I got my copy of American Theatre magazine and was inspired to read that Susan Lori-Parks has been writing a play a day. Wow. She's an amazing writer and I will be so fasinated to read the end product of her experiment.
I'm reading Harry Kondoleon's Diary of a Lost Boy He's really good. He reminds me of a tame Chuck Palahniuk (Fight Club, Lullaby, Choke...).
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
And its gets scarier
So, I told my husband about my conversation with the DOVE Foundation today. We did more research and let me tell you - it just gets creepier - and we're getting more pissed off. They are dangerous extremists.
We discovered that perhaps I wasn't talking to a human being at all - rather a sophisticated recording that listens for "key words" -- this would explain why she continued to talk over me.
We discovered that the paid Board Chairman of this non profit (who makes over $55K)is a right wing Christian. We found a couple freaky quotes from this man - telling Christians who say "if you are against abortion, don't have one" that they are weak and Jesus would have taken a stand. And there are more of these zealous and dangerous right wing soundbites. Next time I'm telling them I'm a witch.
We discovered that even though Dove is a non-profit, that the end of their survey call is a sales pitch for a for-profit company that sells edited videos.
We discovered that the Dove Foundation did not meet with four of the "Standards of Charity Accounting" -- a big one being that their Board chair is paid.
We discovered that several states have restraining orders against DOVE due to the above mentioned video sales.
We discovered that in their reviews "alcohol" is considered a drug and that even the hit of pre-marital sex is enough to get a the "non recommended" rating.
If we find out anything else, we'll let you know.
A lot of people on line are saying that they get multiple calls. Will report if I get pestered again... Maybe I'll play along next time...
We discovered that perhaps I wasn't talking to a human being at all - rather a sophisticated recording that listens for "key words" -- this would explain why she continued to talk over me.
We discovered that the paid Board Chairman of this non profit (who makes over $55K)is a right wing Christian. We found a couple freaky quotes from this man - telling Christians who say "if you are against abortion, don't have one" that they are weak and Jesus would have taken a stand. And there are more of these zealous and dangerous right wing soundbites. Next time I'm telling them I'm a witch.
We discovered that even though Dove is a non-profit, that the end of their survey call is a sales pitch for a for-profit company that sells edited videos.
We discovered that the Dove Foundation did not meet with four of the "Standards of Charity Accounting" -- a big one being that their Board chair is paid.
We discovered that several states have restraining orders against DOVE due to the above mentioned video sales.
We discovered that in their reviews "alcohol" is considered a drug and that even the hit of pre-marital sex is enough to get a the "non recommended" rating.
If we find out anything else, we'll let you know.
A lot of people on line are saying that they get multiple calls. Will report if I get pestered again... Maybe I'll play along next time...
The phone rang
Today I got a phone call. The woman on the phone asked for the “lady of the house”. I said “What is this regarding?” She said, “This is not a solicitation. I’m with the Dove Foundation. I’m conducting a survey. Can I speak with the lady of the house?” I said, “That would be me.” Although “lady” is not the word I would use to describe myself – I think I’m more of a “dame” – in the 1940s sense, of course.
This woman recited a scripted speech asking me if I agreed that TV ratings have gotten too lax. If I felt TV programming was something I couldn’t do anything about. If I felt helpless as a parent when it came to finding “wholesome” entertainment? When she finished, she said, “Do you agree?”
I said, “No.”
There was silence. I am sure she heard my 8th month old daughter fussing in the background and was shocked by my response. I then said, “You’re talking about censorship”
‘No ma’am I’m not”
“Yes you are.” As I spoke about how TV ratings were just fine and that it is the parent’s responsibility to monitor what their children watch, she continued her scripted speech on the other end. I think we both stopped talking at the same time.
She said, “Well we want to talk with people that think this is an issue and agree that there is a problem”
“Okay, Fine.”
So the Dove Foundation doesn’t want to hear from people who disagree with their principles. But what is the Dove Foundation and what are their principles?
I was curious. So, I went to their website – please check it out – it’s www.dove.org . Here’s their mission statement “ THE DOVE FOUNDATION is a non-profit organization established to encourage and promote the creation, production and distribution of wholesome family entertainment”. You can read their reviews of films (recent and on video) and also take their on-line survey. Oh – please take it. When you’re done link to the survey “results.” I’m not sure how good their data is if they wont even talk someone like me since I don’t agree with censorship. I think there might be a little preaching to the choir going on at the Dove Foundation that is skewing their data… Did I say preach? Well that leads me to…
The first thing I noticed on their website was that their recommended video game of the week is “The Bible Game” – okeley dokeley. Their chairman’s letter bemoans the capitalistic take over of Easter and Christmas. So, “wholesome family values” = “Judeo-Christian philosophy” in DOVEland. I found it also fascinating that one of their board members produced Xmen – and it got their recommendation. Hmmm. League of Extraordinary Gentlemen did not… Hmmm. Both have a lot of sexual innuendo, violence, creatures… Hmmm… Oh, and they have a list of recommended “EDITED” DVDs. I am not even going to go into the major problems I have with that.
