Question:
Am I the only person who thinks the McDonald's lawsuit is ridiculous?
I didn't read the postings this weekend so if someone has already asked this question, I apologize. I was watching one of the morning shows this morning and they were discussing the recent lawsuit filed against McDonalds claiming they make children obese? I was horrified as I listened. I'm afraid this will push the credibility of the obese community back 20 years! I worry that society will view all obese people as being as shallow and irresponsible as the parents of the obese children involved. Anyone with any sense knows that eating at McDonalds EVERY SINGLE DAY (as one of the obese children claims she did) will contribute to obesity. It sounds like child neglect if you ask me. I'd give anything if I could think of something to do on a grand scale to show the general public that 99% of obese individuals are nothing like these gold diggers. Am I alone in feeling this way? If not, does anyone have any credible ideas on how to counteract the damage the litigants are inflicting on the rest of us who are obese? — ronascott (posted on November 25, 2002)
November 25, 2002
Maybe we can sue the litigantes<sp> for giving all obese people a bad
name :)
— Robert L.
November 25, 2002
hi there:) yes, i agree with you. weve all known for quite sometime thaw
while mcdonalds tastes pretty good, its very high in fat and calories. so
if someone still continues to eat it after knowing that. well thats there
bad isnt it!sheeesh! what next LOL
— carrie M.
November 25, 2002
You are not alone! I couldn't believe what I was hearing either! I just
can't imagine what they are thinking. I would NEVER get on T.V. and say I
am fat because of fast food. How stupid does that make you look? Okay so
you know it is because of the fast food that you have gained weight but you
wait until you are beyond obesity before you decide to do anything about
it? Then your action is to sue the fast food industry? That is just
funny. I like fast food, that sure contributed to my weight gain but I
went to them! That wasn't my only option, but it is the one I use to
choose.
— tanna091103
November 25, 2002
I agree, actually I think I might sue the sun for making my hair blonde.
Think I have a case??? lol :O)
— Debbie W.
November 25, 2002
Yes,I think it is totally stupid!!! what next???
— bikerchic
November 25, 2002
I'm with the poster who said we should sue the litigants for giving the
obese a bad name. McD's and other fast food places publish the nutritional
values of their food, and most popular magazines publish at least one diet
centered article per month. If you can't figure out that it's not good to
eat high fat and carbohydrate foods all the time, just where have you been?
Just where were the parents of these kids? Why couldn't they stock up on
Lean Cuisine and let the kids nuke that for dinner? Cheaper than McD's,
definately less fat and calories.
— dantevolta
November 25, 2002
Hey...here are a few other lawsuits I think we should file:
Hershey's for giving me cavities;
Coke and Pepsi for shaking hands and caffeine headaches, and my cavities;
Domino sugar for causing diabetes, and my cavities;
Hummmm, I am sure I can come up with some more if I think about it long
enough!! Think that there is any money here?? (Just Kidding, this is
satire, please do not flame me!!)
— Vicki L.
November 25, 2002
if thats the case then i should be able to sue taco bell and KFC and burger
king and all the others for makin me fat LOL god that is the stupisted
thing i heard since the moron who sued mcdonalds for burnin themselves
drinkin the coffe..its common sense that coffee is hot and mcdonalds is
fattening lol
— christine S.
November 25, 2002
ABSOLUTELY ridiculous!!! lol It sounds to me as if these parents are
looking for someone other than themselves to blame for the fact that they
have an obese youngster. McDonalds did not FORCE the kids to eat nor did it
FORCE the parents to buy the food in the first place. Pretty soon we will
have not only a warning label that Coffee is EXTREMELY HOT (DUH!!!!!)...but
that Big Macs are hazardous to your health (which we already know! LOL).
This is a prime example of a litigeous society gone amuck!!!! TAKE SOME
PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY HERE PEOPLE (directed at the idiot parents who
filed this lawsuit!!)... Kathie (in Hawaii).. Open RNY / 08-07-02 Down 93
Pounds!!!
— KathieInHawaii
November 25, 2002
Rona,I think it is totally stupid, however, what is even more CRAZY is the
school boards and state legislatures that allow McDonald's to be served in
Elementry schools and cafeterias in this country. Additionally, having
candy & soda machines readily available.
— heathercross
November 25, 2002
Hmmm...think I could sue the kids for making my hair gray?
— AmyL
November 25, 2002
I think this is ridiculous also! There are people suing cigarette
companies, fast food places...etc. It's crazy. NO one forced them to smoke
or eat that stuff. Should I go and sue the alcohol companies because my
father is now an alcoholic? NO! He chose to drink and these other people
chose to put those things in their bodies. People need to take
responsibility for their own actions.
