Tuesday, October 06, 2009

Mayor Bloomberg and the NYC Department of Education: No Bake Sales For You!!

While watching Way Too Early with Willie Geist Monday morning on MSNBC, I learned some very disturbing news.

The New York City Department of Education has followed the lead of Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s public health kick and just pulled brownies from the mouth of Big Apple students, encouraging them instead, to eat…well…a big apple.

Citing an obesity rate of 40% in New York City public school students, the diminutive Mayor and the New York City Dept. of Education have enacted a ban on Bake Sales at its schools.

No longer shall there be homemade cupcakes, lemon bars, or oatmeal cookies on display, for sale, or consumption within the hallowed halls of New York City Public Schools.

The joyous smiles on the éclair stained faces of students…the positive reinforcement of dangling a carrot cake in front of them…the camaraderie and sweet aromas elicited by the American Bake Sale, have been thrown into NYC trash dumpsters along with muffin stumps by Bloomberg and the others.

Not only that…

This action by Bloomberg and his cronies, has left Abraham Maslow unfulfilled, B.F. Skinner seeking retribution, and forced Betty Crocker to lick the sweet remains of her mixing bowl out with her own tongue…Sad.

Bake Sales are not simply a way for school groups to raise much needed funds, these sales are one of many threads that have for decades, helped to weave the fabric of America.

The school Bake Sale, especially in New York City, is where one can study and taste our nation’s rich history of immigration. German tortes, Italian cannoli, Greek pastries. But now, that too is gone.


In fact…

The action by these clowns isn’t merely the end of Bake Sales. It is…The Day the Moustokouloura Died.

Yes, obesity is a growing problem among our youth. Yes, something needs to be done. No, it is not up to the school system…yet another banning by the government or nanny state crybabies of a habit or activity is not going to fix the fundamental problem.

The fundamental problem in the case of childhood obesity, as well as many other problems, comes down to personal and parental responsibility.

I don’t want the government telling me what to eat. I don’t want the government telling my kid what to eat. I don’t want the government telling the eighth grade glee club that they can’t have a bake sale in order to raise funds to go on a trip.

Intervention by the government and ninnies who think they know what is best for others makes me livid.

This bake sale ban is goofy and in more than a few cases will be damaging to school activities. I don’t think any child’s future diabetes or heart disease will be due to buying a couple of cupcakes at a bake sale.

But, it does raise a more important issue…

Why does it seem, and perhaps rightfully so, that there is governmental intervention into the most basic areas of our lives? After all, this is America…a nation that is founded on personal liberty and freedom.

Well folks…One of those liberties and freedoms is the right for parents to be lazy, ignorant, and absent when it comes to the future of their children.

This is evidenced not only by the 40% obesity rate in NYC school children, but by the 40% dropout rate as well.

When a vacuum is created something has to fill it. In this case, lack of parental responsibility has created a vacuum, and the government has filled it with a silly dictate.

As Americans, the government control that seeps into out lives is, oddly enough, the result of the very freedoms that we enjoy.

The number one freedom being, the right to be an asshole who doesn’t give a crap about themselves or their kids.

And I’ll bet you dollars to donuts that many of the parents in NYC bitching about this ban, are some of the very ones who contributed to its implementation.

Cheers!!

30 comments:

Jay said...

Okay, so I'm working on a rant about this for Wednesday, but you beat me to it. Fucking Nanny State bastards.

If they want to take snack machines and soft drink machines out of grade and middle schools then go ahead. Those kids shouldn't be eating and drinking that shit. But a bake sale? Something as simple and fun for kids as a bake sale? Pffffft please.

Scott Oglesby said...

When did kids quit playing outside? I don’t know if I ever saw what the interior paint of my childhood home looked like during daylight. Ever. It’s these God damned kids, with their God damned video games, and their God damned computers. Lazy kids and lazy parents are a deadly combo.

Sure the nanny state will implement these ridiculous rules, but they do nothing whatsoever about one of the biggest problems. The genetically modified, and hormone injected food is a major problem as well. They don’t even know how this shit will affect us in 20 or 30 years. The US is one of the only countries in the world that allows this to be done, without even having to include warning labels. I think we are starting to see the results of this coming out now as well. But the bitch politicians will do nothing about this because the food lobby is one of the biggest. It really is all about the Benjamins. Take a look at the Greenpeace site. They are scary crazy about other stuff, but they are right on the money about this.

Great Post Matt-Man!

Schmoop said...

Jay: I wrote this because my rant about the glee of groups like the American Enterprise Institue over Chicago's failed Olympic bid was preempted by your post on that subject. We need to send our topic schedule to each other. Here's to Bake Sales!! Cheers Jay!!

Scott: Like you, we played outside from sun up to sundown, and when it rained we played board games. If we went somewhere we either walked or biked. My kid eats well but in addition to playing video games or being on the computer, he spends plenty of time on his bike and going outside to shoot baskets for an hour at a time.

As for the food modifications...I'm sure things have changed and been altered over the years, but dude...

