Are the Girl Scouts of America to blame for America’s "obesity epidemic"? An ABC News website article suggested that. On an article charging overweight Americans face widespread discrimination, the piece then moved on to blame the food producers, not the individual that buys them for America’s widening waistline. Targeting the Girl Scouts specifically for the problem, correspondent Lee Dye charged "that little angel standing at your door is offering you a one-way ticket to obesity."
The article focused on one researcher, Rebecca Puhl, who blamed the problem on not only the big food producers, but also "genetics and some diseases" and implicitly scorned those who mentioned personal responsibility. "If it were that easy we wouldn’t have this epidemic we have now," Puhl charges. She also blames the food companies for making less healthy options "more accessible."
"We live in a very toxic food environment. We make it very easy for people to be unhealthy. Unhealthy foods, or junk foods, are accessible, cheap and engineered to taste very, very good. Healthy foods, like produce, are not as accessible, and are more expensive."
Not as accessible? Perhaps Ms. Puhl misses the massive produce section every time she walks into the grocery store.
Lee Dye used Rebecca Puhl as his only source and no one who advocates personal responsibility to balance the story. Dye, a science correspondent, also wrote an article blaming meat eaters for causing global warming.















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I can hear it now...
April 2, 2008 - 12:02 ET by Roger the ShrubberLeon hates the Girl Scouts...
Tagalongs made him fat!
A homeschooled, Christian
April 2, 2008 - 12:07 ET by KarmaA homeschooled, Christian Girl Scout. Leon's dream girl.
Now, this reminds me of a great line!
April 2, 2008 - 12:39 ET by SyriusRog,
I hope you appreciate this girl scout video...
http://www.youtube.c...
If you missed it...here's the dialog-
Girl Scout:
Is this made from real lemons?
Wednesday:
Yes.
Girl Scout:
I only like all-natural foods and beverages, organically grown, with no preservatives. Are you sure they're real lemons?
Pugsley:
Yes.
Girl Scout:
Well, I'll tell you what. I'll buy a cup if you buy a box of my delicious Girl Scout cookies. Do we have a deal?
Wednesday:
Are they made from real Girl Scouts?
Syrius
You will not get my Thin
April 2, 2008 - 12:09 ET by Hero SquadYou will not get my Thin Mints unless you pry them from my cold, dead hands!
*****
"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will
And they're only really-good
April 2, 2008 - 12:13 ET by sarcasmoFrom the icebox. Mmmmm...Frozen Thin Mints!
JMR
A corruption-story the TV media will-not cover.
Who knew evil Girl Scout
April 2, 2008 - 12:18 ET by Roger the ShrubberWho knew evil Girl Scout Cookies could bring Sarcasmo and Roger together, in perfect harmony?
I gotta save this link! No
April 2, 2008 - 18:33 ET by Indiana JoeI gotta save this link! No one will believe it! ;^D
Just last night I finished
April 2, 2008 - 12:26 ET by vrwc13Just last night I finished off the last of our Thin Mint ice cream! YUMMMM...
v
http://www.dreyers.c...
"Dye, a science
April 2, 2008 - 12:16 ET by kg"Dye, a science correspondent, also wrote an article blaming meat eaters for causing global warming."
Cows produce gas because they eat plants. Humans produce gas from eating plants too. Eat more plants and produce more gas. If the cows aren't producing as much gas because humans stop eating them then the humans who are eating more plants will produce more gas. Dye must be a real tooter.
It looks like a wash to me.
"Forget change, I want improvement!"
Blame the English
April 2, 2008 - 16:09 ET by Angry AfricanThey eat beans for breakfast, lunch and dinner - you wanna know gas! Start with global warming right there. Save the environment, don't eat beans.
The scouts
April 2, 2008 - 12:20 ET by iveseenitallWe all know what any "scouts" represent to the "liberals": values- something they don't understand, and therefore despise.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
Better values, better ingredients
April 2, 2008 - 13:07 ET by Agrarian-DecentralistIt would be nice if the Girl Scouts could embody the values of good nutrition and preventative health care by insisting that their contracted cookie producers use better ingredients. Last time I checked, the cookies included such ingredients as white flour, white sugar, and partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. It is quite possible to make good-tasting cookies with fruit and whole grains----the kinds of ingredients we should be encouraging our children to favor over the junk that is ubiquitous in our culture.
*puts away coal shovel* Are
April 2, 2008 - 13:30 ET by Roger the Shrubber*puts away coal shovel*
Are you wearing hip-waders today? It's getting pretty deep.
This is a joke, right?
April 2, 2008 - 13:37 ET by HelenSThis is a joke, right? You missed out on "April Fools" day yesterday but still wanted a chance to have your fun?
"Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war" - Shakespeare
Helen, sadly this article is
April 2, 2008 - 13:52 ET by Justin McCarthyHelen, sadly this article is true. I know it's tough to believe something this absurd, but it's true.
Sigh
April 2, 2008 - 14:03 ET by HypocriteHaterThere's nothing wrong with a little treat, now and then, made from white flour, sugar and vegetable oil. The problem with obesity is caused by overindulging on these treats and not exercising. Period.
Girl Scouts cookies are
April 2, 2008 - 18:43 ET by Indiana JoeGirl Scouts cookies are about fund-raising (profit) and restraint. "Better" ingredients equals higher prices, less sales. And if the only treats I ate were the occasional GS cookie, I'd be okay, weight-wise. They're not meant to be lived on.
They're fine just as they are.
"Toxic food environment." I
April 2, 2008 - 12:22 ET by motherbelt"Toxic food environment." I don't know if this is the same bunch,
but that is the catchphrase used by the group that wants to regulate
fast food restaurants (for starters).
Never forget:
who controls the language controls the argument. This is just an
attempt to prepare the soil, so to speak, for the argument in favor of
regulation. After all, if it is "toxic," that certainly can' be
allowed. Not if we care about "the good of the children."
skinny minny
April 2, 2008 - 12:22 ET by the mad poleI've forever been under weight, need the carbs. Can I get a class action lawsuit going against the fat police? Sue Bloomberg perhaps. Save the high metabolistic!!!!
"I've forever been under
April 2, 2008 - 18:45 ET by Indiana Joe"I've forever been under weight..."
Hence the screen name. ;^)
delete double
April 2, 2008 - 12:24 ET by motherbeltdelete double
Healthy foods, like
April 2, 2008 - 12:36 ET by ricklailHealthy foods, like produce, are not as accessible, and are more expensive.
What do they mean by not as accessible? I am sitting here eating my strawberry cheesecake yogurt trying to think of the stores that I frequent, Wal Mart, Food Lion and Harris Teeter, that don't have the produce section when you first enter the door. The comfort foods like cookies, chips, peanuts, etc. are in the middle of the stores.
I don't think that 3 bucks for a big bag of Doritos is cheap. How about 6 bucks for a can of cashews? I understand that milk is not good for you. At nearly 6 bucks a gallon that is good. I wish these food Nazis would shut up. I am going to eat what I want to eat. That includes a lot of red meat and few vegetables.
If you ain't the lead dog, the scenery never changes.-Lewis Grizzard
Not everyone lives next to
April 2, 2008 - 23:55 ET by cleverpigNot everyone lives next to big supermarkets. If you live in the inner city and have to take three buses to get to Walmart or Safeway, chances are you are going to get most of your food from the corner store. The food there is cheap and it's not healthy.
It's not impossible to eat well on a budget, but in some circumstances it can be difficult. And the fact is that sugar and fat, which our bodies naturally crave because they used to be rare, are about the cheapest things you can buy. How do you convince people not to drink soda on a tight budget when it costs one fifth as much as fruit juice?
Congratulations on creating
April 3, 2008 - 12:50 ET by Roger the ShrubberCongratulations on creating your scenerio. You must be proud to be a part of it.
I didn't create that
April 4, 2008 - 01:10 ET by cleverpigI didn't create that scenario. I happened to read an article today about what the city is going to do with a large parcel of land. Community advocates want a shopping center because residents in the neighboring community, described as "underserved" can't easily get access to major services. The three-buses-to-the-supermarket bit is straight from the piece
But sure, your life doesn't look like that, so feel free to assume I just made it up :P
Your side of the aisle
April 4, 2008 - 08:08 ET by Roger the ShrubberYour side of the aisle created this mess. Businesses flee the parts of town you are referring to because of the crime.
Congratulations, your leaders have really done a swell job.
