Lynn: Obesity is the government's business

Published Monday, April 12, 2004

Lynn: Obesity is the government's business

By Patricia Lynn
MinutemanMedia.org

Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson is urging Americans
to improve our eating habits and exercise more. In other words, he wants
each of us to focus on our own responsibility for the growing epidemic of
obesity.

Thompson's concern is warranted. According to a recent Centers for Disease
Control study, obesity-related deaths will claim more than 500,000 lives
annually in the United States by 2005.

Globally, the forecast is also grim. According to the World Health
Organization

(WHO), obesity-related illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, Type 2
diabetes and certain cancers are part of a major shift in the cause of
deaths around the world.

In the face of staggering statistics of the growing obesity-related death
toll in the United States and globally, Thompson's recommended approach to
addressing the problem would be laughable in its inadequacy if the stakes
were not so high.

Instead, the approach is shameful.

Of course we should all eat more healthy foods and get more exercise. But
for the U.S. government to frame this massive health problem as solely
related to personal choice is blatantly irresponsible. In order to address
the heart of the obesity problem, the Bush administration would have to
take on some of the biggest financial contributors to the Republican Party.

Food corporations spend about $33 billion a year to advertise and promote
their products. Of this, close to 70 percent is spent on advertising soda,
candy, snacks, convenience foods, alcoholic beverages and desserts. Much
junk food marketing is targeted at young people. To compare, only 2.2
percent is spent on the promotion of fruits, vegetables, beans or grains.

The food industry also has tremendous control over what we find on grocery
shelves.

In 1998, for example, two-thirds of the new food products fit into the "use
sparingly"

category of the USDA Food Pyramid.

The Bush administration's unwillingness to confront the industry behind
this epidemic is not surprising when political contributions are
considered. From 1995 to 2002, food and grocery companies and restaurants
gave more than $19.3 million in soft money to Republican causes, compared
with $5.5 million to Democrats.

In the 2000 election cycle, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, McDonald's, Philip
Morris/Altria

(owner of Kraft Foods), Cracker Barrel, Pizza Hut and General Mills were
all major Republican funders. Thompson's focus on physical activity and
good eating habits keeps the heat off the industry driving this epidemic
just as the 2004 election cycle gets into full swing. And the implications
of pandering to the food industry do not stop at U.S. borders.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is moving ahead with a "Global Strategy
on Diet, Physical Activity and Health" to respond to the obesity epidemic.
Developed as policy recommendations for governments, the WHO's Global
Strategy would help inform consumers about the dangers of foods high in
sugar, salt and fat while curtailing promotion of junk food.

This strategy has come under fire by food corporations, industry trade
groups, and the U.S. government. In the fray at WHO, Bush administration
officials have even denied any connection between unhealthy foods and
obesity.

By seeking to protect the interests of Big Food and Big Sugar at the
expense of global health, the administration is living up to the name it
has already made for itself. Many of the same arguments being used at WHO
by the United States now were made earlier by our government officials
during negotiations on the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC),
the world's first public health treaty.

Despite U.S. cowboy diplomacy throughout the treaty process, the FCTC was
adopted and is moving swiftly toward implementation. It will save millions
of lives and change the way Big Tobacco operates globally.

The FCTC came into existence as a strong corporate accountability treaty
because other countries were willing to stand up to U.S. attempts to derail
it. It is time for the U.S. government to stop putting the profits of
transnational corporations ahead of people's health and well being across
the globe. It is time for Tommy Thompson to shape up and put health first.

Patricia Lynn is campaign director of Infact (www.infact.org), a membership
organization that protects people from irresponsible and dangerous
corporate actions around the globe.

**** Post for FREE via your newsreader at post.usenet.com ****



First it was "Big Tobacco"......now it's "Big Food"


"Wizard" wrote in message
...
Published Monday, April 12, 2004

Lynn: Obesity is the government's business

By Patricia Lynn
MinutemanMedia.org

Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson is urging Americans
to improve our eating habits and exercise more. In other words, he wants
each of us to focus on our own responsibility for the growing epidemic of
obesity.

