The Water Cooler -- The Week of 11/23/2009

Clever reads and fun stories to share at the "water coolers" of your life.

Inside the Beltway
As suggested by Tom Walsh

The White House state dinner: where dressing down can be a political statement. Read more.

Controversy
As suggested by Tom Walsh
One country advances to the world’s hugest sporting event, and one doesn't, because of an illegal play that everyone in the world saw… except the referee. Read more.

Motherhood
As suggested by Jean Yih Kingston
A new study encourages moms to quit micromanaging the way dads interact with the kids.  Money quote?  “Fathers do not mother, they father.” Read more.

Gaming
As suggested by David A. French
Who knew that Lego had “Rock Band?” Read more.

Clever Reads
As suggested by John Kingston
Still here after a rough year: We're serving up a new gratitude this Thanksgiving. Read more.

Music
As suggested by Jean Yih Kingston
Celebrate the 40th anniversary of Sesame Street by watching the classic musical moments, including, Johnny Cash, Stevie Wonder, the Backstreet Boys, and so many more. Read more.

Charity
As suggested by Steve Haas
Put down that new iPod. This holiday season, a new study shows that most people want gifts that help others. Read more.

Good Works
As suggested by Nathan Whitaker
Athletes get plenty of grief (and deservedly so) for those who misbehave.  However, many don't - and it's important to recognize that, and especially when they go above and beyond to do something positive for others.  Jevon Kearse, a defensive end with the Tennessee Titans of the NFL and a former Florida Gator, is doing something good  for Thanksgiving. Read more.

Sports News
As suggested by Nathan Whitaker
Sometimes bad things happen to good people, and good things happen to good people, all in the same event.  Last week saw Dick Jauron, a fine man, fired by the Buffalo Bills as their head coach and replaced by Perry Fewell, another outstanding person.  Making matter worse?  They are good friends.  As Perry said that evening, it made for "an up and down" day. Read more.

Movie
As suggested by Greg Whiteley
A friend of mine is a theater director who, after struggling to get his cast to focus, cancelled the rest of rehearsal and took them to watch this documentary so they could witness Michael Jackson's work ethic.  Rather than a morbid retrospective on one of the strangest celebrities in American pop cultural history, "Michael Jackson's "This Is It"  is a surprisingly uplifting testament to the talent, dedication and drive of one of the most shockingly talented individuals in modern music.