CNN's Gupta: A Surgeon General Who Backs an Obesity Tax?

CNN's Gupta: A Surgeon General Who Backs an Obesity Tax?

By Julia A. Seymour (Bio | Archive)
Tue, 01/06/2009 - 17:02 ET

Media analyst Howard Kurtz of the Washington Post reported on Jan. 6 that President-elect Barack Obama has asked CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta to be the next surgeon general.

According to Kurtz's column, Gupta, a neurosurgeon who has worked as a CNN and CBS medical correspondent, "told administration officials that he wants the job."

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A look into the Business & Media Institute archives revealed that Gupta thinks iPods are potentially dangerous to "breathe," tax increases are okay for the sake of the war on obesity, and the federal food grant program WIC isn't large enough.

Gupta supported the plan of San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom to impose a tax on drinks sweetened with "cheap" corn syrup in order to fight the "obesity epidemic." Dec. 18, 2007 "American Morning." At that time the price of corn was actually at an 11-year high.
On Nov. 9, 2007, CNN paged Dr. Gupta about "IPOD & IPHONE DANGER." Gupta reported that the cord connecting the earbuds to an iPod or iPhone contain phthalates and "may hinder the sexual development of mammals." CNN "American Morning" co-host John Roberts pointed out that the rodents in the study were fed the plastics and summarized the takeaway for viewers: "Don't Eat Your iPhone or your earbuds." "Or breathe it in," Gupta replied.
Gupta complained in April 2007 that the federal grant program Women, Infants and Children (WIC) was being "slashed" by the Bush administration. According to Gupta the proposed budget of $5.4 billion in 2008 for the food grant program wasn't large enough. The 2007 budget was $5.2 billion.
Gupta ate up a South L.A. councilwoman's plan to force her constituents to eat better by banning new fast-food restaurants. "[A]lthough obesity may not be eliminated entirely, studies show zoning laws are a good first step to fighting the problem," Gupta said on "American Morning" Nov. 16, 2007.

—Julia A. Seymour is an assistant editor for the Business & Media Institute.

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Why not "Dr." Phil? Or a

Tue, 01/06/2009 - 17:11 ET by TOE

Why not "Dr." Phil? Or a bird vetetenarian? Whats the difference?

At least Dr. Phil is a

Tue, 01/06/2009 - 17:21 ET by Chris Norman

At least Dr. Phil is a Republican. Gupta is a dedicated liberal know-it-all-and- then-some nagging nanny

The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.

Who else?

Tue, 01/06/2009 - 17:32 ET by Gothampc

A movie star doctor for a movie star POTUS.

Why didn't he just pick someone from the cast of Scrubs?

LOL..maybe because this guy

Tue, 01/06/2009 - 17:47 ET by celator

LOL..maybe because this guy gave more to the Obama campaign than anyone on the cast of Scrubs?

I vote for Elliot

Tue, 01/06/2009 - 18:29 ET by Chaitealover

At least Sarah Chalke is cute.

Chai

"The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money" Margaret Thatcher

Hey Julia, glad you have

Tue, 01/06/2009 - 17:26 ET by bigtimer

Hey Julia, glad you have this here...Sky and myself were just talking about this pick from the O Team...another flaming leftist...of course the msm will call him a centrist.

CNN got their reward, their gold star, their seal of approval from their Chosen One.

Aren't we all just lucky as can be...I can already hear the BS and guidelines coming to a screen near us on how to live our lives, let alone what his recommendations will be via congress.

"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh

Hey bt...It gets even better about Gupta...

Tue, 01/06/2009 - 19:40 ET by PrairieSky

This yutz is a former White House fellow and advisor to Hillary while Bubba was prez...

Yet another former Clintonite, as if we weren't already up to our collective armpits in them already...Geez!

"...peace is the highest aspiration of the American People. We will negotiate for it, sacrifice for it, we will never surrender for it, now or ever." President Ronald Reagan~ January 20, 1981

Sky... Wow, I

Tue, 01/06/2009 - 19:54 ET by bigtimer

Sky...

Wow, I didn't know this...I tell you, this is never-ending, she must have more on O than I ever thought, I mean it....this is getting to where you cannot help but wonder, this is unbelievable, was he on her national health task-force, the one behind the scenes, kept from the public, the big secret BS as another advisor?

Just the reason I love NBs, always have, always will... learning from all posters.

"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh

bt... I think he was an advisor concerning...

Tue, 01/06/2009 - 20:58 ET by PrairieSky

the task-force, but I'm not sure about that...I'm trying to find out the specifics. I'll let you know what I come up with.

Stay tuned...

"...peace is the highest aspiration of the American People. We will negotiate for it, sacrifice for it, we will never surrender for it, now or ever." President Ronald Reagan~ January 20, 1981

Sky thanks...we are having

Tue, 01/06/2009 - 21:11 ET by bigtimer

Sky thanks...we are having horrendous weather here, most likely heading your way soon, flooding going to be happening below us, more roof collapses, power has been going on and off here all day now with this warm up, so I have been in and out, who knows, I would google all this myself, but I tell you, this is the fourth time I have had to wait before turning this back on with the power today.

Catch you maybe soon...maybe not.

Glad for the info.

"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh

bt...You bet...Y'all have had perfectly awful weather...