Thompson's concern is warranted. According to a recent Centers for Disease
Control study, obesity-related deaths will claim more than 500,000 lives
annually in the United States by 2005.

Globally, the forecast is also grim. According to the World Health
Organization

(WHO), obesity-related illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, Type 2
diabetes and certain cancers are part of a major shift in the cause of
deaths around the world.

In the face of staggering statistics of the growing obesity-related death
toll in the United States and globally, Thompson's recommended approach to
addressing the problem would be laughable in its inadequacy if the stakes
were not so high.

Instead, the approach is shameful.

Of course we should all eat more healthy foods and get more exercise. But
for the U.S. government to frame this massive health problem as solely
related to personal choice is blatantly irresponsible. In order to address
the heart of the obesity problem, the Bush administration would have to
take on some of the biggest financial contributors to the Republican
Party.

Food corporations spend about $33 billion a year to advertise and promote
their products. Of this, close to 70 percent is spent on advertising soda,
candy, snacks, convenience foods, alcoholic beverages and desserts. Much
junk food marketing is targeted at young people. To compare, only 2.2
percent is spent on the promotion of fruits, vegetables, beans or grains.

The food industry also has tremendous control over what we find on grocery
shelves.

In 1998, for example, two-thirds of the new food products fit into the
"use
sparingly"

category of the USDA Food Pyramid.

The Bush administration's unwillingness to confront the industry behind
this epidemic is not surprising when political contributions are
considered. From 1995 to 2002, food and grocery companies and restaurants
gave more than $19.3 million in soft money to Republican causes, compared
with $5.5 million to Democrats.

In the 2000 election cycle, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, McDonald's, Philip
Morris/Altria

(owner of Kraft Foods), Cracker Barrel, Pizza Hut and General Mills were
all major Republican funders. Thompson's focus on physical activity and
good eating habits keeps the heat off the industry driving this epidemic
just as the 2004 election cycle gets into full swing. And the implications
of pandering to the food industry do not stop at U.S. borders.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is moving ahead with a "Global
Strategy
on Diet, Physical Activity and Health" to respond to the obesity epidemic.
Developed as policy recommendations for governments, the WHO's Global
Strategy would help inform consumers about the dangers of foods high in
sugar, salt and fat while curtailing promotion of junk food.

This strategy has come under fire by food corporations, industry trade
groups, and the U.S. government. In the fray at WHO, Bush administration
officials have even denied any connection between unhealthy foods and
obesity.

By seeking to protect the interests of Big Food and Big Sugar at the
expense of global health, the administration is living up to the name it
has already made for itself. Many of the same arguments being used at WHO
by the United States now were made earlier by our government officials
during negotiations on the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC),
the world's first public health treaty.

Despite U.S. cowboy diplomacy throughout the treaty process, the FCTC was
adopted and is moving swiftly toward implementation. It will save millions
of lives and change the way Big Tobacco operates globally.

The FCTC came into existence as a strong corporate accountability treaty
because other countries were willing to stand up to U.S. attempts to
derail
it. It is time for the U.S. government to stop putting the profits of
transnational corporations ahead of people's health and well being across
the globe. It is time for Tommy Thompson to shape up and put health first.

Patricia Lynn is campaign director of Infact (www.infact.org), a
membership
organization that protects people from irresponsible and dangerous
corporate actions around the globe.







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In alt.support.diet TX_Dude wrote:
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First it was "Big Tobacco"......now it's "Big Food"

Well, so many people whine "It's not my fault I am fat"... and then
whine when a babysitter steps in to help them take care of themselves
better? Can't have it both ways, IMO...

I got fat from overeating. I now no longer overeat, and I am losing
weight. I also have taken personal responsibility by not eating the
junk which makes it more desirable to overeat, either.

