The Next Holy Crusade:
Banishing the Fat Merchants from the Temple of Public Health
In today's Washington Post, two university professors bring the hammer down on fast food companies, soft drink producers and snack providers. Their op-ed is part of a fairly new but long-predicted campaign to do to Frito-Lay and McDonald's what was done to Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds. Professors Brownell and Ledwig are worried about the negative health effects of increasing childhood obesity and, not surprisingly, see a shadowy corporate conspiracy as the villainous cause. They aren't modest about their demands, either: in a page taken directly from the anti-tobacco campaign, they call for and end to all food advertising and marketing campaigns directed at children, among other things.
This is, of course, exactly what many opponents of the war on tobacco told us would happen. The key to these kind of nanny-state regulations are heartfelt appeals to well-being of The Children. Tell the world that you're trying to protect the poor, vulnerable children of the nation and your argument becomes impervious to criticism. Anyone who opposes you is clearly trying to hurt children, and we don't want anything to do with people like that, do we? In 1997 when The Nation published a story about the evils of caffeine and the shocking way soft drink companies were marketing to children, the argument seemed laughable. Certainly we would never see federal regulations, class action lawsuits and coerced corporate settlements over the health effects of Doritos and Mountain Dew. If the prestige of the Post editorial page is any sign, we move closer to that scenario every day.
I have a particularly prescient editorial cartoon from 1917 on the wall of my office. It features a jug of whiskey being escorted to jail by Uncle Sam. As he walks by with a ball and chain labeled "W.C.T.U.," his fellow indulgences snicker short-sightedly from the sidewalk: the cigar, nut sundae and stick of chewing gum wave him humorously on his way to the dock. The jug, knowing his predicament all too well, shouts over "You fellers needn't feel so all-fired cocky; they'll be after you next." And it's come to it at last. We had Prohibition and now the Byzantine array of rules and taxes that followed it, the tobacco avengers have smacked down the nicotine industry, and the attack on the makers of the other sweet treats is just shifting into gear. Guard your pork rinds well, fellow citizens. They may be your last.
Respond
Sunday, June 09, 2002
Iron Mike Hits the Mat
Bravo for Lennox Lewis and his decisive knockout of Mike Tyson in the eighth round of last night's title fight in Memphis. In the words of the local newspaper, "He simply beat Tyson senseless." The fact that a convicted rapist is still welcomed into the sport has always been troubling; his repeated outbursts of trash talk and head-biting have only confirmed the verdict of Tyson as less an athlete and than a violent emotional child. Lewis, on the other hand, seems to be a genuinely good guy. Fellow fighter and Olympic super-heavyweight champion Audley Harrison has even said he thinks Lewis should be knighted for his contributions to the sport.
Respond
Bravo for Lennox Lewis and his decisive knockout of Mike Tyson in the eighth round of last night's title fight in Memphis. In the words of the local newspaper, "He simply beat Tyson senseless." The fact that a convicted rapist is still welcomed into the sport has always been troubling; his repeated outbursts of trash talk and head-biting have only confirmed the verdict of Tyson as less an athlete and than a violent emotional child. Lewis, on the other hand, seems to be a genuinely good guy. Fellow fighter and Olympic super-heavyweight champion Audley Harrison has even said he thinks Lewis should be knighted for his contributions to the sport.
Respond
Twilight of the French Socialists
It seems the effects of France's presidential election are still being felt in this week's parliamentary contest. Reinforcing the theory that the strong showing of right-leaning candidates like Jean-Marie Le Pen has severely demoralized the left, officials are reporting record low turnout for the first round of general elections. With many of the 577 local seats being contested by as many as 20 candidates, only the results of the runoff will be able to give a clue as to the final composition of new government. Consensus is forming, however, that the leftist parties are poised to suffer a dramatic reversal.
Respond
It seems the effects of France's presidential election are still being felt in this week's parliamentary contest. Reinforcing the theory that the strong showing of right-leaning candidates like Jean-Marie Le Pen has severely demoralized the left, officials are reporting record low turnout for the first round of general elections. With many of the 577 local seats being contested by as many as 20 candidates, only the results of the runoff will be able to give a clue as to the final composition of new government. Consensus is forming, however, that the leftist parties are poised to suffer a dramatic reversal.
