Ok, I am going to try and address both of you here:

Clear: I know we have different views on dairy and grains so I am not going to argue with you about them. In fact, I would actually agree that sedentary people should limit or reduce their grain intake. For athletes or active individuals I would still make grains a large part of the diet though if preferred. I say this because while grains are a excellent source of carbohydrates they are NOT a very nutrient dense food for the amount of calories. So I would choose to eat grains based on my carbohydrate requirements. If you can reach your carbohydrate goals using other means then grains by all means go for it, I am not saying they are essential at all just not something to be feared (provided no intolerance, and this is where we disagree)

decensored: Are you saying beans and potatoes are unhealthy vegetables? And when you say healthy carbs are you referring to nutrient dense sources of carbs or types of carbs like simple or complex?
And while not likely it is possible to get fat of carbs, dairy and veggies. calories in vs calories out and some peoples caloric limit is pretty low.

And I don't blame the food pyramid, McDonald's (or any restaurant for that matter), or any source of food such as refined sugar, HFCS, or Trans fats for the growing rate of obesity in America.
This falls directly on us as people living in a time where we have so many choices its unbelievable. You ask some random Joe off the street about how many calories he needs today and you will prob get a blank look 95% of the time. It amazes me how little most people know about nutrition (or fitness lol) when it is one of the most important things you will ever need to know. Its like you said, we have self control and due to the convenience factor and sheer laziness it is now easier then ever to pig out. Past generations had "unhealthy" foods as well as fast food, they just ate it as a treat rather then every day or two. And the real kicker is that they were active! I feel inactivity is the main culprit for the obesity epidemic. It makes me sick the amount of type 2 diabetic children that have lazy, ignorant, parents who allow them to overeat and just sit around. That was my hope in posting this article, some direction in getting started in creating a healthy diet that one can stick too and be healthy will all this crap information floating around.
Sorry, end rant.