Monday, July 31, 2006

Mixed Messages

O.K. I'm getting a little tired of talking about Caledonia - and if I'm bored, then you must be really sick of it!

However, that doesn't mean we still can't have some fun discussing the never ending antics of the Ontario Fiberals; and today's Toronto Sun has kindly provided even more fodder (as if we needed it).

It seems that although McGuinty's Liberal government has banned soft drinks from schools for health reasons, it still sees fit to co-sponsor a site aimed at encouraging kids to go camping. And just what does Pepsi hope the youngsters will drink when they're sitting at that picnic table having lunch by the lake? My guess is not milk!


What kind of message are we trying to send to the kids here - That it's not healthy to drink pop at school, but no problem if you're camping?

The lame excuse seems to be that the government needs the advertising funding to be able to promote this so-called healthy lifestyle out in the great outdoors. So why didn't they just go whole hog and partner up with some cigarette giant? I'm sure that would have yielded tons of cash!

Anyway, it isn't as if McGuinty loses any sleep spending taxpayers' dollars most days. Just look at the way he tossed hush money at the Caledonia dispute! (Oops! Sorry. There I go again.)

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Right on Jo!

Keep saying, and saying it again and again till it gets through, those thick skulls.

Forward Looking Canadian said...

I didn't understand this post til I clicked on the site... and MAN did I laugh when I saw the pepsi logo. hahahahah

It just seems too funny. I get that they need money for advertising, it's just hilarious. The irony of removing pepsi from the classrooms, and then partnering with pepsi for "outdoor camping" hah oh man I'm laughing.

Zac said...

Slow news day?

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Riley - Only in Ontario, you say? Pity. ;)

Zac - Slow news day for the Sun too, I guess.

Anonymous said...

this seems like pretty small potatoes to me. truly, this is a little silly joanne. removing pop from our schools is a no brainer. the website in question contains a small corporate logo from pepsi, a co-sponsor. big deal. i assume you don't object to the corporate sponsorship of tim horton's in local minor hockey?

Nicole said...

I think it is a slow day all around. Come on people, i am actually getting stuff acomplished....and I am supposed to be on holidays...

I agree with this as well. Children drink far to much sugary beverages, and when they are young, concerned parents can limit their access, alot better then when they are in school.
It's the double-edged sword. Schools need as much extra funding as possible to help support extra programs, parents tire easily of the constant fund-raising, so what are the schools to do?

A confusing message nonetheless

Joanne (True Blue) said...

i assume you don't object to the corporate sponsorship of tim horton's in local minor hockey?

Did McGuinty ban Timmy's from school lunchrooms too? That's not very Canadian!

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Nic - Well I don't think they should be advertising Pepsi on a website that is designed for children. Not if they officially ban it from schools.

At least they're not partnering with Kool-Aid!

Zac said...

It looks like a pretty small logo on the front page there Joanne. I'm not so sure what the big deal is. A little hypocritical I guess, but nothing to get heated over.

But speaking of banning pepsi and stuff in schools, which was done by Gerard Kennedy, I agree with it, but I don't see how this accomplisment in any way prepared Kennedy to lead the country. (sorry that's my little leadership rant for today).

Zac said...

At least pepsi's shelling out to send a couple kids to camp after making money fattening them up. Meh, no big deal in my books.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

At least pepsi's shelling out to send a couple kids to camp after making money fattening them up.

Really? How do you figure that they're sending some kids to camp?

Regarding Kennedy; agreed.

Nicole said...

At my kids school, the money used in the drink machine helps out with supplies, new library books, etc. The Parent Advisory Council is always trying to raise funds to help purchase computer upgrades, new playground equipment { which is ungodly overpriced} and considering the crying out to get kids more active, why equipment isn't offered in beyond me. We live in a newer, uppermiddleclass neighbourhood, I feel terrible for the innercity schools, that don't have strong parental involvement, lobbying for new things for schools.
My oldest enters high school, this Fall, Jo, I was SHOCKED when we toured the school at all the crap their is in machines, along with a petro can right around the corner { slurpees}. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against a treat, but not daily servings of sugary crap. My kid has no cavaties, so i told him, if he starts getting them, I'll know what he's been drinking!!!

Zac said...

I would assume by sponsoring it, they are chipping some money into it.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Nic - So your kids have freedom of choice. McGuinty doesn't believe in that. Not that I necessarily think that pop should be available in schools, but let's not be two-faced about it, and use cash from a pop sponsor to fund a government website.

Zac- My take on it is that Pepsi helped with the creation of the website. I don't think they're sending kids to camp the way Timmy's does, but maybe I'm wrong. That would be a good question for the Sun.

Nicole said...

I should have clarified better...at the elementry school, we do have a drink machine, but not pop...juices, 5alives etc.
At the highschool he will start attending in the Fall, MANY pop machines, and other crap I would never allow...these prepackaged sandwiches and lunchaperservativesables.
What do I know though, I have stayed home with my kids to make sure they have always had hot, healthy lunches\snacks and good meals. This is my first kid, semi-leaving the nest, I guess I should count myself 'lucky' to have been able to control meals this far LOL

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Nic - I see what you're saying now. That's good that only juices and so forth are available at school.

Yes, I do believe if you give your kids the right start in life, and equip them with good values, they'll make the right decisions later - at least as well as possible under the circumstances.

Looks like you're doing a great job as a Mom. Your kids are very fortunate.

Zac said...

That would be a good question for the Sun.

Perhaps that would have been a good question to investigate before accusing the government of sheer hypocrisy.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Why don't you send in a letter to the editor, Zac? I am simply commenting on the commentary. Don't get your shorts in a knot!

Zac said...

It seems that although McGuinty's Liberal government has banned soft drinks from schools for health reasons, it still sees fit to co-sponsor a site aimed at encouraging kids to go camping. And just what does Pepsi hope the youngsters will drink when they're sitting at that picnic table having lunch by the lake? My guess is not milk!


What kind of message are we trying to send to the kids here - That it's not healthy to drink pop at school, but no problem if you're camping?


Yup, sure sounds like simply commentary to me.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

I'm not so sure what the big deal is.

For someone who doesn't think this is a very big deal on a 'slow news day', you sure seem to be spending a lot of time commenting on it!

Zac said...

I'm still not sure what the big deal is, which is why I'm trying to find out what you find so horrid about it and why you're accusing the Ontario Liberal of hypocrisy.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

O.K. Zac. Real life is intruding at the moment. I'll get back to you later. Promise. ;)

Zac said...

Meh, don't worry about. I'm just being a jerk.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

I'm just being a jerk.

lol! Here I was thinking that you were either (a) a student of JDave or (b) a nephew of Dalton. Who knew?