THE BROWNIE TAX! - JOHN F. GROOM

We’ve all heard about the ongoing battle of lawyers and plaintiffs to hold the tobacco industry responsible for a wide variety of health ills.

That’s just the beginning. In a society where the concept of individual responsibility has been under attack for quite some time, there is almost no action that can’t be blamed on others.

Take your daily diet. Do you like milk? Norman Mayo does. He drinks lots of it. So much that he thinks milk was responsible for his recent stroke. So, like any good modern-day American, Mayo decided to file suit. His targets? Safeway Supermarkets and the Dairy Farmers of America. Said Mayo, “…milk is just as dangerous as tobacco.”

Of course any good movement requires an intellectual vanguard, and Yale University is here to provide it. Two Yale University researchers recently attacked the food industry for providing food “…high in fat, high in calories, delicious, widely available and low in cost.” We’re not joking — Kelly Brownell, director of Yale’s Center For Eating and Weight Disorders, actually said this.

We can only assume that Ms. Brownell would prefer that Americans eat a steady diet of nasty tasting, expensive, and hard-to-find food. If we couldn’t afford to eat, can’t find food, and don’t like the taste, we’d all be bound to shed a few pounds. True enough.

We had always thought that producing food that tasted good, was affordable, and widely available was one of the great achievements of modern society. But we’re pretty naive.

Ms. Brownell has an innovative solution: A fat tax. Foods that contribute to obesity would be subject to special taxes. This notion is not as far-fetched as it might seem. There are already a host of “sin taxes” which supposedly discourage consumption of alcohol and cigarettes. A sin tax on brownies and chocolate chip cookies could be just around the corner.

Here at The Outrage we normally have a breakfast of steak and eggs after we finish the morning update. But we’re about to make a change. We’re going to add a dessert of milk and brownies to our morning repast. Get it while you can.

(Source: Townhall .)

jaxsamlasch kommensie

Time: 10/13/97 (8:30:30)

Our understanding of the modern academic environment leads us to believe that Brownell would, in fact, appreciate being called Ms. Being identified as a man is, in this age, just so passe, regardless of “biological gender.”

In that case, your understanding of the “modern academic environment” is flawed. Perhaps Professor Brownell might be amused that you label him as “Ms.” because it only demonstrates the depths of your own ignorance. But if, in fact, Dr. Brownell prefers to eschew gender-laden pronouns altogether, you cannot go wrong by identifying him as “Kelly.”

And anyone in favor of a tax on fattening foods deserves what they get.

So, in your world, taking a position that runs contrary to your own, even if it only invokes an individual’s right of free expression, justifies any retribution?

Time: 10/10/97 (10:53:37)

Regarding the comment below:

The word “aggrandize” has not one, but two, g’s. Take you own advice: “Maybe you should take just a teensy bit more time to understand what you’re writing about. But then you couldn’t strut around and lambast people you don’t understand in order to agrandize yourself.”

Our understanding of the modern academic environment leads us to believe that Brownell would, in fact, appreciate being called Ms. Being identified as a man is, in this age, just so passe, regardless of “biological gender.”

And anyone in favor of a tax on fattening foods deserves what they get.

Time: 10/10/97 (8:36:37)

…Two Yale University researchers recently attacked the food industry for providing food “…high in fat, high in calories, delicious, widely available and low in cost.” We’re not joking –Kelly Brownell, director of Yale’s Center For Eating and Weight Disorders, actually said this.

We can only assume that Ms. Brownell would prefer that Americans eat a steady diet of nasty tasting, expensive, and hard-to-find food.

OR, perhaps, instead of shooting off your mouth like this, you could ASK what Professor. Brownell would prefer. But be careful, most male professors in my experience don’t take kindly to being called “Ms.”

So if you asked, he probably would reply that he would prefer food “…low in fat, low in calories, delicious, widely available and low in cost.” Have you got a problem with that?

Maybe you should take just a teensy bit more time to understand what you’re writing about.

But then you couldn’t strut around and lambast people you don’t understand in order to agrandize yourself.

*****

From Yale’s web page, found in about 2 minutes:

Kelly D. Brownell
Ph.D., 1977, Rutgers University
The theme underlying my research, which deals primarily with eating and body weight regulation, is an interest in the intersection of behavior and health. One focus is the conflict between culture, which shapes the perception that our bodies and our health can be controlled, and the genetic, environmental, and other factors which limit actual personal control. We are studying the degree to which body weight and shape can be altered, and how this is influenced by factors such as genetic predisposition, body fat distribution, life stress, the modern diet, and psychological status.

We are currently investigating a number of issues related to eating disorders, obesity, and more generally, health psychology. Projects are underway on the effects of stress and depression on eating, the association of physical and sexual abuse to the etiology of eating disorders and obesity, the psychological consequences of obesity, cognitive predispositions to eating disorders, interpersonal and cognitive-behavioral treatments for eating disorders, disordered eating and body image problems in athletes, exercise and body weight regulation, and the effects of weight cycling on behavior, metabolism, and health.

