BCT Editorial – 10/4/06

This page was last updated on October 4, 2006.

Too far; Editorial; Beaver County Times; October 4, 2006.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject editorial.

“New York City is taking this Big Brother health stuff too far.

“Last week, the city’s health department unveiled a proposal that would bar cooks at any of the city’s 24,600 food service establishments from using ingredients that contain the artery-clogging substance, commonly listed on food labels as partially hydrogenated oil, The Associated Press reported.

“Artificial trans fats are found in some shortenings, margarine and frying oils and turn up in foods from pie crusts to french fries to doughnuts.

“This stuff isn’t good for you. The AP reported doctors agree that trans fats are unhealthy in nearly any amount, and it would be great if restaurants voluntarily switched to other substitutes.

“However, New York is going too far. What a person eats is that individual’s choice, for better or worse.”

[RWC] You have to give the Times credit for compartmentalization.

Let’s recap.

In at least one editorial, the Times wrote, “We wish some school district would monitor the content of the food that children bring in their lunch boxes.” Sounds like “Big Brother” to me.

Over the last 18 months, we’ve endured at least 10 editorials telling us we’re not smart enough to make decisions regarding smoking. Sounds like “Big Brother” to me.

I didn’t read any editorials when Chicago banned restaurants from serving paté de foie gras (goose liver).

But the Times wants to draw the line at trans fats? It’s a funny thing about that slippery slope, isn’t it?

I conclude with a couple of sayings the Times likes to use.

When the nanny government came for the smokers & private property owners, I cheered them on; I did not smoke. When they forbad paté de foie gras (goose liver), I remained silent; I didn’t eat paté. When they banned pop from vending machines, I did not speak out; I didn’t drink pop. When they came for trans fats, there was no one left to speak out.

We have sown the wind, and we are about to reap the whirlwind.