Which of the following would disqualify a candidate from receiving your vote for President?

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

That would be far different LaL. I, personally, would have no problem with a physically handicapped individual being President. I do not consider this type of person lacks health and strength due to accident or design. But being obese is, IMO, self inflicted.

...I want my President able to walk up those steps of Air Force One ....

Sorry Jeffrey for the clip - I had to wonder what people were thinking when they voted a physically handicapped person would disqualify them from getting their vote. Thought despite this clip being out of context, perhaps it is about the picture of health & strength.

I am interested to know.

300# is hardly a few pounds over weight. That is grossly obese. Unless, of course, you are

[Bassi and Zainab 1]

That would be far different LaL. I, personally, would have no problem with a physically handicapped individual being President. I do not consider this type of person lacks health and strength due to accident or design. But being obese is, IMO, self inflicted.

Or you take high doses of steroids to control your asthmatic attacks that keep you blown up like a balloon so you can't get below 250lbs even on 900 calories a day.......

but everyone's reality is different. Just wish everyone KNEW their reality is based on their LIMITED experiences.

[Scott & Lai 12]

...I want my President able to walk up those steps of Air Force One ....

Sorry Jeffrey for the clip - I had to wonder what people were thinking when they voted a physically handicapped person would disqualify them from getting their vote. Thought despite this clip being out of context, perhaps it is about the picture of health & strength.

I am interested to know.

[Alex+R 0]

That would be far different LaL. I, personally, would have no problem with a physically handicapped individual being President. I do not consider this type of person lacks health and strength due to accident or design. But being obese is, IMO, self inflicted.

Or you take high doses of steroids to control your asthmatic attacks that keep you blown up like a balloon so you can't get below 250lbs even on 900 calories a day.......

but everyone's reality is different. Just wish everyone KNEW their reality is based on their LIMITED experiences.

Yeeah.... or you get in a car accident and blow up. Even after you lose weight, that certainly gives you context and understanding that obesity is complicated. I will never look at obese people that way again.

If the obesity epidemic were due to laziness, the diet program industry -- excluding pills, etc. -- and health clubs wouldn't make so dayum much money. And the country would show a laziness epidemic in other ways, like decrease in productivity etc.

Kazan Tiger is, as usual, stereotyping about obesity. If you really thought about it, you'd realize your idea that people become obese through disinterest in their health and sheer laziness is overall pretty much impossible.

I wish, Kazan Tiger, that you could find some other way to feel superior to others without using terms like "porker."

[Alex+R 0]

That would be far different LaL. I, personally, would have no problem with a physically handicapped individual being President. I do not consider this type of person lacks health and strength due to accident or design. But being obese is, IMO, self inflicted.

Just out of curiosity: would you want a president who got in a motorcycle accident without a helmet and as a result was disabled? What about someone who sped and got in a car accident? Someone who didn't listen to doctor's advice and ended up ruining a joint and became unable to walk? Someone crippled after being shot in a hunting accident? Skiing accident?

Aren't all these things "self-inflicted"?

[Ban Hammer 13,344]

That would be far different LaL. I, personally, would have no problem with a physically handicapped individual being President. I do not consider this type of person lacks health and strength due to accident or design. But being obese is, IMO, self inflicted.

Just out of curiosity: would you want a president who got in a motorcycle accident without a helmet and as a result was disabled? What about someone who sped and got in a car accident? Someone who didn't listen to doctor's advice and ended up ruining a joint and became unable to walk? Someone crippled after being shot in a hunting accident? Skiing accident?

Aren't all these things "self-inflicted"?

not necessarily so with this one.

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

First off I never said I feel superior, ever. People can call thin people "skin & bones", "anorexic", "walking skeleton" and so forth and its fine. But call a grossly obese person a "porker" and out comes the pitchforks and torches.

Now, on to your list...

That is an accident.

Just out of curiosity: would you want a president who got in a motorcycle accident without a helmet and as a result was disabled?

Doctors are not Gods. They make mistakes. Not taking medical advice is not self inflicting a medical condition.

Someone who didn't listen to doctor's advice and ended up ruining a joint and became unable to walk?

Once again accident!

JSomeone crippled after being shot in a hunting accident?

For the third time, accident.

Skiing accident?

Alex, if you don't like my choice of words you are welcome to ignore my posts.

[Alex+R 0]

First off I never said I feel superior, ever. People can call thin people "skin & bones", "anorexic", "walking skeleton" and so forth and its fine. But call a grossly obese person a "porker" and out comes the pitchforks and torches.

Now, on to your list...

That is an accident.

Just out of curiosity: would you want a president who got in a motorcycle accident without a helmet and as a result was disabled?

Doctors are not Gods. They make mistakes. Not taking medical advice is not self inflicting a medical condition.

Someone who didn't listen to doctor's advice and ended up ruining a joint and became unable to walk?

