Since the War on Drugs™ and the War on Terror™ have turned out to be so fun and effective, how 'bout a War on the Overweight? That'll learn 'em.
Actually, I'm kind of amazed that none of the government health and social services groups has announced a War on Fat™ yet. I suppose "yet" is the key word here.
I suppose they would think it was in the same category as the War on Poverty.
Ironically, if the "War on Poverty" was actually a serious effort and successful, it would also amount to a War on Obesity, of sorts, since poverty forces you to eat such unhealthy food.
I think the word ‘war’ cannot really be appropriatised in any context. The word literally means a ‘conflict, carried on by force of arms’. It sounds at bit rough and tumble for such a sensitive issue. I don’t think we should be declaring war against fat, because this advocates that ideal of the perfect barbie doll body type etc, and essentially demonises fat people. I think we should be embracing the good (ie healthy lifestyle) rather than attacking that bad (ie an unhealthy lifestyle).
They have done so in Australia! The term "war on obesity" is quite commonly heard coming from the mouths of politicians...
ReplyDeleteGod. Not surprising, but still depressing.
ReplyDeleteI suppose they would think it was in the same category as the War on Poverty.
ReplyDeleteI suppose they would think it was in the same category as the War on Poverty.
ReplyDeleteIronically, if the "War on Poverty" was actually a serious effort and successful, it would also amount to a War on Obesity, of sorts, since poverty forces you to eat such unhealthy food.
I think the word ‘war’ cannot really be appropriatised in any context. The word literally means a ‘conflict, carried on by force of arms’. It sounds at bit rough and tumble for such a sensitive issue. I don’t think we should be declaring war against fat, because this advocates that ideal of the perfect barbie doll body type etc, and essentially demonises fat people. I think we should be embracing the good (ie healthy lifestyle) rather than attacking that bad (ie an unhealthy lifestyle).
ReplyDelete