The Soda Wars: Latest Dispatch From The Front

In order to address the epidemic of childhood obesity, the State of Connecticut has banned the sale of sodas and sports drinks from public schools:

Connecticut's state legislature voted on Thursday to ban sales of sodas and other sugary beverages in state elementary, middle and high schools as part of an effort to stem teen obesity.

Gov. Jodi Rell has pledged to sign the bill, which would make Connecticut the fourth state with a strong law in schools to trim the growing American teenage waistline.

The ban includes all regular and diet sodas, along with "electrolyte replacement beverages" such as Gatorade. The only drinks allowed to go on sale in schools would be bottled water, milk or 100-percent fruit and vegetable drinks.

"The bill clearly won't solve all food and beverage questions that lead to the increase in excess weight and obesity that we are seeing among children and adults in our society, but it's a good start," said state Rep. Andrew Fleischmann.

We agree with the idea of not selling sodas in school, but think that perhaps the ban on sports drinks such as Gatorade might be a little much.

But on the other hand, those sport drinks do get a substantial percentage of their calories from various forms of sugar.

How's this for irony: Objectively-speaking, when it comes to calories and fat content, can't many of the same objections be raised about whole milk? And yet I can't even imagine keeping milk away from children. ------------------------------See our latest education-related entries right here.