Upcoming events in December and for 2008 - 11.30.2007.2

From Michael Vass,



As we enter the month of December I just want to take a moment to share some of the things that are going on with M V Consulting, Inc. and all of its sites. As you may notice there has been a lot of activity in recent weeks. And I’m not planning on slowing down anytime soon.

Currently there is the $1000 Holiday Give Away Contest, which will end on December 15th. I invite everyone to review the rules at the above link or the press release at PRWeb (http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/11/prweb569295.htm ). I’m looking forward to giving away the money and I hope a truly needy family or individual wins. Remember that the entry is free, and no purchase is required.

There is also the TV One webcast of the Heartland Presidential Forum on December 1st @ 2:30pm. As one of the bloggers selected to cover this webcast I look forward to sharing my thoughts on all the candidates comments. This is an important webcast as regular people will be providing questions for the candidates, live not YouTube. This is also critical as voting in primaries will start early January.

There is little more important than selecting who will run for President of the United States, and there has not been a more critical election, in my opinion, since the 70’s when I was a child. Every vote counts, as recent elections have proven, and never are they as important as the 2008 election.

You can see my political commentary from 2007 and in the future at Vass or at Presidential Race Blog where I also write.

But in more immediate terms there is the holiday season. Some may have taken a look in the past at my online store and I want to let everyone know that there are many types of t-shirts, mugs, mousepads, posters, jewelry boxes, Teddy bears, sweatshirts, and more available. There are over 10 different clothing lines featured at the store including Anti-MoveOn.org, Sexy Woman, You’ll Do (as seen above, a favorite among many women it seems), Cowboy Ride, and I am the Myth.

Oh, there is also a deal for purchases over $75. And as I mentioned in my press release, I will be donating all profits from the sales at the online store to $1000 Holiday Give Away Contest. While purchase is not required to enter or win, if you do see something you feel would be a great gift for someone or yourself (there are over 200 items available) it will go to help others.

In addition, for those with businesses or who just want to be charitable, all donations made to the $1000 Holiday Give Away Contest will be given out to the winner(s). Every dollar counts and adds to what will be given away.



In the near term I will be doing my annual lists, summing up some thoughts of 2007. In addition I will be reporting the growth of M V Consulting, Inc. and all its sites. It has been a tremendous year.

Looking to 2008, expect to see another $1000 Give Away Contest or several of them. I will continue to follow the Presidential race, right up to the election night. I will get some free time and will be doing a few photo shoots for the various clothing lines. [Anyone interested in being a model for the photo shoot can send a headshot and contact information to info@vassconsult.com] Additional clothing lines will be released throughout the year as well.

I will also be seeking one or 2 corporate sponsors for the various sites. It is my hope that by gaining dedicated sponsors I will be able to decrease the advertising found on each site (though I have tried to do my best to keep it minimal. But it costs money to keep things going. You can donate to help by going to the PayPal donation button at the top left of the sidebar).

There also will be some changes in the look of the blog sites. You are welcome to provide me any suggestions on changes you would like to see. I value the opinions of all my readers and those that leave comments, so tell me your thoughts.

You can look forward to better (I hope, I do make them myself) video ads, an improved resources pages, reworked gift store pages, and new video clips of posts (possibly in a news commentator style). These are ambitious (and costly) changes, so give me time but I’m working on it.

Again I thank you all for your readership and commitment to my blogs and sites. Remember to enter the $1000 Holiday Give Away Contest (it’s free and who couldn’t use the money?), and check out the TV One webcast of the Heartland Presidential Forum, and my commentary tomorrow.

Sincerely

Michael Vass
President – M V Consulting
info@vassconsult.com

What analysts are buying for Christmas

Mortgages are in trouble, and the financial sector is reeling because of it. Enormous discounts, online sales, massive toy recalls and a recent correction place serious questions on the outcome of the 4th quarter. The chance of a Democratic Presidential candidate winning the 2008 election stands high. And whispers of a potential for a recession loom in the background.

