Posted on 12/21/2005 7:25:07 AM PST by Maximus of Texas
I heard the news reports and then on CBS this morning they had the couple on the Early Show. Looking at the parents, it’s easy to see where the baby got its weight.
The parents are obese and the baby is starting off that way. Why should we celebrate this and give them all this TV coverage? All three will be a drain to our health care system for years to come.
SD
What aisle can I find you on at the grocery store?
You've made up your mind, so I'll leave you alone. Kindly do the same for me.
That's a very narrow viewpoint, and one that is not consistent with an ethic of personal responsibility. You are ready to write this child off on his birthday. That's what is sad.
I have said nothing pro or con about obesity, only about your ridiculous notion that our die in life is cast at birth. I'm sorry you have pre-conceived notions about what I was saying.
Next time, consider reacting to what is said to you and not automatically holding both sides of the conversation in your head based upon past experiences with different people.
SD
You will not be reasoned with. Please leave me alone.
How can I help it? I was born to parents who could not be reasoned with and we can't escape the accidents of our birth, right?
SD
14 pounds?
That's not a baby, that's a Butterball turkey!
You're a carrot?
Not that that's any better.
Thanks, Max. I think if Dave had read all of what I said, instead of just the buzzwords, he would realize that I, myself, am a skinny kid of a heavy parent, so I know that it's possible, if the parents are dedicated. It's just not very likely.
An intelligent response. Thank you.
Evidence may also show, anecdotally a least, that those born into poverty will remain there. They will get bad habits from their parent(s) and remain in poverty.
Conservative political philosophy is based upon opportunity, not upon dead certain outcomes based upon accidents of birth. If we believed everyone's die was cast at birth, we wouldn't have the economy we have here. We'd have social stratification instead of the mobility between social and economic classes that we see here. no more rags to riches stories.
We'd also have a much stronger moral imperative to care for these less fortunate who will never do any better. (Or, conversely an incentive to eliminate the useless eaters.) We can not have a laissez faire market-based system if we don't believe in freedom of opportunity. We must have a welfare state.
Yes, a certain percentage of people born into a bad situation will not escape. I am more inclined to encourage the success stories than to moan about poor fate.
Anecdotally, we also know of religous parents with athiesitc children. Liberal parents with conservative kids. Drunks who raise up sober children. The acorn can fall far from the tree. Our lives are not pre-written.
SD
I can agree with that.
LEL is very intelligent and I respect her opinion and thoughts. She may not express them the say way others would but her point is the same and understood.
Doesn't sound like we're too far apart, just emphasising two different sides of the same thing. Sorry, LEL. My hackles are back in their upright and locked position.
SD
The vitamin A gave it away....
Plus a banana has way more CHO. :)
Besides, no matter what a person's weight is, I think we can all agree that a cigar makes you look sexy as hell. 
Or it can fall close and roll away. Or get transplanted. Or pruned into a bonzai.
I agree with what you're saying. My issue is I'm just tired of a narrow standard and just about everyone who isn't a size 2 being called fat. And it isn't about me (yes, I'm round) but its about how we've skewed so far away from normal that kids start dieting at 12 who don't need too!
Or Dr's who put everyone one a weight reduction diet when they have conditions where a bit of weight will keep them from dying (yes, that is possible too).
And I'm tired of the ugly language. It's like you can have found a cure for cancer, composed a symphony, developed cold fusion....but if you're overweight....you're the subject of contempt.
Look, I deal with obesity all the time, and much of it can't be changed (situational, medications etc). So I focus on finding the best possible situation for the folks. Self respect goes a long way in battling health issues. And I hate bullies.
Perhaps carried by a swallow during their migration.
I agree with what you're saying. My issue is I'm just tired of a narrow standard and just about everyone who isn't a size 2 being called fat. And it isn't about me (yes, I'm round) but its about how we've skewed so far away from normal that kids start dieting at 12 who don't need too! Or Dr's who put everyone one a weight reduction diet when they have conditions where a bit of weight will keep them from dying (yes, that is possible too).
You don't have to tell me. My wife has a compromised immunity system, among other problems. Whenever she would try to lose weight, she would end up being weakened and get sick. It's embarrasing how many doctors look at weight loss as a panacea when it is dangerous for some people. (She did, this year, get on some medication that has a side effect of causing weight loss, but the point remains.)
Not everyone who is "obese" is guilty of a mortal sin of sloth or gluttony.
SD
A baby's birth weight oftentimes has NOTHING to do with future size. Genetics play a big part in FUTURE size, and if the parents are obese, the child may end up being that way also (genetic predisposition as well as environmental factors).
You really shouldn't prejudge this; it could be that the baby is LGA/IDM-large for gestational age and infant of diabetic mother.
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