2.5.2008 9:57 AM

Too Big, No Service

Congressman Thinks Banning Obese Customers from Restaurants Would Help Fight Obesity

Proposed banning of serving obese people at restaurants.

By Annie Bell Muzaurieta

You thought calorie information next to menu items was oppressive? If a congressman from Mississippi had his way, you'd have to be thin enough to dine out.

The Virginian-Pilot reports that Republican Representative John Read of Gautier, MS (himself a sturdy 5 feet 11 inches and 230 pounds) wants to ban restaurants from serving food to obese customers.

He claims, however, that you shouldn't be offended because his goal was not to actually turn this bill into a law, but to draw attention to his state's obesity problem.

The state House Public Health Committee chairman, Democrat Steve Holland of Plantersville, told the paper: "It is too oppressive for government to require a restaurant owner to police another human being from their own indiscretions."

Since the bill had no specifics about how restaurants would classify potential customers or about how obesity would be defined, we're thinking diners everywhere are still safe.

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