Blaming the victim...

[rabx5]

Play a toothpaste ad, and play a Mountain Dew ad and then ask a kid which one he would rather have. Mountain Dew (which is an addictive drug) and other junk that's bad for our kids, are marketed specifically to children. Marketing is pretty sophisticated nowadays. Very few kids can resist it.

Now come on, that's like comparing Disney World to a hometown carnival

I don't think these children see any of the marketing for Mt. Dew, Pop-Tarts or anything else.

I also don't think that they are so into their own mindset that none of them know how to use a toothbrush either-they choose not to.

 

[SteveInBrooklyn]

Now come on, that's like comparing Disney World to a hometown carnival

I don't think these children see any of the marketing for Mt. Dew, Pop-Tarts or anything else.

I also don't think that they are so into their own mindset that none of them know how to use a toothbrush either-they choose not to.

Why wouldn't they see the marketing?

 

[bluesaturn]

This is what I'm getting from this thread:
They're a bunch of hicks who should know better, in fact they DO know better but choose to live the way they do. It's their own fault that they're in the situation they're in. They should buy water and toothbrushes instead of soda.

Has anyone realized that the can of soda on their desk might be the ONLY meal they get all day. And yes, I know that soda is not a meal and that the $$ spent on that soda could go for something else. But they don't know any different. I'm in tears as I'm writing this, I'm stepping out of this thread. But just remember, that might be the only thing that makes their stomach feel full, doesn't hurt their teeth to eat, etc. It's not like it is for you and me. Doesn't anyone have room in their hearts to at least feel bad for the kids and yes, the parents. They are the poorest of the poor in this country, many don't have TV's, running water, etc - how exactly do they know any different? You can't know, no matter how much your read or how many shows you see on TV, you just can't know what it's like to live that way.

I agree with you in a lot of ways. Although I don't think they are drinking soda to fill their stomachs. I think it's more cultural.

 

[3jsmommy]

It seems that so many are buying into the stereotypical image of the backwards, uneducated Appalachian hillbilly. Stop and think for a few minutes. Would Diane Sawyer stir up any controversy with a documentary interviewing the college-educated, straight-toothed mountain family? She is looking for the very worst examples in order to propagate the hillbilly mystique. Asta gets it.

Like Asta, I grew up in a small East Tennessee town at the base of the Appalachian mountains. Non-fluoridated water plays a part of poor dental health as she mentioned. I knew many people who would not go to a dentist for preventative care, only when something hurt. Regardless where you live, I know that you know people who don't get annual physicals and only go to the doctor when they are sick. Admit it, you know people like that. It is the same with the dentists. Also, I knew a few people who put their children to sleep at night with a baby bottle of milk. This rots teeth. Yes, it was MILK not soda. Many of these parents also let children carry bottles and cups of juice around all day. When the rotten baby teeth fell out, these kids typically had decent adult teeth and cared for them. You cannot blame a toddler for poor dental care--it is parents. Regardless of where someone lives, no parent should allow excessive amounts of soda for their children.

Comments have been made regarding sodas in schools. I feel the Mt.Dew on the desks is a rare thing; how many schools could Diane Sawyer go to that did NOT allow sodas--we don't see this. I studied education and did student teaching in East Tenn. My school did not allow soda sales during school. The one soda vending machine was in the gym and was padlocked until the end of school. Teachers were actually discourage from bringing sodas to school for our lunches since the students were not allowed them. I can promise that the majority of students in this region are not allowed to have sodas sitting on their desks. I knew no teacher who allowed students to eat or drink in class (or chew gum either). The link I've listed shows guidelines for the entire state of Tennessee. It states that:

"• Food and beverages in middle and high schools should nor be sold from vending machines or school stores until 30 minutes after the end of the last meal period unless they are part of the school foodservice programs and meet standards associated with the dietary Guidelines for American’s
• Vending machines, snack bars, and school stores should offer 100% juice and other healthy snacks"

Link to food guidelines for the state of Tennessee 2004 quoted above): http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache...ols&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=7&gl=us&client=firefox-a

Showing my people in such a negative light is very offensive to me and a hot button issue. What Diane Sawyer is showing I feel is not the norm. Go to a city and hunt for the child who's parents work and feed him McDonald's every day--you can find him--it doesn't make him the norm. I think you will find a lack of dental care and healthcare with many low socio-economic levels. This saddens me. I strongly believe that all children deserve the best in medical care; it sets a good foundation for their futures.

Mountain people are proud and very tight-knit. They are suspicious of strangers because so many people look down on them and want to "fix" them and change their life-styles. Just because someone doesn't understand the culture does not make it wrong. Yes, many people in the Appalachian mountains are poor. Being poor doesn't make one ignorant or uneducated, although some are and they are the ones being exploited by ABC.