**** Post for FREE via your newsreader at post.usenet.com ****


Lawyers Shift Focus from Big Tobacco to Big Food

http://www.starbanner.com/apps/pbcs..../1009/BUSINESS


"Crafting Mom" wrote in message
...
In alt.support.diet TX_Dude wrote:
**** Post for FREE via your newsreader at post.usenet.com ****



First it was "Big Tobacco"......now it's "Big Food"

Well, so many people whine "It's not my fault I am fat"... and then
whine when a babysitter steps in to help them take care of themselves
better? Can't have it both ways, IMO...

I got fat from overeating. I now no longer overeat, and I am losing
weight. I also have taken personal responsibility by not eating the
junk which makes it more desirable to overeat, either.





-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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http://www.usenet.com
Unlimited Download - 19 Seperate Servers - 90,000 groups - Uncensored
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

"Get the **** out of my body" as the pro-choicers would say!

"Wizard" wrote in message
...
Published Monday, April 12, 2004

Lynn: Obesity is the government's business

By Patricia Lynn
MinutemanMedia.org

Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson is urging Americans
to improve our eating habits and exercise more. In other words, he wants
each of us to focus on our own responsibility for the growing epidemic of
obesity.

Thompson's concern is warranted. According to a recent Centers for Disease
Control study, obesity-related deaths will claim more than 500,000 lives
annually in the United States by 2005.

Globally, the forecast is also grim. According to the World Health
Organization

(WHO), obesity-related illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, Type 2
diabetes and certain cancers are part of a major shift in the cause of
deaths around the world.

In the face of staggering statistics of the growing obesity-related death
toll in the United States and globally, Thompson's recommended approach to
addressing the problem would be laughable in its inadequacy if the stakes
were not so high.

Instead, the approach is shameful.

Of course we should all eat more healthy foods and get more exercise. But
for the U.S. government to frame this massive health problem as solely
related to personal choice is blatantly irresponsible. In order to address
the heart of the obesity problem, the Bush administration would have to
take on some of the biggest financial contributors to the Republican
Party.

Food corporations spend about $33 billion a year to advertise and promote
their products. Of this, close to 70 percent is spent on advertising soda,
candy, snacks, convenience foods, alcoholic beverages and desserts. Much
junk food marketing is targeted at young people. To compare, only 2.2
percent is spent on the promotion of fruits, vegetables, beans or grains.

The food industry also has tremendous control over what we find on grocery
shelves.

In 1998, for example, two-thirds of the new food products fit into the
"use
sparingly"

category of the USDA Food Pyramid.

The Bush administration's unwillingness to confront the industry behind
this epidemic is not surprising when political contributions are
considered. From 1995 to 2002, food and grocery companies and restaurants
gave more than $19.3 million in soft money to Republican causes, compared
with $5.5 million to Democrats.

In the 2000 election cycle, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, McDonald's, Philip
Morris/Altria

(owner of Kraft Foods), Cracker Barrel, Pizza Hut and General Mills were
all major Republican funders. Thompson's focus on physical activity and
good eating habits keeps the heat off the industry driving this epidemic
just as the 2004 election cycle gets into full swing. And the implications
of pandering to the food industry do not stop at U.S. borders.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is moving ahead with a "Global
Strategy
on Diet, Physical Activity and Health" to respond to the obesity epidemic.
Developed as policy recommendations for governments, the WHO's Global
Strategy would help inform consumers about the dangers of foods high in
sugar, salt and fat while curtailing promotion of junk food.

This strategy has come under fire by food corporations, industry trade
groups, and the U.S. government. In the fray at WHO, Bush administration
officials have even denied any connection between unhealthy foods and
obesity.

By seeking to protect the interests of Big Food and Big Sugar at the
expense of global health, the administration is living up to the name it
has already made for itself. Many of the same arguments being used at WHO
by the United States now were made earlier by our government officials
during negotiations on the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC),
the world's first public health treaty.

Despite U.S. cowboy diplomacy throughout the treaty process, the FCTC was
adopted and is moving swiftly toward implementation. It will save millions
of lives and change the way Big Tobacco operates globally.

