Smallscreen News
TV anchor Jennifer Livingston needs help, not bullied says noted bariatric surgeon
By April MacIntyre Oct 4, 2012, 3:18 GMT
Ms. Livingston, the sister of Golden-Globe nominated actor, Ron Livingston, said during her broadcast on Tuesday that the outpouring on Facebook inspired her to take a public stand against bullying.
Jennifer Livingston, a local morning anchor in Wisconsin, responded on-air directly to a private e-mail from Kenneth W. Krause telling her she was an unsuitable role model for young people, especially young girls, because she is grossly obese.
The Facebook post she launched and subsequent viral video (below) prompted hundreds of comments over the weekend from people around the world, with many offering support and others lamenting that they having been bullied because of their weight.
Ms. Livingston, the sister of Golden-Globe nominated actor, Ron Livingston, said during her broadcast on Tuesday that the outpouring on Facebook inspired her to take a public stand against bullying.
But, experts and doctors are siding with Krause.
The e-mail sent to the newscaster was not a nice letter, but "it doesn't fit the definition of bullying," says David Dickson, chairman of the Bullying Prevention Initiative of California.
"Bullying, normally, is what someone, in a very mean spirited way, continually and on a repeated basis, does to another person, typically in a social setting in front of other people…It was a stupid letter he wrote, but he commented privately."
Krause, a lawyer, wrote:
Hi Jennifer,
It’s unusual that I see your morning show, but I did so for a very short time today. I was surprised indeed to witness that your physical condition hasn’t improved for many years.
Surely you don’t consider yourself a suitable example for this community’s young people, girls in particular. Obesity is one of the worst choices a person can make and one of the most dangerous habits to maintain.
I leave you this note hoping that you’ll reconsider your responsibility as a local public personality to present and promote a healthy lifestyle.
Currently the darling cause to rally behind is bullying, an act which has gained momentum and attention, yet acts of rudeness, incivility or conflict have been given the “bully” label incorrectly.
The label “bully” has taken on the tone of calling someone a "bigot", "sexist" or “racist” – it stops conversation and causes friction over the label rather than the content.
Some are concerned it also affects free speech.
Noted bariatric surgeon Dr. Carson Liu, MD has devoted his practice to helping the obese regain health via safe solutions like lap band surgery and other types of gastric reduction.
He also sides with the Bullying Prevention Initiative of California.
"Yes. I am a cold heartless surgeon. That's what my brother thought when I nagged him since 1995 to lose weight before he dies a slow and painful death. He is 48 years old now and diabetes has taken its toll," said Dr. Liu in a phone interview today.
Dr. Liu continued, "After all those pills, they switched him to insulin, which creates hunger, and his weight sky-rocketed to 398 pounds. Now his doctors have tried to defibrillated his heart. He is having congestive heart failure with atrial fibrillation and he requires Warfarin - Coumadin - to prevent a stroke. By the way, Warfarin is from Wisconsin and originally used as rat poison."
"He is always the victim and too busy to take care of his weight. Stand up and do something....walking and eating healthy things is a good place to start."
Dr. Liu sincerely hopes Ms. Livingston gets help. "I apologize if I sound like I am bullying the majority of America since two-thirds of the US is overweight. We need to take better care of ourselves as this is the main reason why medical costs are spiraling out of control. We are eating ourselves to a state of illness."
Do you agree with Dr. Liu and the Bullying Prevention Initiative of California? Talk back.
