Shut Your Pie Hole
Wings, Hot Dogs, Grilled Cheeses ... How About Just a Salad?
THOSE WHO decry the coarsening of American society too often get caught up in remembering good ol' days that were anything but good. That said, I simply cannot wrap my head around the increasingly mainstream phenomenon of competitive eating. Locally, Wing Bowl packed 'em in at the Wachovia Center, and I'm not just talking about eaters and spectators. The network affiliates had cameras there, and the lead story on Philly.com this morning was about the nauseafest. (It included photos, natch.) Nationally, hot-dog-eating contests are reported on all the time, and yesterday some chick inhaled 26 grilled-cheese sandwiches to win some sort of title.
I hate to sound like Sister Marie Agnes, my second-grade teacher, but when there are areas of the world, and of this country, where malnutrition is a serious, life-threatening problem, what does it say about us that we cheer people who eat massive quantities of food, then regurgitate it, for fun? This isn't a finger-waving tsk-tsk; I'm truly distressed and angry that this is now considered a legitimate leisure-time activity. If you can tell me anything even remotely redeeming about this hideous practice, please, be my guest.
It makes me, well, sick to my stomach.
It's easy news TD...you know that. Try something harder and they are out.
Posted by: Bill | Friday, February 03, 2006 at 11:34 AM
Just think about the boxty sandwich at Kildare's or a Schmitter...it will get your stomach back on track.
Posted by: Tom G | Friday, February 03, 2006 at 12:41 PM
Not to mention...
"VIDEO: Busting beer can's on his head"
Can's? Is a fifth grader editing the main page?
Posted by: Jeff Martin | Friday, February 03, 2006 at 01:36 PM
I don't think enough has been made of the fact they had to charge a fee this year. I don't care if they gave it all to charity. It was supposed to be free forever.
They could have made it ticket only and done it for free. Of course, we are talking about 610WIP here and they could not run a simple survivor pool correctly.
They could have asked people to donate when they came in if they wanted to feel good about themselves.
Posted by: Michael Carboni | Friday, February 03, 2006 at 01:56 PM
You're right-it's not the greatest offense in the world, but there is something ugly about it.
What it says, maybe, is that Japanese-style silliness is becoming the new "fun". And people PAID to get in! Oh my.
Posted by: John Salmon | Saturday, February 04, 2006 at 12:09 AM
At least your father didn't go this year!!!
Posted by: Mom | Saturday, February 04, 2006 at 08:38 AM
meanwhile, over this side of the atlantic, a headline story on the news yesterday was the increase in diabetes in the states. (20% in new york population, apparently, 7% nationaly).
Natural selection may yet be the ultimate arbiter of the wingbowl.
Posted by: Oisin | Saturday, February 04, 2006 at 12:17 PM