By the way, none of the “Harry Potter” films are approved (for any age) – you know – because of Occultism (one of their rating criteria). May I quote from the review? Here ya go “But along with the learning of incantations, potions, wand waving and broomstick riding, HARRY includes other elements which the Bible also takes a negative view of. More disturbing is the concept of an evil wizard’s spirit co-habiting another’s body. It will be difficult, if not impossible, in most families, Christian and secular alike, to deny their children’s desire to see the film, but witchcraft, conversing with the dead, and possession should be maturely discussed with young viewers. Despite its positive messages and honorable characters, we cannot, in good Spirit, endorse HARRY POTTER as recommendable.”
Interesting that “Spirit” is the capital “S”.
Now there is some serious crap on TV. I should know. I watch a lot of it. But, there is also quality programming, mostly on cable. As a parent, it is my responsibility to monitor what my child watches and to not use the TV as a babysitter. If my daughter is going to watch something too “mature” for her, with my permission, you better believe I am going to sit down and watch it with her AND have a conversation with her about what she’s seen. I don’t need some foundation whose opinions of what are “wholesome family entertainment” are not synonymous with my own. Just because it says “Disney” doesn’t mean I’m going to let my daughter watch it – I could go on for days about how much I damage those “princess” movies do to a young girls psyche. But, you better believe that all the “princesses needing a prince” movies received the Dove Seal of Approval. Is telling your daughter that she is only a success if she marries (and marries well) really the message we want to send to little girls? Give me Hermione or Mulan any day. But this is a topic for another entry.
The TV rating system is something I never thought should be in place to begin with. But it’s there. Get a “V” chip is you’re worried and don’t trust your child. But, as prohibition taught us, the more you restrict something, the more people want it. There is a black market for everything. I remember sneaking downstairs with my older sister to watch “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” – when I was 11. It was a rated “R” movie and had nudity. I know you’re shocked. I also snuck into some really horrible Patrick Swayze and Jamie Lee Curtis movie with my friends when I as in jr. high, just because it was rated “R”.
Did those ratings stop me? Nope. It just made it more exciting. Did I like the movies – can’t say I really remember them.
So, in parting, please visit the Dove Foundation and let them know what you think.
This woman recited a scripted speech asking me if I agreed that TV ratings have gotten too lax. If I felt TV programming was something I couldn’t do anything about. If I felt helpless as a parent when it came to finding “wholesome” entertainment? When she finished, she said, “Do you agree?”
I said, “No.”
There was silence. I am sure she heard my 8th month old daughter fussing in the background and was shocked by my response. I then said, “You’re talking about censorship”
‘No ma’am I’m not”
“Yes you are.” As I spoke about how TV ratings were just fine and that it is the parent’s responsibility to monitor what their children watch, she continued her scripted speech on the other end. I think we both stopped talking at the same time.
She said, “Well we want to talk with people that think this is an issue and agree that there is a problem”
“Okay, Fine.”
So the Dove Foundation doesn’t want to hear from people who disagree with their principles. But what is the Dove Foundation and what are their principles?
I was curious. So, I went to their website – please check it out – it’s www.dove.org . Here’s their mission statement “ THE DOVE FOUNDATION is a non-profit organization established to encourage and promote the creation, production and distribution of wholesome family entertainment”. You can read their reviews of films (recent and on video) and also take their on-line survey. Oh – please take it. When you’re done link to the survey “results.” I’m not sure how good their data is if they wont even talk someone like me since I don’t agree with censorship. I think there might be a little preaching to the choir going on at the Dove Foundation that is skewing their data… Did I say preach? Well that leads me to…
The first thing I noticed on their website was that their recommended video game of the week is “The Bible Game” – okeley dokeley. Their chairman’s letter bemoans the capitalistic take over of Easter and Christmas. So, “wholesome family values” = “Judeo-Christian philosophy” in DOVEland. I found it also fascinating that one of their board members produced Xmen – and it got their recommendation. Hmmm. League of Extraordinary Gentlemen did not… Hmmm. Both have a lot of sexual innuendo, violence, creatures… Hmmm… Oh, and they have a list of recommended “EDITED” DVDs. I am not even going to go into the major problems I have with that.
