Fatism

The second hand smoke argument is really weak. Smokers can't smoke indoors in most places in the US (and it will be all places, eventually) and in lots of places are confined to designated outdoor smoking areas. If a person fears exposure to second hand smoke, they can simply stay away from those areas. There is very little health risk associated with one or two breaths of second hand smoke, diluted by open air, if you for some reason must walk by a designated smoking area. They're usually small enough areas that a person could choose to hold their breath as they pass. Second hand smoking risks are real when someone lives with a smoker who smokes indoors, or regularly rides in an enclosed car with them, not when you walk by outside. And the same allergy argument can be made about perfume.

I really don't see how shaming smokers and shaming the obese are different- both are heath concerns, made difficult to fix by a lifetime of poor choices, that make you sick in the long term. I know, there is a small percentage of people that are obese due to medical situations outside their direct control- but the vast majority of people ate their way to obesity. And certainly there are no medical conditions that turn someone in to a smoker, unless you consider that they may have started smoking when they were emotionally vulnerable teenagers as a result of peer pressure, and became addicted before realizing the harm they've done.

As far as public health- obesity does affect everyone, particularly with relation to insurance, as has been mentioned already.

I pose this question: why is it more acceptable to criticize people who smoke but not people who overeat?

Because people can die from second hand smoke. I never heard of anyone dying because I was fat.


Edited to correct spelling.

Well, technically, one could say that the inflated health care costs due to obesity could cause someone to die due to them not being able to afford insurance.

technically.

I'm in Canada. So it's a different perspective up here....we dont worry about not being able to afford insurance.

we all make fun of people we don't like.

I make fun of people I do like. I love laughter. It's their fault if they get offended.

My sister and three friends went out one night and took photos with this guy who was a friend of a friend. Anyway short story long, my sister and her friends are all heavy. This guy is not. He posted the photo on FB. Well he received multiple comments from his friend-list all of them dissing and making fun of the ladies because of their size. One even called my sister Precious. Well I had to intercede and let some Mofo's have it. I think people like to join packs and be mean spirited. It's sad. The photo was taken down and then deleted.

Sad.

I pose this question: why is it more acceptable to criticize people who smoke but not people who overeat?

Because people can die from second hand smoke. I never heard of anyone dying because I was fat.


Edited to correct spelling.

Well, technically, one could say that the inflated health care costs due to obesity could cause someone to die due to them not being able to afford insurance.

technically.

I'm in Canada. So it's a different perspective up here....we dont worry about not being able to afford insurance.

Even if the money isn't an issue in Canada, you should be concerned with the healthcare system having to devote tons of resources to obesity-related healthcare. Your money by way of taxes is still paying for it, even if you don't see the differences on a personal level.

http://www.helium.com/items/956906-smoking-on-airplanes-banned-yet-problems-persist?page=2

...I'm an ex smoker who usually gets really freakin' sick every time I fly now (usually long haul)...and I'm old enough to remember smoking on planes and have done so as well, never getting sick back then.
Regarding the FB thing...unfriend the *kitten*...simple.

I pose this question: why is it more acceptable to criticize people who smoke but not people who overeat?

Because I don't have to inhale people's food when I walk by.

I think this needs to be said twice.

I pose this question: why is it more acceptable to criticize people who smoke but not people who overeat?

Because people can die from second hand smoke. I never heard of anyone dying because I was fat.

Oh really you haven't seen entire families of extremely obese kids even down to the 300 lb 10 year old.Think they all make the same choice on their own? No theyve been conditioned that way. Look at the southern half of the US where entire cities are obese. The entire culture of obesity is spreading like wild fire. It is becoming more and more acceptable to become and stay fat here. There needs to be some push back for change to happen. Not saying making fun of people is the right way to go but someone needs to make them look in the mirror and do something about it.

I pose this question: why is it more acceptable to criticize people who smoke but not people who overeat?

Because people can die from second hand smoke. I never heard of anyone dying because I was fat.


Edited to correct spelling.

Well, technically, one could say that the inflated health care costs due to obesity could cause someone to die due to them not being able to afford insurance.

technically.

I'm in Canada. So it's a different perspective up here....we dont worry about not being able to afford insurance.

You should, even more so, because you...(the collective "you", not you as an individual)...are paying for it, including those who make less-than-healthy decisions. While your healthcare may be universally available (and universally rationed), it is no more *free* than it is in the U.S.