As someone who has tipped the 300 mark, i can see both sides of this issue (i've lost 120 in the last 2 years). I was one of the 'enough is enough' people and decided i'd rather learn to eat properly and exercise than live 1 more day in my fat body. But having been in my previous form, my sympathies go out to others. You have no idea what its like to be judged (physically,emotionally, etc) by other because of your weight. It's not like it can be hidden, and trust me, i felt invisible at 310 lbs.
There should be more programs in place to help people with nutrition and natural alternatives, instead of shoving gastric bypass surgery as the only solution to being morbidly obese. Posted 06/02/08 at 2:49 AM EST | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment .

Your guide to the weekend’s Barclays Premier League action

Alex McLeish, the Birmingham manager, has been encouraging his forwards because his team have scored only twice in five matches. Derby could give debuts to Roy Carroll, the goalkeeper, and Alan Stubbs, the defender, after their deadline-day signings, while Lewin Nyatanga is available after suspension.

Birmingham City (possible; 4-4-2): Maik Taylor - S Kelly, L Ridgewell, R Schmitz, D Murphy – S Larsson, D Johnson, F Muamba, O Kapo – C Jerome, J McFadden. Injuries and suspensions: B Oubina (knee), M Nafti (Tunisia duty), R Jaidi (Tunisia duty). Derby County (possible; 4-4-2): R Carroll – D Leacock, D Moore, A Stubbs, L Nyatanga – C Fagan, H Ghaly, R Savage, S Pearson – K Miller, R Earnshaw. Injuries and suspensions: J McEveley (knee), T Mears (shin), D Mills (knee), C Davis (hamstring), D Jones (hernia).

Withdrawal means defeat for U.S., Iraqis

There may be hope for some of these progressives, if only they realized that waging war is not done on a contract basis with specific goals and specific completion dates, like building homes or highways.

Dear Andrew 1218:

Thank you. Thank you for inviting me. It's been a little while since I've had the honor of addressing you, and I appreciate very much your courtesy to me today. We should do this more often. I hope you will pardon my absence last year, and understand that I intended no personal insult to any of you. I was merely pre-occupied with the business of trying to escape the distinction of pre-season frontrunner for the Republican nomination, which, I'm sure some of you observed, I managed to do in fairly short order. But, now, I again have the privilege of that distinction, and this time I would prefer to hold on to it for a while.

I know I have a responsibility, if I am, as I hope to be, the Republican nominee for President, to unite the party and prepare for the great contest in November.

Feb. 25: Our readers write

That is the main problem with this country...the criminals and crazy people have more rights then the law abidding citizens and children. To confused, I do not believe in sheltering my children or making them scared of the world, however, I am not going to intentionally do things that could put them in danger. Remember the case of Danielle Van Dam, the little girl who sold some cookies to her neighbor (With her mother) and three days later was kidnapped, raped and murdered by the man. " .

Grammy Nominees Gather for Nashville Celebration

Dozens of Grammy hopefuls, each wearing a distinguishing white rose, circulated through a hall packed with well-wishers Tuesday night (Jan. 22) at the Recording Academy's annual party for nominees. The celebration took place at Nashville's elegant Loews Vanderbilt Plaza hotel.

Among the famous faces confronting the gauntlet of TV crews and guests were Vince Gill, Taylor Swift, Dierks Bentley, Montgomery Gentry and the Whites.

Tall, regal and radiant, Swift was the undisputed belle of the ball. Up for a best new artist Grammy, the 18-year-old singer-songwriter was beset by young and old admirers at every step -- and she was invariably gracious and attentive with each one. At one point, two little girls approached her, and she enveloped them in a sisterly embrace while her publicist snapped their picture with their camera phone.

Gorman delighted with Saints' display in defeat

What was most pleasing was to see the team have some fight and energy and passion (Andrew Davies should be made captain, he was superb). Think it proves that not only was Burley sucking the life out of fans, but he was doing it to his own players too. Shame we lost, but well played all the same Saints. .

NASCAR Warns Stewart, Busch to Avoid Another Confrontation

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch were ordered to steer clear of each other Saturday in hopes of preventing a repeat of their high-octane confrontation on the first day of Speedweeks.

NASCAR officials summoned Stewart and Busch for a follow-up meeting Saturday morning, just hours after the two drivers tangled on the track -- and possibly in the NASCAR officials' trailer afterward. The entire garage was buzzing over Busch allegedly insulting Stewart and Stewart retaliating with a punch -- claims no one would confirm or deny.

NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter said officials have not decided whether to penalize either driver, but delivered a stern warning.

"You two guys better give each other plenty of space," Hunter said. "You clearly understand where we are with this and we're going to continue to think about it."

Hunter said any resulting penalties would be announced Monday or Tuesday.

Thistles and thorns

A thistle to Obama for standing up to Detroit automakers and aiming to increase fuel economy standards. If he can, in fact, improve energy efficiency 50 percent by 2030, will his personal motorcade go green, too?

A thistle to McCain for supporting a citizenship program for illegal immigrants who are already here because they've worked harder to be American than most Americans…or because otherwise he'd have to fire his gardener...