Soccer Dad

Would you like an order for fries to go with that crow?

George Will asks Another round of Prohibition anyone? (via memeorandum)
The column is a review of Daniel Okrent's "Last Call," a history of prohibition and its repeal. Will outlines many of the social, economic and political forces that brought about prohition and its repeal. At the end he concludes:

The many lessons of Okrent's story include: In the fight between law and appetite, bet on appetite. And: Americans then were, and let us hope still are, magnificently ungovernable by elected nuisances.

Previously, Future of Capitalism reviewed "Last Call."

Elected (and unelected) nuisances are still very much with us. One such unelected nuisance is the Center for Science in the Public Interest, which has recently decided to hound some publicity by threatening to sue McDonald's - for marketing Happy Meals.

"McDonald's is the stranger in the playground handing out candy to children," said CSPI litigation director Stephen Gardner. "McDonald's use of toys undercuts parental authority and exploits young children's developmental immaturity--all this to induce children to prefer foods that may harm their health. It's a creepy and predatory practice that warrants an injunction."

Let's see "stranger," "playground," "candy," and "predator" ... what image are they trying to convey?

Mike Rosen helps out (via Weasel Zippers):

Ronald McDonald is a child abuser! That's the latest delusion of those nannyist, busybody scolds at the so-called Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), now threatening to sue McDonald's if the fast-food chain doesn't immediately desist in luring kids to their "un-nutritious" Happy Meals by bribing them with toys. Mickey D's offending promotion features Shrek-themed figures bundled with Big Macs, Chicken McNuggets and fries. Oh, the humanity!

I understand that CSPI wants to make a point, but do they really need to do it so grotesquely?

Well, fortunately the story doesn't end here. McDonald's CEO, Jim Skinner struck back! (h/t Tom Marr):

First, the public does not support your lawsuit. Internet sites, blogs and network surveys suggest that public opinion is running overwhelmingly against your premise. Our customer websites and phone lines at McDonald's are also busy, with more than nine out of ten customers disagreeing with your agenda. Parents, in particular, strongly believe they have the right and responsibility to decide what's best for their children, not CSPI. It really is that simple.

Wow, parents should be able to decide what's best for their children, not busybody outsiders! What a concept!

Bloodthirsty Warmonger comments:

This is known as "calling their bluff," as McDonald's Corp. can spend CSPI under the table if they started litigation proceedings.

Since I keep kosher, I won't be going to McDonald's, but I'm very happy to see CEO Skinner defend his company so well.