Investors are searching left and right for a place to move their money, and there are few comfortable places to go. But there are a few choices out there. In particular is the Energy sector. A quick glance at a chart of the S&P 1500, with 10 analyst recommendations or more, shows a surprising trend. Energy is considered a buy, with 54% of these stocks holding buy recommendations.

In fact the only stock to have every analyst covering it recommend it as a buying opportunity is an energy stock. That’s a huge indication of confidence out there, as opposed to the financial sector. Financials currently have only 36% of buy ratings and lead the S&P 1500 sectors with 9% recommending sells.

Now add to this the facts that Chinese stocks have entered a bear market, Oil prices has jumped to all time highs, and the credit markets are tightening, analysts see the future as lit by the sector with the power.

As we are in the beginning of winter, and demand for heating oil, electricity for Christmas trees, and natural gas to bake and cook meals for the holidays are all current expectations for the near-term seem quite logical. It seems unlikely that usage is going to drop suddenly, thus profits running into the 1st quarter of 2008 sound reasonable.

The recent pipeline explosion at the Enbridge Inc. facility in the Midwest also seems to be a factor to help stimulate the sector over all.

So what is the perfect stock gift for investors? I have no idea, but it seems that analysts are stuffing their stockings with the Energy sector. Whether that will get them a lump of coal or a sack of cash, I doubt if even Santa knows.

**This can also be seen at Energy Stocks Blog, where I am a contributing author.**

Previews of 2008 films - 11.30.2007.1

Recently I was in the movies watching the Hitman movie and of course before the film there were several trailers. One of the trailers was for the new Will Smith film I Am Legend. I think that will be a good remake, this is the 4th reiteration of the film. I’ve spoken about this film before.

But there were 2 other trailers that also caught my attention. Both have A-list stars in them, and in each one of those stars is also African American. Both are Sci-fi films, and as longtime readers know I love comic books, video games and scifi. (Yes I’m a bit of a geek) But the big differences in the 2 films are the date they will be coming out and the quality of the films. One will bomb almost assuredly, the other should do well as long as it’s not up against Iron Man.

I’ll start with the worst and go to the best.

Jumper is trash. Not only did I get that impression from the trailer, but it is confirmed when the trailer states the movie will be out in mid-February. The worst of films almost always start off the year and appear between the middle of January thru February. It’s a dead time, with only a slight break for romance movies targeting the Valentine’s Day holiday. But romance movies don’t bring in the money.

This film has several fatal flaws. They are so big even Mr. Samuel Jackson can’t save the film with his presence. The big problem? They went for CGI heavy effects and forgot about the plot, and you can’t blame this on the writers strike. As you can see in the clip, the main character is a X-men-esque type with the power to jump from anyplace in the world to any other. Ok. Anything he holds onto goes with him. OK. So when he jumps to some other place in the world how can a rope catch him half a world away and pull him back? The rope was after the fact, and once it went through shouldn’t Mr. Jackson be pulled to the kid? Sci-fi films that rip off good ideas for quick bucks on a gimmick tend to fail. So will this I bet. See for yourself.



On the other end of the spectrum we have a more action based film with sci fi elements. WANTED looks to do quite well. It has Mr. Morgan Freeman (as a headmaster assassin – a bit different if he really is a bad guy), and the lovely Mrs. Angelina Jolie. It a movie about top assassins, so good that the laws of physics fail. [Yes a Matrix rip off, but it looks like they paid for a plot too] Our everyday guy, turned super killer looks plain vanilla enough. The chance for massive gunfights with really hi-tech guns seems excellent. And Mrs. Jolie looks great in those outfits.



Neither film will win an Oscar, granted. But my money says that WANTED is a winner, and Jumper will only look like a strong film when compared to Redacted or Lions for Lambs (the theme of both I hate, and happy to see them burning up in red tape).

