Occasio Gee I Don't Think I Contemplate & Ponder

Portion Size, Then Vs. Now

By: Liz Monte

Over the past few decades, portion sizes of everything from muffins to sandwiches have grown considerably. Unfortunately, America’s waistbands have reacted accordingly. In the 1970s, around 47 percent of Americans were overweight or obese; now 66 percent of us are. In addition, the number of just obese people has doubled, from 15 percent of our population to 30 percent.

While increased sizes haven’t been the sole contributor to our obesity epidemic, large quantities of cheap food have distorted our perceptions of what a typical meal is supposed to look like. These portion comparisons, adapted from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s (NHLBI) Portion Distortion Quiz, give a visual representation of what sizes used to be compared to what they are today.

Two Slices of Pizza

Twenty years ago                                                    Today

500 calories                                                             850 calories                                

Those extra 350 calories, if eaten a two times a month, would put on two extra pounds a year, or forty pounds in the next two decades.

Football & The Failure of American Prison System

Dogfighting Laws
Federal, state and local laws against animal fighting have toughened over 30 years, a result of society’s heightened sensitivity to animal cruelty:

Federal Law
In 1976, Congress outlawed interstate promotion of animal fights and the transportation of animals across state lines for fighting, with penalties of up to a year in prison and a $5,000 fine. The fine was later increased to $100,000.

In May, the punishment rose to three years and a $250,000 fine. Vick is charged under the older law because the accusations cover a period ending in April.

He also is accused of violating a federal law against interstate travel in aid of certain criminal activities. That law, with penalties of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, does not list dogfighting but does include gambling.

Vick has agreed to plead guilty, his attorneys said. Sources said federal guidelines in his case call for a prison term in the 12-to-18-month range.

State Laws
Dogfighting is a felony in 48 states and the District and a misdemeanor in Idaho and Wyoming. Possessing a fighting dog is legal in Georgia, Idaho and Nevada, a misdemeanor in New York, Texas, West Virginia and Wyoming, and a felony everywhere else.

Being a spectator at a dogfight is legal in Georgia and Idaho, a felony in 22 states and a misdemeanor in 26 states and the District.

Washington Area Laws
Participating in a dogfight:
Maryland: Felony, up to three years, $5,000 fine.
Virginia: Felony, up to five years, $2,500 fine.
District: Felony, up to five years, $25,000 fine.

Possessing a fighting dog:
Maryland: Felony, up to three years, $5,000 fine.
Virginia: Felony, up to five years, $2,500 fine.
District: Felony, up to five years, $25,000 fine.

Being a spectator at a dogfight:
Maryland: Misdemeanor, up to 90 days, $1,000 fine.
Virginia: Misdemeanor, up to a year, $2,500 fine.
District: Misdemeanor, up to 180 days, $1,000 fine.

SOURCE: Humane Society of the United States; Maryland, Virginia and D.C. criminal codes

I wanted to preface my comments with listing what the actual laws are for dog fighting. Michael Vick was sentenced to 23 months. 23 months is more than 18 using the math I learned in public schools.

Play Your Passion – Lil Black Boy to a Man

In high school I proved I could accomplish anything I wanted to.  I was a student leader (I served as the student rep to the mayor), I was an accomplished academic (AP Courses & the Gifted Program) and I was an athlete.  I want to talk about the the athlete portion of it.

As a little black boy they put a football and basketball in your hands and say go become a millionaire.  To tell a little about me my first sport was baseball.  I went the entire first season without a single hit.  I honestly was scared of the ball.  Something must have happened the next school year.  I came back in the spring with a vengeance.  I think it had a little to do with my kid brother coming to my league.  I became a beast.  I was #2 in the league in stolen bases and even hit for the cycle.  I loved sports.  Then I moved on to the more traditional negro sports.  I spent an entire summer in basketball camp.  The fact that I was now 5′7 1/2 going into the 7th grade didn’t hurt.  I played with passion.  My role model was Dennis Rodman as a young player.  I wanted to play defense & get rebounds.  I was a scrapper.

Keeping It Light