Palin defends the fatties

[werepossum]

You people are scary, you know that?

To combat obesity you're going to come to the very same end result that gave us the war on drugs.

You cannot legislate morality. That USED to be a liberal saying. But now all they seem to do is attempt to legislate their own brand of it.

And all you will end up with is the same result you got with Prohibition, the bans on prostitution and the War on drugs. The very real realization that you cannot legislate away vice, be it sex, drugs, or gluttony.

So what do we end up with? A whole lot fewer rights and freedoms, and nothing accomplished. Just like we did with the WOD and prohibition.

Congrats. You've pissed your freedom away for nothing.

That's the intent of progressive movement, extending government control over every facet of everyone's life. Except of course the ruling elite, who know best. First it's "education", then it's "voluntary goals", then it's government mandate because the behaviors didn't change to suit them.

The laziness and apathy among the general population for taking care of their own health is the same laziness and apathy that will permit government officials to make all sorts of crazy laws/regulations.

Very well said. We are losing our will to do for ourselves; far too many people now think their wages are for flat screen TVs and iPhones, and government's role is to provide the necessities. We're also losing our morality, judging actions not by some hard metric of right or wrong, but by how those actions affect us personally. Our entitlement mentality is far from confined to the welfare class.

 

[bfdd]

I'm with Amused on this.

 

[dainthomas]

I'm with Amused on this.

The right has officially become unhinged. Now even when the first lady encourages people to eat healthy and exercise, they find a way to twist it into an attack on freedom, liberty, baseball, grandma and the American way.

You people seriously need to get a grip and save your energy for battles worth fighting. Or that even make sense.

 

[Amused]

The right has officially become unhinged. Now even when the first lady encourages people to eat healthy and exercise, they find a way to twist it into an attack on freedom, liberty, baseball, grandma and the American way.

You people seriously need to get a grip and save your energy for battles worth fighting. Or that even make sense.

When your party stops banning happy meals, taxing soda/"junkfood", banning foods, and passing ridiculous nutrition regulations on food producers and restaurants. and all the other bullshit "for own own good" we'll support efforts to educate.

But the left's track record just plain sucks too bad. Education campaigns WAY too often turn into mandates and laws.

And you're asumption that I'm on the "right" is hilarious. I'm about the most liberal person on this board.

 

[bfdd]

The right has officially become unhinged. Now even when the first lady encourages people to eat healthy and exercise, they find a way to twist it into an attack on freedom, liberty, baseball, grandma and the American way.

You people seriously need to get a grip and save your energy for battles worth fighting. Or that even make sense.

What in my post has led you to believe the right has officially became unhinged? I agree with Amused on this that we can't be legislating or creating taxes for this kind of crap. I don't have a problem with the first woman going out there and telling people to eat healthier and exercise. I have a problem with the government figuring out a way to force us to. I mean if they can force us to exercise and eat what they want us to eat, they can force us to pray to the god they want us to, etc etc.

btw good job at being a douche bag partisan. I have never once self-identified myself as a right or left winger on these forums and I have at times called Amused a fucking moron just as I have pretty much everyone here. Only a douche bag of your caliber would be able to point at me and demonize any group of people.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Education in mathematics leads to mandates on mathematical thinking. Defend your liberties, abolish mathematics education.

 

[zsdersw]

By your logic...lets cancel awareness/education/research for

Cancer
Obesity
Sex
Alcohol
Drugs
Heart Disease
etc.

Obesity.. of the kind Michelle Obama (and others) seek to reverse.. is not something for which "awareness/education/research" is necessary. It's no mystery that eating more and more calories while engaging in less and less physical activity is going to make you fat and eventually obese. The same can be said of other personal choices involving alcohol, sex, drugs, and other consequences brought on by abuse of the many vices available to us because of our success and largess. These are not mysterious illnesses/afflictions with which we're generally unaware and for which there is no remedy we do not already possess. The problem always has been, and always will be, personal choice, and the solution lies therein. Unfortunately that doesn't stop people on the left and the right from trying to legislate our choices for us.

