Hermenuetics

Comments

I understand why she did this. But she used her kids, took their privacy, opened them to ridicule. Our society has one last group that it is alright to mock and treat with contempt, and that is people with any kind of weight problem, from the mildly overweight to the obese. This program will be used to make the lives of overweight kids even more unpleasant.
I have struggled with weight all my life, but managed to raise two slim, athletic daughters. It can be done. But not by giving more people a way to destroy the self-image of heavy or uncoordinated children. I think the First Lady could have found a better way of doing this.

Posted By: Darcyjo | March 2, 2010 4:13 PM

I agree that anyone beginning to tackle these issues is bound to make a few mistakes...I know we did when we began our art project, Just As I Am, a year ago. We wanted to offer our participants something and a spa owner gave us gift certificates for one of her services...only problem was it was for a re-shaping machine and some felt less than adequate after seeing that. One of the things we have tried to do with our project is to help people see beauty in all the shapes and sizes, as well as see that we're all so much more than bodies.

Posted By: Sonya | March 3, 2010 2:25 PM

All well and good, but this woman has NO BUSINESS telling people what they should and should not eat and using TAXPAYER FUNDS for this pet cause of hers. On top of that, she USED HER CHILDREN. That is abusive and wrong! She has set her children up for scrutiny and criticism when she should be respecting their privacy and she also gave them the wrong message that they don't "measure up". Wrong, wrong, wrong. This woman is just like her husband, trying to ram her will down the nation's throats. How American children are raised is the exclusive business of their parents, not our country's administration. Stay out of American families' private lives, stop using OUR money to push your pet cause and tend to your daughters, beginning with an apology for how you used and demeaned them.

Posted By: Jack | March 5, 2010 12:16 PM

This is such a tough issue, since there needs to be a balance between encouraging kids to be physically healthy while at the same time emphasizing that what they look like on the outside is not as important as who they are on the inside.

Unfortunately, when a person in a highly-charged political environment like the First Lady takes on a cause--even with the best of intentions--the value can get lost in the political cacophony.

http://www.healthy-eating-support.org/child-obesity.html

Posted By: Suzy Staywell | March 6, 2010 11:10 AM

Wow . . . amazing! I assumed this was a Christian blog that exhibited Christian virtues. The majority of the posters on this blog are “hateful, mean-spirited people”. I thought this site was to promote Christianity. However, as I read the postings, this is nothing more than an additional medium to spew venom and hate at our President under the guise of Christianity.

I respect and admire President Obama. I greatly admire Michelle Obama, and while I've been disappointed in some aspects of the administration, while change has come far too slowly and shallowly, at least it's started. The First Lady leads by example. Why throw bricks at her for doing so? Ever heard of symbolism? Ever heard of drawing attention to a problem? Obesity is a major problem in America. If you are not willing to be a part of the solution; then YOU become the problem.

Can someone recommend a site where GENUINE Christians are dialoguing?

Posted By: D. Simmons | March 11, 2010 8:45 AM

I agree with the previous person (Suzy). I too assumed that the people reading and commenting on the various topics on this site were those of the christian persuasion. Instead, I've found just the opposite. We should all be careful regarding judging others and speaking so negatively in general and even more so speaking negative about Our Elected President of the United States of America and Our First Lady.

Posted By: Kathy | March 11, 2010 10:13 AM

Obama attended a church for 25 years that spewed hatred of America and white people and then pretended to act shocked when this was FINALLY reported by the media. It was reported by Investors Business Daily months before it hit the regular media.

Name 3 good things Obama has done since President. If that is too hard, name 1 good thing.

Posted By: Barbara | March 11, 2010 12:38 PM

Okay, now I understand. This must be one of the "Tea Party" blogs. Please accept my deepest apologies. Somehow I stumbled upon the wrong site,I thought this was a Christianity Today blog.

Posted By: D. Simmons | March 11, 2010 12:55 PM

Michelle O is a big woman. Yes she is probably healthy, but she does have curves and is in no way a size 6. Using her girls as an example was wrong. I have 2 teenage daughters who are both, according to the standards of the health care system, over weight. Well, just like Mrs. O we are all big curvy women. It wouldn't matter how much my daughters or myself moved, we would still be BIG CURVY WOMEN!!! I have told my daughters that outer beauty is not important but that a Godly heart is the most beautiful accessory a woman can have. I diagree with society telling girls they need to be super thin. God made women to be curvy! Look at yourself... we have hips, butts and breasts that men do not!! Love yourself as God made you. Do not starve or work yourself to death to be someone God did not create. NO ONE IS PERFECT EXCEPT JESUS! Be happy and be healthy!!!

