In response to Jenny Stranzl's column ("Kids can learn from Cookie Monster's diet," April 19) concerning Cookie Monster's new diet on Sesame Street, I have to say that I think PBS, and American parents for that matter, are missing the big picture.

Yes, a TV show telling kids about the positive aspects of moderation, eating vegetables and exercising is the right message to be sending to children, but how and why did it become the job of televison to teach kids what's right and wrong?

As Americans, we have got to stop placing the blame on pop culture for all our failings as a society. Parents: Turn the damn TV off and take your kid outside to play! If one's child is obese, it isn't the fault of a puppet; it's a lack of discipline, attention and structure on the parent's part. Furthermore, I know we live in a fast-paced world, but I just can't see how one can use that as an excuse for feeding children junk from McDonalds nearly every day.

Americans have fallen into a bad pattern of ignoring responsibility, discipline and self-control, and it is high time parents make changes in their children's lives on their own instead of waiting for PBS to do it for them.