# In which Diogenes threatens to kill children **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 12, 2003, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-diogenes-threatens-to-kill-children/201157 "2003-09-12T06:36:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-diogenes-threatens-to-kill-children/201157/121 "2003-09-13T03:59:02Z")
Huh, I just took his comment as tongue-in-cheek hyperbole. It’s like pitting Howard Stern. ---
**Author:** ![thirdwarning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecccb3/32.png) [@thirdwarning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdwarning)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-diogenes-threatens-to-kill-children/201157/122 "2003-09-13T04:19:57Z")
I think the parents in this case may be overreacting. It’s hard to tell, since the story didn’t seem to make it clear if the child was allergic to airborne peanut stuff. But can we keep in mind that this refers to one classroom. People in this thread have been referring to 2000 kids being affected, and banning peanuts in the whole school, but the article says it’s the kids in one kindergarten pod. It may be that the school thinks that the kids are kind of young to manage this on their own. Do we know that as they get older the rules won’t be relaxed? In any event, this doesn’t affect all that many kids, or even begin to be imposed on the whole school. Let’s get a little perspective, please. ---
**Author:** ![evilbeth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/evilbeth/32/2268_2.png) [@evilbeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/evilbeth)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-diogenes-threatens-to-kill-children/201157/123 "2003-09-13T05:20:56Z")
During her first year of life, my child could not be around people for risk of RSV. Had she contracted it she would not have survived. So we stayed home, washed everything in anti-bacterial cleaner and didn’t have anyone in our home who didn’t scrub before they touched anything. When she had to be taken to the doctor, we had a specified appointment time, came in a back entrance and went into a specially disinfected room. It was a huge hassle carrying all those baby things around the entire building to the back door several times a week. No one touched this child without being disinfected first. No one. We had to watch the doctor wash his hands before we would allow him to touch her. We went through tremendous hassle because our child’s life depended on it. But the only other people who were inconvenienced were the few people who opted to see her (or had to in the case of healthcare workers). It sucked to haul all that baby stuff around the back of the building but I would never have insisted a waiting room full of parents and kids be disinfected, given sterile gowns and masks just for my child. My child’s special needs are my responsibility and I do what I have to take care of them. That may mean home schooling even. She is my responsibilty–not everyone else’s who may or may not come into contact with her. ’ It’s not rocket science. Other people have no responsibilty to make sure your kid’s special needs are met. Sure, some compromises can be made and some alternatives can be explored but the bottom line is that it is ultimately your responsibilty. You can’t blame others for not understanding why they should be inconvenienced for someone they don’t know. ---
**Author:** ![Tanaqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3bc359/32.png) [@Tanaqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tanaqui)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-diogenes-threatens-to-kill-children/201157/124 "2003-09-13T05:39:07Z")
What I don’t understand is why these kids with allergies can’t go eat somewhere else. Don’t they have an empty classroom or office where these children can eat if they’re going to have some sort of reaction just from smelling peanut butter? Sure, they might miss out on some social time, but there is always recess and at least they’re not gonna be harrassed because the school bully can’t eat his PB&J sandwiches anymore. When only one person is being affected by something, it seems sensible that it should be that one person who has to change, not 2000 other people. I _loved_ PB&J sandwiches when I was a kid… they were the only type of sandwich I would eat for quite some time. I woulda been really sad had they been banned. ---
**Author:** ![Pedro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/919ad9/32.png) [@Pedro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pedro)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-diogenes-threatens-to-kill-children/201157/125 "2003-09-13T05:54:10Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Diogenes the Cynic_ > If somewhat is such a frail little freak that the smell of peanut butter will kill them then they should stay home and live in a freaking plastic bubble. > > It’s funny how this “airborne peanut” thing never hurt anybody when I was a kid. How come we didn’t have these little peanut wusses thirty years ago? This bit cracked me up, but only because I believe **DtC** doesn’t mean any harm to these kids. I took it as intentionally over the top. But again, I don’t have any kids with life threatening allergies and someone will ALWAYS take offense. Unfortunate but understandable. Anyway to balance all the negativity I think you do a great “job” here **DtC**. ---
**Author:** ![legion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/838e76/32.png) [@legion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/legion)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-diogenes-threatens-to-kill-children/201157/126 "2003-09-13T07:29:36Z")
Then here’s gonna be a hell of a lot of teenage pregnancies in THAT school! ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-diogenes-threatens-to-kill-children/201157/127 "2003-09-13T08:27:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by emarkp \* > Let me tell you, if this happened to my daughter, I would not rest until the barbituates were in your veins as you were strapped down to the table waiting for your lungs to stop working and your last breath to escape your murderous lips. (Of course, that’s here in California. Out there in MN I guess the best I could hope for is life without parole and that another lifer might decide he doesn’t like child-killers.) & you tell me to lighten up? Wow. What a lovely example you are. Tell you what: Shut up. I really don’t recall that I have ever posted anything as malicious, as juvenile, as inane, as evil as your disgusting as your wish that DtC become the victim of a murder, let alone your awful delight if you were to get to be the executioner. ---
**Author:** ![Thylacine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thylacine/32/1143_2.png) [@Thylacine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thylacine)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-diogenes-threatens-to-kill-children/201157/128 "2003-09-13T10:10:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gobear \* > \*\* > I don’t think I’ve had marmite or promite–would one of our UK, NZ, or Oz cousins please explain the differences? \*\* The basic differences are in salt/sugar flavour. Vegemite is saltiest and least sweet, it is considered the strongest Marmite is sweeter (more caramel so is also darker) and slightly less salty than vegemite you could make milkshakes from promite, they wouldn’t be nice but they would be sweeter than the vegemite version as it has more caramel again. A vegemite eater may tolerate marmite but probably not promite, a marmite eater may tolerate promite but would likely balk at vegemite and promite eaters are too ashamed of their affliction to make any comment on anything. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Andy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/aeb1de/32.png) [@Andy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 10:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-diogenes-threatens-to-kill-children/201157/129 "2003-09-13T10:17:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pencilpusher \* > I’m sorry but MY kid takes peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to school EVERY DAY because it’s about the only thing we can AFFORD for him to take. Wouldn’t it be cheaper to jelly _or_ peanut butter sandwiches? ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-diogenes-threatens-to-kill-children/201157/130 "2003-09-13T10:25:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pencilpusher \* > \*\*I’m sorry but MY kid takes peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to school EVERY DAY because it’s about the only thing we can AFFORD for him to take. . \*\* THat’s what I was thinking when I started reading the other thread. I don’t have kids, but I’ve been on a strict budget before. Kids from not-so-affluent neighborhoods get PBJ’s all the time for just that reason. Folks are trying to stretch their dollars in order to cover all their expenses. PBJ’s are cheap, somewhat nutritious, always delicious for the kids, and do not require refrigeration. How are these families gonna make ends meet if they can’t send the kids to schol without PBJ’s? Doesn’t seem fair. I don’t know about kids having reactions from smelling peanut butter. BUT kids aren’t that great about not slopping it over their clothes or washing their hands, either. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-diogenes-threatens-to-kill-children/201157/131 "2003-09-13T10:40:42Z")
spooje: I get a reaction to tobacco smoke. Care to guess how often I’m told there’s no such thing as an allergy to tobacco? ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-diogenes-threatens-to-kill-children/201157/132 "2003-09-13T10:56:38Z")
I can believe it. When my sister had her baby, I saw a note on her hospital room door for the nurses that no latex was to be in her room. 1. I had no idea that anyone could be allerigic to latex and 2. I had NO IDEA my sister was such a person. However, there be a difference between getting a reaction from smoke (where we assume a pretty stong concentration of substances) and the smell of peanut butter that many may not even notice. Is there strong data re: allergic reactions to the smell of peanut butter? 'Cause I’m not saying it can’t happen. Just that I’m skeptical. ---