Because that "education" may create mandates in controlling our lives stripping us of our freedoms.

This is not a reason to ban education, but it is a reason to make sure it does not go beyond that; to action taken by government through laws and regulations.

Just as the people who are foolish enough to think that this means that Palin is supporting fatties, you're just as foolish to defend her statements that this is big government. I suggest you defend a Republican who knows what they're talking about.

With that said I continue to have my palm on my face.

I make no excuses or apologies for Palin. Her ilk, if in power, represent as great a danger to all of our freedoms as any other foe, but that is not the point. The point is that there is a clear distinction between making information available to people so they may make their own choices and between government action to advance a particular choice.

 

[HomerJS]

What in my post has led you to believe the right has officially became unhinged? I agree with Amused on this that we can't be legislating or creating taxes for this kind of crap. I don't have a problem with the first woman going out there and telling people to eat healthier and exercise. I have a problem with the government figuring out a way to force us to. I mean if they can force us to exercise and eat what they want us to eat, they can force us to pray to the god they want us to, etc etc.

btw good job at being a douche bag partisan. I have never once self-identified myself as a right or left winger on these forums and I have at times called Amused a fucking moron just as I have pretty much everyone here. Only a douche bag of your caliber would be able to point at me and demonize any group of people.

You identified your stripes but not refering to the Presidents wife by her proper title of First Lady. Couldn't resist that little slap, eh?

 

[bfdd]

You identified your stripes but not refering to the Presidents wife by her proper title of First Lady. Couldn't resist that little slap, eh?

actually I would have called her the First Lady, but I honestly could not think up the term "first lady" my brain was farting. Even if I disagree with the President and his wife politically, I respect them.

 

[MrX8503]

Obesity.. of the kind Michelle Obama (and others) seek to reverse.. is not something for which "awareness/education/research" is necessary. It's no mystery that eating more and more calories while engaging in less and less physical activity is going to make you fat and eventually obese. The same can be said of other personal choices involving alcohol, sex, drugs, and other consequences brought on by abuse of the many vices available to us because of our success and largess. These are not mysterious illnesses/afflictions with which we're generally unaware and for which there is no remedy we do not already possess. The problem always has been, and always will be, personal choice, and the solution lies therein. Unfortunately that doesn't stop people on the left and the right from trying to legislate our choices for us.

Something you personally deem not necessary because it's common knowledge does not discount the need of education awareness nor does it prove that its a direct cause of mandates. There are many education awareness programs that is common knowledge, such as AIDs awareness, but it doesn't make that program unnecessary or any less meaningful.

This is not a reason to ban education, but it is a reason to make sure it does not go beyond that; to action taken by government through laws and regulations.

Then attack the laws that restrict your freedom, not the initiatives for which the initiatives still allows you to have a personal choice. Your fear of everything resulting into a "big government" is enough to have already stripped you of the freedom you have left.

 

[CallMeJoe]

You're all missing our friends' basic point; Michelle Obama is a "Progressive", which Glenn Beck assures us is the new code word for "Communist", which means that this "Let's Move" initiative is merely another part of the World-Wide Communist conspiracy to sap and impurify all of our precious bodily fluids.

Thank God our fellows are here to stand foursquare with Half-Governor Palin to warn us of the insidious nature of this so-called "initiative".

 

[alkemyst]

The problem is dictating what can and cannot be advertised. Most things don't happen without it.

IMHO if they want to counter junk food, buy up advertising with non-government funds to block it.

 

[zsdersw]

Something you personally deem not necessary because it's common knowledge does not discount the need of education awareness nor does it prove that its a direct cause of mandates. There are many education awareness programs that is common knowledge, such as AIDs awareness, but it doesn't make that program unnecessary or any less meaningful.

What "need" is there for FLOTUS's education and awareness initiative? Who, exactly, is unaware of obesity and its causes/solutions?