Tue, 01/06/2009 - 21:27 ET by PrairieSky

this winter. And you're right...I think the mess you're dealing with is coming our way...They're saying we're getting another winter storm Weds. night/Thursday.

About Gupta, finding any real hard specifics about what he did for Hill is a futile effort. This is the best I could find after searching.

Hang in there, and I hope your power stays on...

"...peace is the highest aspiration of the American People. We will negotiate for it, sacrifice for it, we will never surrender for it, now or ever." President Ronald Reagan~ January 20, 1981

bt...About Gupta...Here's what...

Tue, 01/06/2009 - 21:19 ET by PrairieSky

I could find out...

In 1997, Gupta was chosen as a White House Fellow, one of 15 appointed...In this capacity, which lasted for about a year, he was a "special advisor" to Hillary. This obviously took place after Hill's health care task force fiasco, but the fact remains that he was a Clintonite, and is yet another Clinton connected Obama appointee.

"...peace is the highest aspiration of the American People. We will negotiate for it, sacrifice for it, we will never surrender for it, now or ever." President Ronald Reagan~ January 20, 1981

I knew it!

Tue, 01/06/2009 - 17:29 ET by SickofLibs

Earbuds "may hinder the sexual development of mammals?"

When I put my purebred spider monkey out for stud, I warned him about this numerous times. He just will not listen!

SoL.... ROFLMAO! "Americ

Tue, 01/06/2009 - 17:33 ET by bigtimer

SoL....

ROFLMAO!

"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh

So he's going to be another

Tue, 01/06/2009 - 17:38 ET by thebutlerdidit

So he's going to be another C. Everett Kook? Dandy. I love those Nanny-staters! I have seen this goober a few times, he really hates fat people. The Ipod and cell phone thing, is just weird.

I say bring back "Dr." Joycelyn Elders

Tue, 01/06/2009 - 17:46 ET by R D Helm

As it appears the Obama "presidency" is going to be the third term of Billy Jeff (and I am beginning to think this is no accident), they may as well bring them all back.

Besides, we could sure use the entertainment for the next four years.

And if it is an obesity tax they are after, just slap one on Ted Kennedy.

-Dave

“Them that’s going get on the wagon. Them that ain’t get out of the way.” -Because enough is enough.

Do you remember what

Tue, 01/06/2009 - 17:52 ET by celator

Do you remember what Elder's recommendation was to lower high school promiscuity when she was SG? I swear this is true. You can look it up. To teach kids how to masturbate (don't mean to be crude here). Yep. That'll solve the problem. You would set up all these classes.......

What a total nut job.

celator,

Wed, 01/07/2009 - 01:59 ET by R D Helm

LOL-I know, but I figure, if PEBO insists on a Clintonista reunion....

-Dave

“Them that’s going get on the wagon. Them that ain’t get out of the way.” -Because enough is enough.

Gotta watch out for those

Wed, 01/07/2009 - 10:46 ET by celator

Gotta watch out for those reunions with the old guard... ;+}

What a joke!

Tue, 01/06/2009 - 17:50 ET by motherbelt

Some liberals want to add obesity to the "protected" classes to outlaw discrimination, and there are some who want it declared a disability.

So which is it: something that's to be privileged class and/or a disability, or something to be discouraged and punished by taxing?

This is hilarious: the Nanny State caught between excuse making and tough love!

Only one word

Tue, 01/06/2009 - 17:51 ET by BobAnthony

Can describe "Doctor" Gupta...

QUACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He needs to read this from the Center for Consumer Freedom...especially about this so-called Fat Tax. It's as asinine an idea as a fart tax which would drive milk, meat and even crop prices THROUGH THE ROOF! But it doesn't matter to the black nazis who by skin color ALONE voted for Obama...WHEN HE IS MAINLY WHITE AND A STINKIN' ARAB!

The Constitution is NOT a conspiracy theory and the founding fathers are NOT conspiracy theorists!

Gupta Star

Tue, 01/06/2009 - 17:49 ET by PeterD

When I read the news about Dr. Gupta I pleasured myself while thinking of Dr. Jocelyn Elders.

If he doesn't get the position, I hear the Obama team is reaching out to the cast of Scrubs.

I was thinking the exact

Tue, 01/06/2009 - 18:33 ET by SpaceManSpiff

I was thinking the exact same thing, that this is Dr Elders all over again. The bad part is that the media made a mockery out of her and she got canned. I don't think that will happen in this case.

Of course not!

Wed, 01/07/2009 - 10:37 ET by Blonde

The media will make Gupta out to be an adjunct to the second coming of The One.

In fact, Gupta will probably become The Two.

You know how they adore one of their own.

If Obama had to pick an

Tue, 01/06/2009 - 21:53 ET by fitzfong

If Obama had to pick an unrepentent quack for Surgeon General, he could have at least had the courtesy to choose Dr. Nick Riviera from the Simpsons. Unlike Gupta, Dr. Nick is not an obnoxious, self-important blowhard...and he could start out each press conference with a "Hey, Everybody"!

"Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it." -Ronald Reagan

fitzfong.blogspot.com

Fat Tax??

Wed, 01/07/2009 - 10:30 ET by Texasteacher

I am 100% against a fat tax! Rotund people (i.e., me) already pay a fat tax with our XXL and XXXL shirts! And the agony of little children screaming "Mommy make the fat guy go away!"

But once my daily wii fit work starts paying dividends, I'm all for taxing the hell out of those fatties!