I now understand why you
April 3, 2008 - 13:00 ET by bassndudeI now understand why you chose the name you did. Clever"pig" fits well with the sugar and fat you get at the corner store.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
I am lucky enough to live
April 4, 2008 - 01:11 ET by cleverpigI am lucky enough to live one block away from more shopping than I could possibly use. I just don't make the mistake of assuming that everyone else's neighborhood looks exactly like mine.
Good on ya, 20 miles for a
April 4, 2008 - 01:29 ET by general companyGood on ya, 20 miles for a milk here
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberger
market
April 3, 2008 - 13:20 ET by AgnosticThe couple of times I lived in areas that access to supermarkets was difficult there was always the farmers market/outdoor market (The Atlanta Market was the last I went to). True you don't get the convenience on one-stop shopping and there is a lot more walking but you do get cheaper and healthier food.
I'm definitely not saying
April 4, 2008 - 01:13 ET by cleverpigI'm definitely not saying it's impossible to eat healthily. I've tried to do it on a budget, and it can be done. I just want to point out that while for the author it may be as easy as walking into the supermarket and turning left, it isn't that simple for everyone.
Inner city shopping
April 3, 2008 - 13:23 ET by LionKingAt least in Chicago, blame the Dimocrat aldermen. They would not allow WalMart to build in the city.
Scouts
April 2, 2008 - 12:41 ET by ScrapironYep, I remember it well. A girl scout showed up at the door selling cookies. She pulled an automatic weapon and forced me to by 5 boxes, then her pardner pulled a 45 Auto and stayed with me until I ate 'the whole thing'. Is the media hiring all of their employees from the local mental institution, or is it a fact that all left wing democrats are mentally ill?
Old, Retired and glad of it.
My wife and I went to the
April 2, 2008 - 14:16 ET by ricklailMy wife and I went to the Chinese buffet Satruday night. The manager was standing at the bar with a 9MM making everyone eat. Can I sue him?
If you ain't the lead dog, the scenery never changes.-Lewis Grizzard
"Is the media hiring all of
April 2, 2008 - 18:47 ET by Indiana Joe"Is the media hiring all of their employees from the local mental institution, or is it a fact that all left wing democrats are mentally ill?"
Oooh, that's a tough one. Have to get back to you on that.
LOL
Get a clue...
April 2, 2008 - 13:19 ET by vrwc13Who ever thought that Girl Scout "cookies" were supposed to be "good for you".
They are just supposed to be good!
v
Right on, Scrapiron.
April 2, 2008 - 13:56 ET by iveseenitallRight on. You should sue the girlscouts for "forcing" you to eat their cookies. The trial lawyers will love you.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
The Boy Scouts are bad
April 2, 2008 - 14:04 ET by greenfairieThe Boy Scouts are bad because they won't let gay men be troop leaders. The Girl Scouts are bad because they make you fat.
Well, I suppose it's time to revive the Soviet Young Pioneers in America!</sarc>
Or maybe the Hitler Youth.
April 2, 2008 - 18:53 ET by Indiana JoeOr maybe the Hitler Youth. I hear their mentor was a vegetarian.
"We live in a very toxic
April 2, 2008 - 14:29 ET by Darth Dutch"We live in a very toxic food environment. We make it very easy for people to be unhealthy. Unhealthy foods, or junk foods, are accessible, cheap and engineered to taste very, very good. Healthy foods, like produce, are not as accessible, and are more expensive."
And, let's not forget to add that healthy foods tend to not taste as good as junk food. She neglected to add that to her sentence above.
Darth Dutch
Just
April 2, 2008 - 14:33 ET by Hero SquadJust remember...
*****
"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will
I give this some thought
April 2, 2008 - 14:59 ET by DEVILDOCMOMwhen I spend quite a bit of money on the cookies from the Girl Scouts. But, I consider them a treat and eat them as such. BTW, I bet I spent almost $150.00 this year since I sent so many boxes to the troops. I thought their "Troop to Troop" program was a great idea.
My son is an Eagle Scout and I still buy lots of popcorn also. I may not agree with all the policies of the GS's, but still support the basic mission.
I think by inaccessible she
April 2, 2008 - 15:26 ET by balboaI think by inaccessible she means not available in vending machines, not offered at quickly accessible food plpaces.
Yeah, that's what I want.
April 2, 2008 - 16:30 ET by Chris NormanYeah, that's what I want. Broccoli and brussel sprouts in a vending machine. I can't understand why someone hasn't seen the chance to make billions off this idea. Maybe there can be a government edict.
Chris, SHHHHHH!!!!
