Who knew the slope was that slippery

http://www.metro.us/newyork/local/article/1145435--board-of-health-why-limit-ban-to-just-soda

That's what some members of the Board of Health suggested today at their meeting, where Mayor Michael Bloomberg's proposal to ban sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces was introduced.

Bloomie's idea may outrage many New Yorkers, but some board members were so enthused by it that they even started wondering what foods could be slashed next.

“We’re really looking at restricting portion size, so the argument could be … What about the size of a hamburger or jumbo fries?” board member Dr. Michael Phillips said.

Other board members asked why the Health Department decided to focus on just sugary drinks and the 16-ounce size.

Board member Dr. Joel Forman suggested milkshakes, exempt from Bloomberg's ban because milk is nutritious, should not be given a pass.

“There are certainly milkshakes and milk coffee beverages that have monstrous amounts of calories in them, and I’m not so sure what the rationale is not to include those,” Forman said.

When board member Dr. Bruce Vladeck found out that soda in movie theaters would be affected, he suggested that its partner in crime, popcorn, should suffer the same fate.

“I was thinking about the typical movie theater with a 32-ounce drink and 32 ounces of popcorn,” Vladeck said. “The popcorn isn’t a whole lot better from a nutritional point of view than the soda.”

Board members unanimously voted to allow the proposed ban to proceed to a public hearing July 24.

“There were questions about, ‘Why stop here?’” Health Commissioner Thomas Farley said after the hearing. But he was careful to emphasize that the Department is only considering restricting sugary drinks.

I'm sure there had to be some opposition to this, probably just a one sided report.

Damn...

Next we can implement the individual packets of toilet paper instead of trusting the average citizen with an entire roll...or...

Trade you a Rolex for a ratburger.

I'm Good, Thanks.

That linked story must've been taken from the Onion right? I hope so.

Some of those that work forces are the same that ban sodas Some of those that work forces are the same that ban sodas Some of those that work forces are the same that ban sodas Those that died were justified .... .... Aaaaaaaaaaaaa berkeley you, not gonna do what ya tell me berkeley you, not gonna do what ya tell me berkeley you, not gonna do what ya tell me

This keeps up, next thing you know they'll be telling us who we can marry and what drugs we can take... oh.

Maybe the federal government should make a law that keeps state and local... uh.

Nope. I got nuttin'.

I don't need adult supervision.

Just one more reason NOT to go to New York.

And people claim that California is the messed up state....

I keep telling y'all this is the camel's nose under the tent. Next thing you know there will be restrictions on any sort of activity whiche might possibly lead to a boo boo of any kind. Me, I don't want to live on the ship from Wall-E, know what I mean?

I like this kind of legislation. It keeps the focus of meddling lawmakers away from exhaust noise, speed limits, bumper heights, etc.

^Yep, at work they are now going to start charging people who smoke more. I like the idea that if you cost more, you should pay more.

But on principle something about still seems wrong.............I told my wife, watch next will be the drinkers, then the morbidly obese, then the obese, then just the overweight.

Curmudgeon wrote: I keep telling y'all this is the camel's nose under the tent. Next thing you know there will be restrictions on any sort of activity whiche might possibly lead to a boo boo of any kind. Me, I don't want to live on the ship from Wall-E, know what I mean?

for real. Everything I do for fun requires protective gear - racing, biking, welding, ...... Stay outta my lunchbox!

Taco Bell was the only restaurant to survive the franchise wars. Now all restaurants are Taco Bell.

I'd like to propose a "Fat Tax". The idea is well justified, since fat people have more health problems and place a greater load on the healthcare system.

Along with your SSN, birthdate, and address, you will be required to keep height and current weight on file with the IRS. Your federal income tax will be greater or less than the base amount, depending on your variance from the established ideal weight for your age bracket.

So there ya go. Incentive to maintain a healthy weight and extra revenue to hold up the fatties' end of the bargain. Clearly a win-win. Social engineering at its finest.

Yea, that seems a little excessive. But the obvious solution is, don't live in a hilariously crowded/dirty/noisy/polluted city.

I see no problem with charging people that suck down enormous amounts of soda/calories more for health insurance, however. Or people that smoke on a regular basis.

1988RedT2 wrote: I'd like to propose a "Fat Tax". The idea is well justified, since fat people have more health problems and place a greater load on the healthcare system. Along with your SSN, birthdate, and address, you will be required to keep height and current weight on file with the IRS. Your federal income tax will be greater or less than the base amount, depending on your variance from the established ideal weight for your age bracket. So there ya go. Incentive to maintain a healthy weight and extra revenue to hold up the fatties' end of the bargain. Clearly a win-win. Social engineering at its finest.

Can tell if you are serious or not? But why not just add extra taxes to extra fatty foods kinda like what is done to tobacco and liquor? More revenue to states and the federal government and incentive to eat healthier. Plus then you still have a choice of what you want to eat and the government doesn't have to know your weight.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: Some of those that work forces are the same that ban sodas Some of those that work forces are the same that ban sodas Some of those that work forces are the same that ban sodas Those that died were justified .... .... Aaaaaaaaaaaaa berkeley you, not gonna do what ya tell me berkeley you, not gonna do what ya tell me berkeley you, not gonna do what ya tell me

Hm. I've had worse songs stuck in my head. Now I can get off the Afro Circus train.

The Daily Show did a segment about this...

Apparently the fine for a larger than 16oz soda is TWICE AS MUCH as the fine for getting caught with an OUNCE of weed.

Shhh. They'll raise the fine on weed if they find out.

They need to make more E36 M3 legal not illegal. Where are all the libertarians now? Do they only protest taxes?