Critic of 'Obese' Anchor Stands By His Words

[alp227]

Last edited Wed Oct 3, 2012, 05:39 PM - Edit history (1)

Source: B&C

Kenneth Krause, an occasional viewer of WKBT La Crosse, sparked a firestorm when he sent an email to the station, criticizing veteran morning anchor Jennifer Livingston for being a poor role model because she is overweight. After Livingston's husband, fellow WKBT anchor Mike Thompson, posted the email on his Facebook page Sept. 28, Livingston was overwhelmed by the public's support.

"She's lovely, smart, articulate," posted one Judith Gervais. "Shame on you Mr. Krause. Shame."

(...)

Krause was invited to appear on WKBT, but declined. He issued a statement instead.

"Given this country's present epidemic of obesity and the many truly horrible diseases related thereto, and considering Jennifer Livingston's fortuitous position in the community, I hope she will finally take advantage of a rare and golden opportunity to influence the health and psychological well-being of Coulee Region children by transforming herself for all of her viewers to see over the next year, and, to that end, I would be absolutely pleased to offer Jennifer any advice or support she would be willing to accept," he said.

Read more: http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/489704-Critic_of_Obese_Anchor_Stands_By_His_Words.php

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(on edit) 20 replies in 19 minutes? Y'all must want something to talk about other than the debates!

[HuckleB]

1. And another fundamentalist spews his nonsense.

[MADem]

58. Is he a fundamentalist, too? The article didn't say anything about him, really.

It just provided his "statement" but we've learned nothing more about him from that link.

[HuckleB]

129. He might be a fundie religionist, but he's certainly a fundy body imagist.

[MADem]

155. He's an atheist, it turns out. Read downthread... nt

[HuckleB]

157. Well, part two still fits.

[MrMickeysMom]

310. Hah.... He just wants his 15 minutes of fame...

Sounds like he owe's back some change...

Fuckin dirt bag...

[Common Sense Party]

91. Ah. He's a personal injury lawyer.

Figures.

[Common Sense Party]

93. Oh. And he's a secular, atheist advocate????

Kenneth W. Krause

Kenneth W. Krause lives in Wisconsin, along the Mississippi River. He is a former prosecutor and criminal defense attorney with degrees in law, history, literature, and fine art. Books editor for Secular Nation, Kenneth has contributed as well to Free Inquiry, Skeptic, The Humanist, Freethought Today and The Wisconsin Political Scientist.

http://www.infidels.org/kiosk/author702.html

[Ian David]

96. There are always bigots in every group. n/t

[Common Sense Party]

97. But a self-righteous, judgmental, healthier-than-thou atheist?

You'd think he would know better.

[Ian David]

99. This is not a position from "Atheist Scripture." Not how bigotry is written into yours. n/t

[Common Sense Party]

108. ??????

[Ian David]

116. Nobody has written a condemnation of the obese into the Affirmation of Humanist Principles.

However, there are biblical condemnations against gluttony, as well as restrictions against women, and others.

[MADem]

123. Is there any rule that all atheists have to follow those principles?

All religious people don't follow "the Bible" you know--that's just one book for one group of religious people. I don't think those who practice Shinto or Buddhist faiths give a shit what the Bible has to say about their particular religion...

I don't think that there's any "rule" that all atheists have to go along with that little affirmation to join the club. If that's the case, then atheism is just another religion, without a deity, but with "rules."

[Ian David]

135. No, there is not. Which is just one more reason why Atheism isn't a religion. n/t

[MADem]

156. Why even mention those principles, then, I have to wonder, as if they are authoritative? nt

[Ian David]

214. Because his bigotry isn't based on them, the way religious people's bigotry is so often...

... based upon what is actually written in their rules.

It's like blaming Christianity for a dude who hates people who drive too slow in the fast lane.

[MADem]

221. Then they shouldn't be part of the conversation at all, if they have nothing to do with

his atheist beliefs or his recent actions/behaviors.

I just do not understand their insertion into this conversation in the first place, if they have no place here and don't "apply" like some want to make a Bible or a Quran apply. Bit of a distraction. Lots of people love to take a single parable or sura and use it to justify a larger position--or use it to accuse others of holding a view just because that piece is written in their favorite book. It assumes everyone from a particular faith has a "fundamentalist" view of this book or that, and that is certainly not always true. That's kind of like saying that slavery is OK because Mark Twain mentioned it in one of his stories. It just doesn't follow, IMO.

[Ian David]

262. I agree. I wasn't the one that brought it up. n/t

[OriginalGeek]

137. I have mentioned often that I grew up in a Fundamentalist baptist home/church

And it was a Texas baptist home - if Baptists don't know anything else, they know how to eat. I can't even begin to remember all the thousands of sunday pot-luck suppers we had after church. We were some casserole eatin' fools.

We also often had visiting Pastors come through town that we would host in the church - often for revivals or even just the sunday night sermon. There was one family that came through fairly regularly (I remember them preaching a few times a year and my mother and step-father even hosted them for dinner at our house once or twice)..they were very popular with the church and they put on a good show with the singing and the preaching but the LAST time they came to our church, the sermon was on gluttony. It was an hour of fire and brimstone on how the body was the Lord's temple and it was a SIN to overeat and make it fat.

Our overweight pastor and his overweight wife sweated and squirmed through the whole thing, smiled and shook his hand when he was done and showed him the door. Never saw that family again. And never heard anyone say they missed them.

I don't miss church but I damn sure miss the food.

[bitchkitty]

148. LMAO at "casserole eatin' fools!" n/t

[HuckleB]

132. This particular bigotry can be found all along the "believer/non believer" spectrum.

[awoke_in_2003]

188. Just because one is atheist...

doesn't automatically make them enlightened and thoughtful.

[DirkGently]

190. Sounds like he's from the militant rationalist strain.

We've seen this personality type before. He knows all and sees all, and is cannot conceive of a universe in which others do not conform to the flawless conclusions of his intellect. Notice the emphasis on how his target has made an unacceptable "choice" to be overweight. He's dying to say this to every overweight person he sees, but thinks someone being on television gives him license to unleash his contempt.

Meanwhile, it's possible he skins newborn kittens to sprinkle them on his cornflakes and counts his nostril hairs twice before leaving the house, but the important thing is that he's constantly improving the world by bathing it in the light of his harsh but rigorous judgment.

[PassingFair]

287. He's not a true atheist!

Just kidding...

[earthside]

127. Or a devotee of Michelle Obama?

It is, after all, the First Lady's primary project to encourage more healthful eating and combating obesity.

[HuckleB]

134. How is promoting healthful eating the same as attacking an individual...

... as this guy did?

[Ian David]

138. There's a difference between promoting healthy choices & holding the obese up for scorn & ridicule.

Imagine if every year, Jerry Lewis spent 24 hours mocking children with Muscular Dystrophy.


"Hey, you with the leg braces and the flavin and the... walk already you loser! HeEEEeEeEEEeey!"

[CreekDog]

263. You shouldn't have needed to say that

Sadly, thanks to someone here, you did.

[MADem]

118. An ambulance chasing atheist, actually--giving atheists a bad name!

The very opposite number from a fundy--or a fundy on the atheist team, if you will!!

He fancies himself a writer, too, unafraid of Godwin's law! http://www.infidels.org/kiosk/article399.html

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

160. Most of the lawyers I know or have done business with play their cards

pretty close to their chest. Why would one want to invite such ire?

[MADem]

184. Maybe he can't pedal that bike of his fast enough to catch an ambulance, and he's taking it out on

this cheery woman on morning tv?

[southernyankeebelle]

2. Well he is wrong. Who is he to judge someone like that?

[JI7]

3. this guy sounds like a fucking jackass

is this woman going on tv everyday telling people to eat crap and get fat ?

i think people like him are worse than the idiots who yell things like fat ass.

[hamsterjill]

4. Is this really Paul Ryan hiding under the guise of Kenneth Krause?

Seriously. Unless Mr. Krause has personal knowledge of Ms. Livingston's medical conditions (which he doesn't), he needs to stop talking.

[Behind the Aegis]

5. What an asshole!

Always interesting to watch a bigot/dummy "double down." A nasty, passive-aggressive sack of crap, he is!

[shanti]

14. doubling down

seems to be the meme du jour for the repukes nowadays. the ignorance is stunning!

[OriginalGeek]

139. !

[hrmjustin]

161. agreed

[louis-t]

6. First thing that came to mind...

this guy has GOT to be a republican.

[Brickbat]

7. Why this guy gets any more attention for being a dick is beyond me.

[raccoon]

283. Amen to that. He sounds like a superdick, and if he has a wife or girlfriend,

I pity the fool.

[octothorpe]

302. I thought the same thing when I first heard about this. The guy is an irrelevant asshole, why give

him the attention he seems to desire?

[tandot]

8. I'd love to see a picture of him

and have a peek at his health records.

What an idiot

[JI7]

9. Here is a picture of him, for all he works out he still looks like a Douche

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

27. Ugh

This dipshit is that guy who brags about not having a carb since 2003 and talks about how "productive" his bowel movements are.

[Ken Burch]

44. I'm guessing he pretty much has the soul of THIS guy:

[MADem]

60. He looks like he uses ... supplements! Perhaps even injectables! nt

[csziggy]

85. He looks like the love child of Paul Ryan and Eric Cantor

[leftstreet]

131. I bet he's got a really small

carbon footprint. Riding his bike all the time like that

[Ken Burch]

146. ...nice one...

But remember...it's not the size of your footprint...it's what you do with it!

[smokey nj]

141. He's a butter face.

[JI7]

211. maybe he works out so much to take attention away from the face

[4th law of robotics]

224. Insulting his appearance is probably not a great way to convey the message

that it's wrong to insult people's appearance.

And short of surgery there isn't much you can do about your face. Your body weight is a bit more under you control.

[smokey nj]

245. What comes around goes around. If he hadn't viciously attacked Ms. Livingston's appearance

I wouldn't have posted what I did. He wrote what he wrote without knowing anything about Ms. Livingston, her lifestyle, or any health issues she may have. He wrote what he wrote based solely on her appearance. Also it appears his problem with the overweight is limited to women, since he specifically mentioned her influence on young girls. He's a misogynist and an ugly human being. If you have a problem with the fact that I pointed it out, that's your problem.

[4th law of robotics]

247. Your conclusion does not fit the information

Also it appears his problem with the overweight is limited to women, since he specifically mentioned her influence on young girls.

Or perhaps this obese public figure happens to be a woman that young girls may look up to. It's not often that young boys aspire to be female TV personalities. Additionally women are somewhat more likely to be obese than men.

If it were a man would have have said they are having a bad influence on young boys? Probably.

[smokey nj]

255. I'm not arguing with you. You don't like what I posted, tough shit.

The guy's an ugly human being who wrote a nasty letter to a woman based on her appearance. That you're defending him says a lot about you and none of it is good. I'm done with you now.

