The firearms related portion of this is in the question I pose below, because, to me, it is exactly the same principle:
Is it just me, or shouldn't there be some sort of connection here between this principle, espoused in this proposed bill, passed by the House, and protection against frivilous lawsuits against the firearms industry?
http://www.money.telegraph.co.uk/mo...242&sSheet=/money/2004/03/12/ixfrontcity.html
Don't sue if you're too fat, rule US politicians
By Simon English in New York (Filed: 12/03/2004)
America may be the fattest nation on the planet but politicians have ruled that the fast food industry should not be liable.
In a rare victory for burger chains enduring a barrage of abuse, the US House of Representatives backed legislation known as the "cheeseburger bill" that blocks lawsuits blaming fast food for making people fat.
The Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act will save the fast food industry from being bankrupted by frivolous lawsuits, say proponents, though it still has to get through the Senate.
The vote came one day after the US government reported that obesity may soon overtake tobacco as the leading cause of preventable death.
There are 400,000 deaths a year related to poor diet and physical inactivity, up from 300,000 10 years ago.
Ric Keller, the Florida Republican who sponsored the bill, is a self-proclaimed "chubby guy" with a taste for cheeseburgers. "This is about common sense and personal responsibility," he said.
James Sensenbrenner, another Republican, said fat people should "look in the mirror" when looking for someone to blame, a point of view that has the backing of most of the public, according to polls.
Opponents of the bill say it should be up to the courts to decide which lawsuits are frivolous, arguing that the threat of legal action keeps companies honest.
Legal activists who targeted McDonald's point to the success they have already had in persuading the company to change its behaviour, such as dropping "Super Size" portions and putting salad on the menu.
John Banzhaf, the law professor who led the campaign against tobacco companies and who is an adviser to fast food litigants, believes he is using the law to fight obesity.
Critics call him "a man who lives by his writs", "the Osama bin Laden of torts" and note that his car license plate reads "SUE BAST".
McDonald's welcomed the bill. "This issue isn't about any one restaurant or any particular food, it's about personal responsibility and individual decisions," said a statement.
Tackling obesity is the biggest healthcare issue in the US. According to government statistics 130m Americans - 64pc of the population - is overweight.
11 January 2004: America takes the biscuit - and the burger and the bagel
26 July 2003: Would you like a lawyer with that?
Is it just me, or shouldn't there be some sort of connection here between this principle, espoused in this proposed bill, passed by the House, and protection against frivilous lawsuits against the firearms industry?
http://www.money.telegraph.co.uk/mo...242&sSheet=/money/2004/03/12/ixfrontcity.html
Don't sue if you're too fat, rule US politicians
By Simon English in New York (Filed: 12/03/2004)
America may be the fattest nation on the planet but politicians have ruled that the fast food industry should not be liable.
In a rare victory for burger chains enduring a barrage of abuse, the US House of Representatives backed legislation known as the "cheeseburger bill" that blocks lawsuits blaming fast food for making people fat.
The Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act will save the fast food industry from being bankrupted by frivolous lawsuits, say proponents, though it still has to get through the Senate.
The vote came one day after the US government reported that obesity may soon overtake tobacco as the leading cause of preventable death.
There are 400,000 deaths a year related to poor diet and physical inactivity, up from 300,000 10 years ago.
Ric Keller, the Florida Republican who sponsored the bill, is a self-proclaimed "chubby guy" with a taste for cheeseburgers. "This is about common sense and personal responsibility," he said.
James Sensenbrenner, another Republican, said fat people should "look in the mirror" when looking for someone to blame, a point of view that has the backing of most of the public, according to polls.
Opponents of the bill say it should be up to the courts to decide which lawsuits are frivolous, arguing that the threat of legal action keeps companies honest.
Legal activists who targeted McDonald's point to the success they have already had in persuading the company to change its behaviour, such as dropping "Super Size" portions and putting salad on the menu.
John Banzhaf, the law professor who led the campaign against tobacco companies and who is an adviser to fast food litigants, believes he is using the law to fight obesity.
Critics call him "a man who lives by his writs", "the Osama bin Laden of torts" and note that his car license plate reads "SUE BAST".
McDonald's welcomed the bill. "This issue isn't about any one restaurant or any particular food, it's about personal responsibility and individual decisions," said a statement.
Tackling obesity is the biggest healthcare issue in the US. According to government statistics 130m Americans - 64pc of the population - is overweight.
11 January 2004: America takes the biscuit - and the burger and the bagel
26 July 2003: Would you like a lawyer with that?
