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The Nation's Pulse
Two Fries Shy of a Happy Meal
A do-gooder Californian doesn’t like her little daughter’s appetite for toys and so is suing McDonald’s.
Who would you guess is more likely to sue you, all other things being equal: Monet Parham-Lee or Margie Moore?
Maybe I’m wrong, but I think it gets more shaky and volatile around people with exotic first names and hyphenated surnames.
It probably has to do with their alienation from the dominant culture, and coming up with names that show they’re not succumbing to a vanilla ethos.
In any case, what happens to these people after the first generation of the double last names? Lelage Isis Blinder-Plath is fine, for example, but what happens after she marries Galen Whitcome-Harrington? Their kid is Dionysus Blinder-Whitcome-Plath-Harrington? And then when he hooks up with another 5-namer, what’s their kid’s name, 85 letters and adding?
Well, it is Monet Parham-Lee, not Margie Moore, who is suing McDonald’s in California for putting toys in Happy Meals.
Parham-Lee’s lawsuit accuses McDonald’s of unethically and unfairly using toys to lure little children into their restaurants, not unlike how a striped bass is enticed with a shiny lure.
“The Happy Meal has been a huge hit for McDonald’s — making the company one of the world’s largest toy distributors — and spawning me-too offerings at most other fast-food chains,” reported Dan Levine at Reuters. “One recent and very successful Happy Meal promotion was a tie-in with the popular DreamWorks film ‘Shrek Forever After.’ The meals included toy watches fashioned after the movie’s characters Shrek, Donkey, Gingy and Puss in Boots.”
Parham-Lee is represented by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a nutrition-advocacy group that seems more perpetually aggrieved than scientific. They’re the ones who warned that movie theater popcorn was the Godzilla of toxic snacks.
When she’s not suing, Parham-Lee is paid by the taxpayers as an employee of the California Department of Public Health, working as a regional program manager at the federally funded, pro-vegetable Champions for Change, a project of the Network for a Healthy California. Being billions in the red, can’t California eliminate such programs and let people pick their own lunch items?
Prior to her current task of pushing zucchini and championing change, Parham-Lee worked with various taxpayer-funded nutrition groups and the Greater Sacramento Urban League. Don’t any of these people ever actually produce anything concrete, like a shirt or a gyro, or work for a capitalist enterprise?
Parham-Lee filed her lawsuit because of the allegedly nerve-racking requests for Happy Meals from her 6-year-old daughter, Maya. Note that the daughter isn’t named anything as American as Donna.
There’s also a 2-year-old daughter waiting in the wings at the Parham-Lee household, most likely ready to throw herself on the floor if she can’t super-size her fries.
“I don’t think it’s OK to entice children with Happy Meals with the promise of a toy,” Parham-Lee told reporters, posing as a victim.
She said she tries to hold visits to McDonald’s to once a month, but the toys of Puss, Gingy, etc., were offered weekly.
“Needless to say, my answer was no,” explained Parham-Lee, regarding her daughter’s requests for visits to McDonald’s more often than monthly. “And, as usual, pouting ensued and a little disagreement between us. This doesn’t stop with one request. It’s truly a litany of requests.”
About the Author
Ralph R. Reiland is the B. Kenneth Simon professor of free enterprise and an associate professor of economics at Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (98) | Leave a comment
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Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 4.26.11 @ 6:25AM
We're doomed!
Alan Brooks| 4.27.11 @ 12:31AM
If you eat that greasy garbage at McDamnalds, you DESERVE to be doomed. Eat more of it, Republifool. Republichump. Bushclone voter. McCain pusher.
You get what you pay for, sucker. And you got it, in spades!
Rick Z| 4.27.11 @ 1:50PM
Very good point, Alan.
I'm sure glad that do-gooder state worker isn't some Libtard, Left-Wing Whiner, with too much time on her hands. Glad you cleared that up for us.
It's so nice to see selfless individuals tell the rest of us how to live.
Bill| 4.27.11 @ 4:35PM
The only person I know of who eats (or ate) regularly at McDonald's was that guy who wrote "Supersize Me." And he was a lefty.
Larry| 4.26.11 @ 6:35AM
This broad, this pig, this small-minded government employed moocher leech who sucks off of the tax-paying sucker , this scoundrel who would have everyone enslaved by the government everyday should have her kids taken away by the state child welfare agency immedidately. She is obviously not fit to be a mother. Most likely she's wondering about her next tax-payer funded pay raise, how much the tax payer will be contributing next year to her very cushy pension and whether or not her medical co-pay will go from $1 to the astronomical sum of $2. That would break her, no doubt. She no idea, no knowledge, no skills and no talent to be a parent. She does not deserve to have children. Please remove them from the home now.
Darin| 4.26.11 @ 7:03AM
Maybe she should try, I don't know, BEING A PARENT. It's the height of irresponsibility on her part if she is unable or unwilling to say "no" to her child. It's far worse, even malignant, for her to deny other parents that right.
Get a clue, lady. Turn off the TV and your kid won't see the commercials and want the toy. When they whine because "everyone" has a toy, tell them know. If they persist, a soft pat across the backside sends a clear message. When our kids were small, we counted to three. After getting spanked once or twice, we only had to count to one. It's called being the adult.
oldfart| 4.26.11 @ 7:11AM
Darin - don't you get it - individuals are not responsible for their actions - the State is - just ask Marx and Lenin. Ms. Monet Parham-Lee not a Government employee out to protect us from ourselves, she is a useful idiot.
Appleby| 4.26.11 @ 7:07AM
My mama handled this very same problem with two words. The first was a very firm *No.* If the child pressed the issue with *But WHYYYYYYY?*, the answer was, *Just No.*
You know who in the public eye has this kind of thing nailed down? Pope Benedict XVI. Surrounded by whining liberal, he and his predecessors smile and say, *No. Just No.*
Likely any Judge involved in this kind of attempt to start a class action against whining kids dominating their liberal parents will respond basically the same way.
Kishego| 4.26.11 @ 10:52AM
And don't forget my personal favorite (and my sons least favorite) "Because I said so".
Appleby| 4.26.11 @ 4:24PM
And the answer to "But everybody else does/has!" is "But I am not Everybody Else's Mother, AND I SAID NO."
Or, as my Southern Sister says, "Well, if everybody else had warts, I guess you'd want those too!"
Tina B| 4.26.11 @ 7:05PM
Appleby,
that was great! that's what I love about the South, warts, I'm gonna use that. Tell your sister thanks.
Stammon| 4.26.11 @ 7:34PM
I have never had to say "Because I said so." I don't even have to repeat myself. My children know that the next communication after "no" is a smack on the butt. My wife and I do not put up with anything, period. And guess what, no tantrums, no whining, no nothing. All my kids get straight "A"s, the eldest is in college on a full scholarship (Chemistry and Art Major) and the rest are in all the AP classes. All because we love them and know the power of "No".
If I were still a Californian, my goal would be to get this woman fired. And by the way, 4 kids, 20 years, and they have been smacked (one smack on the bottom) a total of 5 times, the youngest never. But they have been hugged a million times.
skip| 4.26.11 @ 8:02PM
This is to inform you of your failure to adhere to the family regulations ordered by direction of this agency, The Council of Justice and Welfare on Childrens' Rights.
As Czar appointed by President Obama (see Obama Czar appointment no. 327) to dictate this agencies' directives, I take seriously abominable and detestable actions such as you described.
Contrary to common misconception, this agency has the time and resources available to act on behalf of your children's rights and welfares, despite the fact that 99.3% of both our budget and our assets are in The Council of Justice and Welfare on Childrens' Rights Abortion Division.
You will be notified soon as to your accountibility under the direction of the Czar appointed regulatory dictates of this agency.
Texas Granny| 4.28.11 @ 3:24PM
Sounds like you are a good parent to me, I followed the same parenting skills. My girls were always welcomed into their friends homes or any where else.
saleboter| 4.26.11 @ 7:14AM
How horrible, McDonalds is promoting their product. If the toys were supporting tofu burgers and bean sprouts would it still be bad?
s/o
Larry| 4.26.11 @ 7:38AM
No doubt if the toys were little minature Obamas that glowed in the dark, everything would be great.
cyberdog| 4.26.11 @ 7:52AM
Larry,
That's a great idea. Even Barry couldn't pass up a McMinniMe.
heh
Larry| 4.26.11 @ 8:06AM
As one of the all time great narcissists, we'd see him buying happy meals for himself all the time. McDonalds would be able to lease space in The White House just to make it easier for him to get more of him.
Ken (Old Texican)| 4.26.11 @ 8:09AM
Ralph
that was funny. Your title said it all.
Ken (Old Texican)| 4.26.11 @ 8:11AM
OK guys, I'll start it. "...ONE PANCAKE SHORT OF A SHORT-STACK..."
Larry| 4.26.11 @ 8:15AM
The U.S.- one man short of a president.
Dixie Pixie| 4.26.11 @ 10:23AM
!!!One toy shy of a Happy Meal!!!
LOL
Sorry I could not resist that one.
Steve A| 4.26.11 @ 10:54AM
$1,400,000,000,000.00 short of a balanced budget
skip| 4.26.11 @ 2:51PM
Liberals: Just Two Shortcomings Shy of Being Intelligent and Honest.
Intelligence and Honesty.
Chris Martel| 4.27.11 @ 2:48AM
"...NOT THE SHARPEST KNIFE IN THE DRAWER..."
mnemos| 6.7.11 @ 5:21PM
All foam, no beer....
A couple of clowns short of a circus....
Dollface| 4.26.11 @ 8:15AM
Parham-Lee's attorney, Stephen Gardner, seeking to cash in while making the Parham-Lee household, as they say, "whole," contends that Parham-Lee should not be "forced to force her daughters to ignore the onslaught of McDonald's marketing messages." Why should the rest of us be forced to endure the onslaught of liberal stupidity?
Groad| 4.26.11 @ 8:56AM
It is a sad commentary on contemporary "culture" when inept dolts like Parham-Lee can make a good living off the public sector by being functional (__!__)s.
