26 Jun 10
Originally posted by Frank BurnsYeah I posted about it a page or so ago when it happened earlier. "Forum Guide" Trev (filling in for hopscotch) said there might have been a post removed.
Wierd, I just posted to page five, went back to the thread list, back to the last post and there is nothing there.
26 Jun 10
1 edit
Originally posted by Hand of HecateI'm willing to accept your point that 'unless a corporation is directly violating the rights and freedoms of individuals or groups I feel there activities should be as unrestricted as possible.'
I'm afraid you're not presenting a valid argument. For example, your premise that an individual of very modest means has no choice but to consume high calorie meals is untrue. They have choices, perhaps not good ones, but, choices nonetheless.
I am willing to accept that I may err on the side of advocating too much personal and corporate freedom. r a week. If it wasn't for Uncle Bens and Ramen noodles I'd have been screwed in college.
And it's true that they're only in business because people buy their products. But the vast majority of people do not buy drugs or guns or prostitutes, because they are illegal.* (*globally speaking of course)
Your argument analogising drunk driving and getting fat is not quite valid. Of course the whisky maker should not be held responsible for drunken behaviour. But low-quality processed food that is in essence poison (I'm looking at you McD, Burger King, anyone who sells almost any pre-prepared frozen meal) does not cause me to act in a certain way that's illegal. It would cause me to develop diabetes, or cancer, or metabolic syndrome, or obesity or other potentially life-threatening issues. I don't then make a choice to drive my car afterwards and kill someone. I make a choice to eat a massively-advertised, subsidized meal that contains ingredients that probably will harm me. What I don't know (under current regulations), and without my own reading of the literature, is that those ingredients are harmful (preservatives, flavour enhancers, etc.) because there is no real warning system in place.
Obviously we're bumping up against the issue of government regulation. My feeling is that the government should regulate against the marketing and production of these foods that the (sadly under-appreciated) evidence strongly suggests are ultimately harmful. Your feeling (I think) is that no regulation is necessary? Not much we can do about that impasse, but I do respect your point of view.
27 Jun 10
Originally posted by kyngjPerhaps there is still common ground. For example, I believe that corporations must be held to standards of quality and safety that minimize their impact upon societ and the environment. While I don't feel that we should all be wearing bark slippers and paper pants I do think that if a corporation is doing something it knows to be negligent, that it knows to be harmful, they must be held accountable.
I'm willing to accept your point that 'unless a corporation is directly violating the rights and freedoms of individuals or groups I feel there activities should be as unrestricted as possible.'
And it's true that they're only in business because people buy their products. But the vast majority of people do not buy drugs or guns or prostitutes, because the ...[text shortened]... necessary? Not much we can do about that impasse, but I do respect your point of view.
When I first read your posts, I got the overwhelming impression that you were condoning placing the blame for fatties solely upon the corporations that produce the food. Having read this again, I believe you're trying to say that the corporations are negligent in producing food that they know to be harmful. I'd be more supportive of this argument than what I perceived as simply displacing blame.
I would suggest that this must be dealt with by setting and enforcing standards in food production. This should be balanced with the right of people to know what they are eating. Quite frankly, if people really knew how the food they consume (from orange juice to sausages) was made, there would be a whole lot less tubbos around than there are now. It is not an unreasonable request that people should educate themselves. (Because I'm disturbed in many ways, I'm left with a vision of corporately run 'farms' with row after row of bedridden fatties hooked into virtual reality simulators, fed through a funnel and harvested for their poop. The poop will, of course, be burned for power and used for fertilizer to produce more food for fatties. McD's to the rescue.)
I still think that any argument to control a what a corporation can and cannot do, must be tempered with an expectation that the individual be responsible for their own actions as well.
27 Jun 10
Originally posted by Hand of HecateYou now approve of 'wordy'?
Perhaps there is still common ground. For example, I believe that corporations must be held to standards of quality and safety that minimize their impact upon societ and the environment. While I don't feel that we should all be wearing bark slippers and paper pants I do think that if a corporation is doing something it knows to be negligent, that it ...[text shortened]... ed with an expectation that the individual be responsible for their own actions as well.
27 Jun 10
Originally posted by Hand of HecateHey, it's your mind, Hand. Suggest you strive keep it open (along with ye olde bowels). In the event you need anything,
Brevity is the soul of wit and you are a souless creature.
I'll be downstairs in the janitorial closet trying to earn my keep. Just tug on either the velvet cord or the brass link chain.
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27 Jun 10
Originally posted by Grampy BobbyIt's a pity you are such a devious and untrustworthy individual.
Hey, it's your mind, Hand. Suggest you strive keep it open (along with ye olde bowels). In the event you need anything,
I'll be downstairs in the janitorial closet trying to earn my keep. Just tug on either the velvet cord or the brass link chain.
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