The FCTC came into existence as a strong corporate accountability treaty
because other countries were willing to stand up to U.S. attempts to
derail
it. It is time for the U.S. government to stop putting the profits of
transnational corporations ahead of people's health and well being across
the globe. It is time for Tommy Thompson to shape up and put health first.

Patricia Lynn is campaign director of Infact (www.infact.org), a
membership
organization that protects people from irresponsible and dangerous
corporate actions around the globe.

"John Doezel" wrote in message news:VkIec.23937$xn4.41722@attbi_s51...
"Get the **** out of my body" as the pro-choicers would say!


No kidding... Let me eat what I want... It is my responsibility to
make sure my diet is healthy. It is a freedom that I want to keep.
It is my responsibility and my right to learn proper nutritional
information for myself and teach this nutritional information to my
children. DO not take my rights from me...

On 13 Apr 2004 14:18:20 -0700, harpoo wrote:

"John Doezel" wrote in message
news:VkIec.23937$xn4.41722@attbi_s51...
"Get the **** out of my body" as the pro-choicers would say!


No kidding... Let me eat what I want... It is my responsibility to
make sure my diet is healthy. It is a freedom that I want to keep.
It is my responsibility and my right to learn proper nutritional
information for myself and teach this nutritional information to my
children. DO not take my rights from me...

They already do. They mandate less than 30% fat in schools. The mere fact
that there is such a thing as a "food pyramid" means that they're telling
you what to eat (and doing a very poor job of it, I might add).

--
Bob in CT
Remove ".x" to reply

Bob in CT wrote in message ...
On 13 Apr 2004 14:18:20 -0700, harpoo wrote:

"John Doezel" wrote in message
news:VkIec.23937$xn4.41722@attbi_s51...
"Get the **** out of my body" as the pro-choicers would say!


No kidding... Let me eat what I want... It is my responsibility to
make sure my diet is healthy. It is a freedom that I want to keep.
It is my responsibility and my right to learn proper nutritional
information for myself and teach this nutritional information to my
children. DO not take my rights from me...

They already do. They mandate less than 30% fat in schools. The mere fact
that there is such a thing as a "food pyramid" means that they're telling
you what to eat (and doing a very poor job of it, I might add).



Regardless of the % of fat in the foods, moderation is the important
factor... I know a lot of schools are serving pizza and fries all the
time... How is this under 30% fat? Anyways, I like my kids to see
this, b/c it helps them grasp the importance of NOT eating that stuff
everyday, but being able to have it once in a while... That way they
can enjoy it w/out having any of the problems associated with eating
it everyday. I will say it again, "Moderation". Teach it to your
children, they will grasp it a lot easier than "elimination".

Pro-choicers don't try to bankrupt the country with the runaway
medical costs. If you, free people, want to keep eating ****, while I
get to pay for the consequences, you bet your fat ass I want the
government to be in your body! After all, they are saving me money.

On the other hand, if I was a fat ass on welfare, I would agree with
you.

"John Doezel" wrote in message news:VkIec.23937$xn4.41722@attbi_s51...
"Get the **** out of my body" as the pro-choicers would say!

"Wizard" wrote in message
...
Published Monday, April 12, 2004

Lynn: Obesity is the government's business

By Patricia Lynn
MinutemanMedia.org

Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson is urging Americans
to improve our eating habits and exercise more. In other words, he wants
each of us to focus on our own responsibility for the growing epidemic of
obesity.

Thompson's concern is warranted. According to a recent Centers for Disease
Control study, obesity-related deaths will claim more than 500,000 lives
annually in the United States by 2005.

Globally, the forecast is also grim. According to the World Health
Organization

(WHO), obesity-related illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, Type 2
diabetes and certain cancers are part of a major shift in the cause of
deaths around the world.

In the face of staggering statistics of the growing obesity-related death
toll in the United States and globally, Thompson's recommended approach to
addressing the problem would be laughable in its inadequacy if the stakes
were not so high.

Instead, the approach is shameful.