April 2, 2008 - 18:54 ET by Indiana JoeDon't give them any ideas!
IJ, It'll start in schools
April 2, 2008 - 20:05 ET by Chris NormanIJ, It'll start in schools and government breakrooms (probably in San Francisco or LA). Soon it will grow to include even private business loading docks...
I think it's all about how
April 2, 2008 - 20:22 ET by balboaI think it's all about how junk IS more accessible, not that brussel sports aren't in vending machines.
:-\
I think it's all about how
April 3, 2008 - 03:55 ET by sarcasmoLawyers trying to impose their statist ideas are more accessible, and they've already been reinforced by BS like second hand smoke "science" that's only proved cigarette smoke to be annoying, which is something everyone already knew.
JMR
A corruption-story the TV media will-not cover.
Bingo. Well put, sarcasmo.
April 3, 2008 - 05:17 ET by fitzfongBingo. Well put, sarcasmo.
Exactly, sarc....
April 3, 2008 - 05:52 ET by Timothy HThis is just another form of regulation through litigation by a few "elites" who think they know what os better for us thanwe do.
If a man (or woman) wants to enjoy what life he has rather than spending the entirety of said life fretting over what might happen if he eats a Thin Mint, well we better sue the makers of the girlscout mainstays, lest someone die happy.
You know what? Nobody gets out of life alive, regardless of the precautions taken. I want to go with a Caramel Delite in one hand, a .44 in the other, making love to my wife in unapproved ways while listening to an explicit version of KoRn's A.D.I.D.A.S.!!!!! CSPI, activist judges, and restrictive legislators be damned!!!!!
- Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints -
Oops.....`
April 3, 2008 - 05:54 ET by Timothy HOops. Did I say to much? Oh well.......
- Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints -
From the article
April 2, 2008 - 15:39 ET by September"We live in a very toxic food environment. We make it very easy for people to be unhealthy."
Apparently we also make it easy for people to be stupid. If I hadn't seen a gal on O'Reilly dissing the cookies I wouldn't have believed this article. She said it was showing a bad example or somesuch, because the cookies are unhealthy or something, blah, blah blah (how controlling are you, lady?).
As with some of our daily diets, some food-police officers are way, way out of balance in their brains. The more they police eating and pick on certain foods; the more people will eat as they please. Like a dieter who denies herself day after day, one day the splurge will come despite all the self-nagging and angst that went before it.
DEVILDOCMOM: On the sending treats to the troops. I think that's very cool and kind.
We live in a very toxic food
April 2, 2008 - 16:54 ET by SlicksterWe live in a very toxic food environment. We make it very easy for people to be unhealthy." No, we live a a toxic media environment which spreads mindless fear for no reason other than to support their liberal, homosexual, muslim kowtowing, white hating politically correct agenda.
Sounds a lot like Meme Roth
April 2, 2008 - 17:16 ET by Dustin JolleyThat sounds an awful lot like what Meme Roth from National Action Against Obesity says every single time she appears on Fox News to defend her anti fat people beliefs.
I think I can beat this for stupidity:
April 2, 2008 - 19:04 ET by Indiana JoeMy son is trying to "eat healthier." He just got back from a week visiting his (maternal) grandmother. She chewed the poor kid out for eating celery. Said it was "very high in sodium." Then she found out it was potassium, but figured it's all the same, because they're both salts.
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but idiocy can be fatal.
Or, "You can't fix stupid!"
One way ticket to lunacy
April 3, 2008 - 00:06 ET by nkviking75A one way ticket to obesity? Doesn't anybody lose weight in this country? Heck, if the situation is extreme enough, a person can even have surgery to hasten weight loss.
And how many people buy Girl Scout cookies by the case and freeze them so they can spread them out over the year? GS cookies aren't health food, but most people's consumption of them is negligible over a year.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
If you think this intrusion
April 3, 2008 - 03:01 ET by fitzfongIf you think this intrusion into individual liberty is irritating, wait till these miserable creeps actually get some more of that power they use for sustenance. This is only the beginning. As soon as these socialists get their grubby little hands on the health care system, they'll think they can run your life. These little tyrants need to be cut off at the knees.
I do not know if it's a
April 3, 2008 - 14:19 ET by Roger the ShrubberI do not know if it's a "one way ticket to obesity", but I do know what is a "one way ticket to midnight"...
(any of you watch South Park last week?)