Mississippi lawmakers want to ban fat people from eating out.

Posted by Les on Monday, February 04, 2008 at 12:52 PM. Read 2105 times. Tags: , , , ,
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I’m not sure if I qualify as obese, but I’m definitely on the heavy end of the scale and I know more than a few obese people. Then again, in America these days, who doesn’t? I’m aware of the health problems that being overweight brings with it and how much better off everyone would be if more of us could stick to a healthy diet, but I’m not sure this proposed law in Mississippi would really help:

FEBRUARY 1—Mississippi legislators this week introduced a bill that would make it illegal for state-licensed restaurants to serve obese patrons. Bill No. 282, a copy of which you’ll find below, is the brainchild of three members of the state’s House of Representatives, Republicans W. T. Mayhall, Jr. and John Read, and Democrat Bobby Shows. The bill, which is likely dead on arrival, proposes that the state’s Department of Health establish weight criteria after consultation with Mississippi’s Council on Obesity. It does not detail what penalties an eatery would face if its grub was served to someone with an excessive body mass index.

Let’s repeat that so you fully grasp what the bill is saying: They want to make it illegal for restaurants to serve you food if you are considered obese by the State government’s standards. In short, they want to turn every fast food joint and high-hifalutin bistro into the Food Police charged with the responsibility of not feeding you if you’re too much of a fatty. Apparently they think that you’ll just go home and start jumping rope if you can’t eat out as opposed to, say, going home and downing an entire tub of Ben and Jerry’s as comfort food therapy. 

Somehow I don’t think they have thought their clever plan all the way through.

Comments:

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Jason United States Posted on 02/04/2008 at 02:12 PM

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Wow.  Whoever came up with that idea has never even been to the Mississippi Delta…probably never been out and about in Mississippi either.  If that law passed, restaurants would go OUT OF BUSINESS.

Starhawk Laughingsun United States Posted on 02/04/2008 at 03:11 PM

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I don’t really know what I think of this. On one hand obesity is not only connected to ones individual health it is also connected to the health of the planet, global starvation, the exploitation of third world countries, the meat murder industry. child abuse (as letting a young kid get fat is abuse) and probably more. Yet on the other hand I value individual freedom and am sick of the nanny state. Hmmm in the end I suppose my anarchist tendencies win out and I have to oppose such legislated stupidity. lol

Science Goddess United States Posted on 02/04/2008 at 03:19 PM

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Hmmm…. Let’s see how will they measure obesity?  There’s the BMI, which is often wrong, then there’s the skin-caliper measurement, as least invasive.  More accurate, however, is the Near-Infrared Interactance measurement in which a beam of infra-red light is transmitted through the skin of the biceps. The light is reflected from the underlying muscle, and absorbed by the fat. Or, failing that, we could use the dual energy X-ray absorptiometry method in which two different types of X-ray scans the body, one that detects all tissues and another that doesn’t detect fat. A computer can subtract the second picture from the first one, giving only fat detection.

Or, better yet, to avoid too much radiation exposure around the restaurant’s entrance, perhaps the State could do the measurement then stamp the back of your hand so you could get in.

SG

Stepford Mom United States Posted on 02/04/2008 at 04:22 PM

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I’m sticking with my own idea, don’t let overweight people drive, then they have to walk to the restaurants smile  Saves gas, cleans up the air, gets people out and enjoying a brisk walk as they make for the state line to get the hell out of Mississippi….

Webs United States Posted on 02/04/2008 at 05:15 PM

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It’s just another way to remove the responsibility people have from themselves to something else. Why not create a well thought out and funded program to help teach people how to get in shape an eat right? Oh right… that would make sense.

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m.wael alkel Cyprus Posted on 02/04/2008 at 06:10 PM

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It’s just another way to remove the responsibility people have from themselves to something else. Why not create a well thought out and funded program to help teach people how to get in shape an eat right? Oh right… that would make sense.

just like all smokers know how bad it is , most of fat people know how bad it is but food is addiction so if you want to cut down on drugs you seek punishment on drug dealers , not users and if you wana get rid of smoking you go down on producers of cigarettes and mot on users.
seek passing laws for standard Nutrition conditions and qualities for sold foods an organized health department that sends agents to check on food producers food quality.
some people associate food to emotional state just like others do with smoking , drugs , music , sports , video games , driving and even crime but as long as they are not hurting any one but them selves then it is a discrimination to their rights to do what ever they want with their most valuable property , their life.
if you at some point find your life so miserable to live no one can take your right of ending it (if i was at a very late stage of cancer with no hope to live forward i wouldn’t hesitate to end the pain).

