In Videos: Colbert Report: People Destroying America - Happy Meal

Required Eating

In Videos: Colbert Report: People Destroying America - Happy Meal

Posted by Raphael, February 18, 2008 at 12:00 PM

Stephen Colbert, in the segment "People Destroying America," interviews Susan Pagan, a mother who tries to "obliterate America's happiness" by denying her daughter a Happy Meal earned from a good report card in Seminole County, Florida.

Video after the jump.

Colbert Report: People Destroying America - Happy Meal

6 Comments | Tags: Colbert Report, Florida, McDonald's, Stephen Colbert, videos

6 Comments:

OMG

Love it, love it, love it, love it!

So clever and so funny......I can't stop laughing.

I have to send this to everybody in my email address book.

My daughter, who would be called a "health nut" by nearly everyone, actually takes her daughter to McDonald's. She eats oranges and whatever other less offensive foods they now sell. She is 3 and loves the playground more than the food. Anyway, my daughter will love this too.

Thanks for finding it and giving me such a hearty laugh.

PerkyMac at 12:28PM on 02/18/08

People need to teach their children moderation, else they will go crazy once they get older and can experiment on their own, whether it be with unhealthy foods, booze, drugs, unsafe sex.

This mom needs to learn that one or two fast food meals per month won't kill her child.

jd7979 at 2:10PM on 02/18/08

I don't know about that jd7979, it sounds rather alarmist and defensive, and where's the evidence to support your claim? It's a funny clip, which happens to highlight that fact that not everyone is going to be a sheep and cave in to corporate "food." Who knows what Susan feeds her kids--maybe she makes hamburgers and fries for them at home that are far more tasty and nutritious that the fake stuff they sell at McDonald's. Still kind of junk food, but on her own terms. I think you're judging a bit too quickly there.

Eilen at 4:16PM on 02/18/08

Isn't it rather contradictory for the federal and state governments to claim they are actively trying to combat childhood obesity while allowing fast-food restaurants to advertise on report cards? Congratulations to this mom for trying to teach her child healthy eating and that viewing unhealthy foods as a reward teaches an unhealthy attitude toward food. With more families shunning fast-food (as a lifestyle decision, rather than a restriction), it would be more wise for the school to allow the parent to decide what reward is appropriate.

beth1 at 5:46PM on 02/18/08

At least there is one parent out there who knows a junk food treat isn't the way to reward a child. All we hear in the news is childhood obesity, and then when someone tries to teach a child that a garbage meal isn't a reward she is lampooned. And I agree with JD moderation is the key, but moderation in real food. Teaching your child to expect fast food a couple of times a month is like saying Jr its ok you can drink antifreeze, but only twice a month. It's the same thing, one just acts slower then the other.

huney_bumper at 7:58AM on 02/19/08

It is a sad state of affairs when our public schools are forced to take on "corporate partners" because they are underfunded by the government.

besides that, I think Colbert is hilarious!

amber at 8:53AM on 02/19/08

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