AOL News published a List of 15 Hottest Products in 2008 or Where the Buzz Was this year. From the Acai Berry, a little wonder from Brazil’s tropical rainforests to Twitter which allows users to write and send via SMS or online, short messages to a network of followers. From video cameras that fit in your pocket and  BlackBerry Smart Phones (the Bold and the Storm) with the sexy features of touchscreen technology that the American executives obsessed with and demanded. 

From a new Lancome’s Oscillation and Estee Lauder’s Turbo Lash vibrating mascara to smart, half-size for two funny European cars. From Amazon Kindle, the first electronic reader that gives you an ability to read in any light conditions to Music Video Games that can crank the volume up to 11. From the Wii Fit, a new healthy counterpart of an old Nintendo to Speedo LZR Razor Swimsuit and the world’s most luxurious 3-ply plush toilet paper. 

From iPod Touch, the Apple iPhone to incredible Christian Louboutin’s 5 inch Lola pumps with 5-inch skyscraper heels. From Flip Mino, a smaller than iPhone, 3 oz device that can capture an hour worth of quality video on the 2GB of internal memory to Element and Aloft Hotels where the rooms are like “a loft.”  The new “Go Green,” Bud Light Lime, a citrus-flavored concoction that Budweiser introduced this year is also included in this list of winners.

In summary, this list supposed to show you new ways to work better, look better, eat better, enjoy your leisure time, and much more. I added two other hottest products to the List– Nicorette and Dentyne Ice. These gums became very popular, hot products in 2008 because the most popular man in our country, Barack Obama found them helpful in kicking his smoking habit.

Media’s obamamania  with his smoking led to a series of television interviews and feature articles in the Men’s Health magazine and other publications. All talk is about how he is trying to kick the smoking habit and his confessions that it hasn’t been easy. Most recently he was asked by ABC’s Barbara Walters if he still sneaks a cigarette now and then. He suggested he does, but said he won’t smoke at his new address. She got his promise.

Tom Brokaw on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” mentioned to the President-Elect that he had ducked to answer the same question during his interview with ABC’s Barbara Walters. Brokaw noted that the White House was a no-smoking zone, and  asked Obama, a straightforward question, “Have you stopped smoking?” (FYI: The White House no-smoking rule was imposed by former First Lady Hillary Clinton, now Obama’s nominee for Secretary of State, so she’ll be very understanding, if her boss will not quit).

Back to the NBC’s interview. Obama smiled broadly and replied, ”I have.” Then he added, “What I said was that there are times where I have fallen off the wagon.”

Brokaw replied, …”that means you haven’t stopped.”

“Fair enough,” Obama said. “What I would say is that I have done a terrific job under the circumstances of making myself much healthier. You will not see any violations of these rules in the White House.” Tom Brokaw got his promise, too. Who is next to ask?

It is true, Obama was often seen on the presidential campaign trail chewing Nicorette gum to help ease the cravings for nicotine. It is understandable, considering the enormous pressure of the presidential campaign. He tried several times to quit, but he’s still there, in a “trying stage” to kick an unhealthy habit. So what? Give him some time and a right to decide what is wrong or right for his health. We are all humans, we make mistakes. We correct them if we decide the right time came for change. He’ll do it. Isn’t he the one who offered the change?

The media interest and obsession with finding a negative flaw in the 47-old president-elect is  understandable.  He is not only one object of media’s attention, but he is only one, who takes office on January 20, 2009. So, now media is trying to exploit his weaknesses before he’ll start to implement his more significant plans. According to his recent interviews, his smoking was the main topic of conversation. Are reporters concerned about his or other people health?  It is a good question, but they found a reason to talk about it because  in a country where cigarettes are responsible for one in five deaths and smoking costs tens of billions of dollars in health care, Obama has been under pressure to set an example by giving up his reported two-decade-old habit. Why they are not interested to discuss in details his political agenda, but focused on the small details which don’t make a whole picture? Sorry, but the European media will call it a ”sorting of a dirty laundry.”

So, they got his promises do not smoke in the White House and will hold him responsible after he’ll move there with his family. There are so many beautiful gardens, terraces, patios and balconies where you can have your private time from reporters looking for “salty” facts,  and relax and think how to resolve economical problems that the country is facing now. These latest interviews conducted by very respectful journalists remind me the time when I was in kindergarten where my teachers taught me what was right and what was wrong. Media’s vital interest in Obama’s smoking habit looks like very proper parents don’t trust their child and “interrogate” him about his wrondoing. Besides that, they demand him to promise to be the person they want him to be. Did they forget that he was already accepted by all American people who voted for him to be our new president with a mission to bring positive changes in the current negative economic climate and make life better?

Just think, if Obama manages to squeeze six times a week 45-minute workouts in his busy schedule, eats healthy organic foods and sleeps enough hours, he did already set up  an example for other people.

Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.

Source: AOL News, Yahoo News