Of course we should all eat more healthy foods and get more exercise. But
for the U.S. government to frame this massive health problem as solely
related to personal choice is blatantly irresponsible. In order to address
the heart of the obesity problem, the Bush administration would have to
take on some of the biggest financial contributors to the Republican
Party.

Food corporations spend about $33 billion a year to advertise and promote
their products. Of this, close to 70 percent is spent on advertising soda,
candy, snacks, convenience foods, alcoholic beverages and desserts. Much
junk food marketing is targeted at young people. To compare, only 2.2
percent is spent on the promotion of fruits, vegetables, beans or grains.

The food industry also has tremendous control over what we find on grocery
shelves.

In 1998, for example, two-thirds of the new food products fit into the
"use
sparingly"

category of the USDA Food Pyramid.

The Bush administration's unwillingness to confront the industry behind
this epidemic is not surprising when political contributions are
considered. From 1995 to 2002, food and grocery companies and restaurants
gave more than $19.3 million in soft money to Republican causes, compared
with $5.5 million to Democrats.

In the 2000 election cycle, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, McDonald's, Philip
Morris/Altria

(owner of Kraft Foods), Cracker Barrel, Pizza Hut and General Mills were
all major Republican funders. Thompson's focus on physical activity and
good eating habits keeps the heat off the industry driving this epidemic
just as the 2004 election cycle gets into full swing. And the implications
of pandering to the food industry do not stop at U.S. borders.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is moving ahead with a "Global
Strategy
on Diet, Physical Activity and Health" to respond to the obesity epidemic.
Developed as policy recommendations for governments, the WHO's Global
Strategy would help inform consumers about the dangers of foods high in
sugar, salt and fat while curtailing promotion of junk food.

This strategy has come under fire by food corporations, industry trade
groups, and the U.S. government. In the fray at WHO, Bush administration
officials have even denied any connection between unhealthy foods and
obesity.

By seeking to protect the interests of Big Food and Big Sugar at the
expense of global health, the administration is living up to the name it
has already made for itself. Many of the same arguments being used at WHO
by the United States now were made earlier by our government officials
during negotiations on the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC),
the world's first public health treaty.

Despite U.S. cowboy diplomacy throughout the treaty process, the FCTC was
adopted and is moving swiftly toward implementation. It will save millions
of lives and change the way Big Tobacco operates globally.

The FCTC came into existence as a strong corporate accountability treaty
because other countries were willing to stand up to U.S. attempts to
derail
it. It is time for the U.S. government to stop putting the profits of
transnational corporations ahead of people's health and well being across
the globe. It is time for Tommy Thompson to shape up and put health first.

Patricia Lynn is campaign director of Infact (www.infact.org), a
membership
organization that protects people from irresponsible and dangerous
corporate actions around the globe.

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

On 15 Apr 2004 13:40:23 -0700, (ignorcrew)
wrote:

Pro-choicers don't try to bankrupt the country with the runaway
medical costs. If you, free people, want to keep eating ****, while
I get to pay for the consequences, you bet your fat ass I want the
government to be in your body! After all, they are saving me money.

On the other hand, if I was a fat ass on welfare, I would agree with
you.


Pro Lifers are mostly men and pro choicers are mostly women. Why do
you think that is? I bet it is because the fact that men don't get
pregnant. If men could, abortion would be sacrosanct, you can count on
it.

You think that it is black and white just like that? Some people are
on welfare and it has nothing to do with size. Others are three times
more productive than you will ever be.

I hope you don't run the rest of your life in black and white. You
must be one miserable SOB.

You are classic troll bait.

LV


Lady Veteran
- -----------------------------------
"I rode a tank and held a general's rank
when the blitzkrieg raged and the bodies stank..."
- -Rolling Stones, Sympathy for the Devil
- ------------------------------------------------
People who hide behind anonymous remailers and
ridicule fat people are cowardly idiots with no
motive but malice.
- ---------------------------------------------
"To Do Is To Be" Socrates
"To Be Is To Do" Plato
"Do Be Do Be Do" Sinatra
- -------------------------------


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