[Justitia]

270. +1

[Beacool]

175. He's good looking and fit, but so what?

He's a judgmental jerk.

[LaurenG]

251. That bike runs $7,200 - $10,000

Dang

[ejpoeta]

10. funny how he didn't have the balls to go on the air and say that to her face.

[Ken Burch]

77. Well, what medications tend to make balls...er...go away(or at least get smaller)?

[Atman]

11. Gonna put on my armored suit here...

I think Mr. Krause has a valid point, which shouldn't just be dismissed because we're all so lovey-dovey politically correct. The FACT is obvious...the reporter in question is "obese." But on DU, we're not allowed to say "obese." It is a baaaaaaad thing. Even if the person in question is actually obese.

Obesity causes our health insurance premiums to rise. It causes all sorts of diseases and complications. It is not a benign factor on our national well-being.

I actually thought the guy's original message was well-stated, to a point. It wasn't mean, it wasn't nasty...he just made a point. Obesity is a medical problem which costs this country money, you and me and anyone with health insurance. Like smoking, there are direct attributable diseases associated with obesity. Why are we just supposed to accept obesity as okay, but smoking is taboo?

Enlighten me.

[progressivebydesign]

22. no argument from me. I did not see what he did as bullying at all.

When i went to school, we had two obese kids in the entire school. Period. It was so rare. In my daughter's school? the majority of kids are obese. It's a crisis. The man never insulted her looks... he talked about it from a health stance.

I could see the pain and defensiveness in her voice and eyes... she knows deep down that it's a bad thing for her health.

[Kurovski]

64. I think he's extremely arrogant, not a bully.

I gained 30 pounds in three months and am now pre-diabetic...very quickly...I ate from stress, but knew full well there were other ways to handle that stress. I've been zinged with a few fat jokes from my (truly) witty family, and I earned it. If i don't turn it around, I will pay a price and so will medicare.

[octothorpe]

303. I don't see it as bullying either, but the guy is an asshole.

As for the role model issue, how many people see an obese person and decide they too want to be obese? Even if someone they do admire is obese, most people don't aim to emulate their body type, but rather whatever skill/talent they have.

[murielm99]

26. I will stand with you on this one, Atman.

Obesity is a problem. I see morbidly obese people on a regular basis. I see them with their children, who are usually overweight as well. I see them in gas stations and convenience stores, loading up on donuts and sugary drinks. I see them eating pizza for breakfast.

I am retired now, but I still substitute teach. I see more and more obese students all the time.

We need to change our approach to eating and nutrition. We need to teach people how to look at the labels on processed foods. We need to encourage exercise in all ages.

I have had to lose weight twice in my life. I gained forty pounds during menopause. I lost it as soon as I could.

About six years ago, I developed a thyroid condition that led to having my hyperactive thyroid destroyed with radioactivity. I gained sixty pounds. I had to fight with the doctor to get a medication that was not harming me and contributing to my weight gain. I DO know what it means to have a hard time losing weight. Every pound that came off was a battle. I have to be careful to keep it off, too. This took almost two years.

Most people can eat dessert and drink sweetened things in moderation. We need to get back to understanding that.

You are correct, Atman. This guy is not a douche. Neither are you.

[alp227]

32. I can't believe I'm seeing people on a progressive message board defending Krause's bigotry.

While I do acknowledge that being fat from eating processed foods is not good at all, we ought to be more open minded. One can be healthy AND have a big body too.

[murielm99]

143. You disagree with it, so it is bigotry?

I can't believe the amount of lockstep thinking I see on a progressive message board.

[hughee99]

252. Exactly, this sort of attitude is only appropriate when discussing Chris Christie,

Rush Limbaugh or other repukes.

[Kurovski]

133. Avoid high fructose corn syrup at all costs.

It seems to actually affect appetite regulation, amoung other things. Check out the "Dangers" section to the right if you haven't already seen the effects listed.

More and more companies are dropping HFCS.

http://www.bing.com/search?q=high+fructose+corn+syrup+appetite+regulation&qs=n&form=QBRE&pq=high+fructose+corn+syrup+appetite+regulation&sc=0-34&sp=-1&sk=

[sammytko]

173. I think it would be great if they got together and worked on her fitness.

[Stuart G]

30. I will enlighten you. "Obesity is like Alcholism an Addiction" but you got to eat.

Obesity is like acholism, an addiction.
Addiction to certain foods, salt and sugar in certain combination is found everywhere. The kind of attitude that puts people down,
like you do. is wrong, very wrong...
."It wasn't nasty.." [b ] Well it was and it was meant to be.

In this world where we all know abot our appearance and what it means, we know who is overweight and not overweight..believe me.
If a person has an addiction like booze, it is easy to cover it up and act normal. But the obesity issues, well it kinda shows..And, unless you have been there, you do not know. Studies have shown it to be harder to beat than acholism or cocaine . I've been there
and food addiction is very hard to overcome. Like smoking it is a highly addictive behavior, yet there is no warning on ice cream..this will kill you..like on a pack of cigarettes.. Only insensitive people would think that the letter was meant to "just make a point."
..As with quiting smoking, or heroine, or cocaine, only people who have been there could understand the sugar/salt/food addiction. and you had better believe that those of us who have been obese, or are now, we know it and the kind of health risks that this provides.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/26/AR2009042602711.html

and
http://www.theendofovereatingbook.com/

The above links, to a book written by David Kessler, (The End of Overeating) who used to be head of Food and Drug, and took on the tobacco industry in the early 90s and won billiions of dollars in restitution, pretty much proves my addiction point (about food, sugar ands salt)....read it if you can.

Yes, the guy, Kruse was making a point, but the way he made it was arrogant and insensitive. Kinda makes me sick

[FloridaJudy]

149. I once had to work with a doctor

Who really hated fat people. She constantly badgered and lectured her co-workers, and was downright nasty to any patients who were overweight. She didn't just point out the health hazards of obesity and recommend safe and sensible weight loss programs - which after all was her job - she also made nasty cracks about their appearance and willpower. As she left the exam room, she always added something to the effect of "It's easy to lose weight. All it takes is a little self control!"

Then she hit menopause.

Sometimes Karma can be a beautiful thing...

[GirlinContempt]

179. absolute nonsense

Some people are over weight due to their diets, eating disorders, etc. but no where near all. Re enforcing the stereotype of overweight people as food addicts is hurtful and counter productive. The fact is that many binge eaters are not overweight, and weight tells you little to nothing about a persons health.

I have no issue or prejudice against anyone with any eating disorder, so please don't mistake my point. My point is just that there have always been fat people, there will always be fat people, and the focus on food and eating rather than health (REAL health, not you look fat so you're going to die horse sit) not only is unhelpful in every way to those without eating disorders, but it actually promotes binge eating and perpetuates the cycle.

[alp227]

31. Love-dovey politically correct? Uhh, are you sure you're on the right forum?

The "politically correct" phrase in my eyes is an excuse to be bigoted. Understand the real world...healthy people can be fat, too!

[Stuart G]

51. I am in the correct forum..I know put downs when I read and see them..

Krause's comment is in "latest news" and I am responding to it.
The way that the letter was written was insenitive and arrogant. It sounds kinda ok, but lots of things sound kinda ok and are not.
"They are stupid cause they want to be." So, what does that mean?
"They are fat cause they want to be" thinks so, well think again..

[mckara]

34. JFK Started a Physical Fitness Program for American Schoolchildren

In a country where 75 percent of children are unfit for military service and 50 percent of adults are obese, we're suppose to condemn Mr. Krause for being a bad guy, or a bully, because of asking a public figure to act like a role model? The anchorwoman was a victim because someone asked her to demonstrate a little self-restraint?

Mr. Krause has a legitimate point about the direction in which our society is heading and how public figures should accept some accountability.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

41. "The anchorwoman was a victim because someone asked her to demonstrate a little self-restraint?"

One....HOW IS IT ANY OF HIS FUCKING BUSINESS? Asked her to demonstrate? What and why the fuck does he and you care? He's not fucking married to her, isn't her father or one of her kids and even if he was......FUCK HIM! And the same goes to you!

Two....how do you know why she is overweight? Self-restraint? Do you have video of her stuffing her face at McDonalds???

[mckara]

55. Why Did JFK Care About Our Nation?

It's called leadership.

http://www.jfklibrary.org/JFK/JFK-in-History/Physical-Fitness.aspx

[frylock]

147. did JFK act like a dick and call out any one specific person?

did he publicly ridicule someone? try a little bit harder.

[bitchkitty]

154. Did he publish his email?

I thought it was her husband who published the email, on Facebook. In which case, this guy was certainly rude to her, but he didn't try to publicly humiliate her. He preached to her via email, which is, like I said, rude, but it doesn't rise to the level of public humiliation.

[frylock]

164. he's a fucking dick..

this woman's weight is none of his fucking business.

[bitchkitty]

217. I agree that he's a dick. n/t

[mckara]

200. Harry Truman Said it Best Regarding People in Public Life:

"If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen."

[obamanut2012]

228. She is not a public figure

Not everyone in a "public" job is a public figure with no true privacy rights.

[frylock]

250. i put it better when i said fuck this asshole..

jeesus fucking christ, what is it with the low count posters tossing this guy?!

[Pacafishmate]

253. 1400 posts is low? Damn do I have a way to go !

For all his arrogance, he's probably right. You don't have a right to not be offended.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

187. JFK didn't pick on individuals and humilate them!

Can't believe you are actually using that argument!

[obamanut2012]

227. JFK was the President and also didn't single out someone

"Hey there, Lady Bird! Maybe you should ease up on the brisket a bit! Hey, I think I'll ask Walter Cronkrite to lead with that..."

Think you have passed doubling down.

[NikolaC]

56. And you and the other posters know that she does not exercise self restraint, how?

I saw Ms. Livingston and her husband this morning on one of the morning shows. Did you know that she is a tri-athlete, has a thyroid condition and has been dieting? It appears not, given your and several other posters responses on this thread.

If Mr. Krause was truly attempting to be "helpful" and was really concerned, then his wording did not reflect that. He came off as a judgmental bully who knew nothing of this woman and made assumptions about her appearance and health.

It's accepted these days to be obnoxious and cruel to people because of their appearance. Being nasty and judging individuals is not a way to "help" or give guidance. The way to help is what the First Lady and others are doing through encouragement and education, not by being judgmental, cruel jokes and ostracizing.

[mckara]

75. Regardless of the Personalities in Question

It is difficult to condemn people for raising questions about public issues, i.e. obesity in America. Mr. Krause had the right to question public figures regardless of their personal feelings. Asking questions never hurts anyone in a public forum with the exception of bruising egos. Sticks and stones can break my bones... etc.

Stifling debate in a public arena is more repugnant to me than asking tactless questions.

[DirkGently]

189. He wasn't "asking questions." He's a concern troll couching insult as "advice."

He doesn't know what's going on with her weight, but he characterized it as a choice she's made, and suggested she's harming children by having the temerity to appear on television, for Christ's sake, which is ridiculous.

He's a smug asshole who may well have nothing in his own life under control EXCEPT his weight, and he presumed to inform her that her body is so repulsive and unacceptable that she's damaging the populace by displaying it. He helped no one but his own insanely self-satisfied ego.

It's not difficult to condemn him at all.

[mckara]

197. Therefore, Since You are King, You Revoke His Right to Express an Opinion

Very democratic!

[DirkGently]

288. That's a very silly strawman. Noticing he's an ass isn't censorship.

[obamanut2012]

229. She is not a public figure, she has a job in the public eye

Not the same thing at all. Good God.

[mckara]

236. C,mon Man! Do a Little Homework Before Spouting Emotional Reactions!

PUBLIC FIGURE
A term usually used in the context of libel and defamation actions where the standards of proof are higher if the party claiming defamation is a public figure and therefore has to prove defamatory statements were made with actual malice. Harte-Hanks Communications v. Connaughton (1989) 491 U.S. 657, 666-668.

The "public figure" issue is not cut and dried. To begin with, a fairly high threshold of public activity is necessary to elevate a person to public figure status, Brown v. Kelly Broadcasting Co. (1989) 48 Cal.3d 711, 745, and, as to those who are not pervasively involved in public affairs, they must have "thrust themselves to the forefront of particular public controversies in order to influence the resolution of the issues involved" to be considered a "limited purpose" public figure. Gertz v. Robert Welch, Inc. (1974) 418 U.S. 323, 345.

[DirkGently]

289. Do your own homework. Defamation has nothing to do with this.

The ass-lawyer's rationale is that someone on a local news program shouldn't be fat because it's somehow harmful to children.

The Times v. Sullivan / Gertz definition of a public figure has to do with the duty of care to avoid publishing false statements harmful to reputation.

You're wrapping yourself into knots trying to defend an ass.

[mckara]

290. That is Not the Point. Nobody is Defending the "Ass"

People have the Right to question public figures without others shouting them down!

[GirlinContempt]

238. really?

So I have the right to question anyone in the public eye about their sexual orientation, diet, medical history, religion, sexual history, marriage, etc?

No. and this attitude also goes beyond socalled public figures. This whole argument its based upon faulty premises. Health (in a general sense) may be a public issue, but the weight of anyone is not, nor are most peoples ideas about weight, health related to weight, or diet based on reality.

[lalalu]

70. Addressing the problem

People don't realize we can't address the problem if we keep denying it exists.

[mckara]

105. Absolutely! I Agree!

Shouting down people, because they are not in lock-step with the feelings of a given group, is disgraceful behavior in a democracy where open debate provides the means for solving problems. People attacking Mr. Krause for being a bully were as tactless as his email to the anchorwoman.

[GirlinContempt]

274. you can not solve

"problems" by discussing them with absolutely no information, and basing that discussion on falsehoods and bigotry

[Atman]

172. +1000

[GirlinContempt]

273. sigh

http://www.nutritionj.com/content/10/1/9

[Atman]

165. I remember the President's Physical Fitness Test

Most people my age do. Which means, most people on DU...this board seems to have an older demographic.

We used to dread it...do 100 sit-ups in allotted time, do chin-ups, run a 1/4 mile...for us less-than-athletic kids, the President's Physical Fitness Test was hell week. I mean...this was THE PRESIDENT! If you passed, the President sent you a woven badge and a certificate! If you failed, you got picked last for dodge ball.

Was this a BAD thing? Does a little competitiveness hurt us? Hell, I survived it. I think I got the President's "Sorry, You Almost Made It" certificate one year. But otherwise, so what? I still turned out to be a healthy, athletic kind of guy...I just don't do football and basketball, the "normal" accepted sports. I play beach volleyball and I snowboard. Oh well. No President's badge for that.

Now, any sort of test is considered "judgement."

.

[Atman]

215. Wow! Quite a rant!

I'm 53. I went to school in Florida. Our PE class -- which was daily -- always started with a lengthy round if calisthenics, then we ran "the circuit." a loooong track around the perimeter of the school property. Probably about a mile. After we all came back sweaty and exhausted, we'd choose up teams for whatever the sport of the day was. Very different experience than what you described.

[radicalliberal]

275. I'll accept that as a compliment.

Sure, we had several minutes of warm-up exercises, but certainly not enough to do any good. I repeat, the actual goal of the mandatory boys' P.E. of my generation -- which, unfortunately, is still around in some school districts -- was only to promote sports (as if that needed to be done), not to promote physical fitness.

There were no exercise programs, not even weightlifting; and the bullying of nonathletic kids was often tolerated or even encouraged. If you don't believe bullying in traditional P.E. has historically been a problem, just do a site search on "p.e. bullying," "phys ed bullying," and "jock bullying" and take the time to read posts by fellow DU members as to what they experienced or witnessed when they were in high school. It's largely an untold story. Were it not for Internet forums such as this one, this issue would never be mentioned.

No one will ever persuade me to support mandatory sports for all boys (including nonathletes) in schools because there is, in fact, no good reason for doing that. I have no problem with "sports only" P.E. being available as an elective for the athletic kids and those who simply want to play sports. But I know from my own personal experience what works and what doesn't work for nonathletic boys. The problem is that no one cares. Only sports matter, nothing else.

[lolly]

304. Amen!

I always thought the sole purpose of PE in school was to provide an arena for naturally talented athletes to humiliate and bully those who were less fortunate.

The emphasis on competitive sports in PE has turned more people off of exercise than it has helped.

I think some things are different now. Students in high school get to choose their own "sports" or emphasis in PE.

But before around 1980 or so, PE was a cruel joke.

[radicalliberal]

308. Thank you! I feel vindicated. :-)

You're absolutely right.

"Physical Education" should have been renamed "Mandatory Sports" because that's all it really was. Promoting physical fitness was never a serious goal. I'm sick and tired of people who see no difference between a nonathletic boy being humiliated and bullied in traditional mandatory "sports only" P.E. and, say, a student having difficulty in a math class. How many math teachers bully students who have a math block? Many people still aren't aware of this problem or just don't care. Were it not for the Internet and forums such as this one, the nonathletic point of view regarding traditional mandatory P.E. would never be heard; and if sports fans get upset over these objections to mandatory P.E. (as opposed to genuine fitness programs), well, tough for them!

Different school districts have different P.E. programs. As one of the leading proponents of the innovative PE4Life program personally told me in an e-mail, the "old P.E." is still a reality in some school districts. I'll repeat myself: There is no justification for forcing nonathletic boys to participate in sports in mandatory P.E. classes.

[Le Taz Hot]

265. Yes, and I failed every time.

Know why? I had (and have) severe asthma that disallows vigorous exercise. Now, lecture me on how "lazy" I am and how I have "no self control." I'm sick and tired of self-righteous bigots passing judgment on overweight people with absolutely NO CLUE what underlying medical conditions there might be.

[radicalliberal]

276. Don't confuse them with the truth.

That whole program was a stinking fraud. It was nothing but a goal without any genuine fitness programs to encourage the nonathletic kids to get into shape. Instead, sports were crammed down all the kids' throats in mandatory P.E. classes in which scrawny boys and fat boys were frequently humiliated and bullied; but no one cared because school sports were (and are) more important than anything else. Yes, sir, just the way to encourage these kids to become physically active! (I speak as a 62-year-old guy who's been pumping iron at a health club for about four years; so, I'm not exactly sedentary, to put it mildly.)

I have two middle-aged friends who were physically disabled, but were required to take P.E. anyway! One of them had a congenital eye defect that deprived him of depth perception. The other had suffered a permanent knee injury in a car wreck when he was four years old. He was not able to run and could walk with only a limp, but was still required to take P.E.! Instead of being given a pass for a disability over which they had no control, they were subjected to bullying; and none of their coaches cared. Indeed, when they defended themselves by retaliating against a persistent bully, a coach would rush to the defense of (yes, you guessed it) the bully.

Getting back to this thread: Don't let the self-righteous bigots get you down. They're just jerks; and they're hypocritical, too.

[obamanut2012]

226. He WAS a bully, and a cowardly one at that

I eat very healthy and am a huge runner. I am decently fit. However, as an American woman, I can say this guy is a bully and a first-class tool.

I do hope he realizes that certain performance supplements are more unhealthy than a piece of pizza and a Little Debbie's Star Crunch.

Ms. Livingstone is not the frigging President or a doctor. "Public figures should accept some accountability."

Ridiculous.

[leftstreet]

36. 'Obesity causes our health insurance premiums to rise' BS!

Why do people keep floating this?

We don't have single payer nonprofit medical coverage in the US !! For profit insurers don't manage risk - they don't have to.

If you have medical insurance coverage your premiums rise TO KICK PROFITS UPSTAIRS. Period.

Your fellow peons are not at fault here

[lalalu]

67. I hope you have strong armor

I agree with you.

[MADem]

81. Calling her a "bad role model" was kind of mean, I think.

I do agree that his original message (that she was overweight) was entirely true but rather cruelly stated, particularly since he didn't know if she had any medical issues. The guy looks like he uses steroids to bulk up to me, which are known to cause heart disease (ask Ahhhnuld), he should know that they can cause serious weight gain when used for medical problems.

I don't think what he said rises to bullying, I just think he was a bit of a dick for stating the obvious and then ascribing motives to the woman (like she regards it as a "lifestyle choice" or something and gleefully pounds down the Ring Dings and Ho Ho's to keep the weight on).

If he was an "occasional viewer" of the channel he must have known she had three girls. The point could also be made to this guy's children that anyone who shoots off his mouth about the medical issues of others that they do not know personally is a big-mouthed blow hard who embarrasses himself and disgraces his family. I'm betting if this guy has a spouse and kids, they're hiding and denying the guy because he came off as a real jerk--not a bully, just a jerk.

People who have those "shoot of yer mouth" internet tough guy personalities often die sooner than the sedentary fattie with a good attitude. I had a great granny who was a big old gal who never exercised, made her poor husband do everything for her (and he did, he was a thin old man and he didn't last nearly as long as she did), and she lived to near a hundred with a big smile on her face! You just never know...it's certainly not a "benign factor" in all cases, but in some cases they are learning that the issue is more fitness than fatness (not that my great granny had the former--I think she had "lucky genes," but I think you get my drift).

[emmadoggy]

87. She has a thyroid condition.

She has lost weight in the past. She had her third child only a year ago. She does work out a few times a week. She is AWARE that she is overweight. She is trying to work on it. Seriously, why do people think that they need to TELL us that we are fat, obese, overweight, whatever?? Do you think the MIRROR doesn't tell us every day? Do you really think those of us in this position DON'T KNOW IT??? Why does it need to be "pointed out to us"???

He stated that she was a poor role model to girls - simply because of her weight. That is the part that she took offense to - and rightly so. She is beautiful, smart, funny, educated, hard-working, successful....how is she not a good role model for girls? If she were an overweight male anchor, do you think she would have received that email?

