Tuesday, September 7, 2010

The New Marlboro Man

Indonesia's smoking toddler kicks habit

JAKARTA (AFP) – A two-year-old Indonesian boy who smoked about 40 cigarettes a day has kicked the habit after receiving intensive specialist care, a child welfare official said Thursday.

Ardi Rizal shocked the world when a video of him drawing heavily on cigarettes appeared on the Internet in May and drew attention to Indonesia's failure to regulate the tobacco industry.


Read the rest of the story here



Now I thought about getting all high and mighty and preachy, but this is how I spent my lunch hour with my 3 year-old toddler, Eric. After taking him to the tattoo parlor we hit McDonald's



Now I know eating at McDonald's isn't the same as smoking-not done daily and maybe not as unhealthy as smoking. But we all know that stuff they call food isn't really food and it surely isn't healthy. And I don't eat there everyday, in fact that is probably the second or third time I have been to a McDonald's this year. Yet lots of people eat there regularly and look like it. They are fatter then the smoking porker in the story. So I find it amusing that fat western society is criticizing Indonesia for their smoking policies. I don't know but something about removing the plank from their own eyes comes to mind.

My kids also happen to be very active so they can get away with eating junk food on occasion. Unlike the fat kids and their fat parents who spend most of their time in front of the TV, Video games and computer screen.

When I was at McDonald's today there was no one in line inside for food yet there were a dozen cars waiting in line for the drive-thru. Those people could have parked their cars, waddled a whopping 25 yards inside, gotten their food and been back in their cars and on their way in half the time. But I don't think it even occurs to people to actually walk somewhere when they can drive.

Schools are open now and I run in the mornings when the little darlings are getting to school. The number of parents that drive their kids a block or two is amazing. And I'm not talking about 6 year-old kids crossing major roads. I'm talking about upper elementary and middle-school kids in safe neighborhoods. On quiet roads that have sidewalks. Is it really necessary that you drive your "little" darlings a quarter mile down the road on a lovely morning?

As for me and my house, we shall keep the kids active; scrubbing toilets, playing sports, hand-washing my running clothes, changing the baby's and cleaning the lint out of my belly-button. Cause I don't want Eric to grow-up to be this guy.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I used to enjoy your blog. Now I dont nor will I read it again. Maybe you should look in your own life and see the problems that need to be addressed rather than calling people fatso. And yes I am overweight. And no i dont eat at McDonalds often. Most of my meals consist of 1/4 protein 1/4 carbs and 1/2 veggies. I walk 2-4 miles 5 times a week. I also have a medical condition that went undiagnosed for many many years. I will pray for you. Please pray for me.

Rob said...

Point taken. I didn’t even realize I used the term “fattie” in the post. It’s a bad habit. I’ve used it for years. Going back to when I used to be 45 pounds heavier. Back down to my old weight currently…being OCD about running helps a lot. I even refer to my lovely bride using ‘fat’ words, like I said bad habit.

Sorry about the offensive comments. Keep up the good work with the walking and healthy eating. It wasn’t people like you that I was referring to. It was the lazy do nothing ones who complain to me about not being thin like I am and then go stuff their faces with crap at work.

I have a related question for anyone with an opinion. How come it’s considered bad form to say someone is overweight and needs to eat less but people think nothing of telling me I look to thin/gaunt etc…and need to eat more?

momto5minnies said...

I still can't believe that a 2 year old could actually smoke a cigarette. It's gross and sad all at the same time.

I hardly frequent the McDonalds, but when I do it is often through the drive thru. No, it isn't because I am lazy. I can run (maybe not as much as you) and my girls are active (and can tolerate that high calorie burger now and then), but my reason is that I just don't want to see where my food is made. I suspect some people might actually have the same feeling as I do.