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Michael Bloomberg abruptly cancels a live appearance with AllThingsD as a controversy over his...

  • Thursday, May 31, 2012, 12:22 PM ET
    Michael Bloomberg abruptly cancels a live appearance with AllThingsD as a controversy over his plan to ban large-sized sugary drinks in NYC creates outrage in public forums and from the beverage industry. While the city served as a successful model for public smoking restrictions, it's a bit harder to craft an argument over the dangers of second-hand soda drinking. A statement from Coca-Cola (KO -0.2%) cuts to the chase: "New Yorkers expect and deserve better than this."
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This news story has 24 comments:

  •  
    I think this would come under the heading "It looked good on paper"
    31 May 2012, 12:27 PM Reply Like
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    Just another example of Goverment incompetence...he's more worried about this than reducing government expenses...lol...I guess taking away a person's freedom of choice is more critical to the city.
    31 May 2012, 12:28 PM Reply Like
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    "..New Yorkers are flocking to other states at the fastest rate in the nation. And most of them are leaving from New York City, according to a new analysis of U.S. Census data..."

    http://bit.ly/L13CIm
    31 May 2012, 12:35 PM Reply Like
  •  
    also this Mayor looks and acts like an 18th century poof ball sniffing snuff while decreeing what the little people should do. LouisXIV anyone?
    31 May 2012, 02:45 PM Reply Like
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    As a NYer myself, I can tell you that if people are leaving the city, they were never from there to begin with. Probably a bunch of midwesterners goin' back to the farm. The cost of living is exceptionally high in NYC but you get what you pay for. There are probably more things to do on the block where I live than anywhere in the flyover states. Bloomberg has done a whole lot more good for NYC than Giuliani ever did. And don't forget... Bloomberg IS a Republican.
    1 Jun 2012, 06:07 AM Reply Like
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    And, as is usually the case with bullies (and other sub-varieties of smiley-face fascists), when they get push back from those they are trying to bully and order around, they cut and run. What a profile in courage.
    31 May 2012, 12:38 PM Reply Like
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    Where is the bright line for Dictator Bloomberg. I guess next he will legislate that all cars must be electric, all clothes must be made of cotton, not polyester, and all food must be organic. I thought Boston was messed up until I saw what you folks go through.
    31 May 2012, 12:53 PM Reply Like
  •  
    Bloomberg is the worst kind of PROGRESSIVE!
    One with way to much money and power and to add insult to injury, one who thinks he knows better than all the rest of us "common folks",
    this garbage has gone way to far!

    Yes we need some sort of public policy about the obese and health consequences related to it, but this is NOT the answer you arrogant buffoon!
    31 May 2012, 12:53 PM Reply Like
  •  
    bloomberg has lost his freaking mind.
    31 May 2012, 01:10 PM Reply Like
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    Join PPOASS - People Pissed off at Soda Size... where a perspective on what's really important is completely unnecessary, so long as you can supersize your preferred liquid sugary goodness.
    31 May 2012, 01:22 PM Reply Like
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    Finally someone with sense and an education. Have Bloomberg take the difference between the super sized and regular sodas, put it into gym teachers salaries and gyms and you might just win over the obese ones out there who don't care about the cost of their health problems and the effect on all of us. Just as long as they get what they think they are are entitled to. Same with cigarette smokers who besides killing themselves and those who share their smoke with their children costs us enormous amounts in health care. I say go for it Mayor and more power to you. Too many anarchists today who only think of themselves.
    31 May 2012, 07:18 PM Reply Like
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    Thought this guy was a free market capitalist? The house is on fire (as people and businesses are leaving NY/NYC) and he's worried the effects of Slurpies???...lol...when is the next election???
    31 May 2012, 01:25 PM Reply Like
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    Its truly unbelievable what goes on in the USA these days.

    I have some friends that are originally from Russia. They speak about the days when it was the Soviet Union. Government was run by those in the Communist Party. They made up the bureaucracy. They joined knowing that Party membership enabled them to have the best jobs and live the better lives than their neighbors.

