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Ron Jackson's Perspective
The Sunday Journal -
Think
Kankakee, Illinois
July 28, 2002
Fast-food lawsuit
has fat chance |
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"Umm. I'll take three
Whoppers with extra mayo, three Classic burgers with cheese, a
nine-piece bucket of extra crispy, white meat, two Big Macs with
fries and a large vanilla shake."
"Would you like your order super-sized Mr. Barber?"
"Uh, yes I would, but how did you know my name?"
"Well you were here yesterday, and you have been
everyday since I started working here when I was 16."
"And you are 17 now?"
"No sir. I'm 39 now. After 22 years, I
could never forget a face or a body. Would you like anything
else, sir?"
"Yes, I would. I'll take two hot apple pies and
one lawsuit to go please."
In what appears to be a capitalization of our recent
fascination with America's rampant obesity, four major fast food
chains have been sued by an overweight customer. Caesar
Barber, a fast food customer for decades has filed a lawsuit against
McDonald's, Wendy's, Burger King and Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Barber says he began eating fast foods in the 1950s and
believed it was good for him until his doctor told him otherwise.
Measuring 5'10" tall and weighing 272 pounds, the 56-year-old man
has suffered heart attacks in 1996 and 1999, has diabetes, high
blood pressure and high cholesterol. About the only thing he
doesn't appear to suffer from is high intelligence.
The overweight lover of fast food claims the industry
has wrecked his life. He said he started eating it because it
was cheap and efficient. Then again so are computers. If
his logic catches on, every poor person who lives a fast-paced
lifestyle could join in the lawsuit.
Wealthy overweight people like Oprah Winfrey, Rush
Limbaugh and Roseanne Barr can afford to eat anywhere and have it
served anytime they want, which proves it's not the price of the
food one consumes, but the quantity and frequency one consumes.
Was it the quick drive up service at Wendy's that
facilitated his ability to get to Burger King in record time?
Was it the race car pit-stop efficiency at McDonald's that allowed
him to race to KFC? Looking at Mr. Barber's physique, it is
obvious he was not taking advantage of the fast food industry's
efficiency to get to a gymnasium.
If his doctor suggested an alternative diet, why and
how did he become obese? And if he didn't follow his doctor's
recommendations, would it really matter what type of warnings the
restaurant chains would have posted?
Caesar Barber could become the poster child for every
lazy, hamburger-loving, irresponsible adult in America.
Instead of including a child's toy in fast food kiddie-meals, there
could be adult or piggy meals with a toy to encourage customers to
start a physical workout regime or to at least not return for a
second meal within a few days.
If some people claim they cannot quit smoking and can
sue the tobacco industry, or some can't stop shoplifting because of
the price or convenience, or others can't stop gambling or doing
drugs, and can file and win lawsuits, this obesity charge may have
some merit.
Fat chance, you say?
I'm not a gambler, but one thing is for sure, should
Mr. Barber win this lawsuit, he will certainly be able to afford two
seats on Southwest Airlines. |
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