Reason Writers on the Tube: Katherine Mangu-Ward Goes to Wal-Mart with Michelle Obama on Freedom Watch

Reason Senior Editor Katherine Mangu-Ward appeared on Freedom Watch with Judge Napolitano discuss Michelle Obama's crusade against fatty foods and the strong-arm tactics used to intimidate Wal-Mart into offering supposedly "healthier" food products. Airdate: January 20, 2011.

Approximately 10 minutes.

Comments

[Tony]

What strong-arm tactics? Nobody ever provides a shred of evidence for this claim. Is Wal-Mart really scared of nannyish food reg. legislation coming from this congress?

Why is the effect of libertarianism to defend the poor quality of choices that exist in the status quo and people's god-given right to be diabetic and obese? Is America the fattest country on the planet because we collectively exercised our freedom to be so? Or could there be systemic causes?

[Marshall Gill]

Is America the fattest country on the planet because we collectively exercised our freedom to be so?

What the fuck else would be the cause, you stupid ass-hat? You can buy all the celery or lettuce that you like at Wal-Mart, always have been able to do so. Other than individual choice, how ELSE would people be fat? Do they have a funnel force feeder in the checkout at Wal-Mart like they use for geese?

How about this. People are born with an attraction to food. How could they be expected to resist their impulses? Why are you bigoted against those who like more food than you?

[Max]

Shove your right-wing drivel back up your fat ass where you got it, you fascist cock sucker.

[heller]

Oh the irony.

[This]

+1

[BakedPenguin]

What strong-arm tactics? Nobody ever provides a shred of evidence for this claim. Is Wal-Mart really scared of nannyish food reg. legislation coming from this congress?

There was no evidence that there were strong-arm tactics when Tippy Gore & FMRC came down on "obscene" lyrics, either. Yet the media companies were persuaded to add warning labels to albums (and then CD's).

Ironically, Wal-Mart voluntarily does not sell CD's with profanity, as I found to my dismay buying my first (and last) CD there. To add to the irony, the censored lyric was "Shut the fuck up".

[heller]

Wow Cake? Really? I fucking hate Cake. Why can't the fucking lead "singer" sing??? It sounds like slam poetry with guitars in the background.

[BakedPenguin]

I also like the Violent Femmes, and Gordon Gano has about the worst voice on the planet. I could sing better than him.

[heller]

The Violent Femmes still had talent, and his Gano's singing style matched the music. The raw teenage angst was accentuated by his bad singing, so his singing wasn't really bad in the context of the music. But Cake just sucks balls.

[wat]

The Violent Femmes had talent? This is obviously false.

[Ken Shultz]

They were freaking Punk Rawk.

They were mixing roots to Punk Rawk back when there weren't a lot of other people doing that...

Have you ever listened to Robert Johnson or Canned Heat?

Being able to sing well is by far the least interesting part of going to a show.

Fer Christ's sake, Gen Y, must you ruin everything?

[heller]

Yes, the Violent Femmes obviously had talent. They channeled the mentality of an entire generation through music.

[Gabe E]

"Why is the effect of libertarianism to defend the poor quality of choices that exist in the status quo and people's god-given right to be diabetic and obese?"

This reminds me of the little brother's argument against my parents when he says, "why didn't you force me to learn to play an instrument" "why didn't you make me work harder in school".

Maybe you feel comfortable having other people make decisions for you, but as libertarians, we don't. It's not that complicated, and I'm sure even you can understand the logic even if you don't agree.

[Meh]

I'm on your little brother's side. Children need to be forced to do things they don't want to do because they don't know what they want. They are children. It's your job as a parent to help them develop, even if they hate you for it.

That said, functional adults don't have that kind of relationship with their parents. So even if government was the parent (which it most certainly is not) it has no business making decisions for adults. And since children who aren't wards of the state have parents and guardians, it has no business making decisions for those children either.

What drives me crazy is people who complain that their parents did force them to do things, but then turn around and want the government to do the same damn thing.

[Meh]

What other credible reason would Wal-Mart have for making this move? Let's start there.

[sevo]

Tony|1.21.11 @ 4:22PM|#
"...Is Wal-Mart really scared of nannyish food reg. legislation coming from this congress?..."

Oh, no, you stupid shit. No one is ever afraid of those that carry the guns.
Asshole.

[Tomcat1066]

Why is the effect of libertarianism to defend the poor quality of choices that exist in the status quo and people's god-given right to be diabetic and obese?

What right do you have to deny me if I choose to engage in behavior that could lead me to become diabetic. Diabetes runs in my family, so I damn sure know the risks. I don't want you or anyone else outlining what I can and can't do.

Is America the fattest country on the planet because we collectively exercised our freedom to be so? Or could there be systemic causes?

There may be systemic causes, but none of this even looks for them. Hell, the government's own food pyramid was more likely to cause obesity than what grocery stores sold to people who wanted it.

[heller]

Don't mind Tony's stupidity, the liberal hive-mind forces him to defend whatever comes out of an Obama's mouth.

[typical pron reference]

... forces enables him to defend worship whatever cums from an Obama's ... [censored by some offended person or agency.]

[Almanian]

Is it just me, or is Michelle Obama getting more buck toothed? I'm sorry, but she's one fugly woman.

Starting with the buck teeth, which I SWEAR are getting worse.

[A starving North Korean kid]

Having a Walmart causes people in the community to gain two pounds? Send one my way, please.

[Michelle O]

It's better you stay as you are, trust me.

[Irresponsible Hater]

haven't had time to WTFV, but WTF is up with Walmart and all the bootlicking? Didn't they just start playing janet napolitano videos at the registers, urging customers to report suspicious activity. And now this.

[Proles 101]

If you have a complacent populous and a government accelerating towards fascism, going along might be a very shrewd move; especially when your customers are probably on average more complacent than the general populous.

[mari dupont]

Wal Mart is desperate to open stores in LA and NYC and has made a concerted effort to suck up to the liberals that control the city councils in these areas.

So they need to PC-up their image. My friend does outside consulting for them, and regales me with all the new "green" initiatives they're planning. But fear not, most are total shams.

[Jimbo]

Hey, I know: We can all avoid fatty, salty, sugary, yummy (fill in the blank) food.
We might not live any longer, but it will sure feel like it! (me watching water boil, me looking at a clock on the wall)