Larry| 4.26.11 @ 9:04AM
She stinks! :-)
JimH| 4.26.11 @ 12:39PM
Cracks me up.
Bill| 4.26.11 @ 9:03AM
Yet another example demonstrating why adopting the English system of requiring the losing party to pay the winning party's attorney fees is a really good idea.
idalily| 4.26.11 @ 4:18PM
True that.
nina in ma| 4.26.11 @ 9:14AM
Gee whiz! Where were these people when my kids were younger? I just don't know how they managed to GROW UP! And with toys yet!!! This is what happens to people with no common sense and the sad thing is that McDonalds will capitulate! The other kids can forget having toys in their Happy Meals because of this one person! We all know now that the squeaky wheel gets the oil. I want to know why someone doesn't stand up to these people and sue them for NOT giving them toys in the Happy Meals? Well, I don't need some stiff stick-up-her-butt telling me my kids can't have a toy with their meals! Here's an answer lady - don't go to McDonalds!
Larry| 4.26.11 @ 9:22AM
Next thing, this nitwit will be suing Toys R Us for.... selling toys.
Hillel| 4.26.11 @ 9:27AM
I'm still waiting for my deep fried bacon
Kurt in S.L.C.| 4.26.11 @ 10:33PM
Next time order it with bacon bits. Yummy
Dustoff| 4.26.11 @ 9:36AM
OMG...
A stupid fool working for the government. What could go wrong.
It's NO-wonder CA is broke.
Richard Baker| 4.26.11 @ 9:48AM
This loony woman can't deal with a 6 year old? That's probably because her daughter is more mature.
Sandra| 4.26.11 @ 10:08AM
And of course being a good leftist-socialist, she just can't PARENT her child and say "NO" and go to "tofu-tutti" or where-ever Vegan parents go with their kids...
Warrior | 4.26.11 @ 10:02AM
Does anyone want to join my soon to be class action suit against Hess. Every Christmas I must face the onslaught of a new Hess truck and it forces me to buy their gas, which introduces more greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere which is burning our planet to a cinder with all this global warming. I'm also going to smack the living crap out of that leprechaun for forcing me to buy Lucky Charms. After that, the fat bitch Mrs. Butterworth will get it. Please leave Uncle Ben alone, I do like his rice.
Appleby| 4.26.11 @ 4:27PM
Can I join your Hess Truck Lawsuit? I want to complain because (a) they don't sell Hess Gasoline in Canada, so (b) by the time I get to my sisters' place in Syracuse NY, they have run out of Hess Trucks.
bill c| 4.26.11 @ 7:21PM
I'm thinking Aunt Jemima is racist too.
Petronius| 4.26.11 @ 10:08AM
Your Honor, I represent the Company in this case. Move to dismiss. If not, McDonalds will close every facility we have in California including our head offices and leave your state, never to return. Just think of all the taxes you will never again collect. Have a nice day.
And the answer is yes. I am a stock holder.
PolishKnight| 4.26.11 @ 10:14AM
You don't want to go there, Petronius. They'll call that bluff in a second. Liberals HATE McD's. Funny story: One of them complained that they were "targeting African Americans" with their "I'm loving it!" campaign.
Ironically, I liked the campaign precisely because I saw Polish and Russian phrases on the bags and it was cozy and reminded me of the times I had gone to Eastern European McD's.
On the other hand, if they had "targeted" "non-minorities", then the same liberals would claim McD's was "excluding" them. They can't win. Nobody can. They are ALWAYS right!
KyMouse| 4.26.11 @ 1:49PM
PolishKnight, you've reminded me of a trip we took through Russian, Ukraine, Czechoslovakia and Hungary in 1990. We arrived in Budapest at the end and, after weeks of mystery meat, we chowed down on Big Macs and fries at McDonald's.
I'll never forget how good it all tasted. And I didn't even need a toy to make it a very, very happy meal.
Appleby| 4.26.11 @ 4:30PM
When I spent a week in Zurich during the First Gulf War (because American Airlines was giving away tickets for $250 round trip from Atlanta), everyone spoke German and the only thing I could order was MacDonalds. Being able to just point at what I wanted was such a relief -- kind of like stepping into a Catholic church anywhere in the world and hearing Latin used to be.
Occam's Tool| 4.26.11 @ 6:09PM
Indeed, Mouse. American is best! For example, in New Zealand they don't have proper chicken noodle soup (Campbells) or grape jelly available. And they grow grapes! (And their bread starts rotting 3 days after purchase, and gas costs $1.80 (USD) a LITER! Suck, suck, suck!
Al Adab| 4.26.11 @ 6:47PM
Paula Deen and her deep fried butter balls. Frankly it doesn't get any better than that.
I though The Left worshiped Choice? Or is that only about babies and not food, clothing, or free speech?
missbosslady| 4.26.11 @ 3:04PM
Polish Knight,
No they are not targeting with the 'I'm Lovin' It" campaign, they're targeting with 'McDonald's 365Black'. No, I'm not making that up.
