Presidential Candidate Mike Gravel: Americans "getting fatter and dumber"

[journalist3072]

Gravel to America: You're 'fatter and dumber'

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Trying to be a "friend" to the American people, Democratic White House hopeful Mike Gravel gave his honest assessment to potential voters during an online Democratic candidate forum Thursday.

"I'm prepared to tell you that Americans are getting fatter and dumber," the former Alaska senator told comedian Bill Maher, one of the debate's moderators. "I have no problem saying that."

Maher asked a question to each of the eight Democratic candidates during the forum, which was sponsored by Slate, Yahoo! and the Huffington Post.

Maher told Gravel that obesity rates are up and reading levels are down and added that the "definition of a friend is someone who tells you the truth." Gravel replied that he was willing to be honest with the American people.

"I've also said that Americans are going to get the government they deserve," Gravel said. "And so if things are going bad, just remember who put these people in power."

– CNN Associate Producer Lauren Kornreich

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/09/13/gravel-to-america-youre-fatter-and-dumber/#comments


NOTE TO MIKE GRAVEL: "Friends" don't insult friends.

[Selatius]

1. Hate to say it, but I would agree with Mike Gravel in his assessment.

We read less than we used to, probably because we live in a culture that bashes intellectualism, and we're more obese as far as health care statistics go than we have been in the past.

My only caveat is he probably should've used more diplomatic language in conveying the point, but that's beside the point of a failing education system and a failing health care system.

[leftchick]

6. I totally agree with him

go Mike! he shouldn't soften it in the least. America needs a freakin intervention with tough talk Something to awaken them from slumber.

[durrrty libby]

26. Thankfully he has no chance. We already have a president with extremely limited diplomatic skills.

I can only imagine what kind of tough talk diplomacy, Gravel would fling around the world

[leftchick]

27. if you read his foreign policy platform

you would know he would not be "flinging" it anywhere. :eyes:

[durrrty libby]

28. It doesn't matter what's on paper.His diplomatic skills are obviously crap

:eyes:

[leftchick]

29. so are Hil's

"Iran is THE major threat to US interests in the middle east. No OPTIONS are off the table"!

she is just more subtle for the tv viewers.

[durrrty libby]

30. America overwhelmingly disagrees with you.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3518385

[Comadreja]

54. "no options are off the table" means

"no necks are off the chopping block" of the axe-swinging, black-hooded US military elites who kill children without qualms.

[pampango]

61. Sometimes diplomatic skills involve keeping the other side guessing

about your intentions or your limitations. As long as she doesn't do anything stupid, I realize that the world of diplomacy involves making outlandish statements sometimes, which you then back away from when the negotiations start.

[tchunter]

52. really? no diplomatic skills?

In 1971 Gravel played a key role in the release of the Pentagon Papers — a large collection of secret government documents pertaining to the Vietnam War — which were made public by former Defense Department analyst Daniel Ellsberg. Gravel inserted 4,100 pages of the Papers into the Congressional Record of his Senate Subcommittee on Buildings and Grounds. These pages were later issued by the Beacon Press as the "Senator Gravel Edition" — the most complete edition of the Pentagon Papers to be published. The "Gravel Edition" was edited and annotated by Noam Chomsky and Howard Zinn, and included an additional volume of analytical articles on the origins and progress of the war, also edited by Chomsky and Zinn.

Also in 1971, Gravel embarked on a one-man filibuster against legislation renewing the military draft. Using various parliamentary maneuvers, Gravel was able to block the bill for five months before President Richard Nixon and Senate Republicans agreed to allow the draft to expire in 1973.

Six months before United States Secretary of State Henry Kissinger's secret mission to the People's Republic of China in July 1971, Gravel introduced legislation to recognize and normalize relations with the PRC.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Gravel



yes he comes off as abrasive, but he is a very smart man who did the right/moral thing the last time the country was in as severe of a crisis

[iamthebandfanman]

2. yeah

truth hurts , don't it ?

[Missy Vixen]

8. I'd be more than happy to match the number of books I've read this year

to the number Mr. Gravel has read. Somehow, I'm sure I'll come out the victor.

As for the "fat" remark? Well, it sounds like his is right between the ears. I'm not interested in a Dr. Phil presidency. I'm interested in a candidate that might be looking for the answers why people are reading less and working more, for instance.

Julie

[Name removed]

31. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Missy Vixen]

32. I not only read books, I write them

I'm fairly sure I could match or exceed Mr. Gravel intellectually.

In the meantime, your candidate has nothing but namecalling for anyone he doesn't consider his equal. If that doesn't bother you on some level, then you're just as ignorant as he is.

Julie

[iamthebandfanman]

33. now your making assumptions

wow, that intelligence from all that book reading is showing through.

irrational judgements on others! oh my!

i like mr gravel, but a supporter i am not.

honestly, the truth hurts... apparently more so for you than alot of people. lol

[More Than A Feeling]

3. When asked to apologize, Gravel responded,

"I'm sorry you're all fat and dumb."(/Snark)

[kdmorris]

5. OMG!!!

I almost spit water all over the screen! Too funny!

