XxAxX said:

JustErin said:

When did the word "fat" become a derogatory word like "faggot"?

Also, dude never even called her fat.

Also....let's be real here...MOST people are not overweight because of a medical condition. They are overweight and obese because of unhealthy lifestyle choices....which in reality is the lifestyle choices of the majority of people in North America - fat or thin.

Unfortunately, people have different metabolisms and some people actually wear their lifestyle choices directly on them and others don't. Is it fair to target those that do? I dunno, maybe not...but I'm sure most people wouldn't have a problem targeting a person in so called "role model" position smoking or doing drugs or any other poor lifestyle choice.

Why is criticizing an unhealthy lifestyle in terms of nutrition and exercise so taboo?

i've been wondering this as well. we feel free to criticize those who have an addiction to heroin, an addiction to alcohol, or to gambling. in fact we order them into treatment and rather expect them to feel shame about their self-induced condition. yet when it comes to obesity.... this is somehow different. our skyrocketing health costs will skyrocket even more due to this obesity epidemic, and we will all pay a price for this issue, but it is still taboo to direct criticism at folks who occupy two seats on the plane, bus or theater.

mind you, i understand that we ALL have issues to face in life, no exceptions. but this prohibition aaginst speaking out on this particular issue is really really weird, to my way of thinking.

by the way, the anchorwoman in question is more or less being overwhelmingly supported in her tirade, as you'll see if you check out different news sites' discussion boards.

Well, this is no surprise, most of those supporting her are likely relating to her because they share the same struggles with weight and therefore feel just as insulted. It's totally understandable.

It's really shitty that some people subsequently gain weight because of lifestyle choices and others don't.

But that's life.

kewlschool said:

That letter was not a bully tactic. It was direct, perhaps even rude, but not worth the bully card she made it out to be. Develope thicker skin or change jobs.

Don't you know? "Bully" is the new "racist."

I'm a fat chick. Is it wrong that I just don't care about this?

Stymie said:

I'm a fat chick. Is it wrong that I just don't care about this?

Of course not.

I'm no skinny-minny myself.

tinaz said:

I think its funny that people can say.. "You are too skinny" or, "you need to eat a sandwich" yet if someone says ANYTHING about someone being overweight its being a bully and mean.. Its the same shit people!

She obviously overreacted, and does not have a thick skin as she claims she has..

as a kid and growing up I was criticized almost daily about being skinny. I was malnutritioned as a child and straight up boney, and my mother and older sister made sure to remind me of that all the time.

Now after 3 kids I got fat as hell and stayed fat, now they give me exercise tips and diet advise ALL the time. Even correlate my obesity with a lack of having class.

Yeah, I stopped caring what people think of my body and just do what makes me happy. Damned either way when you are around a bunch of shallow bitches who just need attitude adjustments.

That newscaster gave that letter too much time, but she'll lose weight when her heart disease catches up with her... it may be the same for me. Bacon makes you happy until you get that heart attack. Then you're running marathons like Al Rocher.

[Edited 10/4/12 8:58am]

Stymie said:

I'm a fat chick. Is it wrong that I just don't care about this?

Not at all!

The underlying issue is that worth is being tied to weight. Worthiness has nothing to do with how skinny or fat a person is.

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

The underlying issue is that worth is being tied to weight. Worthiness has nothing to do with how skinny or fat a person is.

Ron Livingston Stands by Sister, Bullied TV Anchor Jennifer Livingston

(Charley Gallay/Getty Images)

When Wisconsin TV anchor Jennifer Livingston was bullied by a viewer who called her overweight, people across the country rallied around her. Her famous brother, actor Ron Livingston, is also speaking up for his younger sister.

“My sister Jennifer … brings an exceptional dedication to her job, her family, and her community, and has been a role model of mine for many, many years,” Ron Livingston, 45, said in a statement to People magazine.

The “Office Space” star added that he is “extremely proud” of his sister.

“I got a text from him first thing this morning saying, ‘Way to go sissy. I’m so proud of you,’” Jennifer Livingston told “Good Morning America” Thursday.

Livingston, 37, addressed the man who sent her a letter chiding her for being overweight. In an on-air editorial Tuesday morning that lasted more than four minutes, she also acknowledged being overweight – even obese – then added, “To the person who wrote me that letter, do you think I don’t know that?”

