Indy's Blog: August 2007

Friday, August 31, 2007

Government-Mandated Guilt

Sent: Friday, August 31, 2007 1:07 PM

Subject: Government-Mandated Guilt

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August 31, 2007


Government Mandated Guilt Last year, Slate magazine outlined America's slow march to diet despotism by describing activists' strategy to wage war on "junk food": "First, we should protect kids. Second, fat people are burdening the rest of us. Third, junk food isn't really food." Since then, food cops have pressed for government regulations on children's advertising and speculated on the economic burden of love handles. Now they're reaching out to strip food of its sanctity. Food fulfills a basic human need and provides a great deal of pleasure. But the nutrition interventions concocted by food activists -- aimed at living longer, not living better -- suck the fun out of eating. For instance, the nutrition zealots at the Center for the Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) have a long history of demonizing anything that tastes good, labeling it "junk food" or even "food porn." The latest example of these pleasure-sucking campaigns comes from the proposed mandating of warning labels on restaurant menus. The group's nutrition policy director, Margo Wootan, has justified the moralistic mandate: "Californians, and indeed all Americans, deserve to know what they're getting when they're ordering food." Ignoring the detailed nutritional information that most restaurants already provide to customers, CSPI defines "what they're getting" with just one word: calories. Dictating calorie counts reduces the value of a meal to a measure of energy. But anyone who's ever enjoyed a snow cone on a hot day or shared a bottle of wine at a romantic dinner knows that food is much more than that. British researcher David Warburton, who studies the relationship between health and pleasure, seconds that notion. His studies have found that pleasurable experiences hold restorative properties for people suffering from life-threatening illnesses, like AIDS and cancer. On the other hand, guilt places incredible stress on the body and severely compromises the immune system. (And CSPI is essentially lobbying for government-mandated guilt.) CSPI has also proposed "traffic light" labeling systems for packaged foods, already unfolding in places like Europe and New Zealand. These labels reduce the merit of different grocery items to colored dots: red for "bad" and green for "good." Like the warning labels on menus, this black-and-white approach harms people's relationship with food and promotes eating disorders. Maybe someone should clue in the nutrition "experts": Good food isn't just about staying alive. It's about enjoying life too. Breaking News Here's a sampling of other stories that have caught our interest today. To see a one-week archive of these items, click here. Chicago restaurants celebrate anniversary of foie gras ban -- by ignoring it Study of 100,000 women finds no link between breast cancer and French-fry-scare acrylamide British animal-rights lunatics tamper with children's First Aid cream Blogger: Why can't PETA read? (a good question ...) Columnist mocks "PETA's self-defeating finger-pointing" on vegetarianism Humane Society of the U.S. to spend tens of millions on new buildings Circus charges animal rights groups with RICO and fedreal conspiracy Guess who wants to kill Michael Vick's pit bulls? Yep. PETA and HSUS. Fugitive animal-rights bomber spotted in small Virginia town. America's Most Wanted is there.

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Wednesday, August 29, 2007

There's a Chain Letter in the Kitchen!

Chain letter mentality seems to have no bounds.

"It might arrive as an expression of goodwill, but Amish friendship bread is
heavy on obligations" - Kathy Stephenson, the Salt Lake Tribune.

-Ain't that the truth!

-It sounded very chain letter-esque to me, and really, if everyone did
everything they were obligated to do, we'd all be eating "friendship bread"
until it came out of our ears, and we'd start wishing for some enemies!

-Make some for yourself - if you really want to take the trouble. But all
the obligations that come with a package of starter should be against the
law - and the starters should be cut down to size so no one feels obligated
to either pass it on, or make something out of it or have it go to waste.

-As the article explains, the starter is a glue-like substance, and it takes
days to make, what a hassle!! I didn't make it, but saw it in the process of
being made by someone else.

-I found myself wondering as well, if this was even safe, with it having to
be stored at room temperature for days on end.

-I was expecting it to be absolutely horrible once it was all done.

-Surprisingly, it wasn't - and I survived sampling it.

-But why not just make a batch of cinnamon muffins or loaf with a little bit
of cocoa in it to taste, if that's your thing? It would come out basically
the same and without messing about with some rather nasty guck for days,
that you then have to pass on to three or four other people who are then
obligated to make more and pass on to others.

Pass it on
Salt Lake Tribune - United States
Despite being moist and delicious, Amish friendship bread is the culinary
version of a chain letter - cycling among neighborhoods, workplaces and
religious ...
http://www.sltrib.com/ci_6743494
See all stories on this topic:
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ncl=http://www.sltrib.com/ci_6743494

Here is the full article.

