(no subject)

[robinturner]

If I hadn't heard this on the BBC, I'd assume it was one of those Internet myths ... a group of fat Americans are suing MacDonalds, Burger King, Wendy's and Kentucky Fried Chicken for making them fat. Their point, apparently, is that junk food should carry the same kind of health warning as cigarettes. This of course, obscures an important difference. Until comparitively recently, few members of the public were aware of the link between smoking and lung cancer, and cigarette companies tried to suppress or discredit early research. On the other hand, few members of the public could honestly claim that stuffing themselves with hamburgers and fries would keep them slim. What are we going to see next - alcoholics suing breweries?

However much I laugh at this "sue everyone" attitude, there are a few developments I'd like to see.

1. Windows users should be allowed to sue Microsoft for loss of data, loss of productivity and emotional trauma caused by Windows crashes and Outlook Express viruses
2. Voters should be able to sue political parties for breach of contract in the event of their failing to keep election promises.
3. Church members should be able to sue ministers who threaten them with hellfire then ask for donations with extortion.