Can we please stop the fat-jokes about Chris Christie?

[DetlefK]

Say anything remotely offensive about women or homosexuals or muslims or non-caucasians being "different" or "weird" or "bad" and the DU-community will metaphorically crucify you.

But crack a knee-jerk fat-joke about an obese republican and occasionaly you get knee-jerk applause and most of the time you get the silence of indifference from the community, because, hey, it's just a republican.

"Yo' candidate for president is so fat, he looks unpresidential."
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023993019
Is that an appropriate way to judge politicians?

[cali]

1. agreed. there are certain groups of people that it's fine to mock here

it shouldn't be.

but I disagree that this kind of shit is met by indifference. Many DUers do speak out against it as can be seen in the thread about Christie that you reference.

[warrprayer]

182. I hate it when you're right

and you are right about this. Sometimes doing the right thing is no fun...

By the way, you were also right about Wiener and Bill DeBlasio. 100%.

Hope you are feeling fine and fit.



as for me...

[malaise]

2. Is the political notion of 'fat cats' a joke? n/t

[bullwinkle428]

52. Paul Ryan is fantastic example of a political "fat cat", and it has

nothing to do with his physique!

[trumad]

3. No--- he's a fat pig.

I ain't pulling no punches with chubby.

[cali]

5. He's a pig alright, but it's not because he's fat

why not address the real problems with him?

[boston bean]

11. I would hope you will reconsider trumad.

You are going to end up hurting people on DU who have been judged by their weight. Make the simple extrapolation. No one is trying to censor you, but to try to get you to see why this tack is hurtful to others and is not just an attack on Christie.

Christie is a terrible bully. But his weight has nothing to do with that.

[Bluenorthwest]

21. My problem with the OP is the exploitation of other groups in foul and inacccuate ways

I'll back the OP if you folks can rid us of those who DO attack gay people and other minorities. This claim that such bashing is never allowed is utterly false. Daily I see the poster who says 'gay marriage is to me unthinkable' and the one who says 'Latin America is but a cyst on the anus of the world'. In addition, GD is chock full of promotional materials about Pope Francis who is the world's leading and most outspoken anti gay crusader, same as threads praising Pat Robertson. GD is supposed to be free of religious subjects, but they post those to insult and intimidate the minorities they do not like.
So telling us that women and gay people and others are protected is a lie. A lie exploiting gay people and women for the sake of a Republican.
Christie is a mean, ugly ranting sack of venomous off gassing. But the OP loves him, while snarling at Democrats who are not Third Way Hetero Approved. Barf.

[boston bean]

22. I agree, that is why I only responded to Trumad and made my plea there.

[Bluenorthwest]

43. Ok.

You seem to agree that there is no sexism or homophobia on DU. If you don't, you might think about standing up.

[boston bean]

47. I think its obvious I do believe there is sexism and homophobia and racism on DU.

I stand up all the time.

Forgive me this one time in focusing on another bias. Because I did, doesn't mean I'm not supportive of other issues on DU. I thought this was clear to you. I'm sad it's not. Really...

I can't win!

[Bluenorthwest]

58. It is not right to snarl about 'homosexuals' getting perfered treatment as a way to protect an

anti gay Republican. That's all there is to it.

[boston bean]

60. I didn't say it was right! I agreed with you.

[eqfan592]

76. HERE FUCKING HERE!!!

Many of us have been labeled as "hateful" and "disgusting" by other DU members for daring to speak out against the RCC because their leader seems to make them feel all warm and fuzzy inside with a simple act of human compassion, in spite of the fact that the RCC fights us tooth and nail on issues like gay rights, a woman's right to choose, contraception, etc.

Yes, I'm glad he was nice to that stick man, I just wish he'd be willing to alter his churches position on various and important human rights issues.

[stevenleser]

121. I agree with you here. There are a lot of other things that need cleaning up on DU before this.

I'm not putting Christie first in line of folks who need to be protected.

[Ms. Toad]

137. The request has nothing to do with protecting Christie

It is about not using fat as an insult, because using fat as an insult hurts everyone who weighs more than average, and is regularly insulted and discriminated against because of it.

[CTyankee]

23. Agreed. But I do think Christie uses his bulk to menace people...

large people can look very threatening, especially combined with body language such as snarling, sticking a finger in people's faces, and using a menacing tone of voice. I know he would scare me in person.

By the same token, some thin people can manage to look very creepy, too. It's all in the body language you use...

[boston bean]

27. That is also true, but the post I responded to was based on his weight.

This thread is a hard one, cause I don't agree with everything the OP said. So, I responded where I saw it blatantly being used. In hopes to get trumad to see things differently.

[CTyankee]

32. I try very hard to have sympathy for Christie. He can't feel very good lots of the time and

gastric bypass is no walk in the park for folks. But he always looks like he's ready to punch somebody smaller and weaker (usually women and elderly men and women). He shows no respect for people who don't agree with him. And he always seems angry...that's a terrible way to feel all the time...

[boston bean]

37. He's a bully. I can't stand him.

[Heather MC]

53. I use to weigh 240lbs and I had a Lapband Surgery in 2005

I am not hurt by Christie Jokes, because it's about him not me.

But I see your point about some people Identifying with his weight issues and getting offended
we rarely have any Idea what people look like who post on DU unless they post a photo.

I don't engage in Fat Jokes about Christy, but I don't speak out against them either, most of the ones I have seen have gone hand in hand with him being a big fat bully. So I don't take offense to that because I agree he is a big fat bullly. Not just in a physical Since I would call Rand Paul a Big Fat Bully, because he wants to shoot Rachael Maddow.

[mountain grammy]

66. I agree with you and Trumad. I've been battling my bulge most of my life.

Fuck Christie Kreme. He can lose 200 pounds and he'll always be a big fat bully in my mind.

[Agschmid]

68. Yup!

[seabeyond]

18. i had to come in and check

to see if maybe, you had as many hides, so i could feel better. i had a rash of hides in a small period.

ya. you made me feel better, lol lol

and quit being mean about peoples weight.

[Auntie Bush]

40. OK. He eats to much and it shows..

That's the real problem.

[wendylaroux]

55. I don't care for Christie either,

but not because he is overweight. Think about other people here who were taunted and teased as children.I was one,
and I would defend anyone against this.Just stop.

[mountain grammy]

67. Yep, and always will be no matter what his actual size.

[pintobean]

74. The sacrifices that you make for DU

nt

[leftstreet]

173. ...

(OMG you are funneh!)

[Papagoose]

89. Terribly hurtful words

I spent my whole life overweight, depressed and miserable. It took me 40 years to get myself to a point where I wasn't ashamed of myself. For a period, I routinely thought about suicide because I hated myself so much for being overweight. When people made fun of me, I ate more, gained more weight and spiraled further down.

Now my ten year old daughter is having the same struggle I did. Would you call her a fat pig?

[Arugula Latte]

140. "Fat pig" offends me. Pigs are very smart, friendly animals,

not rightwing thugs like Christie.

[Nine]

4. I'm not seeing that.

Check out this thread: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023993019

Nearly unanimous in saying we don't care about his weight, just his politics.

[DetlefK]

13. It's not just Christie's obesity, and that thread seems to be the exception to the rule.

How easy is fun made of the fact that Boehner sheds tears? I'll tell you what: I get the same when I'm nervous or agitated and the only way to suppress the tears before they come out and become visible to others is by willfully calming down with breathing-technique or a mantra or whatever or pure mental discipline.

Back to the thread:
People feel approached and are inclined to comment, because it's an OP. But what if that same joke were the third comment to another OP? Would the reaction still be 20 comments à la "Dude, that's over-the-top."?

In my experience, such jokes are nromally met with a single thumbs-up and deafening silence.

[Nine]

25. point taken (nt)

[bitchkitty]

104. Boehner cries because he's half drunk all the time. n/t

[LuvNewcastle]

7. You're right, we shouldn't be doing that.

Besides, fat jokes are so damn easy to make. DUers are creative people. We can think of a lot more important things to criticize about someone instead of going for the same old tired fat joke all the time. Let's not be dull-witted.

[CTyankee]

30. I'm waiting for some guy to get so angry with Christie that he drops him with a

"roundhouse right" to Christie's jaw...I hate to think of myself as a violent person but I wonder sometimes if he doesn't have it coming to him...

[LuvNewcastle]

124. That would make my day if someone did that.

I'm not violent either, but if some asshole got up in my face and started yelling at me like Christie does to some of the people who ask him questions, something might happen before I realized what I was doing. He talked to that teacher like she was a piece of trash. He probably only does that when he talks to women, or at least he makes sure he has his security guys with him. I don't understand what the people of NJ see in him. He's not at all suited for public service.

[CTyankee]

152. The guy would have a real problem if somebody came after him...he looks like he can't move very fast

and is probably pretty clumsy as a result of his sheer body mass. No wonder he has security around him but I do wonder what kinds of techniques they might use to get him out quickly if he was in a bad situation with an angry constituent or two...

[seabeyond]

26. you are genetically slim, right? i think i have read that before.

take note, i say slim. my brother is too. everyone said he was skinny. he hated that. he felt unmasculine cause he was not all built up. ya, stupid stuff that he has internalized for half a century. the point being, because he is sensitive to skinny, i have never used it and use slim. anyway... genetically, i turned out pretty damn lucky myself.

now, that is not saying that christie doesnt over eat, a lot and that is why he is where he is. but i know i can eat a lot more than most. and i know my brother can eat like a pig and not gain an ounce.

no. i do not need to diss someone about their weight. how they look. or anything else. his politics. his ugliness to people. his yelling at mostly women in disrespect cause he is a coward and would not dare do that to a man. that kind of stuff

but people that are genetically lucky... well, i would rather they appreciate that knowing they can get away with a lot more than most.

[NCTraveler]

29. You think his obesity says something about him?

What is it you think it says?

[laundry_queen]

34. No kidding.

I'd also like to know the answer to this. So I can know what you think my obesity says about me.

[Tien1985]

44. Their post says

More about them then CC's obesity says about him.

[Agschmid]

70. Yup. It's disgusting.

[Iggo]

45. What does it say?

[notadmblnd]

9. You guys come here together?

You too fail. Please try again.

[DetlefK]

15. You think I'm a republican sock-puppet?

Wow. I hope that big grin on my face fades eventually.

[notadmblnd]

19. I think you came here to throw some shit in hopes that it would stick.

Not to have an honest conversation in regards to how one's weight may affect their political aspirations.

You then cite one post accusing the entire DU community of making fat jokes which in fact is the total opposite of what you accuse. You tell me what you're here for- if the reason is not what I suggest.

[DetlefK]

28. My OP was badly worded.

Bringing up that there's an exception to the rule usually ruins one's own argument.

And no, I didn't accuse the whole DU-community of making fat-jokes. I accused them of accepting them when the target is a famous republican.

You don't believe me or my point? I'm fine with that. Just keep your eyes open. Time will tell.

[marble falls]

49. You did OK, some people think fat is purely voluntary and a matter of choice implying or ....

reinforcing other venial traits. You'll never hear Teddy Kennedy described as 'fat'.

[MissMillie]

62. We wouldn't be picking on him if he had any other disease.....

The new understanding of obesity sees it as a “dysregulation of energy,” he says. It’s affected by genes and the environment; by the brain and the gut; by hormones with names like leptin and ghrelin and other physiology still to be discovered.

The American Medical Association officially recognized obesity as a disease in June, following the World Health Organization and other medical authorities. And as many millions of people know, it can be a very tough disease to beat.


http://commonhealth.wbur.org/2013/11/anti-fat-bias-workplace

[Ed Suspicious]

125. This is a good post. Thank you for the info.

[notadmblnd]

162. That's kinda the point. No one was picking on Christie

I haven't seen one thread with the exception of the one cited by the OP- about Christie and his weight, and it was thrown out there by a newbie and almost no one chimed in with the fat jokes.

In fact the thread cited by the OP here faulting the entire DU community for making fat jokes overwhelmingly defended Christie and his weight, they did not deride it.

So yeah, I asked about the OP's motives for posting something that was not true of the DU community as the OP did not post because they wanted to have an honest conversation about politicians and what affect their weight has on being elected to office.

Notice the lack of interaction the OP has had with this particular thread?

[FSogol]

10. Can we please stop criticizing DU for the rude comments of 1 or 2 people?

Is that an appropriate way to judge fellow DUers?

[RKP5637]

12. I'm no fan of him, but I agree about the fat part. Lots of people are overweight for

whatever reason. I think he got a gastric bypass? Politics aside, to me at least, the stress of the WH + his weight condition would do him in ...

[bigtree]

14. I agree, but Christie is going to have to deal with them; that's not a prejudice

. . . that's going to vanish anytime soon.

Anyway . . .

maggie haberman ?@maggiepolitico 28m
He just LOVES jokes about his weight "@ZekeJMiller: This week's @TIME cover: Chris Christie http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2156871,00.html … pic.twitter.com/f1ZuvttOD1”

[The Straight Story]

16. If he was an overweight woman he would fall under the DU protection clause

Which basically says we only judge female politicians on their appearance and give men a pass, so if he were a she and we said the same thing it would be called sexist and wrong.

He is a straight, white, Christian, male and therefore is seen as stronger than others (ie, he can take it) and it is commonly believed he therefore has no ability to be, nor is allowed to be, offended in any manner.

If someone is offended for him, we must take their feelings into consideration and should change all of our speech and habits if need be, unless said offended person is in the same vein as him (ie, white/male/christian/straight - again, all such humans who fit that profile have super power and always have and can never be upset, offended, persecuted, etc and so on).

Also have noticed no one has made comments about any dresses or purses he has worn/carried. You could bet the sexist pigs here would though about hillary and others. Not to mention those high heels he sports (or is it the same bland shoes every day?).

[marble falls]

51. Good point. Also: ever hear of Teddy Kennedy described as 'fat'? He wasn't much smaller than CC.

[MicaelS]

168. Excellent post, you nailed it.

I wish I had said that.

[jberryhill]

17. I can't stop you, only you can do that

[LWolf]

20. No.

I can't stop, because I haven't started. I've neither told nor commented on fat jokes of any kind.

I don't subscribe to the common practice of re-directing my need to put down people onto more politically correct targets.

I also don't care to engage in legitimizing juvenile name-calling, general bullying, and other incivilities against "them" that aren't okay to use on each other.

[Bluenorthwest]

24. He's a mean, rude and dishonet homophobic Republican and so are his defenders.

Every last one of them.

[seabeyond]

39. that works. i bet there are a lot more adjectives. nt

[Bluenorthwest]

50. I'm counting the OP as a defense of Christie because of the sexist and homophobic tropes in the OP.

Just so you know.

[seabeyond]

54. well, you know me. i certainly noted how he/she said we like.... say no to sexism and homophobia.

i kinda just went past that because this is a different issue. racism is addressed much more than sexism and homophobia, but even that is there. i hear ya.

[Bluenorthwest]

64. Yeah, you went right passed it alright. I very much noticed.

nt

[seabeyond]

73. you know. people are ALL over my ass day and night cause i call this shit out repeatedly.

i get posts hidden for mostly no reason, but the simple fact i call this shit out repeatedly. now you are on my ass cause on this post i did not call that out?

wowsers. k

[Sheldon Cooper]

126. The cognitive dissonance is mind-numbing, isn't it?

Damned no matter what you do, it seems. Hang in there, sea!

[Agschmid]

139. Yup. Hang in!

Until we get into next time... And then please give up, very easily

[seabeyond]

165. lol. and with so many on du,

that is a cute yet perfect perception of how it goes.

thanks for the giggles.

[Walk away]

31. The biggest (sorry) problem with making fun of Christies weight is...

that he has had bariatric surgery and son he will no longer be as heavy. He is obviously scheduling himself to be a healthy weight for his presidential run.