Restrictions on advertising and products are already happening in the name of fighting obesity. Is this caused by "education" and "awareness"? To some degree, yes, because when the message comes from government it is often deemed to be both credible and important by the general public. This buttresses efforts by ambitious elected representatives to enact laws/regulations.

Then attack the laws that restrict your freedom, not the initiatives for which the initiatives still allows you to have a personal choice. Your fear of everything resulting into a "big government" is enough to have already stripped you of the freedom you have left.

I'll attack both. One is unnecessary ("awareness" programs) and the other is dangerous (laws/regulations/mandates).

 

[MrX8503]

What "need" is there for FLOTUS's education and awareness initiative? Who, exactly, is unaware of obesity and its causes/solutions?

Restrictions on advertising and products are already happening in the name of fighting obesity. Is this caused by "education" and "awareness"? To some degree, yes, because when the message comes from government it is often deemed to be both credible and important by the general public. This buttresses efforts by ambitious elected representatives to enact laws/regulations.

Again I repeat...

Something you personally deem not necessary because it's common knowledge does not discount the need of education awareness nor does it prove that its a direct cause of mandates. There are many education awareness programs that is common knowledge, such as AIDs awareness, but it doesn't make that program unnecessary or any less meaningful.

I will then also add...

An awareness program is not there merely to "inform" a person about an important issue, its also a way to bring that issue into the conscience attention of those affected by it. The program then also offers solutions/advice to those issues. Its still your choice to agree/disagree with those programs.

Let's hypothetically say that the initiatives are unnecessary:

How is it a direct cause of mandates?
How does this restrict you of what you want to do?
Do you suggest we cancel all other initiatives as well? (AIDs, Heart Disease, Cancer, Sex, etc.)

I'll attack both. One is unnecessary ("awareness" programs) and the other is dangerous (laws/regulations/mandates).

Then you have unknowingly given up your freedom.

 

[zsdersw]

Again I repeat...

Something you personally deem not necessary because it's common knowledge does not discount the need of education awareness nor does it prove that its a direct cause of mandates. There are many education awareness programs that is common knowledge, such as AIDs awareness, but it doesn't make that program unnecessary or any less meaningful.

Repeating the same bullsh!t doesn't make it any less bullsh!t or any more factual.

I will then also add...

An awareness program is not there merely to "inform" a person about an important issue, its also a way to bring that issue into the conscience attention of those affected by it. The program then also offers solutions/advice to those issues. Its still your choice to agree/disagree with those programs.

Bring the issue into the public conscience to call attention to those affected by it? Why is that necessary for obesity?

Offer solutions/advice? Of what solutions/advice related to obesity are people presently unaware?

Let's hypothetically say that the initiatives are unnecessary:

How is it a direct cause of mandates?
How does this restrict you of what you want to do?
Do you suggest we cancel all other initiatives as well? (AIDs, Heart Disease, Cancer, Sex, etc.)

1. It is a direct cause of mandates when the education/awareness leads the public to take corrective action via government. See trans fat bans, Happy Meals in SanFran, et al. The public, with their short attention spans, pays most attention to the issues trumpeted loudest and most often. Education and awareness programs for obesity, which often contain sensationalized statistics, spur people to seek action.. not really for themselves, but on others' behalf... which is where zealous elected representatives come in, eager to cash in on public outcry.. and laws/regulations are passed.

2. It doesn't restrict me, but it is one reason among many for any future restrictions.

3. I suggest we cancel education/awareness initiatives for things like obesity, alcohol, sex, and drugs/smoking. I can see rationales for education/awareness on other topics; topics/diseases/conditions for which we each are not anywhere near as directly responsible.

Then you have unknowingly given up your freedom.

In what way, exactly?

 

[Amused]

Prohibition started with "education/awareness"

The war on drugs started with "education/awareness"

Tobacco bans/taxes started with "education/awareness"

Helmet/seatbelt laws started with "education/awareness"

All were passed using the "cost to society" argument.