In the Yale Center for Eating and Weight Disorders, undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty take part in both clinical work and research pertaining to bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, and obesity. The stimulating environment provides multiple opportunities for clinical training and for research on all aspects of eating problems, ranging from etiology through prevention.

Brownell, K. D., & Rodin, J. (1994). The dieting maelstrom: Is it possible and advisable to lose weight? American Psychologist 49, 781-791.

Brownell, K. D., & Fairburn, C. G. (Eds.). (1995). Eating disorders and obesity: A comprehensive handbook. New York: Guilford.

Personally, I intend to sue God for not creating a perfect universe for me to live in. I’m also suing my parents for not being richer and the fact that I don’t look like Brad Pitt. I’m also considering suing them because I didn’t listen to some of the good advice they gave me.

I know some may say it’s my own damn fault for not listening, but I say I’d have listened if they’d been better parents.

If I have kids, I’m going to sue them for the frustration caused by them not listening to what I say and not doing everything I tell them to do. If they’re too compliant, I’ll sue them for the frustration of having to always tell them what to do.

This may sound selfish, but I am entitled to a perfect life and I don’t have it. It is the duty of everyone else to anticipate my every whim and have what I want ready for me before I even know I want it. No one is doing that. Everyone owes me, I owe no one.

If you think I’m irresponsible or infantile, I’ll have a fit and sue you too. Thanks, just had to get that off my chest after reading todays Outrage.

Time: 9/19/97 (14:16:25)

I am getting sick and tired of these asses suing everyone and over everything. Now we are talking about yet another tax on FAT. Then we must consider the “fat ass tax” which also apply to the “fat ass” politicians that have burden this society with tax upon tax to take care of the lazy fat asses that keep on voting for them.

While these politicans are at it, why not pass a “dumb ass” tax. This would apply to anyone who is dumb enough to think of voting for these “fat ass” politico’s. One more comment for Norman Mayo, if you think that milk gave you those strokes then you are also subject to the “dumb fat ass” law.

Time: 9/19/97 (13:44:54)

I would like to thank you for the story on the milk lawsuit. It has provided me with the necessary ispiration I need to sue the Ford Motor Company. You see, I am addicted to driving — fast driving no less. And it was their dastardly product, the Mustang GT, that has caused me to be addicted.

Just like the foods that Ms. Brownell was lamenting, the Mustang GT is cheap, relatively fast, fun to drive, and widely available. Surely it was this widespread availability at low cost that inspired me to purchase one.

The personal cost of this addiction has been enormous — hundreds of dollars in speeding tickets, raised insurance rates, deductibles after accidents, outrageous fuel costs, and numerous other untold hardships. But now all I need is a good lawyer and soon I’ll receive my just compensation for this speed addiction Ford has foisted upon me with its Devil product, the Mustang GT.

Time: 9/19/97 (11:14:46)

There is only one answer to this ridiculous situation. It must fall under it’s own weight. We should encourage everyone in the country to seek out attorneys who will take their case to sue anyone and everyone for all of their real or imagined problems.

Loading the courts with nuisance cases, ridiculous jury awards, etc., will force timid lawmakers to finally accept their responsibility and reform our system.

We need ‘loser pays’ legislative reform.

Thank you,
John

0 thoughts on “THE BROWNIE TAX!”

John Lattauzio says:

September 19, 1997 at 4:29 pm

jaxsamlasch kommensie

Time: 10/13/97 (8:30:30)

Our understanding of the modern academic environment leads us to believe that Brownell would, in fact, appreciate being called Ms. Being identified as a man is, in this age, just so passe, regardless of “biological gender.”

In that case, your understanding of the “modern academic environment” is flawed. Perhaps Professor Brownell might be amused that you label him as “Ms.” because it only demonstrates the depths of your own ignorance. But if, in fact, Dr. Brownell prefers to eschew gender-laden pronouns altogether, you cannot go wrong by identifying him as “Kelly.”

And anyone in favor of a tax on fattening foods deserves what they get.

So, in your world, taking a position that runs contrary to your own, even if it only invokes an individual’s right of free expression, justifies any retribution?

Time: 10/10/97 (10:53:37)

Regarding the comment below:

The word “aggrandize” has not one, but two, g’s. Take you own advice: “Maybe you should take just a teensy bit more time to understand what you’re writing about. But then you couldn’t strut around and lambast people you don’t understand in order to agrandize yourself.”

Our understanding of the modern academic environment leads us to believe that Brownell would, in fact, appreciate being called Ms. Being identified as a man is, in this age, just so passe, regardless of “biological gender.”

And anyone in favor of a tax on fattening foods deserves what they get.

Time: 10/10/97 (8:36:37)

…Two Yale University researchers recently attacked the food industry for providing food “…high in fat, high in calories, delicious, widely available and low in cost.” We’re not joking –Kelly Brownell, director of Yale’s Center For Eating and Weight Disorders, actually said this.