[seabeyond]

42. that is what i thought i saw. and was wondering if that is what he did. thanks for info. nt

[Puzzledtraveller]

33. The bigotry against large people

is disgusting to witness regardless who the target is. The cop out about it saying something about the character of the individual is equally disgusting and cowardly in my opinion.

[Iggo]

35. Never gonna happen.

[lastlib]

36. OK, here's my deal--I'll give up fat jokes about Christie........

...but RUSH LIMBAUGH is FAIR GAME!!!

.

[GoCubsGo]

163. Limbaugh is only fair game...

...because he constantly mocks other peoples' weight, and appearance, in general. But, like Christie, he has so many other traits that are infinitely more deserving of criticism and mocking beyond his weight. Not that I think one should mock another person's weight...

[OwnedByCats]

38. The thing is

you have Christie, who has an R after his name. But there are overweight people with D after their name too. You can't call Christie fat without that being insulting to others that are overweight. Believe me, there are a lot of other legitimate things Christie can be criticized for, his weight should not be one of them.

[scheming daemons]

41. straw man thread

Very few, if any, DUers give a damn about Christie's weight.

[seabeyond]

46. the thing about that is, even if few and i do not know cause i do not go in the threads much....

even a few are direct jabs at people that are overweight. so they may seem few to us that do not have weight issues. but each jab hurts those that do.

[BlueStreak]

108. His health and self-control are fair issues

I agree that fat jokes are in poor taste. But the man wants to hold the most important job in the world, yet he can't even manage a plate of mashed potatoes and gravy?

I don't think do.

[Sheldon Cooper]

127. Obama was still a smoker when he ran in 2008.

Did you think his lack of 'self-control' was a fair issue to address? What about his health? Fair game?

[BlueStreak]

129. ABSOLUTELY. And it was addressed. And I didn't hear anybody complaining about that.

Nobody expects perfection. But we aren't going to ignore the elephant in the room, metaphorically speaking, of course.

[Sheldon Cooper]

133. So, people were actively arguing that because he smoked should therefore not be

elected? That he was a disgusting, smelly pig with no self-control? How could he be expected to run the land if he couldn't put down the cigarette? Really? I don't remember that.

[BlueStreak]

170. Some were. It certainly was discussed openly

And I don't recall a single case where smokers feigned outrage at this point being brought up.

Most smokers know that this is a really unhealthy habit, and that they are addicts.

And I think that most morbidly, unnaturally obese people understand this is a very unhealthy lifestyle. It isn't like the guy is a little chubby or "big boned". He was one cheeseburger away from the big one. It does appear he has taken positive action to try to put himself into a healthier place, and I wish him all the best at that effort. But given that he spent decades destroying his body, I do his fitness for the most important position in the world remains a very fair question.

It is not fair to make jokes. I hope you can recognize the difference between hurtful jokes and legitimate questions about fitness for duty.

[Agschmid]

141. Really?

[HipChick]

48. Let's be realistic...he's a public figure with an characteristic

he going to be made fun off..

President Obama endures it due to his skin color day in,day out...I'm not giving Chris a pass..

[Jamaal510]

63. Not only his skin color,

but I've seen numerous RWNJs make fun of his ears, among other things.

[HipChick]

69. yep..exactly...

Let's not forget his wife too..

[pipi_k]

91. It's unfortunate

when people think they have to, or have the right to, sink to lower levels of civility just because the other guys are doing it.

[HipChick]

169. and see where the being PC gets us

[Stuckinthebush]

56. I'm amazed that we have people who do that

It is the weakest form of argument and has nothing to do with his politics.

I would hope that DUers are better than that.

[ecstatic]

57. Nowhere in the OP was weight mentioned

You injected that. Maybe the person on Twitter was referring to their terrible style.

Besides, one newbie's post doesn't represent all of DU.

[Capt. Obvious]

59. Impossible! That pipe doesn't go to the marshmallow room

It goes to the fudge room

[DemocratSinceBirth]

61. Regardless of how we feel it will definitely be a liability if he runs for president

Look for his opponents to subtly highlight their vim and vigor and his lack of it. It's inevitable. And physical fitness is always a part of the criteria for a high stress job.

[Nanjing to Seoul]

65. Ummm. . .no. Screw Governor Ballast!

[Agschmid]

72. Classy.

[Nanjing to Seoul]

81. when it comes to that ass and his bullying of teachers, i refuse to be classy.

screw governor goodyear!

[Agschmid]

84. .

I don't have to try to hard to make my point.

[Nanjing to Seoul]

88. What's all this love for Chris Christie? Because he hugged Obama?

When did DU because Republican hachet man Central?

Screw that worthless sack of crap. . .all 10,000 pounds of him.

If you want to have a Chris Christie lovefest, Free Republic is that way ------------------>

[Agschmid]

90. Please continue...

Do you really think because I refuse to call someone something incredibly hateful that I "like them"? That thought process is flawed.

[Nanjing to Seoul]

92. Whatever. . .I'll take this conversation on the patio since you're already on the cross.

And completely in ignoreland.

[Agschmid]

93. Thanks for buying my ticket to ignoreland....

Means less work for me.

[pintobean]

94. It's always better to see

than be seen. I love it when someone announces the ignore.

[Agschmid]

95. Right.

I keep my ignore list empty. I can usually handle some push back on my posts.

[sibelian]

166. Well, can't you be tasteless and at least also FUNNY?

"he's fat!" pf. So what? LOADS of extremely nice people are fat.

If nothing else I struggle even to feel the finger you think you've laid on him.