Once again accident!

JSomeone crippled after being shot in a hunting accident?

For the third time, accident.

Skiing accident?

Alex, if you don't like my choice of words you are welcome to ignore my posts.

You don't have to say you feel superior to make it extremely clear that you feel that way, deep down. Don't you feel you try harder to be a healthy non-"slob"? It's ok. You don't even have to admit it, as you've said it countless times before.

My point (obviously) is that while they're all "accidents," all those people put themselves in the situation that made them vulnerable to it.

So technically, you could say it's their fault they were injured.

I see it as about comparable for obesity, something you clearly know nothing about, nor want to educate yourself about because it's too convenient to discriminate against the overweight.

I could choose to ignore your posts, but instead I choose to stand up for people who you offend day after day. If you don't like that (or, the more likely situation, have a convincing argument against mine), why don't you ignore it?

That would be far different LaL. I, personally, would have no problem with a physically handicapped individual being President. I do not consider this type of person lacks health and strength due to accident or design. But being obese is, IMO, self inflicted.

Just out of curiosity: would you want a president who got in a motorcycle accident without a helmet and as a result was disabled? What about someone who sped and got in a car accident? Someone who didn't listen to doctor's advice and ended up ruining a joint and became unable to walk? Someone crippled after being shot in a hunting accident? Skiing accident?

Aren't all these things "self-inflicted"?

not necessarily so with this one.

Good point... they could have been picking wildflowers at the time.

Edited March 2, 2008 by Alex+R

[Don_Joy's Prince 0]

I would vote for all except the transsexual, transvestite, 95 year old. But now I think I would not vote for the environmentalist either, they are as bad as the fundamentalist in terms of their religion is the environmentalism.

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

For some reason because I care about my body and health, you consider I cannot understand the plight of the obese. The majority of the obese made themselves that way. Those are the porkers I speak of. I do not need to be educated when I've seen them at the "Hometown Buffet" taking their fifth serving from the all-you-can-eat buffet. I do not feel sorry for these people and I am going to start. Obesity is a serious health issue. Obesity is offending this nation! I'm not going to coddle it as you seem to prefer.

You don't have to say you feel superior to make it extremely clear that you feel that way, deep down. Don't you feel you try harder to be a healthy non-"slob"? It's ok. You don't even have to admit it, as you've said it countless times before.

My point (obviously) is that while they're all "accidents," all those people put themselves in the situation that made them vulnerable to it.

So technically, you could say it's their fault they were injured.

I see it as about comparable for obesity, something you clearly know nothing about, nor want to educate yourself about because it's too convenient to discriminate against the overweight.

I could choose to ignore your posts, but instead I choose to stand up for people who you offend day after day. If you don't like that (or, the more likely situation, have a convincing argument against mine), why don't you ignore it?

That would be far different LaL. I, personally, would have no problem with a physically handicapped individual being President. I do not consider this type of person lacks health and strength due to accident or design. But being obese is, IMO, self inflicted.

Just out of curiosity: would you want a president who got in a motorcycle accident without a helmet and as a result was disabled? What about someone who sped and got in a car accident? Someone who didn't listen to doctor's advice and ended up ruining a joint and became unable to walk? Someone crippled after being shot in a hunting accident? Skiing accident?

Aren't all these things "self-inflicted"?

not necessarily so with this one.

Good point... they could have been picking wildflowers at the time.

[Alex+R 0]

For some reason because I care about my body and health, you consider I cannot understand the plight of the obese. The majority of the obese made themselves that way. Those are the porkers I speak of. I do not need to be educated when I've seen them at the "Hometown Buffet" taking their fifth serving from the all-you-can-eat buffet. I do not feel sorry for these people and I am going to start. Obesity is a serious health issue. Obesity is offending this nation! I'm not going to coddle it as you seem to prefer.

Sure, we've all seen obese people eating too much in public. I'm sure it's something you see more often than I do, given our chosen homes, so it's a fair point. But considering obesity a calorie-in-calorie-out-ONLY problem is naive. You seem to be thinking that way to be purposefully nasty. You don't have to feel sorry for them, but why not try to treat them with a little dignity?

Recently, a study was released that said the obese really don't cost the medical system any more than others. In fact, because of their shorter life span, they cost LESS than the average healthy person. So what, exactly, do you take offense to? Having to LOOK at them?

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

Oh, dear Alex, Sure, I do not want to LOOK at them! I might turn into a pillar of lard

I want to see people live long, full, healthy and productive lives. Why, in world, would anyone want people to remain obese, shortening their lives, to save the healthcare system some bucks?

We are going to go back and forth on this endlessly. You keep spooning them their comfort food and I'll keep pushing them off the coach.

