NBC Panel Agrees: 'God Bless' Mike Bloomberg for 'Revolutionary' Soda Ban
Discussing New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's proposal to ban large soft drinks with liberal panelists on Thursday's NBC Today, co-host Matt Lauer skeptically wondered: "Do we want local government telling us what we can and can't consume?" Advertising executive Donny Deutsch replied: "God bless this guy....every time you make a revolutionary move, there's going to be some complaints of overstepping the boundaries. I applaud him." [Listen to the audio or the watch the video after the jump]
Moments earlier, Lauer put the same question to NBC chief medical editor Nancy Snyderman, who denounced the sugar in such drinks as if it were a drug: "A very famous doctor, Dr. David Lustig at UC San Francisco says that sugar is toxic and should be regulated like tobacco. It's rewiring the brain. It is not necessary for anything in the human diet. I think it's a very bold, big move, but I have no problem with it."
Deutsch backed up Snyderman's assertion: "To Nancy's point, this is no different than tobacco. We solve obesity, we solve the health care problem. We've got to do something."
After Lauer explained that people could still buy multiple smaller sized beverages, attorney Star Jones rounded out the discussion with this observation: "...what's interesting about that is, it will curb obesity in some ways because you're too lazy to get up and carry the extra soft drink, and that's why this is a good idea."
In October of 2011, the same panel literally applauded a "fat tax" implemented in Denmark, with Snyderman demanding: "...there should be a tax on colas with sugar in it, foods you don't need...the junk that's processed should be taxed higher. I have no problem with it at all."
Here is a full transcript of the May 31 segment:
7:01AM ET TEASE:
MATT LAUER: Also ahead on a lighter note, should this container of soda or this one be illegal? Well, according to a proposal from the mayor of New York City, any soda or sugary drink that comes in a container larger than this one here, which is 16 ounces, would be banned. You wouldn't be able to buy, for example, this monster right here. This is all because of the obesity epidemic. It would involve energy drinks, some iced coffees and teas as well, and this proposal could become law as early as next March if it goes through. We're going to find out how Today's Professionals feel about that subject and some others as well.
ANN CURRY: There's going to be a big fight on their hands if they do this, because there’s going to be a lot of controversy about this.
8:11AM ET SEGMENT:
LAUER: We're back now at 8:11 with our latest installment of Today's Professionals. Our team of power players Star Jones, Donny Deutsch and Dr. Nancy Snyderman here to weigh in on the hottest issues of the day. Good morning all, nice to see you.
NANCY SNYDERMAN, STAR JONES, DONNY DEUTSCH: Hi, Matt.
LAUER: New York's mayor, Michael Bloomberg proposing a ban on the sale on all sugary drinks and sodas that come in containers over 16 fluid ounces. That would be this guy right here (points to fountain drink). So these back here would be illegal (points to fountain drink). This would clearly be illegal (points to fountain drink). This is an attempt to tackle this epidemic we've talked about, Nancy, of obesity in this country. Is this the way to go about it?
SNYDERMAN: A very famous doctor, Dr. David Dustig at UC San Francisco says that sugar is toxic and should be regulated like tobacco. It's rewiring the brain. It is not necessary for anything in the human diet. I think it's a very bold, big move, but I have no problem with it.
LAUER: Star, what are the legal obstacles that he faces with this?
JONES: Well, actually, he has avoided a lot of them by doing it municipality. You know he tried to tax soft drinks, and Albany stopped him there. He doesn't have to go to the federal government for this, and so because he has really health department issues only to try to get this passed, and the health department is appointed basically by him. So, he has very few obstacles.
LAUER: Donny, do we want local government telling us what we can and can't consume? Are you comfortable with that?
DEUTSCH: We complain politicians don't take stands, aren't courageous. God bless this guy. To Nancy's point, this is no different than tobacco. We solve obesity, we solve the health care problem. We've got to do something. So of course, every time you make a revolutionary move, there's going to be some complaints of overstepping the boundaries. I applaud him.
SNYDERMAN: There's no need for this in the marketplace other than it sells.
DEUTSCH: I want to hear a company defending it.
LAUER: And remember, you can also still go out. These people can go out and buy two of these.
JONES: Well you know Matt, what's interesting about that is, it will curb obesity in some ways because you're too lazy to get up and carry the extra soft drink, and that's why this is a good idea.
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Comments
Zieg, heil!
Submitted by Galvanic on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 4:48pm.
