I have had ENOUGH!

[Pink Amulet]

I realise what I am about to say could not only get me banned on LS, but will also no doubt incite hatred, disgust and general dissatisfaction across the board.

 

I went away, and I had some time to get REALLY (perhaps) irrationally angry about the last two pages on this thread… http://www.loveshack.org/forums/showthread.php?t=100009

 

But I have the right to free speech, so here it is...

 

Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, depression, cancer, hypertension, stroke, sleep apenia and infertility are just of the disasterous and in some cases fatal conditions more likely to affect those who are overweight or obese.

 

Obesity is fast becoming the leading cause of PREVENTATIVE death.

 

It is expected to overtake the medical damages caused by smoking within the next year.

 

Just the other day, I was listening to a group of intelligent lecturers hassling a fellow staff member on reasons to quit that "dirty, disgusting habit"

 

"Don't you know what that is doing to your body?"

 

It is completely socially acceptable to berate smokers (I am not saying it is right or wrong- just saying that it is acceptable conversation).

 

We have no smoking signs everywhere, which are in fact used in many cases to shame smokers and end the rise of diseases caused by nicotine addiction.

 

So if I were to apply the same logic

 

“HEY YOU FAT F*CK- put down the cheeseburger, and go for a walk… if you can’t yet- start clapping your hands. You are not only increasing your personal risk of dying twenty years earlier, but you are making it an acceptable lifestyle behaviour for future generations."

 

Setting the trend for more than 1 in 4 CHILDREN to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

 

Perpetuating the fast food monopolies, and encouraging high fat, high sugar, high calorie foods to make their way in to the every day diets of our increasingly FAT society.

 

The World Health Organisation has declared this a PANDEMIC!

 

So say what you want to me, but accept the fact that if this were a pandemic caused by poison in our water systems- and it were killing HALF as many men, women, and children as obesity was… you wouldn’t even think about criticising my tirade.

 

I was completely blown away by the figures sent to the ABC tonight from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare's biennial snapshot - called Australia's Health 2006.

 

The number of Australians who reported having diabetes had more than doubled between 1990 and 2006.,

 

In Australia, about 18 per cent of girls and 16 per cent of boys are overweight.

 

A further 6 per cent of girls and 5 per cent of boys are obese.

 

And before you ask why I care so much? Contrary to popular belief.. journalists do actually care about the well being of society.

 

In fact, the pursuit of good journalism is to educate and inform ,to increase awareness, and the pursuit of a better life for future generations.

 

"But we knew all of this before” I hear you say

 

Well then stop putting genetically modified chemicals in to your body, get off your fat ass and exercise.

 

It doesn't take much- an hour of exercise a day, WILL change your life, and ultimately the lives of the next generation.

[pricillia]

Pink

 

My mom just died of lung cancer, this is is most cases irrirversable. She smoked as long as I could remember, and she could not stop. I wish someone would have lectured her on the causes and what she would endure in the end.

 

I watched a healthy woman suffer cough up blood, not be able to breath or eat, she would cry all the time because of the pain that she was in.

 

It really kicked her ass in the end but you don't realize it until it is too late.

 

Regardless of if you have a point about people's wieght issues you should not use that as a comparison because you are angry, You have strong feelings about this subject but it does not mean that you should bash an over weight person...Health risks are just as high I know, there has to be a better way.

 

You have to treat everyone as an individual regarding any addiction because there are different reasons why a person may be addicted to

smoking, eating, drinking, drugs you name it.

[Tony T]

Would have been nice if you would have put up the correct link so we would know just what was written in that thread that pissed you off so. Maybe you could post it below?

 

I think your post is GREAT but whenever I write on here about ugly fat is, you should see some of the nasty posts that follow. People are surely killing themselves with too much of the wrong foods and not enough exercise. A LOT of the thinner people are that way because they are smoking too much. HA!

[amaysngrace]

Uh-oh...I tried to access the link and it wasn't allowed. It says "contact an administrator".

 

Pink, you make very valid points. I hope you didn't get into trouble for exercising your right to free speech.

 

I think everyone is entitled to their opinion, moreso if it's backed with medical statistics, as yours certainly is. These are facts you've presented, not speculation.

 

I've heard the eating habits of today's youth will be directly linked to the health issue known as "diabesity". Adults desperately need to set a good example.

