Does anyone remember the 1978 shootings of SF Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor
Harvey Milk? In a controversial verdict,
Dan White was convicted of manslaughter (not murder) due to what became known
as the “Twinkie” defense. His lawyer convinced a jury that he suffered
diminished capacity by depression that was worsened by eating too much sugar, including Twinkies.
Last month, a 16-year-old boy from Texas who killed a family of four in a drunken car crash, was convicted of manslaughter, but got no jail
time—probation only—due to the expert witness of a psychologist who persuaded a jury that the
boy, from a wealthy family, had a feeling of privilege, called “affluenza,” which diminished his capacity for
judgment, and was deserving of a lighter sentence.
Perhaps the precursor to this “I-can't-be-blamed; I-have-a-disorder” cop out was the 1970's expression made famous by Flip Wilson, “The devil made me do it.” As a psychologist, I know there are legitimate disorders, but
this “blame-it-on-someone-else” excuse is as old as Adam’s “she-gave-it-to-me”
defense in the Garden. Might this be one way the spirit of lawlessness (2 Thess. 2:6-7) is manifesting itself today?
A declining consumer market and a bakers strike may result in the demise of ‘Hostess Brands, Inc.’ which makes cream-filled cupcakes, fruit pies, Wonder Bread, Ho Ho’s, Ding Dongs and Twinkies.
The Twinkie is not just a snack food; it is a cultural icon. Some of you may not remember when, in the early 80’s, Dan White was acquitted of the murder of SF Mayor George Moscone. The defense attorney was able to persuade 12 intelligent adults that too much sugar had made him temporarily insane—to this day, infamously known as the “Twinkie Defense.”
I cannot help but see the Twinkie as a symbol for our nutritionally-deprived culture—both physically and spiritually. Having grown accustomed to a diet of empty earthly values, metaphorically speaking, most Americans seek a sugar high instead of higher things. The brouhaha over Hostess’ collapse is sufficient evidence that our 21st century idols are as empty as white bread or as fleeting as a caffeine rush. How sad that people, like survivors on a stranded island, cling to such things. If you’re feeling depressed about the loss of Twinkies, perhaps you should reflect on the Apostle John’s words, “Dear children, keep yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21).
