2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: Christe is out of his fucking mind..........!!!! [View all]Swede Atlanta
(3,596 posts)Chris is obese by any measure. There is no way he could be classified as healthy by any reputable physician.
The question here is whether a public figure such as the governor, with reputed interests in "higher office" should be subject to reasonable, public concern about his or her physical capabilities to serve.
While her comments may be uncomfortable I think the public discourse about fitness for service when we may be talking about the federal executive "aka President" is appropriate. Further should Christie be a role model for others? Yes, he is smart and capable even if I disagree with much of his political agenda.
But should't our role models be worthy of their stature? The sports business has successes but also many failings from Armstrong to Bonds. Do we really want to promote the idea that someone of Christie's physical size is a role model?
Obesity is a pandemic in this country. Not only does it mean people will die sooner but it means our health care system is being suffocated by the weight of this epidemic. This starts with hypertension and spreads to diabetes and congestive heart failure.
I'm no fan of the anorexic models on television shows but I think we need to find ways to encourage people to live healthier lives. Governor Christie is NO role model for that.