I pity the fool who laughs at this ad! Racewalking is a noble Olympic sport, and has been part of the Olympic Games since 1906. But that doesn't stop an ad agency from producing an insulting Snickers commercial featuring Mr. T telling a "speedwalker" to "run like a real man" and "get some nuts," as he fires a Gatling gun loaded with Snickers bars at the astonished racewalker. Hat tip to The Riff Blog.

What do you have to do to get respect for a sport? In the 1800's, endurance walking races brought prize money that today would rival NBA salaries. Running was the oddball sport back then. Gentleman sportsmen walked in track and road endurance contests. But the world turns, and today a male speedwalker is portrayed as a "disgrace to the man race" in Mr. T's scripted words.

I've met a few Olympic-quality racewalking men, such as coach Dave McGovern, and they are superb athletes. In a world where more men need to put down the remote control and get some exercise, ads don't need to put down anybody who is putting in the mileage. That hip rolling action burns more calories per mile than running, you fool!

Worst of all, I love the taste of Snickers. I've even touted them as a cheap alternative to spendy energy bars - and of about the same nutritional value. Snickers' ad agency is a disgrace to the human race. I'm back to the spendy (but natural and non-insulting) Larabars.

All About Olympic Racewalking
How to Racewalk

If the high price of gas has finally convinced you to walk to local destinations rather than drive, it's time for you to brush up on the rules of safe walking. As any seasoned pedestrian or biker can tell you, it's the newbies who are out there doing something dangerous. Don't walk dumb, take these 11 walking safety tips to heart. Frankly, I'd pump one up to the top of the list - hang up and walk. People chatting on cell phones while walking are a danger to themselves and others. They are as distracted as drivers are on the cell phone and apt to be breaking all of the other safety rules due to that factor.