WEDNESDAY, August 29, 2007

Pass it on
It might arrive as an expression of goodwill, but Amish friendship bread is
heavy on obligations
By Kathy Stephenson
The Salt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated: 08/28/2007 06:56:27 PM MDT

Anyone who has ever received the gift of Amish friendship bread can
empathize with Danny Letz.
After weeks of baking the cinnamon-spiced quick bread, the Salt Lake
City cook has run out of family, friends and co-workers willing to take a
"starter," which seems to be growing exponentially on his counter.
"It's a terrible pyramid scheme," said Letz, who accepted a fermented,
glue-like substance several weeks ago from his stepmother, Laurie Letz.
"I've been trying to cook more so she gave me a starter," Letz explained
during a recent interview. "But then it has just become a task trying to get
rid of the starters. The Amish should be ashamed of themselves."
Despite being moist and delicious, Amish friendship bread is the
culinary version of a chain letter - cycling among neighborhoods, workplaces
and religious congregations on a regular basis.
Unlike the mailed version, there are no promises of riches for those who
follow the recipe, which takes 10 days to make. Nor are there threats of
disaster for those who fail to heed the strict directions, such as avoiding
metal bowls and spoons and keeping the starter at room temperature.
But just like its chain cousin, friendship bread for some creates guilt,
resentment and just plain apathy.

Bread basics
For the uninitiated, here's how the friendship bread cycle works:
Someone with good intentions, usually a relative, friend or neighbor, brings
over a container with some yellow, sour-smelling starter and the
instructions for "feeding" it. The task is not too difficult. Most days,
stirring is the only requirement; on other days, milk, flour and sugar must
be added.
While keeping the milk-based starter at room temperature seems to defy
all food safety rules, few people ever report problems. However, if the
starter turns black or pink, throw it out.
On the 10th day, the starter is finally ready. Cooks are instructed to
divide the mixture into four equal portions: One portion can be used to make
a batch of the bread, two should be passed along to friends and the final
portion is kept so the feeding process can begin all over again.
Fermented starters, which act as a leavening for bread, are nothing new.
Everyone from prospectors to pioneers relied on the yeast-based sourdough
starter for making bread, pancakes and biscuits. A similar sweet-bread
starter, called "Hermann," is used regularly in Germany.

Amish anomaly
Exactly how the friendship starter earned its Amish moniker is not
clear, especially since the bread recipe that comes with most starters calls
for a box of instant pudding.
Some Internet sites suggest that Amish friendship bread is more than
just a recipe, it is a simple way of looking at our high-tech, prepackaged
world in which everything is fast and meant for personal gratification. A
bread that requires patience and is meant to be given away - thus the name
"friendship bread" - surely mirrors the simple, back-to-basics lifestyle
espoused by the Amish.
The instructions that come with each starter always warn that only the
Amish know how to create the basic starters. So if you forget to tend to it,
or if it spoils from inattention, usually you are out of luck.
Thanks to the Internet, some of the mystery has been taken out of the
bread. Several sites, including www.amish recipes.net, offer recipes for
making your own starter, a simple mixture of flour, sugar and milk.
There also are recipes for using the starter outside the high-calorie,
high-fat bread, which is loaded with eggs, oil and sugar. There also are
hints on how to reduce the amount of starter you make and how to store it in
the refrigerator.
Not everyone likens Amish friendship bread to something as despicable as
zucchini in August.
In fact, Erin Morris was thrilled when she received a starter from Letz,
her boyfriend.
"I've always hoped I'd end up with one because I think the bread is
delicious and it's a nice thing to give friends." she said.
In the last few weeks she has given bread and starters to family,
friends and co-workers, but she is quickly running out of people. Her last
option for eager cooks - or unsuspecting victims - is church.
"There definitely is a point when you have too much," she said.
---
* KATHY STEPHENSON can be contacted at kathys@sltrib .com or
801-257-8612. Send comments about this story to livingeditor@sltrib.com.