[MADem]

112. Well, there it is, then--he shot his mouth off about her thyroid condition.

How would he like it if people commented on his body, which looks steroidally enhanced, or his face, which looks like he's had some work done that was a bit less than successful? Or maybe that's just how he was born...! We shouldn't assume...!

[murielm99]

142. I have a thyroid condition, too, and

I have to work to keep my weight down. I still agree with Atman.

[MADem]

159. Would you like someone calling you a shitty role model without knowing your condition? nt

[murielm99]

180. I have been called all sorts of things,

because I am a teacher and a Democratic activist. One develops a thick skin. Since she is in the public eye, she should know that.

Also, I have heard all sorts of people claim to have a thyroid condition, sometimes WHILE stuffing their faces. Since I know what it means to have a thyroid problem, I never say anything to them. But I know it is often used as a convenient excuse.

[MADem]

183. So you would just eat it? You think it's "OK" for people to characterize you unfairly?

People call you "all sorts of things" all the time...and that is fine and dandy with you? I could be a real jerk here and ask you what kind of example YOU are setting for your students--it's OK to be a whipping boy/girl?

And if you fight back, why would it be OK for you, but not for this woman?

Look, this woman is a broadcaster--if she's lying, I'm betting she'd be caught out.

I don't think she's lying though. Let's assume she's not "using a convenient excuse" to lift your very phrase.

Do you still think calling someone with a medical condition a "bad role model" is appropriate? Do you think that kind of behavior is the sort of behavior you'd teach your students?

You'd think a teacher would be more on the side of arguing on the basis of facts, not halfassed theories based on scant evidence. This guy isn't even a regular viewer of this woman's show. He sees it occasionally, between ambulance chasing and (here, let me make some unsubstantiated assumptions) popping steroids.

[murielm99]

193. When did I say it was fine and dandy?

What gives you the right to put words in my mouth?

It is bad if I fight back, but I am setting a poor example if I don't? In other words, according to you, no matter what I do it is wrong? Why is that? Because I don't agree with you?

Who said she was lying? Not me. She did not even mention her condition, or did that escape your notice?

You have no idea what I would or would not teach, and throwing that in my face is an unwarranted attack.

I am on the side of the facts. You seem to think it is okay to attack anyone who does not agree with you. How is that factual?

[MADem]

196. You said people say things all the time to you. Well, they do to this woman, and she fought back.

Now your answer suggests that you have a problem with her for fighting back.

Saying that people say things to you is not responsive. That's my point.

Now answer the questions. No one's putting words in your mouth, I am asking you questions--you are avoiding giving a substantive answer with a lot of puffery and faked outrage. As a teacher, you really should know the difference between a question and a declarative sentence. I did not "attack" you, I asked you questions that were prompted by your rather snide comments about this woman you don't even know.

Your mean spirited comments about this woman prompted my queries. They didn't appear out of thin air.

Again--these are QUESTIONS--not attacks, and not "words in your mouth:"

So you would just eat it? You think it's "OK" for people to characterize you unfairly?

People call you "all sorts of things" all the time...and that is fine and dandy with you? I could be a real jerk here and ask you what kind of example YOU are setting for your students--it's OK to be a whipping boy/girl?

And if you fight back, why would it be OK for you, but not for this woman?

Do you still think calling someone with a medical condition a "bad role model" is appropriate? Do you think that kind of behavior is the sort of behavior you'd teach your students?




The QUESTION MARK at the end of each sentence is a key clue, you know. You can either continue to falsely claim you are being attacked, or you can be mature and respond to the questions that your very own comments about this woman generated.

Your choice.

[emmadoggy]

192. Just for the record -

the first I heard about her thyroid condition was from her HUSBAND on one of the morning shows today.

So to be fair to Ms. Livingston - she is not the one who even mentioned anything about that. She did not bring it up as an excuse. She readily admits she is overweight. Stated that she lost some weight between her first and second child, and then gained it back plus some more after the third. She stated that she does exercise a few times a week and ran a 5k just a week or two ago. She has and does make efforts to lose the weight.

But cut the woman some slack - she has a busy career (which requires her to be in to work very early in the morning) and she has three young daughters and a husband who does the 6 & 10pm news, meaning she needs to be home with her kids in the evenings and to bed early. That sort of schedule makes it difficult to focus a lot of time and energy on herself and diet and exercise.

With regard to the thick skin - she also stated that she does have a thick skin and the part about her weight didn't bother her nearly as much as the accusation that she was a poor role model, especially to girls. As a mother of three girls that was the part that really bothered her and was unfair.

[Sivafae]

294. Personally, I don't see why she has to explain anything to anyone.

It is, without exception, no one's business what medical issues she has going on. There is this underlying consensus that she needs to give details in order to defend herself. She owes no one any details on anything about her health except herself.


What this man was saying to her was that she is not conforming to his expectations of her. She doesn't know him from shit, why do his expectations of her override her medical privacy? He came out of no where and placed assumptions as to what he thought was wrong with her, what she needed to about it, and what it means to people he doesn't know. He's a presumptuous little shit, and completely out of line. And for her to say that she exercises and she had a baby or anything explaining as to why she is in the current condition she is in is giving him power he has no right to.

It's as if legitimate medical problems are something to be ashamed of. Let me assure, they are not.

[emmadoggy]

311. You are absolutely correct. nt

[llmart]

126. I was hoping someone would point that out before I did........

that if it was a male anchor this blowhard jerk wouldn't have said anything, but an overweight woman on TV? Well, she's fair game for a jackass like him. Oh, and yeah, he's a bully and a coward.

[4th law of robotics]

219. If he had said this about a male anchor I think the outrage would have been muted

People around here have been pretty savage with Chris Christy about the weight issue.

Hurting a man's feeling or attacking his appearance are seen as smaller crimes than doing the same to a woman.

[Atman]

286. Two words to prove that is nonsense:

Al Roker.

He was regularly ridiculed about his weight, from the media to late night comedians.

[4th law of robotics]

300. Ok, he was A) a man

and B) regularly ridiculed.

Was there outage? Did people demand those people respect his life choices?


Men are mocked relentlessly and without any sort of condemnation and that disproves my notion that it's generally seem as ok to mock men relentlessly?

[Atman]

312. Actually, yes.

I recall hearing a lot of people upset with the treatment of Roker.

[ucralum]

119. Clearly, all fat people are morons.

Do you think we don't fucking know we're fat? Do you think because we have a flaw that is visible when we walk down the street--as opposed to, say, arrogance, hubris, or general douchebaggery--it is somehow okay for you to treat us as subhumans? Did we ask for your advice?

I swear to God, sometimes I can't believe this is a progressive board. I come here because I live in an exceptionally red area of a blue state and often feel as though my husband and I are the only liberals in this universe of right-wing nutfuckery. I rarely post because I am basically an introvert who doesn't like being crapped on, hence as a union member, public school teacher, and yes, fat person, I normally stay far, far away from labor/education/weight threads. What possessed me to open this one, I have no idea.

I will now return to my real life as a kind, compassionate, humorous, well-read, gay-marriage supporting, anti-war, pro-union Democrat, humbled by the knowledge that my weight is what's really important about me. Thanks so much for opening my eyes.

[leftstreet]

124. And all children look to news anchors as role models

Welcome to DU

+1 for 'general douchebaggery'

[obamanut2012]

230. Good point -- how many kids watch the local news?

Many adults don't -- I very rarely do.

[LaurenG]

145. Righteous rant! Thank you. nt

[DirkGently]

191. Excellent post. ++

[Starry Messenger]

195. You should post more!

You rock! Come check out the Education Group: http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1124

[Le Taz Hot]

266. Oh, the bigots are strong in this thread.

Screw 'em. Remember, the self-righteous are usually the most outspoken in that they must lecture the rest of us on what ignorant rubes we all are and how we all must hang on their every word else we'd be bumpin' into the furniture all the time and stuff.

Welcome to DU and please keep in mind we are not all bigoted self-righteous assholes.

[LaurenG]

122. You really don't see that it's none of his fucking business to tell her anything

has he written to any male reporters about their pot bellies. Fuck him and the horse he rode in on. As for you, you don't know crap about this woman and you and Mr. knowitall don't get to decide how much she should weigh, for all either of you know she has medical issues.

damn, just damn

[raccoon]

285. +1000. nt

[IndyJones]

202. I agree with you. I don't see any bullying. People might not like what he said to her personally

but he said it to her in a private email, not to shame her in public.

[Union Scribe]

207. You honestly think it's acceptable to email a stranger

and berate them about their appearance?

[4th law of robotics]

218. It's interesting

on the one hand if anyone criticizes the FLs health initiatives because people have a right to be as fat as they want that person is attacked.

However if anyone says . . . well something like this they are attacked because people have a right to be as fat as they want.

[sinkingfeeling]

220. I agree to some extent. His point is valid. But, obese or not, the anchor should be on TV.

She might be a negative role model for children, but a negative approach works sometimes just as well as a positive one.

[GirlinContempt]

243. Hopefully your negative role modeling

Will have the positive effect of teaching any reading children that it's not ok to think a persons weight tells you anything about them...aside from possibly their clothing size.

Ugh.

[sinkingfeeling]

248. Telling them that being obese is AOK isn't being honest.

[GirlinContempt]

257. neither is

Telling people that fat will kill them, that everyone can and should be thin, that weight is a good indicator of health, that diets work, that it's as simple as working out and eating differently, that fat people are stuffing their faces and are gluttons, etc.

It's also dishonest to try and present this as some sort of public welfare issue. Almost as dishonest a the claim that there's an ideal weight we could ask achieve if only the fatties weren't so lazy/greedy/stupid/complacent/whatever.

This whole obsession with weight over health it's nothing more than asthetics and holier than thoself congratulation. Not only it's it worse for health, but it re enforces some of the very conditions it claims to be against.

Health matters. Weight in all but extreme cases is not an indicator of health. Period. I am sick of assholes getting away with assholery by claiming is in someone elses interest, in the interest of health, etc. it isn't. Is mean spirited, self righteous and damaging.

[sinkingfeeling]

261. I couldn't disagree more. Health is directly tied to weight. How many Type II diabetes

patients have stopped medications after dropping weight? How many people have gone off of high blood pressure meds after losing weight? Do you really believe that there is no health issues involved with being obese? Hundreds of studies have proven otherwise. Why do you think they're calling obesity is an epidemic in this country?
I believe in medical science and no doctor in the country would agree that there isn't a tie between being obese and health.

[GirlinContempt]

268. well you're wrong.

http://m.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/excess-weight-doesnt-always-equal-health-risks-experts/article572699/?service=mobile

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1681635/

http://www.sneb.org/documents/WR_HAES_PPT.pdf

http://usc-au.academia.edu/LilyOHara/Papers/146628/The_war_on_obesity_a_social_determinant_of_health

http://www.nutritionj.com/content/10/1/9

I could go on but that should give you a lot to start with, both in the actual material and in the references.

[sinkingfeeling]

279. Tell it to the National Diabetes Assocation and the American Heart Association.

[GirlinContempt]

280. if that is the best you can do

After claiming science as your defense... I rest my case.

[sinkingfeeling]

313. I don't feel like copying all 4,162,000 medical studies here. A review of the web sites

of those two national organizations state the connection between obesity and heart disease/diabetes.

[chervilant]

282. hmm...

If you are sincerely interested in learning how nutrition affects health, you might want to watch Food, Inc.; Food Matters; and Forks Over Knives. If you want to understand the key reasons for the exponential increase in diabetes, you might read William Dufty's Sugar Blues. One does not have to be clinically obese to suffer the ill effects of eating animal products, high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils.

When I was pre-med at Rice U, I observed to the members of my study group that I found it astonishing that we were not getting any courses on nutrition for the entire four years of our degree program. Still to this day, medical students rarely get courses on nutrition and exercise. As one of my study group members sardonically observed, "There's no money in preventative medicine."

At the very least, I hope you will have more compassion for those among us who struggle with obesity.

[Sivafae]

295. Health is also directly tied to age.

What are we gonna do, tell people to stop getting old?

"The elderly (age 65 and over) made up around 13 percent of the U.S. population in 2002, but they consumed 36 percent of total U.S. personal health care expenses. The average health care expense in 2002 was $11,089 per year for elderly people but only $3,352 per year for working-age people (ages 19-64).5 Similar differences among age groups are reflected in the data on the top 5 percent of health care spenders. People 65-79 (9 percent of the total population) represented 29 percent of the top 5 percent of spenders. Similarly, people 80 years and older (about 3 percent of the population) accounted for 14 percent of the top 5 percent of spenders (Chart 2, 40 KB).2 However, within age groups, spending is less concentrated among those age 65 and over than for the under-65 population. The top 5 percent of elderly spenders accounted for 34 percent of all expenses by the elderly in 2002, while the top 5 percent of non-elderly spenders accounted for 49 percent of expenses by the non-elderly.4

A principal reason why health care spending is spread out more evenly among the elderly is that a much higher proportion of the elderly than the non-elderly have expensive chronic conditions."

Source:
http://www.ahrq.gov/research/ria19/expendria.htm#diff1

[chervilant]

223. Let's see...

If you had a basal cell carcinoma on your face, and someone suggested that you should have been more cautious about being in the sun and that you should have the carcinoma removed in a televised event so that children could understand the importance of sunscreen, would you think that 'someone' was 'just making a point'?

Furthermore, in a nation with an obesity epidemic, singling out a public figure and suggesting he or she become a 'role model' for our youth promotes the misconception that obese individuals need only 'push back from the table' ("geez--face-slap--why didn't I think of that?!?&quot and ignores the fact that fast food and processed foods are, by design, addictive and fattening. The basic underpinnings of our nation's obesity epidemic are far more complicated than simply 'pushing back from the table.'

Moreover, your opening condescension--"we're all so lovey-dovey politically correct"--is not germane to most responders' negative reactions to Mr. Krause. Many of us wonder why he chose this particular woman as his target, instead of Rush Limbaugh or Chris Christy, or any number of grossly obese men who are in the public eye, and have been in the public eye for quite some time. Why her, and why now?

I strongly encourage you to watch Food, Inc., Food Matters, and Forks Over Knives to expand your knowledge of our nation's obesity epidemic. Perhaps, after viewing these documentaries, you might recognize the merit of compassion toward those of us who struggle with our weight. (FYI, I have struggled with compulsive overeating all my life, and have lost a significant amount of weight by eating well and exercising. At this point in my life, I've become a Vegan, specifically because I recognize the merit of eating exceptional food in order to remain healthy, vibrant and active in my later years. Whether or not I 'look' slender and 'healthy' is completely irrelevant--knowing that I've mitigated the likelihood that I'll have diabetes and/or heart disease is my raison d'etre. And, I think Mr. Krause is an arrogant ass.)

[raccoon]

284. Why did this POS think it was necessary for him to point it out? Is he the healtlh police?

And the very least, he is extremely rude and arrogant.

[raccoon]

298. Let's say your mother, daughter, sister is overweight. How would you feel about a total stranger

saying something similar to her?

[Frisbee]

12. What really blew my mind was...

The attitude most people seem to be taking regarding this story.

Read the comment below this article to see what I mean, but only if you don't have high blood pressure or a heart condition!

http://www.cleveland.com/tv/index.ssf/2012/10/overweight_tv_anchor_jennifer.html

[madaboutharry]

13. There are a lot of people like him.

They are Fitness Snobs.

[MADem]

90. Ahhhnuld can't bear to look in a mirror anymore.

This guy's day will come, too. Pretty soon, he'll look like all the old wrinkled basstids in the nursing home!

The ones who are a little chubby look better--fewer wrinkles!

[Union Scribe]

208. Even here. nt

[charlena2006]

291. Funny thing is....

People with seemingly aggressive, judgmental, hyper type-A personalities are more often afflicted by high stress levels, which can cause a myriad of health problems.

Plus, adventure athletes like this douche raise our health costs by injuring themselves. But hey, let's just focus on how expensive fatties are to health insurance rates right?

[azurnoir]

15. Has he issued similar statements to Rush, Neal Cavuto or Candy Crowley?

or is that different?

[DavidL]

20. Forget Rush and Cavuto, how about Chris Christie?

Now THAT man needs a makeover to ever get onto my wide screen TV.

Krause just made himself more important that he ever should be.

Let's hope he enjoys his life of being bullied by friends of fat people from now on.

[GObamaGO]

264. THIS!

[McCamy Taylor]

16. One word comes to mind...dipshit.

Women were not put on this earth to feed his libido. If he wants to get off looking at a woman, he can buy porn.

[progressivebydesign]

18. sigh. that wasn't the point. he did nOT bring up her looks. He brought up childhood obesity...

and role models. what you read into it, is something else.

[MADem]

163. Well, Stephen Hawking is a shitty role model, because he doesn't exercise every day.

I mean....really. That's about the same deal, here.

The guy knew nothing about her personal circumstances or her medical circumstances and he dissed her anyway.

[Sivafae]

296. And I wonder what it costs the NHS to keep him alive....

Just saying.

[progressivebydesign]

17. Flame me. But his letter was not bullying. She is obese, in fact.

He did not call her fat, he did not call her names. He did not denigrate her. He wrote, out of a twisted sense of concern, that he has watched her for years and had hoped she would get a handle on her health, as a role model.

Childhood obesity is SO bad in America, and is going to get worse. A huge number of kids are now diagnosed with diabetes, the kind adults get from no exercise and eating bad foods. I look around my town and see record number of severely obese people walking around, and it's disturbing from the public health standpoint. The cost of obesity-food-related diseases is in the billions each year. It's a public health crisis.

I did NOT find that he attacked her, nor bullied her. I have lived with a number of obese people, all of whom have lost the weight. They look back and realize how defensive and angry they were at doctors, and family, who wanted to help them and be honest with them. Doctors don't like treating many obese people, because they are so defensive that they get angry if the doctor tries to help them get control of their health. Doctors know that obesity affects your back, your legs, your heart, and everything else.

I read the entire email... it was not bullying.

[DavidL]

24. Convince me of that when he says that to Chris Christie ...

to his face!

He is what we aware men and most women call a "stalker".

He stalks innocent women, (NOT men) because he knows he can get away with it.

Forget your "childhood obesity" campaign. You're a supporter of stalking. Stalking is a form of bullying.

I'm a man, within 10 pounds of my ideal weight, (on the wrong side), and I never was pregnant, (nor were you) so I don't know female hormone cycles, and how pregnancies can affect body weight variances from the norm, (nor do you).

Give up on praising anti-childhood obesity advocates who are, in reality, simply cloaking their stalking of overweight women.

If you want to work on childhood obesity, go to a gym and start an after school program for kids, rather than sit at your computer and defend this arrogant man. Thanks in advance for actually doing something about childhood obesity.

[llmart]

130. Wonderfully put!

Amen.

[MADem]

170. I've seen Chris Christie chase a guy down the boardwalk with an ice cream in his mouth!

He'd never go up against Christie--Christie would grab him and sit on his ass. And yell the whole damn time.

What I object to is that he didn't know anything about this woman's medical issues before he tore a piece off her, and further, that he insulted her PERSON in that he called her a bad role model.

I guess anyone with a medical condition or a physical disability is a "bad role model" then.

[DavidL]

174. Great point, every person without a perfect body is a..

poor role model.

I guess that's the 99% of us who are the poor role models, actually.

[sybylla]

29. It's not bullying to make assumptions about someone's health and lifestyle from the way they look

then criticize them based on those assumptions?

Wrong.

It's ignorant to make an assumption that anyone who is obese wants to be obese. It's bullying to assume that someone is just lazy, a glutton, or an out-of-control basket case who can't get his or her life together, then criticize them for your assumptions.

That's the problem here. Judging a book by its cover, then bashing it without having a clue (which in this woman's case is none of our business) about what's going on inside or what she's trying to do to change the situation she's in.

It's okay to be ignorant. But to act on that ignorance in a way that intimidates and passive-aggressively calls into question one's ability or even right to perform a particular job is a bullying tactic.

No matter how nicely it's couched.

Edited to add that no matter how bad childhood or adult obesity is in this country, what this man did was out of line. Criticizing someone who is overweight, going so far as to question their right to hold a job will never solve the obesity problem. At best, it contributes nothing. At worst, it only adds to the problem as it puts ever greater pressure on those who are doing what they can to control their weight - a major factor in being obese in the first place.

DUers rail on this site about how drug users shouldn't be jailed, they should get help. Yet bashing fat people rather than talking about effective treatment solutions seems to be a hobby in certain corners. And often, unlike drug users, obese people didn't get there alone. Neither will they get out of their circumstances alone.

[alp227]

35. What about the teenage girls who get eating disorders to AVOID obesity?

Do you realize what Krause was suggesting? American youth have it hard enough. Krause is being a menace. Children should understand the diversity of humans...black, white, fat, thin, medium-sized...instead of subscribing to this thin good, fat bad mentality pushed by the infotainment media.

[kstewart33]

53. Oh, come on.

I can't see defending childhood obesity in the interest of valuing diversity.

[alp227]

66. I didn't defend CHILDHOOD obesity, rather let's not teach children to be fat-phobic.

My view: don't worry about your weight if you're over 18.

[Kumbricia]

80. Do you not understand

that people have a wide range of metabolisms and body shapes, that even if a person eats healthy and exercises that they may be heavier than the body fascists would like? We're not talking about childhood obesity, which by all means should be treated and prevented, but there are people who are genetically predispositioned toward heavier builds. And what about obese kids who do grow up to be obese adults, and find the weight doesn't come off despite grueling effort? Is the solution to make their life a living hell? People like Krause would like to lock people, particularly women (their targets are almost always female) up out of public view if they aren't size 6 or under.

[LaurenG]

210. Whatever, go defend your own weight.

I think people need to see a therapist to find out why their own lives suck so much that they focus on the outside in order to avoid what they hate about themselves.

[kstewart33]

39. How was he bullying?

He made a valid point. She is in a very public position and if she lost weight and took viewers along on her journey, she could have a major impact on the community. Other news anchors have done this and with great results.

But of course, she doesn't have to do this. It's her choice.

And of course, she is more than numbers on a scale. But it is also a fact that her obesity greatly endangers her health and she is responsible for her medical condition.

IMHO, she overreacted.

[Beaverhausen]

59. You have no idea what the state if her health is

None

[kstewart33]

82. She is obese.

Google obesity and you'll find a long, long list of health risks, some with probabilities attached especially Type 2 diabetes.

With obesity, fat engorges the heart and organs which can greatly impair their functioning.

[dmallind]

239. Do some better googling and see what difference it makes

Probabilities in health reporting are pablum for morons. If I buy 10 lottery tickets instead of one I have raised my probability of becoming an instant multimillionaire 1000%. Should I quit my job and make massive lifestyle changes? Please explain why the answer should be different for health risks.

[GirlinContempt]

269. um wrong

[lalalu]

71. America will be known as WALL-E world

[kurtzapril4]

74. She's not a role model

unless she said she was one. Why in the hell does ANY performer have to be a role model for children? Shouldn't a kid's parents be their role models? She's a newsreader. She reads the news. That's her job. One doesn't have to be a size zero to read the news.

And how do you know she's obese? Do you have access to her percentage of body fat number? Her BMI?

[teenagebambam]

78. "Get a handle on her health"

He's not a doctor, he knows jack about her health.

I am clinically obese and have lower blood pressure and a healthier heart than my hundred-pound less partner.

[MADem]

168. He called her a BAD ROLE MODEL. That's an attack.

Like I have said elsewhere, let's attack Steven Hawking for not exercising, too, while we're at it.

It doesn't rise to the level of bullying, but the guy is an asswipe. A jerk. A petty little meanie who mouths off without knowing the details.

[obamanut2012]

231. It was classic bullying

[obamanut2012]

232. And, what has he done for local childhood obesity?

Has he started a fitness problem (I just hope he doesn't mention the "supplements" he appears to be using) for local kids? Helping out with Girls on the Run? Teaching a mountain biking clinic? Advocating for nutrition classes in school and healthy school lunches?

How is HE a good role model for children? I hope he knows that it takes more than having plumped up delts.

[clydefrand]

19. WELL!!!!!!! Candy Crowley

I guess you will be getting a nasty comment from this dude too.

Gosh, she will be moderator Oct. 16. Maybe he will see her then.

I'll bet he is a hunk! Can't wait to see what he looks like. Well....

I just looked him up. He does not make me want to spend a night with him or even a moment. Well, maybe his hard hat was screening his good looks.

Fran...not Clyde...he only spends nights with me!

[kstewart33]

28. In the last 2 years, Ms. Crowley has lost a lot of weight.

She combined healthy eating and exercise. And she's quite proud of it.

[azurnoir]

33. all the pictures I could find of her (Google images)

she looked kind of hefty to one degree or another but if she has lost weight kudo's she's 63 and it's not so easy at that age as I know

[kstewart33]

46. Me too.

I lost 25 lbs a few years ago, and it was extremely challenging. Many kudos to overweight people who lose many more pounds than that. It takes real courage and commitment.

[Common Sense Party]

101. She's 63?

I don't think so.

[azurnoir]

109. yep according to wiki she was born 12/26/48 I know she doesn't look it though

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candy_Crowley

[Common Sense Party]

111. Oops. Sorry. I lost the train of the thread. I thought we were

referring to the anchorwoman in Wisconsin.

But I'm surprised to hear Candy Crowley is 63. I would hav guessed somewehere in her early 50s.

[kstewart33]

110. I think s/he's referring to Candy Crowley. nt

[Common Sense Party]

113. Yup. My bad. I jumped in without realizing who was being discussed.

[clydefrand]

177. I know what you mean

I am 71 and have always been over weight except the few times I lost a lot of weight.

I know Candy has lost a lot of weight, but she gains it back too. I've noticed that about her and I know what it is like.

[MADem]

100. In the last four years, she's lost a lot of weight--and she's gaining it BACK.

It's kind of noticeable.

She has a problem. I don't think she should be fired for it, though, or put down. She has a mirror. She must know.

Who knows, maybe Candy's unknowingly allergic to rightwingers, and her continued snuggling up to cretins like Dubya and rMoney are what are causing her to swell unreasonably? Maybe it's not down to diet at all?

[Eleanors38]

21. And Krause -- the "occasional viewer" -- can take a stand against by illegal drugs...

By gas-huffing his own broken wind.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

23. He's an arrogant son of a bitch....but he's not a fundy

He's a health nut, and they can be as bad as any bible thumper around.

[kstewart33]

47. What the hey is wrong with being a health nut? nt

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

52. Nothing wrong, just as it's not wrong to be religious....

....it's the proselytizing to others that often follows that stinks out loud.

[kurtzapril4]

84. My motto:

Eat right. Stay fit. Die anyway.

Jim Fixx was incredibly fit. So what did all that sweaty, red faced huffing and puffing get him? Dead.

Health nuts are to be avoided, just like ex-smokers. Smug. Self-righteous. Better than you.

[kstewart33]

107. Geez, what a negative outlook.

Jim Fixx died due to a genetic-driven, terrible case of heart disease. If he hadn't worked as hard as he did, he probably would have died a decade earlier than he did and without the millions he made from all that huffing and puffing.

Lord help us if we should all give up and Twinkie ourselves to death.

But your point about health nuts is well taken. Here in Colorado, there are many and some are obnoxious, especially on hiking trails.

[dmallind]

240. Funny - all the young dead athletic types get this excuse

Never heard it used for a dead fat guy - it's somehow always the weight that kills them.

Maybe obesity is a 100% surefire cure for genetic heart disease. They never seem to die from it.

[Common Sense Party]

114. Healthier than thou.

[bitchkitty]

144. Better than you?

Is that the prevailing attitude among people who eat a standard American diet? Is that why, when anyone hears that I am a vegetarian, they feel compelled to defend their choices, even though I haven't said a word about them?

Please do avoid "health nuts". I would hate to accidentally run into you and offend you because I'm drinking a green smoothie!

Seriously, though, lighten up. Just because you choose not to eat healthy, doesn't mean that we who choose to eat healthy are out to get you. Speaking for myself, I don't care what you eat.

[frylock]

166. Just because you choose not to eat healthy..

you presume to know a lot about people.

[bitchkitty]

182. Um, I have the ability to

read the posts to which I reply:

Eat right. Stay fit. Die anyway.

Jim Fixx was incredibly fit. So what did all that sweaty, red faced huffing and puffing get him? Dead.

Health nuts are to be avoided, just like ex-smokers. Smug. Self-righteous. Better than you.

Anyone with the tiniest bit of critical thinking skills would assume that this man does NOT eat in a healthy fashion, or exercise and has contempt for those who do.

People who abuse their health have no room to judge the people who take care of themselves. And they always, ALWAYS bring up Fixx.

People die - you can't argue with that. But when I die, it won't be of stroke or heart attack due to overeating and smoking. And although skinny, I'll probably never get osteoporosis because I walk my ass off every day. It's wonderful - I enjoy it. I enjoy eating peaches and berries and fresh, raw greens. I don't put filth in my body.

Smug? Hell, no. It was hard as hell to switch to this way of life. It's still hard. But I stick to it, and am rewarded in better health. I'm proud of myself for seeing it through, but that's hardly being smug. Do you treat ex smokers in the same way?

I have energy, my skin is clear, my nails are strong and my hair is shiny. I feel more energized, more focused and best of all, singularly happy when I open my eyes in the morning. I'm proud of myself, not smug. If that bothers you, sorry. Go have a taco or something to make yourself feel better. Or, stop treating people who value their lives and their bodies with scorn. It makes you look like an asshole.

[kurtzapril4]

201. It seems to me like the health nuts

are the ones who treat people with scorn. Anybody who isn't a perfect physical specimen. Like the douch canoe who sent the email. I'm just returning the favor. Oh, and I do eat tacos. I make the tortillas myself. Baked, not fried. With meat substitute and low fat cheese. They're healthy. I've lost 70 lbs in the last 18 months. Personally, I don't care if smug, self righteous health nuts think I'm an asshole. Having been on the receiving end of their cruel bullshit for most of my life, I couldn't give a rat's ass what they think.

[bitchkitty]

241. I'm sorry that people hurt you.

I don't know and love you, so I don't feel compelled to suggest anything to you - you're a stranger, and you can eat what you want. Not my business.

But attacking people who have chosen a different lifestyle than you and painting them all with a broad brush is fucked up. Your post felt personal to me, and I reacted with anger. It was very hard to make this choice, and I have to put up with people who think that it's funny to wave bacon in my face, or ask if I felt guilty about all the plants I've killed, or other such 8th grade fuckery.

[frylock]

249. there are health advocates and there are health nuts..

just like there are religious folks that are reasonable, and religious folks that are batshit crazy. i would put people that spend 20+ hours a week in the gym and cast judgement on others in the latter category. those people are to be avoided.

[bitchkitty]

256. No casting judgement here.

Like I said to the fella above, I don't know or care what you eat, because I don't know you.

I don't point and laugh at fat people or sneer at people that I see eating burgers and fries. I don't berate old guys who live in their recliners, and I don't try to tell my neighbors how to feed their kids. My conscience is clear on that point.

But you evidently think it's fine to sneer at body builders who spend "20+ hours in the gym". Nice double standard there.

[frylock]

259. if somebody spends 20+ hours in the gym to work on their pythons..

and IF this person casts apersions on others because they're not yolked like the meathead that sent the email, then yeh, i'm going to pile on. if you quietly spend your time in the gym and don't act like an asshole, then i got no beef. it's as simple as that.

[Scout]

260. "Smug? Hell, no."

sez you.

you probably should have stopped with only those 3 little words. talk about making yourself look like an asshole

[bitchkitty]

267. Nice to see you can crack yourself up.

"Sez you" - and you're so linguistically creative too!

[kurtzapril4]

198. Why in the hell

would you offend me by drinking a smoothie? And how do you know I don't eat healthy? I don't like health nuts who are smug and self-righteous. Most of them are. I couldn't tell you what a Twinkie tastes like.

[kstewart33]

92. Good point. nt

[frylock]

162. it becomes a problem when you start passing judgement on others..

if this fuckstain wants to spend half his week in the gym so he can achieve so those super fucking awesome biceps, then that's his fucking problem. fuck this asshole and shame on anyone defending his dickish attitude.

[GirlinContempt]

244. Fundamentalist

Only means Christian if you say "Christian fundamentalist". You can be an anything fundamentalist.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

246. That's true

Health Fundy, I guess....

[Iggo]

25. Fuck You, Kenneth Krause.

[frylock]

167. this..

and really, fuck anyone defending this asshole. fuck. them.

[Ken Burch]

37. Does anybody know what this Krause guy looks like?

And why he thinks he's entitled to send abusive emails to people?

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

45. Post #9

Whacko health nut....

[Ken Burch]

61. After I posted that, I saw that picture.

I didn't see "health nut" as much as I saw "roid rage".

[MADem]

103. I'm not alone, then--that's what I saw, too. nt

[Comrade_McKenzie]

38. What a disgusting piece of shit. nt

[Ken Burch]

40. Anybody think he'd ever have sent an email like this to a non-emaciated MALE news anchor?

....crickets....crickets....crickets....crickets....

[sybylla]

43. What a fuckwit.

Don't you just love the arrogance of health nuts in calling out those who aren't? News Flash - You're Fat. Well fucking duh.

Did this tool think Jennifer didn't know that? Does he really think she wants to be that way?

Now he wants to help. Who the hell would take help from this conceited fuck? Does he really have no clue that people like him are why so many overweight people don't go to health clubs in the first place?

Yikes, the stupid hurts.

[frylock]

169. word

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

49. Watch what is going to happen here

She'll lose weight, and this turd will take credit for it.

[SoapBox]

50. "...by transforming herself for all of her viewers to see over the next year..."

What the fuck does this asswipe know about her personal life???????????????

Amazing, how these Holy, Pious and Self-Righteous types want to preach to others. SO, what kind of "body building" condition is this freak couple in anyway?????? (as I scrolled back, I saw Mr. Asswipes ever-so-in-shape-macho pic...still not good enough dude.)

[bettyellen]

309. Creepy suggestion- she's a fucking reporter not a reality show contestant

[d06204]

54. The explosion in the obesity rate is not totally confine to gluttony

and/or laziness. I believe that something in our food supply/chain has been chemically manipulated. While there have always been obese people, the numbers that we are seeing now can not and should not be so conveniently ascribe to the quick answer of genetics, portion sizes, and laziness. Just saying.

[Stuart G]

57. YOu are correct about chemical manipulation...here is another reference..

Dr. David Kesslers book "The End of Overeating..."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/26/AR2009042602711.html

and
http://www.theendofovereatingbook.com/
.

[d06204]

121. Thanks for the links.

The article confirmed what I have always unscientifically suspected.

[lalalu]

86. I actually agree that there is more to it

I actually agree that additives are a big part of the problem. Yet many of those additives are in foods people shouldn't be eating or at the very least not eating in large quantities. You have to also admit the rising number of people who go to fast foods and the larger portions are also part of the problem.

The market is dictated to by consumers. More people need to stop buying processed and fast foods which in my view is really the bigger issue.

[Eleanors38]

62. Update at link below...

http://www.rgj.com/

Ms. Livingston does not need advice from Mr. Krause concerning her "psychological well-being." And personally, I (as well as millions of American males who are not impressed by studied slender appearances) find her very attractive.

Mr. Livingston, you've had your moments of fame. Now, walk it back.

[alp227]

68. OMG, this thread is reading like Free Republic more and more.

Seriously.

[lalalu]

73. I am as liberal as you can get

I also remember a time when liberals actually faced epidemics with truth and determination to change things around. Now we just bury our heads in the sand and pretend personal responsibility is not part of making things better. The number of obese kids in America is astounding and their parents are behind it. As far as i am concerned it is a form of child abuse to raise your kids on fatty processed foods and have them deal with health issues at such young ages.

[kstewart33]

88. I agree.

Parents have a great responsibility for their kids' health. It's upsetting to see an obese parent with an obese child.

[alp227]

115. W-H-Y are we using an innocently large-sized WOMAN to scaremonger CHILDHOOD obesity????

WHY?

I get it, I get it, don't feed your kids too much candy/chips/cookies. But the story here is about a stupid man who wrote a bigoted email to a woman news anchor. The man got called out on it. People are overplaying his point about childhood obesity and ignoring the underlying prejudices he had.

[Union Scribe]

209. Probably not as much as you like to think you are. nt

[carolinayellowdog]

128. People who use words like "blubbering" and "whine" and "crybabies" ARE BULLYING

infantalize anyone you disdain, rather than engaging them as human beings

[TDale313]

150. +1

[cordelia]

178. Yep.

"Blubber"ing?

[surrealAmerican]

65. It sounds to me like this rude guy ...

... is trying to promote his diet and exercise program in a particularly bad way. He'll probably view any publicity he gets from this as "good advertising".

[Peregrine Took]

69. Some (many?) people who work out a lot have real contempt for overweight people.

I seem to recall that David Letterman (a daily runner) has gotten into trouble over the years with his propensity for jokes on this topic.

[Stuart G]

72. There is an awful feeling about the letter that Krause wrote. It is bullying, put down, I am better

Well it feels like,,,"you are fat cause you are too stupid to know better and take care of yourself.. do the neighborhood a favor and take care of yourself..."

That is what Krause is really saying................also, "look at me, I take care of myself..what is wrong with you.."

It is written in language that defies the insult..oh.it is for the good of the community...you know..just get it together..what is wrong with you................

Right now, one third of this country has a weight problem ..25 percent obese..1500 books about weight loss on the best seller list since the 70s..It ain't as easy as Krause kinda says it is..it is an addiction..our worst addiction in the U.S.A. and it is sad, not a problem to be arrogant and holy er than thou about..........

[Faygo Kid]

76. How the hell is a news anchor a "role model for children?"

This guy's ego is off the charts.

[Stuart G]

79. OH..I get it now...this letter was just some kind of prank.you know..

teenage prank....you know us work out people often cut off hair..oops..(wrong topic..that was someother person
who claims not to be a bully..........)
.....get the picture?

[Kurovski]

89. Do you mean Romney chasing, grabbing, and holding down a gay student and cutting off his long hair?

That was beyond bullying. It was an actual physical attack.

Stuart G, that particular picture is quite under-developed.

[Stuart G]

106. You are correct, I sould not have compared the two..I have

too much anger about the insensitivity of this topic and what this means to me..at least in my opinion...

[Kurovski]

120. He's definitely arrogant, and intrusive. A jerk, even.

Just based on your usual posts as I can recall them , I assumed you were perhaps exaggerating somewhat out of an excess of zeal.

[LibDemAlways]

83. Krause is doing nothing but displaying both ignorance and arrogance. It may well

be that Ms. Livingston has dieted and exercised her head off and she is still at the weight she was intended to be. She may also have a medical condition that makes it hard, if not impossible, to lose weight. Perhaps she is just accepting of her weight and has no desire to change it. Regardless, it is none of Krause's business and he has no right to suggest that she "transform" herself. If anything needs transforming, it is Krause's attitude.

[geckosfeet]

94. What a moralistic self-appointed asszero.

[Ian David]

95. Joe the Plumber found his running-mate for 2016. n/t

[HeiressofBickworth]

98. Bigots have one thing in common

They don't want to see the object of their bigotry in any public place.

As a weight-bigot, Mr. Krause doesn't want to see a large person on TV.

A race-bigot doesn't want to see a black person, well, anywhere.

A monied-bigot, like Romney, doesn't want to see poor people anywhere (yet doesn't plan to actually DO anything to change it).

Bigots usually dress up their bigotry by claiming some social or health benefit to be derived from their view of the world.

I say BULLSHIT to all of them.

[Andy Stanton]

102. Questions for Krause

I'd like Mr. Krause to answer a few questions.
Why is it Ms. Livingston's responsibility to make sure children are not obese?
If you, Mr. Krause, are so concerned about the health of the area's children why don't YOU do something to help?
How many children have you, Mr. Krause, worked with to improve their health?

I meet people like Mr. Krause all the time - always willing to tell you what to do but not willing to do anything themselves.

[frylock]

104. she may just be able to lose that weight, but this dick's butt fugly puss..

will always be as hideous as his soul. and lemme guess, he's one of these vain shrimp dick assholes that spend 40 hrs a week at the gym "training."

[LaurenG]

117. He truly needs to stfu. I dare him to ever write that crap to/about a male reporter

he needs to mind his own business and stop offering advice to someone not asking.

[pnwest]

125. Finally found the original email so I can make an informed comment...and BOY HOWDY do I have some!

Here's the original email:

"Hi Jennifer,
It’s unusual that I see your morning show, but I did so for a very short time today. I was surprised indeed to witness that your physical condition hasn’t improved for many years. Surely you don’t consider yourself a suitable example for this community’s young people, girls in particular. Obesity is one of the worst choices a person can make and one of the most dangerous habits to maintain. I leave you this note hoping that you’ll reconsider your responsibility as a local public personality to present and promote a healthy lifestyle."

One: He has no idea what her physical condition is, he only knows her physical SIZE. He's obviously saying he's surprised to see she hasn't gotten thinner.

Two: He questions whether she thinks she's a good example for young people, GIRLS IN PARTICULAR, based on what he thinks her "physical condition" is. Why only young people, especially girls? Does his great humanitarian concern not extend to fat old people, or boys? Or just to suitably young fuckable women?

Three: 99% of the time, obesity is not a CHOICE. I concede it CAN be the by-product of bad choices, but veeeerrrrryyyyy few people say to themselves, I want to be fat. Most of us struggle with other issues that contribute to our being fat, but being fat is not the choice, in and of itself.

Four: In what rulebook does it state that public personalities have a responsibility to present OR promote a "healthy lifestyle"? As a news anchor, she has a responsibility to present a serious, professional image - which she does. Her "lifestyle" is none of the public's concern.

Five: Once again, he does not know her physical condition, only her physical size. He's using the assumption that her physical size indicates a detrimental physical condition as the basis of his last statement, in which he indicates she's presenting an UNhealthy lifestyle. He can't know anything of the sort.

Six: It is PRECISELY this kind of misogynistic fucking asshattery that needs to be fucking SQUASHED by Jennifer, and women like her, continuing to be exactly as she is. Being her own gorgeous, unafraid, unintimidated self is PRECISELY the correct image to present to "young people, especially girls", teaching them that their value is INFINITELY more than just how they look.

There are not enough adjectives to describe the fadwaddery of this guy. He's. Way. Fucking. Off. Base.

[LaurenG]

151. Yes!!! dammit. nt

[TDale313]

158. really good post. n/t

[radicalliberal]

277. I agree!

[chervilant]

281. Thanks for posting what this jerk actually said.

Obesity is one of the worst choices a person can make...

His arrogance runs deep...

[Stuart G]

136. For information on dealing with food addiction and compulsive overeating.

You can hit this link:
It is like AA for food. No dues or fees, no one out to make money..
all are welcome..
For those who know someone addicted to food/sugar/salt/dieting/body image/etc.



http://www.oa.org/

[Blue_Tires]

140. wow...Her brother is Ron Livingston (Office Space)?

SHIT JUST GOT REAL

http://www.eonline.com/news/351011/bully-bashing-news-anchor-jennifer-livingston-backed-by-brother-sex-and-the-city-s-ron-livingston

[obamanut2012]

234. I love him! Band of Brothers, too

[Redlo Nosrep]

152. A Personal Injury Lawyer Without Empathy?

I'm shocked, just shocked.

I pity his poor wife if she can't fit into the clothing sizes he selects for her.

[mountain grammy]

153. The thing is, she's a successful woman and sometimes men can't deal with that

Martha went to prison for talking back to investigators. Her transgressions were fairly minor, but she's a woman and what a bitch! Did you hear the way she spoke to those male investigators. And this news woman, how dare she try to succeed in a world of bubble headed bleach blonds and shimmering lipstick, and short skirts. This guy's a jerk, a male chauvanist pig, luckily a shrinking breed.

[MADem]

171. The thing is....she's a successful woman...and he's an ambulance chaser. nt

[DavidL]

176. Source-Fed responds, a challenge to viewers

If you're not familiar with this new news media, and this woman, Lee Newton, and her male counterparts, here's an introduction.

News in a couple minutes, with pointed opinion and both sides, always. Several topics a day. These folks are what our teenage kids watch on their phones and on their computers.

[Brigid]

181. This guy is an ass.

And he has already received far more attention than he deserves.

[Tom Ripley]

185. He is both a jerk and an idiot. When did local news anchors become role models?

[AlphaCentauri]

186. for God sake, I want the anchor and journalist not a plastic barbie full of silicon

I prefer the best for the job than the best looking

[shireen]

194. what an asshole!

No one is obese by choice. It's a complex condition with many different reasons. Some people are able to lose weight. Others are unable to do it for very valid reasons. To judge those who can't lost weight so harshly without any understanding about the complexity behind weight issues is simply stupid and ignorant.

[47of74]

199. And 47of74 stands by his assessment of Krause

In that he's a lowlife scumbag.

[PatrynXX]

204. big thing is

He'll probably pass on before she does. Angry kills you sooner..

[Kurovski]

205. That's a weird thing to want to say, but it's also not really true.

"Reasons NOT to be cheerful: Happy people die younger than their grumpy peers, study finds"

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1388458/Reasons-NOT-cheerful-Happy-people-die-younger-reserved-peers-study-finds.html#ixzz28J3dlDbR

[Union Scribe]

206. Jackass bully.

Ms. Livingston already has positively influenced the "health and psychological well-being of Coulee Region children" by standing up to an authoritarian prick who thinks he's entitled to make demands of others regarding their bodies and lives, and belittle them! A hearty 'fuck you' Mr. Krause!

[agentS]

212. Off limits and fair-game

I think Mr. Krause needs to learn a lesson in societal 'acceptable targets'.

The anchorwoman is obese, sure. But, she has a medical condition. It's not exactly something you can tell just by looking at someone on a CRT monitor, AMONG OTHER MEDICAL CONDITIONS (paging Dr. Frist, R-KY). And not only that, she hasn't used her airways time to piss people off. Therefore, she is kind of off-limits, at least at this present time.

ON THE OTHER HAND, there are some scummy celebrities who are 'fair-game' in which people can bash away on almost any grounds. People like Rush Limbaugh for instance. But people like him ATTRACT the 'fire', per se. Mr. Krause should have saved his invective for people like that sleazeball, not for ladies on local access TV, unless it's Ann Coulter- in which case fire away.

Obesity is a complex problem which requires complex, well thought out solutions; not hiding fatties in the closet like we used to do disabled people. Mr. Krause should apologize on TV, regain some dignity, and attack the real enemy-Monsanto if he has the guts.

[MrsMatt]

213. I find it disconcerting

that the response of many who dislike this Mr. Krause's focus on the Ms. Livington's physical attributes is to focus on HIS physical attributes. And in very denigrating terms.

If you are going to slam him for jumping to conclusions about her health, then it's a bit disingenuous, not to mention hypocritical, for you to do the same to him. What he wrote to her, in a personal email, is far less ugly than what I've seen posted here about him.

For shame.

I'm not defending what he wrote, I'm just dismayed about the vitriol against him.

[obamanut2012]

235. I based my comment on his quite possible "supplement" use

On how he looks. Every single guy friend and coworker I know who got that type of definition was using something he really shouldn't have been using. There is a "look," just like tweakers have a look different than other addicts.

[MrsMatt]

242. Doesn't matter

you are making assumptions based on his looks. How is that different than what he did?

Ugly all around.

[charlena2006]

292. I'm not dismayed. It's human nature.

If someone calls attention to another's physical flaws (or assets for that matter) it's very natural to immediately put that comment in light of the person making it.

And I think it's a fair point that his lifestyle is probably expensive in terms of health insurance...competitive athletes get injured, both in accidents and from chronic wear and tear on the body. Not to mention chiropractors, sports massage sessions, etc.

On top of that, I think this guy comes across very high strung, aggressive, and judgmental, so it's not unlikely that he'll eventually develop stres-related physical disorders.

[kstewart33]

305. I agree.

He stated his opinion privately to her and it was not a personal attack.

But there surely are a lot of personal attacks in this thread and a whole lot of assumptions about his character and unseen physical appearance.

He stands by his opinion and so do the posters on this thread.

Time to move on.

[booksenkatz]

216. As long as women's bodies belong to society, and not to themselves...

this is the kind of garbage that is going to continue.
Our rights are up for a vote.
Our bodies are up for judgment at all times.
We are still property, apparently.

If this lovely young lady did not post an open question to her viewing audience, "Am I overweight? What do you think? And if you think I am, what is your advice for me?" then no one has any business telling her a damned thing. I would no more comment on someone's appearance than I'd ask them about the brand of tampon they use or whether or not they have hemorrhoids. It's just the way my parents raised me, I guess I'm sort of old-fashioned that way.

I'll just finish with this.

Given this country's present epidemic of boorish, feckless, Neanderthal, ignorant assholery, I hope this rude squirtwad will take advantage of a rare and golden opportunity to influence the children in his life by transforming himself for all of his friends and family to see over the next year, and, to that end, I would be absolutely pleased to offer this ridiculous little asshole any advice or support he would be willing to accept.

[4th law of robotics]

225. Men in the public light are subject to the same scrutiny

Schwarzenegger got a lot of flak for getting paunchy and appearing without a shirt (at the beach of all places). He's only what, 60 or so?

Our bodies are up for judgment at all times.
We are still property, apparently.

By law there is only one gender that can be forced in to involuntary servitude by the government for any period of time it chooses. And that gender is not female.

[booksenkatz]

258. Similar, but not the same, in my view

Culturally -- women are expected to "serve" this culture in a way that men are not expected to. After all, just a few generations ago, we were the property of men. Old thinking dies hard. Arnold in his youth was all about his looks, his whole life was "look at this body," so it's no surprise that he is criticized about that body when he is getting older (although it's still rude and no one's business). But average women who are in average occupations are held to a different standard than average men in average occupations, and they certainly should not expect unsolicited critique from assholes, regardless.

Our bodies belong to the culture in different ways. For example, men have total reproductive control over their bodies; women do not, and the rights we do have are constantly at risk. We have to fight every day for privacy rights that men take for granted, I suppose. As for the military, I agree, and I do think it's unfair. There are plenty of tasks that young women could perform in a time of war, even if they were unable to serve physically on the battlefield. Why shouldn't conscription apply to all?

I see the similarity you mention, but I still think ultimately that there are certain expectations placed on women that are disregarded for men (in the context which is being discussed in this thread).

[Magleetis]

222. Misogynist

and probably a narcissist.

[obamanut2012]

233. Jennifer Livingston is NOT a public figure

She has a job that has her in the public eye, but that isn't the same thing. And, even if she was, you don't have an ethical and moral right to say anything to want to someone who IS a public figure, even politicians.

This guy is a bully and quite a huge tool.

[ButterflyBlood]

237. I looked her up and Jennifer Livingston looks fine, quite attractive

Far better looking than those stick think anorexic models this guy no doubt holds up as the standard everyone should hope to achieve.

[bettyellen]

307. I think that's why he did this, if she was unattractive he wouldn't bother suggesting a makeover

[LanternWaste]

254. I certainly wish that I possessed perfection in a large enough amount...

I certainly wish that I possessed perfection in a large enough amount so that I too could rationalize charging someone other than myself with "a rare and golden opportunity to influence the health and psychological well-being".

But, being a mere human, I am compelled to look at all of my own faults first, remove all of them, replace all of them, and only then feel justified to point out the benign flaws of another in public.

[GirlinContempt]

271. PLEASE read this, ESP if you agree with this guy

http://www.nutritionj.com/content/10/1/9

One of the best, most thorough breakdowns of the issue of weight and health.

[TexasBushwhacker]

272. Dude, she's fat, not BLIND

How does he know she hasn't tried to lose weight? In any case, she may lose weight someday, but he'll probably always be an asshole.

[customerserviceguy]

278. It's the last acceptable prejudice

This thread proves it. Knock the color of a person's skin, and you're a bigot. Knock the amount of their skin, and you're a patriot who is "fighting the obesity epidemic".

Y'know, everybody, fat and skinny is eventually going to die. Nobody's figured out a way around that, and I figure if you live until 90, you're probably going to use up more medical resources than folks who drop dead of a heart attack at 60.

[jhasp]

293. I saw Jennifer Livingston today

She was participating in a charity race (The Big Muddy Run) with her daughter. I've never watched the morning shows that she is on, but found out about her from this current controversy. I was shocked. I expected some grossly obese woman to come barreling down the road. She was calmly jogging with her daughter (I knew it was her because she had a small media crew waiting for her). She isn't that big. Again, I've never watched her on TV. She is a little "fluffy", but certainly not at a size that should invite criticism by people that don't know her.

[Sivafae]

297. So what size should invite criticism by strangers? nt

[jhasp]

299. About Chris Christie size.

Okay, I should have put "would" not "should".

[liberalmuse]

301. I love how people..

are soooooo concerned about the health of overweight people, but they are silent when they see all the underweight gals (and guys) in the movies and on TV. And THAT is why there are so many serious eating disorders in our society. Kids see how overweight people are treated. They know that being even a little overweight makes them a target.

I think it's sad that it's pretty much okay to behave like a bigoted asshole towards obesity in this country - okay to make fun of and bully "fat" people. This sorry man wants to offer weight loss advice? Please!? It sounds like he could use a lot of advice about how to be a decent human being instead of a judgmental, hateful jerk!

[4th law of robotics]

306. We're not facing a public health epidemic caused by

chronically underweight people.

Hence the disparity in response.

when we get to a point where half the adult population give or take is suffering the ill effects of being severely underweight then I would expect people's responses to change.