“The Terminator” Wants to (Partly) Terminate Junk Food From Schools

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger of California is backing "absolutely critical" legislation that would promote healthier foods and drinks in California schools, including a bill that would ban soft drinks in high schools, the AP’s Kathleen Hennessey reported.

The Healthy Schools Now Act by Sen. Martha Escutia would extend the statewide ban on soft drinks in the lower grades.

I’m mighty proud of my home state of California (where I grew up).

In 2003, it set an example for the rest of the country — it became the first state to ban soft drink sales in middle and elementary schools despite objections from the soft drink industry. Los Angeles and other districts already forbid soda sales in high schools.

Here’s where I’m stumped, though.

The fit Schwarzenegger — who’s known for his commitment to exercise and good nutrition — urged lawmakers to pass a bill that would only permit high schools to sell soda 30 minutes before and after the school day, the AP reported.

Huh? Come again?

Yeah, during the school day, kids would only be able to buy water and milk, as well as beverages I don’t favor — sports drinks (which still contain sugar) and 50 percent fruit juice with no added sweeteners (they’re still high in sugar, though, too). But it seems to me the governor made a huge oversight.

Sure, I laud Schwarzenegger for his proposed bill, but why isn’t the actor-turned-governor — known for his starring role as "The Terminator" — pushing to terminate soda totally from school grounds?

Just imagine with me the inevitable scene right before school starts and just after it lets out. A bunch of unruly, sugar-and-caffeine-clamoring high school kids will be pushing and shoving each other — and maybe even jumping ahead in line — just to buy soda in the nick of time. What a nightmare!

Come on, Governor, you set an example for how people should get in shape. Now, why don’t you go the full distance and recommend banning soda entirely?

By the way, you’ll have no trouble guessing the reaction of the California-Nevada Soft Drink Association to this proposed bill.

Bob Achermann, a lobbyist for the pro-soda group, said he’d fight against expanding the soft drink ban to high schools. Not only that, but he had the audacity to point out that the measure wouldn’t keep sodas out of teenagers’ hands.

Gimme a break.

In my opinion, it’s not just up to parents to educate their kids about nutrition; schools should play a role, too.

What do you think?