Newly Fat

So, what do you think of this Jessica Simpson thing? And how glad are you that people aren't discussing your weight on national TV?

I have to admit, she looks a little strange to me. Like she's stuffed into her skin. I'm guessing she's 4'11" or 5'0" and any weight, even if it's just baby, shows more on her tiny frame. But, for crying out loud ... she's pregnant. Maybe there's twins or triplets in there. If there's one time to not worry about putting on an extra pound or two, I think this is it.

I don't like all the attention it's getting. Mostly because talking about "fat" makes me uncomfortable, I think. And I hate the fact that the conversation allows people to bash on "fat."

Somehow, in this uber-PC world, fat is the only thing that's still OK to make fun of. To talk smack about. To look down on.

That pisses me off.

And did you see the new season of Mad Men? For those of you who don't watch, main character Don Draper's ex wife Betty has put on some pounds. Don has, of course, married his 20-year-old sexy secretary, while Betty chose a distinguished older gentleman for her second husband. I'm not a dedicated-enough viewer to delve into all the subtexts and plot twists her new "condition" will bring. But I find the web chatter about the completely fictitious weight gain so strange.

Bloggers, tweeters, Huffington Post commenters all feel perfectly justified in saying "Betty" is disgusting because she gained weight. The venom with which they chime in on the subject is alarming.

She's not real. You can't hate Betty because she doesn't exist. She's an actress named January Jones in a fat suit (and pregnant during filming).

I'm just glad I'm not January Jones. I imagine she's getting hate mail and death threats, too.

For being fake fat. A curse worse than death.

Isn't that ridiculous?