Good way to bring up bullying or does this TV anchor make a story about them?

Explain to me, please why it sets a bad example and what it has to do with how she does her job.

We fat guys are evil now? We are bad examples?

Pardon, I need a cheeseburger.

 

What if she smoked cigarettes on the air every day?

 

I think this is an interesting discussion in terms of whether she overstepped her bounds.

Part of being in the media is having the ability to do something about injustice and someone suggesting she is somehow doing something wrong because she is overweight is not right.

But I know I am one of those folks who wants to see the bullies out down and honestly, I have to wonder how many jobs I have failed to get based -- at least partly -- on the fact that I am the "Round Mound of Rebound," as a former sports editor said.

I am not the pretty one.

 

Didn't Edward R. Murrow?

 

Good for her.

 

Obesity is a public health crisis, probably the biggest public health crisis facing America today.

But, at the same time, don't talk about obesity.

What a mixed message.

I have very mixed feelings about calling people out for being overweight. We'd have little problem calling out someone for smoking. What exempts this? (And I'm genuinely receptive to distinctions.)

 

You get into an argument with someone overweight and the first obscene message is usually something like "You fat ....." I've yet to hear an argument where someone says "You smoking...."

 

I thought the original was catty and mean.

I thought her response was fine. I just don't like the "You don't know me" line.

He didn't claim to know you, so why say that? It's not like she claimed a glandular condition or anything.

 

The writer was a dick, and a bully, for sending this message. I mean, did he honestly send it hoping the anchor woman would read it and think to herself, "Yeah, I am pretty overweight. I guess I'll start exercising now. Thanks writer!" No, he sent it to rip on a fat woman. It was mean, and was a form of bullying.

But at the same time, I agree with others who said she's used this as her bully pulpit. A better response would have been to tell the guy "Thanks for the note..." the way we in the newspaper business do with all the idiot comments we get. Or even better still, simply delete it. My guess is that this message was the straw that broke the camel's back after what I'd imagine are years of fat jokes she's heard from viewers, and possibly others in her industry. Going on this little nationwide talk tour will only bring her more fat jokes, though certainly much praise as well. Frankly, I don't think this was the rigth way to handle it. Journalists can sometimes be the story, but they aren't supposed to set out to make themselves the story.

 

I think Rusty kind of nailed it. This is probably one of many she's received, she got tired of it, and she responded with a scolding reproach on TV. The world's probably slightly better for it. Not even measurably better, but slightly enough.

It's troubling that you'd label both "losers" and put them under the same umbrella. One is just being cruel and picking on someone. That's deliberate intent and malice. The other is...defending herself. Maybe not in a way you like, or even I like. But the way you place two sentences together -- "She's overweight. He's a dick for sending an e-mail telling her she's overweight." -- suggests you're making those two things equal. Really? Being overweight is equal to making fun of someone? Fatness is that much of a character flaw to you that it matches up to deliberately hurting someone's feelings?

On some occasions - rare, admittedly - will I think someone's weight (whether it is obesity or anorexia, and both are a problem in our culture) genuinely reflects on their character. It's a cross to bear, a struggle for them, but goodness, what an easy target to pick on.