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Subject: Good News- McDonalds lawsuit dropped.

Written By: Race_Bannon on 01/22/03 at 05:01 p.m.

Judge Throws Out McDonald's Obesity Suit

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK -- Saying the law is not intended to protect people from their own excesses, a federal judge threw out a class-action lawsuit Wednesday that blamed McDonald's food for obesity, diabetes and other health problems in children.

U.S. District Judge Robert Sweet said the plaintiffs failed to show that the fast-food chain's products "involve a danger that is not within the common knowledge of consumers."

The lawsuit was filed against McDonald's last summer and sought unspecified damages.

"If a person knows or should know that eating copious orders of supersized McDonald's products is unhealthy and may result in weight gain ... it is not the place of the law to protect them from their own excesses," the judge said. "Nobody is forced to eat at McDonald's."

Plaintiffs' attorney Samuel Hirsch filed other, similar lawsuits last year. In one, a 270-pound city maintenance worker alleged that eating McDonald's, Wendy's, Burger King and KFC had caused him health problems. Those suits had been dropped or put on hold while Sweet considered the lawsuit against McDonald's.

The lawsuits became a lightning rod for pundits and editorial writers who jeered that they were the latest example of a litigious society in which people abdicate personal responsibility.

"Common sense has prevailed," McDonald's spokesman Walt Riker said. "We said from the beginning that this was a frivolous lawsuit. Today's ruling confirms that fact."

On Wall Street, McDonald's stock rose 2 cents to close Wednesday at $15.36 on the New York Stock Exchange.

Hirsch said the lawsuit will be amended and refiled within a month.

Hirsch had argued that the high fat, sugar and cholesterol content of McDonald's food is a "toxic kind of thing" when eaten regularly by children.

He said that consumers may generally understand that fast-food burgers and fries are not health food, but do not realize just how bad such fare can be.

He cited the case of a 13-year-old New York City boy who said he ate at McDonald's three or four times a week and is now 5-foot-4 and 278 pounds. Other affidavits filed by the parents of obese children claim they never saw posters or pamphlets inside McDonald's restaurants describing the nutritional content of the food.

"They have targeted children," Hirsch contended.

According to a McDonald's Web site, a Big Mac packs 590 calories and 34 grams of fat, while a large order of french fries has 540 calories and 26 grams of fat.

Riker said McDonald's has been providing nutrition information about its food for 30 years. He said McDonald's food "can fit into a healthy, well-balanced diet, based upon the choice and variety available on our menu

Subject: Re: Good News- McDonalds lawsuit dropped.

Written By: Rice Cube on 01/22/03 at 05:03 p.m.

YES!  Take THAT, fat people!  :P

I don't know.  I think it's pretty obvious that a burger and fries aren't exactly the healthiest meal in the world ::)  

It's like the smokers suing because they got lung cancer from a proven cancer stick.

Subject: Re: Good News- McDonalds lawsuit dropped.

Written By: 80s_cheerleader on 01/22/03 at 05:16 p.m.

I have a neighbor who weighs 130 lbs, is 5'8" and eats at a fast food restaurant almost every day.  It just depends on what you eat there...

However, lawsuits like this happen all across America.  Talk about abusing the legal system. ::)

Subject: Re: Good News- McDonalds lawsuit dropped.

Written By: Squirrel on 01/22/03 at 05:23 p.m.

Well, poop!  I was hoping this would win millions so I could go ahead with my lawsuit against the internet.  I was gonna sue for my butt getting too big by sitting in front of the screen surfing the internet while eating large amounts of junk food.  Shoot, speaking of junk food, I was gonna sue all the manufacturers of that stuff, too.

Dang!   >:(

:D

Subject: Re: Good News- McDonalds lawsuit dropped.

Written By: DaChazman on 01/22/03 at 05:25 p.m.

I hate and love McDonalds at the same time! Thank god I don't go there every day  :P

Subject: Re: Good News- McDonalds lawsuit dropped.

Written By: Steve_H on 01/22/03 at 05:43 p.m.


Quoting:
It's like the smokers suing because they got lung cancer from a proven cancer stick.
End Quote



Although... nicotine is addictive, and that fact was suppressed for many years.  Would you feel the same if you knew that the tobacco industry had added substances to cigarettes who's only purpose was to increase the addictiveness of their product?

