Too fat to work.

[Stranza]

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

 

Of course you can't draw comparison between how 1930's propaganda was used to normalise hatred for the jews and how there is so much propaganda around about benefits scroungers and fat people now.

 

Erm.

Edited January 7, 2015 by Stranza
sp

[charmer]

I've got to break for a while, to do my physio and some work. Please forgive me, if that shatters anyone's illusions on this thread of 'lard-arses'. I'll return soon to see what lovely things you guys have written....maybe.

 

---------- Post added 07-01-2015 at 09:21 ----------

 

 

Actually, with regard to why it merits 'protected status in law' it is EXACTLY the same thing: to discourage crimes of hate and ignorance - and that is why it is needed!

 

Sorry is a bit late now, after your spouting of hate.

 

It isn't the same thing at all. It has nowhere near the same historical context. Moreover, being fat is a choice. The World Health Organisation states that the two primary causes of obesity are consuming too many calories and not getting enough exercise to burn those calories. It has nothing to say on hormonal imbalances of any of the other guff that some people hide their large frames behind.

 

I haven't spouted any hatred, I don't hate fat people.

[woodmally]

I watched about 10 minutes of it, then turned it off. C5 is marginally worse than 4 for misleading/incorrect/provocative narration, and 4 is bad as it is. Lately though Beeb documentaries aren't much better.

 

Are you saying its all fake and these people dont exist? Or are you unhappy that actually these programmes are focusing on the spongers in the system that need dealing with.

[Cyclone]

Wow. You think that's why certain states of being are 'protected'; because they 'can't be reasonably changed by choice'? You think that's why a state of being should be 'protected' in law?

 

You think people 'choose' to be overweight?

 

Your 'expertise' is lacking.

 

Yes.

You can't stop being white, black, asian or whatever.

You can't stop being straight or gay.

And you can't stop being the age you are.

 

You can stop being obese, or stick thin, or average weight. These are all things that you ultimately control. Although for some people it may be more difficult than others (yourself for example, it sounds clear that you don't have the option of doing more exercise due to injury).

 

Ultimately though, calling a fat person fat is just a description, the same as calling a black person black. It becomes pejorative if you say "lard arse" or "******", they're both terms designed to offend and based on a physical characteristic. But then where does it end.

Calling an ugly person ugly is just a description, but there are plenty of pejorative terms based on that physical characteristic as well...

 

---------- Post added 07-01-2015 at 09:45 ----------

 

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

 

Of course you can't draw comparison between how 1930's propaganda was used to normalise hatred for the jews and how there is so much propaganda around about benefits scroungers and fat people now.

 

Erm.

 

Benefits claimants yes, the government seems to be determined to turn them into the current boogie man. Fat people... What propaganda apart from this program?

[anfisa]

Labelling a group of people, due to a common personal characteristic of their appearance is a loathsome trait, if you wish to defend such behaviour on an open forum, you are free to do so, at the moment. It doesn't make it a nice thing to do though.

 

I did not defend them, I called you out for doing the same as them.

[Maz3]

I am sorry life isn't good for you and wish you all the happiness in the world but don't equate fatties to groups that have been targeted for their ethnicity.

 

I can't believe some of the people on here. They talk about 'fatties' and 'lard arses' then are amazed when people object. The very language oozes contempt and superiority. We all have weaknesses and imperfections.

[Cyclone]

Are you saying its all fake and these people dont exist? Or are you unhappy that actually these programmes are focusing on the spongers in the system that need dealing with.

 

The amount of effort required to "deal" with the spongers is out of proportion to the number of spongers.

It will cost more to deal with than it will save.

 

In which case the money is better spent elsewhere dealing with other things and actually saving us money overall.

 

But what was the focus of this program, was it benefit sponging, or was it being obese, or was it a happy combination of being obese and claiming benefits?

[Stranza]

Yes.

 

SNIP

 

Benefits claimants yes, the government seems to be determined to turn them into the current boogie man. Fat people... What propaganda apart from this program?

 

70 stone man, the ch4 ones Shut In and the supersize guys new one pitching fat people against each other.

The embarrassing fat bodies series and the Big Body Squad.

 

I'm maybe a cynic but being led by the nose to accept hatred of other people for whatever reason always makes me wonder what else they are hiding.

[anfisa]

I can't believe some of the people on here. They talk about 'fatties' and 'lard arses' then are amazed when people object. The very language oozes contempt and superiority. We all have weaknesses and imperfections.

 

Most of the fat people that I know, me included do not have an issue with the term lard arse, it is simply a descriptive term, lard being fat and most fat people, me included have fat arses. I did not choose to be fat, but I did choose to eat more than I should and although I do a lot of exercises I could choose to do more, I have a choice, eat less and exercise more and then I will not be fat, or stay fat and eat what I want and continue doing the same amount of exercise.

[woodmally]

The amount of effort required to "deal" with the spongers is out of proportion to the number of spongers.

It will cost more to deal with than it will save.

 

In which case the money is better spent elsewhere dealing with other things and actually saving us money overall.

 

But what was the focus of this program, was it benefit sponging, or was it being obese, or was it a happy combination of being obese and claiming benefits?

 

I think really it was people on benefits using obesity as an excuse and using the media to target these people.

 

You say it will cost more money to deal with than save well why not let these tv shows continue to do this then. As they will gain us watching it for entertainment as well as challenging these people and it will cost nowt.