    Is Government employment in the USA currently much different than Communist Party membership? People join knowing they will live better than their neighbors. They know they will work less. They know they will get better health care. They know they will retire in 20-25-30 years with a better pension.

    They justify their existance to maintain their lifestyle. And if they want to "advance" they grow whatever public institution they work in. They do this by "regulating". While some regulation is needed, what is needed isn't the goal. The goal is "growth" of whatever institution said person works within. That leads to taking of freedom from citizens.

    Anyone want to interact with the IRS? No? Just like the average Russian citizen that wasn't a Communist Party member just tried to avoid the bureaucracy. When you needed to interact with the bureaucracy you tried to find someone in your family or a related family that had some influence so you could get what you needed. In return you presented that person with a "gift". We aren't too far away folks.

    The government bureaucracy is the Communist Party of the USA.
    31 May 2012, 02:15 PM Reply Like
  •  



    want some cheese with your whine?
    31 May 2012, 07:19 PM Reply Like
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    It is better to be thought a total jerk than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt....this arrogant moron just did that and I hope and expect him to lose his power to speak in the next election!
    31 May 2012, 03:01 PM Reply Like
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    Hopefully, I'll be able to have 2 scoops of Ice Cream at the Ben & Jerrys in NYC
    31 May 2012, 04:45 PM Reply Like
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    No, go to another Ice Cream vendor. Ben & Jerrys supports this jerk and other far far left wingers...lol...
    31 May 2012, 04:52 PM Reply Like
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    Oh my god! What will politicians think of next to pander to the tunes of the times. Do they think they can trample on a sacred tradition of enjoying one's leisure times with a god given drink, like they reviled the cigarette industry and profited from their hypocrisy? Think again. This folly will start a revolution like they will never forget. They should clean their dirty linens at home before standing in the public forum to sing such sanctimonious songs of repression. America is made of better things like that.
    31 May 2012, 05:55 PM Reply Like
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    What a pathetic piece of bureaucratic nonsense! Cokes and sweet drinks aren't the only culprits causing obesity. That most Americans lead way too sedentary lifestyle is how to explain the core origin this 'national epidemic'. Sure cutting back on sugar and sweets is helpful for one to deal with the problem, but so too one must exercise, have a nutritious diet, get plenty of sleep, and get an annual physical exam. If a person is putting on weight and drinks soft drinks a lot, of course they must make a consumption cutback. It sounds as though Bloomberg just one day before going to work dreamed up this silly scheme. Were there any health department or medical opinions sought out by the mayor's office? Sure doesn't sound so in this portrayal of Bloomberg's stance on the obesity issue. All this said, perhaps mega-Coke will be sold underground in NYC along with drugs, bootlegged beer and wine, or whatever. We may see a resumption of the 1930's where street gangs clamor in competition for a big bottle of Monster Coke. Whatever happens, most likely Bloomberg's plan is very much flawed and cannot pass public muster (like anti-smoking). We must be able to make the choices we make about smoking, drinking or snacking based on our own ability to enjoy. I surmise if NYC does adopt, ultimately this will be repealed much in the same manner as Prohibition was so, so long ago.
    31 May 2012, 06:26 PM Reply Like
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    If they take the money difference between the regular size and the jumbo size and put it into funding for gym teachers and gyms it will go along way to solving the obesity problem.
    31 May 2012, 07:09 PM Reply Like
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    Seat belts, no texting while driving, helmets for motorcycles, no smoking in office buildings or schools, mandatory school attendance, DUI % laws, all save lives and cut expenses for everyone. So we do have restrictive laws that some anarcy
    31 May 2012, 07:30 PM Reply Like
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    S/B anarchy. Dropped the "h" Mea culpa
    31 May 2012, 07:32 PM Reply Like
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    Ronald Reagan said "Government is not the solution to the problem, Government is the problem." Why does anyone believe the government should be involved at all in its citizen's decision making on the size of their soft drink, the size of their vehicle, the color of the hair, or anything else that does not impact the rights of other citizens....
    1 Jun 2012, 03:01 AM Reply Like
  •  
    I quess I'll have to order two medium drinks now xD
    1 Jun 2012, 11:54 AM Reply Like
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