— Des812
November 25, 2002
I agree that the lawsuit is not only frivolous, but also demoralizing to
our legal system. But we must not attack the lawsuit of the hot coffee from
McDonalds. The woman in question not only recieved third degree burns from
her scalding, but had to endure many skin grafts for the affliction to her
skin layers. McDonald's admitted that they purposely made the coffee hotter
in order for it to stay warm longer on commutes. The same reasoning does
not hold true for their burgers.
— Sue A.
November 25, 2002
I do agree with you to a degree, Of course this lawsuit is kind of silly,
but I can understand why these parents feel that McDonald should hold some
responsiblity. I have two kids who from two years old couldn't pronounce
apple or oranges, but they sure can pronounce "Mcdonald's
mommy".
McD has always target children, their commercial will drive any sane child
mad with desire for those stupid burgers and fries. And guess what, when
they get it they hardly eat them, it"s just the game of getting us
parent to take them there.
I know its my fault that my kids are Micky D addict, (thank God they
don't have a weight problem, they are too skinny but healthy) but in this
society where both parent work to make ends meet, our children are
suffering with their health, their school work and their physical
activities(couch potatoes)
So I feel that Mcdonald"s resturant, especially should take some
responsiblities, (since they started the whole thing to begin with,) and
put nourshing advice on their food and please tell these kids to stop
nagging their parent about taking there. Have a nice day
— Rebe W.
November 25, 2002
You mean I'm the only person ever kidnapped by fast-food employees and
force-fed??? Yeah, it's stupid. Personal responsibility is not a popular
thing. BTW, I have the perfect solution for the fast food commercials (and
a lot of other nastier garbage): no TV. We have one small TV that we
*occasionally* bring out on weekends for a few movies or video games. Fast
food is a treat, not a daily ritual. My kids may not eat perfect diets
either, but there is usually something around the house they'll eat.
PB&J, yogurt, cheese and crackers, and even microwave popcorn are
better than the humongo burger and extra-huge fries several days a week.
Susan (1 week post RNY!)
— Susan A.
November 25, 2002
Kids wouldn't even know what McDonalds was if you never took them there...
I have to say my little sister used to say she was hungry for a toy...
she's 8 and I am 28... mom let her have McDonalds almost daily... we did
not get that... I am glad... but what we did get was Debbie akes, chips,
cookies, ice cream, hot dogs, ma and cheese you name it...the fact is that
it was easy for her as a single mom working two jobs...
— MF
November 25, 2002
The problem with people these days is that no one is taught to be
accountable and responsible for their own behavior. If you eat a constant
diet of garbage, you will suffer the consequences. The parents of the kids
who eats garbage food every day are idiots and are guilty of child abuse.
They are neglecting their children's health and they want money to
conpensate for their neglect and abuse. This not only makes the obese look
pathetic and stupid but reinforces stereotypes that fat people sit on their
rears all day and eat high fat, high sodium and high sugar content foods.
Parents need to learn to say NO to their children, it's not hard and it's
not cruel. My daughter, who is 2, does not eat at fast-food restaurants
and hopefully, she never will. Obviously, this is something I feel very
strongly about.
— jenn2002
November 25, 2002
The lawsuit is silly, but I think Mc Donald's and the other fast food
joints have a responsibility to post nutrional information on the menu for
everyone to see. While most of us know that fast food is bad for us, I
don't think the majority of the population know just how "bad" it
is. I didn't realize what I was eating until I was 16 yrs. old and got my
first job at Micky D's and read the nutrition card. I was amazed!!
However, that still didn't stop me from eating the food on my breaks. : )
— J. W.
November 25, 2002
I have to agree and then some. I took my niece there when she was younger,
like some of the others posted, as a treat, not a daily ritual. I would
never let her live on just McDonald's alone, that would be cruel to her.
But the thing that really shocks me is that if they are going to sue
McDonald's for their meals, then why aren't they suing the cow industry,
potatoes, soybeans or corn, the ones who make the meat, the oil and the
french fries and sell them to McDonald's to make the greasy, fattening
burgers and fries. Oh my, maybe I shouldn't have written that, it may give
them more fire to fight with! It just seems ridiculous that you would sue
a restaurant who sold the food, why not the ones who bought it? It'd be
like suing my parents for taking me there as a kid. I'm not making light
of the situation, but it just seems so childish to point fingers. Most of
us gained weight not just because of the foods we ate but some of us
because of our genes, do we sue them too?! Where does it end?
— Vi F.
November 25, 2002
I'm with everyone else. But for a different reason. I musta been raised
on another planet. Started having wt issues at 6. I was allowed nothign
really unhealthy, no candy, desserts were a rarity, an ice cream cone was
so exciting we called a friend over to join us. I'm thinking we had a
burger out maybe 2X per year? We just did not eat out, except as teens, we
ate at medium-high class restaurants that my parents preferred. I did not
even HAVE McD til I was 15, but was already on my 2nd starvation diet by
then. I was doomed with or without them and that's just how it is. It's
rather unfair to blame THEM, specifically. But it is pretty ridiculous to
"blame" anyone for a physical disease. I kept right on gaining
on salads and broccoli.
