August 02, 2002
Shooting Whales In A Barrel

The Cracker Barrel Philosopher at Country Store (new to me -- thanks, Daily Pundit!) links to an interesting story from the land of Tim Horton:

One million pounds set to march on Ottawa
Obese people plan to protest funding cuts to stomach stapling

A woman from Guelph, Ont., is organizing a "million pound march" on Parliament Hill to express concern over the affect funding cuts will have on the weight-loss surgery she says saved her life and could save the lives of other obese people.

"When Parliament reconvenes in the fall, we're planning a million pound march on Ottawa. We think that will be a pretty big wake-up call when Ottawa sees a million pounds sitting on their doorstep," said Moira Barber, founder of Weight Loss Surgery Advocacy Ontario.

This story inspires various irreverent thoughts:

  1. Why don't the National Post proofreaders know the difference between 'effect' and 'affect'?
  2. I hope Parliament's doorsteps are made of stone.
  3. The number sounds impressive until you do the arithmetic. Three thousand marchers should be more than enough, and should not be too hard to find in a country as well-equipped with doughnut shops as Canada.
  4. Somehow, I don't imagine the route of the march will be more than a few blocks.
  5. Shouldn't that be a 'Million-Kilo March'? (It's a good thing Canada is not a member of the EU, where it's illegal to sell bananas by the pound. Otherwise, the organizers might find themselves in court.)
  6. Is 'march' the mot juste, or would some other verb be more appropriate?

I'd better stop now: this is just too easy.

Posted by Dr. Weevil at August 02, 2002 12:13 AM
Comments

Is this what Freud calls an "Edible Complex"?

Posted by: Walter K. on August 2, 2002 07:12 PM

This is what happens with single-payer systems. You go to the government if you want some kind of new medical procedure.

But, as funny as it sounds, if you look at the research on morbid obesity (which is only about 45 kilos overweight by the way), you'll find that diet and exercise programs are effective in less than 1% of those who try them--and yes, that means "lifestyle change" with consultation with nutritionists, regular exercise, and so on. Less than 1%.

We can joke about obesity, and it is funny. But the fact is that conventional treatments, and attitudes of "eat less, exercise more" do not work on most people who are seriously overweight. Surgery is a viable option for some people. (Suing MacDonald's, on the other hand, damn well shouldn't be.)

Posted by: Dean Esmay on August 3, 2002 04:25 AM

I'm so glad you brought up the affect/effect thing, I kept stumbling over it and wondering who you were quoting!

Posted by: Donald on August 4, 2002 04:09 PM

American's never ever cease to amaze me with your ignorant attitudes towards Canadian's. American's are more obese per capita than us Canadian's or have you not been listening to the National Institute of Health?

We also don't have a three tiered health system but give it time and Canada will be just like the USA a over populated self indulgent place where money is the only true god.
People are dying of Morbid Obesity or is the fact that it is scientifically based principals you cannot or should I say will not grasp.

You must have been one of those playground bully's who beat the hell out of the fat kids. Watch the movie Bully's and have a look at what can happen....
God forbid if it ever happens to be your kid getting teased and beaten up for something they have been genetically pre-disposed to.

Not all Morbidly Obese people are fat & lazy self indulgent people as society would have you believe. There are medical conditions that cause MO and genetics, not just over eating. Please take your head out of the sand and get a good look at whats going on. Life isn't black and white like they try to think in the south.
Obesity is the last acceptable prejudice and it needs to be stopped and given the medical respect it so deserves.

Posted by: Moira on August 29, 2002 08:22 PM

Remove my name and corporation name from your website immediately.
You do not have permission to reprint my words in any public forums.The comment I sent you was for you and you alone not to be public.
Please comply with this request.
Weight Loss Surgery Advocacy Ontario Inc.
Moira Barber

Posted by: you know who! on September 6, 2002 06:50 PM

There weren't any fat people in Auschwitz now were there?

If you stuff your face with hormone laced fattie food and sit in front of the TV watching Jerry Springer you will get fat, period.

How many obese people are there in say the Indian sub continent or Africa, sweet FA, why?

Because they DON'T stuff there faces non stop with crap.

Posted by: Dave on November 27, 2002 09:36 AM