DJ: Some holiday traditions aren't worthy of the name

CINCINNATI - Hopefully tomorrow we can provide enough distractions for World Choir Games visitors with Fourth of July tributes to our nation, that they don't get a glimpse of the train wreck in New York City that passes for a Holiday tradition; America's annual media fueled ode to gluttony.   
 
Ninety-seven years ago, the founder of Nathan's Hot Dogs conjured up a promotion to drive consumption of his product. It was a quaint little Fourth of July enterprise until it went corporate some years back with ESPN coverage and the attendant overkill. Based on over-eating.
 
It was 2 years ago in June that the American Medical Association passed a resolution that recognized "competitive speed eating as an unhealthy eating practice with potential adverse consequences."
 
That would make me smarter than the AMA because I concluded the same thing years ago, when a gaping maw with legs named Joey Chestnut started wolfing wieners by the wagon load. His record is an astoundingly vile 68 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. His parents must be so proud!
 
Hard to believe that in a country awash in obesity, heart disease and cellulite, we lionize the likes of Chestnut and the female champion, Sonya Thomas.
 
The only redeeming grace related to Wednesday's gorge-fest, is that it won't be carried live. A tape delay provides the opportunity for editing should something go tragically wrong. Like if Joey Chestnut turns to the camera after two bites and brays, "This is stupid. I'm full."