More Candy Controversy 

Ann Althouse points to this Chicago Tribune tribune article about chocolate crosses:

A mass-produced chocolate cross is being sold this Easter by Russell Stover Candies Inc. in about 5,000 stores nationwide - apparently a first for a major American company, experts say.

"Obviously they've seen that there's a market for chocolate crosses at Easter," said Lisbeth Echeandia, a consultant for Candy Information Service, which monitors candy-industry trends. "I don't see it growing tremendously, but I think there would be growth in the Christian market."

However, not all Christians are happy about it. Chomping on a chocolate cross can be offensive to some, said Joseph McAleer, a spokesman for the Diocese of Bridgeport in Connecticut

"The cross should be venerated, not eaten, nor tossed casually in an Easter basket beside the jelly beans and marshmallow Peeps," he said. "It's insulting."

First of all... I am so sick and f-ing tired of people claiming everything they consider insulting, or offensive should be pulled from the shelves. Secondly... how is it offensive? When was the last time you took communion? Catholics believe that the wine becomes the blood of Christ, and the bread is his body. So it's ok to drink his blood, and eat his body... but somehow munching on a chocolate cross is wrong? Anyone else laughing at that?

What about the animal rights people? Are they offended by people selling chocolate bunnies for people to bite their heads off? And don't forget about peeps! Some people actually let them sit for an entire year to become stale before eating them (my uncle among them). Is that cruelty to candy? Sheesh... just imagine if they had done what they originally thought about:

Ward said Russell Stover considered making other traditional images out of chocolate, but eventually opted not to.

"A molded Jesus, for example, would not be a good call and a cross with Jesus on it wouldn't be a good idea either," Ward said.

I'm sure the people who would have been offended by that, don't have issue eating a chocolate Santa at Christmas. Eating a chocolate starving man is wrong... eating a chocolate fat man is just fine. Glad we're clear on that.