Amish friendship bread starter

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 1/2 cups sugar
3 1/2 cups milk
Day 1: In plastic container with a lid or in a resealable plastic bag,
combine 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk. Mix well. Cover and store
at room temperature. Do not refrigerate.
Day 2: Stir or squeeze the bag to mix.
Day 3: Stir or squeeze the bag to mix.
Day 4: Stir or squeeze the bag to mix.
Day 5: Stir or squeeze the bag to mix.
Day 6: Add 1 cup sugar, 1 cup flour and 1 cup milk into container,
mixing well.
Day 7: Stir or squeeze the bag to mix.
Day 8: Stir or squeeze the bag to mix.
Day 9: Stir or squeeze the bag to mix.
Day 10: Add 1 1/2 cups flour, 1 1/2 cups sugar and 1 1/2 cup milk,
mixing well. Place 1 cup of the starter into three separate containers. Give
a container and these instructions to two friends, making sure to put the
date on the container.
Keep a container of starter for yourself. With remaining starter, make
batches of bread, muffins or pancakes (see other recipes).
Note: Once you have made the starter, you (and the people you give it
to) should ignore the Day 1 instructions. Do nothing on that day and proceed
to Day 2.

Source: Adapted from www.cooks.com

Amish friendship bread

1 cup Amish friendship starter (see recipe at right)
2/3 cup oil
2 cups flour*
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two large loaf pans. In a
glass or plastic bowl (not metal), combine all the ingredients. Stir with a
wooden or plastic (nonmetal) spoon. Pour batter into prepared pans and bake
45 to 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out
clean.
Makes 2 loaves.
*Those at high altitudes may need to add 3 to 4 tablespoons flour.
Amish cinnamon bread
Topping:
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Bread:
1 cup Amish friendship starter
3 eggs
1 cup oil
1/2 cup milk
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups flour*
1 large box instant pudding mix (any flavor)
Heat oven to 325 degrees. Grease 2 large loaf pans. Combine brown sugar
and cinnamon for topping and dust pans with half the mixture. Put the
remainder aside for later.
In a large glass or plastic bowl (no metal) combine all bread
ingredients. Stir with a plastic or wood spoon (no metal). Divide batter
evenly between the two pans. Sprinkle with remaining topping. Bake 1 hour or
until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Makes 2 loaves.
* Those at high altitudes should add 3 to 4 tablespoons flour.

Amish friendship biscuits

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup Amish friendship starter
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup butter, melted
Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl combine flour, baking soda,
salt and baking powder. In a separate bowl, combine eggs, Amish starter and
oil. Mix well. Add starter to dry ingredients and mix until dough pulls away
from sides of bowl. Transfer to a lightly floured surface and roll until it
is 1/2 inch thick. Using a 3-inch circle cutter or floured glass, cut out
biscuits and place on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Brush top of biscuits
with melted butter. Cover and let rise 30 minutes. Bake for 15 to 20
minutes.

Source: www.amishrecipes.net

Amish friendship muffins

Muffins:
1 cup Amish friendship starter
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup oil
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup granulated sugar
3 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup nuts, chopped
1 cup apples, chopped, optional
1 cup raisins or blueberries, optional
Topping:
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup butter
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Liberally grease muffin tins if not using
liners.
Combine starter, flour, oil, baking soda, baking powder, sugar, eggs,
cinnamon and vanilla extract; stir well. Add nuts. Stir in fruit, if using.
Pour evenly into muffin tins. Combine topping ingredients and sprinkle each
muffin. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center
comes out clean.

Source: www.recipegoldmine.com

Amish friendship pancakes

1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons sugar
2 tablespoons oil
2 cups Amish friendship starter
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
Maple syrup or jam
In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda and
sugar. Set aside.
In a separate bowl, combine oil, Amish starter, milk and egg. Add wet
ingredients to dry and mix on medium speed until just blended.
Spoon a little bit of the batter onto a hot, greased griddle. Cook until
golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Turn pancakes and cook until second side is
golden. Remove from heat and serve with maple syrup or jam.

Source: www.fooddownunder.com

Another Good Post about Chain Email

Here's another great post about chain email.

http://articles2.org/e-commerce/chain-emails-hateem/

Chain Emails, Hate'em!

This week I received for the hundredth time a chain email that's appallingly
stupid. This one announces the closing of Hotmail.com, the popular free
email service. As it explains, the user must send the chain email to all of
his/her friends in order to avoid the cancellation of the service. It goes
like this: since hotmail.com administrators don't know who is really using
the service nor the real popularity of it, they are sending this email to
contact all their users and find out if the service is being used and then
decide if they keep the service active or close it, because of the economic
problems they were having. This is just one of the versions I've received.

Obviously, this is not going to happen. Hotmail is the most popular free web
mail service and they don't have any plans to cancel their services. Sadly,
this is just one of the many chain emails I've received. Issues range from
free gifts from notorious companies to good luck promises, help for sick
kids, free money, free software, etc.

