a big fat fuck you
December 15, 2002
written by leah susanna nilson

we went to mcdonalds yesterday and erin (my boyfriend) told me about how mcdonalds is facing a multi-million dollar lawsuit over the “obesity epidemic”. i almost spit out my mcnuggets. what the hell?

according to a BMI chart, i am in the 2nd obesity class. i'm 5'7" and about 200lbs. i may have my problems, but believe me, life wasn't anymore of a picnic at 126lbs than it is now. why is my life worth a lawsuit? i looked around at the people in mcdonalds and all i saw was regular looking families enjoying an affordable meal out with their loved ones. nobody was what you could refer to as "morbidly obese" and even if they were, it's their choice to go to mcdonalds, and they have every right to eat there.

maybe it isn't the healthiest place in the world, but according to my weightwatchers fast food guide, it's pretty low on the list as far as fattening foods go. up there are places like schlotzky's deli, hardies, arbys and Kentucky fried chicken. do they get lawsuits too?

also, i don't know about the united states, but in canada our mcdonalds offer a full “lighter choices” menu, with 3 different sandwich choices, a vegetarian sandwich, 3 different meal size salads, and the option of a side salad instead of the usual fries. they also have a "fruit and yogurt parfait" for desert.

they have this available, is it their fault if most people choose to eat the regular choices? no.

i have to wonder who's in charge of this so-called "war on fat" and if they've ever really been fat in their life.

in my experience, it's not being fat that's miserable, it's the way the rest of the world treats us. why not work on changing that first?

the lawsuit isn’t the only thing that’s getting under my ample skin lately. There’s the overpriced, yuppie, armchair activist rag adbusters as well. Their latest issue is about “appetite.” And they propose a war on fat and what they like to call “big food.” Here are just a few nuggets of fatphobia that can be found in that issue:

"We teach [America's children] how to eat right and avoid a lifetime of obesity and mental anguish."

"....however we cant prevent everything. in this case its fat. fat people are more likely to die sooner, less likely to have healthy sex lives, and less likely to reproduce. Nature is taking care of the penchant for excess in our society by making it more likely that those genetically prone to gross excess will not pass on their genetic information." libi striegl (libi_rose@yahoo.com)

" i used to be a fast food-eating fat-ass until i woke up and became a vegan...i lost about 100 pounds...just goes to show what breaking off from everyday american culture can get you." catherine johnson

"though im attracted to pleasantly plump women, i am somewhat disgusted but the current proportions of the nation. a trip to the third world and then a stop by the local food court upon return really opens your eyes to the sickness of it. anyway...a t shirt idea ive had for some time: "gluttony is a sin you fat fuck!" i realize profanity is the crutch of inarticulate motherfuckers, but i just like the emphasis."

An article called “lose fat, gain life.”

there is also apparently an anti-mcdonalds ad that depicts a fat person's belly and it says "there's a little mcdonalds in everyone".

In response to this I decided to use my stomach as an anti-adbusters billboard.

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