DEUTSCH: We complain politicians don't take stands, aren't courageous. God bless this guy. To Nancy's point, this is no different than tobacco.
There sure is a difference. Sugar is a food. It is not a toxin, anymore than CO2 is a toxin, regardless of what some CNN quack and the EPA proclaim.
DEUTSCH: We solve obesity, we solve the health care problem.
A rather specious claim. Banning super-sized drinks isn't going to solve obesity -- people will just buy two smaller ones.
Obamacare will encourage rather than discourage obesity, because the cost of care is not tied to one's physical condition or propensity to gorge on fat-producing foods.
DEUTSCH: We've got to do something. So of course, every time you make a revolutionary move, there's going to be some complaints of overstepping the boundaries.
That's what they said about Stalin, Mussolini, and Hitler back in the '20s and '30s, and a lot of "them" were American journalists and academians who forgave some ugly transgressions for the sake of social efficiency and progress.
SNYDERMAN: There's no need for this in the marketplace other than it sells.
Say what?! Product sales are what DEFINE the marketplace. It's needed in the marketplace because it does SELL. Things that don't sell, like mandatory carrot sticks in Happy Meals, are not conducive to the marketp[lace.
DEUTSCH: I want to hear a company defending it.
Very simple, Comrade. The product makes it more convenient to our customers by offering the quantity of product they prefer while reducing cost per fluid oz.
Now, Comrade Putz, explain to me why some food services will be prohibited from selling drinks at this size, while others are not?
And where are you going to eat in NYC once Generalissmo Bloomberg gets his salt ban through? If you don't think we're on that slippery slope, check back in after the summer tourist season winds down.
Very good, Gal!
Submitted by Tugboat Phil on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 6:45pm.
Very good indeed.
I concur
Submitted by ant on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 10:02pm.
I would also like to nominate Snydermann's quote, "There's no need for this in the marketplace other than it sells.." as THEE stupidest thing said by a libtard this week.
When fiction becomes reality
Submitted by jon_torlin on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 4:36pm.
As I mentioned in the OT, this is Demolition Man becoming reality. There are some sci-fi flicks that I wish could become real and then some that I hope to God that don't become real, and this was one of them.
And I swear to God, Bloomers is almost the spitting image of Simon Cocteau! A ringer even!
To you New Yorkers in New York City......you're a bunch of damned fools, you know that?
This is the same kind of bullshit thinking that gave us ObeymeCare, calling it revolutionary, that it's important, etc. They are trying to do that on a smaller scale.
-Jon
"Rewired," really?
Submitted by CobraMan on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 5:00pm.
"It's rewiring the brain."
Oh, please. Do you actually expect people to believe that sucrose, commonly referred to as "sugar," is repositioning the neural connections in the human brain? Hell, Cocaine doesn't even do that!
"It is not necessary for anything in the human diet."
Yea, right, tell that to my taste buds. There's a REASON why the tongue can taste sugars. It because we, you know, actually need them in our diets. If we didn't need it, we wouldn't find the taste pleasurable. Do we use too much sugar in our diets? Yes, for most people. But that doesn't mean we don't NEED it! It IS necessary!
And another thing: Sugar doesn't turn into fat! It's water soluble, just like Vitamin C, ascorbic acid! That means that any excess sugar in your blood stream is filter out by your kidneys. The only time that doesn't happen is when you're diabetic. It's the insoluble oil byproducts, those complex carbohydrates (which mostly comes for animal and plant "fat")and, in a lot of cases, proteins, which is turned into fat, all because it can't be filtered out! It's not water soluble! Your kidneys can't remove it. So, its "stored" in "fat" cells. Heck, I learned that in 8 grade biology! Why don't they TELL people this?
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
She's an idiot
Submitted by ant on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 10:08pm.
Your brain requires sugar to function. All 'actual' doctors and nutritionists will tell you that you're brain is pretty much 'f**@ed without sugar. But, hey, what's truth matter when government power and force is on the line? What the proles don't know, the proles don't know...simple as that...except, in this case, I think it's more a matter of the 'panels' ignorance than a conspiracy.
When I worked at Bloomberg
Submitted by I hate marxists on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 4:41pm.
We had lots of soda in their Skillman office. Not to mention large cups of coffee. He's just another do as I say but don't do as I do. First of all nobody has the right to tell you what to drink or how much to drink. Second if you do drink soda and exercise on a regular basis then you have nothing to worry about. As my 92 year old mother said sometime ago"if I knew I was going to live this long I would have eaten more ice cream". :)
doomberg
Submitted by MidAmerica on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 4:44pm.
