Thursday, January 20, 2011

Stupid "News" Item Of The Day

Oh, good Lord: Michelle Obama's 'Get Moving' Program Linked to Pedestrian Deaths

The Governors Highway Safety Association says pedestrian deaths increased in the first half of 2010 and the First Lady's program to get Americans to be more active could be partly responsible.

Governors Highway Safety Administration spokesman Jonathan Adkins told 630 WMAL that Michelle Obama is "trying to get us to walk to work and exercise a little bit more. While that's good, it also increases our exposure to risk."

After four straight years of steady declines, pedestrian deaths were up during the first six months of 2010, the latest figures available to be studied.

So, what does the report say exactly? (It is here. *beware* of PDF thingy!) Well, on page 3 the report states:

There are no scientific analyses of the reasons why pedestrian fatalities decreased from 2005 to 2009 or why the decrease appears to have ended in the first six months of 2010.

Got that? So, when the spokesman invokes Michelle Obama's fitness campaign he simply is talking off the top of his head (or through his hat, or out his ass.) There is no study linking the "Get Moving" program to anything.

There is nothing to see here. Move along people (but watch where you're going fer-cryin-out-loud.)

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