Well you know what I think, what do you think of them. Which does better? And I still say Iron Man is the early leader for best blockbuster, and overall best film, of the year 2008.

Pros and Cons of the leading Democratic Presidential Candidates - 11.29.2007.1

**Repost from my Vass site.**

I want to remind everyone that on Saturday @ 2:30, TV One will have a live webcast of the Heartland Presidential Forum, featuring several leading Democratic Presidential candidates, and Republican candidates as well. This forum will feature candidates answering questions from the audience (and I don’t expect that any candidate will be planting questions for this).

I will be covering this Forum on Saturday, and you can expect a few posts from me, for TV One and everyone.

Considering the nature of the forum, and the fact that most Americans have not been following the candidates over the past year as much pundits and political bloggers, I thought that a short Pros and Cons of the leading Democratic candidates would be helpful. I intend to have a similar list for Republicans shortly.

I am only focusing on the leading candidates because of the short time until the primaries. I want to note one candidate that will be at the forum that I will not be doing a Pros and Cons for. Dennis Kucinich was the only candidate of either party to-date that answered any questions on Reparations for African Americans. His answer was for reparations. Every other candidate has refused to even speak on the subject.

With that noteworthy positions stated here is my list of Pros and Cons. I hope it helps those at the forum that get to ask questions, and everyone that will be voting. Please let me know your thoughts as well. [I am trying to be neutral, but of course that is not always possible in all issues. You may disagree with some of the items I list under either category. Let me know your reasons why you disagree, or agree, in the comments.]

Senator Hillary Clinton:

Pros


• Wife of President Bill Clinton
  
• Long-time Healthcare advocate
  
• Determined
  
• A lawyer
  
• A current 2nd term Senator
  
• Well known internationally
  
• First female Presidential candidate with a chance
  
• Forgave the infidelity of President Clinton
  
• Various polls state ~1/2 country favors her
  
• Very liberal in most all policies
  
• Pro Abortion


Cons


• Pro-abortion
  
• Has never directly run or owned any business
  
• Entered elected office after career of President Clinton
  
• Initial attempt to pass Healthcare reforms failed horribly
  
• Consistently appears to hold no actual position on most policies
  
• Speaks like a lawyer
  
• A female candidate
  
• Various polls state roughly ½ the nation strongly dislikes her
  
• Staff has at least 2x planted questions in her public appearances
  
• Had committee member attack Republican candidates by surprise at CNN/YouTube debate
  
• Very liberal (supported MoveOn.org in Gen. Patreaus ad)
  
• Has received the most money from lobbyists and institutions of any candidate of any party
  
• Took $1 million from wanted fugitive
  
• Involved in multiple scandals
  
• Pro-Illegal Immigration
  
• Anti-death penalty
  
• Anti-school vouchers
  

Continued in Pros and Cons of the leading Democratic Presidential Candidates Part 2...

When the MMO joy ends

For all the fans of MMO’s (Massively Multiplayer Online) out there, some potentially bad news. The same can be said to fans of all things Star Trek. Of course this means that I can only be speaking about Star Trek Online.

It’s been reported that there are going to be massive changes to the up-coming MMO, and the end to the equally in development Gods & Heroes: Rome Rising. The creators of Star Trek Online, Perpetual has been sold to new owners and they want a new focus on the game. Those changes include a move to become a more casual gamer friendly format. I would call that a horrible move.

In addition there is the rumor that the subscription based fees will be removed. Now most games that do this tend to instead offer perks to the game that can only be gained by purchasing those perks in real cash. While that has been a huge hit in some games (like Second Life as I recall) it’s not something I like. Then again most Americans I would say are against that format. But in Korea this is a very popular idea.

In my opinion, the game is dead. Any potential that might have been there has been hit by a full force phaser blast. So it’s warp speed onto another MMO. That means Conan. So far expectations are that we can see the game out in 2008.

