The Observation Deck

Steve Chestnut won the Nathan's hot dog eating contest by downing 66 dogs in 12 minutes, shattering the world record and bringing the title back to the US.

This brings a couple questions to mind.....

how long does it take you to eat 66 hot dogs?

I would guess that is about three or four years' worth for me. I may have one at a picnic or ball game, but I doubt I eat 20 in a year.

Also, which do you consider this a sport? It's on ESPN, but then so are the spelling bee and poker.

Or-- to rephrae it--- how LONG are 66 hot dogs? And, downstream (so to speak) what are the ramifications of that ingestion?

If this isn't a sport - requiring training, discipline, fortitude and talent - I don't know what is.

There are overlooked endorsement opportunities for this sport. Champions obviously spend a lot of time on the toilet for several days after competing. What is their preferred reading material?

This is a unique opportunity to dethrone Reader's Digest as the king of bathroom reading material. Imagine a full page promotion of your favorite binge eating athlete. He is in the vicinity of a toilet. In his hands is a book of elegant Haiku and wood block print art, or a copy of the Lakewood Observer.