**Author:** ![Largo62](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/45deac/32.png) [@Largo62](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Largo62)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-diogenes-threatens-to-kill-children/201157/133 "2003-09-13T11:14:17Z")
**Diogenes** may never be appointed to a diplomatic post, but aside from the statements he’s already apologized for I have to agree with him. If some folks haven’t noticed his propensity for hyperbole, they just haven’t been paying attention. He certainly never threatened to kill children. **emarkp** , however, trod very close to the line of bannable jerkitude in his remarks about the death penalty, or death by fellow inmate. I understand getting emotional where your kid is concerned, **emarkp** , but next time count to ten (or ten thousand if that’s what it takes) before you respond like a jerk to what is obviously hyperbole intended to make a point. ---
**Author:** ![pencilpusher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d6d6ee/32.png) [@pencilpusher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pencilpusher)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-diogenes-threatens-to-kill-children/201157/134 "2003-09-13T11:33:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Andy \* > \*\*Wouldn’t it be cheaper to jelly _or_ peanut butter sandwiches? \*\* Actually some days it’s just peanut butter because we are out of jelly and cash. I make my own bread so that makes it even cheaper. 😃 For people that are on tight budgets peanut butter is an EXTREMELY cheap item and the government even gives it away in the commodities program because it’s high in protein. When you can’t afford the high price of meat, it gives the kids the protein they would otherwise do without. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-diogenes-threatens-to-kill-children/201157/135 "2003-09-13T15:27:23Z")
> [@](#): > > Vegemite is saltiest and least sweet, it is considered the strongest > Marmite is sweeter (more caramel so is also darker) and slightly less salty than vegemite There are things that are _saltier_ than Marmite? :eek: :eek: :eek: ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-diogenes-threatens-to-kill-children/201157/136 "2003-09-13T15:41:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pencilpusher \* > \*\*Actually some days it’s just peanut butter because we are out of jelly and cash. \*\* JELLY AND CASH SANDWICHES? ISN’T THAT A BIT EXTRAVAGANT??? :eek: :eek: :eek: ---
**Author:** ![pencilpusher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d6d6ee/32.png) [@pencilpusher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pencilpusher)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-diogenes-threatens-to-kill-children/201157/137 "2003-09-13T15:48:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jarbabyj \* > \*\*JELLY AND CASH SANDWICHES? ISN’T THAT A BIT EXTRAVAGANT??? :eek: :eek: :eek: \*\* 😛 only the best for MY baby. course I’m still trying to figure out how to keep him from chipping his teeth on the pennies…😉 ---
**Author:** ![Hamadryad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6de8d8/32.png) [@Hamadryad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamadryad)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-diogenes-threatens-to-kill-children/201157/138 "2003-09-13T16:27:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pencilpusher \* > \*\*😛 only the best for MY baby. course I’m still trying to figure out how to keep him from chipping his teeth on the pennies…😉 \*\* That’s what your [food processor](http://www.chefscatalog.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=cprod2320026&parentId=cat000063&masterId=cat000061&grandMasterId=cat000001&cmCat=&index=0&showCrumb=true) is for. Which, uh, \ **Diogenes** can use to dispose of the children after he’s killed them. \ Uh, yeah. ---
**Author:** ![Cosmopolitan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/94ad74/32.png) [@Cosmopolitan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cosmopolitan)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-diogenes-threatens-to-kill-children/201157/139 "2003-09-13T16:41:26Z")
I know (as someone who has a fairly serious latex allergy) what it’s like to have people scoff at the idea that one could be allergic to a seemingly innocuous product. The idea that contact with a latex condom, for example, could cause a severe allergic reaction in some folks is amazing (and perhaps ridiculous) to some people who’ve never heard of the problem. I also know what it’s like to have someone forget about the allergy & expose someone unintentionally. Overall, I really can sympathize with the desire to keep all peanut products (or other potentially deadly products) away from oneself or one’s kid. I’m also familiar with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and **SuaSponte** ’s right on target (of course): Any request/demand for accomodation has to be _reasonable_. To demand that several hundred children plan their lunch menus around one child simply isn’t reasonable. I say all of this as a disabled/handicapped person, someone who’s had to deal with accomodation issues for a lifetime. It sucks like hell to have to be separated, but sometimes it’s necessary. As for **DtC** ’s comments… I’m usually irritated by his comments (as I was irritated by that one), but it wasn’t because I really thought he wished to harm children. It was because of the “freaks” & “wussies” comments, both of which he apologized for making. ---
**Author:** ![Cosmopolitan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/94ad74/32.png) [@Cosmopolitan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cosmopolitan)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-diogenes-threatens-to-kill-children/201157/140 "2003-09-13T16:43:52Z")
Fucking coding. I’ll never learn to preview, will I? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-diogenes-threatens-to-kill-children/201157.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-diogenes-threatens-to-kill-children/201157.md?page=8)