Army's Fat Recruit Problem

American Voices

March 30, 2009 | ISSUE 45•14

The U.S. Army has rejected 48,000 would-be recruits since 2005 for being over the weight limit. What do you think?

The Army rejected me, but that was because I was too husky.

Greg Haines
Systems Analyst
My God, that means we have 48,000 people in this country who are ridiculously overweight.

Trina Svanoe
Glass Joiner
So let's summarize my incentives for losing weight: I'll be hungry all the time, I'll be tired all the time, and I'll qualify for Army service.

Dan Karmiol
Day Care Provider

Migrating Whooping Cranes Stall In Alabama

02.07.12 | ISSUE 48•06

Nine whooping cranes that had been following an ultralight aircraft as it guided them on their migratory route stopped when they reached Alabama, 500 miles short of the intended destination.
Florida Millionaire Adopts 42-Year-Old Girlfriend

02.06.12 | ISSUE 48•06

A 48-year-old West Palm Beach millionaire and polo club founder has adopted his 42-year-old girlfriend in an apparent bid to avoid paying out a wrongful death lawsuit.
Should Sugar Be Regulated?

02.03.12 | ISSUE 48•05

In a recent editorial in the journal Nature, researchers from the University of California–San Francisco suggested that as a toxic substance, sugar should be taxed and regulated like alcohol or tobacco.
Burmese Pythons Exterminating Everglades Mammals

02.02.12 | ISSUE 48•05

A study in the journal Proceedings Of The National Academy of Sciences links a drastic decline in raccoons and other mammals in the Florida everglades to the introduction of Burmese pythons.
Facebook To Launch IPO

02.01.12 | ISSUE 48•05

Social networking site Facebook is expected to go public this week and will likely become the largest tech IPO in history.