Smoking causes cancer and heart disease and obesity causes diabetes and heart disease.  These are the biggest money makers in the health industry.  So YES, they are big money makers.  My parents, suffering with all the aforementioned conditions, were always poor or working class, but you better believe the doctors, hospitals, Big Pharma and insurance agencies made wads of cash off of them.

Just who do you think is buying most of the insulin?  It's the poor and working class.

Please get the facts straight, 'cause this is a no-disinformation zone.

And what's this talk about "the beautiful"?  Nevemind the pretty outside, health comes from within.  So let's not muddy the waters; as being in good health is not synonymous with vanity.

Surely you know the difference?

"The almight dollar is the bottom line" you say.  No argument there, but since when has fast food been reinvented?  You were kidding right?

And since when does having a complex, 21st Century schedule, justify poor eating choices?  And exactly who is this "we" that's not concerned about slow food and healthy food?  Would you be referring to Obama; he and his advisors (now that Van Jones is gone) is that the we? 

I don't say this in sarcasm.  If you could see my face right now, you would have no doubts that I'm dead serious in asking these questions.

Howard Dean was a better choice for Surgeon General.  That was abundantly clear.  But Howard Dean, unlike Obama's current pick, is not a corporate whore.  So not surprisingly, he got passed over.

And here's the kicker, why ain't FOX crying, kicking and screaming in protest against Ms. Benjamin; but raised all kinds of hell over Van Jones and Howard Dean? 

Ain't that a bitch.

But another question too is when and why is it insensitive to deal with the fact that America has a horrific obesity problem that has gone unaddressed for far too long?  I mean, if a person was trying to give up cigarettes, would it be advisable to send them to a quitting clinic where the director is known to be a practicing smoker?

How much sense would (does) that make?

Is it insensitive to try and work with someone to get them to give up smoking?

Being obese is nothing to be ashamed of, but pretending like it's not a serious health concern, most certainly is.

For some, obesity does come with a stigma.  Thus the stigma of obesity needs to be removed...no doubt about it.  However, putting an overweight advocate for Burger King in the most high-profile health position in the nation, is not the best way to transcent this ism or its real life consequences.

There were far too many better options that Obama could and should have chosen for this position, but instead he chose to go with a "feel good" option; playing on the sympathy of the masses, instead of dealing with facts on the ground.

The President may hold the heartstrings of many, but he ain't got mine.  Emotional manipulation, it's Obama's M.O.

Though just because he has some aversion to the unvarnished truth, doesn't mean that I and others should be subjected to his Faustian deals.

This was a bad decision and he does not deserve another hail mary pass.

Eternity