First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move campaign –– taking on the childhood obesity epidemic –– is an ambitious movement that was launched early February. The goal: “to solve the problem of childhood obesity within a generation.” Mrs. Obama was armed with a "task force" by her husband, President Barack Obama, via a Memorandum on Childhood Obesity, whose mission includes the following objectives: “ensuring access to healthy, affordable food; increasing physical activity in schools and communities; providing healthier food in schools; and empowering parents with information and tools to make good choices for themselves and their families.”
[Cartoon courtesy of John Cole @ MSNBC Political Cartoonists Index]
Sounds like a noble cause, one that happens to be related to my passion and expertise. Despite Mrs. Obama's media rounds — she even appeared on FOX News and in an interview with Mike Huckabee said this is not government intervention — critics have arrived on the playground, including Glenn Beck and others. Concerns range from government’s involvement in our diet to the cost of such a large undertaking as well as which special interest groups will climb into the "obesity backpack." Erupting outside the White House is an angry mob, aka the Tea Party, protesting. Is the government trying to takeover our children's bodies? Are they going to socialize our Cheerios?
What is disturbing is that SEIU has their hands in the “obesity cookie jar." Yeah, the powerful labor organization, which received the back room special deal (Cadillac Tax exemption until 2018) in the Senate's version of the Democrats’ health care bill. The union that is led by the die-hard progressive Andy Stern, the White House's most frequent visitor who was just appointed to the deficit commission.
SEIU launched their own major ad campaign “demanding reauthorization and funding increases" in the Child Nutrition Act. In a January press release, SEIU Executive Vice President Mitch Ackerman had this to say: "A more robust expansion of school lunch, breakfast, summer feeding, child care and WIC is critical to reducing hunger, ending childhood obesity, and providing fair wages and health care for front line food service workers."
In reality, it is much safer to pack your child’s lunch, yet many parents don't have that luxury. So, first and foremost, we need to clean up the school meals, especially the cooked ones. I am sure that the school food servers are nice enough, however, most are not "poster children" for fitness, and do any of them bring to the cafeteria credentials that will help with the childhood obesity problem? Ironically, foods best for health, wellness, and fitness, even when it comes to school meals, require little preparation — like fresh fruits and vegetables as well as whole grains. How difficult is it to cut up some fresh fruit, make a tossed green salad, prepare oatmeal, steam brown rice or veggies, bake a yam, or toast a whole wheat bagel?
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - El Bicho
very good article
2 - Christine
Oh my, I am going to faint! El liked my article.
3 - roger nowosielski
Even though you're a conservative and a woman to boot, Christine?
4 - Christine
Not sure Rog, but it doesn't matter..it's all good!
5 - Christine
Interesting article: Bush Urges Stepped-Up Campaign Against Childhood Obesity
6 - roger nowosielski
That's the spirit, Christine.
7 - El Bicho
#3 I am not sure what either have to do with anything
8 - pablo
I find the story about Mrs. Obamas 300 grand a year job at the University of Chicago Medical Center,, where one of her primary duties was denying and or short-circuiting the ability of poor people to get emergency care there very revealing about this woman. All that glitters is not gold, she should be ashamed of herself, I am sure shes not though. Btw it was not Michele Malkin who broke this story, of whom I personally abhor.
Cam you imgagine that, a grand a day 365 days a year, to make it difficult or impossible for indigent people many of whom are the same race as her from getting emergency care! Pablo shakes his head in awe of the audacity of her, as well as her meanness.
9 - Christine
Pablo: I am no Obama fan, however, I did say this cause is worthy, her on the other hand, I don't know.
10 - Anonymous
I really wish I could understand you Americans--- you say you are no Obama fans. I mean Why is that exactly? He wasn't the one that got you in two wars, killing your children overseas everyday, nor where you striken by natural disasters in his term!!
I guess you were fans of the Bush-the-Butcher, the dumbest US president ever !!!
11 - jeannie danna
Christine,
Your article was Very well written, however:
[Obesity is not partisan â€"â€" it strikes both Republicans and Democrats alike â€"â€" therefore, we should not play politics in our fight against it. In fact, it is not a political issue at all; it’s a cultural problem that we all can help eradicate, or at least lessen. Moms, dads, uncles, aunts, teachers and all the rest of us can educate ourselves about proper diet and begin an exercise regimen, and then we can lead by example and become a guide and motivator and move our children toward a healthier lifestyle.]
