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From The Chicago Tribune:

We accept the notion that TV makes us lazy, fat and stupid. When’s the last time you heard anything good said about television? Well, here it is:

Two American economists, in a paper published by the National Bureau of Economic Research, reported that watching TV has dramatically improved the status of women in rural Indian villages. Seeing cultures where women are wives and mothers – and career women as well – has prompted many rural women to rethink their own lives.

In many parts of India, particularly isolated rural villages, women are viewed and treated as inferior. The idea of women as autonomous beings, with thoughts and decision-making powers separate from their husbands, is virtually non-existent.

“Introducing cable [TV] is roughly equivalent to increasing female education by 5.5 years in terms of attitudes,” the authors wrote. It also increased school enrollment of 6- to 10-year-old girls by six percentage points. No similar spike was seen in the enrollment of boys.

Seeing what’s possible, it seems, leads rural women to demand more for themselves and their daughters.

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OVERHEARD

He described himself as a two-pack-a-day user. He bought it in cases.

– Cecile Rose of National Jewish hospital, referring to the man who ate so much microwave popcorn he may have “popcorn lung” disease

[President Bush] made that surprise trip to Iraq. Spent a couple of quick hours visiting with the troops. Then he left. You know, just like his days in the National Guard.

– David Letterman, “Late Show”

Sen. Larry Craig [was] rethinking his decision to resign. He says he [was] going to talk it over with his wife and the guy in stall No. 3. – Conan O’Brien, “Late Night”

[Fred Thompson] was 17 when he first got married, which caused a huge scandal in his small hometown in Tennessee. Apparently, he chose to marry outside the family. – Jay Leno, “The Tonight Show”

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COMING UP

TUESDAY: Explore the often stormy relationship between the government and the media, part of the Active Minds series, at the Tattered Cover, Colfax Avenue store, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: Contribute to the planning of the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver. Convention CEO Leah Daughtry and Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper will hold the first in a series of public forums starting at 11 a.m. at the Walnut Foundry, 3002 Walnut St., in Denver. RSVP to rsvp@demconvention.com or call 720-362-2008.

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BY THE NUMBERS

37

Percentage of white voters surveyed who favor Hillary Clinton

47

Percentage of black voters surveyed who favor Hillary Clinton

17

Percentage of white voters surveyed who favor Barack Obama

34

Percentage of black voters surveyed who favor Barack Obama

Data based on Democratic and Democratic-leaning registered voters surveyed July 25-29; Source: Pew Research Center