As for Tabula Raza, which you may recall I reviewed recently, the joy has subsided a bit. My review covered the first 5 levels to the game. The initial feeling of constant action and improvement has lasted beyond level 5. But it seems to be waning fast.

Now at level 15, I have to honestly say that this is not a long term MMO. At least not for me. While I still maintain it’s a nice change from WoW (World of Warcraft) it is not a keeper. The higher level stats and abilities are only slightly different than early levels. Weapon strengths do improve, but not quite as quickly as most opponents. The scenery of post-early stage lands are still well detailed and inviting, but somewhat still the same.

I’m playing the game as a solo character, no guild or groups. That makes most of the instances very difficult. Sadly that’s where the best gear is of course. Still several can be beaten by one character (at substantially higher levels and better gear). But the meat and potatoes of the game still leave me less than enthused.

Bugs are still present, and the latest patch was a while ago (pre-Thanksgiving).

And the difference in ability between my newbie and my level 15 ranger is sparse. The different abilities just don’t seem too relevant. And the logos still make little sense.

Probably the main thing keeping me going is the desire to reach Sniper at level 30.

So if you have a month or 2 to kill, or want to blow off some steam from work, Tabula Raza is ok. Otherwise, look for Conan in March 08.

**this can also be found at Video Gaming Blog where I am a contributing author.**

Review of the Hitman movie - 11.28.2007.1

So I went and saw the Hitman movie recently. I have to say it was worth the money and time. For fans of the video game, it does pay attention to the game. For those that never played it you won’t be lost, nor enjoy the movie less.

I am a fan of the Hitman video games, so I went to this movie with a bit of trepidation. Far too often videogames turned into movies are a let down. Either they ignore the source, or they fail to expand on it. In increasingly rare numbers we see glimmers of all the right things, and this movie gives us just that.

Prior to seeing the movie I questioned whether Mr. Timothy Olyphant could pull off the role. While his work in Live Free or Die Hard was quite good (I own the DVD – the uncut version is barely different than the official theatrical version) it was not outstanding. Any of his other work was not really memorable so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Happily he hits the mark in the movie, being stolid and rigid as the nature of his character demands him to be.

In fact the 3 most funny and memorable no-action events in the movie works because of his detachment to everything but his work. But there are a couple of glimmers of humor and bewilderment in his eyes in those scenes as well, giving us a clue that more is going on inside #47 and that he is in fact human. And every geek in the world will understand the awkwardness that #47 feels in certain situations (actually I’m sure every guy can relate to it at some point in their lives).

The action of the film is well paced. There are plenty of scenes where the number of bullets flying could equal any Rambo film, well maybe not a full film but you get the point. The best thing about the action is that like the video game, and unlike most films of this nature, it’s well rooted in reality. A shot from a handgun doesn’t send a bad guy flying 15 feet, explosions affect everything in the area of the blast, and the main character knows he’s not bulletproof no matter how good he is.

And it’s not just a shoot’em up film. There is a reason for every shot, and where it lands. Nothing #47 does is without reason. He is as sharp in his planning as the creases in his clothing. And he knows how to get physical when bullets just won’t do.

The female lead, Ms. Olga Kurylenko, is fun and slutty as the character demands. I think she pulls off perhaps the best line of the movie (I will tell you it happens in the car with #47). While she doesn’t have a lot to do, beyond be a temptress and drive me nuts about the implication of her tattoo, she does hold up her part of her scenes.

For those that are considering letting younger kids see the film, beware even though there is no sex scenes. In fact there is no sex in the film, which is a nice break from the usual trend in this genre. Actually you may find yourself watching and hoping it doesn’t happen. Though that could be me, because I think Ms. Kurylenko seriously needs to “eat a couple of Big Macs” as a good friend likes to say. You really notice it in a couple of scenes where there is frontal nudity.