What is wrong with New Yorkers?
Have they such low self esteem that they tolerate this two-bit Third World dictator wannabe?
Like Rush says,
Submitted by Tidy Bowl Man on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 4:46pm.
Just buy 2 - 16 oz drinks, pour it into your big gulp and go on with your life! How ridiculous!
DUNKIN DONUTS! WE COME FOR YOU!!! LONG LIVE THE FIGHTERS!!!!! (obscure movie reference) lol
Next will be Donnie's Jumbo
Submitted by inquiringmind on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 4:50pm.
Next will be Donnie's Jumbo Shrimp at his cocktail parties.Then you will really hear the screams of protest!
At what point will they start to alienate their audience?
Submitted by Lipton on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 4:55pm.
This drives me nuts.
Well?
Submitted by DontFeedTheTrolls on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 4:58pm.
Will they ban gay men from having sex and causing disease and death??
No, because they need the gay
Submitted by winston smith on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 5:42pm.
No, because they need the gay deaths to justify continued government spending and funding for AIDS projects. Nevermind that the whole AIDS crisis was manufactured to gain public acceptance for Government spending billions for research on a virus that is not lethal. It's the unclean, risky behavior of some individuals which is lethal and which leads to sickness and death --- not the virus.
Same for the obesity "crisis". The irresponsible behavior of some individuals causes the government to step in and limit choices for everyone. They need to gin up the obesity crisis rhetoric to soften up the public for further food bans and dietary restrictions. And this panel of "experts" (har-har!) agrees and supports the junk science "proving" that sugar is evil, "rewires" the brain and needs to be eliminated from human society. These are the kind of brazen acts the government can foist upon us without repercussion when people sit back and do nothing. Just as the leftwing wants to eliminate firearms, carbon, tobacco, fossil fuels, red meat, human fetuses by choice, churches and organized religion, now they are coming for our sugar. What's next -- Beer? Alchohol? Salt? Butter? Potatoes? Pasta? hotdogs? These all have the potential to cause obesity. Where does it end?
Yea, again. Banning large
Submitted by redfish on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 5:12pm.
Yea, again. Banning large sized drinks will make people healthier, but sex on TV and violence in video games doesn't influence people.
NYC restaurants should move to 15.9oz cups since 16oz cups aren't allowed. And for sizes over that, offer tubs or canisters or drums or bowls of drinks instead of cups. What legally makes a cup?
Good point, redfish
Submitted by Galvanic on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 8:09pm.
Ironically, they put so much ice in these drinks that if the customer orders the smaller size with no ice, he/she's probably gettin just as much sugar.
And this will cost those food service businesses where they hand the customer a cup to fill their own drink. Since they can sell super-sized diet beverages, and those cost the same as non-diet, one merely orders a Big Diet Cola and fills it with Pepsi.
Liberal math
Submitted by CobraMan on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 8:57pm.
"Ironically, they put so much ice in these drinks that if the customer orders the smaller size with no ice, he/she's probably getting just as much sugar."
Come on , you know the liberals don't understand complex mathematical concepts like "volume" and "displacement." The idea that the "16 ounce" cup itself doesn't equate to 16 ounces of soda (it's more like 10 ounces, if you're lucky) never occurs to them.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
Basic physics
Submitted by Unsane on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 9:26pm.
Because of Archimedes's Principle, I REFUSE to put ice in my beverages. For no other reason.
I'd do this: open a bunch of 7-Elevens and other such establishments on the fringes of New York City.
Thanks, Bloomberg, for giving me yet ANOTHER reason (as if I need more) not to ever consider for a second moving to New York City.
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
That dimwit Nancy knows better than that!
Submitted by drsamherman on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 5:24pm.
Sugar is a poison? Hell, Robert Lustig knows better.
It is necessary (in the form of glucose) for human life, or has Lustig conveniently forgotten about hypoglycemia?
Nancy does NOT speak for the entire medical profession--she just opens her own yap and lets the agenda-driven BS start.
So grateful
Submitted by Edhenry on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 6:15pm.
This is what the founding fathers wanted all along
Ban legal substances THEN
Legalize dope THEN
Force citizens to buy helathcare insurance, just for breathing.
Next these liberals will say killing babies is a "right"
A Lost Generation Who Know Nothing of Tyranny
Submitted by libBuster on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 6:29pm.
Sadly, we have raised at least one lost generation of souls who know nothing of tyranny and a civil society.
If it feels good --- do it. If it feels too good and it is a commerical product, sponsor a study with taxpayer money and use that study as an excuse to ban it.
How very sad.
Peeing
Submitted by CJohnson on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 6:31pm.
I always wondered where to get a super size bladder before drinking a super size beverage.
Depends
Submitted by CobraMan on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 7:16pm.
I guess that Depends.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
OOOOWWW
Submitted by Chaitealover on Fri, 06/01/2012 - 12:27am.
That was a bad one :-)
How will they stop me from buying TWO EIGHT OUNCE sodas ...
Submitted by Jayke on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 6:36pm.
... and drinking SIXTEEN OUNCES that way? HEY! Why not THREE and go for TWENTY-FOUR!
It's all about the revenue
Submitted by Boudin on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 7:18pm.
Soon they will have a tax on soda, more you buy, the more they get.
Hopefully folks in the region will wake the heck up.
They actually tax hospitality!
Submitted by CobraMan on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 7:29pm.
There's already a tax on the soda that is sold in restaurants. It is, for reasons known only to politicians, called a "hospitality tax," as if charging someone extra just for the "privilege" of drinking or eating (or even sleeping, for that matter) in a given local is considered act of hospitality. Only a politician could make such a claim.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
Think I will stay down in Dixie
Submitted by Boudin on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 7:34pm.
Where the food is great, the weather is great, and the Gov is still half sane.
One thing about the South.
Submitted by CobraMan on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 8:00pm.
I've always admired the South for their hospitality. I spent some time "down south" as a part of the Minnesota Nation Guard (the two weeks we spent in Texas in January were always my favorite. 20 below here, 80 above in Corpus Christi! What's not to love?!) and I was never treated impolitely or inhospitably. I can't say the same about, say, Seattle, where I met some of the rudest people on earth!
I was stationed at Ft. Lewis for a year when I was in the Army. Tacoma wasn't too bad, but they were a base city anyways. They loved our money! The Seattle liberals, well, they hated us simply because we were in the military! What annoyed me most about them was their arrogance. I heard far to many complaints about how I was "supporting the military industrial complex." I eventually started saying: "Just how is that any different from you supporting the libation/entertainment complex while you hang around in bars listening to grunge? Everything is a 'complex' to you people!"
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
Good evening Cobra
Submitted by cocodrie on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 8:20pm.
I didn't evacuate for Katrina so I met a lot of you fellas in the Guard from all over the country. My old memory doesn't recall if any were from minnesota but every single one that I met was top notch.
The time I spent up north was mostly around the Chicago area and I ain't never going back. That was the only time in my 73 years I wore an overcoat.
Jesus Loves You so much He died for you
Dixie.
Submitted by almostacowboy on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 8:37pm.
Where the waitress always asks, "Did y'all wont sweet tea, sugah?"
Ya gotta love it!
bloomberg
Submitted by ripper58 on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 6:41pm.
it hasnt passed the city council yet....pray it doesnt
Since they put "nutrition facts" on food, I believe in 1994...
Submitted by FistsforLiberty on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 6:48pm.
we have gotten fatter every year... so that didn't work did it.
The tricky parts of nutrition labels are
Submitted by Chaitealover on Fri, 06/01/2012 - 12:35am.
1. You've got to read them BEFORE consuming the product.
2. You need to understand what the manufacturer means by "serving size." (I recently noticed that the label on one of those paper tubes of powder that you add to a 16 oz bottle of water said a serving size was 1/2 of the tube. Say what? Who uses just 1/2 of one of those?)
3. They're frequently too small to read.
Chai
Really, Nancy??
Submitted by Tugboat Phil on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 6:50pm.
...with Snyderman demanding: "...there should be a tax on colas with sugar in it, foods you don't need...the junk that's processed should be taxed higher. I have no problem with it at all."
If I got paid your money I'd have no problem with it either. But guess what, Americans, not Indonesian raised Americans, want to eat and drink what they want! We're sick of communist pukes like you shilling for the Politburo!
Its a pity we can't tax
Submitted by MichaelPaladin on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 6:59pm.
Its a pity we can't tax liberals for stupid ideas. Imagine if we could do that, it possibly solve the national debt.
SO Glad I Live in the REAL World..
Submitted by truemidwest on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 7:02pm.
..not that looney bin known as Lord King Bloomberg's domain!
truemidwest
The arm waving, spell-casting
Submitted by Immortal Fish on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 8:20pm.
The arm waving, spell-casting arm-waver known as Donny Douche continues to arm wave and cast spells to make his point.
Why would anyone ...
Submitted by almostacowboy on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 8:39pm.
want to live where you're treated like that?
What about DEATH?
Submitted by Unsane on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 9:29pm.
So, did Mayor Bloomberg ban, along with 16 oz sodas, DEATH?
Are people who live in New York City immortal thanks to their glorious mayor?
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
Wow, talk about
Submitted by Boudin on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 9:55pm.
Rude awakenings,, er not sure I said that right,,,,,
If this lunacy doesn't illustrate the stoopidity of liberalism
Submitted by Dave. on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 9:50pm.
...I don't know what will.
Comrade Bloomberg is a total tyrannical idiot.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
Yet another difference
Submitted by LinTaylor on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 9:57pm.
Yet another difference between Liberals and Conservatives:
Liberals are too stupid to know when to put down the soda and start jogging, too stupid to know what kind of health insurance to buy, too stupid to manage their own money, and so they need Big Brother to do all that for them.
Bloomberg celebrates Donut Day!! LMAO!!
Submitted by motherbelt on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 10:20pm.
You really can't make this stuff up.
That’s right, in just a few short hours (9:30am tomorrow morning to be exact), the city will be celebrating the 75th Annual Donut Day! There will be “‘Donut Lassies’ handing out donuts in traditional uniforms, “free Entenmann’s donuts and coffee,” the “largest box of Entenmann’s donuts ever created,” and donuts a whole foot in diameter! How fun!
And to top it off, there’s going to be proclamation letter written by…lets see, what’s this name?…Mayor Michael Bloomberg!
I hope this two-faced Jabrone is on every newscast in the country at noon and 6PM with anchors falling on the floor laughing at him!
Statist bastard. I thought
Submitted by rbosque on Fri, 06/01/2012 - 12:11am.
Statist bastard. I thought these libs always cry for "choice"? Not only do these Communist ass-wipes force us to "tolerate" their idiotic despotism, they want to tell us what to eat, drink, and what kind of politics we are supposed to worship.
Piss on all of them.
You are not the Boss of me!
Submitted by LaVallette on Fri, 06/01/2012 - 5:55am.
So "the liberal's claim that non one should be the boss of anybody else when it comes to moral/social standards of behaviour" is is completely abandoned when it is liberal, poltically correct fascists interfering with your life and telling you what to do, inclduing the principle that "we know better than you what is good for you" . I wonder when they will bring out the castor oil to use against the "obstinate" resisters.
And GOP Establishment Types
Submitted by JustAl on Fri, 06/01/2012 - 6:52am.
Wonder why so many of us don't consider NE "conservatives" as conservative. I'd like to know what Mittens thinks about this.
The pompous, arrogant
Submitted by clancie on Fri, 06/01/2012 - 10:21am.
The pompous, arrogant Liberals and Leftist, continue to tout to the rest of us how "open minded" and "fair" they are, when the truth is, they're all (wannabe) dictators forcing one dictate after another on the 'little people' they want to control. Bloomingidiotberg is a massive fool. New York will get what it deserves for keeping these people in office.
2 x 16 > 32
Submitted by CO2Maker on Fri, 06/01/2012 - 3:00pm.
If you buy two 16 oz drinks instead of one 32 oz drink, you have purchased the same amount of toxic, destructive, obesifying sugar water ... AND
You have also purchased MORE PLASTIC packaging in the bottle or cup.
So, in order to "force us to understand" that we are buying a lot of sugar-toxin water and being irresponsible fatties, Mayor Boomberg is also forcing us to use more plastics. Geez, the Birkenstock crowd will have a all-natural free-range cow when this gets out.
What is this, a sweetheart deal with the garbage unions or their owners in the alternative economy?
Is Freedom Overrated? NBC thinks so
Submitted by porgiefirefighter on Fri, 06/01/2012 - 5:09pm.
SUGAR DRINKS! HALF PRICE SALE!
SUGAR DRINKS! TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE SALE!
LARGE 32 OZ. DRINKS! SUGAR SOLD SEPARATELY!
God bless you, Mayor Bloomberg, for forcing us to make good choices. Now we will all be thinner and live longer and place a greater burden on the health care system.
You know who loves 32 oz. summertime drinks? My ridiculously healthy, slender wife.
I drink unsweetened iced black coffee. Why do I have feeling Bloomberg will soon be coming after me.