We need a "Like" button here!

Well you know I LIKE it….I AM a Tennesee Squire after all.

Monk, I can't decide whether you are a genius or just have too much time on your hands. /laugh.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

Actually, I'm just jealous. My technological incompetence keeps me from being able to post cool stuff like that. I need to adopt a 5 year old who can teach me how to do these things. /smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />

Did any of you see this news story about Chicago public school kids being forbidden to bring their own lunches to school??? They have to eat the cafeteria food unless they have a medical excuse. Unbelievable!

Authorities say that it's to protect children from their own poor food choices. Isn't that a parent's job?

Can you hear the jack boots marching all over parental rights???

http://www.chicagotribune.com/…..ws/educati…0,4567867.story

I'd be filing court papers right now if I had a kid in that school system. I hope someone does. This is getting ridiculous.

Well, then they had better check to see if what the school is serving makes the cut as being nutritious. When we were overseas, I took one look at the school lunch menu and was really disgusted. They actually had a deep fryer thingy in their kitchen. They were serving all kinds of deep fried crap. I made my kids' lunches on those days. Kat, I do believe that the Chicago schools do have the kids' best interest in mind, but there has got to be a better way. Maybe a before school club that has healthy choices available and the kids can make their lunches and pack 'em up. You asked "isnt' that a parent's job?" and unfortunately, so many parent's are not doing their job very well. Another sad state of affairs for our young folks.

I understand what you are saying, but the path to hell is paved with good intentions.

It's a very slippery slope. If a school can forbid parents from sending lunches to school, what's next? I am deeply concerned about government intrusion into family life and to me, this sets a very bad precedent. In my opinion, raising children is the parents job unless and until they blow it.

I've never seen a healthy school lunch. My nieces complain about the lunches at their schools all the time. They are actually very healthy eaters and there are not very many things they want to eat at school. Two of them are semi-vegetarians and all of the meals at school are meat oriented and they are usually not very healthy meats. They would starve if they couldn't take their lunches.

On a positive note, that little boy who started the cheer has my vote for class president. /smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

I'm so glad I'm not in school anymore….the drek they're shovelling at the kids these days is frightening to say the least.

To avoid creating a new thread, I'd figure I would post the news here. My spousal unit and I are now expecting our third kid. We are really hoping this one is a girl. The two boys from Hell would love to have a sister. So far the due date is 11-18 which kinda sucks but then we'll see when she actually wants to come out.

Also my group did an investigation last Saturday night. Not much happened personal experience wise so we'll have to wait and see what the evidence says.

You may now return to your regular scheduled random events, already in progress.

Congratulations, Ryan (and spousal unit)!!! That's wonderful news!

Ooh, maybe your daughter will be born on 11/11/11. Wouldn't that be cool?

You almost have to feel sorry for a daughter. With two older brothers, her boyfriends won't stand a chance. /laugh.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />

Good news for all of you transplanted NE folks. Tastykakes has been sold. The company that bought the company says they intend to increase distribution, so there's hope that you may be able to buy them wherever you live. Yummy!

http://blogs.wsj.com/deals/201…..04/11/atte…ykakes-is-sold/