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Are there jobs where your weight should matter? Obviously if you can't squeeze down the aisles, you might not make a great flight attendant, but what if you're in reasonably good health and capable of doing the job?President Obama has nominated Regina Benjamin for Surgeon General, but instead of people being totally psyched about her MacArthur genius award, her impressive charitable works, or her down-to-earth working-class background, everybody is trying to guess her BMI. Some people think a country plagued with obesity should not have an obese person representing our nation's health care.
Still, we don't remember anyone throwing this argument at all those husky surgeon generals who happened to be male. If C. Everett Koop could be in charge of the nation's health-care system while doing an amazing impression of a Civil War surgeon, should we really care about Benjamin's few extra pounds?
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Monday 20 July
By Sawn
Everything that was said is good, and I'd like to add that the important factor here is trust. How do we trust a Surgeon General to make the best choices for us as a people, if we see that she cannot make the best choices for herself as an individual? This is reflected in the overweight person she has become.
Monday 20 July
By Linda
LMAO!!! Since when had Obama been concerned about who he nominated? I mean we have a tax evader, that's when ya don't file moneys. Different than filing and not paying. Also he was given the money to pay it, and kept that to, so I suppose he's also a theif. Now he's head of harrassing others that file but don't have to money to pay. As for this woman's weight, It doesn't bother me except for the fact that this administration cares sooo much about the obesiety problem that they want to tax most sugary foods and drinks LOL. Could it be, that they really don't give a rats azz, they just want the money? :)
Monday 20 July
By ilene
Thank God, an intelligent answer to the question asked. The woman is brilliant and that is what is required in the position of Surgeon General. There is no pre-requisite for an hour-glass figure. If she meets the requirement in knowlege and education and is willing to make decisions based upon best-interest of health not healthcare industries, then I am all for her.
Tuesday 21 July
By Mel
LEAD BY EXAMPE!!!! Let's see, she's an educated woman, a doctor, she can take care of herself without government assistance. Yes, she IS leading by example by making the best of the opportunities she's been given for educating herself and she chooses to give of herself to others.
Is she overweight, sure, I'm overweight. I checked my BMI last night and again this morning. Can I do my job? Yes, with excellence, passion, and I have the degrees on the wall to back it up. I give life to my clients and she does to her patients; with my overweight self.
Monday 20 July
By Estella
I totally agree with you. I feel she is just like the majority of all of us Americans.
She is dealing with one of the "realities of life"...our weight.
Monday 20 July
By thumper2411
ok,i get really cheesed of at all these people picking on big people with a so called over the limit BMI,we get abuse ,discrimnated for insurance etc but what i want to know why is this your BMI not a problem if your a SPORTSMAN/WOMEN,ACTOR,BODYBUILDER,how can these people not get hassle from small minded people,companies etc.
And what about the skinny bags of bones there just as much a health issue,BUT I FORGOT ITS FASHION DARLING,grow up and leave us alone your allowed to live your way,
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Monday 20 July
By BK
Unless I am mistaken, the position she will be taking will be in the military which have fitness and weight standards. What example will she be setting for the Military? Otherwise, She seems a good candidate.
Monday 20 July
By Craigbythesea
All physicians should set an example of good health practices. What could possibly be more absurd and inappropriate than a Surgeon General who by her own grossly fat body is making a very public statement that gorging oneself with food is a healthy practice. Obama needs to forget political correctness and pay more attention to medical correctness.
Monday 20 July
By Logan
I get the impression that all Obama is doing is making our top officials in government minorities. How long are average American citizens going to stand for this crap.
Monday 20 July
By Jackie Lurie
Hmmm....My father used to say "Do as I say, not as I do."
The statement didn't fly with me then and still doesn't. He died at the age of 60 from stomach and colon cancer. I loved him, but he had the worst eating habits of anyone I've ever known. When he passed away I was overweight. He started out overweight and died skin and bones due to the cancer.
After he died I vowed to get fit and stay that way. I stopped eating the crap I was rasied on and raised my consiousness. I've been a my right weight with no health problems to speak of...I'm 61. Basically, you are what you eat. Yes, think people die of colon cancer all the time, but I just know that his weight and constant dieting and binging put a terrible strain on his system leaving it vulnerable to the disease. No one will ever convince me otherwise that in his case...his fate was sealed by his lifestyle.
He didn't set a very good example for our family with his horrible eating habits. As competent and qualified as this woman is intellectually, is she setting a very bad example for America's families. How she physically looks is the direct result of a fatty, high carb lifestyle. Hmmm. Too skinny or too fat =a bad role model. TRUE...nothing has ever been said about the out of shape MALE Surgeon Generals we've had in the past so there is SEXISM here.... that's unfortunate. But if it raises the issue of what it looks like to be a healthy looks like that's just the way it goes. "DO AS I SAY, NOT AS I DO" never worked for me.
Monday 20 July
By Ri-Ri
I'm not familiar with Ms. Benjamin or the work she has done, but before jumping the gun, her weight may be the cause of a medical condition. I know with being hypothyroid, weight is a struggle for me. I hope she is the "best qualified" person for the job. Also, can AOL not do some type of spam to comments to keep all the non-related posts out? This article is about the surgeon general's position, not "what are you trying to sale?"
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Monday 20 July
By rita singletary
We would not even consider a person for this position if they smoked. I think it's the same thing.
Reply
Monday 20 July
By David L. Thomas
Her weight sould NOT be an issue. Given her spotless record, her benelovent character and by no means least of all, her education and honors, she is well chosed for this post. We can turn a deaf ear and blind eye to antics of presidents, senators, representatives and state officials who smoke, drink, and do who knows what else, yet, we take issue over a weight issue aginst someone so well qualified. If this is the case, should not all Doctors, Nurses, and health care providers resign?
Tuesday 21 July
By bigcodpiece
moron
Monday 20 July
By Brett Brock
GREAT POINT RITA !!!!
Monday 20 July
By narrowroad
And yet we picked a smoker for President?
Monday 20 July
By peterno1bear
President Obama smokes,(although he is trying to quit like so many people that are addicted). Does that disqualify him?
Monday 20 July
By Susan
Ehhhh-wrong Rita. C Everett Koop smoked AND was overweight but you didn't hear all this arguing about his fitness for the position! Come on, be fair!
Monday 20 July
By Mary Anne Hoover
A good doctor, is a good doctor, fat, thin, or whatever.
It is their sincere compassion that works...also, a lot of those good doctors during the Vietnam era...did smoke...and they were darn great doctors...they saved a lot of those boys who truly were almost beyond hope...glad to say a lot of them are still around...doing good...no they don't smoke either...but they carried on...and are alive and well...because of those doctors.
Monday 20 July
By Paul
Logan,
so you get the impression Obama is making every top official in government a minority? Whoa you are astute. Now what would be so wrong in that if that were to ever come to pass eh?