Dripping Bloody Sarcasm
August 26, 2005
Obesity Revisited!
So what's news today? Study: Fast food clusters near schools
The subtitle:
Shocking! Shocking, I tell you. This is NEWS. I hate to tell these researchers who live in bubbles, but where there are people, there is fast food. Look around you - if you're my age, those "fast food clusters" were near your schools 10, 20, 30 years ago, no? But suddenly these "clusters" are contribuing to the obesity of someone you know! Stop the clusters!
The scene is repeated throughout Chicago, where fast-food restaurants are clustered within easy walking distance of elementary and high schools, according to a study by Harvard's School of Public Health. The researchers say the pattern probably exists in urban areas nationwide and is likely contributing to the nation's obesity epidemic.
"It can be very hard for children and teens to eat in healthy ways when they're inundated with this," said lead author Bryn Austin, a researcher at Harvard and Children's Hospital Boston.
Still, children and teens don't eat by osmosis. Somehow those 10, 20, and 30 years ago I just mentioned did occur without people tripping over their own fat.
Some sense:
McDonald's Corp. spokesman Walt Riker said the fast-food giant locates its restaurants "in high-traffic areas like every other business, to serve customers. It has nothing to do with schools." He called the study assumptions speculative since the researchers didn't assess whether proximity of fast food affected students' eating habits.
Speculative is a really nice word. I'm sure Mr. Riker was rolling his eyes the entire conversation.
How about this, researchers. Take some time and study some non-obese folk, figure out why they're not fat, and WRITE ABOUT THAT. Call it a study. Thank you.
hln
October 14, 2003
My First Endorsement
Yay! I am LOVED! Loved, I say! LOVED!
Exalted! Read these words!
Once again, Heather goes into attack mode (a common trait among high school-level objectivists). Her indignation is that we don't hold her aloft as a shining example of the Great American Success Story to those she believes remain mired in subsistence-level jobs because they don't possess Heather's strength of character, will, moxie, spunk, etc.
The facts remain, however, that Heather's very brief foray into the entry-level world was not without a safety net. And, in fact, she worked with multiple safety nets and was unencumbered by burdens and/or responsibilities.
As Ehrenreich's book vividly illustrates, many people simply don't have the advantages and safety nets Heather had. For these people, an illness, car problems, a sick child, a job loss are not mere inconveniences--they are often cataclysmic events all too often resulting in homelessness.
Of course, underlying Heather's disinclination to look at the facts is her unwillingness to realize her current lifestyle is largely subsidized on the backs of these people she scorns. Like all High School Ayn Rand-wannabes, she regards her lifestyle as an entitlement; there's a fair amount of insecurity involved as well.
Brought to you by the Venerated Jade Gold in comments for the previously mentioned Barbara Ehrenreich thread on Andrew Hoog's blog.
Isn't it amazing when others know you ever so much better than you know yourself? They're able to grasp your every thought, circumstance, history, word, idea, and possible consequence!
Perhaps this person is a psychic! I've been waiting for an endorsement fit enough to describe this blog. Which paragraph should I use?
(Oh, and, as my mama always told me, "Never take to heart the opinions of those whom you do not respect.")
Kate, we have our snark.
hln
Obesity Revisited!
So what's news today? Study: Fast food clusters near schools
The subtitle:
Shocking! Shocking, I tell you. This is NEWS. I hate to tell these researchers who live in bubbles, but where there are people, there is fast food. Look around you - if you're my age, those "fast food clusters" were near your schools 10, 20, 30 years ago, no? But suddenly these "clusters" are contribuing to the obesity of someone you know! Stop the clusters!
The scene is repeated throughout Chicago, where fast-food restaurants are clustered within easy walking distance of elementary and high schools, according to a study by Harvard's School of Public Health. The researchers say the pattern probably exists in urban areas nationwide and is likely contributing to the nation's obesity epidemic.Still, children and teens don't eat by osmosis. Somehow those 10, 20, and 30 years ago I just mentioned did occur without people tripping over their own fat.
"It can be very hard for children and teens to eat in healthy ways when they're inundated with this," said lead author Bryn Austin, a researcher at Harvard and Children's Hospital Boston.
Some sense:
McDonald's Corp. spokesman Walt Riker said the fast-food giant locates its restaurants "in high-traffic areas like every other business, to serve customers. It has nothing to do with schools." He called the study assumptions speculative since the researchers didn't assess whether proximity of fast food affected students' eating habits.Speculative is a really nice word. I'm sure Mr. Riker was rolling his eyes the entire conversation.
How about this, researchers. Take some time and study some non-obese folk, figure out why they're not fat, and WRITE ABOUT THAT. Call it a study. Thank you.
hln
My First Endorsement
Yay! I am LOVED! Loved, I say! LOVED!
Exalted! Read these words!
-
Once again, Heather goes into attack mode (a common trait among high school-level objectivists). Her indignation is that we don't hold her aloft as a shining example of the Great American Success Story to those she believes remain mired in subsistence-level jobs because they don't possess Heather's strength of character, will, moxie, spunk, etc.
The facts remain, however, that Heather's very brief foray into the entry-level world was not without a safety net. And, in fact, she worked with multiple safety nets and was unencumbered by burdens and/or responsibilities.
As Ehrenreich's book vividly illustrates, many people simply don't have the advantages and safety nets Heather had. For these people, an illness, car problems, a sick child, a job loss are not mere inconveniences--they are often cataclysmic events all too often resulting in homelessness.
Of course, underlying Heather's disinclination to look at the facts is her unwillingness to realize her current lifestyle is largely subsidized on the backs of these people she scorns. Like all High School Ayn Rand-wannabes, she regards her lifestyle as an entitlement; there's a fair amount of insecurity involved as well.
Isn't it amazing when others know you ever so much better than you know yourself? They're able to grasp your every thought, circumstance, history, word, idea, and possible consequence!
Perhaps this person is a psychic! I've been waiting for an endorsement fit enough to describe this blog. Which paragraph should I use?
(Oh, and, as my mama always told me, "Never take to heart the opinions of those whom you do not respect.") Kate, we have our snark.
hln
