Water Cooler 1.21.2010

Sports submitted by John Kingston 

The NFL's Play 60 program gears up to fight childhood obesity, with a raft of programs and activities like Keep Gym in School, Fuel up to Play, and more on NFL Rush.

Sports and Politics submitted by Nancy French

 This year’s Super Bowl game is the 44th and our current President is the 44th -- but which institution (Superbowls or Presidents) is superior?  Each day, for 44 days leading up to Super Bowl 44, a President is matched against the same-numbered Super Bowl game. Each day one will win -- and score a point.  The match-up Abraham Lincoln vs. Super Bowl XVI, for example, went down like this:  “Joe Montana led the 49ers to an impressive 26-21 win over the Bengals, passing for one TD and running for one -- but he didn't free the slaves.”  The tally is close: Presidents 13, Super Bowls 11. It’ll all come to a head on February 7, when Super Bowl XLIV is matched against 44th President Barack Obama. Stay tuned for that match up!

Parenting submitted by Mark Basnage

Seven and a half hours a day. What are kids doing for that amount of time?  Homework? Not a chance.

They're spending that time with media of one kind or another -- cell phones, laptops, TV, and so on. This recent study by the Kaiser Family Foundation, argues that parents know less than ever about what their kids are doing with all of this media.

Parenting submitted by Jean Yih Kingston

With all the talk about obesity in America, maybe we should evaluate the role of snacks? It used to be that kids would "come home, change into play clothes and go outside and play with other children." But now, snacks are everywhere.

Contrition submitted by Tom Walsh

As we consider the latest steroid-related apology from the world of baseball, is there a statute of limitations beyond which an apology is no longer needed? Or, on the other hand, no longer meaningful? What if the offended party doesn't even remember the incident? Or considers it trivial? This article describes people seeking forgiveness for things they did long ago. While we can probably agree that seeking forgiveness is a wonderful thing to do, are there times when it is more self-centered than selfless? 

Movies submitted by Rebecca Cusey

No wonder people are talking about Mo'Nique's acceptance speech at the Golden Globes. It was so heartfelt and so sincere. She thanked her man who's she's been with since 14, who apparently put her above himself. She thanked the people who worked on the movie. And she gives encouragement to victims of sexual abuse. She gave a brave and powerful performance in "Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire," and her acceptance speech does the movie proud. 

Culture submitted by David French

There are times in a nation’s life when a man rises to meet the moment; when a culture of decadence and sloth is is halted by a lone, courageous voice yelling, “Stop!”  Last week was that time.  “General” Larry Platt was the man.  The issue?  Sagging pants.

And here is the “General” on The View.

Mystery submitted by Nancy French

In 1949, the Baltimore Sun wrote about "an anonymous citizen who creeps in annually to place an empty bottle (of excellent label)" against the gravestone of Edgar Allen Poe on the night of the anniversary of his birth.  Every year since then, the “Poe Toaster” has appeared, dressed quite “literarily” — in black, with a wide-brimmed hat and a white scarf.  People would annually gather in the Presbyterian church to steal a glance at the mysterious man, who always left three roses, the cognac, and then steal away.  But this year?  He didn’t show.  His absence has caused some to speculate.   Did he simply decide to stop the tradition or did he meet his own demise? 

Christmas Cards submitted by Jean Yih Kingston

Maybe you've long since removed all traces of the holidays from your house. But what about those Christmas cards that are just too nice to toss?  If you're Martha Stewart, you might just archive every single one, filed away so you know who to send to next year, or for inspiration for your own line of cards. (!)  Better yet, send them to St. Jude's Ranch for Children, where they'll be recycled into new greeting cards.