[llkoolkeg]

But more often than not, it's NOT just "their deal" - they are putting an inordinate amount of pressure on an already pressured public healthcare system. Just as smokers do.

...and just as DHers do...and just as drinkers do...and just as snowboarders do...and just as bad drivers do...and just as hypochondriacs do...and just as couch potatos do...and just as stupid-boys-trying-to-impress-giggling-girls do...

I'm starting to think that extra fees for healthcare coverage should be assessed if you're deemed to be overweight to an unhealthy degree........
-S.S.-

Exactly what IS the litmus test for what is to be considered behavior liable to increase the burdon on our healthcare system? Should obesity be considered a pre-existing condition and cause for denial of coverage or inflated premiums? What about certain genetically-linked diseases and disorders that are associated with particular ethnic populations...should these also be considered when determining scaled premium requirements? Somebody needs to read up on their labor and ERISA laws, methinks.

 

[biggins]

Hmm, if they did that, they wouldn't be fat anymore.

then they would have to find something else to whine about

 

[llkoolkeg]

then they would have to find something else to whine about

A certain percentage of the population is like that- they have an innately keen nose for persecution and feel the need to huddle together for safety. Fat folk certainly don't have the market cornered on that quality, though. I know several people who I would categorize as chronic complainers with borderline persecution complexes and not a one of them is overweight.

How's this for a related coupon?

 

[Big E]

i cant hate on fat people. and yeah let them do what they want i guess. it's just gross is what we are bitching about in here

 

[Cursor]

there's a lady here at work who is at least 400+ lbs that drops paper/pens/food in the hallway and kicks it in the corner cuz she can't pick it up. when she needs to stock literature, she has to call a clerical or warehouse person away from his job to help. and while we have a strict dress code, she's allowed to wear her moomoos and sandals. plus her attitude is a big turnoff.....we have a bring your kids to work day and she always announces 'i'm taking that day off cuz i hate kids'. big .

she can be as fat as she wants but when other people have to do her job and the office starts looking like crap....

 

[biggins]

A certain percentage of the population is like that- they have an innately keen nose for persecution and feel the need to huddle together for safety. Fat folk certainly don't have the market cornered on that quality, though. I know several people who I would categorize as chronic complainers with borderline persecution complexes and not a one of them is overweight.

i absolutely agree with that statement.

 

[llkoolkeg]

i absolutely agree with that statement.

Well let me go for the daily double, then:

When fatties are being discussed, these are the only ones worth mentioning-

 

[Lex]

...and just as DHers do...and just as drinkers do...and just as snowboarders do...and just as bad drivers do...and just as hypochondriacs do...and just as couch potatos do...and just as stupid-boys-trying-to-impress-giggling-girls do...

Exactly what IS the litmus test for what is to be considered behavior liable to increase the burdon on our healthcare system? Should obesity be considered a pre-existing condition and cause for denial of coverage or inflated premiums? What about certain genetically-linked diseases and disorders that are associated with particular ethnic populations...should these also be considered when determining scaled premium requirements? Somebody needs to read up on their labor and ERISA laws, methinks.

Very good points. There are so many things contributing to the stress on our healthcare system today that I don't think it's fair to single out one particular group. People who are old probably add an incalculable amount to that stress, but you won't see anyone being critical of them.

I recently switched to an HMO from the PPO I was with and at first I thought, "What a hassle. I have to call my primary care doctor for everything?" Then I realized that a lot of morons probably go straight to the ortho specialist when they sprain an ankle.

 

[-BB-]

Fat activists fed up with U.S. anti-obesity mania

By David Crary
Associated Press

NEW YORK —
The association, known as NAAFA, holds its annual convention starting Wednesday in Newark, N.J., bringing together activists for social events and workshops on self-acceptance, political advocacy and the "fat liberation" movement.

Lunch will be included.



:evil:

 

[SkaredShtles]

Very good points. There are so many things contributing to the stress on our healthcare system today that I don't think it's fair to single out one particular group.

I dunno - don't healthcare providers single out smokers? Let's face it - obese people are going to have, on average, MANY more health problems than those with a "healthy" BMI. They are going to cause an inordinate burden on the healthcare system because of choices they have voluntarily made (for the sake of discussion I'm going to assume that they have a choice in the matter).

People who are old probably add an incalculable amount to that stress, but you won't see anyone being critical of them.

Oh - they're getting it in the shorts. Have you ever seen what the health care premiums are for older people? Just go to a Blue Cross/Shield website and put your age in as 75 to see what premiums would be.