Overall the film is an example of precision in action. It’s logical, purposeful, and filled with action. There isn’t a lot of dialogue, and the action is big. Will it win an Oscar? NO. Will it be noted as a great film? No. But will you enjoy getting caught up in the film and following #47, absolutely. Perhaps the main complaint I have is that the Ave Maria (sung wonderfully by Christina England Hale) we hear in the trailers is not in the film beyond the opening scenes. I love that song and its tempo is perfect for the film, but at least it’s in there.

M V Consulting Inc joins with TV One on the Heartland Presidential Forum - 11.27.2007.1

In a little less than 6 weeks America will decide which candidates will be running for the Presidency of the United States. This next election will be perhaps the most critical for America in decades. Definitely for those Americans that have grown up with the internet, cell phones, and cable television this is the most definitive moment in American government they have ever witnessed.

Because of that TV One will be presenting a live webcast of the Heartland Presidential Forum from Iowa. This debate will likely be the last held prior to the primary voting that will follow shortly in January 2008. The debate will be taking place on December 1st 2007 at 2:30pm. Expectations are that 5000 citizens will be at the forum, and some will be able to directly ask the candidates questions about their plans and goals for America.

Also in conjunction with this Forum and webcast, TV One has gathered several bloggers that will discuss the various aspects of the political landscape leading up to the debate, and who will blog during the live debate as well. This will be a chance for you to be directly aware of what the candidates have to say about the issues you care about; and to be able to hear the thoughts of other average Americans about the answers given.

I am proud to say that I have been selected as one of the bloggers to be involved with TV One and the Heartland Presidential Forum webcast.

To that end I want to take a moment and review a bit about the many issues I have been blogging about since the beginning of the year in regard to the 2008 election. Long time readers to my site will be familiar with much of this, while newer visitors may find information that they may have missed.

I started the year by sending out letters to several of the Presidential candidates. Those candidates were in both the Democratic and Republican parties. In those letters I asked each candidate several questions that were prevalent in the minds of many people, and continue to be today.

Examples of some of the questions are

“Lastly, what is your position on the various laws and actions that are in place or proposed to impede illegal aliens from entering this nation from our southern border only? Do you agree or disagree with the thought that more should be done to protect our largely unwatched northern borders, especially since there has been evidence of how dangerous this lack of attention has been. – To Senator Hillary Clinton, Dec. 16, 2006”

“In recent weeks a great deal has been made of Representative Ellison’s informal swearing in using the Quran. As an individual of the Mormon faith, if you were to be elected President, would you use The Book Of Mormon to be sworn in on? (Please excuse my ignorance about your faith but I believe that is your religious text) Do you feel that your religious background would have any affect on your performance if elected President? Would it have any affect in dealing with dignitaries and governments that hold a different religion, and if so what? What place do you feel religion has for any elected official, if any? – To Mitt Romney, Jan. 10, 2007”

“As a fellow African American I'm sure you are aware that there are several issues that are of great impact to the Black community. One of the most important may be the issue of education. What have you done to improve the number of African Americans that finish high school and/or seek higher education? If you were to be elected President, what plan would you follow that will improve the education system in America? – To Senator Barack Obama, Jan. 22, 2007”

“Another matter that was received in a mixed manner was your choice of police commissioner and the law enforcement policies during your term of office. During your time as Mayor, Mr. Amidou Diallo and Mr. Patrick Dorismond were murdered by police officers in a disturbing manner and Mr. Abner Louima was tortured by police officers which was then attempted to be covered up. These policies and your defense of the police department created a significant atmosphere of anger and cries of racism among the African American, Hispanic/Latino and other minority groups in the city; that was not covered significantly across the nation. For those African American and minority voters in the nation, what are your views on law enforcement? Where do you stand on Affirmative Action and other reforms that address racial inequality? – To Rudy Giuliani, April 5, 2007”

Other questions and letters can be found at my corporate website in the Presidential candidates section, or via search at any of my blogs.

