Glorious Summer (PART 1 OF 3)
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Poutine, eh?
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From: denman@infoseek.jp
To: diane705@yahoo.ca
cc: barclay1720@aol.com
Date: Thurs., June 12, 2014 1:10:39 PM
Pacific Daylight Saving Time
Hi Diane,
Are you still avoiding poutine?
Come to think of it, it is actually junk food as you stated in the previous mail.
To tell you the truth, I've never eaten any French fries for last 10 years.
As you mentioned, the obesity epidemic is a big problem in Canada.
As a matter of fact, in 2004, approximately 6.8 million Canadian adults ages 20 to 64 were overweight, and an additional 4.5 million were obese.
Amazing, isn't it!?
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Well ... Diane, you really inspired me to write the following article.
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■"Poutine@Canada"
You believe or not, the obesity epidemic is also a big problem in Japan.
The Japanese must adhere to government-mandated waistline limits or face consequences.
The government has established waistline limits for adults ages 40 to 74.
Men must maintain a waistline at or below 33.5 inches; for women, the limit is 35.4 inches.
Diane, can you believe this?
Well, I'm pretty sure your waist measurement is below 35.4 inches.
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In Japan, the "metabo law" went into effect in 2008, with the goal of reducing the country's overweight population by 25% by 2015.
The government's anti-obesity campaign aims to keep "metabolic syndrome"---a number of factors that heighten the risk of developing diabetes and vascular diseases, such as obesity and high blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol levels---in check, thus minimizing the ballooning health care costs of Japan's massive aging population.
It is a good idea, isn't it?
Why doesn't the Canadian government copy the "metabo law"?
The Japanese who stray beyond the state-mandated waistlines are required to attend counseling and support sessions.
Local governments and companies that don't meet specific targets are fined, sometimes quite heavily.
NEC (Japan's largest maker of personal computers) says it's possible to incur as much as $19 million in penalties for failing to meet their targets.
Matsushita (which makes Panasonic products) has to measure the waistlines of at least 80% of its employees, along with their families and retirees.
The company distributes "metabo check" towels that double as tape measures to employees to ensure adherence to the waistline limits come time for employees' annual checkups.
This seems to be working for Japan, at least for now, though the policy has its share of problems.
Critics of the policy say the government's real goal is to shift health care costs onto the private sector.
One thing is for sure: this would never work in the U.S.
How about in Canada?
What do you think about it, Diane?
So much for the obesity epidemic.
Last night, I watched "The Sign of the Cross."
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In the year 64 C.E., the corrupt and maniacal Emperor Nero torches Rome,
and is advised to blame the ensuing destruction on the unsuspecting Christians.
Meanwhile, Roman Prefect Marcus Superbus falls for an innocent and beautiful Christian maiden, Mercia.
When the seductive and wicked Empress, Poppaea, learns that she has a rival for Marcus' affections,
she conspires to send all Christians to a chilling death.
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■"Actual Catalogue Page"
MY COMMENT:
This is a 1932 pre-Code epic film released by Paramount Pictures, produced and directed by Cecil B. DeMille.
It is based on the original 1895 play by Wilson Barrett.
It is the third and last in DeMille's biblical trilogy with The Ten Commandments (1923) and The King of Kings (1927).
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This film has a history of censorship.
In the original version, Marcus Superbus (Fredric March) is unsuccessful in his desire to seduce Mercia (Elisa Landi), an innocent Christian girl.
He then urges Ancaria (Joyzelle Joyner) to perform the erotic "Dance of the Naked Moon" that is intended to "soften" her into life.
This "lesbian dance" was cut from the negative for a 1938 reissue.
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Some gladiatorial combat footage was also cut for the 1938 reissue, as were arena sequences involving naked women being attacked by crocodiles and a gorilla.
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This DVD (Turner Classic Movies) has been restored to the original 125-minute length.
Some arena scenes are so disgusting yet unquestionably fascinating and gripping.
This epic is a vivid retelling of the struggles of the first Christians.
Elisa Landi portraits a beautiful Christian girl and effectively underplays her role as the virtuous believer who eventually coverts Roman Prefect Marcus Superbus at the very end before entering the arena.
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Oh Diane! This movie is really for you.
I'm pretty sure that you would cry for joy after viewing it.
Let me know how you feel about it.
Your smiling Bohemian, Kato
with a lot of love as always
(To be followed)
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