Posted By: Christine | March 11, 2010 3:21 PM

As a christian teenage girl i can honestly say this is disturbing to me and it's simply a shame people can't appreciate the things given or abuse sites to subliminally state political opinions..This site was created simply to embark and share new, old, and exciting things about Jesus. I'm 16 years old and curvy and i love myself ENOUGH to know that being healthy is something that God would want and would even use people(Mrs.O)to show us how to do it, along with parents and church family, even a STRANGER. In closing H.W.J.B.... how would Jesus blog? i can only surmise it wouldn't be as some of the things that i have previously read. be blessed.

Posted By: marisha | March 11, 2010 6:27 PM

Thank you, Christine, for your gently stated, gracious and intelligent comment. There is much pressure and much confusion among believers today given the complexity of the political arena we are living in and it is difficult to always know how to walk in truth and grace as Jesus does still. There is much wisdom in what you say here. Grace be to you and to all those who took the time to comment. Use your minds but be kind as well.

Posted By: Lancia Smith | March 12, 2010 8:58 AM

I'm "overweight" and I'm not unhealthy, according to my doctor. In fact, some studies have shown that people who are overweight have longer life expectancies than those who are "normal" or underweight. Let's not get caught up in the "obesity crisis" propaganda and paranoia propagated by the media and lapped up by the general public. For myself and my own children, I prefer to focus on HEALTH, not weight.

Weight alone is not an accurate measure of HEALTH. Many other factors must be considered as well. There are many, many "normal" and underweight people who are far more unhealthy than some overweight people. Each person must be treated as an individual as health is evaluated, not as a member of a class based on BMI or some other unreliable measure.

I would support M. Obama's cause more if she focused on keeping ALL KIDS HEALTHY without singling out those that someone has deemed to be the "wrong" shape and/or size.

Posted By: Robyn | March 16, 2010 1:07 PM

Michelle Obama is to be commended for taking on the problem of child obesity.

Overweight children are teased, bullied and humiliated by their peers. Hopefully their concerned parents will stop the nagging as this will only heighten the children's feelings of being failures. Parents need to lead by example by serving healthy meals and organizing fun activities outside the home that the family can enjoy.

http://www.causesofchildhoodobesity.org

Posted By: Anna | August 12, 2010 11:31 PM

Growing up, I suffered the wrath of bullies because I was BIG for my age...and a bit plump to boot.I focused on what was important in life and always chose to do the right thing. Today I am a better person for it.

Posted By: Tom Lauer | September 17, 2010 1:02 PM

I just can't believe she would say that living inside the White House is too traumatic. In fact she said ''Real Hell'':) I would absolutely love to walk inside just once. It would be like in a movie, hehe. Well, you can't have all you desire. But it's always a pleasure to read regarding Michelle. Lucky lady.

Posted By: Pia Metsker | September 30, 2010 2:47 PM

Michelle Obama is tackling a big issue, and I hope she stumbles across the International Youth Conditioning Association and a guy named Brian Grasso. If she needs an influential organization to join forces with in the fight against youth obesity, they are the group and he is the guy. But as a society, we need to promote a return to physical culture. More fun, more recess, PE classes that are enjoyable and not based on meaningless assessments, less of a focus on winning in youth sports, etc.

Posted By: Tim | October 10, 2010 1:08 AM

I was watching the Disney channel with my older son. I just saw Michelle Obama on a, well let's say it was a Disney type, Public Service Announcement about eating healthy with one of the Jonas Brothers and a few other Disney kid stars.

Nice to see if you target an audience with known stars to kids, maybe the message get's through.

Posted By: Ritani | November 22, 2010 1:32 PM

We should all be careful regarding judging others and speaking so negatively in general and even more so speaking negative about Our Elected President of the United States of America and Our First Lady" - I could not agree with you more. Always respect your commander in chief. And people and especially kids need to get a grasp of how bad being overweight can be a burden later in life. Tackle the issue now. Eat right and exercise.

Posted By: Tara | April 21, 2011 11:18 PM

The First Lady leads by example. Why throw bricks at her for doing so? Ever heard of symbolism? Ever heard of drawing attention to a problem? Obesity is a major problem in America. If you are not willing to be a part of the solution; then YOU become the problem.

Posted By: Noman | July 31, 2011 11:22 PM