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Yeah, this is another one of those observances at which I could indulge my endless love for poking fun …

HOWEVER, the sad fact is unprotected sex can kill both your life — and your economy.

The Centers for Disease Control place US expenditures at up to $20 billion each year treating sexually transmitted infections. Of course, this doesn’t factor in STD-induced sick days: Each case of syphilis costs an estimated $112 in lost productivity.

The conventional wisdom of health groups indicates a simple way to save your health and that money — the condom.

Our little or large (whichever fits) latex friend is up to 95% effective at stopping HIV and minimizes the risk of STDs such as gonorrhea and chlamydia.

Bottom line, regardless of your gender if you engage in sexual intercourse with multiple partners the condom is your friend.

In my existence, my dad was always ‘larger than life’ — able to do anything; resilient, wise, possessing that indestructible “superman” image only a son can impart …

Nothing can shoot a guy down quicker than to have that omnipotent image of their Dad quelled by the inevitability of time and aging as well as the ravages of disease.

Highest on the list of killers of people ‘before their time’ in the United States are the Cardiovascular diseases and strokes.

As a mechanism by which to influence Americans to join the fight to stop these diseases Congress has had the president to proclaim February “American Heart Month” each year since 1963.

This particular observance is not “Heart Month” or “National Heart Month” … but “American Heart Month”.

The American Heart Association works with the administration to draft and sign this proclamation each year.

In an effort to raise funds for research and education and to circulate information about heart disease and stroke thousands of volunteers go forth and solicit contributions from their neighbors during American Heart Month.

Hopefully the progression of time will find people at large more health conscious and much less likely to engage in those lifestyle activities which preclude them to the effects of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Things like smoking tobacco, sedentary lifestyle, and poor nutrition.

My father ate well and lead a very active life. He was unable to put down that pack of cigarettes, however — so we lost him too soon. Sometimes the habits in which we engage hold us hostage despite the knowledge that the behavior is killing us. Such is the sad tale of my dad and cigarettes.

The Snack Food Association and the National Potato Promotion Board started ‘National Snack Food Month’ in February of 1989 to make people aware of snacks during a time when such consumption was typically very low.

This resulted in substantial increases to their respective coffers as the people are attracted to these so called ‘junk’ foods and consume mass quantities — particularly while vegging out in front of the teevee.

The promotion ‘kicks off’ on Super Bowl Sunday with publicity being generated throughout the month of February. They hold display contests whereby the various association companies compete for prize money given to those having the best displays.

They run another such event around Halloween around the obvious niche for ’single serve’ snacks indigenous to that time of the year complete with party ideas and serving suggestions.

So, Jabba — this being National Snack Food Month one would think it appropriate to get that big fat bluborious booty out there and celebrate an industry which helped to make it all possible. It’s time to eat some empty high caloric junk food.

Snack Foods … contributing to the national tragedy — one ass at a time.