This is depressing. A new study finds that Americans are spending less time communing with nature in activities such as hiking, hunting or gardening as they spend more time indoors playing video games, watching TV, surfing the Internet and other electronic diversions the researchers call “videophilia.â€
The implications are especially troubling for the health of children. “The replacement of vigorous outdoor activities by sedentary, indoor videophilia has far-reaching consequences for physical and mental health, especially in children,†one of the researchers said. “Videophilia has been shown to be a cause of obesity, lack of socialization, attention disorders and poor academic performance.â€
The turn away from nature also has troubling implications for our national parks, which have experienced a steady decline in visitation, and for environmental groups, which rely on the public’s attachment to nature as a basis for conservation efforts.
If Americans have no real experience in or connection to nature, what do they care?
Kansas is getting another p.r. hit with the story circulating the national news and blogs this week about a private high school northwest of Topeka that wouldn’t allow a female referee to officiate a boys’ game because the school doesn’t allow women to be in authority over men. The Kansas State High School Activities Association is investigating the report and may prohibit St. Mary’s Academy from playing other teams in the association (though the small school typically only plays a couple of association schools each season).
It was bad enough when Golf Channel broadcaster Kelly Tilghman recently suggested that other golfers should “lynch†Tiger Woods in a back alley. She was suspended for two weeks and apologized to Woods for the inflammatory comment.
But Dave Seanor, the editor of Golfweek, was replaced Friday after the magazine ran this over-the-top cover picture about the flap, showing a swinging noose.
PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem blasted the image, calling it “outrageous and irresponsible†and smacking of “tabloid journalism.â€
Clearly, many readers agreed. Who knew golf was so controversial?
Rebecca Martindell of Benton was this week’s cartoon-caption winner. We liked her reference to the roller coaster issue and the way she tied it to City Hall.
Jim Thomas of Wichita nearly won with his: “If he pulled his kerchief up above his nose, he’d fit right in!†Bill Bauck had a good one too: “Kolb’s payout was nothing compared to what this guy will get!â€
Preston and Tammie Pannell of Haysville had this dour entry: “I can’t wait till the arena auctions.†From Aaron M. Wells of Wichita came, “The bondholders better hope for good weather if he gets hired!â€
Wichita’s Charles Churchman submitted, “Who’s better qualified to manage the wild west world at City Hall?†Haysville’s Roger Neugent had this one: “He said something about naming the arena the Prairie Palace and holding Sunday services!â€
From Jerry Busch of Wichita came, “His fiscal planning is close enough for government work!†Stan Nunnenkamp of Wichita said, “We probably wouldn’t notice the difference.â€
From Ryan Cole (former marketing director for Etheredge) came, “Kansas’ biggest business failure — I guess he has the right qualifications for city manager!†Finally, my favorite, submitted by Sue Dresher: “What happened to my wallet? Have you seen my wallet?â€
The Eagle editorial board wasn’t alone in writing a satirical song about failed Wild West World promoter Thomas Etheredge. Here is a video of cowboy poet Ed Parrish performing at the Orpheum Theatre.
Malaysia’s minister of health is bitter about being forced out of office after confessing that, yes, he is the man in two widely circulated sex DVDs. “At the end of the day, it just tells you that honesty sometimes does not pay,†he said. But a political analyst had a better lesson: “You can’t continue in power when you are seen naked.â€
The optimism and enthusiasm shown last week in Greensburg was an inspiration. Despite the destruction of their town by a tornado on May 4, residents and city leaders spoke during a community meeting about opportunities — to make Greensburg a model community by rebuilding using environmentally friendly standards, to improve city infrastructure, to equip public school classrooms with state-of-the-art technology. The road to full recovery will be long and frustrating at times. But Greensburg residents are demonstrating the power of hope.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
Mulvane residents are gearing up for a fight, but it looks like the turnpike interchange at Mulvane is the safest bet for where a new Sumner County casino will go.
Wellington residents want the casino more, but among the Mulvane site benefits: Closer to Wichita means more visitors and hence more tax revenue for Sumner County and the state (and Sedgwick County, too, which gets 1 percent of revenue).
Moreover, the Mulvane site proposals are from the two most prestigious casino companies, Harrah’s and MGM Mirage. Has anyone heard of Marvel Gaming? Penn National?
Many folks in Sedgwick County will sympathize with hundreds of Mulvane residents who have signed a petition opposing a casino nearby.
But the casino decision — to be made by Sumner County commissioners this week, with a final decision by a state review board next May — likely will come down to which location offers the biggest payout for state and local governments.
In fact, Kansas’ gambling law seems to require it, saying the choice will be based on which casino “best maximizes revenue, encourages tourism and otherwise serves the interests of the people of Kansas.â€
Mulvane has the clear edge.
