A Great American Cover-Up: Sunshine's Hydrox Cookie

One topic of discovery in recent years is the disappearance of a childhood staple in my household and neighborhoods. A delectable treat that millions of Americans remember and so many did not appreciate enough throughout it’s almost 50 years of production. The iconic and entirely irreplaceable: Sunshine Hydrox cookie. Contrary to popular belief Oreos were not the first chocolate sandwich cookie created in the USA. That honor actually belongs to the Hydrox. Unfortunately, not unlike many other industries created in this country, Sunshine was bullied out of their rightful place in history. Oreo’s creator, Nabisco Biscuit Company, observed the success of its smaller predecessor and created its own version, essentially a knock-off, of the Hydrox original. Due to their dominance over advertising, marketing and production size poor Sunshine and their Hydrox didn’t stand a chance.

Due to this act of corporate bullying (it’s the American way after all) Nabisco proudly dubbed their version, the Oreo, “America’s First Sandwich Cookie”. However false this statement  was did not matter to the public abroad since many had not heard of Sunshine Biscuit Company much less knew about their Hydrox cookie. Of course as time went on Oreo not only became the “First” however it transcended into American pop culture, becoming an iconic brand permanently cementing a place within the American conscious and as a symbol of American culture. Meanwhile the Hydrox cookie got unfairly targeted and labeled as an “off-brand” or knock-off of the Oreo. Most consumers created a negative view of the cookie based of corporate lies and marketing schemes; again the American way. To this dismay of all those who actually consumed and knew of Hydrox’s superiority to Oreo, the smaller company just couldn’t stand up to the dominance of its competitor in the marketplace.

 As a result over a few decades this tasty treat stayed mostly under the radar. The cookies were usually only sold in certain retail outlets usually within an urban center or the like. I found them primarily in Thriftway shopping stores as a kid in Kansas City, Missouri. I remember their taste distinctly and never threw away my opinion that they were light-years ahead of any Oreo I had ever had. This belief still stands true with me today as an adult. No matter how hard they try, and the success that the Oreo brand has had it will never measure up to the Sunshine, latter Keebler, Hydrox cookie. Ever.  That is why as a loyal fan to the brand it was a great dismay to find that the brand was dissolved; only making a short return a few years ago to celebrate what would’ve been its 50 anniversary. It is a shame that it never had the opportunity to take its rightful place among the confectionary greats, maybe one day it’ll get the recognition it deserves. Until then, I’ll continue searching high and low for a box that I believe exists out there somewhere.

Donald Rump & His Colorful, Parade of Truths and Follies

(And before you ask, no that isn't a typo in the title.) Now as a person under the age of 30 it is expected of me to know relatively close to, if not completely, nothing on the subject of politics, social issues, or anything not attached to a colorful bumper sticker. Or of course the weekly line-up on MTV. However as ultimately over-reaching, and in my case slightly offensive, as these assumptions may be unfortunately I am apart of the over-microwaved generation. I clearly attest to my peers lack of attention span to way too many hours spent on Facebook instead of actually speaking to another person's face or face down in a real book.

This is unfortunate however it is only the generalization of who we are. I, among millions of other young adults, and teens for that matter, are attuned to more than the new items added to McDonald's dollar menu. From a personal stand point I stay connected and abreast of all things politically and socially inclined. Not only domestic issues but abroad as well. I am firm believer that you won't be young forever and that the ignorance you carry today will surely bite you later if you aren't careful.

With this in mind I have been paying close attention to the recent state of affairs in the form of a daily soap opera: American news media. While it is a whole different discussion entirely of the state of the public affairs and how our government currently functions more of political circus theatre rather than an agent to move forward the agendas of the American people; it is of great relevance to pay attention to certain facets of the story. One of the most recent additions to the cast is Donald Trump and his wonderful talking hairpiece.

He has rambled on and on about President Obama's lack of effort in proving he was indeed an American citizen (which thankfully has finally been resolved), but his style of governing, his policies, and nearly anything totally irrelevant and obsurd he can find. I'm sure he's possibly even critiqued his choice of hotel while travelling. Jokes aside, Donald's ranting and raving is an alarming trend that many people seem to like to pay attention to, if not worse even agree with. I definitely do not agree with all of the President's decisions and policies within the first half of his term. However to persist on things as asinine as a wild goose chase for this man's birth certificate is another.

I believe it is imperative that we as active citizen's in our democracy learn how to have a civil discourse of the differences in our ideals without the degrading of others in the process. It is a very dangerous and tight road Trump and his counterparts have been treading here recently and none of it proves well to the future of this nation. Sowing seeds of lies and dissention does nothing to add to our lives but more chaos and less systematic and sustainable positive change in our economy, media, or the political process as a whole.

For Starters...

Every blog needs a first post and this one is no exception. I have found that in my previous experience with blogs, I've helped to run a couple in the past, that there is no lack of subjects for people to become "experts" on. There also is absolutely no skill set needed at all as a writer, or even as a avid student of any modern language. Most people as I've encountered merely type, to no end, and some times with no reasonable point. Be that as it may there are quite a few great blogs that I have come across and it has even inspired me to create one or two of my own over the years (see one of those abandoned ships here.)

While it is definitely not my lack of interest in any particular subject which inhibits me from blogging, but as my Communication Studies Professor from this semester dutifully noted in his lecture notes, and I roughly paraphrase, the attention span of most new bloggers is equivalent to that of a rat in search of cheese. Okay, that weren't his exact words but I am sure you can catch the drift. It takes much more effort than most people realize to update a blog, and even greater effort  into making sure it becomes prominent, and yet even more difficult to make sure it stays that way.

Now in this instance I created this blog out of mere enjoyment (i.e. in order to receive a wonderful grade in my ComSt422 course) and hope that it lasts longer than my other voyages into the blogosphere. I do not know exactly the duration of this particular journey, but I shall put forth my best effort into seeing that this at least sees the light of day longer than deer aligned in Sarah Palin's cross sight. Enough of my slight attempts at political jeering, I'll have more direct versions of those in the days, and possibly years, to come. With that I welcome you to my spot on the World Wide Farce, enjoy your stay. (At least until you see that nifty add for 50% off cupcakes from Groupon pop-up on your screen, in which I'll see you next millenia. :) )