What fundamentally bothers me about these chain emails are two things:
first, the time and resources that are wasted sending these pointless
emails; second, the nonsense people swallow.

E-mail is one of the most used Internet tools, and it's a real shame to fill
it with trash that only wastes people's time. This is one of the main
reasons why some companies limit internet access to employees, because
instead of raising productivity, web hosting servers get loaded with trash.

But of all the chain emails I've received, the ones that annoy me the most
are those that say things like "If you send this to 10 friends, you will
receive a surprise, if you send it to 20 friends…" People that send me these
emails not only make me waste my time filling my inbox with useless stuff,
but they go and promise me happiness and good luck (some even threaten me!)
for continuing the chain.

For all of those that follow these chains, let me tell you, you are just
wasting your time and that of others: hotmail is not going to stop service,
you are not going to help any kid with cancer, you are not going to receive
any money nor (please!!) are you going to have any luck as you send your
stupid chain email to more accounts.

If you too are annoyed by this trash, you can use the following answer, and
probably some of these guys will get the idea:

"I just received your chain email. About 1,000 people have sent me chain
emails and every one of them has died in the following 6 months, probably
caused by the 'Chain email curse'. You will probably die soon if you
experience any of the following symptoms: 1) tiredness at night, 2) Hunger
just before eating, 3) Inability to remember your license plate number, 4)
stupidity".

Founder and actual CEO, Ricardo d'Argence has been in the field for more
than ten years. Alojate.com is now one of the biggest web hosting providers
in Mexico.
www.alojate.com

More on Spammers

Spammers have tried so many tricks, from fake confirmation messages to
spamoetry to pdf and other files to fake e-card links, now they're
pretending to be Youtube as several of these articles mention.

Keep Up With Spam Scams
Wall Street Journal - USA
If spammers send out a million messages, and 2% of the people buy the
stock, it will go up. But the spammers bought the stock first, and so they
can ride it ...
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118826159801810399.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
See all stories on this topic:
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ncl=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118826159801810399.html%3Fmod%3Dgooglenews_wsj

Storm worm shifts path to fake YouTube links
TechSpot - USA
By Jose Vilches, TechSpot.com In yet another twist to the Storm worm
nuisance, spammers are using fake YouTube links to trick users into
downloading ...
http://www.techspot.com/news/26775-storm-worm-shifts-path-to-fake-youtube-links.html
See all stories on this topic:
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ncl=http://www.techspot.com/news/26775-storm-worm-shifts-path-to-fake-youtube-links.html

A Clean New Internet?
InformationWeek - Manhasset,NY,USA
It will be interesting to see how the new network will keep out the
hackers, spammers, and loudmouths who are causing it to be built in the
first place. ...
http://www.informationweek.com/blog/main/archives/2007/08/a_clean_new_int.html
See all stories on this topic:
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ncl=http://www.informationweek.com/blog/main/archives/2007/08/a_clean_new_int.html

Storm Worm Spreads In YouTube Spam
WebProNews - Lexington,KY,USA
McAfee researcher Vinoo Thomas said on the Avert Labs blog that the
spammers now use a couple of ways to get the worm onto someone's system.
...
http://www.webpronews.com/topnews/2007/08/27/storm-worm-spreads-in-youtube-spam
See all stories on this topic:
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ncl=http://www.webpronews.com/topnews/2007/08/27/storm-worm-spreads-in-youtube-spam

Stiff-Arm the Stock Spammers
Motley Fool - USA
Spammers are now disguising their pitches as stock reports published as PDF
files, hoping to avoid the suspicion typically reserved for miracle drugs
and ...
http://www.fool.com/personal-finance/general/2007/08/27/stiff-arm-the-stock-spammers.aspx
See all stories on this topic:
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ncl=http://www.fool.com/personal-finance/general/2007/08/27/stiff-arm-the-stock-spammers.aspx

Nuclear Lab Web Site Used By Spammers Selling Phony Meds
InformationWeek - Manhasset,NY,USA
The spammers used incomprehensive gobbledygook in the ads advertising
erectile dysfunction and sleep aid medications. By W. David Gardner
Lawrence Livermore ...
http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=201802487
See all stories on this topic:
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ncl=http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml%3FarticleID%3D201802487