I haven't seen the 20/20 episode. I will try to watch it, but am uncertain if I will be able to tolerate the one-sided reporting. I have to wonder, will the Hillbillys wear shoes?

(Please note: I am not criticizing anyone who has posted on this thread, just trying to present a different opinion.)

Even though you are from the area I doubt you have been to the area that Diane Sawyer visited. I do not believe she was trying to exploit anyone, she had done a similar piece on Camden NJ & she felt that the kids in Appalachia were even worse off because they were so isolated. She truly wants the kids to get help, they are living in poverty. Should we just put our heads in the sand & ignore their suffering so we don't perpetuate the "hillbilly" personification of that area?
Of course what the documentary showed is not the norm, if it was we would be a third world country because that's how some of those kids are living.
Kudos to Diane Sawyer for trying to bring this to light, maybe those kids will have some hope now.
If Pepsi wants to donate bottled water & toothbrushes that wouldn't hurt either. Moral of the story...Diane Sawyer's not stupid & she's trying to help these kids!

 

[rabx5]

Why wouldn't they see the marketing?

If they are the poorest of the poor, then no tv no magazines either

 

[powellrj]

Even though you are from the area I doubt you have been to the area that Diane Sawyer visited. I do not believe she was trying to exploit anyone, she had done a similar piece on Camden NJ & she felt that the kids in Appalachia were even worse off because they were so isolated. She truly wants the kids to get help, they are living in poverty. Should we just put our heads in the sand & ignore their suffering so we don't perpetuate the "hillbilly" personification of that area?
Of course what the documentary showed is not the norm, if it was we would be a third world country because that's how some of those kids are living.
Kudos to Diane Sawyer for trying to bring this to light, maybe those kids will have some hope now.
If Pepsi wants to donate bottled water & toothbrushes that wouldn't hurt either. Moral of the story...Diane Sawyer's not stupid & she's trying to help these kids!

Oh please, its Feb so its sweeps time at the networks. Diane Sawyer is out for Diane Sawyer. Lets make big bad Pepsi look bad so I can get my rating for the Feb sweeps.

 

[SteveInBrooklyn]

Oh please, its Feb so its sweeps time at the networks. Diane Sawyer is out for Diane Sawyer. Lets make big bad Pepsi look bad so I can get my rating for the Feb sweeps.

Whatever Diane Sawyer's motives, Pepsi and many other corporations are selling products laced with drugs to our kids. That's just plain wrong.

 

[big kahuna1]

This is what I'm getting from this thread:
They're a bunch of hicks who should know better, in fact they DO know better but choose to live the way they do. It's their own fault that they're in the situation they're in. They should buy water and toothbrushes instead of soda.

Has anyone realized that the can of soda on their desk might be the ONLY meal they get all day. And yes, I know that soda is not a meal and that the $$ spent on that soda could go for something else. But they don't know any different. I'm in tears as I'm writing this, I'm stepping out of this thread. But just remember, that might be the only thing that makes their stomach feel full, doesn't hurt their teeth to eat, etc. It's not like it is for you and me. Doesn't anyone have room in their hearts to at least feel bad for the kids and yes, the parents. They are the poorest of the poor in this country, many don't have TV's, running water, etc - how exactly do they know any different? You can't know, no matter how much your read or how many shows you see on TV, you just can't know what it's like to live that way.

Holy Cow! Are you really serious?

 

[big kahuna1]

Whatever Diane Sawyer's motives, Pepsi and many other corporations are selling products laced with drugs to our kids. That's just plain wrong.

Then don't let your kids drink them.

 

[3jsmommy]

Oh please, its Feb so its sweeps time at the networks. Diane Sawyer is out for Diane Sawyer. Lets make big bad Pepsi look bad so I can get my rating for the Feb sweeps.

Do you know her personally?
She & her staff drove over 14,000 miles in over two years that it took to film the doc. I'm sure her desk job is a lot easier if she wants to look out for Diane.
Maybe she did it to feel like she is making a difference. She has a very successful career & job security, maybe she's at a point in life were she wants to something rewarding.

 

[luvmy3]

Even though you are from the area I doubt you have been to the area that Diane Sawyer visited. I do not believe she was trying to exploit anyone, she had done a similar piece on Camden NJ & she felt that the kids in Appalachia were even worse off because they were so isolated. She truly wants the kids to get help, they are living in poverty. Should we just put our heads in the sand & ignore their suffering so we don't perpetuate the "hillbilly" personification of that area?
Of course what the documentary showed is not the norm, if it was we would be a third world country because that's how some of those kids are living.
Kudos to Diane Sawyer for trying to bring this to light, maybe those kids will have some hope now.
If Pepsi wants to donate bottled water & toothbrushes that wouldn't hurt either. Moral of the story...Diane Sawyer's not stupid & she's trying to help these kids!

