Right off the bat I’m going to tell you that my post is very long. I had many interruptions and had many ideas to respond too. Cut me some slack right there. Thanks!
Sake Samurai – I’m not too sure about something so I’d like to ask you a question: Was the ? in front of my name intended? I just don’t know what to make of that but that it was a keyboard slip.
Also, you wrote, “I will never have the virtue of the pious.” Can you expound on that? What is the virtue of the pious?
Lynn Bodoni – “It was at best difficult and at worst impossible to find clothes that fit well, flattered, and didn’t cost the earth.”
Excellent point on the topic of the “ugly” or inappropriate (by opinion) clothes that overweight people choose. Sometimes, it’s not only a matter of economics (they have other financial concerns besides clothes) but it’s also a matter of FINDING clothing that works.
The “speculation” that overweight people deliberately dress to enhance their size is very easily understood by this simple fact. Also, many people have commented on the comfort of the clothes they choose. I think that most of us can understand that by thinking of what you would choose to wear if there were no restrictions on you (because of work or other). Really, what would you wear around most of the time if you didn’t have to deal with the business (or other) image? I’d be in shorts/sweats and a T-shirt/sweatshirt. That’s what I wear around the house because it’s comfortable. That’s just about what I wear outside the house too. (Remember, I’m self-employed)
Lynn also talked about the “how can you tell by looking at me?” issue. You just really can’t tell a whole lot about a person just by how they “look” to you. In fact, you can’t tell anything more than the most basic of info: Male/female/pretending. White/Black/Hispanic/Asian or combo. Tall/short depending on YOUR height. Fat/slender/normal depending on YOUR perception. You cannot ever look at a person and “know” that they are lazy, stupid, mean, nice or the very incarnation of evil.
Mister Sensitivity – You are talking about part of my OP. Let me clarify a little. What I objected to was the fact that Linda Tripp was being held up to ridicule for her weight. Not what she did. I think on that, to a point, we agree.
The book about Rush? No, you are right. I didn’t post anything here about it (I wasn’t here). But I did say at the time that it was a cheap shot. I don’t like him or his views: his views are what I would have “attacked”. Not his weight. I have this same dancing duality when I watch Drew Carey. Him and Mimi give as good as they get but the weight joke exchange always makes me uncomfortable. I like that show but this chronic “bashing” is sometimes very difficult to hear. Because I’ve heard it. Even toward someone I don’t like, this is just rude behavior. For a joke type book yes, the title was effective. Nice? No. Would I do it myself? No.
You also brought up the subject of name calling. You do have a very valid point there. I did call out names. Asshole and sphincter face come to mind. I won’t fall back on, “I was provoked and threw back whatever I could” because, as we have discussed, that is the ugly part of human nature. Gee, I have it too. I flung out names because I was angry, upset, aghast at the outright vitriol in the post back. Do I somehow try to justify this? No. I’m just as mean as the next person. But I stopped. I have not engaged in any name calling since that post.
Mister Sensitivity – “With that said, my original post was responding to the 2 pages of society-blaming, life-is-unfair, I’m-fat-notice-me-and-love-me crap that I read through.”
Yes, your first post was on the second page. And right off the bat you went out of your way to fling insults and names when you, PERSONALLY, had not been provoked. You took the thread into a “find me attractive” thing when that was not the issue. I’m admitting that I threw stones, will you?
Thank you for your answers: You do not, would not, engage in the activity of yelling things at anyone, overweight or whatever. Thank you. I do not fault you for having thoughts or feelings about what you see. I commend you for keeping your thoughts to yourself. You have been there yourself. So you must understand many of the issues here.
Your analogy about the farting is interesting. But wouldn’t a fan solve most of the problem?
MarkSerlin – don’t sweat the cut and paste thing. I can’t get the codes to work for me either. Anyway:
The “twirl you over my head” thing was to make the point that I’m very strong. I could pick up most people out here, and in real life, and twirl them and throw them. It was a strong exaggeration on the point that I am not your typical woman. I’m trying to make you, the reader, understand just where I’m coming from. I never intended it to be a point about my own aggression. I’m far more likely to hug you than to ever hit you. Or twirl you.
I never thought anyone would give a crap about my strength or ability. I thought the points were meaningful to the post. Again, I’m trying to give the reader an understanding of where I’m coming from. Yes, there was a dare there. People in my life have said things over the phone, to others, but not to my face. I’ve even gotten moo’s from passing cars. Would any of these people say this, right up next to me, in my face? Not that I would beat them up just that you would be far more courteous if you were right in my face. Big enough to kick your ass or not; you just wouldn’t say this stuff if you had to stick around for my response.
“How can I determine the difference in fat folks who have a problem or are simply lazy?” Again, you can’t.
Shortly after this you just go back into comments that I won’t respond to. Everyone has an opinion. I don’t agree with yours. I don’t think you have presented your side with anything like tolerance, acceptance or even an acknowledgment of the fact that you were out of line.
You just want to spew further hate. I don’t. I’m trying to understand where you are coming from too but I just can’t. You seem unable to assert your position without falling back into hate and put downs. I’m really trying here. I’m not putting you down but why can’t you just assert yourself without all the other stuff? I knocked it off, why can’t you? Let’s have a discussion. Even if you feel other’s have egged you on, let me pull you back. Respond TO ME. I’m being rational, honest and free of names. If other’s have pissed you off so deeply let that go for now and talk DIRECTLY to me.
To some other posts:
FTR: no matter where I post, I mean what I say. If it’s a joke, I’ll be sure to point that out. I do mean what I say. This isn’t an English composition exercise. This is me telling you what I really think and feel.
I’ve been composing my post and now see new posts.
I’ve really tired hard to be understanding but I’m just ill. YOU would never say such things in person, in real life. I can’t believe you think it’s okay to do it here. No, this isn’t real life, but, my God, would you say such things in real life? You spew hate all over and then attempt to defend yourself by saying it’s all sarcasm? You describe what you find offensive in detail and then say it’s nothing much to you?
I really don’t know WHAT to say to that. Where the hell would I start?
Mark, the only one, even remotely, that you can say threw down the gauntlet, is me. Attack me all you want. I am the one who threw the first stone. Trashing Opal is just a lame excuse. I think, no matter what picture of me I posted, you’d jump all over my ass and feel that you were justified.
IMHO Opal and everyone else who posted a pix here is fine looking. But again, I really do find myself attracted to all types. Even if one of these posters linked to a photo that was not flattering, I’d probably take a look at their posts and find a part of them to love, or admire, or respect. But you see, I don’t have this weir