Go to McDonald's web site and check it out for yourselves. Ms. Parnham-Lee is trying to kill the goose that selected her minority group for extra-special attention. Very funny!
Petronius| 4.27.11 @ 10:12AM
Sure
Just pointing out that the California State House needs MCD more than we need them. Ben Stein should move out. Our military bases shut down and decamp. And the rest can dine on sheep feces. The sooner the bigone dumps what's west of the Sierra Nevada into the Pacific, the better for us.
Bill Diebold| 4.26.11 @ 10:26AM
...this is typical of a hippy leftover liberal, her education from the public school system guarentees she's qualified to do nothing, probably needed advanced training just to leave a shadow. Does this matter? Hell no! Her fellow useful idiots have invented a job at the taxpayers expense. This is a hole in the tax revenue that Calif. can ill afford.
Slapping the taxpayers in the face isn't enough for this burnout and her little bass, now she enlists the help of another member of the dimocrap party, a shyster lawer (am I being redundant?) who will also feed off the taxpayers. When will California run out of money and choke off these parasites? Can the entire state be under the influence of these low lifes?
Kishego| 4.26.11 @ 11:07AM
Two democrats, a man and a women, are riding on an escalator in a mall near closing time. They are the only two on the escalator. As they near the top, the escalator breaks down. Both stand there for about five minutes when the man, (about six steps from the top) begins complaining, "when are they going to fix this thing, I'm going to be late" and the women said "somebody needs to do something about this" both agree someone shoud be fired for this. As the man stands looking more and more frustrated, the women begins yelling for help.
Larry| 4.26.11 @ 12:21PM
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
That perfectly encapsulates the lib scum mindset.
The only thing missing was them contacting Obama's escalator czar and to have congressional hearings.
A Balrog of Morgoth| 4.26.11 @ 11:15AM
Maybe she should sue her kids for all the emotional pain and distress they have caused her. Dolt.
cowgirl| 4.26.11 @ 12:23PM
I am a native Californian of 52 years. All of you need to understand that California is on the brink of complete failure. Meaning - need to start over. Just hang on a little longer... It will collapse - I see it daily. This will be a good thing - it will get rid of the 1960's red diaper doper babies that have destroyed this state. Liberalism is a mental illness and you can't fix stupid.
Occam's Tool| 4.26.11 @ 6:01PM
Yes, but where will those bastardly Californians (who know how to party, as Tupac put it) go?
Texas Granny| 4.28.11 @ 3:12PM
Cowgirl, I couldn't agree with you more.
Allen Hanson| 4.26.11 @ 12:32PM
Wow, another left-wing hyphen-babe who can't deal with disciplining her child. Never saw that coming!
Incidentally, where is the child's father? Is he a liberal milquetoast, a dead-beat sperm donor, or a turkey baster?
Dave | 4.26.11 @ 12:44PM
This latest attack by another worshiper at the alter of "one size fits government best(ism)" kind of puzzles me. I can understand how one of these New Jerryville - West employees would go after a legitimate business for having the gall to actually market a plan that does what its supposed to do: Promotes its business! What riddles me, Batman, is why this state paid busy body would ever consider taking her own pee wees within sniffing distance of a McDonald's drive-thru in the FIRST place. I guess the option - Go Someplace Else wasn't on the menu.
But I digress ...
Last time I read a copy of "Michelle's Monthly Digest and Vegan Cookbook" - cheese burgers, cheesecake, french fries, and assorted sugary beverages, et al (sold at the defendants place of business) were posted on the official First Lady Hit List as being "yummy stuff that can kill, maim and contaminant unless a government agency controls it." Especially a government agency overseen by someone who, at one time, may have been a community organizer; doubling as a socialist p.r. man.
Not sure how effective Mrs. Obama's new federal menu has been in gathering converts, but apparently Oprah's been granted a waiver for the last few decades. But I guess you're entitled to one , depending on how liberal your guest list is.
Back at the drive-thru line:
I'm certainly not a trained nutritionist, but this latest government ninny might have a less confrontational solution to her aggravation by simply grocery shopping at one of those All Natural Foods Outlets and begin stocking up on a nice selection of carrots, cauliflower and curly cabbages. Then, it's all pretty easy. Just toast-up a nice whole wheat bun (sans mayo), slap some of them greens between the dry slices, then at dinner time when Malcolm and Britney look down at their plates and mutter: "(uhh) What's this?" All that needs to be said is what any responsible vegan mom would say: JUST EAT THE D-MN STUFF. AND DRINK YOUR BEET JUICE.
See? Not a problem. That kind well reasoned, educated approach ALWAYS works. Especially on a pair of 8 year olds at mealtime.
Try it tonight, then get back to me. I'll be in the food court at Burger King.
Occam's Tool| 4.26.11 @ 6:02PM
Sorry, my kids love their veggies. The great Ike, in particular, loves his cucumbers.
