Maybe they should sue

[Charlie P]

Really it's not Mom's and Dad's fault their little darlings are HUGE.

So should these kids be taken away from there obviously abusive parents or should the parents be forced to go to nutrition classes and let the DSS come into their house and inspect the families frig and cabinets?

[etothepii]

I guess I'm in the wrong kind of mood today, but all I can think is: Michelin Man!

[Aught Six]

Good Lord, those two could feed me for a good, long while.

So should these kids be taken away from there obviously abusive parents or should the parents be forced to go to nutrition classes and let the DSS come into their house and inspect the families frig and cabinets?

I say let them eat burgers to their hearts' content (torment?). The state should document the case and in turn deny any medial assistance to the family for obesity-related illnesses. Personal responsibility, my friend.

[Tazman]

Actually that is a picture of Micahel Moore in his youth!!![8D]

[etothepii]

The state should document the case and in turn deny any medial assistance to the family for obesity-related illnesses.

Sounds like a little too much work/beaurocracy for the gov't. How about this:

Deny any (public funded) medial assistance for obesity-related illnesses.

[DougMD]

Looks like lil Michael is ordering another round of burgers from his seat. Can't wait until his next movie comes out in 3 years. Republicans can't BUY more votes than "There is no terrorist threat" Moore gives them!

[Charlie P]

I totally gree with personal responsibilty and it's obvious these parents aren't doing their job. These are kids are they supposed to say "no Mom and Dad I won't eat what your giving me?" You really expect the kids to be more responsible then the parents.

Somebody has some terrible parental skills and these kids will surely suffer for it. They are basically poisoning these children.

You stated"I say let them eat burgers to their hearts' content (torment?). " Once again these are children if you gave any child burgers or candy etc etc. they would eat it every day. Should we wait as a society until these children have develpoped diabetes or later in life heart problems before sme thing is done.

Is there a big difference between allowing your kids to become obese like this and allowing them to play in traffic?

[Aught Six]

Deny any (public funded) medial assistance for obesity-related illnesses.

Well, I don't believe in publicly funded welfare, period, but your suggestion seems most appropriate for today.

[Charlie P]

etothepii and aught six, You guys are blaming the children for the irresponsibility of their parents. If a child is neglected in some other way should we deny medical benefits to the child?

[logs]

I don't know if abuse is the right word, maybe neglect?

I have investigated or supervised the investigations of many a child neglects and child abuse cases but this would be a difficult one to define.
If you don't feed your children or don't give them proper nourishment and they become ill or die, that is child neglect. But feeding them so much and so much of the wrong thing just may be abuse.
DSS and a good doctor is the place to start but I don't think you'd get them out of the home very quickly. DSS is slow to move that way unless there is an immanent risk of serious injury or death.
The area that will make the courts quiver is where do you draw the line? How far over weight does a child have to be and at what age do you place the entire blame on the parents?
Once the child is in a position to go out and get his own food unsupervised it is going to be difficult to make a solid case agianst the parents.
Don't get me wrong, I think the parents here would have to be totally irresponsible or totally stupid not to see what is happen to these children and why. They are hurting these boys just as if they beat them. ( notice I did not say spank)

Now tie this in with socialized medicine and think of the cost to the public over their life time. New knees, hips, heart transplants ?????[:'(].