A backlash has begun against the all-must-have-prizes culture that has produced children used to getting their own way..
Our little emperors: does worrying do more harm than good?

As the mother of two young daughters,… is used to doling out praise for almost everything they do. Even she was taken aback, however, when her younger daughter, Rachel, now 5, arrived home from nursery clutching a certificate for “sitting nicely on the carpet”.

“It made me wonder what she was doing the rest of the time,” …. “I thought it was a bit over the top rewarding her for something so routine. But it’s part of a whole culture of stickers and smiley faces and ‘celebration assemblies’.”

The received wisdom on child-rearing says nothing should be allowed to damage a child’s sense of self-worth: just last week the Football Association (FA) decided to ban teams including children under eight from publishing their results, for fear of putting the kids under too much pressure if they lost a match.
It is becoming a worldwide trend. A recent production of Snow White at a primary school in Japan featured 25 Snow Whites, no dwarfs and no wicked witch, as parents objected to one child being picked out for the title role. In Sweden a boy was prevented from handing out invitations to his birthday party at school because he was “discriminating” against the two classmates he did not invite.

“Too many kids … are growing up without boundaries, without discipline and without the family structures they need,” he said. “We should bring back discipline and the idea of punishment.”

FYI. This amazing country of ours was built on strength and honor, not touchy feely dimwits who allow everyone to “win”, while eliminating all healthy competition and discipline.

The joy of witnessing these little 4 and 5 year old “rock stars” with their parents fawning over their every move..Uh huh… Asking children what they want for dinner, what they choose to wear, how they “feel” every 15 seconds.

Guess what folks?
Everyone is NOT always a winner.

Common sense, responsibilty for oneself, respect for authority and decency have all been deep sixed in favor of “feeling good alla time.”

These touchy feely kids grow up not giving a fig for anyone but their sorry, self centered selves.
As adults, they remain coddled and over-indulged just as much as children.

Our Pop Idol culture offers “prizes” for every job well done.
What does our culture value? Pushiness, self-centeredness and attention-seeking behaviors seem to be prized far above talent and discipline for men. Looks, thinness, and sexualizing themselves is what is prized for women.

Giving kids a medal for helping tidy his desk or everytime he manages to “sit still”?

How many more rewards, stickers, smiley faces,and dang star charts do these children have to get before they realize this behavior should be expected, not rewarded?

Howzabout we teach our kids to be independent, allow them to fail and actually learn from it. Hmmmm.

To be polite and courteous , yes, and oooh… even competitive!
They will run circles around the little snowflakes who run to mommy (and eventually to government), to complain about every challenge life throws at them.

Between you and me, a huge part of this fiasco has been generated (out of guilt),by women who work long hours outside of the home, spend little time with their children, and have “nannies” do what “mommy” ideally should be doing.
But despite their absentee mothering…………
Their children must be seen by all as a pinnacle of their achievements in life.

You can choose to be your child’s friend, or your child’s parent.

Being buddies may is easier, but only the latter is really raising a child.
The “friendship” part kicks in…when they are much older…and IF, you actually raised them.

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JERUSALEM — Israel’s government voted Sunday to trade one of the most notorious convicts in its prisons, a Lebanese murderer, for the bodies of two Israeli soldiers whose cross-border capture led to and partly motivated its monthlong war with the Lebanese militia Hezbollah in summer 2006.

Israel Swaps Prisoners for Soldiers’ Bodies

Karnit Goldwasser.

Noam Shalit, father of Gilad Shalit who was kidnapped over two years ago by Hamas said Sunday evening that he is happy for the families of kidnapped soldiers Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser who received confirmation that the prisoner exchange deal with Hizbullah was accepted by the government.

Gilad Shalit was kidnapped and taken into the Gaza Strip 735 days ago.

Noam Shalit.

No one knows how to “negotiate” with twisted, cold blooded terrorists. But one thing we do know: Trading terrorist, vicious, heartless murderers for captives will bring more dead Jews.

And ultimately..more dead Americans, Europeans, Australians..and citizens of every other free nation that Izlam yearns to ultimately conquer.

