Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Official calls coca a healthy breakfast (for school children)
The Washington Times ^ | March 9, 2006 | Martin Arostegui

Posted on 03/09/2006 12:43:47 AM PST by neverdem

Edited on 03/09/2006 5:59:08 AM PST by Admin Moderator. [history]

SANTA CRUZ, Bolivia -- Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca has recommended that school children be fed coca leaves instead of milk for breakfast. The official's comments are part of an effort by the government of President Evo Morales to remove coca from international lists of toxic substances.

Speaking before the congressional foreign relations committee last Thursday, Mr. Choquehuanca said that the coca leaf has more nutritional substance and gives extra energy.

"Our children need calcium, and the coca leaf has more calcium than milk," he said. "Possibly, instead of giving milk in our school breakfasts, we need to give coca leaves to our children."

He also told the Bolivian congress that coca has more phosphorous than fish.

The Bolivian government seeks to decriminalize coca with the argument that the leaf used to make cocaine also has a variety of legitimate and benign uses.

Andean indians have chewed and made tea out of coca for centuries to cope with fatigue and altitude sickness. Peasant farmers who produce the drug are the grass-roots base of Bolivia's ruling Movement to Socialism.

Mr. Choquehuanca's suggestion that the government encourage use of the addictive leaf in schools drew criticism from some health officials. One nutritional specialist in Santa Cruz accused him of "playing politics with the health of our children..."

Continuing: Washington Times


TOPICS: Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bolivia; coca; warondrugs

1 posted on 03/09/2006 12:43:49 AM PST by neverdem
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: neverdem
Cocoa For Breakfast. I don't mean Cocoa Puffs, folks. I meant THAT other Cocoa.

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

2 posted on 03/09/2006 12:49:15 AM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: neverdem
Peasant farmers who produce the drug are the grass-roots base of Bolivia's ruling Movement to Socialism.

Hummmm....and could this be why the Bolivian politicians are touting coca?

3 posted on 03/09/2006 1:00:52 AM PST by highlander_UW (I don't know what my future holds, but I know Who holds my future)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: goldstategop

Coca and cocoa are from two different plants.


4 posted on 03/09/2006 1:09:42 AM PST by Outland (Proud right-wing conspirator.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Outland
I appreciate having my mistake being pointed out. We're not going to have coca.... ahem for breakfast any time soon.

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

5 posted on 03/09/2006 1:16:59 AM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Outland

Eric Clapton must be feeling quite vindicated right now from writing that song about it.. While we're at it dig up George Jung and Pablo Escobar and make them spokespersons for it...


6 posted on 03/09/2006 2:06:14 AM PST by Schwaeky ("Truth is not determined by a majority vote." Pope Benedict XVI)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: neverdem

Coca. It's for the children. (c)


7 posted on 03/09/2006 2:07:55 AM PST by Old Sarge (My vigor to fight has been renewed.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: neverdem

Coca! It's the real thing.

The breakfast of champions.

Start your day a little bit better.

Got coca?


8 posted on 03/09/2006 3:30:51 AM PST by Right Wing Assault ("..this administration is planning a 'Right Wing Assault' on values and ideals.." - John Kerry)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: neverdem

Sheesh. And the libs got their panties twisted when someone suggested designating ketchup as a vegetable back in the 80's.


9 posted on 03/09/2006 3:37:25 AM PST by Larry Lucido
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Larry Lucido

Coca Nut

10 posted on 03/09/2006 3:46:24 AM PST by ShadowDancer (No autopsy, no foul.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: neverdem

Bolivia should start airing commercials advocating coca use with commercials showing Evo Morales's children (or grandchildren) chomping away on the coca leaves.

And there should be a series of twenty commercials... (There isn't any addictive properties, after all. He, himself, said so.)

Chance of seeing his children chomp on coca? 0%.

Truth on what he's peddling? 0%.


11 posted on 03/09/2006 3:55:46 AM PST by gogogodzilla (Raaargh! Raaargh! Crush, Stomp!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ShadowDancer
Well, sometimes you feel like a nut. :-)


12 posted on 03/09/2006 4:29:14 AM PST by Larry Lucido
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: neverdem

Silva/Chavez/Morales

Whata crew.
I just dont understand south America


13 posted on 03/09/2006 4:31:17 AM PST by mylife (The roar of the masses could be farts)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: neverdem
COCA, it's what's for breakfast! Children prefer it over Ritalin, 2 to 1!
14 posted on 03/09/2006 5:16:56 AM PST by wolfcreek
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: neverdem
COCA, it's what's for breakfast! Children prefer it over Ritalin, 2 to 1!
15 posted on 03/09/2006 5:16:56 AM PST by wolfcreek
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson