Fast Food Nation

[justinsb]

Anyone who hasn't read this book should really pick it up, it'll put you off fast food for life, but more important it will give you some perspective on what the real issues are in rural America. If the Dems can pick up on some of these issues, I think the tide can be turned in many of the red states.

[murielm99]

1. I read the book.

And watched Super Size Me.

Both are enough to put anyone off fast food.

The documentary helped my son stay on his diet.

[eternalburn]

2. Meatclown....

http://atomfilms.shockwave.com/af/content/atom_445

[HEAVYHEART]

3. Yes

I highly recommend this book. I also think it is a must read for kids...I don't know, elementary, maybe middle school. I stopped eating fast food after reading this book and started eating better, as well as educating my kids on healthy eating and staying away from fast foods. It's been 6 months and I've lost a total of 35 pounds and am feeling better than I have in my life!

[justinsb]

4. But...

I think the equally important part of the book are it's insights on rural America. If the dems are willing to take on the large agribusiness companies, it may well bring farm families to the party.

[Telly Savalas]

5. Exactly...

Enthusiastically promoting an ag policy that supports family farming is the best thing we can do to gain support in red areas.

[Radical Activist]

6. This book almost made me a vegetarian

I only eat meat on rare occasion now. The chapter about shit in the meat helped.

But yes, the Democratic Party should pay much more attention to rural voters and there is a lot of ground we could be gaining there. An excellent new book on that topic is What's the Matter with Kansas? by Thomas Frank. I'm recommending that to every involved Democrat I know.

[pstans]

7. Family Farms

I heard on NPR that Nebraska has a law that basically prevents corporate farms from forming. I don't remember many details about it. The new Ag Secretary that Bush appointed happens to be from Nebraska. Good news? Nope, he tried to change that law in Nebraska a few years back.

[Radical Activist]

8. His newer book Reefer Madness is also very good

It's about the underground economy, not just marijuana. I learned a lot and found it more entertaining to read than Fast Food Nation.

[cattleman22]

10. {{The chapter about shit in the meat helped.}}

Just remember that spices are the single most contaminated class of foodstuffs.

[manic expression]

9. I read a few chapters

awhile ago...haven't eaten fast food since and I don't plan to in the future. People should definitely read it.
On edit: It could turn out to be a modern day "The Jungle".

[Mandate My Ass]

11. That was a very informative book - I've been off fast food for years

I gave it up years before I read the book but reading it only reinforced my decision.

I had an unfortunate incident about a month ago when out with my neice and nephew and my S-I-L bought me a sandwich from Wendy's without consulting me first. Not wanting to seem rude, I ate the sandwich and for the rest of the afternoon I had heart palpitations. MSG? :shrug: Whatever it was it made me certain that this stuff is not just nutritionally empty, it's poison.

[RebelOne]

12. I am a vegetarian and that is one of the many reasons

I have given up meat. I think this should be a must-read for anyone considering vegetarianism.

[seemunkee]

13. read it 2 years ago

Have not been to a McD/BK/Arby/Roys/Hardee since.
I do have a weakness for crayfish at Popeyes though.

Watched Supersize Me on Friday night.

[6000eliot]

14. Great Book!

I taught this book in a popular culture class. My students loved reading and talking about it. Many of them became vegetarians as a result, although that wasn't my intention.