I recently switched to an HMO from the PPO I was with and at first I thought, "What a hassle. I have to call my primary care doctor for everything?" Then I realized that a lot of morons probably go straight to the ortho specialist when they sprain an ankle.

And alot of obese people are going to make a LOT more trips to the doctor, emergency room, etc. on average than a person with a "healthy" weight (all else being equal).

I know it's not an easy thing to quantify, and maybe it actually can't be quantified........... but it smacks of selfishness on the part of obese folks to expect the healthy population take up the slack because of their *voluntary* abuse of their bodies.

Maybe it's just me.............. <shrug>

-S.S.-

 

[biggins]

Well let me go for the daily double, then:

When fatties are being discussed, these are the only ones worth mentioning-

oooooh now thats what a fatty should be. :evil:

 

[Lex]

I dunno - don't healthcare providers single out smokers? Let's face it - obese people are going to have, on average, MANY more health problems than those with a "healthy" BMI. They are going to cause an inordinate burden on the healthcare system because of choices they have voluntarily made (for the sake of discussion I'm going to assume that they have a choice in the matter).


Oh - they're getting it in the shorts. Have you ever seen what the health care premiums are for older people? Just go to a Blue Cross/Shield website and put your age in as 75 to see what premiums would be.


And alot of obese people are going to make a LOT more trips to the doctor, emergency room, etc. on average than a person with a "healthy" weight (all else being equal).

I know it's not an easy thing to quantify, and maybe it actually can't be quantified........... but it smacks of selfishness on the part of obese folks to expect the healthy population take up the slack because of their *voluntary* abuse of their bodies.

Maybe it's just me.............. <shrug>

-S.S.-

I'm such a yes-man today. You also have some good points. I just think llkoolkeg is right in that you can't point the finger at just one group partaking in activities that are detrimental to their health.

Did anyone here see the True Life episode on MTV about people who are obese? There was one kid who was waiting to hear whether he would be approved for stomach surgery. He was by no means immobile, and his poor mother was trying everything to get him to change his eating habits. Mentally he had fallen back on the attitude that the surgery would solve everything, so he didn't need to change his habits. This is the kind of person that I think a lot the venom in this thread is directed toward. Someone who is still in a position to change themselves, but does nothing and uses the crutch of medical science instead of good old fashioned excercise and healthy eating habits.

In the end of the show he still had not heard back from the insurance company, and I get the feeling he would have been rejected. He was fully able but just not willing to do what it takes to turn the situation around. I was pissed at his attitude and felt bad for him at the same time.

 

[SkaredShtles]

I'm such a yes-man today. You also have some good points. I just think llkoolkeg is right in that you can't point the finger at just one group partaking in activities that are detrimental to their health.

Did anyone here see the True Life episode on MTV about people who are obese? There was one kid who was waiting to hear whether he would be approved for stomach surgery. He was by no means immobile, and his poor mother was trying everything to get him to change his eating habits. Mentally he had fallen back on the attitude that the surgery would solve everything, so he didn't need to change his habits. This is the kind of person that I think a lot the venom in this thread is directed toward. Someone who is still in a position to change themselves, but does nothing and uses the crutch of medical science instead of good old fashioned excercise and healthy eating habits.

In the end of the show he still had not heard back from the insurance company, and I get the feeling he would have been rejected. He was fully able but just not willing to do what it takes to turn the situation around. I was pissed at his attitude and felt bad for him at the same time.

Yeah - I think they deserve some sympathy. But if they're not willing to even *MAKE* an effort.....? Hit 'em in the fuggin' pocketbook. Hard. It's one of the FEW ways to get an American's attention, apparently.

How was this kid getting his food? I presume he had unhealthy eating habits? Did the parents keep cookies, chips, and other crap around? It's ultimately THEIR responsibility. Take the kid's fuggin' Pringles away.......

It definitely isn't an easy topic to resolve, but with the way we're going, fat-wise, we're going to get deeper and deeper in the hole.

-S.S.-

 

[Jeremy R]

I work as a health insurance agent, and I sell alot of inividual family plans to mostly self-employed people.
Just so you know,
Fat azzes have it worse than smokers.
Smokers get charged a certain percentage more for their dumb azz habit.
Normally anywhere between 20 to 40% and
Old people get charged a boatload more because they are old.
Insurance companies have height/weight charts, and if you are out of the limits then you are DECLINED coverage.
That is right, you are so disgustingly fat, that the insurance company does not want to take your money, because you are a trainwreck waiting to happen.
When I first started in this business, I thought that was horrible.
I have to call people up, and tell them they can't get coverage because their azz has a zip code.
But the more i dealt with them I started seeing why.
They are terribly unhealthy. Between heart disease, diabetes, HBP, bone problems, back problems, etc...... They are a insurance companies worst nightmare.
Obesity is a HUGE health problem in the US, and the sad thing is, it is one that you can actually do something about.
I don't hate them or anything at all, but the ones I know that just don't try
and know that they are slowly dying, its really hard to respect that.