[burning 4 revenge]

People don't use enough garlic and onions. I just got done talking about that. Spices in general are lacking in American and northern European foodsand fat is used as the main source of flavor. That's why ethnic food tastes better and are healthier. I rarely exceed 150 lbs, but I cook with spices and olive oil and sub turkey for ground beef in many dishes.

 

Although I do still hate you and am disgusted and dissapointed (note to mods-I insert the silly emoticon so as to distinguish my statement as being tongue in cheek)

[einahpets]

Lets just say I work in a store that specialises in selling a fattening food product. You would be amazed at the amount of people who come in on scooters, no longer able to walk buying this junk. It is sad, but it is their choice. What really makes me mad is people bringing in their overweight children and buying them whatever they want. Most are too young to know better and they are just teaching their children lifelong poor eating habits.

 

I understand with many people that eating is an addiction, like smoking. You have to care enough about yourself to make a change. With some people, like my mother there are other issues like the thyroid, but most are not. You are right about what is socially acceptable to criticize. We have other threads about this but I am a slender gal and I have self esteem issues because of years of people thinking it is ok to criticize someone who is thin. I also smoke (I have quit for a few years before) and I cannot wait to quit again. I know what I am doing to myself and it is important for me to overcome it. It is the best feeling. You are right, no one will go up to some and say something to a fat person but it is ok to criticize smokers, thin people etc. etc. But we treat them as if they are off limits, they are the only ones with feelings (umm...everyone does). This problem needs to be addressed more and I am sure maybe your tone will turn a few people off, but I appreciate your thread.

[pricillia]

(quote by pink A)

I just want everyone to treat their body well.

 

I am in remission, and I know first hand the pain and suffering our bodies can cause us- There are so many things that can strike you down, and I just feel we should eliminate risk factors to lessen the chances of illness.

 

This is just the way I will always feel.

 

Look at any random thread on LS and you will find condemnation of peoples choices, behaviours, and lifestyle- I don't see how MY OPINION on weight, and physical health is any different.

 

I am entitled to my opinion and you, to yours.

 

Just try not to do it in a nasty, bitchy way, aSo if I were to apply the same logic

 

 

 

“HEY YOU FAT F*CK- put down the cheeseburger, and go for a walk… if you can’t yet- start clapping your hands. You are not only increasing your personal risk of dying twenty years earlier, but you are making it an acceptable lifestyle behaviour for future generations."

 

and avoid personal attacks- it only reflects badly on you.

 

These are your own words above Pink but you did it anyway...

This whole thing is unbelievable.

nice real nice!

[Tony T]

When I look at some prized European art of many centuries ago, the women considered very beautiful in the paintings (by the greatest artists of time times) are obese...blubber just running down their sides. It's odd that way back then, when people didn't have all the processed foods and everybody cooked fresh stuff...they valued fat so highly and men put women who were big and plump in the supermodel category.

 

Can you imagine if they had had the Internet back then, along with the American Medical Society AND LoveShack.org? Those paintings wouldn't be selling for such much today...or they would be photoshopped in a major way....haha!

[Pink Amulet]

http://www.loveshack.org/forums/showthread.php?t=100009

 

The last few pages of "living with a fat person".

 

I am just generally angry about the way society silences the issues surrounding being overweight so as to not offend, insult, or hurt overweight people.

 

As I said if this were anything but fast food, and a lack of exercise KILLING millions of people each year- then public commentary would soar.

 

Pricilla- I am not at all comparing the two medical issues. I am just comparing the way each one is dealt with in a public sphere. So basically the acceptability of berating smokers for the damaging social impact- yet the causes of obesity are overlooked.

 

"Oh becareful not to say anything to offend overweight people"

 

And then I get accused of suffering from "skinny girl syndrome"- This isn't about me and this isn't about my lifestyle choices. I am not comparing, or contrasting my situation to individuals in question.

 

This is not even about the personal experiences of the millions of overweight and obese people walking the streets.

 

This is about the negative, social, econimcally, and medical issues our children will be faced with unless we do something NOW>!!

[Tony T]

(quote by pink A)

I just want everyone to treat their body well.

 

I am in remission, and I know first hand the pain and suffering our bodies can cause us- There are so many things that can strike you down, and I just feel we should eliminate risk factors to lessen the chances of illness.

 

This is just the way I will always feel.

 

Look at any random thread on LS and you will find condemnation of peoples choices, behaviours, and lifestyle- I don't see how MY OPINION on weight, and physical health is any different.

