Fry wars

Nicholas D. Kristof's column today jumps into the obesity battles. Some of his ideas aren't too bad--in fact, they are common sense.

Ban soda, chips and other snacks from schools. Schools actually make money from fattening up their kids. This should stop.

Promote jogging and biking. Good idea, but many neighborhoods don't even have sidewalks and it certainly isn't safe in the streets.

Encourage exercise breaks at work.

Distribute fruits and vegetables to certain low-income people as Maine does. I'm not familiar with the program, but I do know people won't eat what they don't know. Turnips and kale are vegetables, and so are brussel sprouts. I have a feeling they'd be tossed no matter the nutrient load.

Expand P.E. in schools. This has been cut back and needs to be reinstated. How did the public schools get away with this?

Encourage taking the stairs with better design of stairways.

His worst idea is to tax junk food. Who is going to determine what is "junk?" And what will the government do with that tax money, and how will it do without it once it become dependent on it? Our state already taxes soda (not a food item). I'm heavier than I'd like to be, but are cheese and crackers junk food? Is peanut butter on toast?

Declare war on sloth. Good luck. That's a lifestyle for many.

For some reason he throws cigarettes into this mix. Last time I noticed, no one was eating them.