http://canwest.a.mms.mavenapps.net/mms/r...lObject=3475882
Never thought this would be an issue. C'mon KIA!
Never thought this would be an issue. C'mon KIA!
Obesity and Wheel Alignments
- Thread starter Liquid_Turbo
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This is what an engineering student from another forum wrote to the journalist
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"Good day.
I suspect my thoughts are inline with the vast majority of the public in regards to your recent story regarding the "FAT" woman and automotive issues.
Your spurious attempt to pull on the heart strings of compassion is a despicable substitute for real journalism. As a reporter, I think you have fallen far short of journalistic integrity and professionalism.
I weep for the future of Global News and the Canadian media if this is the type of story you are encouraged by your editorial staff to report.
The woman is clearly beyond healthy, and well outside the realm of the 95th percentile that automotive designers aim to accommodate. Her purchase of a sub-compact car is tantamount to a 7 foot tall man purchasing a sports car, and complaining about the head room.
No matter the cause of her obesity. people like this are not to be presented as hard done by and victims of their own situation. She knew she was fat, and yet chose to purchase a small car that is ill suited to her needs. I applaud the restraint and tact displayed by the dealership, although I suspect it is only driven out of fear of further slander from your 'news' agency.
The only satisfaction I'm able to extract from the editorial piece you've chosen to present is this: in 10 years time, when the woman is struggling to cope with severe diabetes, plaque stricken arteries and frequent heart palpitations that put her on a fast track to death or an expensive government paid surgery, the drivabiltiy and alignment of her car will be the least of her worries.
Please revert to actual news broadcasting. I understand the emotional appeal of defending the weak and standing up for the "little guy" (yes that's a pun)... but there is zero news value to stories like this, and doing so only dilutes your journalistic integrity."
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"Good day.
I suspect my thoughts are inline with the vast majority of the public in regards to your recent story regarding the "FAT" woman and automotive issues.
Your spurious attempt to pull on the heart strings of compassion is a despicable substitute for real journalism. As a reporter, I think you have fallen far short of journalistic integrity and professionalism.
I weep for the future of Global News and the Canadian media if this is the type of story you are encouraged by your editorial staff to report.
The woman is clearly beyond healthy, and well outside the realm of the 95th percentile that automotive designers aim to accommodate. Her purchase of a sub-compact car is tantamount to a 7 foot tall man purchasing a sports car, and complaining about the head room.
No matter the cause of her obesity. people like this are not to be presented as hard done by and victims of their own situation. She knew she was fat, and yet chose to purchase a small car that is ill suited to her needs. I applaud the restraint and tact displayed by the dealership, although I suspect it is only driven out of fear of further slander from your 'news' agency.
The only satisfaction I'm able to extract from the editorial piece you've chosen to present is this: in 10 years time, when the woman is struggling to cope with severe diabetes, plaque stricken arteries and frequent heart palpitations that put her on a fast track to death or an expensive government paid surgery, the drivabiltiy and alignment of her car will be the least of her worries.
Please revert to actual news broadcasting. I understand the emotional appeal of defending the weak and standing up for the "little guy" (yes that's a pun)... but there is zero news value to stories like this, and doing so only dilutes your journalistic integrity."
"she feels crushed", no one ever asked how the car feels.
some guy from another forum did a remix with his voice added in
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiOOoy-aOX0
some guy from another forum did a remix with his voice added in
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiOOoy-aOX0
I had a whole spiel typed up about this, but....
nah, forget about it!
"The height of too much-ery"
nah, forget about it!
"The height of too much-ery"
Originally Posted By: d00df00d
Zing!
He kind of overdid it on the health issues but the rest is spot on.
I think the health issues were a little short and not overdone. He forget the constant pain from the poor knees supporting that weight. If a car is struggling after a few months think how her knees feel after all those years. Plus the sleep apnea she will have because the weight will be suppressing her lungs and diaphragm from expanding completely. But I like the idea of the lead weights!
Zing!
He kind of overdid it on the health issues but the rest is spot on.
I think the health issues were a little short and not overdone. He forget the constant pain from the poor knees supporting that weight. If a car is struggling after a few months think how her knees feel after all those years. Plus the sleep apnea she will have because the weight will be suppressing her lungs and diaphragm from expanding completely. But I like the idea of the lead weights!
She was "crushed" because they asked her to sit in the car while they aligned it? I'd love to sit in my car while they align it.
If you don't like the way you look maybe you should put down the box of Oreo's and get on the treadmill. Don't lash out at others clearly tried to help you.
Political correctness and this adverseness to offending anyone are going to be the undoing of society.
If you don't like the way you look maybe you should put down the box of Oreo's and get on the treadmill. Don't lash out at others clearly tried to help you.
Political correctness and this adverseness to offending anyone are going to be the undoing of society.
It makes sense. I would leave the paint, ladders, and equipment in my work van when I took it for an alignment. Everything would be in its place just as the van was used. No point in aligning it empty and then loading it up again, it would be a waste of an alignment.
