FANTASY FOOTBALL

ET CETERA

NOT TO MENTION FANTASY SCREEN ROLES AND FANTASY SUPERPOWERS. DO WE NEED OUR HEADS EXAMINED?

THE 60 MINUTES/VANITY FAIR POLL

A mericans like to think of themselves as a commonsensical people—which, needless to say, often flies in the face of the evidence. And yet, deep down, we know that we’re a seething mass of inanities and contradictions—which demonstrates common sense.

How else to wrap the mind around this month’s poll? Only 17 percent of Americans like the idea of Guantanamo detainees’ being transferred to maximum-security prisons in their states (even though there are already hundreds of terrorists in American prisons). At the same time, most Americans (61 percent) are fine with the idea of putting Khalid Sheikh Mohammed on trial in New York City.

And where’s the sense, while we’re at it, in believing that the solution to the N.F.L.’s concussion epidemic is either to “tell players to go easier on one another” (9 percent of men but 19 percent of women—these people have clearly been playing without their helmets) or simply toget rid of helmets altogether (only 3 percent of respondents, but still)?

Maybe these numbers reflect less a dearth of sense than a surplus of fantasy—which might explain why 19 percent of Republicans believe Houston is the quintessential American city. (To be sure, this was before Houston elected a gay Democratic mayor.) Diving even deeper into fantasy was the question about one’s favorite superpower—not as in geopolitics, but as in lifestyle option. Reading people’s minds came first. Really? You want to know what that person across from you on the subway, or on the adjacent StairMaster, is thinking right now? Are you sure you want the unvarnished cogitations even of your spouse? Next came flying and invisibility. Only 3 percent chose X-ray visionno surprise, really, what with X-Ray Specs still readily available.

VIDEO: MICHAEL HOGAN AND CALI CARLIN EXPLORE THE RESULTS.

NOTE: This survey is based on a random sample of 1,091 respondents nationwide. It was conducted by telephone November 29 through December I, 2009, by CBS News. Some low-percentage answer choices have been omitted.

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the self-proclaimed mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks, will soon go on trial in federal court in New York. Do MORE you think OF this A TERRORIST will make New TARGET? York City ALL REP. DEM. Yes, Ye this is just what al-Qaeda wanted 29% ...44% 20% 28% No, New York is a target anyway 61 44 70 The U.S. is planning to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility. If detainees were TRANSFERRED TO A MAXIMUM-SECURITY PRISON IN YOUR STATE, which of the following statements would best describe your reaction? Fine, they can't be any worse than the people already there 17% No way, keep them away Don't care one way or the other Which of these major cities do you think best currently REFLECTS AMERICAN CULTURE AND VALUES? AGE AGE UNDER OVER ALL 45 45 REP. DEM. New York 18% 21% 14% 16% 20% Chicago 13 12 15 - 17 Houston 10 8 11 19 5 Washington, D.C. 9 13 6 7 16 Los Angeles 8 11 4 5 9 Detroit 4 5 3 2 3 None of these 32 25 39 36 24 Do you have friends who are OF A DIFFERENT RACE from you? Yes—close friends 525, Yes—acquaintances Hardly any 9 No—my friends are of the same race as I am 7

Which type of HOLLYWOOD MOVIE would you most like to star in? ALL MEN WOMEN A Western with Clint Eastwood .20%.29% ......12% A romantic comedy with Cameron Diaz or George Clooney 18 10 26 An action movie with Will Smith 15 18 11 A comedy with Will Ferrell 14 16 12 A drama with Meryl Streep 13 8 17 A thriller with Julia Roberts 8 7 8 A martial-arts epic with Jackie Chan 4 6 2 Will you definitely do the following things IN THE YEAR AHEAD? YES NO Pay your taxes on time 92% . 5% Spend more time with your family 90 ... 8 Vote in an election 81 17 Volunteer or do charity work 71 26 Lose weight 58 38 Take your dream vacation 34 63 Quit smoking and/or drinking* 17 36 Change jobs 11 69 *45% of respondents volunteered that they don't smoke or drink.

How do you usually watch YOUR FAVORITE PRIME-TIME TELEVISION SHOWS? AGE AGE ALL 45 45 UNDER OVER On TV when they air 69% 57% ... 82% Using DVR or TiVo 20 28 13 On the Internet 6 11 1 On an iPod or portable device 0 0 0 The National Football League is looking closely at t the LONG-TERM HEALTH IMPACT OF CONCUSSIONS on professional football players What do you think football should do now? ALL MEN WOMEN Make better helmets 65% 70%.... 60% Tell players to go easier on one another 14 9 19 Football is too dangerous. Soccer is the future 8 7 8 Get rid of helmets 3 3 3 Suppose you could have THE POWER OF A SUPERHERO. Which power would you choose? Ability to read people's 35% Ability to fly 21 Ability to become invisible 19 Possess super-strength 13 Possess X-ray vision 3 Are you happy with your CURRENT CHILD-CARE ARRANGEMENTS? Yes—l/my partner/ a family member A takes care of my kids 69% Yes—my day care and/ or nanny is wonderful 12 Not completely happy, but it's what I can afford 4 No—I worry about it but have few options 8