Web Letters: Liposuction: The Key to Energy Independence

Some time ago, I did a bit of satire about the Soylent Energy LLC approach to increasing our supply of bio-fuel while simultaneously attacking the problem of over-population and obesity. My apologies to Jonathan Swift.

Should I assume that Barbara Ehrenreich is a long-time CycleDog reader?

E.J. Wagner

Owasso, OK

Barbara, as usual you have inspired me. I'm on my way right now to order a double cheeseburger with fries and a milk shake.

I do this in the hope you will someday consider me your own private ANWR. You good-looking thing, you.

Robert Stephens

Flagstaff , AZ

Why is Barbara "Nickled and Dimed" Ehrenreich poking fun at a serious health problem that disproportionately affects poor people? Obesity is no laughing matter--especially for those at the bottom of the economic scale who can't afford the varied diet and leisure time for exercise required to stay fit. It's no accident that the poorest state in the nation, Mississippi, also has the highest obesity rate.

Moreover, even among middle-class adults, obesity has a high correlation to childhood abuse. A 1998 study of more than 17,000 members of Kaiser Permanente funded by the Centers for Disease Control found "a strong, graded relation" between obesity and "adverse childhood experiences" such as domestic violence and sexual abuse.

It's shocking that a progressive beacon like The Nation would parody liposuction of America's obese population as a solution to the energy crisis. Would you have published a similar satire about drug addiction or alcoholism? Perhaps skinny liberals should think twice before they make fun of fat people.

See "The Relation Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Adult Health: Turning Gold into Lead," by Vincent J. Felitti, MD.

Linda R. Monk
www.lindamonk.com

Mount Vernon, VA

A good article! They are saying that it will be five years before any new oil reserves are opened, or any other fuel source goes on line. Like it or not, we are stuck with conservation and public transportation. Maybe in five years we won't need so much oil?

Pervis J. Casey

Riverside, CA

Dearest Barbara:

Thanks!!!!

Sincerely yours,

James Pinette

Caribou, ME