Don's Report to the World, January 2005:
Lynn Swann, Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Vending Machine Industry –
Reflections On A Scandal
Should we welcome, trust or at least be grateful when industries that create problems sponsor programs to solve them? (Always accompanied by expensive PR campaigns to tell us about their good deeds.) For instance, when tobacco companies sponsor ads urging young people not to smoke? How about responsible drinking messages by Coors and other purveyors of alcoholic beverages—should we be cheered by such a thing? Finally, if vending-machine trade associations urge healthful food choices (which they have rarely if ever provided) as part of an anti-obesity effort linked to new federal Dietary Guidelines, should this be welcomed and appreciated?
Probably, but I can’t overcome a bit of hesitation when Nero joins the fire brigade, the Pope declares for women’s rights or the Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan marches in a Martin Luther King Day parade. My skeptic gene starts palpitating when it tries to digest such disconnects (do genes “palpitate” or “digest?”— never mind). I wonder, "Might there be some hidden motives at work when known offenders start promoting good missions at odds with past behaviors?"
I had such thoughts after learning about a campaign by the National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) to enlist vending machines in CDC's anti-obesity program. I got really suspicious when I discovered that Lynn Swann, a pro-football Hall of Famer, is the paid spokesperson for NAMA’s new “color-coded rating system” for vending machine products.
What’s wrong with this picture? Well, ignore the fact (I’m not being charitable here) that NAMA’s campaign just might be a diversionary tactic to discourage legislation to remove vending machines from school property. My concern is that Lynn Swann is not just a football celebrity—he is chairman of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPF&S). Could you imagine Arnold Schwarzenegger, who served in this capacity under the first President Bush, accepting money from Twinkies or other junk food purveyors to promote fitness or healthy eating? Do you think Arnold would accept a payoff from an industry with a long history of damaging the health of children with grotesque sugar and fat vending machine products? Well, maybe, but I’d like to think not.
Think in terms of heroes from our own milieu, if offered big bucks to promote wellness by institutions with sordid records associated with low level worseness. Would Bill Hettler accept a lucrative role as spokesperson for Phillip Morris? Would Judd Allen be a poster boy for The American Sludge Association? Would Richard Keelor serve as executive director of the Sugar Association? (Ooops, strike that last example—Richard was a Trojan Horse seeking to make changes from within.) I don’t think so. Or, to get personal, let me ask this not so rhetorical question: Would I flak for Satan, for an evil empire or the 700 Club? Well, I suppose that would depend on the offers, but I don’t think most wellness types would do such a thing. Not Deb Jones, Grant Donovan, Martin Collis, John Travis or any of the good folks in the wellness game. They have honor, self-respect, integrity, standards against conflicts of interest and a sense of history and destiny.
But, what about Lynn Swann? Is there anything he might do as leader of NAMA's campaign that could justify the unseemly fact that the chairman of the PCPF&S is now on the payroll of a major purveyor of junk food for kids? What do YOU think?
I can report what a few health consumer groups think—they don’t like it and want to stop it. CSPI head Michael F. Jacobson urged the president to fire Swann in this press release: “It is unseemly to have the chairman of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness act as a paid shill for the junk food industry. It is shameful that the Department of Health and Human Services put its stamp of approval on Swann’s behavior. We hereby nominate Lynn Swann to serve as Chairman of Jocks for Junk Food. In his new position he can lord over the many dozens of professional athletes who lease out their names and reputations to soda companies, fast-food restaurants, and salty-snack makers.” Melanie Sloan, executive director of a watchdog group in Washington called Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics, offered this commentary: “Lynn Swann’s ability to speak out on the need for children to limit their junk food intake will be severely compromised by his role as spokesperson for the vending machine trade association. President Bush should take note of the conflict of interest and immediately request Mr. Swann’s resignation from his position as Chairman of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.”
Once again, I would love to know what you think of all this. It’s probably not the last time a promoter of healthy lifestyles will be associated with an industry, organization or cause that seems less than true blue, so having a bit of a dialogue on the matter might in itself be healthy.
Meanwhile, let the word go forth that I’m above this kind of thing, unless tempted otherwise. Then, I don’t know what I would do, so please tempt me. Be well, and always look on the bright side of life.