I am glad that they are fired up though. Maybe when they protest, if they can march a little faster, and get those knees up, this whole problem will go away.

 

[Kihaji]

There are fat people, and there are overweight people.

Fat people blame everyone but themselves for thier situation and think that they can continue to do what they do and find a magic bullet(stomach surgery) to cure what ails them. I hold nothing but contempt for these people, and yes, blaming a gland on your weight is bull. I don't care what gland it is, unless its the magical create calories out of thin air gland, if you watch calories you will not get fat.

Overweight people know thier situation is their fault, blame no one but themselves, and are usually comfortable with their weight, and usually aren't the ones who go in for surgery nor are they the ones who are 800 lbs. I have no issues with these people, they are living thier lives and taking responsibility for thier decisions.

Bottom line, if you want to shovel food into your mouth 24x7, then pony up and realize it was you who did it, not some damn disease. And none of them get sympathy from me.

 

[Bullitrider]

Fat people make me sick. Glutonous frieks that have no self control or common sense. They even get tax breaks for their obesity treatment. WTF?!!!!! I'm sorry but this topic is one that really makes me mad(can you tell?). Now they want acceptance so they can promote the "plus size" lifestyle? Gimme a break you fat asses!

 

[llkoolkeg]

I dunno - don't healthcare providers single out smokers? Let's face it - obese people are going to have, on average, MANY more health problems than those with a "healthy" BMI. They are going to cause an inordinate burden on the healthcare system because of choices they have voluntarily made (for the sake of discussion I'm going to assume that they have a choice in the matter).

Some have a say in the matter and some do not. It is not fair to lump those that are doing everything reasonably possible to reduce their girth in with lazy, cushion-surfers who eat junk food all day and abhor exercise. That's like equating the worth of two people with 90 IQs- one who was born that way and spent all his life trying to overcome his limitations and one who was born with "normal" capacities and destryed them through mental lethargy and huffing paint thinner.

Oh - they're getting it in the shorts. Have you ever seen what the health care premiums are for older people? Just go to a Blue Cross/Shield website and put your age in as 75 to see what premiums would be.

Age and smoking status are two criterion that can be used to justify premium disparities according to the law.

And alot of obese people are going to make a LOT more trips to the doctor, emergency room, etc. on average than a person with a "healthy" weight (all else being equal).

Very well, cetaris parabis, how many visits to the doctor/ER have you made in your lifetime? I have been to the doctor no more than 10 times in my lifetime of 34 years thus far, and not once was a visit non-essential or attributable to my beer belly. I have been to the ER for stitches once and for systemic poison ivy once. I have low blood pressure, low body temperature, a fairly low resting heart rate and not a single testing panel has ever come back on me that reflects badly on my weight. That being said, the doc always suggests I improve my BMI when I visit. I just grunt my obligatory "OK" while checking the time on my cell 'til happy hour.

I know it's not an easy thing to quantify, and maybe it actually can't be quantified........... but it smacks of selfishness on the part of obese folks to expect the healthy population take up the slack because of their *voluntary* abuse of their bodies.

Do you then believe it selfish on the part of the poor to expect the wealthy portion of the population to pick up the slack because of their *voluntary* shiftlessness or abuse of entitlement/income redistribution programs? Just curious...

Maybe it's just me.............. <shrug>-S.S.-

Nope. Lots of people share your opinion and that's probably why stupid little support groups like NAAFA can successfully recruit among the overweight population- you feel no compunction to moderate your comments towards them publicly. It's funny and gets easy laughs to emotionally belittle someone who appears different than you.

 

[llkoolkeg]

Fat people make me sick. Glutonous frieks that have no self control or common sense. They even get tax breaks for their obesity treatment. WTF?!!!!! I'm sorry but this topic is one that really makes me mad(can you tell?). Now they want acceptance so they can promote the "plus size" lifestyle? Gimme a break you fat asses!

