Looks like even New Yorkers are getting fed up with Mayor Bloomberg.
It would be nice to think that these are but the opening skirmishes in a democratic revolt against a health department that is the least democratic, least accountable department in the entire city government. Certainly if the reaction to the latest episode is any indication, the people of New York are growing tired of it. Even the New York Times is against the proposed limits on sugary drinks. At some point there is going to be a new mayor, and there will be less backing in City Hall for zealots like Thomas Farley, the Commissioner of Mental Hygiene.
When one stops to think about it, “commissioner of mental hygiene” — the full title of the department Mr. Farley heads is the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene — is one of the most bizarre of all the titles in the city, though apt enough. This fight isn’t about “health.” It’s about the mayor’s neuroses and his desire to take them out on everyone else in the city. The mayor was quoted in the Post as referring to “poor people who understand less about nutrition and that sort of thing.” After a while his condescension just gets to be off-putting.
The elite taking care of the helpless minions. Time for a revolt. Speaking of obesity, it’s a favority topic of The Daily Camera editorial page editor Erika Stutzman. Judging from the list below, I’m surprised she actually writes on other topics. May 23rd, 2012: They like to move it, move it: Erie school sets good example for movementMay 18th, 2012: Comparing apples to oranges: Why ‘pizza’ food fight is a worthy oneApril 4th, 2012: Obesity and smokingMarch 22nd, 2012: Leanest state gets fatter January 12th, 2012: An epidemic searching for a cure: No easy solutions for obesityJune 22nd, 2011: Preventive medicineJune 12th, 2011: Kids: Get outJune 8th, 2011: Perception and nutrition educationMarch 20th, 2011: Unhealthy kids, unhealthy futureMarch 3rd, 2011: Costly discriminationFebruary 6th, 2011: Coming to terms with the obesity epidemicJanuary 1st, 2011: Resolutions and benefitsDecember 29th, 2010: Some fruit for thoughtAugust 22nd, 2010: Taking the lead: State is in a good position to improve nation’s healthFebruary 12th, 2010: Another worthy advocate for children: Obama follows in Bush`s footsteps in an admirable wayJuly 30th & August 15th, 2009: The cost of all that foodJuly 20th 2008, updated 8/14/2009!: Stutzman: Eating ourselves sick