And what are we already hearing about obesity?

Cost to society.

The added fact that the same party offering this "education/awareness" is the same party that has already giving us fat/soda taxes and happymeal bans (and has MANY more such laws in the works) does nothing to help.

 

[dainthomas]

The problem is dictating what can and cannot be advertised. Most things don't happen without it.

IMHO if they want to counter junk food, buy up advertising with non-government funds to block it.

So the government can't regulate advertising? Should they allow corporations to advertise Johnny Walker and Skoal during Spongebob? After all, we don't want the government infringing on their rights. Let the free market decide if it's OK for 8 year olds to dip.

And this is off-topic anyway. Amused still hasn't stated which specific part of Let's Move he opposes. All we've heard are lame slippery-slope arguments.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Prohibition started with "education/awareness"

The war on drugs started with "education/awareness"

Tobacco bans/taxes started with "education/awareness"

Helmet/seatbelt laws started with "education/awareness"

Smallpox eradication started with "education/awareness"

High vaccination rates started with "education/awareness"

Iodized salt started with "education/awareness"

None of these led to draconian laws or regulations. Education and awareness led to better health and a prosperous populous. Attack the laws and regulations if and when they are applied. Only the most ignorant and frothy-mouthed douchebag would attack education and awareness initiatives in anticipation of laws and regulations that may never happen.

 

[Amused]

Smallpox eradication started with "education/awareness"

High vaccination rates started with "education/awareness"

Iodized salt started with "education/awareness"

None of these led to draconian laws or regulations. Education and awareness led to better health and a prosperous populous. Attack the laws and regulations if and when they are applied. Only the most ignorant and frothy-mouthed douchebag would attack education and awareness initiatives in anticipation of laws and regulations that may never happen.

Though they did not end up with draconian limits and laws, some did end up with mandates. Your examples did NOT stop at education and awareness.

Her page speaks in passing of future laws and taxes. Her party has a history of bans, limits and taxes to support their causes.

Like I said, I have no problem with education and awareness programs... as long as they stop there. But FAR too many have turned into legislations designed to force social behavior.

 

[dainthomas]

Like I said, I have no problem with education and awareness programs... as long as they stop there. But FAR too many have turned into legislations designed to force social behavior.

So just to be clear, as a supporter of education and awareness programs, you agree that Let's Move is a good program?

 

[Amused]

So just to be clear, as a supporter of education and awareness programs, you agree that Let's Move is a good program?

Nope, when one of it's goals is to study/verify the effectiveness of fat taxes, and another speaks of passing laws.

Were she to remove those, and post a guarantee that this stops at education and will not come to mandates, sure, I'd support it 100%.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Were she to remove those, and post a guarantee that this stops at education and will not come to mandates, sure, I'd support it 100%.

She's not a lawmaker or politician, how could she possibly make that guarantee?

 

[dainthomas]

Nope, when one of it's goals is to study/verify the effectiveness of fat taxes, and another speaks of passing laws.

Were she to remove those, and post a guarantee that this stops at education and will not come to mandates, sure, I'd support it 100%.

Those are your criticisms, and that's fine. But nowhere in Palin's quote does she state that she's against those aspects. Now correct me if I'm wrong, but it really sounds like she's saying the government shouldn't impinge people's freedom by telling them they should eat healthy and exercise.

 

[bfdd]

She's not a lawmaker or politician, how could she possibly make that guarantee?

She is married to the most powerful man in the world. That makes her the most powerful person in the world.

/sarcasm

 

[Amused]

Those are your criticisms, and that's fine. But nowhere in Palin's quote does she state that she's against those aspects. Now correct me if I'm wrong, but it really sounds like she's saying the government shouldn't impinge people's freedom by telling them they should eat healthy and exercise.

It took over 100 posts to get across the message that you're just now beginning to understand, and you want her to get that across in a sound bite?