Kids cited for running lemonade stand outside U.S. Open

[rsmith6621]

The first rule of public relations: When you take on little kids in the battle for public sympathy, you will always, always lose.

Our scene: Bethesda, Maryland. Just outside the gates of Congressional Country Club, the site of this year's U.S. Open, some kids were selling lemonade to patrons with the intention of donating the profits to children's charities. Wholesome! Precious! Could anything be more American than that?

Turns out there is something more American than that: government bureaucracy. Montgomery County inspectors repeatedly warned the children (and their parents) that they were violating a ban on vendors within county limits, and when the tots didn't shut down their operation, the government stepped in, initially shutting the operation down and fining the parents $500. Later on Friday, the county reconsidered and waived the fine, asking the kids to reopen in a safer location.

http://sports.yahoo.com/golf/blog/devil_ball_golf/post/Kids-fined-500-for-running-lemonade-stand-outsi?urn=golf-wp2767

[HipChick]

1. this is a local story..that area is very busy...I don't know why the parents are endangering their

kids and trying to skirt the rules..they got several warnings..I don't know why they aren't following what's needed..

[midnight]

2. I remember my Kool-aid stands... Those were the days... No arrests, and lots of fun...

Times have changed, the big guys who make close to 56,000, can pay the three hundred dollar fee.... The little guys will be unable to pay to play....

[madrchsod]

3. meanwhile some folks are charging over a 100 a day....

to park on their lawns. the kids who are selling the the lemonaide are probably the kids who live in those very expensive homes....welcome to the real world kids

[Dappleganger]

4. Hell, I'd do that...

it could help pay my goddamn summer electric bill.