Two things that are annoying me about DU right now.

[lightningandsnow]

I love this place, but here are two accepted things here that are actually driving me nuts:

1) Fat-Bashing
Is it just me, or do most DUers think that all people must march to the tune of "you must be thin". Really. It's like it's suddenly become unacceptable to say things like "You can be technically overweight and still be healthy", "Starving yourself is probably a bad idea", "People come in different shapes and sizes", and "It's okay to have a donut/cheeseburger/frappuccino once in a while". No. All I keep hearing is the "obesity epidemic" rhetoric.

2) Autistic-Bashing
If you really support "curing" autism, fine by me. But that doesn't give you an excuse to talk crap about people whose neurological wiring is different then yours. I have heard so many ignorant, offensive things said about autistic people on here, from calling them "Very sick children", to "poisoned" and whatnot. All basically assuming a) autistic adults/teens don't exist, and b) they don't have any feelings anyway, and are incapable of self-advocacy. Which, of course, isn't true.

Has anyone else noticed this, or do I just have unconventional opinions?

[fenriswolf]

1. i havnt really encountered either two actually

except for a couple of items that did not specifically address the fat issue but that is besides the point. anyways sorry you feel that way, anything in particular you wanna get out?

[AlCzervik]

2. i've seen fat people being made fun of but autism and the bashing of, haven't seen that.

[lightningandsnow]

3. Look in the health forum...

[AlCzervik]

4. we have a health forum?

[lightningandsnow]

6. it's under the topic forums.

[AlCzervik]

7. wow, i've been here for 4 years and i learn something new almost everyday.

[MannyGoldstein]

5. Actually, Overweight And Moderately Obese People Live Longer

Bigger folks get more diabetes and heart disease, but much less cancer, Alzheimer's, etc.

Being "normal" weight is unhealthy.

[cynatnite]

8. Can you provide links as far as the autistic bashing goes?

I've seen some insensitive comments in regards to being overweight, but never have I seen bashing those who have autism. Please provide links to those posts you feel are bashing.

[lightningandsnow]

9. Here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=222&topic_id=29425&mesg_id=29425

Dude's obviously a quack, but it's still pretty condescending.

[cynatnite]

12. I agree he's a quack, but I didn't see him bashing autistics n/t

[JohnnyLib2]

10. On your second point, about autistic-bashing---

I did a quick check and can spot insensitivity and lack of understanding, but not really active bashing. Let's face it, autism & Aspergers Disorder are not well understood in the general population. You are probably a pioneer right now, bringing it to attention on DU. More education is needed. And--good for you!

[clydefrand]

11. You don't have unconnventional opinions.

I joined this forum several years ago and really enjoyed reading and contributing. But now it seems there is way too much bickering going on that I really don't enjoy reading or posting very much.

Several months ago, I posted about my older sister who has dementia and the problems that I was having with her medicines being destroyed at a nursing home, which I happen to think is a shame because so many people can't afford medicine. I was trounced on by one poster because I wanted to take her medicine with me when she left that nursing home to go to another. One medicine is one that I use, an expensive inhaler which had never been opened and she no longer knew how to use it. I was admonished about my using her medicine and how wrong it was because it wasn't prescribed for me. That left a sick feeling in my stomach because I didn't warrant that attack.

I, too have noticed the attacks on people's looks, which is really unkind, of no value in trying to express a point. I don't like it when it's done to someone whose political positions that I oppose...for example...Karl Rove is forever being called fat. What's that got to do with what he has done for/with/to this country? Nothing that I can see.

I agree with you...bashing one's mental capacity and appearance isn't helpful.

[Tumbulu]

13. I agree that there is a lot of bashing

My theory is that the wrong wing way of attacking first and thinking later has infected all the rest of us. I think that these tactics are just as damaging as the repug's views.

[comradebillyboy]

14. Being 40-50 lbs overweight myself

I am not particularly offend by fat bashing as I know I would be better off if I could drop the extra pounds. My excess fat is, in fact, quite unhealthy and unattractive. Sure wish there was an easy way to get rid of it other than meth or crack. I'd try them but they are bad for my blood pressure. Hard exercise makes me very hungry. Life's a bitch, eh?

[2rth2pwr]

15. I imagine that it would be worse if

you were an obese autistic person.

Obesity now a 'lifestyle' choice for Americans, expert says

WASHINGTON (AFP) — As adult obesity balloons in the United States, being overweight has become less of a health hazard and more of a lifestyle choice, the author of a new book argues.
http://afp.google.com/media/ALeqM5hwXeTj1IEtaZ9WbFgls1-xaA-mIQ?size=xs

"Obesity is a natural extension of an advancing economy. As you become a First World economy and you get all these labor-saving devices and low-cost, easily accessible foods, people are going to eat more and exercise less," health economist Eric Finkelstein told AFP.

[madokie]

16. haven't noticed either one

since I have neither a weigh problem nor am autistic I probably just haven't noticed them. What forums are you seeing this kind of talk on anyway, if I may ask