There's been a lot of talk about the obesity epidemic in the United States. As if somehow not being able to pass on your fourth Big Mac now qualifies as a major health problem.

The next step in the discussion usually centers on "the costs" of this mass epidemic . . . or should that be epidemic of mass?

The costs, we're told, are frightening - more hospital visits, higher insurance costs and increased competition for seasonal Santa jobs.

Scary stuff, indeed.

But there is a much more virulent contagion threatening the globe. The evidence is everywhere and the epidemic knows no limits. It attacks old people, young people, Democrats, Republicans and people on YouTube.

Yes, people, we are in the midst of an exploding global stupidity crisis.

I'll admit it does appear there are a few more fat kids than when I was in grade school, but if you go to a playground, you have to look around to spot a few husky children.

Stupid people are everywhere. They continually pop up like the flesh-eating zombies in Resident Evil.

[

Which one of these is not like the others? ]

A cursory look at the morning paper is all you need to see that the whole stupidity plague is reaching pandemic proportions. This affliction is amazing if for no other reason than the wide variety of people it affects . . . .

Exhibit 1: Pro football player, Richie Incognito
The St. Louis Ram center took impulse buying to a new level when he outfitted his BMW 750 with a few extras . . . in the form of 23 TV screens.

Let's skip over the obvious problems with having a TV in your car. What could you possibly be thinking by ordering 23 of them!? Richie's new tricked-out car included televisions on the visors, headrests and gas cap.

You can just imagine Richie thinking, "Incognito, my foot. People are going to notice me."

http://www.topix.net/content/trb/3990395648186920199732764910230746238154

Exhibit 2: Sad in Salisbury
I have to admit I'm continually amazed that syndicated columnists can make a living handing out stupid advice. That's what your friends are for. So, normally, I don't set the expectation bar too high when reading letters to Dear Abby. But Sad in Salisbury should win some kind of award for the following letter:

DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend and I have been together for six years, and the only problem I have with him is that he lies about meeting other women on sex sites. The problem with this is that he is looking for someone in our hometown for discreet sex. I have confronted him and told him how it makes me feel, but he still does it and finds other sites to go on. What should I to do? -- SAD IN SALISBURY, MD