Re: Activists up in arms over nuclear chocolate

[Ruth Weiner <rfweine@sandia.gov>]

     Thanks for the laugh, Sandy!  What will the "activists" complain about 
     next?  Saying we "nuke" our lunches in the company microwave oven?
     
     By the way, if anyone out there is interested in reading a genuinely 
     intelligent discussion of reservations about the use of nuclear 
     weapons, I suggest reading DARK SUN by Richard Rhodes.
     
     Clearly only my own opinion
     
     Ruth Weiner
     rfweine@sandia.gov


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Activists up in arms over nuclear chocolate
Author:  sandyfl@earthlink.net at hubsmtp
Date:    6/29/98 11:10 PM


Oh well!!!!
     
Monday June 29 8:07 AM EDT
     
Activists up in arms over nuclear chocolate
     
By Nick Madigan
     
HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - A new candy bar tied in with the upcoming release of 
the doomsday action-thriller "Armageddon"
has sparked a mushroom cloud of outrage from anti-nuclear activists.
     
The "Nuclear Chocolate" candy bar, made by Nestle, bears the phrase "The 
Chocolate Chain Reaction" surrounding a symbol
that resembles an exploding planet. The black-and-green wrapper also features 
the "Armageddon" logo.
     
"It desensitizes not only children but adults to the horrors of nuclear danger,"
said Jerry Rubin, director of the Los Angeles
chapter of Alliance for Survival, who attended a demonstration Thursday outside 
Nestle's offices in Glendale, Calif.
     
In his hand was a sign that said: "Don't Sugarcoat the Nuclear Issue."
     
"I find this very, very offensive," Rubin said. "The nuclear issue is really 
serious,
especially now."
     
The marketing for the candy bar is "tasteless," said Polly Perlman, 
environmental chairwoman of the Women's Intl. League for
Peace & Freedom, L.A. chapter, and the children who buy it "are going to be 
inured to the fact that nuclear weapons are
horrific."
     
Although Nestle officials declined to meet with the demonstrators, the company 
issued a statement saying it "in no way is
attempting to offend or desensitize the issue."
     
"The word 'nuclear' is used in a fun, 'cool' manner to communicate the product's
'energy,"' wrote spokeswoman Tricia Bowles,
who explained that the chocolate bar contains "popping candy that reacts or 
pops" in the mouth when eaten.
     
"'Nuclear' is an expression, a common synonym among today's youth for words 
like 'electric' and 'awesome,"' she said, adding
that the product is "intended to deliver fun and excitement."
     
A Disney spokeswoman did not return a phone call seeking comment.
     
     
------------------
Sandy Perle
Technical Director
ICN Dosimetry Division
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Office: (800) 548-5100 x2306
Fax:    (714) 668-3111
     
sandyfl@earthlink.net
sperle@icnpharm.com
     
ICN Dosimetry Website:
http://www.dosimetry.com
     
Personal Website:
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/1205
     
"The object of opening the mind, as of opening
the mouth, is to close it again on something solid"
              - G. K. Chesterton -
     
The opinions expressed are solely, absolutely, positively, definitely those of 
the author, and NOT my employer