Respond
Friday, June 07, 2002
A Sterling Example of Independence
Much to the chagrin of the leftist Europhiles, the majority of people in the UK are still opposed to replacing the pound with the Euro.
Respond
Much to the chagrin of the leftist Europhiles, the majority of people in the UK are still opposed to replacing the pound with the Euro.
Respond
Thursday, June 06, 2002
Mr. Chairman, I Move for an Immediate Pop Ballad
Applause to Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH) for questioning the practice of inviting empty-headed celebrity activists to testify before Congress. He was upset at the prospect at being lectured on the evils of hilltop mining by noted geological enthusiast and Backstreet Boy Kevin Richardson. Not every celebrity witness is as ridiculous as this of course. Having Muhammad Ali testify about funding for Parkinson's research is understandable; he's widely respected for his charitable works and actually suffers from the disease. Unless Kevin can show the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee his certification as a hydrologist or mining engineer, however, I suggest he stay on the tour bus.
Respond
Applause to Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH) for questioning the practice of inviting empty-headed celebrity activists to testify before Congress. He was upset at the prospect at being lectured on the evils of hilltop mining by noted geological enthusiast and Backstreet Boy Kevin Richardson. Not every celebrity witness is as ridiculous as this of course. Having Muhammad Ali testify about funding for Parkinson's research is understandable; he's widely respected for his charitable works and actually suffers from the disease. Unless Kevin can show the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee his certification as a hydrologist or mining engineer, however, I suggest he stay on the tour bus.
Respond
Pulling Out of the Station?
The new president of Amtrak has announced that the rail company will cease operation entirely in July if it doesn't get $200 million in loans by the end of the month. While it seems likely they will find the money they need, it leaves one free to imagine a world where this inefficient, cash-sucking monstrosity finally sees a merciful end.
East Coast Senators will howl, no doubt, about the need for the rest of the country to keep the company going so not as to inconvience the relative handful of people in the Boston to Washington, D.C. corridor who actually ride Amtrak, but that must be endured. If the nation's banks are suspicious enough about the company's future, we might see it fall apart entirely and thereby eliminate the annual begging/threatening spectacle as Amtrak officials parade their incompetnece before congressional appropriators while demanding billion dollar subsidies. One example of their trouble: they've mortgaged almost everything they own, including Penn Station in New York. If they default, it could result in the chance-of-a-lifetime real estate auction.
Respond
The new president of Amtrak has announced that the rail company will cease operation entirely in July if it doesn't get $200 million in loans by the end of the month. While it seems likely they will find the money they need, it leaves one free to imagine a world where this inefficient, cash-sucking monstrosity finally sees a merciful end.
East Coast Senators will howl, no doubt, about the need for the rest of the country to keep the company going so not as to inconvience the relative handful of people in the Boston to Washington, D.C. corridor who actually ride Amtrak, but that must be endured. If the nation's banks are suspicious enough about the company's future, we might see it fall apart entirely and thereby eliminate the annual begging/threatening spectacle as Amtrak officials parade their incompetnece before congressional appropriators while demanding billion dollar subsidies. One example of their trouble: they've mortgaged almost everything they own, including Penn Station in New York. If they default, it could result in the chance-of-a-lifetime real estate auction.
Respond
Tuesday, June 04, 2002
Sons of Martian Liberty
I never knew there was such a thing as the Outer Space Treaty, but apparently its implications and limitations are on the minds of David Kopel and Glenn Reynolds. They mention that the treaty's second article essentially forbids any nation from claiming the moon or parts of any other celestial object as their own. The U.S., for example, has agreed it can never claim sovereignty over Mars, even if we're the first nation to settle there. This would seem to also effectively limits private individuals or corporations from making similar claims, though Kopel and Reynolds argue that a home government could defend Martian property claims of its citizens without violating the treaty. Better yet, the future yeomen of Mars would form their own provisional government and be able to pick and choose which nation, if any, to associate themselves with politically. The concept raises interesting questions about the ultimate source of governmental authority and how future men and women might choose to assemble a new political system outside of the influences and pressures of earth - ideas explored entertainingly by novelist Kim Stanley Robinson in the book Red Mars and it's sequels.
