Making The World Safe For Joey Chestnut

I enjoy a good social ritual as much as anyone. And as an excuse for teeth-gnashing or a symbol of some deeper national issue, this event is almost a cliche. But in this economy and with a record number of people surviving on food stamps, the hype around it seemed a bit incongruous -- and, frankly, pretty tacky. It was one of the most-viewed news stories on a weekend that marked the country's independence. Reports focused on the rivalry between two "champions" and techniques used by the participants to prevent vomiting. Political leaders got into the act. More here. Don't miss the almost surreal late-empire video clips here, here, and here.

Maybe McChrystal's only problem was that the Rolling Stone article didn't come out on the same day as the festivities at Coney Island. It would have landed below the fold and under the mustard stains.