I have also been running a poll tracking the opinion of average Americans on who should be the next President of America. [The exact question is - If the election was held today who would you vote for? – The list of candidates does not include Fred Thompson who entered the race far later than any other candidate.] As of this post Senator Barack Obama leads with 52% of respondents. Senator Hillary Clinton trails behind in second with 22%, followed by Senator John McCain in a distant 3rd (9%). These can be found on the poll on the sidebar of all my sites. Feel free to place your vote as well, I will update this the day of the TV One Heartland Presidential Forum webcast and the following Monday.

So to sum up the introduction, I try to be neutral in my questions and views of the Presidential race at this time. While we as a nation are trying to decide which candidates of either party are the best choices for the nation to choose between, I feel it’s most important for me to raise questions about what we need to know from any candidate. This next election is far too important. And I’m glad to say that TV One agrees.

Expect more everyday, and if I can several times a day, until the debate. And check back during or after the debate. Hopefully together we will be able to find the best choices for America, because anything less diminishes us all.

3 parts of real success - 11.26.2007.1

Talent - a person who possesses unusual innate ability in some field or activity.

Work ethic - is a set of values based on the moral virtues of hard work and diligence. It is also a belief in moral benefit of work and its ability to enhance character.

Intelligence - the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience.

Which of those 3 terms is the most important? Does it matter what they are being applied to that makes the difference?

Why might I ask that? Because as I finally took some time to rest over the holiday, I watched a bit of television and spoke to people around the country. I heard several people complain about their work/pay. I heard several tell me how they intend to be stars. I noticed how much attention is focused on individuals in the media. And I realized that almost everyone had no idea about the above 3 items.

Of the 3, I have noticed that most people work on talent. Especially African Americans and minorities. It’s the E-ticket that gets you on all the rides. It’s the get-out-of-the-ghetto card. It’s the single most important factor ever. And it’s a lie.

Talent is like hope in Pandora’s Box. Perhaps the worst thing to afflict people en masse. It’s a tool that far too many without it use to become rich.

When I mention talent, most think of Michael Jordan or Snoop Dogg. They imagine Beyonce or 50 cent. But you don’t hear people say that Oprah Winfrey has talent (not speaking about her acting, but her ability as CEO of Harpo) or John Thompson, Myrtle Potter, Stanley O'Neal, Kenneth Chenault. Why not?

What about intelligence? You never hear that mentioned. You never hear anyone ask Ja Rule, Dr. Dre, Kobe Bryant, or Tiger Woods if/where they went to college. Because they have talent right?

And work ethics are likely the least discussed item of all. It’s like a plague when it is mentioned.

But when you consider the real successes, the people that really are meaningful and at the top of their game you find, more often than not, that they got their with this combination:

• 1. Work ethic
  
• 2. Intelligence
  
• 3. Talent (if any)
  

Best in the NBA? Michael Jordan. Practiced constantly, played with a 103 fever, and gave 110% every game. Mr. Jordan is a college graduate, and a better businessman than sports entertainer. While he may have made roughly 15 million dollars a year as an athlete, Mr. Jordan makes roughly 2x that a year now, with a net worth well in excess of $200 million, without ever touching a basketball.

Much the same can be said of Spike Lee, Tiger Woods, Oprah Winfrey and most every CEO that the average public couldn’t name if you paid them $50 a name. Each of them worked hard, every day with a plan in their heads. Each of them had an advanced education. Allowing them to understand business, contracts, money management and more.

If you want to know the difference between real success and a fad, look at the work ethic and education. 50 cent will be lucky to be around in 5 years, odds are. Tiger, Oprah, Michael Jordan, Stanley O'Neal, Kenneth Chenault, and others will be making money years after they are dead by contrast. And more of it.