 

I am entitled to my opinion and you, to yours.

 

Just try not to do it in a nasty, bitchy way, aSo if I were to apply the same logic

 

 

 

“HEY YOU FAT F*CK- put down the cheeseburger, and go for a walk… if you can’t yet- start clapping your hands. You are not only increasing your personal risk of dying twenty years earlier, but you are making it an acceptable lifestyle behaviour for future generations."

 

and avoid personal attacks- it only reflects badly on you.

 

These are your own words above Pink but you did it anyway...

This whole thing is unbelievable.

nice real nice!

 

If you will read the original post you will see there was no personal attack against anybody. What is in boldface is a hypothetical quote, nothing more than that...something some people would like to say.

[Pink Amulet]

These are your own words above Pink but you did it anyway...

This whole thing is unbelievable.

nice real nice!

 

Ummm, let me reitterate. THIS IS NOT A PERSONAL ATTACK. This isn't about individual circumstances, nor the lifestyles of individuals in particular.

 

This is just hypothetical public commentary.

 

Having worked along side politicians, I know that no matter what you say... it's bound to offend someone.

 

I was just using the harsh words as an example of the type of beration that would not be acceptable in society.

 

I do hear people calling smokers, idiots, and murderers though....

[Art_Critic]

So basically the acceptability of berating smokers for the damaging social impact- yet the causes of obesity are overlooked.

 

I am just speaking for myself but I believe that the reason it is acceptable for people to walk up to a smoker and say something is entirely okay because of second hand smoke..

 

A smoker smoking in public is killing/hurting the people around them.

 

An overweight person eating a chesseburger is not hurting anyone but themselves.

[Tony]

This could be an excellent thread if everyone will please stick to the topic and leave out personal attacks. Some posts have already been deleted for that reason. The topic is current and valid so if we all make comments that are rational and set forth our feelings without personal attacks we could have something good here. (Attacks or negative remarks on obesity in general are not considered personal attacks.) Otherwise, it will be deleted and we would all be denied some very good stuff.

 

A great many posts from the last two pages of the other thread referred to above have been deleted because they were meanspirited and off-topic. I regret not having seen them earlier. That thread has been closed.

 

Please remember, don't get personal here and we could have a great thread!

[burning 4 revenge]

When I look at some prized European art of many centuries ago, the women considered very beautiful in the paintings (by the greatest artists of time times) are obese...blubber just running down their sides. It's odd that way back then, when people didn't have all the processed foods and everybody cooked fresh stuff...they valued fat so highly and men put women who were big and plump in the supermodel category.

 

Can you imagine if they had had the Internet back then, along with the American Medical Society AND LoveShack.org? Those paintings wouldn't be selling for such much today...or they would be photoshopped in a major way....haha!

 

Most Romans ate once a day and they didn't have cigarettes or coffee. How did they do it?

[stoopid_guy]

Pink, I'm not disagreeing with what you've said, nor your right to say it.

 

People make choices though, some good and some bad. THEY are responsible for those choices and the result of those choices, you shouldn't stress yourself over it.

[Pink Amulet]

Basically, I expected some flack.

 

But please don't shoot the messenger.

 

Type in "Obesity Pandemic" in to google, and find someone else to argue with.

 

Nothing I have said is new, or in fact shocking.

 

I am just gauging public opinion and trying to get people to talk about the issue rather than "wrap it in cotton wool"... as I can see some people agree, and some don't.

 

So be it

 

But please don't make me go on the defensive here- which is why I didn't want to post any of this in the first place.

[Pink Amulet]

Too several people on here...

 

THIS IS A SOCIAL ISSUE.

 

Second hand some directly effects others....

 

Read up on it... this problem WILL damage the lives of future generations if nothing is done.

 

So please don't rest on "it is their personal choice, and only affects them"

 

Whether directly (feeding children badly) or indirectly, (setting the trend) this will and DOES affect every body.

[Tony T]

I am just speaking for myself but I believe that the reason it is acceptable for people to walk up to a smoker and say something is entirely okay because of second hand smoke..

 

A smoker smoking in public is killing/hurting the people around them.

 

An overweight person eating a chesseburger is not hurting anyone but themselves.

 

It costs taxpayers like you and me BILLIONS of dollars each year in the United States to treat indigent people without insurance for illnesses directly caused by obesity. Yes, we are paying for people who decide they want to overeat. Those who are obese for medical reasons fall into another category.

