Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Table Talk

By TIMES STAFF
Published January 29, 2007

In the classroom or around the dinner table at home, here's a hot topic to serve up.

Super Bowl XLI

The Super Bowl is the year's biggest sporting event - and usually the most-watched television program. The game will be seen by as many as 130-million Americans. The average face value of tickets to the game, which will be played Sunday at Dolphin Stadium (near Miami), is about $600. A 30-second commercial during the broadcast costs around $2.6-million. For the first time in the Super Bowl's 41-year history, not one but two African-American head coaches will be leading their teams, Lovie Smith (Chicago) and Tony Dungy (Indianapolis). These talented men are also great friends. Dungy, former head coach of the Tampa Bay Bucs, still has tremendous support here, so look for extended coverage in the local media on this bay area connection. In the days leading up to the game, check out the Times' Super Bowl coverage.

TALK BACK

Classroom/living room debates: Should special attention be given to the fact that African-American head coaches will be on the sidelines for the first time in this game? Why or why not? Which team do you think will win this year's game? Why?

Go to our blog at blogs.tampabay.com/nie to read what other students are saying and to share your views on this week's topic, the upcoming Super Bowl. You may see them published in the next Talk Back! Here is what some teens from Pasco High School in Dade City had to say about last week's Table Talk topic, graduated licensing of teen drivers:

"Limitations need to be set and currently the system seems too slack. While learning to drive, the teen may prove more or less harmless, but the moment the parent leaves the car it's like the teen has finally heard a voice from above, calling him or her to make their engine roar as they speed down back country roads trying to fill their need for speed."

David Hancock

"I don't think the solution to teens driving recklessly is extending the legal age to get a license. I think better driver education and driving preparation would be a good way to get kids thinking and caring and taking driving more seriously!"

Abby Fagan

"I believe that the legal driving age is perfect right where it is. In fact my parents wanted me to get my license sooner so they did not have to chauffeur me around. If the teens pay for their own car and own gas, (they) will be reasonable drivers because they will be taking care of a very large and expensive piece of machinery. These teens that take driving for granted, are those rich people who just have everything handed to them. . . ."

Ed Boyle

I believe the age should be 16, or in other words right where it is. I say that because most teens mature at 16.

Hunter Widner

[Last modified January 29, 2007, 06:26:37]