By definition, a glimpse is just a hint on what is to come …
There are those liberal democrats, mostly known as “limousine liberals” who are exempted by wealth, power or position from the consequences of their actions, and who believe they have the right to tell you how to live your life. Because they know better. And because you are incompetent to run your own life and handle your own affairs.
Mostly corrupt, self-serving democrat politicians pandering to special interests; they will see thousands of people killed by alcohol, tobacco and drugs and do nothing because, in the case of alcohol and tobacco, they raise significant tax revenues, and in the case of drugs, fuel an entire law enforcement infrastructure that returns big money to the attorneys that handle drug cases.
There are the politicians who but want to regulate the lives of law-abiding citizens on the basis of “it for the children” or “if only one life is saved” -- which is nothing more than a media ploy. Their hypocrisy is often stunning. Consider that both the liberal politicians and militant feminist groups would rather see women raped and killed than – heaven forbid – defend themselves with a gun. Unbelievable.
And now we are getting a glimpse of Obamacare …
Imagine using the issue of healthcare and medical cost containment to examine and control every facet of your personal life. Even if they claim such control tactics are voluntary, they always provide some means of legislative or legal coercion. A prime example: they will not ban something that they believe is bad for you, but they will reserve the right to raise your insurance premiums to punish the behavior. Much in the same manner that the radical California legislature refuses to alleviate traffic problems to “encourage” Californians to accept mass transit.
The Glimpse …
The Associated Press is reporting …
“Pa. university students upset about fitness class”
“A Pennsylvania university's requirement that overweight undergraduates take a fitness course to receive their degrees has raised the hackles of students and the eyebrows of health and legal experts.”
Not only is this enforced political correctness, but it assumes that each student must have their personal privacy invaded and that health records be kept on an individual basis. Perhaps to be used by the government in policy decisions, perhaps by the insurance industry to set premiums or perhaps leaked to the media to embarrass the person involved.
Where are Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton?
“Officials at historically black Lincoln University said Friday that the school is simply concerned about high rates of obesity and diabetes, especially in the African-American community.”
"’We know we're in the midst of an obesity epidemic,’ said James L. DeBoy, chairman of Lincoln's department of health, physical education and recreation. ‘We have an obligation to address this head on, knowing full well there's going to be some fallout.’"
This sounds racist to me … creating a policy that is specifically aimed at the Black community. Where will it end? Will they make young Blacks take a course in ethics, responsibility and birth control to fight the overwhelming problem of “single black mothers” and “irresponsible black fathers” under the guise that they are concerned about the high rates of single mother households in the black community – problematical because of the high rates of problematical children?
The citizens should be asking: “what is the proper role of government in a free society?”
“Tiana Lawson, a 21-year-old senior, wrote in this week's edition of The Lincolnian, the student newspaper, that she ‘didn't come to Lincoln to be told that my weight is not in an acceptable range. I came here to get an education.’"
Tiana has it right … educators are there to educate, to offer choices and not to coerce or punish students based on health concerns or their lifestyle. Similarly, our government, bound by the Constitution, is about providing for the common defense of our nation and insuring an equality of opportunity – not tinkering with legislation to impose unconstitutional mandates to insure equality of outcomes.
“'In an interview Friday, Lawson said she has no problem with getting healthy or losing weight. But she does have a problem with larger students being singled out.”
"’If Lincoln truly is concerned about everyone being healthy, then everyone should have to take this gym class, not just people who happen to be bigger,’ she said.”
Busted! Not only for their hypocrisy, but for making an unconstitutional demand on some students – possibly in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
“The mandate, which took effect for freshmen entering in fall 2006, requires students to get tested for their body mass index, a measure of weight to height.”
“A normal BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9. Students with one that's 30 or above - considered obese - are required to take a class called ‘Fitness for Life,’ which meets three hours a week.”
“The course involves walking, aerobics, weight training and other physical activities, as well as information on nutrition, stress and sleep, DeBoy said.”
I wonder, is the class graded and does the grade enter into your GPA (Grade Point Average)? If you don’t lose weight or change your lifestyle, will you be required to repeat the class?
What about illegal?
“Health experts applaud the school's intent, if not its execution. Mark Rothstein, director of the bioethics institute at the University of Louisville's School of Medicine, said being forced to disclose such health information is ‘at least awkward and often distasteful.’"
“DeBoy stressed that students are not required to lose weight or lower their BMI; they must only pass the class through attendance and participation.”
Which is often how more onerous policies start … and once the baby steps are considered normal and acceptable, the liberals often move on to larger and more onerous policies. The window between acceptable and unacceptable continues to move towards the unacceptable – thus making to merely unthinkable sound like acceptable policy.
It’s about limiting your choices and individual freedoms …
“Also, students need more than exercise, said Marcia Costello, a registered dietitian in the Philadelphia area. The university should make sure its dining halls and vending machines offer healthy choices, she said.”
Bad metrics?
“Costello, an assistant professor of nursing at Villanova University, also noted that body mass index can be misleading. Since muscle weighs more than fat, ‘it is possible to be overweight and still be physically fit,’ she said.”
I wonder if what would happen if schools apply the same standards to the football team or would they be given a “wink-wink” pass as they currently receive for academic achievement?
Bottom line …
Government is becoming more intrusive into private matters and into the lives of its citizens – not for good reasons – but to extend their political control for self-aggrandizement, self-enrichment and to perpetuate their political power by pandering to special interests who have a vested outcome in pursuing particular public policies.
The call what the Congress does “debate,” but in reality it is just throwing prepared speeches at each other, full well-knowing that the major decisions were crafted in the back rooms of the political parties with only special interests present.
Time to send this corrupt and complacent bunch packing.
-- steve
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My Way News - Pa. university students upset about fitness class
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