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 7 of 9)
91. Unless she has a legitimate super-low metabolism, and can't help but gain weight, then New Zealand was wrong. If not, they have every right.
See, obesity, (like smoking) is a choice, at least initially. No one wants to be fat, and no one wants to be addicted to cigs, but truth be told, they made the choices that got them where they are.
Think about the future, people! Where will you go if you keep doing what you are doing right now?
Fat Boy Slim at 8:08PM on Nov 24th 2007
92. Why the hell should it be a frickin issue to us in the United States? Should we go bomb them because we dont like how they treat fat people? Lets quit sticking our fat faces in everyone elses government and business.
sweettoothgirl at 8:45PM on Nov 24th 2007
93. Wow, it is amazing how some people actually think. Obesity may cause higher health costs but so does other things such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease, these things can be strictly genetic and have nothing to do with being over weight.
What really astounds me is the ignorant people who believe all people are overweight because they eat too much. I am overweight in fact I am double what I should be and it is not because I shove my face with food. Quite the opposite, I have a hard time finding an appetite at all, I have to force myself to eat. I do not have any health problems I didnt have when I was skinny.
Every country has a right to allow who it wants in it's country. We may have many illegal immigrants but we dont grant visa's to everyone who applies.
xxcindiegeexx at 8:53PM on Nov 24th 2007
94. Such a shame that people in such a beautiful country must be so petty. Most people who are overweight have medical problems that cause them to be overweight, and many times can and do have those same problems that prevent proper weight loss. I have PCOS, and am overweight due insulin resistance and an imbalance in other hormones throughout my body. So not only are they discriminating against the fat, but also the sick. What comes next? Glasses? Sounds like they only want the perfected person. Mmmm, sounds like a crazy mustached man from the past.
Dana at 12:48AM on Nov 25th 2007
95. I still find it hilarious that people are still using the BMI (Body Mass Index) Under that system, most, if not all, NFL runing backs are "obese."
Hell I'm 5'9 175 and the BMI considers me "overweight"...get a new system knuckleheads!
Lou at 2:34AM on Nov 25th 2007
96. Is this author a complete idiot or what? Comparing smoking with obesity is one one of the most idiotic things I've ever read coming from this.
Listen you dork. Other people can die from second hand smoke, in fact, hundreds of thousands. In this, they have NO CHOICE but to breath!
Obesity cannot directly affect another human being. Yet it indirectly affects others and society but.....
God Are you this stupid or what?
Gail at 3:50AM on Nov 25th 2007
97. You really need to think about what you author before you post it to this site. You really make yourself and this site look pretty stupid. Whether NZ has the right to ban per IBW doesn't even compare to taking away the "RIGHTS" of smokers who endanger the lives of others who have no choice but to breath. I'm stunned by your poor intellect and seemingly self centered diatribe.
Gail at 4:00AM on Nov 25th 2007
98. Well I had considered New Zealand for my reitrement destination, taking my retirement savings of 7 figures with me, but I guess they wouldnt want me either.
--------------------------------------------------
Several years ago New Zealand refused residency to an American millionaire because he had 'No visible means of support'!!! So, you might not be welcome there! They definitely have their own set of rules as to who can, and cannot, live there. More power to 'em.
Keely at 6:26AM on Nov 25th 2007
99. New Zealand has its problems like any other country...as well, it has contributed MUCH to the world: Rutherford,Snell, among a host of others, including Peter Jackson of late. Type 2 Diabetes related to obesity is a WORLD health problem and often the secondary cause of death. New Zealand is taking a lead in caring about its citizenry. "Good
on" the couple for caring enough about their desire to immigrate to lose weight.
akeakeakeamine at 7:20AM on Nov 25th 2007
100. I'm so surprised at how many people think it's ok for NZ to ban a person due to their weight, when EVERYONE thinks America should have open borders and we have so many illegal immigrants draining our resources--driving wages down to the ground for people whose families have worked and built this country, bled for this country. Yet, NZ is "perfectly legit" in banning people because it's not good for their economy... It's not good for USA for all of these criminals who come in across the boarders either! Give us the "fat lady" any day...give NZ the illegal immigrants and criminals we get!
ferrellumm at 7:27AM on Nov 29th 2007
101. Doesn't anyone proof read what they wrote.
{M.Lindo} You must have had a nip or two. You can't spell alcoholic. Think before you speak, or write.
Mshorter17 at 9:27AM on Nov 25th 2007
102. This is exactly what happens in a socialized society. When everyone has to pay for everyone elses problems (obesity, disease) then discrimination happens. You are looking at America if we adopt government run insurance.
jrgracey1 at 10:37AM on Nov 25th 2007
103. It is their country, their rules and their right to enforce the rules....too many people try to apply their home country's law in their host country. Does not work that way, so if you do not want to follow their rules, stay away from their borders.
sal flyer at 10:54AM on Nov 25th 2007
104. The problem with New Zealand's health care costs is that too many citizens have guns for hunting. Their misandrist females commit battery during any argument, and if a male reists, they shoot him. This drives up hospital costs. Also, there is a plague amoung New Zealand females of the STD hoof-and-mouth disease due to them being done by rammy sheep.
Johni Thomas at 12:01PM on Nov 25th 2007
105. Please understand something about smoking that does not pertain to other diseases, it goes into the air that others have to breathe, it then enters the blood of that victim. Smokers do not have any rights which superseed the rights of others to breathe unpoisioned air. Furthermore, nicotine related diseases are responsible for a great burden to the health care system and a general wretchedness that all of us must pay for. And the dispicable product is infuzed with chemicals and promoted through marketing techniques by cretins who manipulate our legislative process to their own nefarious ends. If,you believe you have the right to smoke around me, I believe I have the right to take out my squirt gun and extinguish the source of my discomfort and debilitation and to be protected by law as an act of self defence. Lets make this an even playing field. Equal protection under law. And if you over react to some H2O on you I'll press charges. And if you over react too much I'll happily mangle you. Self defence again. If you are lucky you will go directly to jail. If not you will be discharged from the hospital directly to jail where you can merrily puff away in your cell.
Offended by cigarette smoke
Geoplenty at 12:01PM on Nov 25th 2007