Livingston’s bold statements made headlines around the world and she told “Good Morning America” Wednesday why she decided to speak out.

“This was a personal attack,” Livingston said. “Calling me obese is one thing. Calling me a bad role model for our community that I’ve worked at for 15 years and especially for young girls when I have three girls was a low blow and I thought it was uncalled for and I wanted to call him out on it.”

^^^ I guess I should have read the whole thing.

Call me fat, I don't care. Make assumptions about me because I'm fat? You can go fuck yourself.

Well, to me he was very specific about why she wasn't a good role model: due to the spread of obesity in society. He specifically urged her to promote healthy lifestyle.

Now, that's not his job to tell her what her television presence should symbolize, but I dont' think he was saying she was an overall unworthy person and an overall bad role model. I agre with Supa that worthiness is not linked to size or physical appearance.

I think in his own way he was giving her good advice, but she decided to make him some bully poster child and stir up a mob against him (in spirit. I'm not sure she's named him).

Unfortunately in life we all criticize each other and share our views on others' choices. So, what this man did was not scandalous or unusual.

Generally, when people give me advice about something I'm doing that they don't like, I say "I dont' accept usolicited advice" and walk off. If it's someone I respect, I will listen, humble myself and take the criticism under advisement.

I think we are much too intolerant of criticism and opposing views. "We" are also too weak and consider every nitpick to be bullying.

But since I'm also guilty of going ballistic when confronted with a view that angers me, I know that shit happens.

I would never put this much energy into using a TV spot to campaign against someone over this, though. I remember someone once said something about me on the radio that was untrue. My colleague said "You need to get a lawyer." I said "Why? I don't care what she says." I really didn't. Why the fuck would I care?

[Edited 10/4/12 12:12pm]

SynthiaRose said:

Well, to me he was very specific about why she wasn't a good role model: due to the spread of obesity in society. He specifically urged her to promote healthy lifestyle.

Now, that's not his job to tell her what her television presence should symbolize, but I dont' think he was saying she was an overall unworthy person and an overall bad role model. I agre with Supa that worthiness is not linked to size or physical appearance.

I think in his own way he was giving her good advice, but she decided to make him some bully poster child and stir up a mob against him (in spirit. I'm not sure she's named him).

Unfortunately in life we all criticize each other and share our views on others' choices. So, what this man did was not scandalous or unusual.

Generally, when people give me advice about something I'm doing that they don't like, I say "I dont' accept usolicited advice" and walk off. If it's someone I respect, I will listen, humble myself and take the criticism under advisement.

I think we are much too intolerant of criticism and opposing views. "We" are also too weak and consider every nitpick to be bullying.

But since I'm also guilty of going ballistic when confronted with a view that angers me, I know that shit happens.

I would never put this much energy into using a TV spot to campaign against someone over this, though. I remember someone once said something about me on the radio that was untrue. My colleague said "You need to get a lawyer." I said "Why? I don't care what she says." I really didn't. Why the fuck would I care?

[Edited 10/4/12 12:12pm]

Well, I think it's bullshit to say she's not a good role model because she is obese.

And it's easy to criticize someone from the comfort of your own home or behind a computer screen.

I would not call this guy a bully but I definitely would have called him on his bullshit.

SynthiaRose said:

Well, to me he was very specific about why she wasn't a good role model: due to the spread of obesity in society. He specifically urged her to promote healthy lifestyle.

Now, that's not his job to tell her what her television presence should symbolize, but I dont' think he was saying she was an overall unworthy person and an overall bad role model. I agre with Supa that worthiness is not linked to size or physical appearance.

I think in his own way he was giving her good advice, but she decided to make him some bully poster child and stir up a mob against him (in spirit. I'm not sure she's named him).

Unfortunately in life we all criticize each other and share our views on others' choices. So, what this man did was not scandalous or unusual.

Generally, when people give me advice about something I'm doing that they don't like, I say "I dont' accept usolicited advice" and walk off. If it's someone I respect, I will listen, humble myself and take the criticism under advisement.

I think we are much too intolerant of criticism and opposing views. "We" are also too weak and consider every nitpick to be bullying.

But since I'm also guilty of going ballistic when confronted with a view that angers me, I know that shit happens.

