Melvin's blog

Nshima & Curry

Melvin's  Blog

Nshima & Curry

BUSH SETS GREAT FITNESS EXAMPLE

President Bush recently did something that not only
impressed me, it depressed me. He ran a three-mile race in
20 minutes 29 seconds. Only one other American president has
ever run that fast -- and he was being chased by Hillary
Clinton.

Bush's time was so impressive that some Democrats
are calling for an investigation. "The president says he did
three miles in 20 minutes," said Senator Joseph Lieberman.
"That's rather surprising, because most politicians haven't
done three miles in 20 years. Some of my colleagues do run
regularly, but when I ask them if they've ever had any
speed, they all plead the fifth."

Bush, 55, raced against hundreds of White House staffers,
beating all but 25 of them. He easily passed Dick Cheney
during the vice president's 14th heart attack.

Cheney: "Mr. President, I need ... some ... help."

Bush: "Just move your hands, Dick. You can run faster if you
take them off your chest."

So why did Bush's performance depress me? Well, here's a
confession: I'm almost 20 years younger than Bush and I have
NEVER run three miles that fast -- not even while crossing
the border.

If the president is in such good shape, setting an excellent
example for America, it's pretty obvious what everyone else
needs to do: organize a race for world leaders. Forget the
Olympics and World Cup -- I'd pay good money to see the
Presidential Race.

I want to see Yasser Arafat in running shorts. I want to see
Tony Blair in a tank top. I want to see Atal Bihari Vajpayee
in motion.

The first leader across the finish line wins a Porsche. The
second leader wins Monica Lewinsky. Whoever comes last wins
$500 billion in WorldCom stock.

I'm betting that Bush would finish among the top three,
especially if the race is held in Washington D.C. In some
sports, it's called "home field advantage." In running, it's
called "knowing all the shortcuts."

However he fares, Bush has already sent America a message
about the value of exercise. He wants people to exercise
regularly, so more of them can lose weight and fit in voting
booths.

At least 60 percent of Americans are overweight and face a
higher risk of diabetes, heart disease, and collapsed
chairs. Some of them do exercise on a regular basis,
visiting the gym once every five years. Others get exercise
now and then, whenever they have to run after the ice cream
truck.

In certain cities in America, everybody owns running shoes,
but nobody actually runs. In certain villages in Kenya,
nobody owns running shoes, but everybody runs -- especially
when someone shouts, "Lion!"

Of course, running isn't suitable for everyone. But for most
people, there's a good alternative: walking. Years ago,
almost everyone walked, but these days, walking is mainly
for children and dog owners. Even the homeless don't walk
anymore.

Perhaps the government needs to buy ads to remind people
what their legs were made for. "Remember walking? It's what
you did before you got wheels, before escalators and
drive-throughs popped up everywhere, before you turned into
a lazy butt. Walking -- try it again and bring those
memories back to life!"

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