America's over, everyone go home.

[Ian1732]

Pizza and French fries are among the foods which will stay on the menu after Congress voted to prevent them being restricted. The decision – which is a kick in the teeth to President Obama's hopes of making schools meals healthier – could be approved later this week.

Republicans in favour of the decision have lauded it as a victory over big government, praising the defeat of ‘overly burdensome and costly regulations’, hailing ‘greater flexibility for local school districts’.

Unsurprisingly, industry lobby the American Frozen Food Institute has come out in support of the move, saying the decision ‘recognises the significant amounts of potassium, fibre and vitamins A and C provided by tomato paste and ensures that students may continue to enjoy healthy meals such as pizza and pasta.’

source: rt.com/news/congress-calls-pizza-vegetable-605/
Of ALL the fucking things congress could agree on, it's "Fuck children"?

[Dragon Zachski]

I'm kinda curious as to what's unhealthy about potatoes (unless they're deep-fried)

Pizza I can understand because the cheese has a lot of fat in it, and the meat tends to contain a lot of grease as well.

Either way, this seems kinda minor to me. Then again, I've heard of the horror stories of cafeteria food, 20% of which might actually be true.

[gyeonghwa]

They can vote on this but not on a job bill?

[ironbite]

This doesn't effect their corporate masters. A Jobs bill would.

Ironbite-simple economics really when you think about it.

[N. De Plume]

Wait, it is “big government” when the rule is only affecting government run schools?

[ironbite]

Most schools are run by the government. Hence why they voted for this. Private schools can afford to be a bit more selective in what they serve for meals.

Ironbite-cause the parents are directly paying for the education.

[itachirumon]

and I don't get what's so unhealthy about pasta, 7g protein, 17g if you get that really awesome protein-laced pasta, fiber, etc. Pizza I totally agree should be right out though.

Which is weird because when I was in 10th grade I'd have agreed with the right - my middle school went on a health craze right after I left and they stopped selling candy at the student store, which was like... discrimination to us teenagers - I hated and despised them for that. I still do in a way. Of course I think the healthier options need to be presented and it's fucked up that the right doesn't care about kids. But when did they ever?

[nickiknack]

Kids won't have a "free choice" on what to eat if presented with a healthy alternative , but its ok if we monitor your bedroom activties, and force you to have a baby.

[N. De Plume]

Nov 17, 2011 14:33:57 GMT -5 ironbite said:

Most schools are run by the government. Hence why they voted for this.

The point being just that: As a government body, you would expect government-enforced regulation. Crowing about how it reducing government at a government facility is is just nuts.

[vesus]

I think the bigger point is that PIZZA IS NOT A VEGETABLE. Yet the "big government" has decided that it is in order to benefit the corporations responsible for supplying the crap.

[Dragon Zachski]

Nov 17, 2011 16:13:47 GMT -5 vesus said:

I think the bigger point is that PIZZA IS NOT A VEGETABLE. Yet the "big government" has decided that it is in order to benefit the corporations responsible for supplying the crap.

Uh...?

Who has said that pizza is a vegetable?

[mechtaur]

Uh... I think this is a little... Peculiar to get worked up over. I mean, its only pizza. That was, like, the only thing people at school really looked forward to.

This is why I support the buffet method at schools. I'm for letting the children select their food and teach them about eating healthy. In addition to actually making healthier foods (I.E. Not deep frying half the crap the cafeterias serve).

The french fries however, can go fuck themselves. They've always been so greasy that they actually drip and tasted like the oil they were fried in.

[DarkfireTaimatsu]

Nov 17, 2011 16:13:47 GMT -5 vesus said:

I think the bigger point is that PIZZA IS NOT A VEGETABLE. Yet the "big government" has decided that it is in order to benefit the corporations responsible for supplying the crap.

Oh man, but if pizza WAS a vegetable, I would eat so many vegetables.

[Vene]

Nov 17, 2011 16:46:24 GMT -5 Dragon Zachski said:

Nov 17, 2011 16:13:47 GMT -5 vesus said:

I think the bigger point is that PIZZA IS NOT A VEGETABLE. Yet the "big government" has decided that it is in order to benefit the corporations responsible for supplying the crap.

Uh...?

Who has said that pizza is a vegetable?

The title of the linked article.

[worlder]

Pizza and pasta are only healthier if you prep it the old fashion way.

I'm sure everyone tell when a pizza is hand prepped and when it was shipped frozen in bulk.

But french fries I still avoid.