— vitalady
November 25, 2002
Hey.... I'm going to call my lawyer and sue my couach. All those years that
it MADE me lie on it. Maybe my TV too. :-)
— Robert L.
November 25, 2002
I agree with you totally but for another reason. (Forgive my upcoming
rant--soapbox mode on. Every time I see a lawsuit where someone or some
group of people feel that they are entitled to money, I get a little
concerned for our country. I see such a "victim mentality" in
this frivilous lawsuit that it scares me. To me, basically they're saying
that because someone didn't prevent them from eating McDonald's food, they
are "owed" something. It's the same principle as all those
people over 9/11 who are suing because they didn't get enough money. Sure
they lost loved ones, but are they "owed" money over it? Nobody
handed out boatloads of cash to the families of the Oklahoma Bombing.
That's why we all purchase life insurance isn't it? And I have a basic
problem with parents who don't assert authority over their children. If
you don't want your child eating high calorie, fattening food, don't let
them go to McDonald's. Sure McDonald's tailors their advertising to kids,
but that's why children have parents--to take charge of them. We opened
the door with the tobacco lawsuits to this kind of behavior and I'm
concerned where it will end. I saw a discussion about this lawsuit on the
news the other day and the man was saying it was to force the price of food
higher so people wouldn't buy it. I saw the same argument years ago with
tobacco--force the price of cigarettes higher and drive the tobacco
companies out of business. So far it hasn't worked. The price is higher
and people still buy. The bottom line is parents should be regulating
their children's behavior and business is business--if you don't want to
bear the responsibility of high caloric, high fat foods, don't patronize
McDonald's! (soapbox mode off).
— Cathy S.
November 25, 2002
The difference between the tobacco and McDonalds is that McDonalds did not
stand in front of congress and lie about it. The difference with the World
Trade Center is that millions of dollars were donated to the families, and
they want to make sure the money doesn't lose it's way on it's trip to
them. The WTC families were definately more worthy than the Oklahoma
family's. You are right that these lawsuits damage our ability to get
insurance coverage, and for those who are happy with their weight to be
treated failrly by society.
— faybay
November 25, 2002
Oh my goodness the sentence should read the WTC families were definately
***not*** more worthy
— faybay
November 25, 2002
I'm calling my lawyer...I am going to sue the sun, after all those sunburns
I got when I was younger, I mean, I haven't gotten skin cancer, but if I
do....you bet I am going to sue the sun...I didn't put sunscreen on but
that's not my fault...the sun was there, it didn't matter what I did or
didn't do...and as far as McD's goes...well, maybe I'll get in on that one,
it is their fault after all, if there wasn't one on every darn street
corner...and while I'm at it, I think I will also sue Al Gore...didn't he
take credit a few years ago for starting the internet? And now I am
addicted to this website, which I would not be addicted to if Al Gore had
not "invented" the internet...yeah...that's it...who else can I
sue and blame for all my problems? Because it is obvious that I had
absolutely and still have absolutely no control over any part of my life
and made absolutely no decisions at all in my life that affected me...I
bear no responsibility for any decision I have made in the past 33 years of
my life...I'm suing the inventor of MasterCard/Visa for getting me into
debt too!!! Have a Sparkling Day!! ~CAE~
— Mustang
November 25, 2002
Hi Rona:
As a person who has never had another obese member in my family, except of
course yours truly, I cannot understand this either. I took my kids to
McDonalds often. Not everyday, but sometimes every weekend. When they had
their Happy Meal or whatever, that was it. We did not go back for seconds.
As a responsible parent, I felt my children had eaten their fill. Neither
of my children are heavy. Indeed that are both a normal, healthy weight.
I have a son 6' and 180 pounds, and a daughter 5'1" and 120 pounds,
both grown adults. Where are the parents when these children are eating.
Too many parents want to blame society, when they are truly the gatekeepers
to their children's eating and schooling. Just my 2 cents worth.
Grace
— Grace H.
November 26, 2002
I agree its ridiculous! Whatever happened to eating home cooked meals at
home with the family? I am overweight but its not because of Mcdonalds, its
because of the home cooked meals. I think you can become overweight no
matter what or where you eat. Its the over indulging part that gets you!
— Elizabeth C.
November 26, 2002
I wonder, can you sue your mom? When my mother taught me to cook she taught
me all fried foods. We all gained weight! :P
— ctyst
November 26, 2002
Christine E, you are toooo funny. I cant believe that they only chose
McD...did they eat ONLY a well balanced, low fat, high fiber diet at home?