So if you want to know how to become successful, there you are. Make a plan, work at it every day and get an education. If you have a talent you will just help boost your odds. But if you think that you bounce a ball, hum a tune, or sashay better than anyone and that’s all you need, be prepared to be let down.

Only 1 in 10,000 make it to professional level sports, even worse odds to make it in music or acting (how many people get rejected in the first 3 qualifiers of American Idol every year?). A professional entertainer has a career of maybe 7 years, regardless of the realm. Why limit your chances? Why give someone else the upper hand?

A Thanksgiving Day message from Michael Vass - 11.22.2007.1

I want to wish everyone a happy and joyous Thanksgiving Day. I hope all my readers are having a day close to their loved ones, with enough food for all, and relaxation from the busy schedule of work.


For everyone who is planning their shopping schedule for Christmas, and trying to decide where they want to brave the crowds tomorrow, I offer you a different option. I would suggest you that a look at my online store (found at http://www.cafepress.com/nova68). There are t-shirts, mousepads, coffee mugs, Teddy bears, sweatshirts, hoodies, stamps, jewlrey boxes, posters and more that can match most everyone you know. Take a look at the over 200 items found at my store and you might find a great gift that will cut down on all the traveling and crowds you will have to deal with tomorrow.

And for anyone who has said, “I wish I had a bit more money to pay for all bills and gifts from the holiday season” I remind you that the $1,000 give-away contest is still on-going. It’s a free contest, no purchase is required. And it can’t be any more simple to enter. Just send an email stating my age in the body or headline of the message, to Contest@vassconsult.com. That’s it and you will be entered to win at least $1,000 guaranteed. (Hint, you can figure out my age in the About me section on any of my blogs or corporate website. Can it be any easier?)

[For the rules of the contest please look at my press release found at M V Consulting, Inc. Giving Away $1,000 in Holiday Contest - 11.15.2007.1 or PRWeb Press Release]

And for those companies, businesses and individuals that want to help people out there, you can donate to the holiday cash give away as well. Simply use the Chip-In Donation Widget to give whatever you want. The total will show all donations made. 100% of all donations will be given to contest winner(s).

Again I hope that everyone has had a wonderful day and that the Holiday season brings good cheer and joy to all.

Sesame Street, the real danger to our children. Are you serious? Part 3

Concluded from Sesame Street, the real danger to our children. Are you serious? Part 2...



Hmmm… Learning the alphabet, with humor. Expressing love and presenting diversity and tolerance. Compassion. Patience. Are all these qualities we want our kids to avoid today?

Yes life is jaded today. Today we teach kids to fear strangers, family members and television shows. There aren’t just monsters under the bed; they are everywhere the child goes. Kids don’t go outside and play, burning off the cookie or 3 they just had as a snack, anymore. They sit and play video games, surf the net, and listen to iPods while eating a box of whatever Sugar Bomb Pops is handy, washing it down with a liter of some name brand soda.

Kids get to watch cartoons 24/7 now. There is no mere 3 hours of animated shows after school ends and just 5 hours on Saturday morning. No kids today don’t have to wait. They have it all the time on demand. Screw patience and learning time management skills, they have 500 channels of HDTV, Tivo, DVD’s, and YouTube. Why bother going outside and interacting with others building social networks and skills. They can text message or IM people they know and don’t know.

Diversity? If you mean being able to get in touch with masses of unseen, unknown people separated merely by screen names, in a cold and emotionless medium that conveys little to no context, then I suppose they get more now.

Seriously, the issue is not that Sesame Street is fictional or filled with “limited possibilities and fixed identities”. The issue is that some are so obsessed with seeking out flaws, resolving issues with drugs (like Prozac), and avoiding the fact that kids are not miniature adults that they miss the point. Life between 2-5 should be simple and filled with love and care. It isn’t always, but do we really need to force that reality on minds that are still trying to learn the alphabet and 2+2=4?

Sesame Street, the real danger to our children. Are you serious? Part 2

Continued from Sesame Street, the real danger to our children. Are you serious? Part 1...