[LanternWaste]

178. We often (though unwittingly) become the very aspect of what we hate in those we hate

We often (though unwittingly) become the very aspect of what we hate in those we hate. It's rather fascinating to watch firsthand though...

[TreasonousBastard]

71. Here we go again...

Most of the 30 or so posts in that thread slammed the OP, so what's the problem?

Maybe one problem is that there are over 60 posts so far here talking about that thread-- is DU navel gazing and claims of discrimination worse than any actual discrimination?

[Zorra]

75. I agree. We should not judge others by the way they appear physically ~ by physical color, weight,

disfigurements, perceived beauty, challenges, etc.

Or race, gender, creed, sexual orientation, etc.

It may even be that self consciousness about his weight has led him to have an extreme loss of self esteem, which in turn has actually contributed to him becoming a mean and bitter republican asshole.

His actions leave us a plethora of tidbits for criticisms.

[Doctor_J]

77. Nope

his appearance matches his personality exactly - pigish. there's probably a safe have here somewhere if you want to look for it.

[Ed Suspicious]

132. As I walk down the street or work in my office building firmly, politically planted on your side, I

am saddened that you have reduced people of my portly stature to little more than pigs. This pig-man is a democrat who would work to accept you no matter what your physical appearance. I am having a real hard time accepting your dark attitude toward over-weight people like myself. It saddens me that I am to be objectified in such a cold and callous manner by someone who in the absence of his sight might call me a friend.

[mgardener]

78. You are so right

We do not have to denigrate republicans for their physical attributes.

Their republicans values are enough ammunition.

But, if Chris Christie does decide to run for Governor, then his health IS an issue.

[d_b]

79. fuck no

sincerely,
a fat guy

[Zorra]

80. If someone insulted one of my large friends because of their weight, I'd verbally kick their ass

so relentlessly and effectively that they'd need long term therapy for self esteem issues.

[Nanjing to Seoul]

82. you're equating krisp krispy for one of your friends?

[Zorra]

101. Sorry, you have completely missed the point. Please take a few seconds and try to figure it out.

Be conscious of not being deliberately obtuse in your thought processes while you try to figure it out.

I'll give you some help: If someone insulted one of my white friends for being white, I'd kick their ass verbally until they needed long term therapy. See the connection between the ideas?

[Ed Suspicious]

128. I thought the absence of empathy was a republican trait. I thought wrong.

[Sunlei]

83. I agree, it is childish. The mans public appearance photos will speak for it's self.

a picture is worth a thousand words.

[sorefeet]

85. I been looking at some old hot rod

magazines. Crowds at the race track and car show stuff circa 1950-1960 and NO ONE IS FAT.
Obesity is a huge economic drain on the country. If you are not sick or on a medication that makes you gain weight or something totally out of your control, different story. Christie has admitted he has no will power. I never ever walk away from a meal full. I munch all day long BUT it's nuts, berries, granola or fruit. Meals are veggies and a piece of meat the size of 2 or 3 bites. Yes Christie is a bully, I have worked for 3 men who had the same demeanor and size as Christie and they could be related. He does use his size to intimidate. GENETICS I don't think so. Mom I skinny and her sister and all of my cousins are huge. They eat like pigs and are so fat they don't even have a face anymore. Like I said if you ain't sick or on meds your obesity is caused by you. You can't sugar coat over eating and eating garbage. And YES this is a plan for the presidency. If people don't judge obesity as unhealthy or no will power or fat slob then why the fuck would Christie get major surgery for his favorite pastime, EATING.

[Lamonte]

86. Obesity

A candidate for president with a potential health problem is the real issue. Think of Cheney as president, think of Sarah Palin as president. These are examples of what kind of running mates the conservatives choose. Christie may choose a running ate just as bad because they seem to think radical unqualified people will gain them votes.

[gopiscrap]

87. One thing: in 1976 Chevy Chase single handedl brought Gerald Ford down

by making him look like a dumb shit doofus and uncoordinated, in politics you use what you can to win.

[freshwest]

185. Ah I remember that. But I had it out for Ford for pardoning Nixon. No love there. Carter was great.

The difference in that parody was that it made me like Ford as a person, not feel superior.

I almost felt bad voting for Carter, but not much. I was a diehard Democrat then, and the election of RR was the first of many heartbreaks.

And I despised Nixon, too.

[gopiscrap]

186. I think Reagan was the worst president we've ever had

[duffyduff]

96. It makes people feel "superior" because they just KNOW "fat" is a result of sloth, of

some defect in the person's character, of "eating too much" and "exercising too little" and other such bullshit.

It's a bunch of judgmental bullshit based on bigotry.

[Puzzledtraveller]

109. ^^this^^

[Agschmid]

142. Yup!

[Ed Suspicious]

97. "It is equal or worse to be fat than a humanity-loathing republican." is the takeaway from the

fat descriptor usage.

I wish obese people didn't need to face the persecution that do. It's pretty tough when even big-tent democrats loathe your existence. There is no quarter for those who struggle with obesity. None.

[duffyduff]

103. The first thing we can do is quit using the term "fat" or "obese" to describe body size

that doesn't meet the fashion industry or society's approval.

Body size doesn't equal worth.

Oh, and people, stop using the "health" bullshit to judge others because it isn't true that "obesity" is the biggest health concern, contrary to tons of propaganda.

