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First smokes, now Cokes
LA Times ^ | 2/3/6 | Walter Olson

Posted on 02/03/2006 7:03:12 AM PST by ZGuy

GET READY for the next mass-tort crusade: protecting our kids from the ravages of Big Cola. According to reports, a group of lawyers is gearing up to file lawsuits that will seek to blame Coke, Pepsi and others for obesity, tooth decay and other childhood health ailments. An article in the Boston Globe Magazine has called it part of a "national legal movement to make soft drinks the next tobacco." Instead of tar and nicotine, we'll be hearing about corn sweeteners and caffeine; maybe Dr. Pepper can stand in as the new Joe Camel.

Ridiculous? More like inevitable. For some time, a noisy campaign has been underway to portray the food and beverage industry as the villain in the nation's ongoing battle with the waistline. Without the snack hucksters' machinations, it seems, we'd all eat raw bell peppers and be reed thin.

Backed by "progressive" foundations, nutrition advocates are demanding a national obesity policy aimed at changing our collective diet, by force of law if necessary — or quite possibly by force of litigation. As one advocate, Michael Jacobson of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, put it: "If someone is saying that a 64-ounce soda at 7-Eleven contributed to obesity, that person should have his day in court."

That brings us to Northeastern University law professor and associate dean Richard Daynard, point man in the forthcoming courtroom onslaught against fizzy drinks. Long quoted in the media as a cheerleader for tobacco lawsuits, Daynard has now set out to assemble a legal strike force to file obesity actions. He wants to duplicate the success of the tobacco campaign, whose strategies included invoking "the children" and launching scores of suits on novel legal theories in hopes that one would stick.

WALTER OLSON is senior fellow of the Manhattan Institute.

(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: layoffmycoke; libertarians; nannystate; pufflist; tortreformnow
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To: Angry_White_Man_Syndrome
This was 15 years ago and I was just suggesting they offer a substitute of a small salad in place of the fries in the Kid's Meal.. I probably didn't make that very clear.

This was before the dollar items, which are great, and you had to order a full size salad back then.

And thanks for your kind reply, I can actually order by number if I so choose.

41 posted on 02/03/2006 7:39:28 AM PST by WhyisaTexasgirlinPA
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Comment #42 Removed by Moderator

To: ZGuy
We need a soft drink age requirement. Minors should not be allowed to consume, purchase, sell, or transport soft drinks until 21 years of age.
43 posted on 02/03/2006 7:40:17 AM PST by one more state
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To: ZGuy; neverdem
Obesity is caused by this little device ! .......... Folks need to get off the couch and MOVE or die !!!


44 posted on 02/03/2006 7:40:38 AM PST by Squantos (Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet. ©)
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To: Jersey Republican Biker Chick
If kids went out and ran and played like they did before video games, it would also help.

If kids went out and ran and played like we did, they'd call out the National Guard...

45 posted on 02/03/2006 7:41:04 AM PST by Smokin' Joe (How often God must weep at humans' folly.)
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Comment #46 Removed by Moderator

To: Flavius Josephus

Good point. When consumers decide that they don't want a product as much as they used to, or that they want something different, smart companies will adjust to meet that demand.

And, instead of having outrageously lucrative lawsuits, which mainly benefit money-grubbing lawyers and governments, or seeking to ban products and their advertisement, why don't those who say that their only concern is public health get out there and become evangelists for personal responsibility? An novel concept, I'll grant you, but the answer to all of the public heatlh problems, from obesity to STD's to you-name-it.


47 posted on 02/03/2006 7:44:58 AM PST by Southside_Chicago_Republican (Just say "No" to Judy Baar Topinka)
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To: Smokin' Joe
"If kids went out and ran and played like we did, they'd call out the National Guard...

You may be right. I was quite a terror when I was a kid!

48 posted on 02/03/2006 7:45:10 AM PST by Jersey Republican Biker Chick (Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult.)
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To: Flavius Josephus

I'm being sarcastic...BUT ....I truly think we need to stop these attorneys.... Got any ideas?


49 posted on 02/03/2006 7:45:24 AM PST by LaineyDee (Don't mess with Texas wimmen!)
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To: sittnick
The Mexican Coca-Cola with real cane sugar is also much better than the corn syrup version.

It's readily available at the grocery stores here, and I buy it sometimes. I have noticed when I drink the soft drinks with corn syrup, the muscles in my legs hurt...the ones with sugar don't do that.

I'm sure someone more educated than me would say that there is no scientific basis for corn syrup causing leg pain, but if I drink two soft drinks with corn syrup in them in one day, my legs kill me, especially when I'm getting up from sitting.

When I drink the sugar ones-no pain.

50 posted on 02/03/2006 7:47:30 AM PST by sockmonkey
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To: ZGuy

Ridiculous stuff. But I would not miss hydrogenated-anything & high-fructose corn syrup if they were "discouraged." But no lawsuits are necessary.


51 posted on 02/03/2006 7:48:05 AM PST by floozy22
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To: sockmonkey

I agree. Coke with real sugar is great, you can taste the difference.


52 posted on 02/03/2006 7:49:01 AM PST by one more state
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To: ZGuy
They will pry my Diet Coke from my cold, dead......



Oh, nevermind.
53 posted on 02/03/2006 7:50:28 AM PST by pollyannaish
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To: ZGuy

Why do I have the urge to take a big gulp of pepsi and burp in these idiots faces? Can you get secondhand gas from someone burping in your face?


54 posted on 02/03/2006 7:52:13 AM PST by sportutegrl (People who say, "All I know is . . ." really mean, "All I want you to focus on is . . .")
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To: ZGuy
I support a fat person's right to drink whatever liquid candy they want, on whatever private property they want, so I am against the oncoming assault on fat people that is coming as sure as spring will follow winter.

However, I do find it extremely hilarious that the same fatties that demand I put out my cigarette are soon going to be facing the same third class citizenship they imposed on smokers. Smokers have tried to warn them for years, but they didn't listen.
55 posted on 02/03/2006 7:53:18 AM PST by mysterio
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To: ZGuy

And the nanny state marches on... Gotta run, it's time for my morning smoke / Coke break!


56 posted on 02/03/2006 7:53:22 AM PST by Rummyfan
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To: pollyannaish

Diet Coke is safe, you'll just have to pay more for it due to law suit. Maybe everything will have to be diet? We can all eat cardboard.


57 posted on 02/03/2006 7:53:24 AM PST by one more state
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To: Jersey Republican Biker Chick

Hey, I limit the amount my boys drink and you should see the look on some of the other parents faces. It's like they can't comprehend that I regulate this.


58 posted on 02/03/2006 7:54:01 AM PST by day10 (I'm gonna be a happy idiot and struggle for the legal tender.....)
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To: mysterio
I love it and can't wait to see what these do-gooders go after next.
59 posted on 02/03/2006 7:56:39 AM PST by one more state
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To: day10
My friend has 5 kids and she limits the amount of soda they drink, and she limits the video game time and makes them go outside and play.

Not one of her kids is overweight.

60 posted on 02/03/2006 8:00:16 AM PST by Jersey Republican Biker Chick (Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult.)
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