Fatty's revenge

This is in response to the previous blog by the founder of the Truthless Reconciler, regarding the fattening of America.

As a lifelong fatty, I’m sick of all the recent focus on obesity, especially when the government gets involved.  I’m glad I don’t live in New York City, where a 16 ounce soda is a $200 fine and an ounce of marijuana is a $100 fine.

There are many reasons why people are overweight and not all of them involve laziness and greed. No one chooses to be fat.  Sometimes it’s physiological, sometimes psychological, sometimes the result of childbirth, genetics or medication.  Sometimes it’s addiction, but don’t even try to convince me that food addicts have more health problems than alcoholics and drug addicts.  Quit blaming fat people for health insurance costs. Some fat people are otherwise quite healthy.  If I die a few years earlier than some chain-smoking vegan supermodel, lucky me.

And by the way, it’s ludicrous to blame fat people for world hunger.

Fat people face discrimination every day.  We are less likely to get jobs, dates, fashionable clothing, and insurance.  Some have had to pay double airfare.

We all know it’s not a good idea to be overweight, but our culture has made obesity such an egregious sin that those of us who struggle every day with weight issues also deal with guilt and shame every day, and that only makes things worse, thus the need for comfort food and the reason for the success of Ben & Jerry’s.  Self-hatred and low self esteem are the most damaging side effects.

I know kids are getting fatter and are less active since the advent of TV and computers.  This is often the fault of parents and American culture, namely fast food dining.  I feel sorry for overweight kids because I know the bullying they are going to endure. There are so many social issues this country needs to tackle besides obesity.  I do admire the work of the First Lady Michelle Obama who starts tackling the problem at the childhood level, because I know the emotional pain those kids will suffer if they keep gaining,

I admire those who have the discipline to exercise and eat right every day, and I’m envious of those who have a metabolism that allows them to eat anything.  My 100 pound neighbor tries to tell me what I’m doing wrong but she eats donuts and chocolates and milk shakes on a regular basis.

I’ve heard that over one third of Americans are overweight or obese.  If you normal people don’t quit ridiculing and discriminating against fat people, we will unite and protest and you better watch out – we’re bigger than you.

###ac