Nanny Statism Will Prevent Fat Asses

That's what some people in L.A. think anyway:

LOS ANGELES, July 12 -- Citing alarming rates of childhood obesity and a poverty of healthful eating choices, a city councilwoman is pushing for a moratorium on new fast-food restaurants in South-Central Los Angeles.

"Some people will say, 'Well, people just don't have to eat it,' " said Jan Perry, the Democrat who represents the city's overwhelmingly African American and Latino District 9. "But the fact of the matter is, what if you have no other choices?"

The whole story is here.

Question: Is there some reason that these people cannot -- Oh, I dunno -- make a fucking sandwich for lunch before they go to work or school?

Oh, and there is a racism angle too:

The proposed ordinance, which takes a page from boutique communities that turn up their noses at franchises, is supported by nutritionists, frustrated residents and community activists who call restrictive zoning an appropriate response to "food apartheid." [Emphasis added.]

"There's one set of food for one part of the city, another set of food for another part of the city, and it's very stratified that way," said Marqueece Harris-Dawson, executive director of Community Coalition, based in South-Central.

So, remember eating a fast food burger is the moral equivalent of supporting aparthed. Just though you'd like to know.

There is, however, an exception for franchises patronized by the people writing these ordinances such as west coast bakery chain Marie Callender's, noted restaurant lobbyist Andrew Casana:

"You can't play the obesity card and then invite in a place that sells pies," Casana said.