Didn't they ever eat out any place other that McD's???? What about Pizza
Hut, Taco Bell, Burger King....I could go on for hours....to be fair they
need to sue their parents for giving them bad eating habits, or bad genes,
or both, and sue EVERYONE that ever put junk food any where near their
face. What about personal responsibility??? Although I could use a new
car????????????? ;)
— cherokey55
November 26, 2002
I agree this is ridiculous, BUT---haven't all of us heard from our surgeons
that our obesity is NOT OUR FAULT? Aren't some of us suing - or at least
using legal help in some way to get someone else to pay for our WLS
(insurance)? I always thought my obesity was my fault to some degree.
Addiction runs in my family so I know I'll never keep off the weight
without the WLS tool - but no one forced me to eat all that stuff
(including MCd's). However, my surgeon says it's not because of me.
Isn't this confusing??!! Without a doubt, this lawsuit is ridiculous, and
without a doubt, insurance should pay for my surgery (esp since I've been
paying into them for years!). I just have a hard time reconciling these
opinions when, in some cases, someone is blaming our own weight on other
things, too. I could definitely see the plaintiffs in this case jumping on
the WLS bandwagon (and the petition) and exploiting it because- sorry to
say - IT's NOT THEIR FAULT THAT THEY'RE FAT. Scary.
— toolio
November 26, 2002
I am 60 years old and we rarely ate out when I was a kid and there was no
Mcd and I was fat and everyone in my family ate the same food and they were
not fat. But I am going to sue those little Keebler Elves for Making one
of my daughter's obese. When they say it is not our fault, they don't mean
it is someone elses fault, they mean that it is something in our chemical
makeup that causes cravings and that keeps us from feeling full on a normal
quantity of food. Who here made a conciuos decision to be fat.???
— faybay
November 29, 2002
Rona..I have to strongly agree. I saw the child and his mother on GMA too
and I can tell you that the child is NOT obese JUST because of McDonalds.
His mother is a very large woman. I am not fat because of what McDonalds
puts in their food, but because of the food I put in my mouth. =)
— Kim D.
December 2, 2002
CONTROVERSIAL RESPONSE COMING UP, DO NOT READ IF YOU ARE VERY SENSITIVE!!!
YES I THINK THE LAWSUIT IS REDICULOUS. HOWEVER, MANY PEOPLE ALSO FEEL
GASTRIC BYPASS AND TUMMY TUCKS BEING COVERED IS ALSO TAKING ADVANTAGE OF
THE SYSTEM TO MAKE SOMEONE ELSE PAY FOR OUR OWN BAD HABITS. I MIGHT NOT
HAVE NEEDED WLS IF I HAD NOT EATEN AT MCDONALDS SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK FOR
YEARS ON END ALONG WITH OTHER POOR FOOD CHOICES. MANY OF MY FRIENDS ALWAYS
SAID THEY DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY I WAS HEAVY WHEN I ATE SO LITTLE AND
HEALTHYSTUFF ONLY. THEY DIDN'T SEE WHAT I ATE IN SECRET, IN MY CAR, MY BED
ROOM ETC. YES I PAID INSURANCE PREMIUMS, THEY COST MY (HUSBANDS SELF
OWNED) COMPANY APROX $450.00 A MONTH PER EMPLOYEE FOR VERY HIGH QUALITY
INSURANCE. I HAVE NOT PAID ANY WHERE NEAR WHAT THE SURGERY COST THOUGH. SO,
THEREFORE OTHERS WHO ARE PAYING PREMIUMS AAND TAKING GOOD CARE OF
THEMSELVES ARE PAYING FOR MY SURGERY, AND PROBABLY MY TUMMY TUCK TOO IN THE
FUTURE. I ALSO KNOW SOMEONE IN THE PROCESS OF GAINING 25# OVER THE HOLIDAYS
TO QUALIFY FOR SURGERY. THE TOTAL SURGERY COST IS OFTEN NEAR $50,000. WILL
THE MCDONALDS PLAINTIFFS GET THAT MUCH MONEY? WILL THE INSURANCE PREMIUMS
FOR MY COMPANY AND OTHERS ON THE SAME PLAN RISE BECAUSE OF MY HIGH PRICED
SURGERY. "FOOD" FOR THOUGHT.
— **willow**
December 2, 2002
Just a note here in response to **willow**. Look at what your insurance
actually paid vs. what the hospitals/doctor/etc bill out. Most insurance
companies pay only a small fraction of what we pay as private self pay
patients. They pay like $6000-$8000 instead of $30,000 or $40,000, or
$50,000. No joking. Check it out. With what you paid in premiums you've
paid for that surgery (at their cost in just over a year). Plus if you
have any comorbids, right there you're saving them future expenses as most
if not all will vanish with your weight loss.
— Shelly S.
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