Michelle Obama is killing pedestrians

That's the new meme from the right wing world. This morning, the Governors Highway Safety Association released a report noting that the number of pedestrian deaths has slightly increased. The group, which looked at the first six months of 2010. The report suggested increased use of cell phones by both pedestrians and drivers might be part of the reason while an increase in the number of people choosing to walk may be another reason.

That was enough to get the nutcases going. More people are walking (something about which there is no proof) because of Michelle Obama's anti-obesity campaign. Nevermind that there is no proof that there are more pedestrians, the fact that there might be is proof enough that Michelle Obama is causing people to die.

Even if more people are walking there is no reason to jump to the conclusion that the choice of a more healthy lifestyle is the cause of the increase in pedestrians. A more likely scenario is the economy could be forcing more people to take public transport which often involves walking at least part of the way.

The Daily Caller's website, run by the bow-tied twit Tucker Carlson had this headline today:

"First Lady's anti-obesity campaign could be causing more pedestrian deaths."

Obama Derangement Syndrome is a cruel sickness.