[Agschmid]

112. +1

[MyNameGoesHere]

98. So alert those posts that offend, don't try to protect and promote

the large one here.

[Agschmid]

111. Felt good to put...

"The large one" in your post huh?

[MyNameGoesHere]

113. Why yes it did

Offended? Hit that little alert button.

[Agschmid]

115. No need.

I'd rather call you on your hatred openly.

[MyNameGoesHere]

117. And I would rather call you on your support of crispie. eom

[Agschmid]

119. The whole support Christie meme is a big LOL.

As clearly stated up thread, I don't support him, I would never give him money, I would never phone bank for him, I would never tell anyone to vote for him. I would clearly argue against him on the merits such as his anti-choice, anti-gay, anti min. wage increase, and anti-union positions...

But because I refuse to call him hateful words, disgusting words, and words that in no way match a liberal progressive agenda...

I must be his number 1 supporter.

Please continue to try to explain to me how the logic on that works. Oh and while you are at it feel free to throw out some racist, or homophobic terms since hate comes so easy to you.

[MyNameGoesHere]

120. I don't think calling him large is hateful, it is a fact.

[LanternWaste]

181. Much as calling subsistence farmers in Rwanda "skels" is a fact

Much as calling subsistence farmers in Rwanda "skels" is a fact... and also quite indicative of one's character should they choose to use it.

[MyNameGoesHere]

183. You had to dig up into your

orifice deep for that one. I give you no credit. Lame and dumb comparison. Large person is a large person. And that is a fact.

[LanternWaste]

179. That petulant and visceral satisfaction we desire often becomes a greater priority than the actual c

That third-grade petulance and visceral satisfaction we desire often becomes a greater priority than the actual cause of it, and does no good on any level.

Rather bemusing to watch it happen firsthand, though...

[bitchkitty]

99. Some people are bullies.

I'd wager that they made the fat kids in their classes miserable.

I don't care about his weight. I hate weight discrimination, and cruelty of any kind. So to those who make fat jokes and judge based on weight, fuck you, assholes.

Christy's a dick. He'd be a dick if he were skinny. His weight is beside the point.

[oldhippie]

100. He's a Republican ......

... and deserves whatever he gets.

[Agschmid]

114. Disgusting.

[Doctor_J]

135. and if he were a Dem he would be tormented 24/7 by 1200 radio stations

and every newspaper in the land for it. His political affiliation should not grant him immunity from ridicule

[bowens43]

102. when you stop making excuses for the despicable lack of support for the dem candidate in NJ

[kentuck]

105. I would rather have President Chris Christie....

than to hear someone call him "President Fatso". That's a tough choice but we have to stand our ground. When have Republicans ever ridiculed anything about Democrats?

[ehrnst]

106. Yes - there's enough to mock and criticize about him without bringing weight into it. (nt)

[Agschmid]

116. +1

[GoCubsGo]

164. Exactly right. n/t

[Vashta Nerada]

107. I really don't give a crap about Christie and I really don't give a crap about his weight.

[kentuck]

110. When he jabs his finger at someone and yells disparaging remarks at them...

They should say:

"I'll come up there and kick your skinny ass!"

[Mira]

118. WHY?

women, homosexuals, muslims, non-caucasions are who they are from birth.

Self admittedly Chris Christie is obese from his own choices about overeating. I have seen a few photos of him when he was "normal" looking. That certainly is not true now, though as we all know,he has had his stomach stapled and is losing weight dramatically.

Actually, even now he is so fat that he looks unpresidential.
It's the truth in my eyes.

He is unpresidential for a lot of other reasons, in those same eyes of mine, but that's not for this thread.

[Ed Suspicious]

123. Here we go. It demonstrates a moral shortcoming... a lack of self control if one is fat. A

shortcoming so severe it would disqualify one from positions of leadership. Much like it's a choice to be poor. If only those pathetic poor people would do something about their hideous condition. It's not normal to have so little money.

I, for one, welcome our rich, skinny, white, male overlords.

[Sheldon Cooper]

130. Bravo!!!

[laundry_queen]

136. +1. Good post. nt

[HappyMe]

145. Good point.

President Obama smoked, so I guess he's morally bereft and has no self control.

[leftstreet]

158. +1

Excellent rant!

[Mira]

160. Your sarcasm is not appropriate. Nor are your comparisons

and neither are your generalizations. We simply disagree and it's to a point where I want to respond.
Not really a big deal, just an irritant.

This post compared human conditions we are born with, to conditions that we could conceivably control.
I realize there are approximately (is it 5 %?) of obese people who are not in any way responsible for their plight.
And I also realize it is mostly their problem to live with, but sometimes not.
(have you been squeezed up breathlessly against a window in an airplane by someone who spills into more than half your seat? Or people you need to have special chairs for with 4x4 legs?)

Then in the post it seems people went on about addictions etc. - they are also not comparable in any way you stretch it.

And yeah, I for one reserve the right to say I would be embarrassed by a President who looks like CChristie did.
Because in 95 % (again I could be off in the number) of cases it would suggest to our citizens and those of the rest of the world poor impulse control and addiction to a substance, and possibly someone who would put off dealing with a national crisis to finish gulping down a whole chicken.
(I've seen that eaten for lunch by a person who was 350 pounds which is less than CChristie used to be)


But I must say, in all fairness, I cannot conceive of a President who would embarrass me more than George W. Bush did. EVER.

About addictions, I HATED that I smoked, when I did. And quitting was the hardest thing I ever did after 30 years of it. But they have nothing to do with the post.

