The scariest part of an anti-obesity, no-candy Halloween

As it turns out, the story of "Cheryl" -- the North Dakota woman who planned to celebrate Halloween by handing out anti-obesity flyers -- may be a hoax. But perhaps the scariest part of this story isn't the threat of public shaming of children, but how believable this story actually was.

It says a lot about the times we live in when a story like this could go so viral and professional psychologists are called in to comment.

I can't help but wonder whether Michelle Obama was delighted or horrified when she heard about this story. Or Michael Bloomberg. Or Rahm Emanuel.  Or any other progressive liberal who believes the body mass of your child is somehow their business.

And how many of us conservatives believed that bold progressives would take such insane action to advance their agenda? When the Obamas of the world are mounting public campaigns on behalf of vegetables and Bloombergs leading crusades against sugar and sodium, it's almost expected that someone, somewhere would take a public health stand against Halloween.

The Denver Post Editorial Board similarly opines on the "Cheryl" story:

If she’s serious — and there’s always the chance this is some unfunny  hoax — the indifference to the feelings of  children singled out as fat is mind-boggling. For that matter, consider the staggering arrogance and smugness of someone who appoints herself enforcer of juvenile weight and is willing to humiliate kids in pursuit of her goal.

The story -- whether true or not -- is crazy.  Sadly, it's not too crazy to be believed these days.