Posted by Randy Scholfield
More than two years after it made landfall, Hurricane Katrina continues to torment the people of New Orleans, assisted by the federal government. With housing projects being condemned, FEMA-run trailer parks shutting down and few affordable housing options, the city’s homeless population has gone from 6,300 before the storm to a growing 12,000. “To withdraw housing assistance to the neediest people is a shirking of federal responsibility for the design failure of the federal levees in New Orleans, which was the cause of most of the destruction of affordable housing here,†said Martha J. Kegel, executive director of Unity of Greater New Orleans, in a New York Times article.
Posted by Kristin Mehler
A note on those striking TV writers: Is that really the best they could come up with for their strike signs — “On Strike� I mean, it’s not exactly eye-catching or original.
We were really thinking that these highly paid Hollywood creative types could come up with something funnier or catchier.
How about signs protesting nothing in particular? Seinfeld would approve.
Posted by Randy Scholfield
America has its divides beyond politics. Turns out there’s a diversity gap on trick-or-treating, likely linked to neighborhood safety concerns rather than cultural or religious beliefs. A new Associated Press-Ipsos Poll found that 73 percent of whites plan to have their kids trick-or-treat tonight, compared with 56 percent of minorities. Also, 70 percent of liberals, 67 percent of moderates and 55 percent of conservatives said they would be handing out treats.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
I’m curious how the Phelps lawsuit in Maryland will turn out. The freedom of religion and speech protections are broad, which makes me think the Phelps clan will win. But U.S. District Judge Richard Bennett told jurors at the start of testimony Tuesday that they must decide “whether the defendant’s actions would be highly offensive to a reasonable person, whether they were extreme and outrageous, and whether these actions were so offensive and shocking as to not be entitled to First Amendment protection.”
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
The conservative Wall Street Journal editorial board breezed right past Al Gore’s Nobel Peace Prize with an eye to next year. And its should-be winners are: Burmese monks. Zimbabwe opposition leaders. A pro-democracy Catholic priest arrested in Vietnam. Co-founders of the League of Demanders of Women’s Right to Drive Cars in Saudi Arabia. Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko and Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili. Garry Kasparov and others resisting Russian President Vladimir Putin. The people of Iraq. Tony Blair, Bertie Ahern and the voters of Northern Ireland. Or Chinese bloggers, Egyptian democracy advocates, Lebanese citizens assassinated by Syria and those who help North Koreans escape.
Other ideas, bloggers?
Posted by Rhonda Holman
Just when we thought America had safely put O.J. Simpson behind us, here comes the Juice again, under arrest for an allegedly armed confrontation in Las Vegas with men he accuses of trying to sell his sports memorabilia. This latest made-for-cable 24/7 feeding frenzy comes complete with an audiotape of O.J. that we’re doomed to hear repeated ad nauseam for the next month.
Forget other important news about the war, health care, etc.
This is your media on crack.
Posted by Randy Scholfield
The Sen. Larry Craig scandal has alerted us to toe-tapping and secretive hand gestures. As a public service, here are some other subtle come-on signals to avoid in public bathroom stalls:
– A sock puppet appears from beneath the divider and asks you your name.
– A voice from the next stall sings, “Come Fly With Me.”
– A hand slides a Senate business card into your stall and asks, “What do you think of that?”
Posted by Randy Scholfield
Sure, there was likely some self-interest in trying to reduce possible lawsuits. Still, Barton Solvents Inc., the company that owns the plant in Valley Center that had the tank explosions, and Coffeyville Resources, the refinery that leaked oil during the recent flood, deserve credit for stepping up and trying to make amends to citizens affected by those industrial accidents. Barton Solvents reimbursed Valley Center residents for their meal and lodging costs for when they were evacuated after the July 17 explosions. And Coffeyville Resources offered to buy about 300 homes damaged by the July 1 spill at 110 percent of the pre-flood value. More damages might need to be paid out, but the companies seem to be trying to do what’s right, which is refreshing.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
It was an interesting idea: Ask millions of people worldwide to vote on a new “Seven Wonders of the World” list to update the old wonders — you know, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, etc., most of which no longer exist.
The new seven manmade wonders unveiled Saturday include familiar icons such as the Taj Mahal in India and the Great Wall of China, but they also include perhaps lesser-known sites such as the Christ statue overlooking Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and the ruins of Chichen Itza in Mexico.
Already, voices from UNESCO to France have been grumbling about the choices. The group would have been on safer and surer ground picking a list of top 20 or even 50 sites. After all, no pyramids? No Acropolis? No Stonehenge? And no U.S. sites? (The Statue of Liberty was an also-ran, too.)
Seven isn’t enough to encompass the world’s many wonders, if you ask us.
