Bobby Fischer

Bobby Fischer, international chess champion, has died. Bobby Fischer was also considered a Cold War icon and an eccentric. This famous anti-establishmentarian passed away in Iceland (he renounced his U.S. citizenship years ago) at the rather young age of 64. The cause of his death is unknown.

There was a book that came out a few years ago called Bobby Fischer Goes to War. It is an historical examination of the infamous 1972 chess match between Fischer and then world champion Boris Spassky. It is on my list of books to read.

sources: CBS news

Naming Time

In the sixth century, a monk named Dionysius was asked to calculate the year of the birth of Christ so that the years could be counted from that point. He did it (although his calculation was off by four to six years). Calculating the years in this manner became popular, and it is widespread today.
It also became customary to use "Anno Domini" (A.D.) to designate the years after the birth of Christ, and "Before Christ" (B.C.) for the years prior to his birth.
In recent times, out of regard for non-Christians, some have started using "Common Era" (C.E.) to replace A.D. ("in the year of the Lord"), and "Before Common Era" (B.C.E.) to replace B.C. ("before the birth of Christ").
The designation "Common Era" was chosen because calculating years from the birth of
Christ has been in common use for so long.

Excerpt from The Little Blue Book
www.saginaw.org

I wonder, if the tables were turned, if non-Christians would take any consideration of our feelings of their terms and/or calculations? Would they try to be generous and try to placate Christians or would they simply treat us as they did in historical times and throw us to the lions? I think our bending over backwards to cater to non-Christians (ie. Considering removing "In God we Trust" from currency) is just not acceptable! The more we allow the removal of God from our society, the further in a mess our society becomes! When are we going to put our collective foot down and say "ENOUGH!"

H/T: A Nawty Mouser Thots

It's Called Christmas

Fast Food, Obesity's Biggest Culprit

Trend in Fast food Obesity: The Center for Health and Health Care in Schools reports dramatic increase in consumption of fast food by children since 1970. Presently, children get 10 percent of their total energy intake from fast foods, compared to 2 percent in the 1970s.

Since fast food adds 6 pounds per child per year and 33% of the children and teens in the US consume fast food, obesity is on the rise.

Occurrence of Fast food Obesity: According to a report published in Chicago Tribune, fast-food consumption is more in higher-income households, young boys, older children, African-Americans and children living in the south, whereas fast food consumption is found to be low in youngsters living in the West, rural areas, Hispanics, white women and those aged 4 to 8. Due to the increase in the number of fast food outlets, fast food prevails in virtually every segment of the society, including hospitals and schools, as per a study on fast food & obesity by Harvard School of Public Health.

Relation of fast food to obesity: Fast foods compromise the quality of diet by replacing more healthy foods. Fast foods are known for having high content of saturated and trans-fat, low content of fiber and massive portion sizes, leading to obesity.

Managing Fast food Obesity: The onus lies on parents to educate their children about the ill effects of fast food. Obesity can be prevented in children by allowing fast food in moderation only. Also, both, the big and small fast food players should educate people about the contents of their products.

Fat Nation

The other day I went to a restaurant just outside my town. I kept thinking - something feels strange about this place. . . I thought, "Is it that I am in unfamiliar territory?"

Couldn't put my finger on it. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks (no pun intended)

Almost EVERY single person was overweight. Most were obese.

There were 2 (counted 'em) only 2 people who were not overweight and they were at the bar smoking and drinking . . . a lot.

I felt like I was in the twilight zone. Then I came across this CNN link (an obesity map tracing obesity over time in the USA)

Thank you to Radical Catholic Mom for finding and posting this. Wow - what an eye opener.

There is an interesting comment on her post, too. BUT! I think if we really just look around we can see how "unhealthy" our lifestyles have become in general (fast food, lack of vigorous exercise, pre-scribed drugs that have horrible side effects, chemicals -- don't get me started!)

Here is link to some Childhood Obesity Facts & Stats just in case you are interested.

I teach P.E. so this was right up my alley!

3rd Rock from the Sun on Self-Esteem

Dick: Who is that?

Harry: He's my skin care specialist and he taught me that my self esteem does not rely on what others think of me but instead. . . . . on . . . . . . . . how I look!

3rd Rock From the Sun on Vogue

(Dick looks over Sally's shoulder while she is paging through a Vogue magazine)

Dick: Why don't you look like that?

Sally: Because that woman has used a line of products that promotes moist looking skin and a vacant look in her eye.

Dick: Well, get some!

3rd Rock From the Sun on Cosmetics

A high end cosmetics sales person named Anya to Tommy: Can I help you? Answer any questions?

Tommy : OK Anya, I was wondering if you could explain to me this human obsession with youth and why the cosmetics industry perpetuates this self destructive behavior.

Amber: Hey that was great what you just said to her. I'm August, don't call me Auggie.

Tommy: I'm Tommy. . . .don't call me Auggie either.

Amber: You know it's so depressing how the Baby Boomers have distorted society. They screwed up the job market, froze music for thirty years and now this!

Tommy Yeah they've created an entire industry attempting to recapture the youth they squandered.

3rd Rock From the Sun on Public Education

I don't get TV reception so I am a little behind the times as far as pop culture goes. I just purchased the first season of 3rd Rock from the Sun on DVD. With no commercials it is kind of fun, mindless entertainment. Here is a chuckle from me to you!

Gotta love it! Some lines from a 3rd Rock from the Sun episode.

Sally: What is a school bake sale?

Tommy: It is just an attempt to revive the failing public educational system through parental involvement.

Sally: A fine cause, I'm there!