As much as it pains the Goldwasser, Regev and Shalit families no end, expecting their return in exchange for terrorist murderers of Israelis is surely signing the death certificates of even more Israelis….and more…and …more.

Needless to say, the families ache for their beloved sons and husbands back.
But, To even consider setting free the despicable, vile murderer Sa-mir Kun-tar……….Will that serve Israel’s best defensive needs?
I ask you.

An inhuman murderer, who bashed a four-year-old girl’s head in with a gun………
The Arabs who danced in the streets after Sept 11th can hardly wait for his “triumphant” return to Lebanon.

Another Muzlim ‘hero’.

Israel will most likely never get back another live Israeli captive again. The maniacal Arabs have no reason not to kill them.
Hizbullah Secretary-General Sicko Has-san Nasr-allah uses victims in order to cause division.
In his twisted mind, he knows full well this will split the public and break their hearts.

But hey…he aint no fool. He has the Israeli media as his own personal bullhorn now. All waiting with baited breath for the outcome of this never ending horrror.

My friends…take heed.
This is what ensues when a government loses its moral backbone.

May the Good Lord hold Gilad, Ehud, Eldad, Israel and all of us in the palm of His hand.

Spreading the warnings to The Virtuous Republic, Perri Nelson’s Website, Adam’s Blog, Right Truth, The Amboy Times, Beagle Scout – Support the No More Excuses Energy Act, Democrat=Socialist, Nuke Gingrich, third world county, McCain Blogs, The World According to Carl, Rosemary’s News and Ideas, Pirate’s Cove, CORSARI D’ITALIA, Nuke’s News, and Right Voices, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

I awake
Eager to set forth yet again
like a petal facing the Sun
I must finish what was begun

The wilting flower of Freedom
must never be allowed to wither
despite the Snake of Terrorism
which along side of us,
some have enboldened it – to slither

The watering can, my beloved friends
remains mine and yours
the arduous task to protect and defend our very Shores

In multitudinous parts of our precious World
Freedom is finding it so frantically hard to grow
Hence our assiduous battles and blessings we must continue to bestow

My head must rule my heart
In this strenuous struggle, I must renew and yet again…………..take part.

I dedicate my ongoing struggle:

In memory of Issac, who has gone on to fresher fields.
to God’s Garden
where Freedom and Love are truly understood
and all is growing…exactly as it should.

How do we deal sweet friends with the disappearance of something cherished, with the death of someone so so loved and revered.

Feeling disoriented, disturbed, angry, relieved, distressed and oh so sad all at the same time.

Grief is a tidal wave that over takes you,
smashes down upon you with unimaginable force,
sweeps you up into its darkness,
where you tumble and crash against unidentifiable surfaces,
only to be thrown out on an unknown beach, bruised, reshaped…

Grief will make a new person out of you,
if it doesn’t kill you in the making.
(Stephanie Ericsson)

I was gently reminded ..that humor..is the back side of agony.

How many times must we “learn to live again”?

Will be away for a few days my beloved friends.
God Speed.

Stevie Wonder, who returned to the concert trail last year after a 12-year hiatus, kicked off his summer tour – big time- in none other than New York.

Guess who was there dancin in the aisles?

An outdoor concert, by the beach. Ahhhhhhh.

The concert started an hour late…but not a moment too soon.

Turn the volume UP on the video…woohoooo!

I mean who could stay in their seat during “Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours,” “Living for the City,” “Superstition,” “Sir Duke”, not to mention “Master Blaster (Jammin’).” WooHoo!

“Golden Lady”, “My Cherie Amour,” “Don’t your Worry Bout a Thing”, and “I Just Called to Say I Love You” transformed the entire audience.

His daughter Aisha sang background vocals. Mmmmmmm.

Wonder has been blind since infancy after it was thought being given too much at birth led him to develop a disorder which eventually caused his retina to detach.

Despite this, he began learning to play the piano at the age of seven and by the time he was nine, had mastered the drums and harmonica.

He has won 21 Grammys and an Oscar for Best Song for his mega-hit I Just Called To Say I Love You. In addition, he has been inducted into both the Rock and Roll and Songwriters halls of fame.

