I watched the Charlie Rose program on October 22, during which he discussed the subjects of obesity, flu information, and our meat supply. First, a research doctor talked about his discovery that so many diseases come from obesity. We are eating 500 more calories per day than 20 years ago, he told Charlie. We are sitting around too much given what we eat. Except for the gym, most Americans hardly ever do physical work. We are also eating too much sugar, fat, and salt. He also said that changing diets is harder than giving up smoking. I agree, having been a smoker, but still struggling with weight.

A big part of this health problem, for many Americans, is eating meat. Hot dogs are probably a big source of colon cancer since they have nitrites in them. The expert on Charlie Rose who knows all about slaughterhouses said that they move the beef through the slaughter process so fast, they can't keep it clean. Thus we are eating manure in the meat. He said, "I don't think we want our hamburger mixed with poop, but that is what happens."

Remember when the Surgeon General's address to Americans about the hazards of smoking helped? Now smoking is thought of as anti-social and expensive. The new Surgeon General, Regina Benjamin, who was just confirmed to her post last week, could do much when it comes to educating the public about obesity. We know it causes cancer, diabetes, and a bunch of other problems. This in turn makes our health care cost more. It is pretty selfish to gorge yourself and make other people pay for the consequences. It also makes me wonder why anyone would want to suffer the results. Food is very cheap in this country at fast food places and eating together is still a wonderful social event. What we could do is eat food that does not have a lot of sugar, fat, and salt. I changed all that in my diet and I still enjoy eating and feel satisfied. But you have to do it; not just think about it.

Rose's guest also said that much of the bacteria are in the hide as well. Animals raised for meat also use a great deal of water and food that could be used for people, so either have less kids or close up those huge, factory farms.

If people would be willing to look at a video of the slaughterhouse and what meat does to the body, I think we would change our diets overnight. It is not true that we need meat for protein. But if you think you need it, find a small, local meat processing place and ask if you can inspect it or ask who inspects it for cleanliness. You can't just take someone's word for it. This is also why I understand hunting much more than the slaughterhouse. I don't like it, but it is the better of the two choices if people are really well trained in getting a perfect shot. A dietician could easily work out a very healthy alternative to protein requirements. If that were not so, why would Seventh Day Adventists, who are strict vegetarians, have the longest life spans in our country?

Finally, I read that if we can reform health care by requiring insurance companies to be more responsible for people and not being able to reject anyone, they would get to work on changing our eating habits real fast. What a shame that animals have to suffer so that people can be overweight and in turn suffer themselves. It just doesn't make sense.

Thanksgiving will be here in three weeks. This year is a good time to face the issue of our food sources now and in the future. We have an ever-growing world population, and these people will not only need to eat, but have water and healthier bodies. Food and health care are so intertwined that we need to get to work fast on facing the fact that we should not be eating like our grandparents or fathers and mothers did.