Michael Fumento

In its effort to push "World Trade Center Syndrome," though it never actually uses that term, the New York Post tells us of an allegedly dying nun who attended to victims of the 9/11 attacks and "now suffers from asthma, reactive airways dysfunction syndrome, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease -- all severe illnesses that have plagued WTC workers." Gee, I had no idea that my heartburn -- clinically known as gastroesophageal reflux disease -- that I readily treat with one over-the-counter pill daily was a "severe illness." There is also little evidence that "reactive airways dysfunction syndrome" is a real disorder. Asthma when treated properly isn't fatal. All that leaves is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Meanwhile, asthma and hearburn can be caused by or certainly aggravated by obesity. COPD can be aggravated by obesity because of all the bulk on the lungs and diaphragm. Take a look at the picture of the nun. If she doesn't want to die, she should consider losing about half her weight.