I fear this marks the end of KFC's "double-down":
Posted on 05/09/2012 2:21:57 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
NBC: Obesity 'No Longer A Question of Individual Responsibility,' Government Must Act By Kyle Drennen Created 05/09/2012 - 4:30pm
Touting new recommendations from an Institute of Medicine panel on obesity on Tuesday's NBC Nightly News, science correspondent Robert Bazell proclaimed to viewers: "...a sea change in how we perceive obesity. No longer a question of individual responsibility, but a need to change what's called an 'obesity-promoting environment.' Calling on corporations, government and individuals to act."
At the top of the broadcast, anchor Brian Williams sounded the alarm: "Weight of the nation. An American health crisis out of control, and tonight a reality check on what it might take to turn things around." Later teasing the upcoming story, he declared: "Getting past the question of will power, what's really to blame for a nation of exploding waistlines? Tonight, there is a surprising new answer."
In his report, Bazell proceeded to detail the dictates of the health panel: "...requiring at least 60 minutes a day of physical activity in schools. Public and workplace policies that encourage people of all ages to exercise more. Industry-wide guidelines on marketing food to children, including healthier choices for kids in restaurants and having healthy food available at all public events."
Bazell further pushed the findings: "With the cost of treating obesity-related illnesses approaching $200 billion a year, many on the panel say the nation is ready to act." The panel's vice chair, Dr. M.R.C. Greenwood implored: "It takes a lot of leadership. We need our mayors to step up to the plate, we need our school superintendents to step up to the plate."
Concluding the segment, Bazell lamented the public practicing "bad habits...in an environment that encourages them."
Only NBC saw fit to hype the panel's big government proposals on Tuesday. Neither ABC's World News nor the CBS Evening News reported on the topic.
Here is a full transcript of the May 8 Nightly News segment:
7:00PM ET TEASE:
BRIAN WILLIAMS: Weight of the nation. An American health crisis out of control, and tonight a reality check on what it might take to turn things around.
7:12PM ET TEASE:
WILLIAMS: And up next, the weight of the nation. Getting past the question of will power, what's really to blame for a nation of exploding waistlines? Tonight, there is a surprising new answer.
7:14PM ET SEGMENT:
WILLIAMS: Back now with our reporting on what's being called the weight of the nation. Last night we told you about a stunning prediction that by the year 2030, health experts are telling us 42% of Americans will be obese. Today at a conference in Washington, some sweeping strategies for fighting this epidemic. We get more from our chief science correspondent Robert Bazell.
ROBERT BAZELL: Dr. Robin Goland is on the front lines of the obesity epidemic. And sees its consequences every day.
ROBIN GOLAND [COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER]: Our pediatricians are seeing obese 2-year-olds and 4-year-olds, we have 5-year-olds with impaired glucose tolerance. We have 8-year-olds with Type II diabetes. This is a catastrophe.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: Most of you are familiar with the shocking statistics.
BAZELL: Today's recommendations from the prestigious Institute of Medicine, signal a sea change in how we perceive obesity. No longer a question of individual responsibility, but a need to change what's called an "obesity-promoting environment." Calling on corporations, government and individuals to act.
Among the panel's recommendations, requiring at least 60 minutes a day of physical activity in schools. Public and workplace policies that encourage people of all ages to exercise more. Industry-wide guidelines on marketing food to children, including healthier choices for kids in restaurants and having healthy food available at all public events.
With the cost of treating obesity-related illnesses approaching $200 billion a year, many on the panel say the nation is ready to act.
M.R.C. GREENWOOD [OBESITY PANEL VICE CHAIR]: It takes a lot of leadership. We need our mayors to step up to the plate, we need our school superintendents to step up to the plate.
BAZELL: With two thirds of Americans overweight and one third obese, the problem has become so critical that it's affecting almost every aspect of our daily lives. There are even worries that airplane seat belts can't protect the many heavy passengers.
JANEY PRATT [MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL]: We skip meals, we eat too quickly. We eat foods that are high in sugars and carbohydrates, in fats. And we eat more of them.
BAZELL: Bad habits, the panel said, in an environment that encourages them. Robert Bazell, NBC News, New York.
Or it was society’s fault and nobody can address this shortcoming of society but government.
My dear Lord! How blatant can Barack GET with this Marxism?
"The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary."
“The STATE is Mother, The STATE is Father, The STATE is the provider of ALL.”
(Does anyone have the full quote for this?)
It is time to really start expunging socialists.
My sister works in a supermarket deli. Last week (first of the month you know,) a woman she knew to be an EBT, um, client, came in and ordered 20 lbs. of thin-sliced ham.
When my sister handed it to her, the woman told her to do it over because she thought the ham wasn't fresh. My sister resisted and the woman told her she'd have her job.
Sis, without thinking, asked the woman why she didn't even have a job. She got called into the office but the manager was laughing so hard he just cautioned her and let her go back to work.
This is my bleeding-heart-liberal sister who, at the age of 51, divorced and all the kids out the door is working her first job. I can't say she's turning conservative, but this was a good sign.
So, can we expect EBT cards to be restricted from buying soda and donuts? Yea, I didn’t think so.
To be honest, I’ve got mixed feelings on this. In an ideal world the overweight, smokers, addicts, etc. would be left to their devices to bear the responsibilities of their bad health habits. But, since Medicaid and medicare aren’t going anywhere - and we’re footing the bill - they should be held accountable. They also drive up the insurance rates.
” It is time to really start expunging socialists. “
I’ll see your ‘expunging’ and raise it to ‘defenestrating’...
;)
I wonder if NBC consulted with Al Roker before they made this statement????
The only “must” the government has is to p*ss off out of it, and stop sticking its obnoxious collectivist nose into the private business of citizens.
Thanks to busybody commissars and congresscreeps, the United States is coming more and more to resemble Russia after 1918.
All through Grade and High School in the Fifties and Sixties, we always had a 1 hour gym class every day. At Prep School, in the Fal,l one had a choice; football or soccer, In the Winter, one had a bigger choice; basketball, swimming, or gymnastics. In the Spring; track or baseball. I remember one fat girl in Grad School, and at Prep, one guy who really wasn’t fat, just very stocky!
Now, when I go out, I see tons 8^), of really fat kids with their Moms. It’s quite shocking how so many parents can be so stoopid!
Do I advocate govt control? Hell no!
Good grief. Completely blind to the slippery slope there. There is nothing the psychotic liberal mind doesn't think a nanny-state 'government' can't 'fix'. All at the expense of personal freedom and independence.
Congratulations!
Lots of people (FReepers, even) on this thread who are apparently sufficiently ‘without sin’ to be casting stones....
(John 8:7, for those of you who don’t understand the reference...)
-or-
(for those who prefer a more secular citation..)
‘Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master.’ - George Washington
I fear this marks the end of KFC's "double-down":
What about the crisis of the family, divorce epidemic, why not actually give tax credits to those who stay married and reward them each year they do so. That would take care of many issues, including obesity.
Mind you, this is the same gubbmint that took a turkey on whole wheat sandwich from a four year old and give her chicken nuggets.
I'll cook what I like, when I like, how I like, with as much salt and fat as I damn well please.
I sometimes fry potatoes in duck fat.
Anyone that says different can sod off.
/johnny
Sounds ducky to me. You’re lighter than a lot of teens today. You might dry up and blow away but you’ll never perish of overweight.
Don't let them take it (sob)...PLEASE!!!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.