If this true, then why are you laying blame for poor nutrition, present in our school lunch program, at the door of the SEIU?
It was the Reagan administration that lowered nutritional standards, and then the out-sourcing of food began.
Before, Reagan, we served fresh, nutritious, and delicious meals served by people who knew how to cook!
In addition, why is everything that could be good for this country seen as a communist plot?
I like many of your articles, Christine, and I always try to find the positive in them, but I’m not seeing it here.
On one hand you expound on the virtues of good nutrition, and on the other, you appear to disparage, First Lady Michelle Obama, for trying to do something about the lack of it.
Which hand will it be?
12 - Christine
Jeannie: Thanks; however...
I am not blaming the SIEU for poor nutrition; just pointing out that they should stay out of this cause.
Communist plot? Did you see the cartoon? I made fund of that idea. And there was plenty of satire and sarcasm surrounding that issue, yet, still don't see that we need government intervention, just as the First Lady stated.
I gave Mrs. Obama praise for taking on this cause and
"When Mrs. Obama, a woman who works out and appears to have a good sense about this issue...." and wished her luck at the end.
13 - roger nowosielski
Christine,
Just noticed it. Looking at the cartoon, in reminds me of the Marry Poppins' characters at the race track, singing the outrageous song.
14 - Christine
Yeah, it is sooo funny! It is frustrating when BC'ers don't read your entire article and miss a KEY point, cartoon, yet, have plenty of criticism.
15 - roger nowosielski
No comment.
16 - jeannie danna
Christine,
The SIEU represents the educators in this country, don't you think that maybe, school lunches are their business? In fact, it wouldn't make sense if they didn't fight for better nutritional standards.
Not all lobbying is bad, it depends on what the lobby is for. Our children's future is a pretty good reason to go to Washington, and stand around in the hallways. There's plenty of room, for Freedom Works.
I did see you jabbing the Teas, but also the, Let's Move program, by saying it costs too much. Isn't this true?
:)Thank you for talking about something with me!
17 - jeannie danna
I read your article, thoroughly.
18 - Christine
Jeannie: I asked the question...
Again, admirable, but all large campaigns come with a price tag and generate that "downer" question: how much will Let’s Move cost and who is going to pay? Like the other article I linked to (National Review), the details are murky. We have to wait and see.
SEIU is full of crap! And in this case they are not fighting for just better school lunches, they want much more......and we are broke!
Plus the teachers in my daughter's middle school are AWFUL, AWFUL, AWFUL (with very few exceptions)! When she was in private school it was much better and if I could afford it; she would go back!
The BC comment was not just toward you; it happens all the time.
19 - jeannie danna
Christine,
Not all teachers are awful, and the SEIU is made up of a lot teachers, most of them are retired from the field of teaching.
I don't know why you are so anti-union, I can't figure it out.
If you where a teacher, you would not want to have lost your profession because you got pregnant with your daughter, would you?
That is exactly what happened to females in the profession, before the formation of the unions, and it happened not that long ago.
The teachers' union has given thousands of people the chance to earn a living wage, and they still have to take summer jobs to make ends meet.
And concerning the reading remark, sorry, I always think that refers to me.:(
20 - Christine
Thinking that SEIU cares about our kids is like thinking McDonalds cares about our health! What a crock of crap!
21 - Ruvy
We didn't have to deal with the SEIU in Minnesota. We dealt with the MEA. But I will tell you this much. The good teachers at the public elementary school seemed to be on the shit's list of the union steward there, a lousy teacher who couldn't teach if her life depended on it.
Not all teachers are bad in public schools. But all too often, the union is a pack of pigs who do nothing good for education - but know how to read financial statements very well, and know how to walk a picket line very well.
If I could have, I would have home-schooled my boys in America. I couldn't afford not to work and make serious money.
22 - Christine
Ruvy; thanks for your input. I agree "not all teachers are bad in public schools," and I can only speak from my experience, of which if I hadn't kept an eye (two eyes) on them this year, my daughter would of suffered for it in many many ways (not just grades).
23 - jeannie danna
That's a bumper sticker, Christine. It sure sounds like one. :0 Please,Don't be mad at me, I have a big mouth. LOL
24 - jeannie danna
I'll be back later, OK?
25 - Christine
Here is your bumper stickers:
Not all teachers are bad in public schools, just MOST
Thinking SEIU cares about your KIDS; is like thinking McDonalds cares about our HEALTH!