 

Medical insurance costs BILLIONS more for ALL Americans because of the money that has to be put out to treat illnesses of obese people. These costs are spread out by the insurance company. Obese people themselves pay BILLIONS of dollars more in insurance premiums because of their obesity.

 

If a business hires an obese person, the premiums for their insurance on EVERYBODY goes up in many cases. The rules are tightening. This is because the number of medical claims for obesity-related illnesses are many times more frequent than for other problems.

 

Hospital and other medical costs have gone up because beds and other equipment has to be retrofitted for the highly obese...who used to be very rare.

 

Airlines have to make special arrangements to carry the obese.

 

Obesity affects us all, everyone of us, in ways we don't even realize. Being fat is just plain expensive...for those who are big and for those who aren't.

 

I don't care what people eat, cheeseburger of whatever, but it would be a very nice courtesy if they would go home or to a park and run it off before I have to start pulling money out of my pocket to pay for their resultant problems.

[Tony T]

Too several people on here...

 

THIS IS A SOCIAL ISSUE.

 

Second hand some directly effects others....

 

Read up on it... this problem WILL damage the lives of future generations if nothing is done.

 

So please don't rest on "it is their personal choice, and only affects them"

 

Whether directly (feeding children badly) or indirectly, (setting the trend) this will and DOES affect every body.

 

As I stated above, it's not just a social issue but a very major financial issue. Obesity costs a LOT of money...for government programs, for research, for tax subsidized medical care for resultant problems and for private industry in many subtle ways too numerous to mention.

 

OBESITY COSTS ALL OF US!!!

[Starr1]

And before you ask why I care so much? Contrary to popular belief.. journalists do actually care about the well being of society.

 

In fact, the pursuit of good journalism is to educate and inform ,to increase awareness, and the pursuit of a better life for future generations.

 

Really? Are you sure? I thought these days the pursuit of good journalism was to present the facts that enforce your argument, misconstrue or hide the facts that attack your argument, make a quick buck and spread the message as far as possible giving you a bigger name in the process;) I kid, I kid

 

Anywho, if I read this right, your initial message before all the debating was for all those who CAN help themselves in regards to weight through exercise etc should take the initiative to make themselves healthier and live 10 years longer. I fully agree with this if they can get some time on their hands cause I'm sure some people are just flat out busy with work, children etc. I'm not really sure why others are mentioning diseases caused by other things (like smoking, how thyroid probs affect obesity etc) cause obviously they are a different kettle of fish to what I think you were aiming your message at (obviously the issue of obesity and those who are capable of doing what is needed by themselves to become healthier).

[burning 4 revenge]

You and Pink should start a crusade

[Tony T]

Eating lots of good food and deserts is very pleasurable and exercise is a pain in the butt! That ought to balance things out.

 

A lot of people seem to want to argue the issue but nobody has said anything good about obesity itself so I thought I should....not that I'm obese, far from it!

[PWSX3]

As I stated above, it's not just a social issue but a very major financial issue. Obesity costs a LOT of money...for government programs, for research, for tax subsidized medical care for resultant problems and for private industry in many subtle ways too numerous to mention.

 

OBESITY COSTS ALL OF US!!!

You have to agree it costs more money to eat healthy then to eat all the junk food, I am finding that out. You can get a hamburger & fries for under $4.00 but you buy a salad and it's more like $6-7.00.

You would think the government would would try and make it so healthy food wasn't so expensive instead of spending all the money on the things you pointed out.

I just feel how the government thinks is all backwards, its all a scam for them to make money.

[Tony T]

You and Pink should start a crusade

 

I don't know if you were speaking to me but I am merely stating facts for people to evaluate. Very personally, when I see a very fat person it saddens me. I often picture them in a casket...that had to be specially made for them. But I don't think about them more than a second or two...my mind very quickly goes on to other things.

 

I see fat people all the time and don't really get moved so much by it. I think it's possible to participate in a thread and state facts without being obsessed with the subject.

 

Start a new thread about anything and I promise you I will jump in!!!

[burning 4 revenge]

You have to agree it costs more money to eat healthy then to eat all the junk food, I am finding that out. You can get a hamburger & fries for under $4.00 but you buy a salad and it's more like $6-7.00.

You would think the government would would try and make it so healthy food wasn't so expensive instead of spending all the money on the things you pointed out.

I just feel how the government thinks is all backwards, its all a scam for them to make money.

Eating salad at home is cheap though