Yes, the one and only Ray Charles was the master of Rhythm’n'Blues.

Otis Redding was undoubtedly the king of Soul.
James Brown ruled “Funk”.
Michael Jackson ..well…is Michael Jackson. .

But Stevie have covered every one of those styles of music...Artistic releases, his essence pouring through.
Alluring beauty and grace avowedly delivered in every note.
Enthralling us all, moistening our eyes.

“Music is a language we all understand.”
His music ………Ah..I have no words.
Moving my heart.
Cleansing my mind.
All my worries consigned away….for another day.

Salvation. Revelation.

Mesmerizing even God, I daresay.

But…but but………..
O.K. He supports Obama. Hey, no one’s perfect eh?

Perhaps this was a sign. Heh.

It was touch-and-go for Stevie Wonder at a support rally for democratic hopeful Barack Obama last night.
Stevie Wonder falls for Barack Obama at star-studded presidential rally
Accompanied by Senator Barack’s wife Michelle, the musician took a tumble as he made his way up the backstage stairs.

Stevie is a legend.

I love the man, and what his music has brought to my life.
Now, If I can could only get him off the Obama kick………

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“I didn’t know Superman, Batman and Captain America were created by Jews.”

The exhibit ZAP! POW! BAM! The Superhero: The Golden Age of Comic Books, 1938-1950, at My Jewish Discovery Place Children’s Museum in Plantation, Florida is bringing comic book heroes back to life for a new generation of fans.

The report mentioned that the first superhero – Superman – was created in 1938 by two Jewish boys, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Bob Kane and Bill Finger, also Jewish, created Batman in 1939. Then came Captain America in 1940 from Jewish artists Joe Simon and Jack Kirby.
Florida exhibit showcases Jewish artists’ role in comic books
Most were created during the economic and political turmoil of the 1930s and ’40s. For Jews it was a way of confronting Hitler, who became the superheroes’ nemesis in many comic books, as World War II and the Holocaust ravaged Europe.”

Ah yes. The Jews’ idea of um…”cartoons.”
Fearless, timeless, lovable warriors: Fighting Evil.

Hmmm. I wonder if the “students” know down at the Saudi Academy in Virginia that some of our most famous and fearless defenders were created by none other than…shhhhhh..”Jews”.

Oh, wait. They don’t cotton to cartoons. Never mind..before a bldg. blows up or something.

What do you suppose is the secret behind the longevity and success of these amazing comics.

What lies beneath mankind’s need for a hero?

Do we not all fantasize about someone to save the world, someone strong and courageous enought to battle evil and do it all before it’s too late.

Some comics can even be a window into our spiritual life.
-The passion for Truth, Justice.
-The ethics of service to mankind.

Long around you sweet friends.
Are we not all secretly longing for a Rescuer?

Come to think of it…………..If you were a superhero...What would be your Powers — or better yet...your Superhero name?

To all of you: fighting the good fight.

And magically linking with my superpowers to The Virtuous Republic, 123beta, Right Truth, DragonLady’s World, Stuck On Stupid, Leaning Straight Up, Democrat=Socialist, Conservative Cat, Pursuing Holiness, third world county, Nuke Gingrich, McCain Blogs, The World According to Carl, Pirate’s Cove, Gulf Coast Hurricane Tracker, and , thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

American Greetings will soon introduce new and improved Care Bears with “less belly fat, longer eyelashes.” But that’s not all! This change comes as part of a larger movement to update the animated friends of our youth.

Strawberry Shortcake, Care Bears to Receive Makeovers; Childhood Spoiled

Other “improvements” you can look forward to (or not): The company’s new Strawberry Shortcake is way skinnier (thanks to a more “fruit-forward” diet), and she has replaced her calico cat with a cell phone.

The scoffers minimize and ridicule those of us who mourn the Loss of innocence and all its moral implications………..

No more modest outfit or childlike appearance for you Strawberry Shortcake. No no no.

Why not go all the way and put all little childrens’ dolls in halter tops and short shorts while wer’e at it eh?