MisterMook United States Posted on 02/04/2008 at 06:59 PM

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Right, and nothing says “Shoot yourself now” like the State of Mississippi telling you that your ass is too big to go have a salad bar.

Last_Hussar Great Britain (UK) Posted on 02/04/2008 at 08:38 PM

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Perhaps they take “Dixie” to heart

#Buck Wheat cakes and indian batter
Makes you fat or a little fatter
Look away etc

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Sean United States Posted on 02/04/2008 at 10:29 PM

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According to Missippi based commenters on other blogs running this story, the bill in question in not to be taken seriously.  It was cosponsored by three smoking members of the legislature protesting a seriously proposed ban on smoking in public areas in the state.

Duckhugger United States Posted on 02/05/2008 at 06:02 AM

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For all the suggestions about how to “combat obesity” how about we just chill the fuck out and let people live their lives! How cares if people are fat and what ever happened to the outlook that “fat is beautiful”?

zilch Sweden Posted on 02/05/2008 at 06:15 AM

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Duckhugger- I have mixed feelings about this.  Part of me says “yes, everyone’s beautiful, let’s not discriminate, live and let live”.  On the other hand, fat people die sooner, cost more in health care, and eat a lot, in a world where lots of people don’t have enough to eat.

Not that poor Africans will automatically have more to eat if Americans go on diets.  No easy answers or judgements.

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Duckhugger United States Posted on 02/05/2008 at 06:33 AM

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That shit is just a pile of lies Zilch! You’re sucking up the bullshit with a straw!

Fat people don’t always die sooner than skinny ones… it’s often possible for people with extra girth to outlive and be healthier than many skinny and emaciated little fucks! There have even been societies that have seen fat as the “picture of health” rather than skinny.

Also, the issue of food. The supply in starving countries has nothing to do with “fat people eating the food”. Has a lot more to do with economic/poverty issues… being unable to grow or import the food properly… poor distribution of food… etc. Here in America we have an abundance of food, for sure! Sure some poverty-stricken people have troubles getting access to that food at times… but once agian, it’s not due to any fat boogie man snatching food from their pantries!

You’re also ignoring the part about being fat that relies heavily on genetics! You know… it’s like… someone who is 6’5” takes up more space than someone who is 4"5… but should be make a value judgment for the smaller person because they “use less resources” or some shit?

I question the science behind many of the studies that have come touting figures that show we all need to fall in step with the BMI and keep away from the dreaded “obesity disease”! In actuality I don’t think being “fat” should be seen as such a horrible thing and I don’t think we know how long someone will live or how healthy they will be just because of their body size!

Duckhugger United States Posted on 02/05/2008 at 06:50 AM

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By the way.. if people haven’t watched the “obesity” themed episode of Penn and Teller’s Bullshit, I found a copy of it on YouTube here:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=OCKjWTX2CHo
http://youtube.com/watch?v=t1wCYjeFzss
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1VknK9h2GUA

MisterMook United States Posted on 02/05/2008 at 07:00 AM

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Let me guess, you’re a big fatass yourself, right Duck? Afraid that someone won’t let you have an extra piece of pie one day?

zilch Sweden Posted on 02/05/2008 at 07:24 AM

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Hmmm.  Duckhugger, you say:

That shit is just a pile of lies Zilch! You’re sucking up the bullshit with a straw!

Well, that has the advantage that I get all the juicy stuff, and leave the indigestible lumps behind.  In any case:

Fat people don’t always die sooner than skinny ones… it’s often possible for people with extra girth to outlive and be healthier than many skinny and emaciated little fucks! There have even been societies that have seen fat as the “picture of health” rather than skinny.

