# Food police **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 15, 2012, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-police/612970 "2012-02-15T21:41:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![IntelliQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e99b99/32.png) [@IntelliQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IntelliQ)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2012, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-police/612970/61 "2012-02-18T00:39:10Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I am instantly suspicious of any account by anyone stupid enough to name their daughter “Jazlyn.” Well, people naming their kids Shaneequa, Bocephus, Moonbeam et al is another matter. Hey maybe we can get gubmint to create a task force to make sure children are not only adhering to state-approved names but spelling them correctly as well. While we’re at it, might as well have one gubmint agent assigned to every parent to watch over cooked meals, check the light bulbs, and inspect bed-time reading materials. The agent can also could drive the kid to school in the gubmint approved Volt. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2012, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-police/612970/62 "2012-02-18T00:47:11Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I am instantly suspicious of any account by anyone stupid enough to name their daughter “Jazlyn.” That name was vetted and approved by Future Porn Stars of America. ---
**Author:** ![IntelliQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e99b99/32.png) [@IntelliQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IntelliQ)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2012, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-police/612970/63 "2012-02-18T00:48:25Z")
> [@miss\_elizabeth](#): > > Comments from article\*: > > \*comments unchanged in any way. names removed to protect the stupid We can play that game all day long, that’s not a rebuttal nor a defense. The biggest core supporters of Obama had years of fun commenting on ChimpBush, NaziBush, Shrub, etc. Anyway, Im interested to see how widespread this becomes over the next year and if the same defenders here switch tactics, become quiet, or actually discuss the general inappropriateness of this program. ---
**Author:** ![C3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/c3/32/3108_2.png) [@C3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C3)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2012, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-police/612970/64 "2012-02-18T00:53:30Z")
> [@IntelliQ](#): > > [Not an isolated incident.](http://www.theblaze.com/stories/exclusive-2nd-n-c-mother-says-daughters-school-lunch-replaced-for-not-being-healthy-enough/) So what? Once again, this isn’t a standard public school classroom we’re talking about. In NC, the pre-k program is for at-risk kids. It’s usually run by a local non-profit and partially funded by the state, partially funded by non-profits, and partially funded by co-pays from the parents (based on their income). The kids that are in this classroom are there because they’re at exceptional risk for starting school lagging behind their peers. Reasons for this risk are: low income, limited English proficiency, identified disability, chronic health condition and developmental or educational need. ETA: Their parents had to apply to get their kids into this program - this isn’t a mandatory, every-at-risk kid gets in sort of thing. The parents asked for their children to be in this, pay a portion of the tuition, and are aware of the the guidelines of the program. There is a reason that there is special care taken to make sure these kids are getting the nutrition they need. If this was a fourth grade class at some random elementary school, I might join in the outrage. I’ll add that this pre-k program has long been under attack by the rightwingers in NC, including the John Locke Foundation, which is the publisher of the Carolina Journal (the publication linked in the OP). ---
**Author:** ![IntelliQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e99b99/32.png) [@IntelliQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IntelliQ)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2012, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-police/612970/65 "2012-02-18T01:00:49Z")
> [@C3](#): > > So what? Once again, this isn’t a standard public school classroom we’re talking about. In NC, the pre-k program is for at-risk kids. It’s usually run by a local non-profit and partially funded by the state, partially funded by non-profits, and partially funded by co-pays from the parents (based on their income). The kids that are in this classroom are there because they’re at exceptional risk for starting school lagging behind their peers. Reasons for this risk are: low income, limited English proficiency, identified disability, chronic health condition and developmental or educational need. > > There is a reason that there is special care taken to make sure these kids are getting the nutrition they need. If this was a fourth grade class at some random elementary school, I might join in the outrage. > > I’ll add that this pre-k program has long been under attack by the rightwingers in NC, including the John Locke Foundation, which is the publisher of the Carolina Journal (the publication linked in the OP). I dont know if outrage is the right word to use. Ridiculous, unnecessary, silly, waste of taxpayer money and legislative energy, etc, is they way I see it. Maybe someone (unfortunately it will be left to some blogger instead of a real investigative journalist) to follow the money trail on this. Who benefits, and all that. (I’d like to see more investigative pieces on government in general, by you know, network news outlets. That would be something.) ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2012, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-police/612970/66 "2012-02-18T01:04:22Z")
> [@IntelliQ](#): > > The biggest core supporters of Obama had years of fun commenting on ChimpBush, NaziBush Did you steal this line from the poster who loved to talk about people commenting on “Bushitler”, which never occured? I don’t remember anyone calling him ChimpBush or NaziBush, unless of course you are simply being approximate or are a bad speller. ---
