Speaking Truth to Power... about drink sizes?

[fizzyland.livejournal.com]

And here's Sarah Palin at CPAC, demonstrating the childish reactionism that we've come to expect.

Bonus facts:
1) The NYC drink ban didn't include Big Gulps
2) It was struck down by a judge anyway
3) The lovely people of facebook have christened Sarah Palin as "Bible Spice"

Comments

[badlydrawnjeff.livejournal.com]

My ability to drink a 32 oz soda doesn't harm anyone else at all.

[fizzyland.livejournal.com]

So there are no social costs to morbid obesity or adult onset diabetes?

[badlydrawnjeff.livejournal.com]

None that can be conclusively traced to the size of a soft drink, no. Especially with issues of weight, the science is a lot more complicated than simple caloric intake, and if you're to the point of morbid obesity you're in a whole different class.

Even the comparison to cigarettes is nonsensical in this regard. I don't need to smell your soft drink, second hand Pepsi isn't harmful, and the simple act of ingesting a cola of any kind or size is not a virtual guarantee of health problems.

So no. The "societal cost" argument holds zero water in this instance. Besides, even if it did, isn't this simply one of the "costs" of living in a "society?" Doesn't the so-called "social contract" implore you to accept the choices that other members of society make even if it adversely impacts you?

[trog.livejournal.com]

The night is black, without a moon.
The air is thick and still.
The vigilantes gather on
The lonely torchlit hill.

Features distorted in the flickering light,
Faces are twisted and grotesque.
Silent and stern in the sweltering night,
The mob moves like demons possesed.
Quiet in conscience, calm in their right,
Confident their ways are best.

The righteous rise
With burning eyes
Of hatred and ill-will.
Madmen fed on fear and lies
To beat and burn and kill.

They say there are strangers who threaten us,
Are immigrants and infidels.
They say there is strangeness too dangerous
In our theatres and bookstore shelves,
That those who know what's best for us
Must rise and save us from ourselves.

Quick to judge,
Quick to anger,
Slow to understand
Ignorance and prejudice
And fear walk hand in hand.