Archive - 2008

Of course, Hollywood backs Obama. They've been doing campaigns, concerts, speeches, and other Youtube fodder for months. Now that the conventions, VP pickings, and debates are over, endorsements are basically all the media can fall back on.But--and I'll bet this is something that hasn't even crossed your mind--who do the comedians want to become President? Sure, comedians are average citizens who want what's best for their country. Many have publicly endorsed Obama. But I wonder if, deep down, some of them might want the president to be for whichever guy they think will give them the most comedic material. Jon Stewart from The Daily Show and Stephen Colbert from The Colbert Report come to my mind first. Has anyone seen Jon Stewart's material recently? His jokes are almost entirely based around McCain-Palin. And in the eight years of President Bush's reign, there's at least a jab a week at his less-than-presidential actions. And let's not forget the fact that SNL's ratings have skyrocketed with this week's appearance of Sarah Palin. Do Republicans make for better jokes? Will the comedians be able to make fun of Barack Obama? Will they want to?

When news broke a couple weeks back that Dallas Cowboys Corner Back Adam 'Pacman' Jones got in a scuffle with...one of his own security guards I was slightly confused, and unfortunately not that surprised.But when news broke that NFL Comissioner Roger Goodell just suspended Adam Jones for at least four games, I was shocked.First off, isn't the Dallas Cowboys' hired security guard supposed to prevent Jones from getting into situations like this? That's this guy's job, protect Adam Jones, not fight him. Second, where were Jones' teammates during this? They were at a hotel, they had hired bodyguards, they were 'allegedly drunk,' which means hammered. Pacman was the only guy getting rowdy? Come on. Third, where's the arrest? Jones clearly was not acting in the most decent of manners. But how many of his peers were? This isn't the best argument, but it's a valid one: How many professional athletes get drunk, out of hand, and have the cops called on them every week? We'll never know. But search online for nearly any prominent young athlete and there's pictures of them getting sloppy at the bars. Is Adam Jones a model upstanding citizen? Not from what I've seen. Is he a convicted felon and "what's wrong with the NFL?" Not entirely, there are a number of people "just as bad" as him, if not worse. Is Commissioner Goodell making an example out of Jones, because he's an easy target and the media loves to flash those mug shots of him chewing on plastic? I'm leaning towards yes.Why not deal with serious problems, like Indiannapolis Colts Wide Receiver Marvin Harrison (not suspended) who is linked, but not convicted of a shooting outside his bar, with his gun, with a guy he was quarreling with earlier in the night?Mr. Goodell, the powerful ruling hand has to act evenly.

Oh my goodness!  Mid-terms, projects, papers galore.  If you have been getting enough sleep, kudos to you.  With fall breaks on the way, the last thing you want to do is catch that nasty lung-rattling cough attacking innocent college students.  Desperate times call for desperate measures?  Not so much.  Your self-defense against sickness is actually available in the dining halls, the grocery stores, and other daily food stops.

Certain nutrients in the foods we eat have been found to enhance the immune system, and they're really not that hard to come by if you just make the thoughtful effort to pick them.  Vitamin C is not very surprising; at least, I think that's what many of our parents drill into us growing up.  (I highly recommend the Halls Sugarless Vitamin C cough drops, by the way.  They are too tasty to be called medicine!)  But what about these other immunity boosters?

- Vitamin E, found in nuts and whole grains (Easy breakfast:  whole-grain PB toast)
- Zinc, found in beans, turkey, and beef
- Garlic (how about in your favorite Italian dishes!)
- Bioflavanoids (fancy way of saying eat your fruits and veggies)
- Selenium, found in chicken, whole grains, tuna, eggs, sunflower seeds
- Carotenoid, found in carrots and yams
- Omega-3 fatty acids, found in nuts, salmon and other fish, flaxseeds

Toss together a big bowl of leafy greens, carrots and broccoli or cauliflower, garbanzo beans (chickpeas), and you're well on your way.  Top it with grilled chicken, deli turkey, or a hard-boiled egg.  If you're vegetarian or vegan, add tofu or sprinkle various seeds.  On the side, have a dish of fruit salad or a piece of whole fruit. That's one of the quickest ways to get the nutrients you need when you're super hungry and super busy.  Before you know it, you'll be well-fed, better armed against sickness, and on your way to a restful holiday break!