Respond
I never knew there was such a thing as the Outer Space Treaty, but apparently its implications and limitations are on the minds of David Kopel and Glenn Reynolds. They mention that the treaty's second article essentially forbids any nation from claiming the moon or parts of any other celestial object as their own. The U.S., for example, has agreed it can never claim sovereignty over Mars, even if we're the first nation to settle there. This would seem to also effectively limits private individuals or corporations from making similar claims, though Kopel and Reynolds argue that a home government could defend Martian property claims of its citizens without violating the treaty. Better yet, the future yeomen of Mars would form their own provisional government and be able to pick and choose which nation, if any, to associate themselves with politically. The concept raises interesting questions about the ultimate source of governmental authority and how future men and women might choose to assemble a new political system outside of the influences and pressures of earth - ideas explored entertainingly by novelist Kim Stanley Robinson in the book Red Mars and it's sequels.
Respond
Monday, June 03, 2002
Taking a Walk Down Coronation Street
Queen Elizabeth II is the center of attention this week as she celebrates her Golden Jubilee with all manner of public events. By most reports Her Majesty is as popular as ever, no doubt in part because of the monarchy's ability to change with the times. While the highlight of Queen Victoria's Jubilee in 1887 was a royal banquet attended by "fifty foreign kings and princes, along with the governing heads of Britain's overseas colonies and dominions," the biggest event of the current celebration was an outdoor concert featuring Ricky Martin and the Beach Boys. Her current popularity will be useful in years ahead, as the Queen has recently dismissed the idea that she may abdicate.
Respond
Queen Elizabeth II is the center of attention this week as she celebrates her Golden Jubilee with all manner of public events. By most reports Her Majesty is as popular as ever, no doubt in part because of the monarchy's ability to change with the times. While the highlight of Queen Victoria's Jubilee in 1887 was a royal banquet attended by "fifty foreign kings and princes, along with the governing heads of Britain's overseas colonies and dominions," the biggest event of the current celebration was an outdoor concert featuring Ricky Martin and the Beach Boys. Her current popularity will be useful in years ahead, as the Queen has recently dismissed the idea that she may abdicate.
Respond
Long Live the King
Part-time Elvis impersonator, Realtor and former state representative Bill Lorge has entered the race for governor of Wisconsin, challenging current Gov. Scott McCallum. He has said that he wouldn't perform in the Presley persona during the campaign, but in the event he wins, he's open to the idea of a command performance: "If the president ever came to Wisconsin and said, 'Do a little Elvis for us,' well of course I would," he said. "Everybody has to have a little fun in their lives."
Respond
Part-time Elvis impersonator, Realtor and former state representative Bill Lorge has entered the race for governor of Wisconsin, challenging current Gov. Scott McCallum. He has said that he wouldn't perform in the Presley persona during the campaign, but in the event he wins, he's open to the idea of a command performance: "If the president ever came to Wisconsin and said, 'Do a little Elvis for us,' well of course I would," he said. "Everybody has to have a little fun in their lives."
Respond
Saturday, June 01, 2002
Singing Songs and Carrying Signs
Going against the movement toward ever-higher security around government building in DC, the U.S. Court of Appeals has overturned a 30-year old ban prohibiting demonstrations and protests on the sidewalk in front of the east steps of the Capitol. Groups with a political grudge can now chant slogans to their heart's delight, though their view of the building itself is going to be obscured for the next few years by construction of the Capitol Visitor Center, itself a crisis-inspired security measure.
Respond
Going against the movement toward ever-higher security around government building in DC, the U.S. Court of Appeals has overturned a 30-year old ban prohibiting demonstrations and protests on the sidewalk in front of the east steps of the Capitol. Groups with a political grudge can now chant slogans to their heart's delight, though their view of the building itself is going to be obscured for the next few years by construction of the Capitol Visitor Center, itself a crisis-inspired security measure.
Respond