I would never put this much energy into using a TV spot to campaign against someone over this, though. I remember someone once said something about me on the radio that was untrue. My colleague said "You need to get a lawyer." I said "Why? I don't care what she says." I really didn't. Why the fuck would I care?

[Edited 10/4/12 12:12pm]

Yeah, the problem with his advice, no matter how on point it may be, was that it was unsolicited...but what I really fail to understand is why this particular unsolicited advice was singled out over all the others that I can guarantee she receives.

JustErin said:

SynthiaRose said:

Well, to me he was very specific about why she wasn't a good role model: due to the spread of obesity in society. He specifically urged her to promote healthy lifestyle.

Now, that's not his job to tell her what her television presence should symbolize, but I dont' think he was saying she was an overall unworthy person and an overall bad role model. I agre with Supa that worthiness is not linked to size or physical appearance.

I think in his own way he was giving her good advice, but she decided to make him some bully poster child and stir up a mob against him (in spirit. I'm not sure she's named him).

Unfortunately in life we all criticize each other and share our views on others' choices. So, what this man did was not scandalous or unusual.

Generally, when people give me advice about something I'm doing that they don't like, I say "I dont' accept usolicited advice" and walk off. If it's someone I respect, I will listen, humble myself and take the criticism under advisement.

I think we are much too intolerant of criticism and opposing views. "We" are also too weak and consider every nitpick to be bullying.

But since I'm also guilty of going ballistic when confronted with a view that angers me, I know that shit happens.

I would never put this much energy into using a TV spot to campaign against someone over this, though. I remember someone once said something about me on the radio that was untrue. My colleague said "You need to get a lawyer." I said "Why? I don't care what she says." I really didn't. Why the fuck would I care?

[Edited 10/4/12 12:12pm]

Yeah, the problem with his advice, no matter how on point it may be, was that it was unsolicited...but what I really fail to understand is why this particular unsolicited advice was singled out over all the others that I can guarantee she receives.

Maybe his was the straw that broke the camel's back.

Stymie said:

JustErin said:

Yeah, the problem with his advice, no matter how on point it may be, was that it was unsolicited...but what I really fail to understand is why this particular unsolicited advice was singled out over all the others that I can guarantee she receives.

Maybe his was the straw that broke the camel's back.

Ok, maybe. But if she is going to publicly respond like this wouldn't it make sense to at least say that? I do find it odd that she makes no mention of receiving any other emails or comments.

Trust me, every single tv personality gets tons and they are not all "we love you" comments.

She can respond in any way she wants to, I just do not think her response was well thought out at all.

Ok, just went back and read the email. I can't say that I would not have done the same as she did. Fuck this guy. Seriously.

Stymie said:

Well, I think it's bullshit to say she's not a good role model because she is obese.

JustErin

Yeah, the problem with his advice, no matter how on point it may be, was that it was unsolicited.

This guy definitely overstepped boundaries. To directly approach someone to discuss their lifestyle choice when he's a stranger... just inappropriate. they don't have the intimacy to go there.

We'll all make a thousand life choices today and many will be controversial. All adults are capable of making their own choices, whether self-destructive or not. Others need to but out. You can preach in general, but not single out folks you don't know.

That said, #ChickIsADramaQueen

SynthiaRose said:

Stymie said:

Well, I think it's bullshit to say she's not a good role model because she is obese.

JustErin

Yeah, the problem with his advice, no matter how on point it may be, was that it was unsolicited.

This guy definitely overstepped boundaries. To directly approach someone to discuss their lifestyle choice when he's a stranger... just inappropriate. they don't have the intimacy to go there.

We'll all make a thousand life choices today and many will be controversial. All adults are capable of making their own choices, whether self-destructive or not. Others need to but out. You can preach in general, but not single out folks you don't know.

That said, #ChickIsADramaQueen

Yeah, totally. It's a really weird phenomenon; viewers thinking that they have any right telling an on-air personality that they should do this or do that, or not this or that. Celebrity obsession is something I really don't understand either.

Anyway, I think she had a real chance to talk about this odd phenomenon and how it really is inappropriate in general but totally missed out on it.

^ Not such a weird phenomemon, this happens every day on the .org.

[Edited 10/4/12 13:12pm]

Stymie said:

Ok, just went back and read the email. I can't say that I would not have done the same as she did. Fuck this guy. Seriously.

