminate full calorie sodas from schools, and not ban soft drinks all together.
That's something that may not hurt the beverage industry much if at all, which can sell a diet drink or bottle of water for at least the same price as a higher-calorie soda.
ah-hem!
Always some socialist group trying to control your choices and freedoms. They just keep slipping away, don't they?
Why aren't these "lawyers" being arrested for racketeering? These jokers need to be in prison.
So would you mind if condoms and cigarrettes were available too? The kids can still bring soda from home, you know.
Soda really isn't necessary at school, but I'm tired of the sue-happy buzzards glomming onto a rather benign issue.
The curriculum in our schools does far more than create obesity or tooth decay.
So would you mind if condoms and cigarrettes were available too?
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Nothing personal, but that is a dumb statement, wouldn't you say? Condoms and cigarettes -- comparing these to soda pop? Nice try.
The only health these bloodsuckers are interested in is their financial health.
God forbid if they find a link between obese parents and obese children.
Not really: caffeine, dopamine (sex), and nicotine. All you need to get your brain on the addiction treadmill.
Yeah, the thing about suing firearms companies didn't work out so now they are going after soft drink co. I guess the tobacco industry is just about dry when it comes to law suits, the lawyers had to do something to justify their existence.
"75% of all American high schools have contracts and share some profits with a soda company, 65% of all middle schools do and 30% of elementary schools."
The hidden agenda. All financial power must be invested in the government, to increase their power to tax.
Socialists want everything funded through the government. Capitalists that pour money into the public arena, like Walmart and Coke, are always vilified.
So is your kid so disobedient he/she won't do what you tell them to and NOT buy soda at school? It is a free choice and not anyone's business. For you to compare sodas to condoms and cigarettes is just too funny. I can't believe how some people buy into the "we have the right to tell you what to do" chants of the liberals.
LOL
I think he was being facetious.
You have no right to tell someone else what their kids can eat or drink, whether in school or not. If you don't want your kids drinking soda at school, train them not to do it and keep your nose out of other people's business, you and the government and , especially, lawyers. I can tell you are a liberal, regardless if you an FR member or not. Only liberals think they can control everyone's actions and habits simply because they think they know better than the other people. Have a nice day.
Of course I have no right to tell someone what their kids can and should do. They can bring sodas from home. I have no problem with that. What I don't like is that public schools are enticing children (and making money) to start addictive habits that contribute to tooth decay and obesity. Do you like paying outrageous health care costs? Do you like schools pushing your kids to take Ritalin because they are out of control after drinking three sodas before class? I didn't think so.
BTW, I am no liberal. Please do a search of my previous posts.
That may be what it takes.
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