Letter To The Editor

Additional Links

Home / Letters To The Editor

Posted On May 24, 2008

Banning food

By: David Martosko
Newspaper: Chicago Tribune

The real lesson in Chicago's ill-fated foie gras ban has something to do with forbidden fruit. Or maybe forbidden duck liver.

Instead of stigmatizing the delicacy, the ban actually increased its popularity. Intrigued foodie newbies and forbidden-food fanatics alike flocked to suburban restaurants to satisfy their newly piqued foie gras cravings.

I hope the animal-rights nuts behind the foie gras ban are taking note. Banning a food is the quickest way to make people want to try it. So bring on the veal-chop ban, and the tuna sushi ban, and even the coq au vin ban. More Americans should find out what they've been missing. All it takes is an extremist to tell them they can't.

David Martosko Research director Center for Consumer Freedom Washington

Letters

Menu labeling would go better with a side of practicality
Restaurants' creativity shouldn't be limited by published calorie counts or the fear that an opportunistic lawyer will play "gotcha" with an extra dollop of mayo. read more here »

Nanny-state stance seen in health chief
It is unfortunate that President Obama has chosen to put the nation's health in the hands of an overzealous activist who doesn't seem to give any consideration to the importance of personal responsibility or privacy. read more here »

Frieden's views on health responsibility
It is unfortunate that President Obama chose to put the nation's health in the hands of an overzealous activist who doesn't give any consideration to the importance of personal responsibility or privacy. read more here »

OpEds

Hard-boiled animal activists could threaten vaccine supply
In the post-9/11 world, the phrase "national security" conjures up images of dirty bombs, jihadists, white powder and biohazard labels. It should also bring to mind another picture: an egg. read more here »

NO. Wrong to use tax code to punish soft drink makers and industries.
Despite opposition from two-thirds of Americans, President Obama has latched onto exploring one proposal to raise billions of dollars for health care reform through so-called “lifestyle taxes” on soft drinks. read more here »