We can only assume that Ms. Brownell would prefer that Americans eat a steady diet of nasty tasting, expensive, and hard-to-find food.

OR, perhaps, instead of shooting off your mouth like this, you could ASK what Professor. Brownell would prefer. But be careful, most male professors in my experience don’t take kindly to being called “Ms.”

So if you asked, he probably would reply that he would prefer food “…low in fat, low in calories, delicious, widely available and low in cost.” Have you got a problem with that?

Maybe you should take just a teensy bit more time to understand what you’re writing about.

But then you couldn’t strut around and lambast people you don’t understand in order to agrandize yourself.

*****

From Yale’s web page, found in about 2 minutes:

Kelly D. Brownell
Ph.D., 1977, Rutgers University
The theme underlying my research, which deals primarily with eating and body weight regulation, is an interest in the intersection of behavior and health. One focus is the conflict between culture, which shapes the perception that our bodies and our health can be controlled, and the genetic, environmental, and other factors which limit actual personal control. We are studying the degree to which body weight and shape can be altered, and how this is influenced by factors such as genetic predisposition, body fat distribution, life stress, the modern diet, and psychological status.

We are currently investigating a number of issues related to eating disorders, obesity, and more generally, health psychology. Projects are underway on the effects of stress and depression on eating, the association of physical and sexual abuse to the etiology of eating disorders and obesity, the psychological consequences of obesity, cognitive predispositions to eating disorders, interpersonal and cognitive-behavioral treatments for eating disorders, disordered eating and body image problems in athletes, exercise and body weight regulation, and the effects of weight cycling on behavior, metabolism, and health.

In the Yale Center for Eating and Weight Disorders, undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty take part in both clinical work and research pertaining to bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, and obesity. The stimulating environment provides multiple opportunities for clinical training and for research on all aspects of eating problems, ranging from etiology through prevention.

Brownell, K. D., & Rodin, J. (1994). The dieting maelstrom: Is it possible and advisable to lose weight? American Psychologist 49, 781-791.

Brownell, K. D., & Fairburn, C. G. (Eds.). (1995). Eating disorders and obesity: A comprehensive handbook. New York: Guilford.

Personally, I intend to sue God for not creating a perfect universe for me to live in. I’m also suing my parents for not being richer and the fact that I don’t look like Brad Pitt. I’m also considering suing them because I didn’t listen to some of the good advice they gave me.

I know some may say it’s my own damn fault for not listening, but I say I’d have listened if they’d been better parents.

If I have kids, I’m going to sue them for the frustration caused by them not listening to what I say and not doing everything I tell them to do. If they’re too compliant, I’ll sue them for the frustration of having to always tell them what to do.

This may sound selfish, but I am entitled to a perfect life and I don’t have it. It is the duty of everyone else to anticipate my every whim and have what I want ready for me before I even know I want it. No one is doing that. Everyone owes me, I owe no one.

If you think I’m irresponsible or infantile, I’ll have a fit and sue you too. Thanks, just had to get that off my chest after reading todays Outrage.

Time: 9/19/97 (14:16:25)

I am getting sick and tired of these asses suing everyone and over everything. Now we are talking about yet another tax on FAT. Then we must consider the “fat ass tax” which also apply to the “fat ass” politicians that have burden this society with tax upon tax to take care of the lazy fat asses that keep on voting for them.

While these politicans are at it, why not pass a “dumb ass” tax. This would apply to anyone who is dumb enough to think of voting for these “fat ass” politico’s. One more comment for Norman Mayo, if you think that milk gave you those strokes then you are also subject to the “dumb fat ass” law.

Time: 9/19/97 (13:44:54)

I would like to thank you for the story on the milk lawsuit. It has provided me with the necessary ispiration I need to sue the Ford Motor Company. You see, I am addicted to driving — fast driving no less. And it was their dastardly product, the Mustang GT, that has caused me to be addicted.

Just like the foods that Ms. Brownell was lamenting, the Mustang GT is cheap, relatively fast, fun to drive, and widely available. Surely it was this widespread availability at low cost that inspired me to purchase one.

The personal cost of this addiction has been enormous — hundreds of dollars in speeding tickets, raised insurance rates, deductibles after accidents, outrageous fuel costs, and numerous other untold hardships. But now all I need is a good lawyer and soon I’ll receive my just compensation for this speed addiction Ford has foisted upon me with its Devil product, the Mustang GT.

Time: 9/19/97 (11:14:46)

There is only one answer to this ridiculous situation. It must fall under it’s own weight. We should encourage everyone in the country to seek out attorneys who will take their case to sue anyone and everyone for all of their real or imagined problems.

Loading the courts with nuisance cases, ridiculous jury awards, etc., will force timid lawmakers to finally accept their responsibility and reform our system.

We need ‘loser pays’ legislative reform.

Thank you,
John

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