[Raine]

4. It's true

"insulting" or not and I do believe a true friend will tell you the truth even when it hurts. Gravel ... :thumbsup:

[TomInTib]

7. Yep. I live in what might be the fittest small town in America.

Do you know the easiest way to spot a visitor in Tiburon?


You got it.

I cannot believe how the people of this country have let themselves go in such a short period of time.

[Missy Vixen]

9. I'll be sure and stay away

Wouldn't want to harsh your mellow.

Julie

[More Than A Feeling]

20. What about marshing his mellow?

mmmm, marshmellows *drools*

[TomInTib]

22. Nothing mellow, here.

Heck, I just drink myself thru every day.

I hold no prejudice, just stating fact.

But I did lose 25 lbs when I moved here.

[TahitiNut]

21. I gained 30# by moving from Silicon Valley back to Michigan.

I miss Rancho San Antonio, Jamba Juice, Fresh Choice, biking, sushi, a swimming pool in my complex, and HUNDREDS of lifestyle choices that are all but inacessible here. What's available everywhere in the Bay Area is virtually non-existent here.

I live in the land of fat cars and fat heads. :cry: It's contagious. :scared:

[TomInTib]

23. I lost 25# when I moved here from Dallas.

I've been wondering where they went and now I know.

They went to Michigan.

"the land of fat cars and fat heads".

[AndyTiedye]

38. It Helps to Have an Outdoors Worth Being Out In

Back east, we had long, cold winters with little chance for exercise except for shovelling snow.
Winter was followed by Black Fly Season.
Then summer. Hot and muggy. Cooled off a bit in the evening, but the Mosquito Air Force was always waiting for us then.
Fall was beautiful in New England, but always too short, and then it was winter again…

Here there is nice weather and beautiful mountain biking,
and here we have the Bay Area rave and psytrance scene.




and here I weigh about 25# less than I did there.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

44. Yep. That advice to "go for a walk every day" just doesn't work everywhere.

In Texas it's too goddamn hot to go for a walk ANY TIME of the day or night between June and October.
We have about five months out of the year where you can get ill from the heat if you're out in it for, oh, fifteen minutes.

If you live in a good climate, you can go for a walk every day.

Hell, just waiting for the bus in Texas, and a lot of other hot places, means you could get heat exhaustion and start barfing uncontrollably and have to go the emergency room before you die of dehydration.

Basically in Texas you gotta have an air conditioned house (preferably central air) and an air conditioned car.

I know. I got heat exhaustion in Fresno once.

[NuttyFluffers]

59. walk at evening/night. we did so in saudi arabia.

and i can guarantee you the heat in saudi arabia, etc. blows texas out of the water. 130 F at 90% humidity at the coast is as close to hell i ever want to get -- and that was just at 5 minutes at a time, running straight back into air conditioning. but at night it's far more pleasant.

but then we had well lighted track fields at the neighborhood school. we'd have dads playing soccer at night and the moms walking together around the track. we kids played in a little area for our own soccer, or marched around a bit with our moms. it's a shame if they don't do such things in all those suburbs; it'd be a wasted opportunity.

[Raine]

46. That's pretty much the way it is here in Los Angeles

too. Everyone is trying to get into show biz so they are pretty fit.

[Beausoir]

67. Oooh! Those pesky fat people. The nerve of them, visiting your town!

[peacebaby3]

10. While both things are true in some cases, what this statement implies

is a perfect example of the stereotyping of overweight people. The implication is that one goes with the other or in other words "fat people are stupid." They should have just gone ahead and added lazy in and they would have been perfect in their typical, yet untrue, stereotype.

[Missy Vixen]

15. Well, they deserve it, don't they?

:sarcasm:

We wouldn't want the fat around. After all, they're unsightly.

:sarcasm:

I might also add that Bill Maher is a libertarian. The last time I looked, this was Democratic Underground. He's one of the last people I'd take advice from in any matter.

Julie

[Comadreja]

56. Consider Michael Moore

and the fact that he's from Michigan. . .

[Fovea]

11. Never apologize for the truth

rather, if the truth offends, then perhaps the one to blame is Maher.
Or not.

[gateley]

12. I LOVE Gravel. He always tells it like it is. nt

[Manifestor_of_Light]

45. And he goes to the church for people who don't act like sheep.

The only church where they can't throw you out if you disagree -- because they have no creed.

He goes to the church where we worship the Giver of Life -- The Coffeepot!!!


www.uua.org

[eShirl]

47. the only church with no creed?

you sure about that?

[Manifestor_of_Light]

49. go to the above website and decide for yourself.

All other churches that I know of can throw people out, shun them, deny them Communion, or whatever it is they do with heretics.

www.uua.org

[acmavm]

13. Can we argue that the dumber part sure seems to go for politicians?

[Beaverhausen]

14. Gravel might want to start having some positive things to say if he wants more support

I mean, just what will he DO if elected president? All I hear from him is criticism of anyone and everyone. Time to tell us how he would be different. Otherwise, he just comes off as a grumpy self-righteous asshole. YMMV.