For some reason because I care about my body and health, you consider I cannot understand the plight of the obese. The majority of the obese made themselves that way. Those are the porkers I speak of. I do not need to be educated when I've seen them at the "Hometown Buffet" taking their fifth serving from the all-you-can-eat buffet. I do not feel sorry for these people and I am going to start. Obesity is a serious health issue. Obesity is offending this nation! I'm not going to coddle it as you seem to prefer.

Sure, we've all seen obese people eating too much in public. I'm sure it's something you see more often than I do, given our chosen homes, so it's a fair point. But considering obesity a calorie-in-calorie-out-ONLY problem is naive. You seem to be thinking that way to be purposefully nasty. You don't have to feel sorry for them, but why not try to treat them with a little dignity?

Recently, a study was released that said the obese really don't cost the medical system any more than others. In fact, because of their shorter life span, they cost LESS than the average healthy person. So what, exactly, do you take offense to? Having to LOOK at them?

[Alex+R 0]

Oh, dear Alex, Sure, I do not want to LOOK at them! I might turn into a pillar of lard

I want to see people live long, full, healthy and productive lives. Why, in world, would anyone want people to remain obese, shortening their lives, to save the healthcare system some bucks?

We are going to go back and forth on this endlessly. You keep spooning them their comfort food and I'll keep pushing them off the coach.

For some reason because I care about my body and health, you consider I cannot understand the plight of the obese. The majority of the obese made themselves that way. Those are the porkers I speak of. I do not need to be educated when I've seen them at the "Hometown Buffet" taking their fifth serving from the all-you-can-eat buffet. I do not feel sorry for these people and I am going to start. Obesity is a serious health issue. Obesity is offending this nation! I'm not going to coddle it as you seem to prefer.

Sure, we've all seen obese people eating too much in public. I'm sure it's something you see more often than I do, given our chosen homes, so it's a fair point. But considering obesity a calorie-in-calorie-out-ONLY problem is naive. You seem to be thinking that way to be purposefully nasty. You don't have to feel sorry for them, but why not try to treat them with a little dignity?

Recently, a study was released that said the obese really don't cost the medical system any more than others. In fact, because of their shorter life span, they cost LESS than the average healthy person. So what, exactly, do you take offense to? Having to LOOK at them?

Ok, fine. If someone is obese because they're using food as comfort, then I hope they get treatment for the eating disorder they have. The real problem isn't whether I wish them to stay obese. The real problem is that you refuse to understand that obesity -- even when "self inflicted" -- is often rooted in psychological disease, physical disease and other things. Much, MUCH more often than you think it is. The idea that obese people are all glued to the couch is prejudiced, and I suspect in 20 years it won't be acceptable to say things like that. For now, try to imagine what compassion would be like. Try to accept that academic studies have shown the obese are not lazy or without willpower. That's almost never the case. Even the medical establishment has decided that's just not true in a majority of obesity cases.

But if you want to continue to base your opinions on the knowledge of the medical establishment in the 1960s, and not on what professionals say in 2008, then by all means, continue on your quest to preserve your own ignorance. I'd call that intellectual laziness, though.

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

So I shall be, "Intellectually lazy". I will keep my monthly subscription to KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) Still have never seen anyone go on "Survivor" that was fat and not lose weight.

Ok, fine. If someone is obese because they're using food as comfort, then I hope they get treatment for the eating disorder they have. The real problem isn't whether I wish them to stay obese. The real problem is that you refuse to understand that obesity -- even when "self inflicted" -- is often rooted in psychological disease, physical disease and other things. Much, MUCH more often than you think it is. The idea that obese people are all glued to the couch is prejudiced, and I suspect in 20 years it won't be acceptable to say things like that. For now, try to imagine what compassion would be like. Try to accept that academic studies have shown the obese are not lazy or without willpower. That's almost never the case. Even the medical establishment has decided that's just not true in a majority of obesity cases.

But if you want to continue to base your opinions on the knowledge of the medical establishment in the 1960s, and not on what professionals say in 2008, then by all means, continue on your quest to preserve your own ignorance. I'd call that intellectual laziness, though.

[Alex+R 0]

So I shall be, "Intellectually lazy". I will keep my monthly subscription to KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) Still have never seen anyone go on "Survivor" that was fat and not lose weight.

Sure, eat less, exercise more, and almost everyone will lose weight.

The problem is usually keeping it off (as I suspect it was for anyone who lost weight on Survivor, although I've never seen that show). Why? People have trouble making long lasting changes. Why? Often emotional problems and eating disorders. But even more often, it's the hormonal changes that happen when obese people lose weight. Unlike you, when they get down to a normal weight they get signals from their brains that they are starving to death. Their bodies hold onto calories more readily than other people's, recent studies have shown. (Google is your friend.)

Losing weight is a relatively straightforward activity for a majority of people. Keeping it off is just not that easy.

Have you ever thought about how sometimes, things are easier for certain people than they are for others? I know it's hard to put yourself in someone else's shoes, but what the heck, give it a try.