And they're Conservatives! Did I mention how great my kids are?
rudytbone| 4.26.11 @ 12:55PM
"What kids see as a fun toy, I now realize is a sophisticated, high-tech marketing scheme that's designed to put McDonald's between me and my daughters," charged Parham-Lee. "For the sake of other parents and their children, I want McDonald's to stop interfering with my family."
Using this same logic, can I sue to have the public schools remove the global warming drivel from their curriculum? They are coming between me and my children.
Larry| 4.26.11 @ 2:22PM
Rudy, you could sue the schools for all of the politically correct B.S. that they teach your kids and which has caused a severe strain between you and them and driven real wedge into the relationships.
cicero| 4.26.11 @ 1:37PM
No need to change the courrt rules to bring this type of suit to a halt. The Federal Bench alreadyhas Rule 11, which provides sanctions against the suing party and her attorney for bringing silly lawsuits. McD's need only send one of it's very junior staff attorneys into the fray. They are paying him/her anyway. Then, run up the discovery until the hours are off the chart. Once it becomes obvious that there are no real damages, he/.she can bring theirr motion for summary disposition based on the long recognized doctrine of "de minimis". Once the judge dismisses the case, he/she submits her hourly record, and requests attorney fees at the customary rate for the area. At that point, not only the plaintiff, but also her attorney, will see the non-wisdom of bringing such lawsuits, as will everyone else.
Oh, I forgot. This has been the law for decades, and our founts of wisdom on the Federal bench have not seen fit to use it.
Bill| 4.26.11 @ 3:10PM
Given the history of Ileto v. Glock, I bet the anti-McDonald's lawsuit would not be found to be frivolous. After all, Ileto v. Glock required the California legislature to pass a statute in order to put that lawsuit to rest.
Bill| 4.26.11 @ 3:11PM
Also, padding attorney hours is a well-known method of causing attorneys to get disbarred.
Bill| 4.26.11 @ 3:15PM
Oops, Congress passed the statute, not the California legislature. My bad.
Occam's Tool| 4.26.11 @ 6:03PM
Oh, man, it takes A LOT for a lawsuit to be frivolous. Remember, the Cretins at the Supreme Court view litigation as a positive social good.
J.C.Eaton| 4.26.11 @ 2:49PM
This is one lawyer, Mr. Gardner Esquire, who I should enjoy seeing lose his "ticket."
Roscoe| 4.26.11 @ 3:01PM
I'm guessing that the plaintiff was an ethnic studies major with a woman's studies minor or perhaps vice versa. Public education in California. The gift that keeps on giving.
caitlin| 4.26.11 @ 3:31PM
Sorry to disappoint most of you, but here's one not alway pro conservative who sees the lunacy in this.
There are some reasonable semi liberals out here.
You've all made perfect sense with you're advice to Ms. Hyphenated Last Name.
caitlin| 4.26.11 @ 3:33PM
Excuse me, YOUR, advice.
AT| 4.26.11 @ 3:37PM
"The Center for Science in the Public Interest"
God, does that sound like one of those corrupt moocher institutions straight out of Atlas Shrugged, or what?
I think I'll should sue to get rid of drive-thrus. See, the convenience of it is clearly a high-tech marketing tool used to lure me into ramming Big Mac's down my gullet. And now I'm fat. A big fat slob. A big fat disgusting slob that neighborhood children point and laugh at as I waddle across my porch and have to kneel down to pick up my newspaper. And it's everyone else's fault but mine! I didn't want to eat those Big Mac's! McDonald's MADE me by making them conveniently available! Waaah! I'm gunna sue!
Larry| 4.26.11 @ 3:42PM
Why are these centers of public interest NEVER in the public interest? (Rhetorical question)
AT| 4.26.11 @ 3:48PM
I personally like how, by virtue of the NAME ALONE, it suggests that they're doing some pretty jaundiced "science."
Johnny| 4.26.11 @ 3:57PM
ROTFLMAO, cool, to bad she'll never see it because she's way to intelligent to read this trash. I think I'll sue Wal-mart for selling me those candy bars too... you know the ones at the check out...
RC| 4.26.11 @ 3:44PM
Let's try this concept - We are going to learn a new word today....NO!
Here's A GREAT example....
"NO! You may not have a happy meal."
It works for my 4 children all under the age of 6.
Johnny| 4.26.11 @ 3:52PM
I'm sorry but if this no good succubus of our tax money does not possess the intestinal fortitude to tell her most likely ruined children NO then someone should let her in on the secret that she can buy the toy alone at a minimal cost. Loser sponge of public money, get a life and stop wasting my tax dollars.
LiveFreeOrDie| 4.26.11 @ 4:10PM
"What kids see as a fun toy, I now realize is a sophisticated, high-tech marketing scheme that's designed to put McDonald's between me and my daughters,"
That's why she ONLY eats there once a month...
glenny| 4.26.11 @ 4:25PM
Don't you just hate wimpy, lib parents? Hey, Monet, "Man up!"
Oldefarte| 4.26.11 @ 4:47PM
And then the dummies will turn around, scratch their youknowwhat and wonder WHY the price of a Happy Meal has now increased to $2000!!!!!
wnmc| 4.26.11 @ 6:25PM
"Well he's from the impressionist school, you know like Monet, Manet, Tippi Tippi Dayday." Seinfeld.
