to feel embarassed and ashamed that obese tourists don't seem to have a conscience?

[vaseofwildflowers]

Ok I understand comfort eaters often have mental health issues and I don't want to tar every overweight person with the same brush.

But, eating enough for a family of four in every meal in a third world country where many starve or disable their children to beg for food, or putting their enormous backsides on a tiny donkey with its ribs poking through to climb the side of a mountain; or eating a US themepark turkey thigh which could feed a whole family but eaten as a 'snack' or drinking a 'bucket'ful of soft drink instead of a cupful; I mean, how can any of this happen?

Are obese people so unconcerned that to fuel their craving for the food their bodies don't need factory farming is on the scale it is, with all the misery for the animals that go with it?

On the issue of the donkey, obviously it happens but as an obese person myself there are 1001 things I don't dare do just in case I break things (I'm a size 20 not 40 just to set the scene!) I'm notorious for avoiding certain chairs, would never go horse riding, am reluctant to go ice skating at the mo even though I love it! Yes I know I should get on and do something about it but the point of this is that the majority of obese people are probably painfully aware of their weight and wouldn't consider something like donkey rides.

It was unkind to obese people,I'm sorry, but as it seems so unethical to be that way while others starve I wanted to air that opinion to see what other people thought. But obesity is just one symptom of a terrible world problem which is completely unacceptable and unsustainable.

I admit I got it wrong, we are all part of the problem, but if we all did something to change the way we live then may be there will be hope for a better future for all.

I think there is a strong connection between rich and poor countries.

Seeing the lady on the donkey photo sums up one huge unethical state of affairs of how the world is and it is dreadful.

You need to grow up a bit OP. A person with weight issues eating less isn't suddenly going to put flesh on the bones of a starving child in Africa, sorry.

Those in power in these countries are often venal and corrupt, and any aid that is sent doesn't always get to those for whom it was intended. You only have to look at Zimbabwe and Sudan to see what I mean.

There is actually enough grain produced to feed everyone on the planet, but it is the distribution that is the problem. Until you can guarantee that aid (money as well as food) gets to where it need to, without being topsliced by the military, the customs officials, the governments of these regimes, then you will have abject poverty and starvation.

I couldn't even read it...sorry

summat about donkeys and mountains and turkey legs

Agree with fenella though...such a pretty name

[quote]Sorry if it's boring, I just think it's absolutely obscene that babies are dying of starvation while others are gorging themselves til they are as big as blimps.[/quote]

I find it obscene that the world is suffering, polar bears are dying, fishing stocks will end in around 2050 and global warming will wip out the entire human civilisation in around 200 years because lazy people drive cars for journeys less than one mile, make their kids go in a car on the school run, don't recycle, wahin their laundry at higher than 30 degrees and buy manufactured goods from China adding to the entire catastrophe. And absolutely EVERYONE does at least one of those things - including you. So why not start changing yourself first before attacking other people and calling them obscene for existing and making their lifestyle choices?

So if the western world was full of thin people, would it be then find for babies to be starving in the third world?

washing not wahin - poor spelling - apologies

I'll stick to gathering blooms then.

Jennipenni and Eyeballs thankyou for your insights, I do not know any obese people personally but I won't be so judgemental in future.

By connection I mean rich countries often dictate trade agreements which leave poorer countries worse off.

I would love to know what to do to alleviate world poverty and yes, many of us have done VSO, support Oxfam etc.

Yes Stig I am part of the problem, I have acknowledged that, I am actively involved in changing my way of living in the ways you have described.

If everyone did that too perhaps we would live in a better world.

You don't know any obese people? So everyone you know has a BMI less than 30??? My sister is a size 12, has a lovely figure, and is one BMI point away from being called obese (!!!???)... you have no size 12/size 14 friends? I find that hard to imagine.

The lady on the donkey is morbidly obese by the way, not obese.

If there's one thing to learn vase... please could it be this. MANY obese people people are obese NOT through eating food. Medication plays a huge role with weight for many people.

Many of us are healthy eating and exercise - yes... it's true! I am a CM and look after 4 under 4 year olds every day for up to 12 hours... we go for long walks in the common etc.... that in itself is something anyone of any weight would find tough going. I manage swimmingly (sets halo on!)

I do lots of cycling too with DH - who, thankfully, is not a shallow man and loves me no matter my dress size!

Here's one thing you can do to alleviate world poverty, in your own mould: unplug your PC or pack up your laptop, sell all your nasty plastic Pokemon collections and Shoot stickers, donate the PC to a kid in Brazil who needs more fucking education than you had the right to and fuck off to do some voluntary work.

Will that do you?

Thank you Jenni penni.

As for the need to swear Lupu, good luck if you think it gets your point across better.

But I do voluntary work, thank you, and the donated goods people give all help.

Ah, the swearing retort: last resort of the stupid.

Wasn''t it you who was swearing LL???

You should feel embarassed and ashamed at your ignorance and bogotry.

Yes talbot. What I meant was that people who complain about vigorous rebuttal using a bit of fruity old English, rather than addressing the arguments presented to them, are usually, IMHE, a bit stupid.

God some of these posts today in AIBU are really not doing anything for the 'mumsnet is as intelligent as it ever was' arguments.the very reverse is being shown in all its glory.Well done

Hmm, this thread has more than a whiff of eau de Lucia39 about it...

are you a student looking for some insights into your essay/dissertation? that is what this screams of to me. why don't you go and read some books/quality newspapers instead?

bogotry?

whats that then

Maybe Shine - but the controlled posting. Not a typo, the considered, calm replies. All nice and neat on their own little line....very similar.

And Lupus, I really thought your use of Fruity English did absolutely get your point across better. I liked it much.

LOL at my typo.
Back in a minute, just off to the bogotry !

I've been on the bogotry most of the morning as we have a tummy bug here .....