Daily Dose of Common Sense

Here’s an amazingly stupid ad campaign. It’s from Jameson Brewery in Australia. And, yes, that’s “Ho White” and her seven dwarfs, which have names like Randy and Filthy. [See the ad in a larger size here, including Ho White's cleavage.]

Did the beer company really think Disney would let this one slip by? {shakes head} Well, the Mouse House stopped this campaign in its tracks.

[Thanks, AdFreak!]

Coke has come up with a way to solve America’s obesity epidemic: smaller cans of soda. So, instead of slugging down 155 calories, you’ll get only 90 calories in a 7.5 oz can. Hooray, our problems are solved!

Face it, if you’re slugging down a Coke, you’re not worried about calories. I’m all for portion control, but how about switching to diet soda, instead? Or, (gasp!) water?

The beverage companies have been under attack as a major contributor to America’s bulging waistlines. So, it’s not surprising to see them try to shake things up a bit. But, in our bigger-is-better-and-supersize-it-please society, do we think folks will buy mini-Coke when regular-size Coke is still available?

Photo courtesy of businesswire.com

As Halloween approaches, it’s time for some old urban legends to be dusted off and circulated. First stop: Bobtown, Pennsylvania where the kids won’t be allowed to go door-to-door looking for treats. The scrooges in the small community have cancelled trick or treating. Community leaders say the radical step is being taken to keep kids “safe.” Safe from what, exactly? We’re not sure.

With a party at the fire hall, he says both the kids and the candy they receive would be safe.

Huh?

As Lenore Skenazy pointed out in her book “Free-Range Kids”:

Was there ever really a rash of candy killings? Joel Best, a professor of sociology and criminal justice at the University of Delaware, took it upon himself to find out. He studied crime reports from Halloween dating back as far as 1958, and guess exactly how many kids he found poisoned by a stranger’s candy?

A hundred and five? A dozen? Well, one, at least?

“The bottom line is that I cannot find any evidence that any child has ever been killed or seriously hurt by a contaminated treat picked up in the course of trick-or-treating,” says the professor. The fear is completely unfounded.

Give kids their costumes and candy. They are in more danger of being hit by a car than poisoned treats. So, keep them safe by following some simple common sense rules, like:

• Always accompany young children and, if they’re too old to have an uncool parent tag along, be certain they travel in groups that are as large as practical. Be certain they know not to accept rides from, or go inside the homes of, strangers.
• Get your kids to agree to a move along a pre-planned route and stay in the neighborhood. It’s best to know generally where they are and to set a time at which they must return home to prevent unnecessary risk or worry.
• Be sure the costumes have reflective surfaces and have your kids carry flashlights and glo-sticks. Caution the trick-or-treaters to stick to the sidewalks and be very aware of moving vehicles and only cross at designated crossing areas and traffic lights. Spirits may be running high (in more ways than one), and nighttime driving can also affect the vision of the soberest driver.

The most you have to worry about from Halloween candy is a high dentist bill.

Photo courtesy of Flickr: YAXZONE

In New York City, a law was passed in 2008 that required chain restaurants post the calorie counts of their menu items. The early results are in, and it appears that most people don’t change their eating habits after knowing the amount of calories in the food.

A new study, performed by some NYU and Yale professors, tracked customers in four fast-food restaurants in poor neighborhoods of NYC:

It found that about half the customers noticed the calorie counts, which were prominently posted on menu boards. About 28 percent of those who noticed them said the information had influenced their ordering, and 9 out of 10 of those said they had made healthier choices as a result.

But when the researchers checked receipts afterward, they found that people had, in fact, ordered slightly more calories than the typical customer had before the labeling law went into effect, in July 2008.

Anyone who thought these calorie postings would be the end to the obesity problem in this country were deluded. People want to eat what they want to eat. Knowing how unhealthy it is doesn’t counteract the convenience and the cost. It will take a lot more than a few small numbers up on a menu board to educate people on how to make smart food choices. Also, these restaurants don’t offer a ton of healthy options. Even some of the salads aren’t exactly healthy in terms of calories.

Plus, it’s hard to order a salad when the smell of french fries is swirling around you like a cloud. A greasy, delicious cloud.

Photo courtesy of Flickr: ebruli

The New York Times does a good job of calling Bill Maher to task for his ignorance and misinformation on the flu vaccine. Maher hosts a chat show on HBO and is usually known for his political commentary. But, lately he’s been spending a lot of time leading people astray about vaccines and the H1N1 virus.

