National Editor Tom Karst It is the last day for public comments on the Arctic GMO apple, and the public is getting their money's worth. Nearly 1,400 comments were received on the petition to deregulate the non-browning apple variety.
We haven't seen a lot of apple organizations weigh in yet, but those comments and others will no doubt pour in the very last moment.
Meanwhile, Kansas Republican Congressman Tim Huelskamp is picking on the new school lunch standards, saying that kids are "hungry" from the lack of hearty food in school lunches.
From his news release:
In order to comply with new Obama Administration mandates, Kansas schools are being forced to serve children fewer calories of less tasteful food – ultimately leaving children under-fed.
“Big government wins again,” Congressman Huelskamp said. “First Lady Michelle Obama’s agenda full of ‘exciting changes’ – her words, not mine – are leaving our kids hungry, undermining the whole goal of a school lunch program. One of the major reasons they started the school lunch program was to ensure that children were full enough in order to function well in a classroom. But, seeing pictures of some of the lunches children are served now, it is obvious that the original objective is no longer being met.”
“If Washington is going to be in the school lunch business, then it should at least ensure that children have full stomachs. Parents who purchase school lunches for their children or taxpayers who support free- and reduced- lunch programs have the expectation that what kids eat are meals – not mere snacks. And, if we want to make sure our children are active, then they need a meal complete with ample protein – not just more grains. The First Lady has recognized that ‘talented people’ work in our school cafeterias; I agree. Let’s let the talented people in each school district figure out what their own children will eat – not dictate it from the White House.”
In fact, the Congressman is collecting pictures of school meals to make drive home his position to his tater tot and sloppy Joe constituency.
Instead of looking to score cheap political points, perhaps the lawmaker should see the issue not as "fewer calories of less tasteful food" but reduced calories of more healthy, less fatty food.
After all, that is the goal. The glass is half full of skim milk - and the plate is half full of fruits and vegetables. On balance, that is good for kids.
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