I think you put way too much faith in the people you see on TV.
If Diane Sawyer wanted to help maybe instead of interviewing a dentist, she could have used her status and contacted a few to go out and perform cleanings and give those people some eductaion on dental hygeine. If she did that, then I would say she really wants to help. Putting that on the show makes me say she really wanted ratings.


Jockaroo, great post.

 

[luvmy3]

Whatever Diane Sawyer's motives, Pepsi and many other corporations are selling products laced with drugs to our kids. That's just plain wrong.

No Pepsi is selling their products. Parents are letting their kids buy them, there is a difference.

My kids see commercials on TV, I hear the I want that but guess what, it doesn't mean I go out and get it.
People need to take responsibility for their own actions, I don't care how educated or not you are.

 

[Minnesota!]

Well, a good dental hygenist is going to tell them to STOP drinking the stuff. Hygenists can only do so much, the rest is up to the person.

I agree with Pepsi. If they want to drink the stuff, maybe they should brush their teeth 16 times a day.

Ditto.

If you can afford MD, you can afford water.

 

[okeydokey]

But how are the machines ending up in schools? It's not like the Pepsi truck pulls up and deposits a machine there. The school either buys or leases the machines, buys the soda to fill the machines up, and offers it to the kids.

Because schools are so strapped for cash, they can make some money by letting Pepsi pay their school for the privilege of putting the machine there. Thankfully, my kids' school system does not do this, but many do.

 

[TheZue]

Okay this is not 'blaming the victim' like most people think of it. When I think of blaming the victim I think of blaming a woman for wearing a short skirt who gets raped. Pepsi isn't holding anyone down and making them drink their product so nobody here is a victim; and if you want to call the kids victims they are victims of their parents not the big bad evil corporation selling a legal substance. This is calling for some personal responsibility on the parts of the parents, and if they are so incapable of making decent food choices for their children then CPS needs to step in.

Pop is EXPENSIVE. And there are tons of other sources of caffeine if they are really that addicted, you can buy a box of tea bags for $5 that have 150 bags in it...$5 on mountain dew would last under a week. Even bottled water is much cheaper if they don't have running water. So the 'we're poor and can't afford anything else to drink' doesn't fly.

 

[Embel]

Mountain Dew is available everywhere. The problem exists on a large scale in Appalachia. This means the problem is not MD/Pepsi, but something else.

I haven't been there, but lack of flouride, lack of dental care, and poor nutritional understanding are all plausible causes. These are the avenues that need to be explored.

That said, it's always wonderful when a large company like Pepsi donates to a worthy cause. If these people are really consuming that much MD, maybe Pepsi will come up with a way to help their consumers.

 

[wvjules]

Steve, according to your posts on various subjects, people should have NO PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY for anything!?!?!? Its always up to someone else; its always someone else's fault; etc.

 

[wvjules]

Mountain Dew is available everywhere. The problem exists on a large scale in Appalachia. This means the problem is not MD/Pepsi, but something else.

I haven't been there, but lack of flouride, lack of dental care, and poor nutritional understanding are all plausible causes. These are the avenues that need to be explored.

That said, it's always wonderful when a large company like Pepsi donates to a worthy cause. If these people are really consuming that much MD, maybe Pepsi will come up with a way to help their consumers.

Why does Pepsi need to do anying? In my stores the soda is in the same aisle as the water. Its not like the water is hidden.

 

[Kim&Chris]

Okay this is not 'blaming the victim' like most people think of it. When I think of blaming the victim I think of blaming a woman for wearing a short skirt who gets raped. Pepsi isn't holding anyone down and making them drink their product so nobody here is a victim; and if you want to call the kids victims they are victims of their parents not the big bad evil corporation selling a legal substance. This is calling for some personal responsibility on the parts of the parents, and if they are so incapable of making decent food choices for their children then CPS needs to step in.

Pop is EXPENSIVE. And there are tons of other sources of caffeine if they are really that addicted, you can buy a box of tea bags for $5 that have 150 bags in it...$5 on mountain dew would last under a week. Even bottled water is much cheaper if they don't have running water. So the 'we're poor and can't afford anything else to drink' doesn't fly.

Great post.

 

[Embel]

Why does Pepsi need to do anying? In my stores the soda is in the same aisle as the water. Its not like the water is hidden.

They don't.