When we had our first child, my mom gave me a great piece of advice, "Remember the word 'no'. "
Sam Levi| 4.26.11 @ 7:09PM
This reminds me of when I was a kid. Whenever I had the brilliant idea to tell my Dad I wanted something his response was always, "Can you pay for it?" If I said, "No" he said one of two things:
a.) Put want one and crap in the other, see which one fills up first.
or.
b.) Get a job.
My answer to b was, "Dad, I'm only (insert age between 6 and 11) here." To which he always replied, "Sounds like you have a problem."
Well, being the Tyrant that he was he taught me that when you have a problem, find a solution. My solution, I canvassed the entire neighborhood to find people to pay me to do yard chores.
Now, the downside; on occassion I would say, "Dad, I want...." He would then ask, "Can you pay for it?" And I would happily say, "Yes!" Thinking I had won.....only to hear, "Tough, you don't need it, save your money."
It's called being a parent. And I was fortunate and wise enough to pepetuate that same cycle, almost word for word.
db| 4.26.11 @ 9:54PM
Ah, the land of fruits and nuts.
I picture that entire state full of idiots like this.
They reap what they sow, so as they sink evermore into bankruptcy, both financially and morally, to me, they exist purely for my entertainment......
bluecollarbytes| 4.26.11 @ 10:20PM
Center for Science in the Public Interest, made famous by Rush Limbaugh, back when it was 'two guys and a fax'.
Parham-Lee is a head-case but probably representative of a sizable number of her generation. Parham-Lee probably doesn't like 'being forced to force' all conservative thoughts from her head as she's mercilessly bombarded by thoughts opposing hers. There outta be a law.
Dave | 4.27.11 @ 10:52AM
Mr. Reiland brings an amusing point to his column by considering the length of multiple names should a person's offspring marry some else with a hyphenation or four. Understandably, there many not be sufficient room on many hospital birth certificates for such a listing.
However, something to consider. People of various Hispanic cultures often times have very lengthy names due to (apparently) marrying into families who have done the same for several generations. I may be missing some of the finer, cultural points, but if memory serves this old gringo, try looking up the full name of the general who's army of thousands steamrolled the Alamo 175 years ago. I don't have his officially listed name in front of me, but I seem to remember ol' General Santa Ana (sp) may have had for or five full names listed in ... his. They may not have been hyphenated, but then in 1836 women's lib hadn't yet peeked over the horizon. Truth be told, had such a movement been pressed by some uppity Mexican female, said female may well have ended up with the same kind of fate the good general handed to those 180-plus men who manned that old Texas mission for 13 days back in 1836. Yep, it'd be nearly 85 years later before Bella Abzug tossed hat over the north wall.
Rick Z| 4.27.11 @ 1:46PM
Clearly, the woman needs to turn off the kid's TV programs.
Problem Solved.
shipley130| 4.27.11 @ 3:45PM
Pretty soon, this sue happy moron can sue the trees for being so enticingly green that children climb into them and occassionally fall out of them. I personally cannot wait to sue mosquitoes for their vicious assaults upon my person.
SF_Exile| 4.27.11 @ 4:02PM
Ah, this is what I get for moving from one Moonbat haven (Massachusetts) to another.
Not long after Eric Mar, a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, championed the removal of Happy Meal toys here in the city, the esteemed solon was invited onto The Daily Show to talk about it. He spoke eloquently and thoughtfully, and then promptly used all of that rope to hang himself. Jon Stewart zeroed in on part of his story and essentially got him to admit that he had no backbone and that he needed Government to do what he didn't have to the stomach to: say no to his wheedling 6 year old princess. Needless to say, the entire audience had a field day.
It wasn't so long ago that I can't remember my mother's response to one of these tantrums: "Knock it off or I'll give you something to cry about!"
KRB| 4.27.11 @ 4:11PM
Who are these parents that cannot say no to their children and can't shut off the television? My children are 7 and 9 and probably don't have 3 happy meal toys between them. I feel absolutely no impulse to give in on my decisions with regard to food, television, church or clothes. When we eat at MacDonald's, we manage to do so without purchasing toys. If I were to choose to have my children eat there each day and buy happy meals, it really wouldn't be anybody else's business.
Bill| 4.27.11 @ 4:38PM
You're absolutely that it's no one's business but yours about your kids eating at McDonald's, but when we allow government into our private lives the way we've been doing since the 1930s, government intrusion seems to make logical sense.
Chris Pedersen| 4.27.11 @ 7:18PM
Maybe McD's will file for sanctions, making her pay for all their legal bills on top of her own, then she won't be able to afford to go there anyway.
Texas Granny| 4.28.11 @ 3:00PM
Mrs. Parham-Lee is just another liberal jerk who brings about frivilous lawsuits because she doesn't want to be the adult and tell her child "No" nor does she want to take personal responsibility and tell the person who takes her order to leave the toy out of the Happy Meal. Grow up Mrs. Parham-Lee! I hope McDonald's wins this lawsuit and forbids Mrs. Parham-Lee from entering their establishments!
