Political Pundit George Will: Is He Sane?
Posted by
Dan FrithApril 09, 2009 9:55 AMTags:
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This week I attended a lecture at a local college given by political pundit George Will entitled "Lessons I learned from the 20th Century." As most readers know, George Will is conservative newspaper journalist (Washington Post) and author.
Although I could take most of his comments as entertainment (he is just a slicker Rush Limbaugh), one part of his lecture was really absurd and made me question George Will's sanity.
Will began by commenting on childhood obesity and what a problem it creates for all involved. Will mentioned that obese children often become obese adults, suffer higher rates of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, etc. Next, he shared with the audience the reason for childhood obesity. Are you ready for this? The cause of childhood obesity in America is trial lawyers! I kid you not.
George Will said the reason so many children in America are obese is because the trial lawyers brought lawsuits against playgrounds and the manufacturers of playground equipment such as slides, swings, monkey bars, etc. alleging such equipment was dangerous. As a result (according to Will), towns and cities closed their parks and removed playground equipment....and that is why kids got fat!
Hey George...how about kids who spend 6 hours each day in front of a television or computer screen?..or how about kids who eat processed fast foods with high contents of sugar and calories?...or how about kids who refuse to exercise on a regular basis?...or how about kids who refuse to walk any distance greater than a trip to the refrigerator?
George Will's comments are laughable!
I am a proud trial lawyer. I am particularly proud of being a part of a national group of law firms (InjuryBoard) committed to making a difference by helping families stay safe and avoid injury. And yes, sometimes lawsuits are filed against the manufacturers of dangerous playground equipment but to suggest that those lawsuits are responsible for childhood obesity is not an intellectually honest comment.