Posted on 06/19/2002 11:21:13 PM PDT by JohnHuang2
Edited on 07/12/2004 3:54:50 PM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
An abiding weakness of the conventional wisdom is that, once a supposed fact has become part of that wisdom, it becomes almost impossible to dislodge it.
Contemporary journalism contributes to this problem by relying on technologies that help ensure an assertion, once it is repeated enough times, will never be checked against the actual evidence. Consider for example the claim that fat kills 300,000 Americans per year, and is thus the nation's second leading cause of premature death, trailing only cigarettes. A Lexis database search reveals that this "fact" has been repeated in more than one thousand news stories over the past three years alone. Yet the evidence for this claim is so slim as to be practically nonexistent.
(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...
I must reply with the slight fear of a moderator stepping in to squish my words. It happened once. Here's what happened then. When a freeper suggested on a thread that Hillary was opening her mouth too often these days on various subjects, I suggested that if she had opened her mouth a little more often a few years ago some things might have been a little different. I don't think that is too offensive at all, but the free speech folks here didn't like it.
Well, trying NOT to incite anyone to rash actions, there is a way to decrease the size of fat government............stop paying them?
As to PE, the trend is the opposite. When I was in school back in the dark ages, we had to take PE twice a week. Now it is required every day, and in the State in which I taught, a student had to pass PE in order to graduate. I admit that kids spend more time at computers, but all of my students as well as my own kids and their friends are also very physically active. My son spends just as much time playing basketball, roller blading, riding his bike, skate boarding and in the winter snow boarding and ice skating, as he does on the computer. I really have not personally witnessed this supposed decline in physical activity in kids from 20 years ago, although I know that many claim it exists.
As I have been posting on this thread for the last several days, I remain convinced that the problem with physical fitness lies in the grocery store aisles and restaurants and in the ignorance of our society as to what they are eating compared to what they should be eating to be healthy.
I'm not an expert on the food supply chain, but if I understand free commerce at all, I believe the grocery stores and the food manufacturers are providing what people are willing to spend their money on. More space in virtually every grocery store, except the local vegetable stand, is now devoted to cookies, baked goods, chips, soft drinks and other "junk" food than is allocated to fresh fruits and vegetables. And even in the later, laced among the vegies and fruits you will undoubtedly find high fat veggie dips and "candy" (ie caramel or chocolate) dips for your fruit. I've also noticed an increase in the "loose" candy bins---the ones where you pick and choose and pay by the pound. And amazingly, these are more often than not nearby the fresh fruits and veggies.
It's what sells. It is what the American public wants. And it's what is going to cause increasing disease among us.
Another phenomenon that pervades our streets are the "7-11" "Quick Checks" "Mini Food Marts" or whatever they are called wherever you live. Every gas station around here has one. They are not as prevalent at gas stations in NJ, where I used to live, because you can't pump your own gas there. But here in Washington, where you have to get out of your car and in many cases go to the cashier to pay for your gas, you cannot help but be confronted with aisles of candy, chips, soft drinks and other "junk" food. Why this stuff and not a counter filled with apples, bananas, oranges, dried nuts.....You tell me!
The stuff taste good, is relatively cheap, and abundantly available....
I think I'll go eat a cookie....
Yes, extreme potassium deficiency....BUT, I took supplements every day and the potassium in my blood stream was high. Problem is, without carbo's, it seems the metabolism of vital nutrients, as well as ingested fat, in also impeded. So, althoug the potassium was in my bloodstream, it could not be used to maintain a stable heart beat.
I also had abnormal kidney functions from prolonged ketosis. Ketosis puts your kidneys into hyperdrive in order to replace the carbohydrates needed to feed your brain. Beware if you take any kind of precription medications, which also tax your kidneys. Coupled with ketosis, I'd make sure I was getting regular blood tests to make sure my kidneys were not failing.
Still, what you wrote is correct. Just for the record. LOL.Thanks for that measure of grace.
FReegards,
ppaul
I don't think making fat people jokes makes someone a bigot. And for the record, I am a fat guy myself (although I prefer the more politically correct adjective "Brandoesque").
BTW, I wasn't onto ppaul because of any jokes. In fact, I didn't read anything from him that was a joke.
Oooooooo.
You're so viscious.
Sheesh!
Yeah, if you are an adult ...be my guest. But please don't ask me to pay your medical bills.
My biggest concern from my experience as a teacher, is what parents are doing to their kids. I don't want the government involved, but I would like parents to take some responsibility for the health and well-being of their kids. And, if you read my posts, you will learn that trying to help parents understand that their kids, in many cases, need better nutrition, not Ritalin, is where I have personally put effort and been thanked for it. I'm sure YOU fully understand what YOU are eating and how it is effecting YOU, but a surprising number of people do not understand that Twinkies, wonderful little edibles that they are, do not provide a good lunch for their kids!
From Insight Magazine, Cover Story
We are too late!
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.