Since the tragedy of September 11th, our country has banned together in a show of nationalism and solidarity. Everyone from soccer moms to CNN are waving the flag to show their association with the movement. But, some institutions and practices that have long been viewed as patriotic or the "American way" are in need of reform. The fast food industry falls under this umbrella. In the past nothing represented Americana like baseball, apple pie, a burger, and a Coke. In modern times baseball players are in the headlines for steroid abuse, a "McApple" pie comes microwaved and a burger and Coke are increasingly blamed for the obesity epidemic facing American society.
             One could claim that these institutions were just as corrupt and unhealthy when they were founded, and that individual laziness and lack of will power are to blame for our unhealthy nation. The fast food industry is just a business trying to succeed by providing people with a service which they have the choice to utilize or not.
             An occurrence that has gained much attention from the media here of late is the court case involving an obese man suing the fast food industry for their failure to inform the populous of the health risks involved with regular consumption of their product. Michael Stetz, of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that Caesar Barber, "a Bronx man who weighs around two-hundred and seventy pounds and stands less than six feet tall," and "ate at fast food places as often as five times a week, even after suffering a heart attack," is the man involved in the suit. Not only does the case merely resemble the recent class action suits against big tobacco, Barber is represented by John Banzhaf, the same attorney who, according to Stetz, "was instrumental in getting cigarette ads banned from television over twenty years ago." But, there is a difference between the fast food industry and big tobacco. ...