He [Maher] said he did not believe that healthy people were vulnerable to dying from the new H1N1 virus. This contradicts statements from the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that young, healthy people from ages 5 to 24 appear particularly vulnerable to this flu. About a third of the 76 children who have died of H1N1 since April have had no underlying health problems.

Here is Maher getting schooled by Dr. Bill Frist, a heart surgeon.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tB5DLf1Qt78&feature=player_embedded

Do not listen to talk show hosts when considering your safety and health. Please talk to doctors and other health professionals. He may have a big mouth, but Maher may not be right. Get the facts for yourself.

A first grader in Delaware was excited about recently joining the Cub Scouts. So excited that he brought his new Scout utensil to school. The problem was that the utensil contained a knife–along with a spoon and a fork–and this broke the zero-tolerance weapon policy in his elementary school. Now, this six-year old faces 45 days in a reform school.

Really? I’m not advocating children bringing weapons to school. But, this kid was clearly not bringing a weapon. At worst, it should have just been taken away for the day. But, a suspension and reform school seems way over the top. What genius lawmakers enact these “zero tolerance” policies thinking that there will never, ever be an exception?

For Delaware, Zachary’s case is especially frustrating because last year state lawmakers tried to make disciplinary rules more flexible by giving local boards authority to, “on a case-by-case basis, modify the terms of the expulsion.”

The law was introduced after a third-grade girl was expelled for a year because her grandmother had sent a birthday cake to school, along with a knife to cut it. The teacher called the principal–but not before using the knife to cut and serve the cake.

In Zachary’s case, the state’s new law did not help because it mentions only expulsion and does not explicitly address suspensions. A revised law is being drafted to include suspensions.

There’s a web site set up to help Zachary’s cause and show support.

Craftiness is all the rage. Because of the recession, many people are making things at home. Soap, stationary, knitting, sewing, scrapbooking…there’s a whole lotta crafting going on. And, sites like Etsy, GetCrafty, and eBay are hugely popular for those seeking out handmade items.

But, not everything made by two hands is a winner. One of my favorite new Web sites is Regretsy. This site finds the absurd in the vast crop of crafted items on Etsy and asks the questions we’re all dying to know: Why?

In some cases, a store-bought gift is better. Especially if someone is trying to pass this off on you: Corn Poo Soap.

Here are some absurd product warnings and instructions.

Liquid Plummer
Warning: Do not reuse the bottle to store beverages.

Bowl Fresh
Safe to use around pets and children, although it is not recommended that either be permitted to drink from toilet.

Toilet Plunger
Caution: Do not use near power lines.

Dremel Electric Rotary Tool
This product not intended for use as a dental drill.

Endust Duster
This product is not defined as flammable by the Consumer Products Safety Commision Regulations. However, this product can be ignited under certain circumstances.

Little Ones Baby Lotion
Keep away from children.

Hair Coloring
Do not use as an ice cream topping.

Mattress
Warning: Do not attempt to swallow.

I know recycling and “going green” are really hot topics right now. Sure, we all want our kids and grandkids to have an Earth to call home. But, turning a placenta into a keepsake? I’m just not sure if it will catch on like hybrids did…

A crafty alternative for those who don’t necessarily want to eat their baby’s placenta, but want to pay their respects to the life sustaining organ by turning it into a one-of-a-kind teddy bear.

The best part? It’s a do-it-yourself kit! I’m generally not squeamish, but…ewwwww.

I’m not sure how many people fall into the “Gee, I wish I could eat my baby’s placenta” category. I’m guessing not a whole lot.

If you want to pay your respects to the organ, why not donate the placenta to stem cell research? It just might save someone’s life someday.

A Japanese company has produced a business suit that it claims will protect the wearer form contracting the H1N1 virus.

According to the company:

The suit is coated with the chemical titanium dioxide, which reacts to light to break down and kill the virus when it comes into contact with it.

Well, it’s nice that your clothing won’t contact the virus. But, if you know anything about how viruses are transmitted, this suit won’t solve your problem. The special fabric isn’t going to prevent your hands, face, neck, or head from coming into contact with H1N1.

Unless you wear it over your head. If you do, I suggest cutting out some eye holes first.

[Thanks, Gizmodo!]