A Fat Tuesday ban
February 5, 2008
It’d be unfair of me to use Mississippi Republican State Senator John Read’s bill to ban serving obese people in restaurants as an opportunity to snark about the conservative brand of paternalism. But I do think a hearty and laser-guided “go to hell” directed at the Senator is more than warranted.
Yes, he admits it’s a stunt. The legislature is not a place for stunts. The legislature is a place for making laws. If Read is so hot on the problems with obesity, maybe he can throw some state research funding that way?
Posted in What The...?!?
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February 5th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
> … an opportunity to snark about the conservative brand of paternalism.
We agree that this bill is a dumb, irresponsible idea (not to mention an assault on personal liberty). But we disagree on which side of the political spectrum habitually favors government barging dutifully into our lives “for our own good.”
> If Read is so hot on the problems with obesity, maybe he can throw some state research funding that way?
Thud, how much government research do we need to establish that people who eat large quantities of food eventually turn into lard bags?
February 5th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
More than you’ve read, apparently. Recent scientific research has suggested there’s more at work than sedentary lifestyle / high-calorie intake. There’s research data that points to everything from a malfunctioning hormonal system to common external bacterial/viral infection to an imbalance in natural intestinal bacteria which can cause obesity and make losing weight a very difficult, next to impossible, process. And the success rate of the eat less / exercise more treatment plan is abysmal.
Prepare yourself for a shocker: our digestive system is a touch more complicated than a simple tube.
February 6th, 2008 at 7:08 am
“If Read is so hot on the problems with obesity, maybe he can throw some state research funding that way?”
Thud, Thud, Thud — don’t know what obesity is a character issue? Just like all our other social ills, it’s a question of character. And that’s why the Republicans are the best party for our country. They recognize that all problems come down to character and that the root of any issue can be clarified by simple, ad hominem arguments.
Really, Thud — I thought you had more character than to suggest throwing money at the problem.
February 6th, 2008 at 7:09 am
You’re right, because the party-against-paternalism knows that what we need more than anything is a good talking-to.
February 6th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Of course this brings me back to the argument that if the government really wants to do something about obesity, they’ll force insurance companies to cover nutritional counseling. Locking someone out of restaurant does nothing to teach them how to eat in a healthy way.
Plus it encourages the shame that keeps people from finding out what is causing the obesity. Thud is correct that there are often other factors, but many people are too scared to visit the doctor. When they do go, the doctors often just assume bad habits and won’t look any deeper.
Along those lines, the Washington Post recently had a good article about weight discrimination in medical exams: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/25/AR2008012502926.html
February 11th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
I can’t help but think about the restaurant employees. Either they would have to get hazard pay for this duty or maybe only sadists and bullies would be willing to tell someone they’re too fat to eat out.