Posted by Amazed, a resident of the Country Fair neighborhood, on Jul 9, 2009 at 6:11 pm
I can't believe how narrow minded "james" must be. Please climb out of your bubble and visit the South. Yes, there are bad things in there diets, but the same things are here, too. The people from the South are some of the kindest people I have met. They are all about family and if they meet you, you are "family". Please don't be so ignorant. This state is quickly losing ground in health, kindness, education, morals......you name it. Sometimes, I'm ashamed to say I'm a native Californian. Sad, really.
Posted by PToWN94566, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Jul 9, 2009 at 10:12 pm PToWN94566 is a member (registered user) of PleasantonWeekly.com
Shouldn't the question be "what can we all do in the U.S. to help fight obesity?"
Posted by Another Gatetree Resident, a resident of the Pleasanton Valley neighborhood, on Jul 10, 2009 at 5:15 am
PToWN94566 - I don't believe any question was posed. Only a narrow-minded statement was made about a part of our nation. I guess Sarah forgot about "United We Stand, Divided We Fall."
Posted by ???, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Jul 10, 2009 at 8:21 am
I think obesity is a problem for this entire nation and not just the people in the southern states. You see quite a number of them here in Ptown cruising around in those fat assets-SUVs. Have you been to one of those PTA meetings or visited an elementary school during after school hours?
Posted by kolohe, a resident of another community, on Jul 10, 2009 at 8:51 am
you must live in glass house...he who cast the first stone...hmmmm
we spent a week in tennesse with yr breakfast they serve you grits, hashbrowns and toast...all smothered in butter...the real stuff...mmmm...boy was it great...and we actually lost weight...im gonna guess between the sweet tea and horrible humidity...no one really moves around...a bit sluggish...
Posted by SteveP, a resident of the Parkside neighborhood, on Jul 10, 2009 at 9:02 am SteveP is a member (registered user) of PleasantonWeekly.com
Derk and ???:
How did your paranoia about SUV's make it's way into a Times article about fat people?
If you can't afford to purchase and SUV, I understand, but purchasing your hybrid 'Pious' costs almost as much...and then you have the stigma of being a self-righteous know-it-all liberal enviro-nut job.
Please, get in front of my SUV as I'm carpooling 7 people to work. All of my passengers will get out and help extricate you from your flattended little putt-putt car.
Posted by Why Are Californians So Stupid?, a resident of the Vineyard Hills neighborhood, on Jul 10, 2009 at 9:21 am
This brings to mind a good companion post: WHY ARE CALIFORNIANS SO STUPID? Do you have any idea how people in most of the U. S. despise California? California is the poster child for where many are so fearful the U. S. is heading - ditsy, stupid and bankrupt. "Backwards" is in the eye of the beholder, and a majority of the people in this county would tell you Califoria is the most backward state in the nation. Every night the national news is covering how the state is bankrupt. When Jay Leno's show comes back on this fall, watch his Jaywalking segment. Most of those clueless dolts are Californians! Sarah, by posting the question you did, you have demonstrated your Californian credentials!
Posted by Native Californian who always returns home, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Jul 10, 2009 at 9:34 am
I've spent time in the south and southerners are gracious and kind. All I know is when it comes to the climate; the heat and humidity, I just don't want to move.
Posted by Judy, a resident of another community, on Jul 10, 2009 at 9:35 am
I am not a fat person but I have been fat in the past. The south is no different than any other place that people don't exercise or eat properly. High fatty diet and no exercise usually equals obesity.
Posted by Sarah, a resident of the Vineyard Hills neighborhood, on Jul 10, 2009 at 10:22 am
Why Are Californians So Stupid?,
Why are you living in California if you hate it so much? Do you really think the poorest state in the U.S. (Mississippi) is more advanced than the 6th largest economy in the world (California)? Give me a break.
Posted by Arthur, a resident of the Happy Valley neighborhood, on Jul 10, 2009 at 10:29 am
"In general, states in the West and New England rank lowest in the fattest states rankings, while states in the South and the Rust Belt tend to rank highest."
Posted by Julie, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Jul 10, 2009 at 10:36 am
Sarah,
Why are you so ignorant?
Southerners may overweight, but your spirit is ugly. AT LEAST they can lose weight! Good luck working through your issues with lack of personal integrity, aka, being a liberal.
Posted by Why Are Californians So Stupid?, a resident of the Vineyard Hills neighborhood, on Jul 10, 2009 at 10:52 am
Sarah,
Why do you suggest I hate California? I am embarrased right now to be a Californian, that is not hate. California has become disfunctional largely because the people of this state have elected a bunch of loons to the Legislature, and a seemigly increasing number of left-wing loons are turing it into a welfare state. It also is developing a reputation of as being being the looniest of the loony - personified by our illustrious Speaker of the House.