Spammers use YouTube to spread Storm worm
Builder AU - Australia
By Liam Tung, ZDNet Australia | 2007/08/27 13:49:02 In yet another twist to
the Storm worm menace, spammers are using a fake YouTube site to trick
users ...
http://www.builderau.com.au/news/soa/Spammers_use_YouTube_to_spread_Storm_worm/0,339028227,339281510,00.htm
See all stories on this topic:
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ncl=http://www.builderau.com.au/news/soa/Spammers_use_YouTube_to_spread_Storm_worm/0,339028227,339281510,00.htm

Storm Worm Uses YouTube Ruse
PC Magazine - USA
Spammers are distributing the Storm Trojan via e-mails purporting to be
from friends and containing a false link to a YouTube video. ...
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2176469,00.asp
See all stories on this topic:
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ncl=http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2176469,00.asp

Kerman Telephone Selects Xangati to Improve Operational ...
Business Wire (press release) - San Francisco,CA,USA
After months of searching for a solution, the service provider purchased
the Xangati RPI solution to unearth spammers who were inappropriately using
...
http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20070827005051&newsLang=en
See all stories on this topic:
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ncl=http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp%3FndmViewId%3Dnews_view%26newsId%3D20070827005051%26newsLang%3Den

Dear Crummy Email Spammers,
By crummyjoel
No. No, I do not want to "3nlaarge my Peni5 . Thank you for caring enough to
email me about it no less than three hundred and fifty-six thousand four
hundred and twenty-one times, but I've had quite a number of opportunities
to mull it ...
http://centralsnark.wordpress.com/2007/08/28/dear-crummy-email-spammers/
Central Snark
http://centralsnark.wordpress.com

Fight Back Against Spammers
WWW Robots (also called wanderers, spiders, crawlers, or bots) are programs
that crawl the Web continually retrieving linked pages. When a spammer's bot
visits your website, blog, forum, etc, all pages and sites linked to it will
be ...
http://www.first.org/newsroom/globalsecurity/144239.html
Forum of Incident Response and...
http://www.first.org/newsroom/globalsecurity/

stopping comment spammers in their tracks
By Colleen
In this case though, the site doesn't appear to be a legit business, just a
website with links to mortgage companies. Don't let spammers ruin your
blog - stop them in their tracks by letting them know you won't tolerate
D-list spam and ...
http://www.geekyspeaky.com/2007/08/28/stopping-comment-spammers-in-their-tracks/
GeekySpeaky.com - gaming, SEO,...
http://www.geekyspeaky.com

How Spammers Get Your Mail ID And What You Can Do If Spammed
By SunSeven
Every day we get spam mails from unknown persons. Sometimes we delete them
without reading, and at best we report these messages as spam to the
respective email providers. Have you ever wondered from where these people
get your mail ids ...
http://www.indianpad.com/story/93782
IndianPad - All Stories
http://www.indianpad.com

Agents Becoming Spammers
By Aaron Dickinson
Yes, the market is slow. Yes, the showing activity has fallen. Yes, housing
activity is at record highs. No, agents should not Spam each other for
things already in the MLS. Agents are running scared now with sellers that
are very ...
http://www.twincitiesrealestateblog.com/2007/agents-becoming-spammers/
Twin Cities Real Estate Blog
http://www.twincitiesrealestateblog.com

Did Spammers Fuel the Sub-Prime Mortgage Crisis?
By Dan Gray
Did spammers fuel the sub-prime mortgage crisis? This is no common
conspiracy theory, my friends. It's common sense. Indulge me if you will and
take a gander at the raft of unsolicited mortgage offers that fill your
inbox. ...
http://www.lockergnome.com/nexus/technobabble/2007/08/27/did-spammers-fuel-the-sub-prime-mortgage-crisis/
Technobabble
http://www.lockergnome.com/nexus/technobabble

Beware of "War Drivers" and "War Spammers"
By Catherine
... "War Drivers" have emerged - folks who hack into these home wireless
networks. These hackers literally drive around town searching for wireless
networks to which they can connect..." link: Beware of "War Drivers" and
"War Spammers"
http://flyinghamster.com/post/44614
Flying Hamster
http://flyinghamster.com/

Beware of "War Drivers" and "War Spammers"
As many more American households are now opting for the convenience of
wireless networks, "War Drivers" have emerged - folks who hack into these
home wireless networks.
http://www.wjtv.com/gulfcoastwest/jtv/news.apx.-content-articles-JTV-2007-08-27-0004.html
News Channel 12 - Local News
http://www.wjtv.com

startlogic are spammers
By whoo
startlogic are spammers startlogic are spammer sstartlogic are spammers
startlogic are spammers startlogic are spammers.
http://www.village-idiot.org/archives/2007/08/27/startlogic-spam/
village-idiot.org
http://www.village-idiot.org

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Chain Letters, Extremely Annoying

This is a great entry about chain letters on a Myspace blog.

http://blog.myspace.com/zjd422

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Parents Need To Calm Down About The Baby Fat On Their Babies

From: Center for Consumer Freedom

To: Consumer Freedom Group List

Sent: Thursday, August 23, 2007 11:45 AM

Subject: ConsumerFreedom Parents Need To Calm Down About The Baby Fat On Their Babies

This email was sent to you by the Center for Consumer Freedom. To ensure delivery to your inbox, please add info@consumerfreedom.com to your address book.