Posted by Randy Scholfield
Some top Wichita business leaders are coming out against a casino in Sedgwick County. In the past week, Cessna Aircraft chairman emeritus Russ Meyer, Intrust Bank president Charlie Chandler IV and developer Jack DeBoer have told The Eagle editorial board that they strongly oppose a casino. All three think that a casino would be bad for the local economy, and they are concerned about social costs. Chandler likened a casino to a cancer that the state is trying to force on our community.
So why do opinion polls show that the public overwhelmingly wants a local casino? DeBoer thinks residents have been apathetic and “don’t understand what this is about.”
Would it be better if the casino was next door in Sumner County? All three said yes, though they had doubts a casino would ever be built there.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
“It is morning in Greensburg, population uncertain.” That’s how a sobering article in Sunday’s New York Times began, updating national readers on the town’s progress since the May 4 tornado. The article pondered how much of the storm’s damage will turn out to be permanent because Greensburg, like so many rural towns in Kansas, had experienced many years of decline before the tornado struck. Fifty-eight-year-old Jon Clark acknowledged that many residents won’t come back and said: “It’s a real thorny issue. Was this storm a mercy killing?”
Posted by Rhonda Holman
We’re starting to run a little low on letters to the editor as we head toward the weekend. If you have a idea for a letter — or if you want to adapt something that you’ve posted here — I encourage you to submit it. Lengths are about 200 words, and we’ll need your real name and home address and phone number (verification purposes only). You can e-mail it to letters@wichitaeagle.com.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
Greensburg residents are thinking about creating a tornado museum.
It’s a good idea. The fact is, Greensburg will always be associated with this historic tornado disaster, which almost wiped the town off the map. The EF5 tornado itself was of historic destructive power. So why not capitalize on it with a museum? I even liked the innovative idea of leaving a block of the town in its damaged state — with stripped trees and upended cars — to vividly illustrate the power of the storm.
This will draw in more tourists than the world’s largest hand-dug well. Guaranteed.
Posted by Randy Scholfield
Comedian Stephen Colbert pretended to criticize Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ behavior as an even bigger disaster than the tornado, mocking the White House’s contention that she didn’t properly ask for aid. “How is the White House supposed to know a town has been wiped out?” he said. “They’re not meteorologists.”
On the same subject, comedian Bill Maher offered this among his “New Rules” on his HBO show Friday: “You can’t send the National Guard to Iraq and then claim it’s still here. The helicopters, the Humvees, the men — like Dorothy and Toto, they’re not in Kansas anymore. Sorry, Mr. President, but the last documented case of a National Guardsman able to be in two places at one time was you.”
Earlier in the show, Maher wondered whether the “Greenville” tornado would cause Kansans to make the connection between their GOP voting habits and “the fact that, yes, the relief was slow to come because your National Guard was in a rathole in the Persian Gulf.”
Posted by Rhonda Holman
Kansans should be proud of the resilience and hope displayed by Greensburg residents and of how others reacted so quickly and generously to the tornado. But as Eagle columnist Mark McCormick wrote, we shouldn’t try to build ourselves up by making false comparisons between the Greensburg tornado and Hurricane Katrina, as some Opinion Line comments and Reader Views letters have tried. The scale and circumstances of disasters aren’t comparable. Not even close. And as much as we might enjoy the myth that Kansans pull themselves up by their own bootstraps, the reality is that the federal government is playing a big role in Greensburg, just as it has done on the Gulf Coast.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
The National Taxpayers Union, an advocacy group, estimates American taxpayers spend 3.18 billion hours computing and filing their taxes. That includes record keeping, figuring out the new tax laws, completing forms and filing their tax returns, averaging 24.2 hours per taxpayer.
This year, corporate taxpayers spent an estimated $156.5 billion on tax preparation — almost half of the $354 billion in corporate income tax they paid last year.
Wouldn’t you think all those bean counters could put their calculators together and come up with an easier, more efficient way for Americans to finance our government? What about the flat tax promoted by Sen. Sam Brownback and others?
Posted by Patrice Hein
What happened to New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine was terrible. He’ll be recovering from his injuries for a long time. But there was no reason — including being on the way to last week’s meeting between Don Imus and the Rutgers women — for a N.J. state trooper to be driving the governor’s SUV at a reported 91 mph on the 65-mph-limit Garden State Parkway. Also stunning was that at such a speed, Corzine apparently wasn’t wearing his seat belt. What would prompt a public servant to act so recklessly?
Posted by Rhonda Holman
This is depressing. A new study finds that Americans are spending less time communing with nature in activities such as hiking, hunting or gardening as they spend more time indoors playing video games, watching TV, surfing the Internet and other electronic diversions the researchers call “videophilia.â€