By the way, none of the “Harry Potter” films are approved (for any age) – you know – because of Occultism (one of their rating criteria). May I quote from the review? Here ya go “But along with the learning of incantations, potions, wand waving and broomstick riding, HARRY includes other elements which the Bible also takes a negative view of. More disturbing is the concept of an evil wizard’s spirit co-habiting another’s body. It will be difficult, if not impossible, in most families, Christian and secular alike, to deny their children’s desire to see the film, but witchcraft, conversing with the dead, and possession should be maturely discussed with young viewers. Despite its positive messages and honorable characters, we cannot, in good Spirit, endorse HARRY POTTER as recommendable.”
Interesting that “Spirit” is the capital “S”.
Now there is some serious crap on TV. I should know. I watch a lot of it. But, there is also quality programming, mostly on cable. As a parent, it is my responsibility to monitor what my child watches and to not use the TV as a babysitter. If my daughter is going to watch something too “mature” for her, with my permission, you better believe I am going to sit down and watch it with her AND have a conversation with her about what she’s seen. I don’t need some foundation whose opinions of what are “wholesome family entertainment” are not synonymous with my own. Just because it says “Disney” doesn’t mean I’m going to let my daughter watch it – I could go on for days about how much I damage those “princess” movies do to a young girls psyche. But, you better believe that all the “princesses needing a prince” movies received the Dove Seal of Approval. Is telling your daughter that she is only a success if she marries (and marries well) really the message we want to send to little girls? Give me Hermione or Mulan any day. But this is a topic for another entry.
The TV rating system is something I never thought should be in place to begin with. But it’s there. Get a “V” chip is you’re worried and don’t trust your child. But, as prohibition taught us, the more you restrict something, the more people want it. There is a black market for everything. I remember sneaking downstairs with my older sister to watch “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” – when I was 11. It was a rated “R” movie and had nudity. I know you’re shocked. I also snuck into some really horrible Patrick Swayze and Jamie Lee Curtis movie with my friends when I as in jr. high, just because it was rated “R”.
Did those ratings stop me? Nope. It just made it more exciting. Did I like the movies – can’t say I really remember them.
So, in parting, please visit the Dove Foundation and let them know what you think.
Saturday, April 15, 2006
Friday, April 14, 2006
The sixth sense
I was just talking to another mom and we decided that babies have a sixth sense - they know when we have a deadline and need to focus. This sense tells them its time to get super energized and demand to be the center of attention.
Monday, April 10, 2006
Fair and Balanced
Oh no, did I just become a conservative? Please God NO! The O’Reilly factor was just on. Please don’t ask me why the TV was turned to FOX News – ask the centrist Republican husband (who did NOT vote for Bush). I will admit, that I have been known to watch that program (when it is on) because I like to see how the “other side” is spinning things. Well, Mr. O’Reilly, before pitching the new golf balls that say “No Spin Zone” on his website and after he didn’t give his final guest the “last word”, mentioned that the only way to keep kids from getting seduced by internet websites/sex predators/etc is to not let the child have a computer in their room. And yes, I said “I agree with that”. Should I be worried that because I agreed with Bill that I am loosing my liberal tendencies? I hope not.
I think I agreed with him because I’m now a Mom and I really don’t want some sexual predator to target my child – I want to protect her. But I have to stop and think - by the time my girl is old enough to know/be curious about sex, where will technology be? In the last 16 years I went from having a Smith Corona Personal Word Processor with a built in printer and “data disks” to a laptop that connects to the internet from any room in my house. Blogs are the norm, e-mail is the way we all communicate – so should I deny her privacy and monitor like a hawk all her correspondence and surfing? I can put a firewall around her – so like Brunhilde (does that make me Woton?) – to protect her, but will that be enough? Is that too much? How much freedom do we give our children? How overprotective can I be? Should I be? By the time she’s 13 – her computer will be the size of her cellphone and she’ll be able to tap into the net from anywhere --wait – that technology is possible nowadays. So, who knows where we’ll be. Should I even start thinking about this now?
I think I agreed with him because I’m now a Mom and I really don’t want some sexual predator to target my child – I want to protect her. But I have to stop and think - by the time my girl is old enough to know/be curious about sex, where will technology be? In the last 16 years I went from having a Smith Corona Personal Word Processor with a built in printer and “data disks” to a laptop that connects to the internet from any room in my house. Blogs are the norm, e-mail is the way we all communicate – so should I deny her privacy and monitor like a hawk all her correspondence and surfing? I can put a firewall around her – so like Brunhilde (does that make me Woton?) – to protect her, but will that be enough? Is that too much? How much freedom do we give our children? How overprotective can I be? Should I be? By the time she’s 13 – her computer will be the size of her cellphone and she’ll be able to tap into the net from anywhere --wait – that technology is possible nowadays. So, who knows where we’ll be. Should I even start thinking about this now?
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