Lest you forget, there is a huge migration of Californians moving out of the state. We are only gaining population because of the hugh wave of immigrants moving into the state, mostly illegally. And, an increasing number of companies and wealth is moving out of the state, mostly to (drum roll here) red states, because of our blue-state tax and spend mentality.
Regarding your disgusting post about why so many red-state people are so fat, impuning both obese people and red-state residents, I chose not to "give you a break".
Posted by Jay T, a resident of the Downtown neighborhood, on Jul 10, 2009 at 11:08 am
Why Are Californians So Stupid?,
So why are southern, red states the poorest states in the nation if they are so great? I encourage all all you republican rednecks to move there if they are so great. Rednecks like you are so worthless.
Posted by Senior, a resident of the Birdland neighborhood, on Jul 10, 2009 at 11:12 am
Imagine how much better off we would be if all the southern states just left the Union. Our national IQ would go up without a doubt. I'm willing to bet "Why Are Californians So Stupid?" is fat, pasty, drives an SUV, and watches tons of Fox News.
Posted by Julie, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Jul 10, 2009 at 11:15 am
Senior,
"I'm willing to bet "Why Are Californians So Stupid?" is fat, pasty, drives an SUV, and watches tons of Fox News."
You say each of those attributes as if they are a bad thing.
We understand you are dealing with pre Alzheimers and worsening dementia. Hang in buddy, pretty soon you won't recognize anyone...or bother us with your pathetic descriptions.
Posted by james, a resident of the Pleasanton Meadows neighborhood, on Jul 10, 2009 at 11:34 am
the things people say hiding behind the anonymity of the web. do your spouses or significant others know you feel this way, or is this just the language you use on the internet to provoke a reaction?
there are few if any of you that would dare to make these statements to someone's face.
Posted by KP, a resident of the Downtown neighborhood, on Jul 10, 2009 at 11:38 am
With all of the mean-spirited stereotyping that I'm reading, I'm embarrassed to be a P-Towner. No wonder my friends from other towns say the most rude and self-absorbed people they run into in the Bay Area are in, or from, Pleasanton. Before firing off another smart-aleck jab at someone, take a deep breath and think of a way you can make your community a kinder, gentler, and more welcoming place - and then go and do it.
Posted by No thanks, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Jul 10, 2009 at 11:51 am
Being kinder and gentler doesn't work with idiots in P-town or North Korea. I'll keep my shotgun handy and never be afraid to voice my accurate and correct opinion of snot-nosed individual who have never dealt with anythng more than theories and hypotheticals.
KP, I could give a rat's *** what your "friends" think from another community. Like they are the standard to live up to?
You might want to take a look at your "friends" for making comments about others as well.
Posted by Arroyo, a resident of the Pleasanton Valley neighborhood, on Jul 10, 2009 at 11:58 am
Sarah, and her ilk, are why Californians are disliked when they visit other areas of the US.
And, Sarah is a perfect example of the embarassing condescending faux intellectual that has become the stereotypical dysfunctional Californian resident. Sarah -- get a life.
(I always thought I could be wealthy if I just printed fake license plates resembling those from other states, that could be attached with velcro pads over the top of our California plates when traveling.)
Posted by Resident, a resident of the Beratlis Place neighborhood, on Jul 10, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Everyone needs to get over themselves and chill out. Arroyo, I think your post is more pompous and froo froo than the original. It's the US... People are DIFFERENT. Some regions will be fatter than others and there will be reasons. Some states will have higher incidences of crime, drug use, prostitution, etc. Same for good traits. It's not narrow minded or stereotyping it's just LIFE.
The real "embarassing condescending californians" are the ones who won't accept the fact that everyone is going to have problems and differences and is too scared to talk about them
Posted by Former P-Towner, a resident of Dublin, on Jul 10, 2009 at 1:04 pm
I work here, have friends here, and actually grew up here (surprise!). I also have no bad feelings about it either - just making a few observations. I have always received the Pleasanton Weekly and it's feeds electronically and am often drawn to the post topics and comment threads, where they can be not only informative but entertaining as well! The stereotyping comment topic brought some recent observations to the surface that I could not ignore and thus decided to share.
