A British couple wanted to move to New Zealand after their wedding. They ran into one small problem, or actually it was one large problem. New Zealand told them they are too fat to immigrate to their country.
Robyn Toomath, a spokesman for New Zealand's Fight the Obesity Epidemic, said, "The immigration department can't afford to import people who are going to be a significant drain on our health resources ... You can see the logic in assessing if there is a significant health cost associated with this individual and that would be a reason for them not coming in."
No, I can't see that logic. Because under that rationale you would also ban people who smoke and sky dive and have unprotected sex. Are they going to be checking to see if people are using condoms during intercourse before they let them move to New Zealand? And how would they do that check exactly?
In the case of weight, they actually use Body Mass Index that compares your weight to your height and sees if you are within the prescribed limits or not. So, they physically weigh these people and tell them if they're too fat to live in the country. That's sick.
Meddling in people's private lives started with messing with smokers. I worried at the time that it would spread to other areas of our private lives where we made decisions that our companies or governments or insurers disapproved of. And now it has. This is a terrible trend and we have to make sure it's contained. So, I propose banning New Zealanders from coming here and spreading their discriminatory policies to us.
Finally, there is good news and bad news from the British couple trying to move to New Zealand. The groom lost two inches off his waistline and he has passed the health requirements. But unfortunately, his wife still hasn't made it. So she is stuck in England, still dieting.
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New Zealand Bans Woman for Being Too Fat
Posted Nov 20th 2007 10:08AM by Cenk Uygur
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Reader Comments ( Page 4 of 9)
46. normanoel; how you came up with the "special rights" comment is beyond me. Expecting to NOT be discriminated against is not the same thing as expecting special treatment. I think you are making a huge assumption to think that these people are trying to get into New Zealand because they have socialized medical care. As to New Zealand's policy of not allowing obese to people to emigrate; I guess it would depend on what other restrictions they have in their immigration policy. It would be highly discriminatory if it were only the overweight folks.
dawn at 8:54PM on Nov 22nd 2007
47. 44. I think it's great. I'd like to move there because they, like Australia, make it's citizens behave and they don't have to play the politically correct game that the US does. Our country is being over run by mongrels. Fat ones, to boot, as well as those who don't have to learn English.
michelle at 2:21PM on Nov 22nd 2007
Excuse me but did your forebearers learn one of the Native American languages before they moved here? Because unless you are indigenous to this land YOU are one of the mongrels of which you speak. It's wonderful, compassionate comments like this that make me so "proud" to be an American.
dawn at 10:09PM on Nov 22nd 2007
48. # 46, Reading your posts, I am left with the opinion that you are one of those people who actually think that the America our European
ancestors emigrated to was some sort of paradise, and that THEY destroyed a superior culture. Even though # 44's language was a bit harsh, I agree with the sentiment. Australia basically expects those who enter the country to assimilate, learn the language, and not expect a free ride. Why is it that when someone in the U.S. says that, there are always knee-jerk reactions by people who cannot
resist referring to them as racist?
April at 10:27PM on Nov 22nd 2007
49. Maybe AOL should ban the Young Jerks, these idiots suck!
Pablo at 10:55PM on Nov 22nd 2007
50. Normanoel. I was being sarcastic. I guess I should have been more clear LOL!
E at 12:23AM on Nov 23rd 2007
51. For all of the people who do not know: the Body Mass Index was created in the 1800's. It is your wieght divided by your height multiplied by 730. The weight/heigth is understandable the number 730 was randomly picked. If a person is over a certain height and is anorexic, that person has a high BMI. And yes I am 50 Lbs overweight, but any doctor will tell you that I am not morbidly obese (the BMI says that I am). A lot of overweight people cannot lose weight due to health problems even if they quit eating for 4 months. So skinneys, shut up about what you do not know!!! I have lost no lbs yet dropped 3 dress sizes due to exercise. Muscle mass weights more than fat.
Annie at 1:50AM on Nov 23rd 2007
52. I would guess that they would let terrorists in without any qualms. And what about drug addicts & alcoholics and all the havoc they reek upon society?Obesity is an addiction just like smoking,etc. except it's harder to kick.What a bunch of phonies!
deana michelli at 10:00AM on Nov 23rd 2007
53. This is getting absolutely ridiculous. It is time to simply realize what these fat-hating people are: people who are jealous of other people who don't care about their physical appearance.
It's also time to realize that much of our weight is determined not by what we eat, but by our genetics.
Both my parents are overweight, and do NOT overeat in any way, shape or form, and I was UNDERWEIGHT until I hit adulthood and finally stopped starving myself half to death (I was only eating one meal a day in middle-high school out of my own will).
I was MORE sickly then than I am now. Sure, I have a little panting problem when I run because of the extra weight, but my blood pressure is up to where it should be, my cholesterol is VERY low, and I can move around regularly with almost no problem.
Christopher at 8:34AM on Nov 23rd 2007
54. It's about time people be required to be a healthy weight. Maybe now less people will chow down and more will hit the gym. It just isn't that difficult...
dianabanana at 9:38AM on Nov 23rd 2007
55. That story is so crazy-not all overweight people are unhealthy. I know plenty of overweight people who exercise, try to diet, and still they can't lose weight. That is preposterous to not allow someone to move to your country because they are too fat-those officials who told the couple that should be ashamed. And they had better be thin and in shape, or else it would be a case of the pot calling the kettle black. Sheesh.
Michele at 12:43PM on Nov 23rd 2007
56. what kind of bullshi* is that them people are out of thir minds i wonder how many fat people live thir now are thay going to have to move what a mess up gov we all shoud ban that place dont give them are money just say fat have right too
monteriotim at 12:25PM on Nov 23rd 2007
57. New Zealand is a sovreign nation. Their immigration laws are their own. Who are we to tell them who they should allow into their country? Besides, just like people are finally waking up to the dangers of smoking, they should do the same when it comes to being obese. Obesity is becoming an epidemic. I believe smokers and obese people should have to pay more for health insurance just like they do life insurance.
For the most part, if you're fat, you have no one else to blame but yourself.
Larry at 1:08PM on Nov 23rd 2007
58. Not unlike the US where we don't want to have illegal immigrants or those who have an expired visa (student or otherwise)receiving benefits which citizens and taxpayers in the US can't receive. In most of the proposals for illegal immigrants it would easier to renounce US citizenship, become an illegal and get better benefits and tax reduction. Why should a country not be able to say we have to control all the monies and benefits we pay. That is done now with Social Security and how difficult it is for the elderly to live year in and year out. In places where there is universal healthcare or great benefits, there should be restrictions if that is what they need to keep it for their citizens. Its real easy for people to start picking countries to best benefit their needs to pick up the tab for their potential ailments or conditions. Do you see US citizens flocking to Canada due to their health system? Let New Zealand do what they need to do for themselves. Heck in the US eeryone who has private medical insurance pays for those who don't and those who abuse the system. If I didn't have to be subsidizing such my medical insurance premiums would be reduced by 25%.
Walt at 10:35PM on Nov 23rd 2007
59. I wonder if they take fat illegals. here in usa we don't have any choice.
merv. wisecuo at 11:34AM on Nov 27th 2007
60. What government trend are you talking about? If people weren't concerned with health issues, the government wouldn't be concerned. The money used to fund the health budget would be targeted (or pocketed) for something else if the public didn't care about it. But the fact is New Zealand isn't forcing its citizens to lose weight, it's restricting foreigners entering the country.
Sam at 2:56PM on Nov 24th 2007