Bigjonstud| 4.28.11 @ 4:17PM
This lady is an embarrassment to parents everywhere, and an enemy to freedom and the American dream.
Vasu Murti | 4.28.11 @ 4:31PM
Banning "happy meals" is un-American?
Maybe.
What about "Joe Camel" ads, clearly targeting kids' smoking?
The health advantages of a vegetarian diet are well-known in the American medical community, but are just beginning to gain acceptance in mainstream society.
The ethical, nutritional and environmental arguments in favor of vegetarianism have been well documented by author John Robbins in his 1987 Pulitzer Prize nominated book, Diet for a New America, which makes veganism seem as mainstream as recycling.
It’s healthier to be a vegetarian. During the period of October 1917 to October 1918, war rationing forced the Danish government to put its citizens on a vegetarian diet. This was a “mass experiment in vegetarianism,” with over three million subjects. The results were astonishing.
The mortality rate dropped by 34 percent. The very same phenomenon was observed in occupied Norway during the Second World War. After the war, heavy consumption of meat resumed, and the mortality rate shot back up.
Studies done at Yale University by Professor Irving Fisher demonstrated that flesh-eaters have less endurance than vegetarians. A similar study done by Dr. J. Ioteyko of the Academie de Medicine in Paris found that vegetarians have two to three times greater stamina than flesh-eaters and they take only one-fifth the time to recover from exhaustion.
In recent years, there has been widespread concern about osteoporosis, which is epidemic in America, especially among older women. The popular myth has been to solve the problem by consuming more calcium. Yet this doesn’t attack the root of the problem.
Osteoporosis is caused by excess consumption of protein. Americans overdose on protein, getting 1.5 to 2 times more protein than their bodies can handle. The body can’t store excess protein, so the kidneys are forced to excrete it. In doing so, they must draw upon calcium from the bloodstream. This negative calcium balance in the blood is compensated for by calcium loss from the bones: osteoporosis.
The calcium lost in the bones of flesh-eaters is 5 to 6 times greater than that lost in the bones of vegetarians.
Excessive protein intake also taxes the kidneys; in America, it is not uncommon to find many over 45 with kidney problems. A strong correlation between excessive protein intake and cancer of the breast, prostate, pancreas and colon has even been observed.
It must be pointed out that meat, fish, and eggs are the most acidic forming foods; heavy consumption of these foods will cause the body to draw upon calcium to restore its pH balance. The calcium lost from the bones gets into one’s urine and often crystallizes into kidney stones, which are found in far greater frequency among flesh-eaters than among vegetarians.
Studies have found that vegetarians in the United States have less than half the kidney stones of the general population.
The high consumption of saturated fats and cholesterol leads to artherosclerosis—more popularly known as “hardening of the arteries.” Plant foods contain zero cholesterol and only palm oil, coconuts and chocolate contain saturated fats. Lowering the cholesterol and fat intake in one’s diet lowers the risk of heart disease—America’s biggest killer.
As far back as 1961, the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that “A vegetarian diet can prevent 97% of our coronary occlusions.”
Much has been said about the advantage of polyunsaturated fats as a means of lowering cholesterol in the blood. Unfortunately, this also has the adverse side effect of driving the cholesterol out of the blood and into the colon; contributing to colon cancer.
The best way to prevent heart disease is to avoid foods high in fat and cholesterol.
Up to 50 percent of all cancers are caused by diet. Meat and fat intake are primarily responsible. The incidence of colon cancer is high in regions where meat consumption is high and low where meat consumption is minimal. A lack of fiber in the diet also contributes significantly to colon cancer.
Unprocessed plant foods are high in fiber and carbohydrates, while animal flesh has none. The highest incidence of breast cancer occurs among flesh-eating populations; meat eating women have a four times greater risk of developing breast cancer than do vegetarian women.
There is also a greater risk of cervical, uterine, and ovarian cancer—all linked to diets high in fat. Men who consume large quantities of animal fat also have a 3.6 times greater risk of getting prostate cancer.
Diabetes is known to be treatable on a low fat, high fiber diet. Incidence of diabetes balloons among populations eating a rich, meat-based diet. Hypoglycemia is caused by the excessive consumption of meats, sugar and fat.
Multiple Sclerosis is also treatable on a low-fat diet. MS is prevalent among populations where consumption of animal fats is high and is least common where such consumption is low. A brain tissue analysis of people with MS found a high saturated fat content.
Ulcers occur most frequently in diets which are acid forming, low in fiber and high in fats. Meat, fish, and eggs are the most acid forming of all foods, and animal flesh has no fiber and excess fat.
Low fiber, high-fat diets are the principle cause of hemorrhoids and also diverticulosis—which affects 75 percent of Americans over the age of 75. Similarly, 35 percent of Americans are afflicted with some form of arthritis by the age of 35. Over 85 percent of all Americans over age 70 have arthritis, yet it is treatable on a fat free diet.
