In the news....

[smart_ass_sub]

This is Jackson, Mississippi btw.  I agree that obesity is a problem in this country, but I don't think this is the answer:

http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080205/NEWS010504/802050377

Comments

[drcruel]

/ponder
It's sort of an interesting issue, when you think about it just in terms of money. I'm a huge fan of personal freedom but I'm also a big fan of personal responsibility. For instance, Florida doesn't have a motorcycle helmet law. Fine, but if you're doing something which is pretty obviously bad for you, it's not fair to expect me to pay for the hospital bills just because you like the wind in your hair.

The same argument could be extended to people who smoke, don't get enough exercise, or-I am well aware-engage in the risky things I enjoy (skiing, rock climbing, scuba diving). If we move toward universal health coverage-and I hope we do-we will essentially be in one huge risk-pool. In other words, if I ski off a cliff, your taxes go up because it's gonna be expensive to put me back together. So do you have a right to tell me not to ski? No. Do you have a right to tell me to wear a helmet when I ski? Maybe. I'm not taking sole responsibility for my health so I can't claim full autonomy when I risk my life with avoidable behaviors-unless perhaps I'm willing to sign something saying "If I go off a cliff...well, it was a good ride." And hell if I'll do that.
/ponder

/rant
But this law is just insulting and ridiculous. Should a waiter be a judge of a healthy weight? What about somebody who has just lost 100lbs and is having a cheat day? Should he stand at the table with a flyswatter saying "NO NACHOS FOR YOU!" when someone who is overweight tries to share? Maybe there should be a scale to conduct weigh-ins at the front of each restaraunt?

Ridiculous, and the man who introduced it knew it at the time and was just trying to call attention to the issue. He'd have done better to demonstrate a healthy lifestyle and allocate more money for parks. It's almost like he's blaming others for his lack of willpower and wants it to be illegal for Ben & Jerry's to serve him. Insulting, unhelpful, unnecessary, and idiotic.
/rant

[smart_ass_sub]

well said. And, I agree, it's a balancing act between personal responsibility and public saftey. I don't have any solutions, but I will say this was thought provoking.

thanks for your input.