[oldhippie]

172. Not a moral shortcoming ....

... but perhaps a self-disciplining shortcoming?

[laundry_queen]

134. Here's the thing

there are a lot of reasons for obesity. Some may have to do with personal choices but here's a shocking truth: It only takes one extra slice of bread a day to render a person obese over 10 years. Yes, Chris Christie being a 'personal responsibility' guy probably would say, "hey, I eat too much!" but that's not the whole truth. Some people are predisposed to weight gain.

And I'm sick of people rolling their eyes when I say that. I see it in my own children.

I'm predisposed to gain weight. I'm obese. I have PCOS. I've had problems ever since I hit puberty (was a normal weight before that and as a teen managed to stay 'normal' - on the heavier side but still 'normal' by skipping meals and exercising obsessively. It all went to hell when I got pregnant.) My ex - my kids' dad - was always thin as a kid. My oldest kid has a BMI of 18. Barely. She's very thin. Always has been. I had doctors on my case all the time when she was a toddler because she was very low on the growth chart (under 5% at one point). She's as healthy as a horse. Never gets sick. Eats tons. Out eats me by double. Is a couch potato. My second daughter has always been off the growth charts on the other end - way over 100%. She had unending rolls as a baby. As a toddler, she was wearing a size 6X. She's on the heavy side now (she's bigger than I was as a teen). She is a 'jock'. She plays sports, she's always active (she's the kid always yelling, "I'm going for a bike ride now! I'm going for a walk, 'k mom? I'm going to go play soccer now!&quot and she eats like a freakin' bird. She's very picky about food. She outweighs dd#1 by about 40 lbs (she's a couple inches taller too).

Both girls were raised the same way, both were breastfed in terms of years, both have had the same routine, the same activities....why the disparity? Does my second child lack willpower? No. Is she lazy? Nope. Does she overeat? Rarely. Dd#1 overeats regularly and spends a lot of her money from her job on junk food and eating out (she's also a foodie and is a great baker and is always baking - and eating - cookies and cakes and brownies) DD#2 is way too cheap to spend her money on candy, LOL.

So in MY kids' case, they were their body shape FROM BIRTH. (I should really scan some baby pictures to show the disparity).

EVEN IF Chris Christie's obesity IS because he's an overeater (and really, compulsive eating is an addiction and should be treated like any other addiction - I don't see people ridiculing addicts on this site) it is STILL HURTFUL when people comment on his weight for those of us who have struggled with this. It bothers me immensely because I know the struggle my second daughter is going to face because of people like that - and she's going to be branded as lazy, slovenly, no willpower and people are going to see her weight as a character flaw, and she's going to make less money than my oldest daughter, and she's going to have a harder time with her doctors compared with my oldest daughter.

And it makes me sad, upset and angry.

This whole thread makes me want to vomit, really. For those of you who get it, thank you. For those who don't, you make the world a crappier place for my daughter.

[Ed Suspicious]

146. Hug from a stranger for you. I'm right there with you with two daughters with

wildly different body types. Both incredibly sweet and sensitive people without a hurtful bone in their body. The challenges my youngest will face that she never asked for and are now, as a 13 year old are rapidly being revealed to her. It's a tragic scenario. And it's a scenario over which she has astonishingly little control.

[laundry_queen]

147. My younger one is also 13

and she's starting to realize the same thing. Hugs to you and your daughter.

[Skittles]

177. worthy of its own thread, laundry_queen

I've never been overweight but I remember defending fat schoolmates from the vile taunts of others......I don't see the point in trashing someone for their weight, especially when so many people struggle with extra pounds

[laundry_queen]

184. Not sure I have the strength for that

but thanks for your support.

[Katashi_itto]

122. No. He uses his considerable body language to intimidate and bully.

[kydo]

138. This post makes the most sense imho of the whole thread.

Christie is a bully.

The only reason he is even addressing his weight is because he wants to be prez. I commend him for using the lap-band to loose the weight.

But that still doesn't change what he is, a bully.

[HappyMe]

131. There are about 100 other things to

throw in Christie's face. Being overweight/obese isn't one of them.

[Agschmid]

144. +1

[pipi_k]

143. Never gonna happen...

Because it's pretty plain that too many people aren't creative enough to come up with other reasons for not liking him.

Or the Republican punching bag du jour.

Not that I have a problem with making punching bags out of some Republicans because most of them deserve it.

But they deserve it on what they've DONE...not what they are, or how they look.

One of the funniest features on the old DU was the weekly Conservative Idiots piece, written by someone who didn't need to resort to 3rd grade name-calling tactics in order to make a point.

I admire creativity and intelligence.

[bigwillq]

148. I agree. We can make a point about how awful Christe is

without bringing up his weight.

[Stainless]

149. Christie's weight is a legitimate concern

So is his temperament. The POTUS is an extremely high stress job and obesity coupled with stress is a recipe for disaster. The voters don't want someone who is likely to have a stroke or a heart attack at a critical moment. As I see it, Christie has two years to achieve a presidential appearance and demeanor to even be considered as a viable candidate.

[libdem4life]

159. There are 3 distinct body types one is born with...like eye color and height...modern science

came up with it recently. Ancient science came up with it thousands of years ago.

My dad tended to be portly and rotund. My mother was skinny. My father died of pancreatic cancer at 69. He never smoked or drank and always ate healthily. My mother died at 94 with nothing wrong but her heart just gave out. It was my thought that since my mother shopped and cooked for what worked for her body type, it didn't work so well for my dad.