Subject: Re: Good News- McDonalds lawsuit dropped.

Written By: dagwood on 01/22/03 at 05:49 p.m.

I am glad this got tossed out.  I am overweight and I would never think of blaming anyone but me.  These morons give us normal people a bad name. >:(

Subject: Re: Good News- McDonalds lawsuit dropped.

Written By: Squirrel on 01/22/03 at 05:50 p.m.

Quoting:


Although... nicotine is addictive, and that fact was suppressed for many years.  Would you feel the same if you knew that the tobacco industry had added substances to cigarettes who's only purpose was to increase the addictiveness of their product?
End Quote



Quitting smoking is harder than those who've never smoked can imagine.  I've not smoked in around 14-16 weeks now and I'm still having a really hard time not picking up some smokes when I'm at a store.    :-/  The physical symptoms are gone, but the psychological/mental/whatever symptoms that I don't understand that make me want a cigarette are still there.

Subject: Re: Good News- McDonalds lawsuit dropped.

Written By: Rice Cube on 01/22/03 at 05:54 p.m.

Methinks we may have to start another thread for the smoking debate...actually, there already is one :)  Go post there.

For those who stay here, I think the tobacco company is to blame for the overwhelming advertising (nowadays in magazines and on billboards only) and the stacking of nicotine.  But it was the smoker's original choice to start.  You can argue psychology all you want, but the fact remains, the smoker CHOSE to start smoking.

I'm sorry you have a hard time quitting Squirrel.  Keep on fighting, stick it to the man.

Subject: Re: Good News- McDonalds lawsuit dropped.

Written By: Crazy Don on 01/22/03 at 05:56 p.m.

I'm a big guy myself, but I don't eat at fast food restaurants every day, though I love to eat fast food, especially French fries.  I know those things make you fat!

Subject: Re: Good News- McDonalds lawsuit dropped.

Written By: 80sRocked on 01/22/03 at 06:12 p.m.

Well, we've managed to throw out this case, for now.  but that just clears the path for the next ridiculous lawsuit to come along and make headline news.


I'm planning on suing the creators of this site (inthe00s.com) because they failed to place a disclaimer stating that it is addictive to come here, and now as a result, I am addicted to this site. :D

Subject: Re: Good News- McDonalds lawsuit dropped.

Written By: 80s_cheerleader on 01/22/03 at 06:20 p.m.

Hey, about ridiculous lawsuits, did y'all know there was a website that sends out newsletters about some of the most ridiculous lawsuits.  If you want the website, let me know...

Anyway, the lawyer even said that he would amend it and refile.  DUH!!!  The kids should be suing their parents for letting them eat crap 3-4 times a week!!  Not that the meals that my kids eat are 100% nutritious, but I try to limit the amount of junk that they eat otherwise.  Also, what other foods did these kids eat that may have contributed to their weights?  If I remember right, I saw one of these kids with the parents and they were just as big (if not bigger)!  In my book, that's called genetics ::)

Subject: Re: Good News- McDonalds lawsuit dropped.

Written By: shazzaah on 01/22/03 at 06:30 p.m.


Quoting:


Quitting smoking is harder than those who've never smoked can imagine.  I've not smoked in around 14-16 weeks now and I'm still having a really hard time not picking up some smokes when I'm at a store.    :-/  The physical symptoms are gone, but the psychological/mental/whatever symptoms that I don't understand that make me want a cigarette are still there.
End Quote



Hang in there, it get's easier, I promise.  ;)

Subject: Re: Good News- McDonalds lawsuit dropped.

Written By: jamminoldies on 01/22/03 at 06:59 p.m.


Quoting:
I hate and love McDonalds at the same time! Thank god I don't go there every day  :P
End Quote



Me neither.I dropped McDonalds as a fast food joint.I go to Subway and Blimpies.that's healthier. :)

howard

Subject: Re: Good News- McDonalds lawsuit dropped.

Written By: Hairspray on 01/22/03 at 09:29 p.m.

It's good news because it's about time we stop blaming the fast food industry for America's being fat, now at an all-time high.

People need to take responsibility for their own actions.