She musn’t have freckles, or be pudgy. Uh uh. Her figure must be svelte and her skin- silky smooth.
Tighter clothes, longer hair, and of course……….. a smaller nose.
Every single female, no matter how young or what she represents– must be sexualized.

Sure, it’s time to pretty up Strawberry Shortcake with that wide-eyed vacant look that all Disney heroines have.

Se-xing up women isn’t enough. No siree shortcake. We must s-ex up our babies and little girls as well.
Ever look at at a Bratz doll?..with their huge heads, long eyelashes, long flowing hair and
po-rno outfits? Who exactly is playing with her?

And since when did Strawberry Shortcake suddenly morph into a 10 year old? She looked about 3 or so, but 10 has soooooooo much more “perv potential” doesn’t it?

Replacing her pet cat with a cell phone? Now, that’s pricless.

After all what good is a purely innocent “childlike” figure anyway?

So, where’s her bare midriff shirt and belly ring?..Or do those accessories cost extra?

Mourning the loss of innocence with Outside the Beltway, The Virtuous Republic, Rosemary’s Thoughts, 123beta, Adam’s Blog, Right Truth, DragonLady’s World, Stuck On Stupid, Leaning Straight Up, Cao’s Blog, Democrat=Socialist, Conservative Cat, Pursuing Holiness, third world county, Nuke Gingrich, McCain Blogs, The World According to Carl, Pirate’s Cove, Gulf Coast Hurricane Tracker, , and Right Voices, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

Here in these wonderful United States of America, we are one of the few countries in the entire world that has an official day on which fathers are honored by their children.

To all the dads, hope you are given presents, treated to dinner or just made to feel real special.

One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters.
(17th century English proverb)

If the new American father feels bewildered and even defeated, let him take comfort from the fact that whatever he does in any fathering situation has a fifty percent chance of being right.
Bill Cosby

It is much easier to become a father than to be one.
Kent Nerburn

Some Things You’ll Never Hear a “Dad” Say: Ha

Well, lookie here… I’m lost! Looks like we’ll have to stop and ask for directions.

You know princess, now that you’re thirteen, you’ll be ready for unchaperoned car dates. Won’t that be fun?

Here’s a credit card and the keys to my new car — GO CRAZY.

No son of mine is going to live under this roof without an earring — now quit your belly-aching, and let’s go to the mall.

What do you mean you wanna play football? Figure skating not good enough for you, son?

Well, I don’t know what’s wrong with your car. Probably one of those doo-hickey thingies — you know — that makes it run or something. Just have it towed to a mechanic and pay whatever he asks.

Whaddya wanna go and get a job for? I make plenty of money for you to spend.

HAPPY FATHERS DAY sweet friends.

We all crave intimacy, need to love and be loved in return. So why do we have much dang trouble doing so?

How did you choose your boyfriend/girlfriend, husband or wife?

What did ya look for?
Besides great eyes and hair. Heh.

Did you take note of some of these indicators of what’s to come?

His or her Politics: (Loony) Liberal or (sane able to reason properly) Conservative?

Her Faith. Was it strong? Is yours? Did that matter to you?

Money, money, money:
Is he reckless, does she save or spend spend spend?

How does he react when under stress?

How well does he communicate? Does she listen when you try to express yourself? Do you feel ignored or discounted?

What seem to be his priorities? Is it always about work, or does “family” and your relationship take first place?

Looks:
Does he take pride in how he looks…ok guys don’t answer that. ha.

Does she stay fit and healthy and care about her appearance?

Word from the sometimes, most of the time, oftentimes wise. Heh

Choose your partner well.
We are attracted to people for all kinds of reasons.

You can be attracted to someone who reminds you of someone in your past, without even being consciously aware of it.

They may shower you with gifts or make you feel special or even…important.

Just remember: Apply the same rules to a future husband/wife, girlfriend or boyfriend as you would a friend.

Examine their personality, values, their overall qualities, and most of all– their relationship with others and with God.

Know your own needs. If you don’t: Find them out.
Your partner can’t always win at the “guessing game”, so try not to put him or her through it.

Always show respect. Your’e a team, and at all times, try to act like one.