True, fat people don’t always die sooner than skinny ones.  And smokers don’t always die sooner than non-smokers, and soldiers don’t always die sooner than librarians.  But statistically speaking, fat people die sooner.  Quote:

Illnesses caused by obesity are already shortening the average U.S. life by at least four to nine months—greater than the impact of car accidents, homicides and suicides combined—a first-of-its-kind analysis has determined.

Within 50 years, if the trend is not reversed, obesity will cut the average life span by at least two to five years, which would exceed the effects of all cancers, the researchers estimated. That could overtake all gains from healthier lifestyles and medical advances and cause longevity to plateau or perhaps decline, they projected.

Going on with your comment, Duckhugger:

Also, the issue of food. The supply in starving countries has nothing to do with “fat people eating the food”. Has a lot more to do with economic/poverty issues… being unable to grow or import the food properly… poor distribution of food… etc. Here in America we have an abundance of food, for sure! Sure some poverty-stricken people have troubles getting access to that food at times… but once agian, it’s not due to any fat boogie man snatching food from their pantries!

Didn’t say any different: “Not that poor Africans will automatically have more to eat if Americans go on diets.“  True, getting food to people who need it is a complex issue.  But, ignoring the fact that there’s no direct causality here, a lot of Africans could be fed on what Americans don’t need to eat.  I don’t claim to have any easy answers here, though.

You’re also ignoring the part about being fat that relies heavily on genetics! You know… it’s like… someone who is 6’5” takes up more space than someone who is 4"5… but should be make a value judgment for the smaller person because they “use less resources” or some shit?

Didn’t say otherwise.  But how heavily obesity is related to genetics is moot- and the fact that the rate of obesity is skyrocketing in America is anything but genetic: it’s purely a cultural phenomenon.  Or are fat genes suddenly more successful for some reason?

I question the science behind many of the studies that have come touting figures that show we all need to fall in step with the BMI and keep away from the dreaded “obesity disease”! In actuality I don’t think being “fat” should be seen as such a horrible thing and I don’t think we know how long someone will live or how healthy they will be just because of their body size!

I’m not advocating legislation or discrimination against fat people.  I’ve had my bouts with chubbiness myself.  I also have friends who are quite a bit overweight.  But simply saying “fat is beautiful” ignores the fact that it’s unhealthy.

Most important: every one of my “fat” friends would rather be less fat.  Shouldn’t we encourage them to do something about it, rather than just simper about how beautiful they are?

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You were born.  And so you’re free.  So happy birthday.
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Duckhugger United States Posted on 02/05/2008 at 07:43 AM

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The way most of the world “encourages” fat people to lose weight is usually pretty fucking heartless and cruel. People should really just mind their own fucking business when it comes to weight matters. Treat everyone as a valid and worthwhile person regardless of what they weigh… realize that fat can be just as attractive and sexy to people as skinny/trim bodies!

Yes, I am fat myself… and it does run in my family. My father has been wresting with his weight all his life and I have to say I watched him hurt himself over and over with all kinds of diet programs and medical procedures. While I do wish I could get more exercise (something that’s hard to do thanks to a work-related back injury) I’m not going to torture myself just to get my weight down like my father did! Actually, I often wonder if it’s my staying away from diets that is responsible for me not being quite as overweight as he was when he was my age. The diets always did seem to exacerbate his weight!

I think it’s time society accept fat people and give them the fucking dignity of being human beings with feelings, emotions, sexuality, etc…  Making fat people feel bad about who they are and herding them into the claws of the diet industry is just going to do more harm! I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if so much of the “weight problem” we have in America is found to be hand-in-hand exacerbated by the supposed “cures” that America loves to push onto it’s heavier citizens.

MisterMook United States Posted on 02/05/2008 at 08:26 AM

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So…let’s summarize:

You’re fat. It hurts your feelings when people notice that you’re fat. You wish you were attractive like healthy people. [insert excuse here], so you can’t change anything like other fat people who have became healthy.

zilch Sweden Posted on 02/05/2008 at 09:04 AM

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I think it’s time society accept fat people and give them the fucking dignity of being human beings with feelings, emotions, sexuality, etc…

I’ll agree with you there, Duckhugger.  And obviously “encouraging” someone to lose weight by telling them that they have a “problem”, or that they are not “as good” as skinny people, is not only wrongheaded, but it’s not going to help anyone.  I don’t bring up the subject with my fat friends, but when they talk about it, I tell them my opinion: they would be happier if they were less fat.  And they agree.

