A Very Simple Trans Fat Question
If it's OK for the government to ban cancer-causing artificial colors for our own safety, why is it so outrageous that they would take steps to ban trans fats that cause heart disease?
If "The trans-fat ban boils down to this: fried food remains unhealthy, it now just tastes worse and costs more.", why is no one bent out of shape about the fact that processed food and drink remains unhealthy, it just looks less pretty and costs more?
Where are the people up in arms about the fact their Gatorade isn't quite as fluorescent and costs a penny more, thanks to a "nanny state"?
Red dye #2 was banned in 1976. Back then, people would have actually had to read a newspaper to learn about that fact.
Today, they turn to Fox or CNN and learn, on a daily basis, the status of NYC's banning of partially hydrogenated vegetable oil.
Uneducated people are weird like that.
If you mention that something is a carcinogen, they *always* break out into this dumb "everything gives you cancer" response.
I think that substances known to be dangerous should be made very deadly. That way, those too stupid to do anything about it can be eliminated, leaving behind a wiser population.
Posted by: *dell on July 21, 2007 12:23 PM | permalinkYeah, and the "everything is fattening if you eat too much of it" line too.
I don't know if I buy the online media part, because there was resistance to fluoridating water (I don't want the government deciding what goes into my body) and banning leaded gasoline (and make gas even more expensive? are you crazy!).
Posted by: Joe Grossberg on July 21, 2007 2:08 PM | permalinkNo one has to eat trans fats. Anyone could choose a healthier diet. When you tell the people that you're making a healthy decision for them, then they get upset. Fat asses.
If the government were to turn around tomorrow and ban cigarettes, there would be an uproar.
Posted by: ChuckJerry on July 21, 2007 8:07 PM | permalink"If the government were to turn around tomorrow and ban cigarettes, there would be an uproar."
If the government did that, I'd be the first one in line at Wal-Mart buying shotguns and lots of ammo.
All the smokers would be running around, acting like zombies and moaning stuff like "niiiiic fiiiit."
Posted by: *dell on July 21, 2007 10:39 PM | permalinkJerry would have banned firearms first.
Posted by: Joe Grossberg on July 21, 2007 10:45 PM | permalinkNo more comments! Either someone has violated Godwin's Law, I'm tired of the discussion or, most likely, the ten-week window has closed. You can, however, contact me through email.