Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Congress to federalize America’s weight problem
SLUSH ^ | 11/18/01 | Glen Gonzalez

Posted on 11/18/2001 5:26:33 PM PST by Slush

Congress to federalize America’s weight problem

WASHINGTON, D.C. — More and more Americans are feeling threatened by obesity. Forty million adults are already considered obese, weighing more than 20 percent above their desirable weight, and a steady increase in obesity among children is of particular concern to the nation's health officials. Legislators, who blame private companies for failing to produce effective diet and exercise plans, are moving forward with a bill that would put the nation's weight loss efforts under direct federal control.

“I’m afraid to go to the supermarket anymore ..." Click here for full story


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Political Humor/Cartoons
KEYWORDS:
This is a parody. Enjoy, but don't overdo it!
1 posted on 11/18/2001 5:26:33 PM PST by Slush
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Slush
FAT RIGHTS ORGANIZATION BOYCOTTS SHALLOW HAL

Says Fat Suit Movies Insensitive to People of Size

The National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA) is calling for a boycott of Shallow Hal, the latest in a series of Hollywood offerings that costumes actors in fat suits. The organization asserts that movies like Shallow Hal, America's Sweethearts and The Klumps not only reinforce stereotypes and myths about fat people, but underscore the prejudice against fat people in this country.

"Putting thin performers in fat suits is no different than putting white performers in blackface," says Maryanne Bodolay, executive administrator of NAAFA. "To have these actors become fat and then film them gorging on food and breaking chairs is an insult to the 55% of Americans who are deemed overweight."

Although the ultimate message of Shallow Hal and other such movies is that inner beauty trumps appearance, those at NAAFA say that the end doesn't justify the means. These movies are giving people permission to make fun of fat people, says Bodolay. "Hollywood is intent upon perpetuating the myth that fat people are miserable and unattractive, and that the path to happiness is through losing weight. In reality, beauty comes in all sizes, and people can find happiness at whatever size they are."

NAAFA is encouraging its supporters to protest stereotyping of fat people by the movie industry by boycotting Shallow Hal. "In an age when Hollywood is seemingly committed to diversity in its movie roles, they're long overdue in including characters that happen to be fat, where weight is not the focus of the role," says Bodolay. "Hollywood has the power to change the way fat people are perceived, and we at NAAFA would welcome the opportunity to work with them to achieve that goal."

2 posted on 11/18/2001 5:33:16 PM PST by arielb
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Slush
look out for the food police!
3 posted on 11/18/2001 5:35:18 PM PST by jb54tx
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Slush
This is a joke, right?
4 posted on 11/18/2001 5:37:36 PM PST by Pern
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pern
The centerpiece of the bill is what Wynn refers to as point-of-purchase health screenings. “Along with height and eye color, driver licenses would include each person’s ideal weight,” Wynn said. “Food vendors would be required to check the ID of anyone wanting to buy high fat foods. If you’re not within your mandated weight range, you’d be denied the purchase much like underage people are denied alcohol and tobacco.”

A joke? Maybe today. But the "greens" are already pushing stuff like this on us.

5 posted on 11/18/2001 5:42:46 PM PST by 07055
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

Comment #6 Removed by Moderator

To: Slush
Should't that be "don't overindulge"?

All kidding aside, it's possible to track what you're buying at the store when you use a debit/credit card or even the store's discount card. I believe some stores already use such a system for targeted marketing. I wonder what will happen to my insurance rates when someone thinks that I'm purchasing too much red meat/cheese/butter.....hummmmmm? I wonder where I left my tinfoil hat.

7 posted on 11/18/2001 5:51:04 PM PST by Helix
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Helix
Fat Tax????????????
8 posted on 11/18/2001 6:00:54 PM PST by GailA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Slush
Hey, maybe Henry Waxman could introduce a dental health bill too! Whad-cha think?

Mark

9 posted on 11/18/2001 6:05:56 PM PST by MarkL
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Slush
Funny thing is....I can think of a dozen or so members of congress who would propose this bill.
10 posted on 11/18/2001 6:13:54 PM PST by fjsva
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: fjsva
They better not mess with the cheese. Lock and load.
11 posted on 11/18/2001 6:16:33 PM PST by Gadsden1st
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Slush
That's pretty funny. But could it really happen? Something to think about. We are talking about the same people who mandated airbags in cars and mandatory seat belt laws to save us from ourselves. Twenty five years ago I would have laughed in your face if you had told me that the govenment would one day require me to wear a seat belt in my own car, minding my own business.
12 posted on 11/18/2001 6:25:45 PM PST by calmseas
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: fjsva
Funny thing is....I can think of a dozen or so members of congress who would propose this bill. Only a dozen?

Now that smokers have been milked dry, the nanny crowd needs new victims to "help." The arguments and techniques are identical to the ones used against the tobacco companies and smokers.

What, you think it's ridiculous? That it will never happen? That's what people thought about the tobacco nannies twenty years ago, and look at the damage they've caused.


A fat guy looks at the fat acceptance movement

13 posted on 11/18/2001 6:31:27 PM PST by Hittman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Slush
Pssst...hey, buddy...wanna buy some twinkies?
14 posted on 11/18/2001 6:53:16 PM PST by Tennessee_Bob
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Slush
"Drop the Chalupa and back away slowly"
15 posted on 11/19/2001 5:44:28 AM PST by SAMWolf
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson