I am unquestionably obese and not happy about it. However the imagery of a toppled turtle immobilized by his girth made me smile. It never occurred to me to be offended. It was a metaphor, not an indictment. I have no desire to go into politics where, as a woman, I could be slammed for a variety of meaningless, but hurtful judgments about my appearance. My achievements have nothing to do with my weight.

We have to to toughen up against the bullshit. In this case, I differentiate Cooper's image from any indictment of me.

A skinny turtle on his back just doesn't

make the same point.