We should all know by now the healthier alternatives.

It's all about choices.  ;)

Subject: Re: Good News- McDonalds lawsuit dropped.

Written By: Squirrel on 01/22/03 at 09:33 p.m.


Quoting:
Methinks we may have to start another thread for the smoking debate...actually, there already is one :)  Go post there.

For those who stay here, I think the tobacco company is to blame for the overwhelming advertising (nowadays in magazines and on billboards only) and the stacking of nicotine.  But it was the smoker's original choice to start.  You can argue psychology all you want, but the fact remains, the smoker CHOSE to start smoking.

I'm sorry you have a hard time quitting Squirrel.  Keep on fighting, stick it to the man.
End Quote



Oh, I didn't mean for it to sound like I was whining.  I agree that it's my fault.  I knew I shouldn't smoke before I ever picked up my first cigarette because it's only common sense.  I'm too stubborn to go back smoking now.   ;)

Subject: Re: Good News- McDonalds lawsuit dropped.

Written By: Squirrel on 01/22/03 at 09:34 p.m.


Quoting:


Hang in there, it get's easier, I promise.  ;)
End Quote



Thanks bunches, Shazzaah.  I'm doing good with it.   :)

Subject: Re: Good News- McDonalds lawsuit dropped.

Written By: Race_Bannon on 01/22/03 at 10:39 p.m.

I was glad to see the judicial system working smart on this.  I'm 36 and I can't recall when it wasn't known that if you eat fast food on a regular basis it wasn't healthy for you.  I also take issue with the lawsuits on the cigarette companies too, although I don't smoke I've known from my earliest days that it was habit of risk.  WARNING:  The Surgeon General Has Determined That Cigarette Smoking Can Be Hazardous To Your Health"  I still remember it reading the sides of my mom's smokes.  She quit about 6 years ago.

Subject: Re: Good News- McDonalds lawsuit dropped.

Written By: DaChazman on 01/23/03 at 05:23 p.m.


Quoting:


Me neither.I dropped McDonalds as a fast food joint.I go to Subway and Blimpies.that's healthier. :)

howard
End Quote


Horray for Heros!

Subject: Re: Good News- McDonalds lawsuit dropped.

Written By: Kenlos on 01/23/03 at 05:28 p.m.

I don't understand why people eat at Mcdonalds to start with to me they are cheating us by giving us the smallest hamburgers i have ever seen and then chargeing us the same amount that other places do who have bigger and better hamburgers.  And their stores are always dirty.  I havent eaten at a McDonalds in several years i would rather not eat than eat at a McDonalds.  If i am going to eat fast food hamburgers i am going to go someplace like Wendy's where you can actually see the meat or Checkers.

Subject: Re: Good News- McDonalds lawsuit dropped.

Written By: 80sRocked on 01/23/03 at 05:46 p.m.

Quoting:
If i am going to eat fast food hamburgers i am going to go someplace like Wendy's...End Quote



if there was a way to combine Wendy's burgers with McDonalds fries, that would be a great place to eat.

I can't stand Wendy's fries, its like eating soggy greasy strips of tasteless salty cardboard.  bleeecccckkkk!!!!!
But I do like their burgers.

Every fast food joint has its highs and lows.

Subject: Re: Good News- McDonalds lawsuit dropped.

Written By: Crazy Don on 01/23/03 at 06:07 p.m.


Quoting:


if there was a way to combine Wendy's burgers with McDonalds fries, that would be a great place to eat.

I can't stand Wendy's fries, its like eating soggy greasy strips of tasteless salty cardboard.  bleeecccckkkk!!!!!
But I do like their burgers.

Every fast food joint has its highs and lows.
End Quote



I like Burger King's Whoppers and their fries are OK, but I just can't stand Wendy's fries!  Sometimes they're good but most of the time I just can't stand them!  McDonald's fries are great.

Subject: Re: Good News- McDonalds lawsuit dropped.

Written By: Kenlos on 01/23/03 at 06:27 p.m.

McDonalds fries are good but the burgers just do them in for me.  Wendy's fries have there moments though a lot of the time they do undercook them.  I dont like Burger Kings fries though they leave a bad taste in my mouth.  

Quoting:


if there was a way to combine Wendy's burgers with McDonalds fries, that would be a great place to eat.

I can't stand Wendy's fries, its like eating soggy greasy strips of tasteless salty cardboard.  bleeecccckkkk!!!!!
But I do like their burgers.

Every fast food joint has its highs and lows.
End Quote

Subject: Re: Good News- McDonalds lawsuit dropped.

Written By: jamminoldies on 01/23/03 at 07:15 p.m.

McDonald's fries were so salty for me.
They would give me more salt packets on top of the salt they
put on their fries.Now,That's salty enough for me! :P(*BLECH*)!

Howard

Subject: Re: Good News- McDonalds lawsuit dropped.

Written By: lebeiw15 on 01/23/03 at 07:24 p.m.

I like Wendy's burgers, but their fries are like greasy chunks of potato sticks.  Pretty nasty.  They don't even taste like fries.  I looove McDonald's fries, but I'm sure all the sodium isn't too good for you.  I love McDonald's burgers, too, but they need to make them about 5x larger.

Subject: Re: Good News- McDonalds lawsuit dropped.

Written By: Rice Cube on 01/23/03 at 09:34 p.m.

The heck with them burger joints.  I'm all about Quizno's :D

Subject: Re: Good News- McDonalds lawsuit dropped.

Written By: Gis on 01/24/03 at 02:41 a.m.

Wasn't there a kid who sued his parents or was it the state that sued them for feeding him nothing but fries and he was 23 stones at the age of 13.I seem to remember that story from last year.

Subject: Re: Good News- McDonalds lawsuit dropped.

Written By: The Skuz on 01/24/03 at 11:11 a.m.


Quoting:
Hey, about ridiculous lawsuits, did y'all know there was a website that sends out newsletters about some of the most ridiculous lawsuits.  If you want the website, let me know...

End Quote




Post it! It sounds like a good one!

:D

Subject: Re: Good News- McDonalds lawsuit dropped.

Written By: raine4u20 on 01/24/03 at 11:42 a.m.

Quoting:
Well, poop!  I was hoping this would win millions so I could go ahead with my lawsuit against the internet.  I was gonna sue for my butt getting too big by sitting in front of the screen surfing the internet while eating large amounts of junk food.  Shoot, speaking of junk food, I was gonna sue all the manufacturers of that stuff, too.

Dang!   >:(

:D
End Quote




OMG TOO FUNNY!!!! :D Thank you so much for the laugh this morning! Lawsuits are so ridiculas...I can understand for a good reason, but not b/c you are fat from McD's or cancer from cigarettes when we all know those aren't good for ya at all! Stupid greedy world!!

Subject: Re: Good News- McDonalds lawsuit dropped.

Written By: raine4u20 on 01/24/03 at 11:46 a.m.

The perfect fast food place would be where they have BK's Whopper's, McD's Fries, and Wendy's Frosties ;) LoL BUT of coarse NOT on a regular basis

Subject: Re: Good News- McDonalds lawsuit dropped.

Written By: Hairspray on 01/24/03 at 11:48 a.m.


Quoting:
The perfect fast food place would be where they have BK's Whopper's, McD's Fries, and Wendy's Frosties ;) LoL BUT of coarse NOT on a regular basis End Quote



I agree. Add some Kentucky Fried Chicken to that! Mmmmm....

Subject: Re: Good News- McDonalds lawsuit dropped.

Written By: Eli_Sheol on 01/25/03 at 11:15 a.m.


Quoting:


Quitting smoking is harder than those who've never smoked can imagine.  I've not smoked in around 14-16 weeks now and I'm still having a really hard time not picking up some smokes when I'm at a store.    :-/  The physical symptoms are gone, but the psychological/mental/whatever symptoms that I don't understand that make me want a cigarette are still there.
End Quote



Boy you got that right Squirrel!!
Congratulations and I pray that you stay dry.
I've tried to quit smoking a bunch of times. It's not the nicotine that does you in. You can get that from patches or gum. For me it's the act of smoking that is so hard to quit. The actual lighting up and puffing away.
After weeks or months of denying myself that pleasure I cave.
It's like going on a diet. You can do it for awhile, but it's a constant struggle.
I have huge amounts of respect for people who smoked for 20 or 30 years and then quit.
I don't think I'll ever be able to.