**Author:** ![IntelliQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e99b99/32.png) [@IntelliQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IntelliQ)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2012, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-police/612970/67 "2012-02-18T01:47:11Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > Did you steal this line from the poster who loved to talk about people commenting on “Bushitler”, which never occured? I don’t remember anyone calling him ChimpBush or NaziBush, unless of course you are simply being approximate or are a bad speller. You’re right, you caught me bold face lying. Bush was never disparaged on message boards or comments sections at web sites. Im busted! :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2012, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-police/612970/68 "2012-02-18T01:49:29Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > Did you steal this line from the poster who loved to talk about people commenting on “Bushitler”, which never occured? I don’t remember anyone calling him ChimpBush or NaziBush, unless of course you are simply being approximate or are a bad speller. Or if you’re being a completely delusional batshit crazy nutbag. Either/or. ---
**Author:** ![IntelliQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e99b99/32.png) [@IntelliQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IntelliQ)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2012, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-police/612970/69 "2012-02-18T02:06:12Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Or if you’re being a completely delusional batshit crazy nutbag. Either/or. I love it when you help your side. It’s always a treat.😛 ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2012, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-police/612970/70 "2012-02-18T02:18:43Z")
> [@](#): > > but now a second mother from the same school **has come forward exclusively to The Blaze** to say the same thing happened to her daughter. Of all the local and national news outlets that would love to have this story, the mother sends it exclusively to Glen Beck’s website! How cool! I’m sure the mother’s story was thoroughly vetted according to journalistic standards before publication by The Blaze. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2012, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-police/612970/71 "2012-02-18T02:20:45Z")
> [@IntelliQ](#): > > You’re right, you caught me bold face lying. Bush was never disparaged on message boards or comments sections at web sites. Im busted! :rolleyes: Yup. That’s exactly what I said. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2012, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-police/612970/72 "2012-02-18T02:22:30Z")
If you are commenting on the relative severity of insults on both sides, don’t you think you should be bothered with getting the insults right? ---
**Author:** ![IntelliQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e99b99/32.png) [@IntelliQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IntelliQ)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2012, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-police/612970/73 "2012-02-18T02:50:08Z")
> [@Lamar\_Mundane](#): > > Of all the local and national news outlets that would love to have this story, the mother sends it exclusively to Glen Beck’s website! How cool! > > I’m sure the mother’s story was thoroughly vetted according to journalistic standards before publication by The Blaze. I know, I know. She opted in to the program, but obviously she’s just making it all up. The mother is lying. So is the other mom from the previous story. Anyone telling these stories must be full of crap because we know government would never ever ever do anything stupid. Especially when it’s for our own good. Good catch, you’re really on your game. ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2012, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-police/612970/74 "2012-02-18T02:50:21Z")
> [@IntelliQ](#): > > Hey maybe we can get gubmint to create a task force to make sure children are not only adhering to state-approved names but spelling them correctly as well. Don’t joke, it is standard order of practice in some countries, [Denmark](http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/08/world/europe/08iht-danes.html) being the most strict. > [@The New York Times](#): > > People expecting children can choose a pre-approved name from a government list of 7,000 mostly West European and English names - 3,000 for boys, 4,000 for girls. A few ethnic names, like Ali and Hassan, have recently been added. > > But those wishing to deviate from the official list must seek permission at their local parish church, where all newborns’ names are registered. A request for an unapproved name triggers a review at Copenhagen University’s Names Investigation Department and at the Ministry of Ecclesiastical Affairs, which has the ultimate authority. ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2012, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-police/612970/75 "2012-02-18T04:40:46Z")
(deleted–posted under wrong name) ---
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2012, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-police/612970/76 "2012-02-18T04:42:04Z")
Since there’s so much outrage about this, I’d like to pose a question to those who feel this program (that is, giving additional food items to kids who bring in crappy lunches) amounts to utter tyranny: Suppose we have a bunch of kindergarten classes. Let’s say that 10% of the kids in the class consistently bring in lunches that are clearly inappropriate–as in, we’d all agree that it’s a lousy lunch for a five-year-old to have every day. And we’ll say that 1% of the total brings in a lunch that is ludicrously inappropriate; say, four Hostess Chocolate Pies and a liter of Mountain Dew, or a small bag of Ruffles and nothing else. How should the school deal with that? ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2012, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-police/612970/77 "2012-02-18T05:43:06Z")
> [@DoctorJ](#): > > How should the school deal with that? By cutting taxes on the rich, obviously. If that doesn’t work, they can try banning gay marriage in the school building. That seems to fix most problems. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2012, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-police/612970/78 "2012-02-18T06:10:41Z")
Where can I get a job inspecting the lunches of four-year-olds? That sounds like a pretty sweet gig. Do I get to keep the food I confiscate? ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2012, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-police/612970/79 "2012-02-18T10:16:05Z")
I have no problem with schools being actively involved in the diet of children. They are in loco parentis and are explicitly involved in all aspects of behaviour and education. I see no difference between standards of nutrition and standards of grammar, calculation, behaviour, language, dress, scientific rigour etc. Their property, their syllabus, their rules, their discipline. Of course the rules need to be drafted in order to make special case allowances and enforced in a sensitive way but in general terms I think such policies are a good thing (and I fully endorse a similar policy at my children’s school) ---
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2012, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-police/612970/80 "2012-02-18T10:24:13Z")
> [@DoctorJ](#): > > How should the school deal with that? First make sure this is a regular occurrence, second send home some kind of note or literature about proper lunches or a form email. If that does nothing the teacher or someone else at the school can contact the parent via phone or email to discuss the issue. They may not even be aware of it, or if it turns out to be a money issue or something the teacher could give them info about low income programs etc. I often took nothing much to school for lunch because I wasn’t hungry at lunch. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-police/612970.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-police/612970.md?page=5)