GOP Lawmaker: "Nobody Knows the Surgeon General"

Yahoo! ^ | 03/27/2003 | The Associated Press

[Willie Green]

For education and discussion only. Not for commercial use.

WASHINGTON - Who's the surgeon general again? And what's he doing these days?

That's what a member of Congress wants to know.

"Most people don't know who he is," complained Rep. John Peterson, R-Pa., who himself had to be reminded of Dr. Richard Carmona's name during a congressional hearing Thursday. "Where is he?"

Peterson wants the new surgeon general to become a leader in the fight against the nation's obesity epidemic, and to teach Americans that personal diet-and-exercise choices affect their health.

He cited the example of C. Everett Koop, who made the surgeon general a household name in the 1980s. Koop became famous for battling smoking, and also sent a pamphlet about AIDS to every American mailbox at a time when President Reagan wouldn't talk about the virus.

Koop "drove policy," said Peterson. "There's been a big drop-off in that office."

A spokesman for Carmona said the surgeon general already is an "outspoken advocate for a host of issues," including obesity. William Pierce said that in Carmona's eight months on the job, he has visited nearly half the states and given "near hundreds of speeches" to various groups.

"We'll see more and heightened attention from our part paid," Pierce said.

Peterson told leaders of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that their approach to fighting obesity through community-based programs wasn't enough.

[The Old Hoosier]

Carmona is the ideal surgeon general, if you ask me.

[rellimpank]

--Koop was an excellent example of why we don't need a Surgeon-General and in fact, if I remember correctly, we did fine without one for quite a while--

[Jhoffa_]

Carmona is the ideal surgeon general, if you ask me.

Me too.

Out of sight, out of mind. Yet, we somehow manage to survive.

[w1andsodidwe]

Peterson wants the new surgeon general to become a leader in the fight against the nation's obesity epidemic, and to teach Americans that personal diet-and-exercise choices affect their health.

We don't need a national nanny.

Rep. John Peterson, R-Pa needs to read his copy of the US Constitution to find out what issues he should be legislating on. I don't believe that he will find anything about diet or obesity.

[blackdog]

I enjoyed Jocelyn Elders as our Surgeon General the most. As for the need of a Surgeon General, I suppose we need someone to periodically tell us to masterbate at the Rose Garden Podium just for giggles.

I've seen taxpayer money spent on things more ridiculous and less entertaining.

[blackdog]

Let Rep Peterson solve Gerald Nadler's obesity crisis first. Then he can work on Ted the swimmer.

[anniegetyourgun]

Surgeons General should be seen and not heard? LOL!

My only hope is that Carmona has dismissed all the SG staff and is the only one coming to work in the department....at least until it can be done away with completely.

[Slainte]

Of course without Jocelyn Elders, we wouldn't have had the euphemism "Firing the Surgeon General" for doing that which she forcefully advocated.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Carmona is the ideal surgeon general, if you ask me.

I agree. Surgeon Generals should neither be seen nor heard unless there is a major crisis.

If there is a major crisis I will likely listen to Carmona and follow his advise because he has not filled the air with mindless chatter about things that are none of his business.

[Dog Gone]

Not a surgeon. Not a general.

Not needed.

[isthisnickcool]

Proof we do not need a surgeon general?

[thoughtomator]

Yeah seriously, what's the point of a Surgeon General anyway? That money is better spent on JDAMs, it'll keep more people alive in the long and the short run.

[dano1]

Peterson wants the new surgeon general to become a leader in the fight against the nation's obesity epidemic

As if everyone didn't already know that obesity is a health hazard.

[Willie Green]

"I like Eric Clapner."

[w1andsodidwe]

As if everyone didn't already know that obesity is a health hazard.

But, but, if we tax fast food then we could spend the money something that would benefit mankind.

[GraniteStateConservative]

Nadler had stomach reduction surgery last year. He's solving it himself.

[blackdog]

My health plan does not cover gastric bypass surgery(stomach reduction). Since Nadler is using his health plan to surgically do what he does not have the self control to do, I would say that we, the taxpayer are solving Nadler's problem.

If only Nadler would get budget reduction surgery?

[blackdog]

OMG! I just got it........That is very funny!

[sarasmom]

The surgeon general is the jerk who reminds me the government is too large every time I open a pack of smokes.

I often wonder why the surgeon general did not post signs next to 4/6/8 lane highways telling joggers it's dangerous to breathe deeply around exhaust fumes.