I haven't watched her response but I just read his email.

And yeah, what an asshole. Seriously.

TheFreakerFantastic said:

CarrieMpls said:

Stymie said:

Ok, just went back and read the email. I can't say that I would not have done the same as she did. Fuck this guy. Seriously.

I haven't watched her response but I just read his email.

And yeah, what an asshole. Seriously.

I didn't watch her response either but I am perfectly okay with whatever she said.

JustErin said:

TheFreakerFantastic said:

^ Not such a weird phenomemon, this happens every day on the .org.

[Edited 10/4/12 13:12pm]

Yeah, it totally does happen on here daily and I don't get it. It is weird to me.

I don't get it either. Prince get rid of the fro, etc.

JustErin said:

TheFreakerFantastic said:

^ Not such a weird phenomemon, this happens every day on the .org.

[Edited 10/4/12 13:12pm]

Yeah, it totally does happen on here daily and I don't get it. It is weird to me.

Yes I agree....please see the thread about Haters...I kind of gave a response about the reason on there.....

Here's the emailer:

He's a lawyer

He's fit and ripped

He's foine.

He's not backing down!

And he said he will help her lose weight.

Is he winning you guys over?

Anyone? Bueller?

Kenneth Krause, attonery and fitness guru.

SynthiaRose said:

Here's the emailer:

He's a lawyer

He's fit and ripped

He's foine.

He's not backing down!

And he said he will help her lose weight.

Is he winning you guys over?

Anyone? Bueller?

Kenneth Krause, attonery and fitness guru.

Surely there are projections at play here. I applaud anyone's pursuit of fitness and healthy living and I'm sure he meant well. She is worthy, just as he. Hopefully this experience opens up dialogue on how people treat each other.

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

The underlying issue is that worth is being tied to weight. Worthiness has nothing to do with how skinny or fat a person is.

It also has nothing to do with her qualifications to do her job.

SynthiaRose said:

I wish if she had to respond she would have used her platform to attack the assumption that if one is overweight or obese that it has to be attributed to a failure of character. There’s a lot of evidence attributing obesity to absence of or resistance to hormones, resulting in people experiencing satiety differently than others who do not have that resistance. When you look at the millions of calories we consume over our lifetime and the mechanisms evolved to govern our body systems and weight, I think it’s incredibly condescending to state as this cunt did that this woman is making a choice to be overweight. That doesn’t mean environmental factors like access to a limitless supply of calories can be dismissed, or that we shouldn’t press people to be physically active and control their food intake – but that we should be looking at the problem of obesity as a health issue, and something to be assessed as any other health issue ought to be.

For anyone who might be interested, here is a lecture with Jeffrey Friedman who discovered leptin, a key regulatory hormone made by fat tissue that’s been shown to have a key role in weight regulation. I tried to find his lecture with the HHMI, which is excellent, but it doesn’t seem to be on youtube - but this lecture is almost identical and very much worth watching IMO.

[Edited 10/4/12 17:56pm]

damosuzuki said:

I wish if she had to respond she would have used her platform to attack the assumption that if one is overweight or obese that it has to be attributed to a failure of character. There’s a lot of evidence attributing obesity to absence of or resistance to hormones, resulting in people experiencing satiety differently than others who do not have that resistance. When you look at the millions of calories we consume over our lifetime and the mechanisms evolved to govern our body systems and weight, I think it’s incredibly condescending to state as this cunt did that this woman is making a choice to be overweight. That doesn’t mean environmental factors like access to a limitless supply of calories can be dismissed, or that we shouldn’t press people to be physically active and control their food intake – but that we should be looking at the problem of obesity as a health issue, and something to be assessed as any other health issue ought to be.

For anyone who might be interested, here is a lecture with Jeffrey Friedman who discovered leptin, a key regulatory hormone made by fat tissue that’s been shown to have a key role in weight regulation. I tried to find his lecture with the HHMI, which is excellent, but it doesn’t seem to be on youtube.

Not to mention the incfluence that chemicals/modified food has on the body and the fact that she is the mother of 3 kids. It would be one thing to express concern for her well being and her health but to link it to role modeling is where this goes wrong for me.

Stymie said:

^^^ I guess I should have read the whole thing.

Call me fat, I don't care. Make assumptions about me because I'm fat? You can go fuck yourself.

Hear, hear