For example, the number of lives saved by a smoking ban in Pueblo, Colorado was far beyond the expectations of those who implemented it. Ditto the number of lives saved by SIDS public advertising campaigns (around a 50% drop) and a move away from hormone treatment for menopause (breast cancer down 7% in one year)

And no one knows how to make trans-fat-free donuts that taste as good.

I doubt this very much. I would expect any naturally saturated fat to work at least as well as vegetable shortening. I believe donuts were traditionally made with lard (or maybe tallow or chicken fat for Kosher donuts?). Palm oil would probably be a reasonable vegetarian alternative.

I believe what they mean is that no one knows how to make a good-tasting donut that won’t get the PCRM or CSPI on their case.

NYC Mayor Bloomburg says “We’re not trying to take away anybody’s ability to go out and have the kind of food they want in the quantities they want.” It must be nice to be that free of distressing reality. Next, Mayor Bloomburg will explain how speeding laws aren’t trying to take away anyone’s ability to drive as fast as they want.

Good point. Saying “our restriction isn’t meant to be a restriction” is utter nonsense.

I’m glad that smoking is banned in public places in many states, because when one person smokes, so do others, even if only passively. However, banning trans fats from restaurants goes too far, IMO. Using legislation to keep people healthy (when their poor health choices don’t affect anyone else) is just bad public policy. Sure, being unhealthy and missing work and having higher healthcare costs are in the aggregate a drain on productivity and the economy. Government can encourage and enable healthy living all it wants, which I support, but to enforce it is another matter more befitting a fascist state.

Complete Bullshit + Wishful Thinking
———————————————-
Factor Pulled Out of Someone’s Ass

(Or: (CB + WT) / FPOOSA)