Do you even have the capacity to recognize the irony present in your own post? You can't spell or formulate a logical argument, apparently have no understanding of cause and effect relationships and come off as a Grade A prickbobber, but somehow you feel justified in placing another group of people beneath you on the social pantheon??? Probably all the better you don't understand why your infantile offerings roll off the backs of "Glutonous frieks" like so many droplets on a duck's back; it'd just ruin your poor little overburdoned circuitboard to ponder on it too hard.

 

[Fathead]

Do you even have the capacity to recognize the irony present in your own post? You can't spell or formulate a logical argument, apparently have no understanding of cause and effect relationships and come off as a Grade A prickbobber, but somehow you feel justified in placing another group of people beneath you on the social pantheon??? Probably all the better you don't understand why your infantile offerings roll off the backs of "Glutonous frieks" like so many droplets on a duck's back; it'd just ruin your poor little overburdoned circuitboard to ponder on it too hard.

"prickbobber"

Hee hee! Golden skunky vocabulicious, kool!

 

[Bullitrider]

Do you even have the capacity to recognize the irony present in your own post? You can't spell or formulate a logical argument, apparently have no understanding of cause and effect relationships and come off as a Grade A prickbobber, but somehow you feel justified in placing another group of people beneath you on the social pantheon??? Probably all the better you don't understand why your infantile offerings roll off the backs of "Glutonous frieks" like so many droplets on a duck's back; it'd just ruin your poor little overburdoned circuitboard to ponder on it too hard.

You must be one of the fatties gettin a taxbreak. Just keep growin' that gut beerbelly boy.

 

[pnj]

"prickbobber"

Hee hee! Golden skunky vocabulicious, kool!

hahahahhahahahahaha

 

[SkaredShtles]

Some have a say in the matter and some do not. It is not fair to lump those that are doing everything reasonably possible to reduce their girth in with lazy, cushion-surfers who eat junk food all day and abhor exercise.

I agree. That's why I put in my assumption. I have trouble buying that those "doing everything reasonably possible to reduce their girth" are anything but a tiny, *tiny* minority of obese people.

Age and smoking status are two criterion that can be used to justify premium disparities according to the law.

And apparently weight is also............. maybe they're already paying their penalty. Of course, when they do invariably suffer from a heart attack, etc. they will then put a strain as an uninsured patient on the system........

Very well, cetaris parabis, how many visits to the doctor/ER have you made in your lifetime? I have been to the doctor no more than 10 times in my lifetime of 34 years thus far, and not once was a visit non-essential or attributable to my beer belly. I have been to the ER for stitches once and for systemic poison ivy once.

Well.... lessee. I've been to the ER twice for stitches. First time the parents didn't have insurance. Know what - they simply paid the ER bill. This was back when healthcare costs were bearable. Trips to the doc - I guess maybe 10-15 over the last 33 years. Naw - it was probably less, unless you include sports physicals in high school.

I have low blood pressure, low body temperature, a fairly low resting heart rate and not a single testing panel has ever come back on me that reflects badly on my weight. <snip>

I'm sure there are alot of overweight people who aren't medically problematic. But again - I suspect it's a tiny minority. My grandmother lived until 85 and smoked every chance she got. *AND* she had emphysema for the last 20 years. But I'd be a buffoon to say she was a "typical" smoker.

Do you then believe it selfish on the part of the poor to expect the wealthy portion of the population to pick up the slack because of their *voluntary* shiftlessness or abuse of entitlement/income redistribution programs? Just curious...

Goddam right I do.

It's funny and gets easy laughs to emotionally belittle someone who appears different than you.

This is actually not a laughing matter........ I find it as distrubing as you apparently do that people find it amusing.

-S.S.-

 

[reflux]

You must be one of the fatties gettin a taxbreak. Just keep growin' that gut beerbelly boy.

You're digging yourself into a hole, you might as well stop now while you can still salvage something.


It's a proven medical fact that appearance and weight don't mean everything when it comes to health (NOTE: I'm not saying they don't play a huge part, it's just not everything). Obviously, the healthiest people are those in great shape and within their weight limits. The next healthiest are those overweight and in great shape. The next group are those that are in poor shape, but within their weight category. Lastly, those in the worst position are those in poor shape and overweight. My (fine) nutrition teacher from a few years back told us this as a general guide to health.

 

[llkoolkeg]

You must be one of the fatties gettin a taxbreak. Just keep growin' that gut beerbelly boy.

You would be wrong yet again, not that it's an occurrence that would alarm you.

I get no tax breaks except for those deductions to income allowed whenever I donate my old stuff to your provisioner. No fears about my beer belly, though; only daily runs of an hour or so have proven deleterious to the glorious expansion and fulfillment of its manifest destiny. It's after 4:20pm now, so I have a happy hour to get to. I'll be sure to pour out a libation or two for you, Mr. Slight-of-thought.

Be sure to look me up if you ever come out East; I'd be more than happy to give you a lesson in manners that your girlish figure would struggle to endure.

 

[SkaredShtles]

You're digging yourself into a hole, you might as well stop now while you can still salvage something.
<snip>.

I'd say this one might go straight into the Ignore list.................

-S.S.-

 

[Bullitrider]

So Mr. Moral High Ground isn't above fisticuffs or would it be a spelling lesson? To give me either you would have to catch me first, you dope head.

 

[arsenic]

interesting thread. it leaves me pondering a bit to say the least. on one hand, i'm kinda befundled and offended at those of you that say you're so disgusted at fat/overweight people. on the other hand, i suppose i am too, to some degree. self image issues probably because i'm one of the people that it seems like a portion of you would want nothing to do with. oh yeah, i'm a smoker too. 5'6", 240 lbs, a pack a day, don't see a doctor unless i'm bleeding and it's been about 8 years since that happened (now THAT gets me worried, i'm past due ).

i say i'm somewhat disgusted by overweight people because i don't like myself like i am. not that i HATE me. hell i think i'm probably far more confident about me than i should be , but i do want to be thinner. that's part of the reason biking came back into my life again. i'm using it as an excuse to excercise as a side benifit i'm having a ton of fun at the same time

hmmm... i'm not too sure where i was going with all that. anyways, i think the organization that was posted about at the start of this thread is silly. i'd never have anything to do with it. but when i see some of the reaction by people here, i can kind of understand how someone could get moved enough to start it up.

 

[llkoolkeg]

So Mr. Moral High Ground isn't above fisticuffs or would it be a spelling lesson? To give me either you would have to catch me first, you dope head.

I never claimed to preach from on high...well, unless we're talking about that dope you referred to. I am as fallible as the next schmuck. Regardless, you could stand a lesson or ten in pugilism, spelling AND respecting your betters. I don't expect to be your teacher, but you can consider me your online vice principal in a rigorous instructional environment alive with the sounds of corporal punishment's application. You will not run from me- you will obediently come forth eyes averted when called like the slap-shy bitch you are.

 

[Echo]

I have to admit, sometimes it's a pleasure to watch llkoolkeg work his mastery

 

[llkoolkeg]

Hahahaha! When I saw that you had replied from the home page, the first thing that crossed my mind while clicking was "...well, it was a nice run while it lasted." I really have tried to rein it in of late, ya know.

 

[Bullitrider]

Pugilism? Bring it on. Oh wait, this is the internet. Threats don't mean anything. Your'e just like the comic book guy on The Simpson's. Yeah, he's fat too.

 

[binary visions]

Pugilism? Bring it on. Oh wait, this is the internet. Threats don't mean anything. Your'e just like the comic book guy on The Simpson's. Yeah, he's fat too.

...and, as you demonstrate so nicely, it's easy to be a douchebag without fear of retribution.

You get some kind of kick from making yourself look like a pigheaded idiot?

 

[pnj]

Pugilism? Bring it on. Oh wait, this is the internet. Threats don't mean anything. Your'e just like the comic book guy on The Simpson's. Yeah, he's fat too.

go back to pinkbike.

 

[biggins]

god i wish i could find that picture of the internet thug next to his car right now that was posted a while back.

 

[biggins]

I never claimed to preach from on high...well, unless we're talking about that dope you referred to. I am as fallible as the next schmuck. Regardless, you could stand a lesson or ten in pugilism, spelling AND respecting your betters. I don't expect to be your teacher, but you can consider me your online vice principal in a rigorous instructional environment alive with the sounds of corporal punishment's application. You will not run from me- you will obediently come forth eyes averted when called like the slap-shy bitch you are.

hahahahahahahah you are the master of the vocabulary

 

[arsenic]

You will not run from me- you will obediently come forth eyes averted when called like the slap-shy bitch you are.

my favorite part

 

[llkoolkeg]

Pugilism? Bring it on. Oh wait, this is the internet. Threats don't mean anything. Your'e just like the comic book guy on The Simpson's. Yeah, he's fat too.

My point exactly. Since there is nothing I can really do to you from here, I might as well amuse myself by handing you a microphone and manning the spotlight. You were perfectly willing and able to take it from there.