Subject: Re: Good News- McDonalds lawsuit dropped.

Written By: jamminoldies on 01/25/03 at 01:43 p.m.

I had Burger King the other night.
Jr.Whopper with medium fries and a Pecan Pie.

(*mmm,delicious*) ;D

I'll only have that once in a while.

howard

Subject: Re: Good News- McDonalds lawsuit dropped.

Written By: Q.Aviator on 01/25/03 at 01:52 p.m.


Quoting:
I have a neighbor who weighs 130 lbs, is 5'8" and eats at a fast food restaurant almost every day.  It just depends on what you eat there...
End Quote




Exactly!

I don't think they make salads just to set it on a counter and make the place look pretty.


Geez, the things people do for money  ::)

Subject: Re: Good News- McDonalds lawsuit dropped.

Written By: Rice Cube on 01/26/03 at 11:49 a.m.


Quoting:
Geez, the things people do for money  ::)
End Quote



You'd be surprised.  That's why coffee cups now say "Caution: HOT" and store managers have to keep an even closer eye on customers to make sure they don't fake an "injury" in the store.

Subject: Re: Good News- McDonalds lawsuit dropped.

Written By: jamminoldies on 01/26/03 at 05:20 p.m.


Quoting:


You'd be surprised.  That's why coffee cups now say "Caution: HOT" and store managers have to keep an even closer eye on customers to make sure they don't fake an "injury" in the store.
End Quote



Oh sure.you can fake an injury.It's simple. ;D

Howard

Subject: Re: Good News- McDonalds lawsuit dropped.

Written By: Squirrel on 01/27/03 at 07:54 p.m.


Quoting:


Boy you got that right Squirrel!!
Congratulations and I pray that you stay dry.
I've tried to quit smoking a bunch of times. It's not the nicotine that does you in. You can get that from patches or gum. For me it's the act of smoking that is so hard to quit. The actual lighting up and puffing away.
After weeks or months of denying myself that pleasure I cave.
It's like going on a diet. You can do it for awhile, but it's a constant struggle.
I have huge amounts of respect for people who smoked for 20 or 30 years and then quit.
I don't think I'll ever be able to.
End Quote



Sure you can, Eli.  Just wait for the time that you really want to quit, then you can.  And you have to be stubborn, like me.  Keep lots of sugar-free gum and candy around along with the nicotine gum or patch.  A woman I know quit smoking by eating cinnamon candies all the time.  It gave her cavities in every tooth and she ended up having major dental work done on all her teeth...so remember sugar-free.   ;)

Subject: Re: Good News- McDonalds lawsuit dropped.

Written By: Tv on 02/02/03 at 03:54 p.m.

People suing fast food places is nuts. You should have self-control over what you eat. I used to eat McDonald's and Wendy's on occasion when I was younger. Fast Food is not to eat every day. Some people claim they eat Mcdonalds 4 times a week! Give me a break. Who could eat that stuff 4 times a week? The lawyers are the worst because they are the ones that are pushing these lawsuits. Why? because its part of coorperate greed nowadays. The only thing I don't like is having McDonald's and Taco Bell in High Schools. Then again maybe if the school lunches were better people might buy them. I ate school lunches before I went to high school. When I started to go High School I started to bring my own lunch. School Lunches start to taste bland after all those years.

Subject: Re: Good News- McDonalds lawsuit dropped.

Written By: Rice Cube on 02/21/03 at 09:51 a.m.

Another effort...at least they've changed it to "McDonald's makes false nutritional claims" but still, if you've ever looked at that food... :P

http://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/02/21/obesity.lawsuit/index.html

Subject: Re: Good News- McDonalds lawsuit dropped.

Written By: 80s_cheerleader on 02/21/03 at 10:29 a.m.


Quoting:
The only thing I don't like is having McDonald's and Taco Bell in High Schools. Then again maybe if the school lunches were better people might buy them. End Quote



My son's school does not offer a school lunch, but every other Wed, they have a "Fun Lunch" where they bring in McD's hamburgers, BK Chicken Tenders, Pizza, and hotdogs.  I have no problem with that, but some schools, you can get it every day.