I have to pause to give an example of the ‘junkie’ Cookie Monster in action. I use this video clip specifically because when I spoke with a friend of mine about this article, the song C is for Cookie was mentioned. Without pause or thought, I rattled of the main chorus of the song perfectly.



Now I wonder, how terrible is Cookie Monster? In using a snack that all young children are familiar with, presented by an obviously non-human fuzzy creature more reminiscent of a Teddy bear than a monster, he helps kids learn letters in the alphabet, introduces the concept of planets and astronomy (i.e. the moon), provide the thought of equality and diversity (the monsters in the chorus in the background), spatial geometry (the similar shapes), and the benefit of having an imagination. And he then eats a cookie. Then again he is a cookie monster. The horror. You just can’t let kids see that.

But that is not the only problem with Sesame Street according to this article.

“People on “Sesame Street” had limited possibilities and fixed identities, and (the best part) you weren’t expected to change much. The harshness of existence was a given, and no one was proposing that numbers and letters would lead you “out” of your inner city to Elysian suburbs. Instead, “Sesame Street” suggested that learning might merely make our days more bearable, more interesting, funnier. It encouraged us, above all, to be nice to our neighbors and to cultivate the safer pleasures that take the edge off — taking baths, eating cookies, reading. Don’t tell the kids.”

Let me show you a common example of the “harshness of existence” exemplified on this television program that I recall from my early years.

Concluded in part 3...

Sesame Street, the real danger to our children. Are you serious?

America we are in trouble. I mean serious and deep trouble. It’s not because of an eventual attack from fanatical extremists, or the potential of duplicitous individuals being elected to political office. It has nothing to do with the definite problems to the economy that are fueled by growing costs for oil and the expanding number of homes being foreclosed. No, this insidious virus comes from a small place in America, called Sesame Street. At least that’s what some would like you to believe.

This is incredulous. The degree of idiocy that causes some to propose that the early programs of Sesame Street are ‘inappropriate’ for children and that it should be ‘adults-only’ staggers my mind. In my opinion, anyone that could hold such a view first has never seen the show as a child and second has serious issues.

Of the programs on television in my lifetime, if not before it as well, I think only the Electric Company and the animated Charlie Brown and Dr. Seuss specials match the quality and sincerity found at Sesame Street. No violence, no bad language, real people (mostly but quite a few monsters that are as scary as Teddy bears), adults that are involved and not stupid, a diversity of cultures races and ethnicities that is unmatched anywhere in the real world. A dedication to provide kids with an interest in education, and helping them with the building blocks. And above all an understanding that children are not dumb or mindless and treats them with respect.

But for all that, and the millions that watched Sesame Street we now have what I would call ‘idiots with titles’ trying to keep the show from our children.

Virginia Heffernan wrote a piece on the Sesame Street DVD that is now available. Initially I thought this was a satirical commentary. I hope that I have misread her context. But you can decide for your self.

“What they did to us was hard-core. Man, was that scene rough. The masonry on the dingy brownstone at 123 Sesame Street, where the closeted Ernie and Bert shared a dismal basement apartment, was deteriorating. Cookie Monster was on a fast track to diabetes. Oscar’s depression was untreated. Prozacky Elmo didn’t exist.”

Sounds sarcastic right? But she goes on to say

“Originally designed by Jim Henson for use in commercials for General Foods International and Frito-Lay, Cookie Monster was never a righteous figure. His controversial conversion to a more diverse diet wouldn’t come until 2005, and in the early seasons he comes across a Child’s First Addict.”

Now if I read that second quote correctly Cookie Monster was just called a junkie. Hell, how did everyone from 45 to 22 not become a crack addict? Well maybe not everyone since according to the 1979 New York Times the program was targeted to, shudder at the thought, “4-year-old inner-city black youngster[s]”.

Continued in Part 2...