Three sisters got my father's body type...luckily I got my mother's. I have watched all three of them go up and down and mostly up again in misery and frustration. It's a matter of metabolism and the accompanying digestive abilities.

Modern Science: http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/becker3.htm

Ectomorphs, Endomorphs and Mesomorphs and all variations thereof

Ancient Science: http://www.doctoroz.com/ayurvedic-body-type-find-your-dosha

Kapha, Pitta and Vata et all

The Aurvedic material includes specific food types that fit within each specific type. It's a fascinating study about which body type digests and metabolizes certain foods and not others. The entire system is how to work with and optimize the body type you were born with. The Buddha and many of the early Earth Mothers were "ample" and served as role models.

Both sciences challenge the "lack of will power" as the primary reason for weight gain...your body type is not a choice. What you do with it, of course, is.

The SAD...Standard American Diet...and the Standard Model Waif in the media, are equally unhealthy, no matter your type.

[alp227]

189. Right. I was just reading the wikipedia article about Ariel Sharon, former Israeli PM

who got a stroke while in office has has been vegetative for the past 7 or so years!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariel_Sharon#Health_problems_and_incapacitation

Since the 1980s, Sharon had suffered from obesity, and suspected chronic high blood pressure and high cholesterol - he was reputed to be 170 cm (5 ft 7 in) tall and to weigh 115 kg (254 lb).[51] His staff car would reportedly be stocked with snacks, vodka and caviar.[2] Stories of Ariel Sharon's appetite and obesity were legendary in Israel. He would often joke about his love of food and expansive girth.[52] He was a daily consumer of cigars and luxury foods. Numerous attempts were made by doctors, friends and staff to impose a balanced diet on Sharon, but they never succeeded.[53]

(But to be the devil's advocate, Sharon was Israeli Minister of Defense during the early '80s...and was still trusted with the red button in that era.)

Question is, putting political partisanship aside, with all the anti-obesity bigotry in America, is our nation ready for a fat president? It was tough enough to get Americans to warm up to a black president even 40+ years after the end of Jim Crow.

[pink-o]

150. You inspired me to really think about this...

I wrote this after mulling it over for awhile!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023995808

[quinnox]

151. No, people are free to express their opinions about Christie

Not a fan of censorship, or attempting to stifle free speech. If you don't like some posts or certain threads, trash them or use ignore.

[itsrobert]

153. unless christie loses weight

There is a high probabily he won't complete his first term as president leaving his vp as president. IF elected! President jindal?

[HappyMe]

154. He has had lap band surgery and has lost 40 lbs.

He also said that he knows he has a long way to go.

[itsrobert]

155. yes. an issue.

A long way to go.

[HappyMe]

156. Then shouldn't age be an issue?

edit to add --

I would be interested to know if this were Christine Christie would be so adamant about it being an issue also.

[Pretzel_Warrior]

157. Come on...in the words of Leslie Chow

"Hahahaha...it's funny because he's fat!"

[AnotherMcIntosh]

161. Nope. Fat bullies should be called out.

This is the type of guy would would literally eat your lunch.

[sibelian]

167. I agree. If nothing else, I see very little that's actually insulting about it.

If you want to make tasteless offensive jokes about nasty politicians there are almost always WAY nastier ways of being satisfyingly crude and offensive without resorting to personal qualities that loads of very nice people also happen to share with your target.

Calling people fat mostly just makes folk look like teenagers, IMNSVHO.

[Beacool]

171. He's an ugly man, and it goes far beyond his morbid obesity.

He's a bully, overbearing, rude and just plain nasty. He's dismissive of anyone who doesn't agree with him and tries to belittle them.

The teacher who he stuck his finger at was left traumatized by the experience. What he needs is someone who can talk to the bastard at his same level. Someone who can push back, bullies are cowards at heart.

[alterfurz]

174. "Let's not let a bunch of cheap jokes about Chris Christie's weight distract us...

...from the fact that he's an asshole." -- Andy Borowitz

[Mira]

175. OMG - your name makes me laugh

it's a lot less potent than "neuerfurz" eh?

Reading a book right now: "Wo kommsch denn Du alds Arschloch her?" Ulrich Kienzle
Just in case you read German

[alterfurz]

191. glad the name brought a chuckle

When I first signed up here, "alter" wasn't quite so applicable as "furz" but it sure is now.

Quite the intriguing title to your current read!

[Skittles]

176. I agree

[Purveyor]

180. I had my ass 'handed to me' back in my early days at DU for suggesting Candy Crowley resembled

a cow.

Lesson well taken.

[Prophet 451]

187. Am I allowed to call him a bullying prick?

Being on the heavy side myself, I was a bit uncomfortable at vilifying Christie for his weight. If you check my profile though, I found lots of other things to vilify him for instead!

[Corruption Inc]

188. What kind of jokes pass your censorship rules?

Please list them all so there's a guideline to follow as we are all now slaves to your joke rules. LOL.

[Orsino]

192. Ones worthy of DU rather than of that other site.

Christie's evident obesity is the least malignant thing about him.

[fadedrose]

190. How right you are . . .

As much as I love Dave Letterman, his constant joking about Christie's weight is making him look bad, not Christie.

Same goes for Mayor Bloomberg and the jokes about his height. The writers must be hard up for good material......