[Clintonista2]

37. I have a suspicion that he doesn't really *want* to be elected

He just wants to make a point (which I have no problem with).

[L. Coyote]

16. Watch the film "Stupidity" if you can find it.

[robcon]

17. I'm neither getting fatter or dumber.

Gravel is an asshole.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

18. I took an online quiz recently and supposedly agree with Gravel...

100% of the time. This is no exception!

The quiz, for anyone who might like to take it:

http://www.vajoe.com/candidate_calculator.html

[Raine]

43. THANKS

for the link, was interesting. :-)

[Swamp Rat]

60. Ohio Representative Dennis Kucinich (D)

92.45% match :)

[TahitiNut]

19. "Fat, drunk, and stupid is the way America is going through life, son."

Dean Wormer speaks. :rofl:

[Nimrod2005]

24. Agreed 100%.

[malaise]

25. Bravo Mike Gravel

K & R

[iamthebandfanman]

34. i think the point really is

alot of people in america are gluttonous and ignorant.
i really dont think thats to far fetched of a statement.

[Beausoir]

66. Yes because fat people are gluttonous and ignorant.

:eyes:

Your bigotry is showing.

[JitterbugPerfume]

35. he spoke the truth

it would be to their benefit for the American people to listen

[David Zephyr]

36. I love this guy! Mike Gravel tells the truth none else dare speak.

:thumbsup:

[Beausoir]

65. Noone else dares to call people fat? Jesus. What planet are you on?

His comments are hardly innovative.

Fat bashing has been around for many years.

[AndyTiedye]

39. Easy Solutions: Reinstate the Fairness Doctrine, and Let the People Dance!

The people aren't stupid, just uninformed. That is because the media has been bought by the Repiggies and only spews Repiglickin' talking points.
Bring back the Fairness Doctrine!

Obesity wasn't so much of a problem just ten years ago. What was happening then?



Raves were happening all over. Kids were getting together and dancing the night (and the pounds) away.

But the guardians of the public mores did not approve of all this dancing. Too much fun. Some of the kids are doing drugs (shudder).
They think kids should be getting their exercise doing nice wholesome competitive sports (where they will be offered much more dangerous drugs to enhance their performance).
So they shut down the raves in most of the country, and the kids who weren't good at sports turned into couch potatoes.

It is notable that obesity is much less of an issue in those regions, such as the Bay Area, that still have a functioning rave scene.

LET THE PEOPLE DANCE!!

RIDE THE MUSIC

[whoneedstickets]

40. The Truth hurts....I think it's chest pains...

...nevermind, pass me the gravy.

[hfojvt]

41. hopefully we aren't dumb enough to vote for the UnFairTax

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/hfojvt/55

You know, the piece of sh*t fiscal policy supported by Mike Gravel. That one's so dumb even most Republicans don't support it.

[Name removed]

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[Name removed]

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[MazeRat7]

50. A recent survey show airlines spending $275M/yr extra fuel to carry increased passenger weight...

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/health/2007/09/14/bod.squad.obese.travel.cnn

MZr7

[Missy Vixen]

57. Considering the fact that airlines are packing even more people into a smaller area

it shouldn't be surprising that airlines are paying more for fuel, no matter what those people weigh.

Julie

[smalll]

51. But it's not my fault! It's genetics! And a virus! And I have a lot of fat friends,

I caught it from them! :sarcasm:

[loser_user]

53. Well I know he's right about the fat!

I have a waist size of 34 but I have always bought bigger pants because most of my fat is in my thighs--I need space! Now are I can find are pants size 34 or lower because the 36 and above are always empty.

[riverdeep]

55. Where I live,

there are no independent bookstores, one chain bookstore, one Christian 'bookstore', and a library that keeps shortening it's hours every year. However, there are hundreds of restaurants serving grease and lard in various forms. You never see anyone walking except the very young, the very old, and people who got a DUI. For evidence of people getting stupider-Bush was put in office twice.

[NuttyFluffers]

58. i love it when politicians whisper me sweet nothings

makes me feel important, even when they abuse me.

:evilgrin: :freak:

[MadHound]

62. The truth may hurt, but it is still the truth

We hear more and more evidence on a weekly or daily basis how this country is in the midst of an obesity epidemic.

We see more and more evidence of how foolish and stupid Americans are becoming. Sure, the truth hurts, but rather than shooting the messenger, perhaps people should start working towards making his truth fade into the past.

[Telly Savalas]

63. So what does Gravel propose to do about this other than

adopt "Vote for me, you stupid fat fucks" as his campaign slogan?

Won't the same folks who applaud him for "speaking the truth" accuse him of nanny-statism if he even remotely proposed having the government affect people's reading, eating, and exercise behaviors?

[treestar]

64. Well, OK, we can credit this one with guts

Now will he tell the truth about something important?

[Ilsa]

68. I'm certainly fatter, but I hope I'm not dumber. Gravel

may be correct, and being so low in the polls he is able to speak the truth people need to think about what he is saying.