Excess cholesterol forms gallstones. Gallstones, as well as gallbladder disease and gallbladder cancer are usually found in people with low-fiber, high cholesterol, high fat diets. Hypertension is virtually unknown in countries where the intake of salt, fat and cholesterol is low.
At the University Hospital in Linkoping, Sweden, even severe asthma patients were found to be treatable on a vegetarian diet. Flesh foods in America are also contaminated with coliform bacteria and salmonella. Much healthier alternatives exist.
William S. Collens and Gerald B. Dobkens conclude:
“Examination of the dental structure of modern man reveals that he possesses all the features of a strictly herbivorous animal. While designed to subsist on vegetarian foods, he has perverted his dietary habits to accept food of the carnivore.
"It is postulated that man cannot handle carnivorous foods like the carnivore. Herein may lie the basis for the high incidence of arteriosclerotic disease.”
Adventist phyisician Dr. John Harvey Kellogg wrote about a strictly vegan human population in The Natural Diet of Man (1923):
"The Ladrone Islands were discovered by the Spaniards around 1620. There were no animals on the islands except birds, which the natives did not eat.
"The natives had never seen fire, and they lived entirely on plant foods—fruits and roots in their natural state. They were found to be vigorous, active, and of good longevity."
In a 1979 interview with vegetarian historian Rynn Berry, Dr. Gordon Latto notes that carnivorous and omnivorous animals can only move their jaws up and down, and that omnivores “have a blunt tooth, a sharp tooth, a blunt tooth, a sharp tooth—showing that they were destined to deal both with flesh foods from the animal kingdom and foods from the vegetable kingdom...
“Carnivorous mammals and omnivorous mammals cannot perspire except at the extremity of the limbs and the tip of the nose; man perspires all over the body.
"Finally, our instincts; the carnivorous mammal (which first of all has claws and canine teeth) is capable of tearing flesh asunder, whereas man only partakes of flesh foods after they have been camouflaged by cooking and by condiments.
“Man instinctively is not carnivorous,” explains Dr. Latto. “...he takes the flesh food after somebody else has killed it, and after it has been cooked and camouflaged with certain condiments.
"Whereas to pick an apple off a tree or eat some grain or a carrot is a natural thing to do: people enjoy doing it; they don’t feel disturbed by it. But to see these animals being slaughtered does affect people; it offends them. Even the toughest of people are affected by the sights in the slaughterhouse.
“I remember taking some medical students into a slaughterhouse. They were about as hardened people as you could meet. After seeing the animals slaughtered that day in the slaughterhouse, not one of them could eat the meat that evening.”
Author R.H. Wheldon writes in No Animal Food:
“The gorge of a cat, for instance, will rise at the smell of a mouse or a piece of raw flesh, but not at the aroma of fruit. If a man can take delight in pouncing upon a bird, tear its still living body apart with his teeth, sucking the warm blood, one might infer that Nature had provided him with carnivorous instinct, but the very thought of doing such a thing makes him shudder.
"On the other hand, a bunch of luscious grapes makes his mouth water, and even in the absence of hunger, he will eat fruit to gratify taste.”
Some argue that human intelligence has enabled man to transcend his physical limitations and function as a “natural” flesh-eater. If this is true, then we must also classify napalm, poison gas, and nuclear weapons as “natural,” too, because they are also products of (misused!) human intelligence.
Agriculture , cookery, transportation, refrigeration, etc. aren’t found in nature, either. One might therefore argue if human technology is “natural,” then human ethical behavior is equally natural.
“I am the very opposite of an anthropomorphizer,” wrote Brigid Brophy. “I don’t hold animals superior or even equal to humans. The whole case for behaving decently towards animals rests on the fact that we are the superior species.
"We are the species uniquely capable of rationality, imagination and moral choice, and that is precisely why we are under obligation to respect the rights of other creatures.”
The fact that predators exist in the wild does not imply man must automatically imitate them. Cannibalism and rape also occur in nature.
Robert Louis Stevenson, in his book, In the South Seas, wrote that there was no difference between the “civilized” Europeans and the “savages” of the Cannibal Islands:
“We consume the carcasses of creatures with like appetites, passions, and organs as our own. We feed on babes, though not our own, and fill the slaughterhouses daily with screams of pain and fear.”
Ozzy| 4.28.11 @ 4:34PM
A Brilliant, I say Brilliant display of inter textual Ad Hominem, and to begin the essay in such a way only adds to the delight in reading it.
Karlos| 5.1.11 @ 1:25PM
Using Parham-Lee's logic, we should be suing the Democratic Party for offering gift programs that cost us taxpayers trillions of dollars.
Jet Connect | 8.5.11 @ 3:21AM
the JetConnect is the no frill airline and hence there are no meals or snacks that will be provided by the airline providers. One would need to buy them inside the flight during the time of journey. The ticket fares are priced a bit low than the parent airline. It is generally said that on an average, the JetConnect airline tickets are nearly 15 percent priced less than that of the parent Jet airways.
JetConnect
Creative Recreation | 8.10.11 @ 9:48PM
is good