+1 on eating less Oreo's, and hitting the treadmill.
+1 on eating less Oreo's, and hitting the treadmill.
Why does "society" need to change to accomodate fat people?
I remember a few years back on the edmunds forum, there was a car salesman that said this man and his obese wife brought back a GM car after they bought it. The passenger seatbelt light kept going off. They figured out that she was too fat to wear the seatbelt. The whole time they thought it was a sensor going off because the lady said she was wearing her seatbelt.
Reminds me of that fast food commercial where the Ford Escape front suspension collapses when they get their drive through order.
I remember a few years back on the edmunds forum, there was a car salesman that said this man and his obese wife brought back a GM car after they bought it. The passenger seatbelt light kept going off. They figured out that she was too fat to wear the seatbelt. The whole time they thought it was a sensor going off because the lady said she was wearing her seatbelt.
Reminds me of that fast food commercial where the Ford Escape front suspension collapses when they get their drive through order.
I agree that a person as large as that lady should not be buying such a small car. It was a poor chocie on her end although maybe it was all she could afford? I won't dispute what you folks are saying about that in the least. However, some of your "fat people" remarks are starting to really hit me hard and it is ticking me off. How about talking about the specific subject and let's lay off this [censored] that all fat people are lazy and do it to themselves.
If you have never been overweight you have no idea how hard it is to lose weight even when you try. Also, it is a proven scientific/medical FACT many people are overweight because of medical issues they have no control over. I really resent that put the oreo box down and the why should society accomodate fat people remarks. WAY out of line. You have NO clue why that woman is overweight? It could be for medical reasons and something she has no control over. That is like making fun of a bald person because their hair is falling out. Not their fault.
I have been overweight my entire life despite being very active( sports as a kid, hunting/fishing, construction work )and eating far less than most normal sized people. Yes, at times I could pack it away.
However as a rule since I was 16-17 I have basically eaten ONE meal a day and had to do that just to keep my weight gain slowed down. I can NOT eat 3 meals a day even if they are small and healthy or I gain weight. Even the Dr agrees. I am not even a candidate for stomach surgery because my problem is not related to the amount of food I eat.
In 2004 at the age of 37 I weighed 500lbs. I do have a very large frame( 6' 3" )so I didn't look it ( most thought I was 300-350 looking at me ). Despite years of diets that would work and then stop( not because I cheated )and countless other attempts to lose weight( gym membership, walking, etc... ), plus a normal active lifestyle, I was putting weight on and on and on. With all the health risks involved I became really scared I was going to die by 40. I talked with my Dr( again )about how to stop the weight gain and actually lose weight.
We tried a new diet at the time( South Beach )and it actually worked. I dropped weight like a rocket. 147 lbs in 10 months. In total I lost 187 lbs( 500-313 )in about a year and a half. The weight came off and stayed off. Then I stopped losing and sat static for almost a year despite staying with the diet/eating lifestyle, increasing exercise, etc... Then slowly, as it always has, the weight started coming back and it is still doing it to me despite everything I can do to try and stop it.
I do not eat sugar, butter, breads, white potatoes, pasta, candy and other sweets, etc... Basically lean meats and fish, green veggies, and salads. I use butter substitute spraingly and even cook my meat when possible on the grill to avoid added fats. I STILL put weight on. I can eat a chicken breast and a salad for dinner, and that is it for the day, and put weight on. I hold steady for a few days to a few months and then BAM in 2-3 days I am up 10, 15, 20 lbs. NO explanation for it. It just happens.
I have spent THOUSANDS of dollars having blood work done, been seen by specialists( weight loss, endocrinologists, etc... ), and on and on. There is no reason they can find for the gain other than my body uses every single miniscule bit of energy it can get from what I eat and turns it into fat. No one can explain why the SB diet worked for 2 years and now won't. I am completely healthy and have great blood work and BP and such. Better than some atheletes my DR has he tells me. I am just predisposed to be overweight period plus I am a large man to begin with( DR says healthy weight for me is 275 - don't know if I will ever get there again? weighed that in 5th grade ).
I certainly do not sit on my fat arse and eat oreo's all day and I do not feel that society owes me any special favors. However, not all overweight people are lazy and doing it to themselves. It really ticks me off when people just assume that is the case and slam all overweight people. Sorry for the rant but this is soemthing that ticks me off to no end. I bust my hump trying to lose weight/maintain my weight and people like some of you on here just assume I am the cause of my weight issue based on what I eat. Untrue.
I am not trying to get attention here or anything but man some of you need to THINK before you speak/type.
If you are one of those lucky individuals that can eat what you want and not gain count your blessings. Even if you have to watch what you eat to keep from gaining also consider yourself lucky because you can control it. Not everyone is FAT because they are lazy pigs that sit around all day stuffing their pie holes.
If you have never been overweight you have no idea how hard it is to lose weight even when you try. Also, it is a proven scientific/medical FACT many people are overweight because of medical issues they have no control over. I really resent that put the oreo box down and the why should society accomodate fat people remarks. WAY out of line. You have NO clue why that woman is overweight? It could be for medical reasons and something she has no control over. That is like making fun of a bald person because their hair is falling out. Not their fault.
I have been overweight my entire life despite being very active( sports as a kid, hunting/fishing, construction work )and eating far less than most normal sized people. Yes, at times I could pack it away.
In 2004 at the age of 37 I weighed 500lbs. I do have a very large frame( 6' 3" )so I didn't look it ( most thought I was 300-350 looking at me ). Despite years of diets that would work and then stop( not because I cheated )and countless other attempts to lose weight( gym membership, walking, etc... ), plus a normal active lifestyle, I was putting weight on and on and on. With all the health risks involved I became really scared I was going to die by 40. I talked with my Dr( again )about how to stop the weight gain and actually lose weight.
We tried a new diet at the time( South Beach )and it actually worked. I dropped weight like a rocket. 147 lbs in 10 months. In total I lost 187 lbs( 500-313 )in about a year and a half. The weight came off and stayed off. Then I stopped losing and sat static for almost a year despite staying with the diet/eating lifestyle, increasing exercise, etc... Then slowly, as it always has, the weight started coming back and it is still doing it to me despite everything I can do to try and stop it.
I do not eat sugar, butter, breads, white potatoes, pasta, candy and other sweets, etc... Basically lean meats and fish, green veggies, and salads. I use butter substitute spraingly and even cook my meat when possible on the grill to avoid added fats. I STILL put weight on. I can eat a chicken breast and a salad for dinner, and that is it for the day, and put weight on. I hold steady for a few days to a few months and then BAM in 2-3 days I am up 10, 15, 20 lbs. NO explanation for it. It just happens.
I have spent THOUSANDS of dollars having blood work done, been seen by specialists( weight loss, endocrinologists, etc... ), and on and on. There is no reason they can find for the gain other than my body uses every single miniscule bit of energy it can get from what I eat and turns it into fat. No one can explain why the SB diet worked for 2 years and now won't. I am completely healthy and have great blood work and BP and such. Better than some atheletes my DR has he tells me. I am just predisposed to be overweight period plus I am a large man to begin with( DR says healthy weight for me is 275 - don't know if I will ever get there again? weighed that in 5th grade ).
I certainly do not sit on my fat arse and eat oreo's all day and I do not feel that society owes me any special favors. However, not all overweight people are lazy and doing it to themselves. It really ticks me off when people just assume that is the case and slam all overweight people. Sorry for the rant but this is soemthing that ticks me off to no end. I bust my hump trying to lose weight/maintain my weight and people like some of you on here just assume I am the cause of my weight issue based on what I eat. Untrue.
I am not trying to get attention here or anything but man some of you need to THINK before you speak/type.
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If that is all she could afford it was still a poor choice. I have seen used police Crown Vics that are in great shape used for 3K. That would have the police package so it would have the beefed up suspension and heavy duty cooling system. A better choice for her for sure.
I'm not fat (180 Lb), but I still experience a drop in camber of -.1 or -.2 every time I sit in the driver's seat.
BMW somewhat solved such problems by requiring certain weights to be placed in each seat and the trunk.
I once saw something hilarious involving fat people and cars. I once saw a family of 4 fat people in a 1980s Toyota Corolla. The car moved up what appeared to be 4 inches once all the people got out.
BMW somewhat solved such problems by requiring certain weights to be placed in each seat and the trunk.
I once saw something hilarious involving fat people and cars. I once saw a family of 4 fat people in a 1980s Toyota Corolla. The car moved up what appeared to be 4 inches once all the people got out.
Originally Posted By: mcrn
I think the health issues were a little short and not overdone. He forget the constant pain from the poor knees supporting that weight. If a car is struggling after a few months think how her knees feel after all those years. Plus the sleep apnea she will have because the weight will be suppressing her lungs and diaphragm from expanding completely. But I like the idea of the lead weights!
Oh, I'm sure there are indeed far more potential problems than he stated. I was just saying it's not entirely appropriate to the discussion, as well as not really necessary to bring up. The issues here are the nature of the news story and the whole idea of making that woman into a victim of ignorance on the part of the car companies. Her own health problems are none of our business and do not bear on this topic.
I think the health issues were a little short and not overdone. He forget the constant pain from the poor knees supporting that weight. If a car is struggling after a few months think how her knees feel after all those years. Plus the sleep apnea she will have because the weight will be suppressing her lungs and diaphragm from expanding completely. But I like the idea of the lead weights!
Oh, I'm sure there are indeed far more potential problems than he stated. I was just saying it's not entirely appropriate to the discussion, as well as not really necessary to bring up. The issues here are the nature of the news story and the whole idea of making that woman into a victim of ignorance on the part of the car companies. Her own health problems are none of our business and do not bear on this topic.
Wow, this is whole new look at wheel alignments issues!
Kestas
Staff member
That was a very articulate retort from the engineering student. I'm amazed - very unlike the way most engineers write.
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