Posted by Kathryn, a resident of the Cuesta Park neighborhood, on Nov 6, 2009 at 2:27 pm

Although I have been aware of Fair Trade products for a few years now, and purchase those products, our younger generation might not. This is typical for Girl Scouts: learning about a good cause, and taking action to help it along. I commend these young ladies for taking action, and on such a festive occasion as Halloween. Thank you.

Posted by Brent, a resident of another community, on Nov 6, 2009 at 3:16 pm

As a father of one the girls in this troup, I was touched by my daughter's thoughtful explanation about fair trade and am impressed that these girls are learning about issues and people far beyond our borders and taking action. Whether you believe in the cause (or approach) or not, it gives me some hope for the future.

Posted by Sheri, a resident of the Monta Loma neighborhood, on Nov 8, 2009 at 12:11 am

I learned about the abuses in the chocolate industry from a high school student in our neighborhood a couple of years ago when he gave a presentation at his school. Since then, I've made it a policy to only buy fair-trade chocolate.

I applaud the girl scouts for taking action on this issue! As for Halloween treats, I give non-candy treats: snack bags of pretzels or crackers, stickers, etc.

Posted by Bike Snob, a resident of the Cuesta Park neighborhood, on Nov 8, 2009 at 5:43 pm

I was handed one of the ReverseTrickOrTreat.org cards by the rudest child to visit my house. After she gave me the card, she reached past me, handing out treats, and into the bowl of candy. I was even giving out two moderate sized treats per child. This went past 'gimmie-gimmie' to 'takie-takie'.

She exclaimed, "Oh, I like these!"

It's cute when a five year old does this, but not a tweleve year old girl.

The fair trade card is only surrounding yourself in the Cone of Smugness, like driving your hybrid SUV. So all of you parents, get over yourselves. Your kids are learning from you, and they aren't learning anything - except to be grabby.

Why is it Fair Trade Certified(tm)? Because 'they', say it is. And the certifying agency is in Germany, so it must be Euro-cool. And the picture of the school children isn't because of your precious fair trade, it's only *provide* by the Equal Exchange.

The follow-up after taking candy was "Trick or treat for UNICEF". Sorry, that scam went out of style in the Seventies. Even the Canadians have stopped this door-to-door mugging.

Posted by Star Gazer, a resident of the Old Mountain View neighborhood, on Nov 8, 2009 at 6:58 pm

I was disappointed this year to note that the vast majority of kids can't even say thank you when trick or treating, and many can't even force out the obligatory trick-or-treat. The worst are the ones that search through the bowl looking for something they want (one such Girl Scout as well). I tolerate it with an open mind, but wonder what kind of parenting and education goes into our youth.

I agree with Bike Snob, I have less a carbon footprint with my 42MPG twenty old honda then the new hybrids these types have to buy or lease every 3-5 years.

Posted by Gus, a resident of another community, on Nov 9, 2009 at 4:42 pm

Just because a 12 year old girl is rude, is hardly a reason to dismiss a cause such as this.

The majority of the world's chocolate (roughly 70%) comes from Africa, where it is a common practice for children to be used as slaves to harvest the cacao.

I'm glad that you feel so smug about your 42mpg Honda, that you find the exploitation and enslavement of children to be acceptable. I wish that I could be so smug. Perhaps you should educate yourself on the matter.

Slavery and human trafficking are thriving industries, not just in Africa, but here in the Bay Area as well.

Perhaps this girl this 12 year old girl was rude, and she missed the point...but that doesn't mean that everyone else should miss the point as well.

Posted by Mark Chesney, a resident of the Old Mountain View neighborhood, on Nov 9, 2009 at 10:26 pm

that's such a beautiful story. I hope these girls remain true to causes like these as they grow into young adults.

Posted by Bike Race Winner, a resident of the Old Mountain View neighborhood, on Nov 10, 2009 at 8:50 am

Oh please Bike Snob. You were looking for a reason to "snark" about the issue so you find it in the 12 yr old girl who was hyper excited by candy and trick or treating on Halloween? REALLY?

OK, if that's your reasoning.

I'm not going to put much value in the statements of individuals like that though. Enjoy your opinion.