August 23, 2007


Parents Need To Calm Down About The Baby Fat On Their Babies We're not blowing smoke when we warn people that the panic over rising obesity rates is bound to have some adverse unintended consequences on the nation's health. Demonizing every extra pound Americans carry around -- as obesity scaremongers have been doing in earnest for the last decade -- has and will encourage some incredibly unhealthy behaviors. Case in point: An increasingly large number of parents are dangerously restricting their kids' food and calorie intake in hopes of warding off obesity. The problem is that kids are, well, kids -- more than any other age group they need a steady stream of vitamins and nutrients (yes, including fat) to stay healthy. In general, diets are likely to do them more harm than good. Fortunately, the scientific establishment has become increasingly aware of the dangers posed to kids by their food-phobic parents. In the last month we've seen a flurry of high-profile studies warning moms and dads not to go overboard with the calorie restrictions. As the London Times reports today: Parents' paranoia about the thickening girths of the Play-Station generation has reached fever pitch... but experts are concerned that parents' attempts to steer children on to a virtuous dietary path can often backfire ... By cutting out good fats -- such as olive oil and sunflower oil -- parents are effectively putting their child's natural development in jeopardy... There are also other, less obvious, risks of limiting fat intake. As unlikely as it seems, it could eventually make children fatter than those who gorge on calorie-dense snacks. Breaking News Here's a sampling of other stories that have caught our interest today. To see a one-week archive of these items, click here. Boston Herald calls state fair trans fat ban "deep fried foolishness" Chicago restaurant owner defying silly foie gras ban because his "livelihood is involved"

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Tuesday, August 21, 2007

ConsumerFreedom PETA And Michael Vick Share More Than A State Of Residence

From: Center for Consumer Freedom

To: Consumer Freedom Group List

Sent: Tuesday, August 21, 2007 2:04 PM

Subject: ConsumerFreedom PETA And Michael Vick Share More Than A State Of Residence

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August 21, 2007


PETA And Michael Vick Share More Than A State Of Residence The self-described "press sluts" at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have really been earning that title with their response to the Michael Vick animal-cruelty scandal. The ink on Vick's indictment -- charging that he and two co-defendants had run an illegal dog-fighting ring out of the football star's Virginia mansion -- had barely dried before PETA launched an all-fronts media assault, including courthouse protests and a flurry of breathless emails vowing, among other things, to push the NFL to change its personal conduct policy. As is too often the case, PETA's press prostitution has worked -- marvelously. Virtually every story about the Vick case from the last week or so mentions them, normally in glowing terms. (See here, here, here, here, here, and here for just a few examples.) PETA's posturing as righteously indignant animal advocates is exceedingly ironic considering the group's well-documented history of killing healthy puppies and kittens by the thousands. The old saying about throwing stones when you live in a glass house doesn't quite cut it in this case: Watching PETA publicly berate someone for mistreating animals is like watching someone catapult grenades from a papier-mâché palace. And we're more than willing to respond in kind. A brief recap of the facts: PETA killed over 14,400 animals between 1998 and 2005. (They still haven't fully reported their 2006 body count.) PETA euthanizes an astonishingly high 90 percent of the animals it takes in -- more than triple the rate of a nearby SPCA. And one of its staffers has admitted in court to gathering up dozens of healthy shelter pets, "putting them down" in her PETA-owned van, and dumping the carcasses in a nearby dumpster. Breaking News Here's a sampling of other stories that have caught our interest today. To see a one-week archive of these items, click here. Study finds no link between soft drinks and obesity (CSPI better look for a new boogeyman) Denver columnist: Obesity hype enabled by uncritical journalists (Media types have agendas? Gasp!) AZ veterinarian: Opposition to animal agriculture stems from a "very small number" of opponents

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ConsumerFreedom PETA And Michael Vick Share More Than A State Of Residence

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