Talk, talk and talk some more.

Sorry fellas. Ha.
Explore, don’t assume.

Whatever you do….Do not mistaken physical attraction for..Love.

Sooooooo, what’s the secret sweet friends?

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Ness Ziona Municipality forced to recall booklet including fifth-grader’s poem about Arab terrorist preparing bombs after authorities receive complaints from Arab sector calling poem ‘racist’

Child’s poem entitled ‘Ahmed’s Bunker’ deemed racist

A poem written by a 10-year old boy from Ness Ziona, in which he describes the life of a bomb-maker named Ahmed who specializes in killing Jews, was included in a booklet published by the city’s municipality after it was accepted into a poetry competition. The poem offended the Israeli Arabs who saw it in the booklet, and following an appeal made by Ynet the municipality decided to remove it.

The poem reads as follows:

Ahmed’s bunker has surprises galore: Grenades, rifles are hung on the wall. Ahmed is planning another bomb!
What a bunker Ahmed has, who causes daily harm.

Ahmed knows how to make a bomb. Ahmed is Ahmed, that’s who he is, so don’t forget to be careful of him.

We get blasted while they have a blast!
Ahmed and his friends could be wealthy and sunny, if only they wouldn’t buy rockets with all their money.

Due to the objections from the Arab sector, Berkowitz had 500 copies of the booklet recalled and the poem is to be removed from them.

Too bad he didn’t draw a lil cartoon to go along with the poem eh?

Let’s see now.
In Israel, ALL suicide bombers have been Arabs. Not such a great intellectual leap there is it?

But……….Poor lil Ahmed’s getting his keffiyeh in a knot over this. In the mean time, this ten year old exhibits more honesty and political and moral clarity than do all the bozos sittin in the Knesset put together.

The unmitigated “chutzpah” of these Ness Ziona children.

Imagine writing a poem about how a terrorist makes bombs to kill him.
Don’t they know how “racist” it is to say that a terrorist wants to kill you?

What in the world is this ole world coming to when kids start complaining about how they don’t exactly appreciate terrorists trying to kill them just because they happened to be…a Jew.

Israeli Arabs demand the benefits of being an Israeli but side with the enemy. Go back to an Arab land and make some “demands” there dudes..see how long your appendages remain connected to yer bodies.

It’s a fact that the overwhelming majority of Israeli Arabs support Suicide bombings
So how exactly is it deemed “racist ” when Israeli Jews realize that the Arab murderers are then considered “martyrs” and celebrated?
Since when did it become “racist” to acknowledge “facts”?

Any outcry from Arabs concerning what about the Pali textbooks include?
How bout the lil chapters calling Jews snakes, pigs and monkeys?

That offend their precious lil Arab sensibilities? Any “banning” on those?
Oh. How bout the part that glorifies killing Jews?

What about when their buddies, Ham-ASS in Gaza teach that the Jews perpetrated the Holocaust upon themselves so the world would support their theft of ahem….”Palestinian” land?

The truth hurts , don’t it Arabs?

-Killing Jews: Not Racist.
-Holding Gilad Shalit captive, daily launches of rockets at civilian targets, Ham-ASS funding and deploying suicide bombers?: Not Racist.
-Poem about Killing Jews: Racist.

THIS they don’t lose sleep over:

Nothing “Racist” about this either huh Muzlims?

Ever see Arabs protest about the genocidal RACIST campaign to exterminate non Muzlims or Jews? Nah. They’re too busy protestin cartoons and poems scribbled by 10 year olds.

A poem is what is deemed “offensive” to the Arab sector, not that their Arab brothers actually behave this way, mind you. That’s clearly peachy keen.

So…A Jewish child writes a poem about an Arab terrorist and it’s deemed “racism.”

Gee. I have an idea.
If Muzlims want folks to have a better perception of themselves………um……….stop blowing people up.

Writing poetry with my friends at Rosemary’s Thoughts, third world county, Right Truth, Adam’s Blog, The World According to Carl, Shadowscope, Cao’s Blog, , Democrat=Socialist, Conservative Cat, Pursuing Holiness, and Right Voices, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.