But where do you draw the line?  Hard to say.  Me, I’m grateful if my wife tells me not to eat that extra dessert.

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You were born.  And so you’re free.  So happy birthday.
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Webs United States Posted on 02/05/2008 at 09:20 AM

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LOL I love it when people use Bullshit as a source! It basically tells me that they are too lazy to do any real leg work to find credible sources so I don’t really have to take them serious.

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m.wael alkel Cyprus Posted on 02/05/2008 at 06:17 PM

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That shit is just a pile of lies Zilch! You’re sucking up the bullshit with a straw!

dude am fat but it doesn’t need all that aggersive reaction so face it , our over-wight problems may kill us sooner , we are no better than smokers because we chose to be fat and it wasnt a trait that we were born with.

Duckhugger United States Posted on 02/05/2008 at 07:04 PM

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Mister Mook, you’re an ass. It just pisses me off to see so many people making self-righteous value judgments about fat people.

I certainly don’t wish I was like a skinny person. I really find “skinny” to be pretty damn unattractive and sickly looking.

I’m actually down with the fact that I’m fat… not only that, I think fat is attractive and sexy. I really love bellies and the soft squish of chubby skin. So much of society would tell me that I’m “fucked up” or “gross” for asserting these things. I just say to them, “fuck off! I like what I like!“.

m.wael alkel Cyprus Posted on 02/05/2008 at 07:27 PM

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dude for one your medevil taste sucks but any way no one jugged any one from the way they look we as fat people and skinny people are in an unnatural and unhealthy state that might lead to own death, at the other hand extremely sporty people have this huge flow of hormones that makes them so animalisticly emotional not to mention the high possible injuries during extensive training so the best thing is to be fit in between, a normal healthy human with no big piles of mucels or fat and with no bones showing off under their skin.
Imagen your self as your cave men ancestor and try to calculate the amount of effort you have to put in hunting to get your food and match the equation to your daily diet.

Duckhugger United States Posted on 02/05/2008 at 07:32 PM

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m.wael alkel, have you ever seen babies? Those little larval fuckers are pretty chubby and rolly-polly dude! Most of ‘em anyways… so yeah, not born with it my ass!

It seems like the process that leads to one’s weight is a mix of both genetic issues AND choices… not just one or the other. Still, if someone chooses not to fight and toil against their genetics proclivity towards being fat… is that so wrong? Do we need to treat these people like disgusting gluttonous pieces of human trash because of this?

I’ve definitely seen instances of some people have an easier time staying thin than others despite bad eating habits and it also shows that some people can eat less than some skinny people and still become overweight.

m.wael alkel Cyprus Posted on 02/05/2008 at 08:03 PM

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is that so wrong?

yes if that would lead to their death.

some people have genetically oriented disabilities , some are born without arms for example who would force every one to admire them when they challenge their condition and defeat it (I saw a guy in college assembling a fucking too dam complicated circuit with his feat, I admired him) and on the other hand there is people who give it up and the force people to despite them (I was standing in the food line in the college cafeteria and some slut passed over my feet with her wheel chair saying cant you see idiot and ignored the line, I despited her)
being genetically oriented fat isn’t just an appearance trait like being black or white, tall or short; it is an illness because there is no healthy fat man.
so if yu are eating right and exercising right and your aren’t losing weight, you should go and see a doctor because you might have a hormone disorder that might lead you to a heart attack one day.

Do we need to treat these people like disgusting gluttonous pieces of human trash because of this?

no we don’t, these people are so ignorant that they hate any thing different than them, in the term of religion , race , nationality , gender , appearance , etc… but i am sure mistermook didn’t mean to discriminate any one like that, he was only trying to seed motivation but if you were right and he meant to discriminate other for the way they look (which I doubt) then fuck him…

itdontmatter United States Posted on 02/05/2008 at 08:43 PM

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This asshole sounds like he’s related to the asshole in Virginia who introduced a bill to ban Truck Nutz (plastic nuts that dangle from a truck’s trailer hitch). 

He wanted to ban them because his daughter saw a pair and asked what they were.

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http://www.trucknutz.com/

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