I thought you were vehemently an Anti-Warning Label kinda guy. Cheers Scott!!

Clay Perry said...

compare how many times we went to eat at mcdonalds or some such place when we were kids to how many times kids eat at those places now..

but then i dont really have a dog in this fight, being a big fat bastard anyway...

but when we allow govt to regulate how much water we can flush down a toilet... how much shit we can put in said toilet isn't too far behind.

David said...

I'm not a supporter of nanny state actions in general but when it comes to education/schools, I'm not adverse to providing lifestyle education.

There is a basic group of subjects and core competencies the schools are responsible to deliver. I also think that teaching tolerance/anti-bullying, decent nutritional practices, handling financial issues and a variety of other topics are suitable. The need for many of those topics reflect generational cyclical-effect ignorance or simply a vacuum of knowledge. When children leave high school (hopefully with a diploma), they are going to a job or on to college (again hopefully) - either way, they are out in the world on their own to one degree or another. Education should help them get ready for that day. Ideally, the parents have been working for this day but too many aren't - perhaps due to laziness, or inability due to their own ignorance or unavailability due to working 2 or 3 jobs themselves.

That being said, I support the removal of sugary-treat vending machines but banning a bake sale strikes me as simply going too far. I'm pretty sure there is not a bake sale at every school virtually every day so these are not habit-forming sources of tasty sugary morsels so the ban seems all talk and negligible effect.

Cheers Matt-Man - great post again.

Scott Oglesby said...

I am vehemently anti-obvious warning labels. But baring making it illegal, the least they could do is warn us. This shit causes cancer in 8% of the rats they tested it on over the last 10 years. When Bayer, Dupont, and Dow chemical decide what is ‘safe’ for human consumption (and they already have through lobbyists) we are fucked.

I mean not even Steven Hawking or the fictional Will Hunting could look at a turkey dinner and tell you what came from genetically modified sources. Unless it was maybe a 50 pound turkey and the corn on the cob got up and walked away.

Schmoop said...

Clay: And why didn't we go to McDonalds? Because Mom and/or Dad said, "No." End of story, you screaming brats. And you're right there are plenty more dictates to come. Cheers Clay!!

David: Lifestyle Education that you mention is fine. Lifestyle Domination by dictating is not.

I understand the two parent thing working but hell, both of my parents and many of friends were working when I grew up, and yet they had time to monitor us and feed us. They didn't whine about being so busy that we had to eat Big Macs again.

Hell, Ryno's mom and I both work, and guess what. When I went to pick him up and take him school today, on the counter in their kitchen as I often see when I fetch him on these mornings, sat a crockpot cooking up a delicious and healthy dinner. It's not rocket science.

Thanks David...Cheers!!

Schmoop said...

Scott: Ha. I was just giving you shit. I know what you mean. That's why we stick to a diet rich in the healthfulnuess of SPAM 'round here. In fact Thursday, when I'm off, I'm making SPAM Tacos. No, I'm not kidding. I'll take pictures. Cheers Scott!!

Beth said...

Noooo, not spam tacos!!!! While I sit here and eat cheddar jalapeno cheetos!!

Schmoop said...

Schmoop: Prepare thy ass for something that will have you saying the following:

"It sounded like a big suhplosion."

Cheers and Zoooves!!

Phfrankie Bondo said...

...I'm gonna take my seat belt off and shove a bundt cake in my mouth RIGHT NOW!...

Schmoop said...

Phfrankie: You my good man, are a rebel who flies in the face authority and convention. Rock On, P-Man, Rock On. Cheers!!

Ken said...

I don't know Matt...your sounding a bit whiney about this.

I agree with David that it's OK to set examples for the kids, they either learn something from it or they don't. If their NOT getting it from home then school is the only other chance they may be swayed into not stuffing their fucking face just for sport.
The bake sales should be off school property anyway!

Schmoop said...

Micky; Whiny? I agree with David too. Education is fine, but intervention in personal responsibility is not.

And, you are kinda making point, if kids are not getting what they need at home, someone has to step in. BUT it shouldn't be that way. Cheers Mick!!

The Teamster said...

as Katherine will confirm, I love baking cookies so I'm glad I don't live in New York.

and the scary thing about inactivity in our culture is that the "video game" generation is now making babies...

spam tacos? sounds good as long as the spam is fried first.

Schmoop said...

Teamster: I dig baking cookies too. And yes, I would never put "raw" SPAM on a taco. I'll fry it first. Cheers Yank!!

Vinny "Bond" Marini said...

Mayor Bloom-gotchatochangetermlimits-berg has been forcing his personal choices on the citizens of New York for the last 8+ years and with his strong arming of the NY City Council can continue to do so for another 3+ years.

Do not be surprised if he gets a 4th term put on the books..

This Democrat - nah I will be a Republican - wait being an Independent is ever cooler is the 8th richest American and if we are not careful he will buy the USA and make us all work for him.

Schmoop said...

Bond: I honestly think that Bloomberg thinks he is the answer to all of America's ills.

Sure he's not a dim bulb, but get over yourself already, Mayor Bloomberg. Cheers Vin!!

David said...

My point exactly is that, while the parents have the responsibility, if they can't or won't step up to the plate someone needs to for the well-being of those "virtually" abandoned children.

Some parents, like you, do step up and rightfully so. But I think the 40% dropout rate tells us that far too many parents are dropping the ball for whatever reason.

For much of the nation, I think there is a generational gap from our parents level of taking responsibility. I will say that there were extremely few drop-outs from my high school. 40% would have been unthinkable. So it appears to me that a very substantial portion of NYC parents have abdicated.

Regarding Lifestyle Education vs Lifestyle Domination – I think I am a lot more tolerant of intervention when either impressionable children are being mislead, intentionally or unintentionally, or when someone’s lifestyle foibles adversely affects others.

For example, I don’t smoke and don’t want to breathe second hand smoke. Why should I or my ilk be denied the privilege of a nice dinner at my favorite spot or why should my favorite bartender be subjected to all the sinus problems or respiratory infections caused by being in a second-hand-smoke heavy establishment?

Maybe I drank too much of the liberal kool-aid. I pay my taxes and I expect the FDA to keep food and meds safe. I expect the military to defend our country. I expect FEMA to help disaster victims. I expect schools to produce graduates that can add to society and provide the workforce of the future. I expect congress to pass laws requiring manufacturers to provide ingredients and nutritional values of their products so I can make reasoned choices. Yada Yada.

Bottom line – I highly commend you for living up to your responsibility and making Ryno your priority. You were half of the team that brought him into the world and it is your parental job to set him on a pathway to a successful life and you are walking the walk/talk. For those whose parents drop the ball, I’m happy have the institution of schools pick up the ball.

Lu' said...

My first reaction was, oh for Christ sake you gotta be fucking kidding me! and my calmed down reaction is just the same. Yah I know for sure this is a problem but as we know it is a problem that should be dealt with in the home. The school should offer a healthy lunch and P.E. class every day. If the school wants to get involved with something why don't they instead tackle the issue of children going hungry... ARGH!!!!

Ed & Jeanne said...

There are still islands in the South Pacific where one can live free (and alone)...

Cinnamon Girl said...

All of this intervention is fucking up the one thing that could save this planet. Natural selection.

katherine. said...

so, if some group of school kids (football team, chess club, band...whatever) can no longer hold bake sales what are they suppose to do to raise a little funding? Sell fruit?

I'm okay with no soda machines and healthier lunches....but it costs more. And if any Board of Educations was really for healthier children with less obesity... they would INCREASE the funding for physical education and sports. What ever happened to the Presidents Physical Fitness Council?

Really Teamster? Really?

Not that I think cannibal feed and pesticides should be in the food supply....but some genetically engineered food is a good thing. Walnut tree grafting, and strawberry varietal crossing has been done for generations, with no ill effects. Norman Borlaug recently passed....he biogenetically engineered wheat which saved over a billion people from starvation.

Way too many parents expect the schools to do the things parents use to...and the things parents should do. Not just eating habits, but morals, and sex education, et cetera.

Dianne said...

sell hash brownies and then lay out some whole grain cereal with real fruit in it

both problems solved

RobinF. said...

I am outraged! Another example of government jumping in where they don't belong. Bake sales are essential for fund raisers in a world where schools are cutting the arts, music and sports programs. I have fond memories of those freshly baked Yeast Rolls and Huge Peanut Butter cookies for sale at lunch at my high school. I have made dozens of baked goodies for the good of humanity and I will NOT stop now. Bloomberg is an is an idiot. There isn't anything wrong with promoting good health and physical activity but to take away a person's right to choose... that is wrong in every arena. IN fact, the very place I am employed will be having a garage sale/bake sale to help benefit a local charity so eat that Michael Bloomberg! Take away the soda machines, have healthy lunches in school that your tax payers support, pay your lunch ladies the dues they deserve but back off the Bake Sale! It is part of the fabric of American life. Thus are the ruminations of a foodie....LOL

Michele said...

Shows you what total idiots politicians are. It is not the thrice yearly bake sale that is making these kids fat. It is the thrice daily trip to the vending machines that pump out chips and soda that are making kids fat. If they want the kids to lose weight get rid of those evil life sucking machines. Of course, the Coke and Frito Lay corporations will never let that happen.

Dana said...

Next thing you know they'll be reqiring McDonald's to provide nutritional information and banning the sale of foie gras ...

Schmoop said...

Thanks for all of the comments everyone. I got way behind on things today and couldn't get back to them all. Anyway, thanks and Cheers!!

Cheesy said...

We got around the bake sale ban here in the valley of Cheese! [yes Oregon has the ban also-which included home baked goods for class parties]

We all got State food handler cards and did the baking at the school! Dirty rat bass~turds couldn't keep US down!

Schmoop said...

Cheesy: In addition to being very hot, you're very clever. Purrrr. Cheers Cheesy!!