I’m in Gatlinburg, TN

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We went to Gatlinburg for a family reunion and rented a house in the Smokey Mountains and it was really lovely. Yes, people are fatter than in DC--that's the South. And people in DC are fatter than those in NYC or Europe. That's the nature of this country and the Standard American Diet.

This. OP's post is dripping with judgment but I have to admit that when ever I visit my brother in North Carolina, it is striking how much fatter the typical person is as compared to those I encounter in the DC area. Doesn't make them bad people, but its hard not to notice. Unfortunately we've been conditioned to blame people who are overweight. Similarly, I just got back from a family vacation in Italy and it is striking how much thinner the typical person was there. Of course you read about these things and are generally aware, but it is different to see and experience it.

It's one thing to feel for people who have no control over it, like for medical reasons, or kids (parents are to blame), but IMO, it's the people who do have some control and don't care that I just can't understand. I can't believe that the majority of the overwieght adults have medical issues.

It also boggles my mind that the states with the most obese people also fought the medicaid expansion and ACA. These are the states that need it the most, IMO. Their political leaders clearly don't care about their constituents.

[Anonymous]

You're in Gatlingburg, my dear. What did you expect? Bill Bryson wrote about his trips there decades ago and the obesity was already on full display. Doesn't take a wild leap of the imagination to extrapolate that people who let themselves go like this will also embrace the party that doesn't want them to think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where is all the liberal empathy now? Oh, does it just stop at weight?

Were these fat white families? Would you have more understanding if they were black families and overweight?

Perhaps get out of your bubble more often and see the country. Not just the elite parts of the country. It may not be pretty but hiding in your tower isn't helping anything.

Where do you glean that OP is a liberal? Nothing about that post suggests “I am a liberal” to keep…

Everything about OP suggests they're a liberal. If OP isn't, they should clarify.

I am too but I'm not a hypocrite.

[Anonymous]

I just spent a few hours in Pigeon Forge last weekend on the way home from Atlanta and was shocked at how cheesy it was. I was thinking that maybe the appeal to going there is Gatlinburg (which I didn't visit) but I guess not.

And I say this as someone who spends a lot of time in Ocean City.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t go there. Not because people are obese. I’m not that superficial. As a POC, I would have an issue with the Trump supporters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The only place worse is Pigeon Forge, TN. WOOF!

Yeah pigeon forge is the pits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t go there. Not because people are obese. I’m not that superficial. As a POC, I would have an issue with the Trump supporters.

Yeah I was in Gatlinburg recently and I saw shops openly selling confederate flag shirts on the main road right next to all the big name chain restaurants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t go there. Not because people are obese. I’m not that superficial. As a POC, I would have an issue with the Trump supporters.

Yeah I was in Gatlinburg recently and I saw shops openly selling confederate flag shirts on the main road right next to all the big name chain restaurants.

Thanks for letting us know. Will not spend a penny there. I wonder what their Chamber of Commerce thinks about chasing visitors away with symbols of hate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only place worse is Pigeon Forge, TN. WOOF!

Yeah pigeon forge is the pits.

I thought I was prepared for Pigeon Forge, but I had no words. It’s just…a lot.

[Anonymous]

Smokey mountain national park (Gatlinburg) is the most visited national park in the US. So millions of people like going there.

[Anonymous]

The current median listing price in Sevier County (Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville ) is 650k and listings up to 12.4M. Sevier County also beat Nashville last quarter in tax revenues. A lot of $$$$ running through that county with 15m tourists a year. Also 80% republican. Sevierville has a Trump store that is popular. Also, don’t miss “goats on the roof” in wears valley. Enjoy!! We love Dolly Parton!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t go there. Not because people are obese. I’m not that superficial. As a POC, I would have an issue with the Trump supporters.

Yeah I was in Gatlinburg recently and I saw shops openly selling confederate flag shirts on the main road right next to all the big name chain restaurants.

Thanks for letting us know. Will not spend a penny there. I wonder what their Chamber of Commerce thinks about chasing visitors away with symbols of hate.

Nobody is running away so they don’t see a problem. $$$$$

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t go there. Not because people are obese. I’m not that superficial. As a POC, I would have an issue with the Trump supporters.

That is fine. It is already to crowded how it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The current median listing price in Sevier County (Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville ) is 650k and listings up to 12.4M. Sevier County also beat Nashville last quarter in tax revenues. A lot of $$$$ running through that county with 15m tourists a year. Also 80% republican. Sevierville has a Trump store that is popular. Also, don’t miss “goats on the roof” in wears valley. Enjoy!! We love Dolly Parton!

Sounds terrible. I wonder what Dolly Parton has to say about all these hate souvenirs? I bet it will hurt her brand if people start asking about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where is all the liberal empathy now? Oh, does it just stop at weight?

Were these fat white families? Would you have more understanding if they were black families and overweight?

Perhaps get out of your bubble more often and see the country. Not just the elite parts of the country. It may not be pretty but hiding in your tower isn't helping anything.

Where do you glean that OP is a liberal? Nothing about that post suggests “I am a liberal” to keep…

Everything about OP suggests they're a liberal. If OP isn't, they should clarify.

I am too but I'm not a hypocrite.

I'm the OP and I'm pretty libertarian/center right. And I'm still in Gatlinburg, but took a drive to Asheville, NC. Holy s*it, what a difference. It's like night and day.