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| Unilateral Decree Making River Park "Peanut Free" |
Posted prominently on the front door of the stately old River Park fieldhouse on Chicago's far North side is the following notice:
Peanut Free Park
As a result of several children having severe Peanut allergies we ask that peanut products not be brought into the building.
INCLUDES: Peanut Butter, Peanut products, Candy bars and regular nuts. Thank You.
Now the casual observer would conclude that the Chicago Park District in its entirety has jumped aboard this latest health food mania. After all, the notice practically yells at you that River Park is now a "Peanut Free Park."
And the fact that the notice appears just above the Chicago Park District logo, gives it what barristers would call, "The color of law."
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| Will Vera Onate next declare River Park a "Gluten-Free Zone?" |
But, alas, that is not so.
According to Colleen Gallagher, the Chicago Park District's $78,504 a year "Risk Analyst," this was the unilateral doing of the busybodies who run that particular field house. She said that the CPD does not have a blanket ban on all things related to the tasty, native American legume.
The chief busybody and safeguard of public health and decency at River Park is one Vera Onate, the $60, 149 a year River Park recreation supervisor.
Seems that the glorified summer camp counselor, Ms. Onate noted that her idol, Barack H. Obama, proclaimed that since he had a pen and a phone, he could simply proclaim binding ukases on the peasantry at will.
She apparently decided to do the same.
Her rationale, according to Gallagher, was that a former denizen of the field house, recently succumbed to peanut allergies at school and everyone was sad.
Ergo, no Snickers bars for you kids.
Gallagher said that she would request that Onate remove the "request" since it is not CPD policy to ban the goober pea.
But as of this writing, it was still prominently on display on the River Park field house door as well as at several locations inside the building.
Seems Onate likes the concept of "tyranny of the minority."
Maybe next she'll go to work -- Bloomberg-style -- churning out dictates banning trans-fats, salt and 20 oz. Slurpees.
Maybe next, she'll declare the Chicago Park District's River Park field house a "Gluten-Free Zone."
Or how about a "Lactose-Free Zone?" Because, after all, there might be some lone kid out there somewhere who is gluten averse or lactose intolerant, who clamors for government protection.
And after all, government always knows best. And as for the concept of "consent of the governed" in Obama's fundamentally transformed America--- Nuts to that!
This is obviously racist -- they just want to ban peanut butter because a black man George Washington Carver invented it.
ReplyDeleteSetting aside the ridiculousness of the overbearing government, I must say it is clear that none of you have children. When my dad was a kid, no one wore seatbelts, and he only knew ONE kid who died in a car. Stupid jerks. My kid has both a peanut and lactose allergy. Despite your ignorant comments, disguised as knowledge...my kids "allergy" causes him to go into anaphylactic shock and he stops breathing. It has happened once already.have you ever watched your kid almost die in front of you? Yes the goverment is stupid, and so are you for suggesting peanut allergies are not a big deal. Go ahead, bring peanuts, and if it hurts or kills my kid....well, best of luck to you and your family.
DeleteWe can all commiserate with your child. But does it follow then that all children with whom he or she comes in contact should be compelled to forgo all dairy and peanut products? How can you possibly expect everyone to alter their lifestyle to accommodate a microscopic minority who are beset by unfortunate personal problems? Should all vigorous sports be banned at that park if a kid with hemophilia were present? Where would it end?That would truly be a "tyranny of the minority."
DeleteVery true, and good point. My frustration comes from people acting like it is not an issue, simply because it is not their issue. It makes me furious when people say in response to such conditions..."Well, in my day, no one had..." or "My kid doesnt have that condition, so who cares".
DeleteIt makes me even more furious when there is a known and specific request to watch out for (fill in the blank) condition, and it is not taken seriously. Yes, it is ultimately my responsibility to ensure the safety of my kid. But in places like this, public places such as schools and field trips, I do not have such control of the situation, and rely on the responsibility of those in charge of my kid at that time. No, I do not expect the majority to conform, just be respectful of it. I would disagree with the use of the word "tyranny" and "minority". After you add up all the hemophiliac, dairy allergy, peanut allergy, asthmatic, etc. people..it is not such a minority. And I hardly feel it is tyrannical to ask for such precautions to be taken. But, i do see your point, and it is well taken.
I do not know of one child with a peanut allergy when I was growing up. Peanut butter (and jelly) sandwiches were a regular school lunch option at the self-serve lunch bar.
ReplyDeleteThie peanut allergy mania just seems another ploy in the never ending quest to find victims that government can protect and with that -- throw another wrench into predictable social activities. Chaos seems their aim.
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