When I moved my family to Dublin last weekend and began shopping and "trolling" about my new town, I noticed a big difference in the way people interacted here as compared to Pleasanton. From the grocery store, to the frame shop, to the park, to the local car mechanic shop, the random encounters with residents were some of the most genuine exchanges I've had in a long time. I received eye-contact, friendly conversation, was not "looked up and down" by fellow shoppers silently judging my attire. It was a palpable difference - and I was not even looking for it. My husband noticed as well, and after his first few days being out and about in our new town remarked (without prompting and in far fewer words than I), "It's different here, huh? I kinda like it." :)
So, PT Weekly forum contributors are glad we moved, and so am I. I'll be cancelling my PT Weekly subscription, since I'm no longer welcome to participate or contribute. Sad that the lines have been drawn, territories have been marked, but a closed border is how you feel safe, right about everything, and important. As I said before, with a deep sadness since it's my home town, I really hope you enjoy the atmosphere that you have created.
Posted by Former P-Towner, a resident of Dublin, on Jul 10, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Wow - that's a nasty heap of hate and fear. Good luck to you too!
This is why I do not have any hate or fear, no matter which side of the freeway I'm on:
1 Peter 3:8
"Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble."
and...
Joshua 1:9
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
Posted by Transplant, a resident of the Pheasant Ridge neighborhood, on Jul 11, 2009 at 7:33 am
Let's see...11% unemployment, a broke state paying their bills in IOU's, a disfunctunal state government, highest tax rate among 50 states property,...and what do we get? Larger class sizes, teacher, fire and police layoffs. Roads that look like you are driving in a third world country, a 30% high school drop out rate in our largest city, the largest and most violent illegal alien community in the country...
And which area of the country is "backwards" again?
Posted by Here, here!, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Jul 11, 2009 at 7:55 am
Also forgot to mention that most of the people with the money in CA that have bailed have headed to...wait for it...A Red State! Stats are online.
Hmm...maybe the "transplants" formerly from California will have a good influence on a more active lifestyle in the Red States and then they'll have it all, well, except for nasty liberals, that is.
Posted by Pleasanton Mom, a resident of the Mission Park neighborhood, on Jul 13, 2009 at 8:21 am
I don't think we're really thinner here, I think we just lie on our driver's license. When I renewed my license, the woman behind the counter took 10 pounds of my weight without me asking. She said "let's put down your goal weight" LOL. I think THAT is why we keep getting the "fit state" title.
Posted by PToWN94566, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Jul 13, 2009 at 2:39 pm PToWN94566 is a member (registered user) of PleasantonWeekly.com
It's obvious that a good portion of America is fat and overweight or obese. I was talking about this with my doctor last week and it's important for us to realize that what we consider normal size is different than what it was considered some 40/50 years ago. I was also reading an article about how some clothing lines are changing the number on their clothes; so what used to be a 18 may now be a 15. A lot of this has to do with image and if people are even motivated enough to get to the gym and exercise.
I know a lot of people who say they are trying to loose weight but then I'll see them eat chips, candy, drink soda, and have ice cream- right after eating some raw broccoli. Eating something healthy doesn't cancel out the fatty foods. (Kind of like hearing people talk about loosing weight but then you see them eating fast food but they state "o well this is a diet soda")
Posted by Nancy, a resident of the Castlewood neighborhood, on Jul 13, 2009 at 8:54 pm
As someone who has recently moved to the south from California I am extremely offended by this article. Us "backward southerners" are some of the nicest people you will ever meet. I have been greeted with more warmth and kindness living in the south than I ever did in my 20+ years in California. Southerns have morals that are deeply rooted in family and religion and we are always willing to help someone out. There has never been a moment since I've moved here that I have felt unwelcome or judged, something that is a constant battle living in California. Posting this article online is tacky and tasteless. I would hope that you had been raised in family where hatred and name calling is wrong, but I guess you weren't. Before you call someone else "backward" you should examine yourself and figure out who the backward person in this situation really is.
Posted by Courtney Rao, a resident of another community, on Aug 30, 2009 at 5:02 pm
And this is why it's hard to win "red states." Did it ever occur to any of you that a little respect for cultural differences is in order?
Also, many Southern people (like myself, I was born and raised in Tennessee but live in CT) have significant Native American ancestry. If we eat a Euro-American diet, well of COURSE we'll blow up like balloons. We aren't tall and lanky like Northern Europeans, but our BMI is still measured by Euro-American standards. Anyone ever think of that?
Posted by Jerry, a resident of the Oak Hill neighborhood, on Aug 30, 2009 at 11:10 pm
Per the Wall Street Journal - The Southeast is the fastest growing area of the USA....
If you wish to know why Southern's are fat, there's some good ol' boys there that would be overjoyed to explain it to you... Just be sure to tell them you are from California...:)
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