*Pre blog disclaimer.* I do not believe that anyone most people have the right to be made fun of. Especially kids. That being said, I'm going to hop on my soap box for a bit.
Ahem....
When asked what my biggest pet peeve is, if I answer honestly, I'll offend people. Lots of people. People whom I consider my friends. People who, despite their situation, cause me some mental anguish or confusion... but its not them, its their circumstances. Its choices - which they are, of course, free to make on their own. It has nothing to do with the size of their heart, the content of their character, or their value as a human being - it all revolves around me.
This morning's hot topic on the Today Show was a PSA released by the Georgia Department of Health concerning childhood obesity. Its a topic that effects us all, whether we want to admit it or not. It effects our future as a society. It effects that child's present and future, as well as his family's present and future. In order to combat a future possibly filled with heart troubles, self esteem issues, diabetes, cancer, and a host of other problems, Georgia decided to take a stand. I applaud them. You can watch some of the clips, below. Please know that the kids in the PSA were all child "actors" repeating quotes taken from obese children in the state.
So, if we think that by NOT telling these kids why they need to get healthy, or how to actually reach a healthy weight, we are protecting them, protecting their feelings, or teaching them that they are just fine the way they are, what are we really telling them? Are we saving their self esteem? I think they deserve a little more credit than that. They know very well that they are bigger than they should be. They know they are too tired to play hard with their friends. They hear the kids at school call them names - whether its a nice thing for their peers to do or not. I wasn't ever the "fat" kid, but I was most certainly never the skinny, tiny little thing. I caught flack for it when I was younger. When that kid said he hides chips under his bed, I get that! He's a sneaky one, and I have one like that at my house right now... and we don't have chips at our house very often for that very reason. I can't stand the thought of my kids battling their weight for the rest of their life, as so many people struggle with just that, every day! Perhaps I'm wrong in thinking this, but I've never heard it mentioned that an obese person feels truly comfortable with themselves, their health, and wants to be obese. I'm quite certain it has been said, but meant...?
I have said, more than once, that we have become a society that never wants anyone to feel like they don't get their way, that everyone and everything is okay. This is just another sad example of putting a band aid on an issue that shouldn't be an issue at all. We love our convenience in the U.S. of A. whether its convenience food, convenience feelings, convenience travel, or convenience stores. We eat junk for fun, because its easy, because it tastes good, and because our bodies crave it. Of course we crave it, its a mood lifter! Its full of all kinds of fats, sugars, and chemicals that make us need more. And the next thing we know we've gained weight.
Its much easier to tell ourselves that its alright for a kid to be overweight because he's "special" or "just the way God made him". Maybe we've said, those other kids are just being cruel - true, they are... but they are also being honest. And sometimes, the truth hurts.
I hope I'm not leaving you all with a bad taste in your mouth. To me, comparing obesity to racism or sexual orientation is comparing apples to oranges, some would argue that point. People are people, they deserve love - even if that comes in the form of tough love and honesty at times.
After a week of Royal Weddings, Terrorist Assassinations, potty training, primary elections, skyrocketing gas prices, spring flowers, and whatever else might be going on in YOUR life... have a little inspiration. From me to you.
I remember one moment, I tried to forget I lost myself, is it better not said Now I'm closer to the edge It was a thousand to one And a million to two Time to go down in flames and I'm taking you Closer to the edge No, I'm not saying I'm sorry One day maybe we'll meet again No, I'm not saying I'm sorry One day maybe we'll meet again NO NO NO NO Can can can you imagine a time when the truth ran free The birth of a song and the death of a dream Closer to the edge This never ending story Paid for with pride and fate We all fall short of glory LOST IN OUR FATE No, I'm not saying I'm sorry One day maybe we'll meet again No, I'm not saying I'm sorry One day maybe we'll meet again NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO I will never forget NO NO I will never regret NO NO I WILL LIVE MY LIFE NO NO NO NO I will never forget NO NO I will never regret NO NO I WILL LIVE MY LIFE No, I'm not saying I'm sorry One day maybe we'll meet again NO NO No, I'm not saying I'm sorry One day maybe we'll meet again NO NO NO NO Closer to the edge Closer to the edge NO NO NO NO Closer to the edge Closer to the edge NO NO NO NO Closer to the edge
I am an American. Some days I love that title. Other days I do not. Today, I'm all twisted up. Its not because I'm not feeling blessed to live in a country where we stand up for what we believe in without the fear of persecution by our government. I do. Its not because I don't understand how actually safe we are compared to many other places in this world. I do. And its not because I am not feeling slightly avenged at the death of Osama bin Laden. I most certainly am. I'm obscenely proud of the dedication our military forces puts forth twenty four hours a day; through holidays, the birth of their children, the death of their family, and the utters of disapproval of so many. They are fantastic, and today is their shining moment. Osama bin Laden, the world's most wanted man, is dead. And I'm not cheering. At the loss of a better idea, I'm going to share some of my favorite Facebook and Twitter responses to today's headline. I hope you don't mind if you are featured...
I can not bring myself to watch the American parties in the streets over Bin Laden's death. Its just everything we growl at - except its us. ::: Can you tell Im having a weird morning?
In the words of Mark Twain, "I have never wished a man dead, but I have read some obituaries with great pleasure." This is as close as I can get to explaining things. My first reaction to the news of this man's death was a silent stun. Seriously? We found him? Are you sure it was him? What will the retaliation be from his supporters? So I turned on the Today Show and watched a beautiful interview with Alice Hoagland, a mother of one of the men on the flight that was downed in Pennsylvania during the 9/11 attacks. Her poise was astonishing, and as she rattled through the names of so many others on that flight, I started thinking of the raw emotion that must be coursing through survivors, widows, widowers, and families everywhere. OSAMA BIN LADIN is dead... and nothing has changed for them. I'm sure that there is some closure in his death, and I truly hope that they get the peace that they deserve.
Please understand that its not that I think today wasn't important. It is an fantastic victory for the men and women of our intelligence and military forces who have played the world's longest game of hide and seek for the past ten years. They won... as we knew they would eventually. I wondered, how it feels to be a member of the Navy SEAL Team 6, knowing that you were responsible from ridding the world from one more crazy asshole. Forget the lottery, you just hit the jackpot!
But in the midst of all the pride in our Navy and CIA teams, there were these pictures that made my stomach clench. Perhaps Nikki was right in noting that they were from the initial announcement, and I really didn't see them until the morning news. But they had such a strong similarity to the pictures that we just can't stand to watch. And what's more, were these same people the ones that were so against any type of military action just 24 hours ago when we had no idea what was going to happen? Is there not some kind of hypocrisy going on here?
Its not really all that different... and that unnerves me.
And then there was the question at 7:45 this morning as to whether the picture evidence of Bin Laden's face would be released. That question was answered in six hours. I saw the picture and I can tell you that it looks pretty much what a gunshot to a terrorist head would look like. And, in the midst of all of the celebration there is still the reminder that people are hurting.
