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Ted Nugent's Latest Diatribe: Obesity

Outspoken rocker and conservative Ted Nugent is angry again -- this time it's about America's obesity problem.

"Obesity is a manifestation of a cultural depravation," he tells globetrotting chef and TV host Anthony Bourdain, "in its most vulgar and displeasing-to-look-at form. And it's suicide as a lifestyle."

The Motor City Madman recently expressed his views on the topic in an episode of 'Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations,' scheduled to air Monday night at 10 EST on the Travel Channel. In this segment, which focuses on the sights and cuisine of the American Southwest, Bourdain pays a visit to Nugent's ranch in Texas.

During their conversation Nugent describes obesity as an unhealthy choice. "That's a liability," he says. "You have chosen to be a liability to yourself, your family, your neighborhood, and this country."

The two opinionated men talk about obesity's impact on health and the safety of others. Bourdain says he likes the idea of a 'fat' tax and charging someone who uses up an additional airplane or subway seat. Nugent then adds, "It all comes back to the horror, the soullessness of a trend in America that is the abandonment of parenting. Somebody's got to go, 'You can't eat that. You're way too fat.'"



The guitarist is no stranger when it comes to talking about issues, particularly conservative ones, as an advocate for hunting and the right to bear arms. (He is on the National Rifle Association's board of directors and recorded a song called 'I Am the NRA'). Last year Nugent made news with his controversial and very critical remarks about Democratic senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton while holding two rifles.

On his blog, Bourdain says that it was Nugent who approached him about doing something together on television. He recounts a experience from his visit to Nugent's ranch when got a text message invite from chef Mario Batali for drinks. "I texted back," Bourdain writes, "that I regretted being unable to join him as I was currently unloading a belt-fed M-60 machine gun at Ted Nugent's place. His totally unsurprised response was 'Of course you are.'"

Also on the same episode of 'No Reservations,' Bourdain meets up with Alice Cooper at the latter's Cooperstown restaurant in Phoenix. One of the topics of conversation between the two men was less issue-heavy: baseball.

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Rape victim wasn't careful enough?
Three years ago, a woman was raped at gunpoint in front of her children at a Connecticut hotel. She sued. Now the hotel says she was careless and negligent. Mariott

August 16 2009 at 1:08 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
waboo7

Ah, sorry, I meant to write in "...but that's not the ONLY form being overweight comes in." Also, obesity's official percentages are: having 20% or higher body fat over a person's ideal body fat percentage (I think the norm is somewhere under 30%), so there's another correction. My spologies for the mistakes.

September 16 2008 at 11:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
waboo7

I just wanted to clear something up. I've read the article, and read through a few of the comments, and it seems many have a misconception in terminology. "Obese" and "Overweight" are NOT synonymous.

The term "Overweight" refers to having a weight that is over the ideal body size. However, the term doesn't differentiate between weight from bones or muscle and weight from body fat. So, a person may be overweight, but still have healthy, muscular body; an overweight person can very well be more fit than a person of normal weight. In some cases, an overweight person can be unhealthy and have a higher percentage of body fat, but that's not the form being overweight comes in.

"Obese", however, indicates that a person has an extremely high percentage of body fat, around 35% or more. Someone who obese has way too much body fat, to an unhealthy extent, and in most cases has no physcal fitness to speak of

If you'll notice, Ted Nugent always refers to the problem of "obesity", not simply of being "overweight". He is justified in stating that obesity is an increasing problem in the United States.

September 16 2008 at 10:59 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Pastor Z

What some people fail to realize is that obesity doesn't always result from overeating. There are genetic variables, biochemical issues as well as what's in your diet (you might not be eating too much; but just eating stuff that's bad for you). It's a shame when people simplify the problem and condemn everyone who is overweight as having caused their own problem.

August 21 2008 at 10:35 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
pstick93

Besides, after all the red-meat ted nugent has eaten i'm surprised he hasn't gotten fat and/or died yet. The nuge is definitely someone i would not be taking dietary advice from.

August 20 2008 at 8:46 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
pstick93

You guys are waaaaaaay to self-conscious. The only people who really give a shit are people who are way to insecure with themselves. like ted nugent.

August 20 2008 at 8:43 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
you Bloated Sac!

Burp! Ungh - Ungh - Yowumm - Sploich! Got any mora this stuff? MMMMMMMMMMM!

August 20 2008 at 9:49 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
karenb6300

I believe I heard somewhere that he had given up a child for adoption...where does he get off discussing ANYONE's parenting skills, fat kids or not. Besides, I don't see why anyone is paying attention, its not like his opinions are important nowadays and he is ugly as sin, and unpleasing to to the eye.

August 19 2008 at 6:59 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
kissingintongues

Ted Nugent may be a bit on the wild, even crazy side, but he's right. One person said here, 'what about those who excercise & die of a heart attack?' That's easy. That person referred to 1 person, not a study of hundreds, or thousands. That is worse than weak- it's worthless. The studies show, no matter what the differences in details, that healthy eating & healthy living, exercise, etc., HELPS greatly in prolonging the life span and/or people being healthier, no matter when they die. That's just facts. I am not totally strict in eating, or exercising (though I am getting back to the gym now), but just look around at this country getting fatter & fatter, and are doing it younger & younger. They, and this society, will pay for it. Thatb does not justify those who go to far in gov't to control us (especially Democrats) on the eating & health issues, but there are correct things to do by gov't (limited things), and what we should do for ourselves. I eat fairly healthy, limit the intake sensibly, and have started back at the gym, as well as walk outside sometimes.
Please don't excuse what Nugent said. He has good points.

August 11 2008 at 2:31 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
klkrn

The amount of people that disagree with Nugent shows that obesity is such a problem that most people think it's normal to be fat. For most it is a choice to be fat. There are the few (and I mean very few) that have little or no control over their weight. I've been a nurse for 10 years and the majority of overweight can change it but choose not to.

August 10 2008 at 2:01 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply