Big Role Models

Children certainly need healthy role models. But is Santa a role model to begin with? Tantillo persuades that Santa is enough of a role model that children are influenced by him. After all, Santa has qualities that could be desirable in a child’s eyes. Although some of this is speculative, his most interesting qualities include supernatural powers, super-human speed, a workshop of elves, flying reindeer, omniscience, and the ability to conceive any toy desirable. On paper, his powers look like something from a graphic novel.

With all this in mind, we can conclude that Santa can be a child’s idol. So far Tantillo has a point, but his weight problem is still the main focus here. Until a cure-all solution is discovered there will always be fat people. Tantillo comes close to addressing the problem, but “fatness” isn’t the true issue here. Lack of activity and clogged arteries are what ultimately catch up to us, but just being overweight is not the issue, and there are plenty of examples to support this.

Athletics are not impervious to overweight participants who are also successful. Eric “Butterbean” Esch, for example, is a professional heavyweight boxer who has carried on a long and successful career out of his weight. His entertainment value alone makes his matches worth watching. However his skills in the ring are notoriously dangerous and he has plenty of official victories to prove it.

Shiny Nose

Santa is only a character just like any other children’s mythos. Perhaps he’s the most well-known, even among communities that celebrate holiday’s alternative to the traditional Christmas, but he is still only a character. The argument here is that characters such as Santa are presented as these caring, giving creatures. Santa specifically is the epitome of a gift-giving figure, the nice old bearded man inflated to supernatural proportions. His story even taken romantically rather than literally could be inspiring. However, his weight is ironic, as are many of the elements of the classic story. Somehow, of all the people in the world, this older man with a little extra fat is the person to deliver toys worldwide once a year.

It's just as silly as Rudolph's tale. He's another ironic character in the Christmas mythology. According to the popular television special, Rudolph was made fun of by other the reindeer for having a red nose that brightly illuminated his surroundings. Clearly, this reindeer would be a practical addition to Santa's team, but he's discouraged anyway. Rudolph seems well suited for the team of reindeer, but Santa doesn't seem well suited as the role of himself.

Skipping Class

While everyone can agree that experience is a valid part of the college experience it is not the prime concern.The value of education over experience in colleges is important because college is pricey. Experience can be obtained for free, but for those who pay for the purpose of learning our universities should be stricter. If our colleges aren't for learning, where do those who want to learn turn to?

Daycare for Scholars

In Rob Herbert's article in the New York Times, Herbert is upset by the influx of students who leave college without a valuable experience. He claims that students are spending less time hitting the books, and more time hitting the bottle and partying. With the statistic that "easier" majors are being offered, he crutches this argument to point out that our wealth is from experiences, not academics.

Most of the problem here comes from the fact that little is taken away from colleges. It is partially the students fault for not studying as vigerously, but Herbert digresses that colleges are not pushing students enough. I agree with his claim, because more often than not I see people pushed to the route of college when they could instead be spending their "party time" more wisely. However, I disagree that college graduates suffer from the party syndrome. If, in fact, colleges are too easy then I don't think the students can share as much of the blame. As for me, college requires determination that not all have the willpower to harness. Even if some freshman and sophomore courses are like daycare for some, the end result is that I've left with more than a degree and party experience.

Diet Santa

During this past holiday season, Fox News’ John Tantillo argued that Santa Clause is too fat. He insists that although Santa is caring, jolly, and generally a favorable character in the light of the season, he is a flawed role model because of his belly. With childhood obesity rates at their highest, it is the children that are really at stake. While I agree that children need to aspire for fitness and athleticism, I disagree that Santa should be "redesigned." Santa is just a character and I can't imagine him idolized in the same way as rock stars, attorneys, presidents or doctors.

The Right Hand

When I looked down I saw that my knuckles were smashed in from the force of my punch. Conventionally, it may not be the greatest knockout story in history, but I still felt like a hero. I've been in a fight or three in my younger years, but I try to think of myself as a peaceful person. To this day, I can say that I'm proud of how my hand was broken.

Daydreams

I rarely have vivid dreams, but when I do they are most interesting when I'm still awake. I have a tendency to zone out very deeply when my brain is bored. In school situations, and certainly never Professor Benton's Advanced Essay Writing class, in a moment of downtime I can have intense daydreams. I've kept a small mental journal of these imaginings for my readers' pleasure.