response 281 of 378:

Mar 10 14:28 UTC 2006

Lynne, I didn't think Brooke was belittling you.  I think her 
suggestion that you seem to me rationalizing your choices was natural 
and not all that personal.

I don't mean to belittle you, either.  I am just as fat as you are.  
(I'm right about where I was the last time I saw you, when you gave me 
that mattress several years ago.)  I am doing nothing whatsoever about 
it.  I can excuse my choice in any number of ways.

I am perfectly happy with my weight -- and that's all that should 
matter to anyone.  If you're happy, then there's no need to apologize 
to anyone or to explain yourself.  That's my opinion.  I can walk for a 
day at the zoo, I can make it up the stairs at night, I can do all of 
the things I need to do.  I wish I were thinner about 1-2 times per 
year because of something I can't do.

I've been following the discussion, and found it interesting.

One thing I thought you could have commented on, but didn't.  I think 
society hates fat *women*.  I don't think there's nearly as much 
disdain for fat men.  I go swimming with my kid in the summer, and/or 
in indoor pools.  No one has ever made a comment to me about "look at 
the tubby man".  No one looks at me like it'd be better for everyone if 
I'd go away.

Now, no teenaged girls swoon with lust as I walk by, either, as they 
might if I were 80 pounds lighter and tan and muscular.  But they don't 
make vomiting sounds.  They just stare at the teenaged boys.  It is 
doubtless better that way for everyone around.

Overweight women get much, *much* different treatment.