Scratch 0 #1 November 22, 2002 I have seen something like this on these forums before but WTF???????? From iafrica.com Obese kids take aim at McDonald's Posted Fri, 22 Nov 2002 A lawsuit filed against McDonald's on behalf of eight obese New York children is threatening to unleash a wave of class actions similar to those that have won huge payouts from the tobacco industry. The suit brought by lawyer Samuel Hirsch was heard Wednesday in a Manhattan federal court — the first time such a case has appeared before a US judge. It charges McDonald's with responsibility for the obesity of the eight plaintiffs, saying the fast food giant did not provide the necessary information on health risks associated with its meals. McDonald's files to dismiss case Lawyers acting for the hamburger chain filed a motion for dismissal, arguing that the issue was one of individual choice and therefore there was no case to answer. "Every responsible person understands what is in products such as hamburgers and fries, as well as the consequences to one's waistline," the motion said. Advertising promotes gluttony - Hirsch Hirsch, however, argued that aggressive advertising campaigns encouraged childhood gluttony and compromised individual choice among young, impressionable consumers. Judge Robert Sweet told AFP that he had taken the dismissal motion under consideration. "My role is to decide whether there is actually a case to answer and whether or not I have jurisdiction," Sweet said. The plaintiffs include Gregory Rhymes, a 15-year-old high school student, who weighs close to 180 kilograms. Plaintiff's mum 'believed McDonald's was healthy' for son In papers filed before Judge Sweet, Rhymes's mother said she had "always believed McDonald's was healthy for my son." The progress of the lawsuit will be closely watched by the fast food industry, which fears it could follow the tobacco sector in becoming a target of huge health-related compensation claims. Hirsch has already made it clear that if the case goes to trial, he would seek to turn it into a class action on behalf of all New York children under the age of 18 who claim health problems from eating at McDonald's. The president of the US National Restaurant Association (NRA), Steven Anderson, said the lawsuit was "frivolous" and opportunist. "There are numerous issues involved in children or adults being obese or overweight and to blame it solely on the restaurant industry really is swallowing a simplistic notion," Anderson said. According to the NRA, the average American only eats in a fast food restaurant four times a week, leaving 17 other meals unaccounted for. "So I imagine if these suits are successful, the next action will be children suing their parents for serving macaroni and cheese one night a week," Anderson said. More than 30% of Americans obese - study A study released last month showed more than 30 percent of Americans to be clinically obese. Government statistics suggest around 300 000 deaths a year in the United States can be linked to obesity. Responding to Hirsch's suit, McDonald's issued a statement arguing that obesity was a function of several factors including a sedentary lifestyle, a lack of moderation in personal eating habits, and the decline of physical education programs in US schools. "The facts about our quality food, the variety of our menu, the choices we provide and the nutrition information McDonald's makes available clearly demonstrate how unfair these claims really are," the statement said. Amid growing health concerns, McDonald's announced in September that it was cutting the amount of unhealthy fats in its trademark fries and other fried foods by almost half. The chain has 13 000 outlets in the United States and 30 000 worldwide, serving 46 million people each day. McDonald's was first targeted by a lawsuit in July, when Caesar Barber (56) from New York, cited McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's and KFC as being responsible for his 123kg frame and a series of heart attacks. AFP Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masher 1 #2 November 22, 2002 very wtf. ever thought of being responsible for your own actions? never... it _has_ to be Ron's fault that I'm a lard arse...-- Arching is overrated - Marlies Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scratch 0 #3 November 22, 2002 God better watch his back. Somebody is going to sue him for making the cow...and the pig...and the chicken...and the potato Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bluefingers 0 #4 November 22, 2002 a 15 yr old weighing 180kg!!!!!!!!It'll take more than a few burgers to do that! Someone should sue the parents for letting their child get like that in the first place!!!! Sheesh! That's almost like child abuse! Poor kid! Kerry Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ernokaikkonen 0 #5 November 22, 2002 I wish there was a way to convey the emotions these news made me feel. But there is no way. It'll have to suffice to say, that this makes me want to scream. A long, loud, unintelligible, primal scream. Unfortunately that wouldn't make it too likely for my employers to extend my contract. The american judicial system is so - fucked - up. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sonic 0 #6 November 22, 2002 Why doesn't anyone take responsability for themselves any more? This thing is well FUBAR----------------------------------- It's like something out of that twilighty show about that zone Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quatorze 1 #7 November 22, 2002 Kerry, this has been going on in America for a while now, people ride their bicycles, fall off and get hurt and want to blame someone else, so now there are laws in certain places(ie California, were all the wierdos live) that require yuo to wear a helmet if you ride a bicycle. Not to mention the censorship of Television and radio, because the government does not believe that I, as a citizen, posess the ability to make the right choice for myself. Oops, you have touche da nerve on that one I'm not afriad of dying, I'm afraid of never really living- Erin Engle Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mouth 0 #8 November 22, 2002 I see STUPID people. Problem is they are all over here. Can we ship some of them back to you Non Americans? What ever happened to reading, listening and making smart choices. My poor children get McDonald's about once a year if they are unlucky. We go more for the Chicken Ceasar Salads at Chick Fil A...much better for you. -- Hot Mama At least you know where you stand even if it is in a pile of shit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quatorze 1 #9 November 22, 2002 uh, isn't the ceasar dressing a little on the fatty side, I may be wrong but I thought that ceasar, ranch and 1000 Isalnd were ones to stay away from. I'm not afriad of dying, I'm afraid of never really living- Erin Engle Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bluefingers 0 #10 November 22, 2002 Everything in moderation is just fine. There is nothing wrong with fast food on occasion. It's when you have it 5 times a day 7 days a week etc etc etc that you put on the weight! If you are fairly active, generally eat healthily, then you really shouldn't gain more than a few pounds. .... I'm still reeling from that 396lb teen .... Kerry Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skreamer 1 #11 November 22, 2002 QuoteSomeone should sue the parents for letting their child get like that in the first place!!!! Exactly! I bet the parents are fat bastards too. So, if these kids develop Type II diabetes and heart conditions, is that Mcdonald's fault, or the parents fault for taking them there in the first place? I bet when those kids were toddlers they weren't driving themselves to fast food places.... Incredible. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sharpfive 0 #12 November 22, 2002 Why is this happening in our great country? Are our leaders failing us en masse? I used to be proud to be an American, but I wonder now...we are becoming a nation of supersized morons who sue each other at the drop of a hat, taking NO responsiblity for our own poor judgement. HELLLLLP!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #13 November 22, 2002 I just saw the mom on Good Morning America this morning. You are right, skreamer, she was HUGE! She said she had no idea that the 5-6 burgers that he ate a day at McDonald's were bad for him!! (For the Americans who are bad at the metric system like I am, I'll let you know the kid weighs about 400 lbs.) She also said that now he is doing more exercise and eating less, but it's not helping very much and she believes the damage has already been done. What a bunch of crock! In addition, she added that she is in this lawsuit because she is just hoping to help all the other kids out there. Yeah right, the money she's after means nothing to her. She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sharpfive 0 #14 November 22, 2002 If the money meant nothing, she would sue for one dollar just to make her point. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dropdeded 0 #15 November 22, 2002 Im with Erno,I cant even put into words the things Id like to ,what I mean is if these people,oh CRAP!Neverminddropdeded pcss#26 ------------------------------------------ The Dude Abides. - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mouth 0 #16 November 22, 2002 None of us eat the dressing. We put Italian on it. -- Hot Mama At least you know where you stand even if it is in a pile of shit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PLFXpert 0 #17 November 22, 2002 Yes, this has been everywhere...I saw it on the Today show this morning, read about it in People magazine yesterday at the doctor's office and watched them debate it on CNN's Talk Back Live. What a crock Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brisco 0 #18 November 22, 2002 This is only the beginning folks and it's all about the money. It won't be long before the state's attorneys general and probably the feds get those dollar signs in their eyes and jump on this. All the fast food outfits will get dragged into it for a huge settlement to treat people who got fat or diabetes from eating fast food, educational programs to warn kids of the dangers of fast food, etc., etc. Ronald McDonald will probably have to go the way of Joe Camel too. They (the lawyers) got what they could out of tobacco and now they are in need of other deep pockets. I figure once they get done with the fast food industry they'll move on to either the liquor or the automobile industries. Sad, very sad. Brisco Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grega 0 #19 November 22, 2002 let's just hope they (the lawyers) won't move on to skydivers... "George just lucky i guess!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
QuickDraw 0 #20 November 22, 2002 My new Vans make my feet smell. Can i sue ? -- Hope you don't die. -- I'm fucking winning Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildblue 7 #21 November 22, 2002 skymama - I saw that this morning too. I was looking at the TV screaming "What the fuck! Are you fucking serious?!" I wish the guy... Charlie(?) would have interviewed her, because he's harsh. Whats-her-name is was feeling too much sympathy. Yeah, the kid is 400 pounds, the mom probably isn't too far behind, and the kid does have diabetes now. And this is McDonald's fault. Well, people sue cigarette makers, why not McDonald's? Next thing you know, someone will be suing Smith and Wesson for making a gun that killed someone, because "They didn't make it clear to me that this particular gun was dangerous. I want to become a judge, just so I can laugh my ass off at these people and tell them to back their too-much-McDonalds-eatin-asses right out of my courtroom.it's like incest - you're substituting convenience for quality Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ladyskydiver 0 #22 November 22, 2002 I can't believe the lack of responsibility that people take for their own actions. Even if you go to McDonalds, there are "healthy" choices. The other problem that people have are the serving sizes. Ever notice how many people "super size" things and think they are getting 1 serving. If they stopped to realize a serving of beef is 3 oz. and notice the average McDonalds hamburger is 8 oz...if they were served the appropriate serving size for items, they would have a fit. It's about time that people start taking responsibility for their own actions and stop expecting to sue and live the good life and have everyone else responsible for them.Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JumpNFly 0 #23 November 22, 2002 ok this pisses me off, I see this crap all the time with kids. UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH my solution, staple their damn mouths shut...I train a 15-year-old, she's 5'2" and weighs 240lbs... hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm The key to walking on water... Is knowing where the rocks are Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #24 November 22, 2002 Quote there are laws in certain places(ie California, were all the wierdos live) that require yuo to wear a helmet if you ride a bicycle Only children are required to wear bicycle helmets in the state of wierdness. Everyone is required to wear a seat belt though. If you've ever seen the way most of these idiots drive you'd understand why. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
QuickDraw 0 #25 November 22, 2002 Quote I train a 15-year-old, she's 5'2" and weighs 240lbs... 15 year old what ? Rhino ? -- Hope you don't die. -- I'm fucking winning Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
