News Anchor responds to "fat" comment.

[Rageaholic]

I thought this was an amusing story. A news anchor recieved a letter from some douchebag saying that she's a bad example because she's overweight. So she responds on air, accusing him of being a bully.

The guy who wrote the letter sounds like a condescending dick. I don't care how "nice" or "well intentioned" he sounded, he was a colassal tool. In fact, had he just trolled her like some 12 year old who just discovered the internet, it would have been less insulting than what he actually wrote (IMO of course). Doesn't he have better things to do than worry about some local news anchor being overweight? Very condescending.

With that said, I can't say I fully support the anchor either. As much as the guy was a dick, it was just a private email that didn't need national attention. Plus, I don't know if that's really "bullying" as much as being a douche. Doesn't bullying usually involve some sort of cotinual harassment?

Of course, he makes himself look like an even bigger tool when he stands by his comment.

http://www.nydailynews.com/life-styl...icle-1.1174753

Here's what he said.

"Considering Jennifer Livingston's fortuitous position in the community, I hope she will finally take advantage of a rare and golden opportunity to influence the health and psychological well-being of [C]oulee [R]egion children by transforming herself for all of her viewers to see over the next year,” viewer Kenneth Krause said in a statement.

“And, to that end, I would be absolutely pleased to offer any advice or support she would be willing to accept,” he added.

*rage* people like that make me rage. Does he really think she needs (let alone wants) this assclowns help? It figures he's a lawyer...

[SkullKing]

It's unusual that I see your morning show, but I did so for a very short time today. I was surprised indeed to witness that your physical condition hasn't improved for many years. Surely you don't consider yourself a suitable example for this community's young people, girls in particular. Obesity is one of the worst choices a person can make and one of the most dangerous habits to maintain. I leave you this note hoping that you'll reconsider your responsibility as a local public personality to present and promote a healthy lifestyle.

Not saying he is not a douche bag, but from what I saw, he isn´t a bully he did not harass her or anything.

He politelly and privately told her his opinion. Athough he could be more tactful "Surely you don't consider yourself a suitable example for this community's young people" is too much, there are many things that influence if a person can be a good example for others. healthy habits is one but relatively low in importance IMHO

She should just have taken the constructive criticism, or deleted the e-mail and moved on with her life.

She and her husband blew it out of proportion.

Frankly, I think it was unprofessional.

[Greenday]

What's killing me is how people are praising her and making her into a martyr, like she's done something great.

Obesity is a problem. Just how many people are obese due to medical problems or prescription drugs they take? It seems like everyone's got an excuse these days. South Park hit this right on the head with this week's episode.

[AdminAssistant]

So, she can't be a news anchor because she's overweight? That's like saying someone can't be a news anchor because they are a smoker. Is she good at her job? Does she deliver the news in a fair and unbiased way? If that answer is yes, then she is a good example of a news anchor.

Obesity is a problem, okay. But, and I italicize for emphasis, you cannot judge someone's health based on their physical appearance. She is not morbidly obese. She could have PCOS, or any of a multitude of conditions that make losing weight difficult. She could have recently had a baby or miscarriage. There are too many factors that cause weight gain for Judgy McJudgerton to tell someone else that they should "lose weight or get off the air." Skinny people can be unhealthy, too. How many of those judging this woman also eat horribly and don't exercise, but simply have the metabolism to let them get away with it?

Look, I think it's completely immoral for people to have a lot of kids. Our earth's resources are limited as is, and you want to add to the number just for the satisfaction of having your own baseball team? I hate that their are still girls in this country who want nothing more out of life than to be a stay-at-home mom; I think it's a waste. But, I don't write letters to these people telling them that they are a bad "role model" because I don't agree with their way of life. I just live my life in the best way I know how, and I ask others to do the same. But, hey, I'm a fattie, so feel free to tell me that I'm an awful, horrible person. And PLEASE tell me about it repeatedly and give me diet tips, because I'm too stupid to know otherwise.

[Rageaholic]

What's killing me is how people are praising her and making her into a martyr, like she's done something great.

Obesity is a problem. Just how many people are obese due to medical problems or prescription drugs they take? It seems like everyone's got an excuse these days. South Park hit this right on the head with this week's episode.

I agree that she's not the hero people are making her out to be, but the guy was still being a dick.

[Andara Bledin]

A few comments:

First, his writing to her in her capacity as a professional opened him up to her responding in her capacity as a professional. Sucks to be him that she's using him as a prop to publicize an issue she cares about, but then he shouldn't have sent the letter in the first place.

Second, she said specifically that his words were an attempt to shame her into changing. That is how she took his letter, and that is a form of bullying. Sure, he's not giving her swirlies or calling her names (they way he writes, I feel they're implied), but he's still dismissing her obvious success (he acknowledges that she's been on the air for "many years") as a positive factor for a role model and focusing purely on a physical trait, which may or may not be unhealthy (that's between her and her doctor and anyone else she chooses to include).

I seriously want to know how the phrase, "Surely you don’t consider yourself a suitable example for this community’s young people," can be taken as anything other than hurtful.

Obesity may be a problem, but so is being needlessly judgmental to people you don't know. One of those is really easy to fix; the other takes a lifetime of work.

But here we are, with people saying the one that needs to change is her and letting him off with a pat on the back.

^-.-^

[Greenday]

So, she can't be a news anchor because she's overweight? That's like saying someone can't be a news anchor because they are a smoker.

NJ101.5 was discussing this and one of the guys made a good point. Would you let a smoker smoke on set? Nope.

[fireheart17]

Obesity is a problem, okay. But, and I italicize for emphasis, you cannot judge someone's health based on their physical appearance. She is not morbidly obese. She could have PCOS, or any of a multitude of conditions that make losing weight difficult. She could have recently had a baby or miscarriage. There are too many factors that cause weight gain for Judgy McJudgerton to tell someone else that they should "lose weight or get off the air." Skinny people can be unhealthy, too. How many of those judging this woman also eat horribly and don't exercise, but simply have the metabolism to let them get away with it?

Look, I think it's completely immoral for people to have a lot of kids. Our earth's resources are limited as is, and you want to add to the number just for the satisfaction of having your own baseball team? I hate that their are still girls in this country who want nothing more out of life than to be a stay-at-home mom; I think it's a waste. But, I don't write letters to these people telling them that they are a bad "role model" because I don't agree with their way of life. I just live my life in the best way I know how, and I ask others to do the same. But, hey, I'm a fattie, so feel free to tell me that I'm an awful, horrible person. And PLEASE tell me about it repeatedly and give me diet tips, because I'm too stupid to know otherwise.

QFT and a few additional points on that.

There are medications that can cause weight gain. For some, it's only a couple of kilos. For others, it can result in them going up a few dress sizes.

According to the outdated and archaic BMI, I'm obese. Yet, according to a report from a psychiatrist (someone who has had medical training), I was "mildly overweight". I also swim, teach kids how to swim and yet I'm still an American Size 14 (for Aussies, that's a size 18). The kids adore me. They are not going to go and beg mum for McDonalds simply because their swim teacher looks like she ate 10 Big Macs. Same when I went on placement (although their teacher was bigger than me). I

Sort of taking a leaf out of Admin's book, I find religious wackos who harass others to be immoral, but I'm not going to write a letter to them demanding that they be shot in the head out in the nearest alley. I just mind-fuck them and go away

[AdminAssistant]

Is she eating on set? Or just committing the apparent crime of being overweight in public?

[Andara Bledin]

NJ101.5 was discussing this and one of the guys made a good point. Would you let a smoker smoke on set? Nope.

If she's not eating on set, then the entire question is utterly irrelevant.

He's still a smoker whether he smokes on set or not. Besides, if you're being honest, he's likely indulged in his addiction more regularly and more recently than she.

Plus, nobody needs cigarettes to survive; food is an entirely different animal.

^-.-^

[Greenday]

Plus, nobody needs cigarettes to survive; food is an entirely different animal.

^-.-^

Yea, but a lot of people are getting a LOT more calories than they actually need to maintain an even somewhat healthy body. So it's not like so many obese people are eating enough to survive.

I mean really. Every time someone is considered obese, the medication and health problems excuses come out. No, for some reason, it's no longer possible for a person to be morbidly obese because of over-indulgence.

[HYHYBT]

Would anyone who wants to take the position that the letter-writer was right please explain why people cannot be role models unless they have no flaws. Because that's the essence of it. She can't be a good role model in a general sense, or perhaps in a specific sense unrelated to diet and exercise, because she takes in more calories than she burns.

By that standard, obviously, nobody can be a role model for anybody.

[AdminAssistant]

I mean really. Every time someone is considered obese, the medication and health problems excuses come out.

So, since you have put yourself in a position of judging this woman, can we all assume that you are a specimen of perfect health?

[Greenday]

So, since you have put yourself in a position of judging this woman, can we all assume that you are a specimen of perfect health?

Nope, I'm overweight myself due to inactivity. But unlike some people, I'm actually doing something about it to become better.

[Rageaholic]

Would anyone who wants to take the position that the letter-wrighter was right please explain why people cannot be role models unless they have no flaws. Because that's the essence of it. She can't be a good role model in a general sense, or perhaps in a specific sense unrelated to diet and exercise, because she takes in more calories than she burns.

By that standard, obviously, nobody can be a role model for anybody.

And even then, where did she sign up to be a role model for anyone? She's a local news anchor, not Jesus Christ.