Comments by sbrobert
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1 of 1 people thought this was a good comment.
Posted on November 19 at 4:53 p.m.
Here are a few common examples of child abuse:
1) Forcing children to believe in mythical gods who will burn them in hell for innocent behavior.
2) Driving children to nearby places that they should be walking or biking to.
3) Arranging "play dates" instead of letting kids make their own friends and meet each other.
4) Feeding them drinks sweetened with high fructose corn syrup as their primary source of liquid.
5) Organizing every minute of the child's time
6) Not letting kids play and explore and learn and grow and make mistakes and fall down and be kids.
Lia is a rare hero who should be commended for going against the prevailing culture of child abuse in the US.
Posted on November 5 at 10:17 p.m.
Another great article, Starshine!
With regard to awareness and play dates, none of this went on when we were kids.
"Be home in time for dinner" was the only rule. I never would have thought to ask my friend's parents for a snack nor would my parents think to offer one to my friends.
Mostly because parents were just not in the picture. By the time we were potty trained, we got ourselves to our friends' homes or else they came to our home.
No one had an extra vehicle to drop anyone off with. The idea of a "play date" did not exist. Parents and kids each lived in their own world.
It was not that parents didn't care about kids. It was just that it was obvious that parents had better things to be doing and kids had a better life with each other.
Think "Peanuts" for how our lives were. And it all worked pretty well.
Posted on June 24 at 10:53 p.m.
Great column, Starshine! I have been writing about the environmental and social costs of this paranoia for years.
Here http://www.swt.org/robert/writ/fearandtr... is one.
The biggest danger to kids is being hit by a parent driving their kid to school... because they are so paranoid about the things that don't really matter!
We have a drug-free zone around schools. How about a dropoff-free zone around schools? At least the kids would get a little exercise and freedom and a chance to walk with their friends.
The biggest harm of driving kids everywhere is the lifetime habit it sets for never getting any exercise. That hazard is an order of magnitude bigger than the hazard of a crash in the car.
My brother made his kids walk or bike to school. And what was his reward? Being told by other parents that he was a bad parent. If you want to know where these bad habits start, I think that is a good clue. Thanks, Starshine!
Posted on May 7 at 10:17 a.m.
Thank you, Starshine! "I'm an atheist." It is so simple and so clear and speaks for so many of us.
Regarding "god" with a small "g" I deal with it this way: I explain that I don't believe in any gods. Not Yahweh, Zeus, Odin, Allah, God, Vishnu or any of the thousands of other gods invented by humans.
Nothing personal about your god, I don't believe in any of the other gods as well. That keeps it with a small "g".
Thank you again, Starshine!
Posted on April 26 at 10:47 p.m.
Lois Capps: It is time to Lead, Follow or get the hell out of the way.
It is over 70 years since universal health care was proposed in this country. It was actually killed by the AMA back then.
Lois, if you aren't going to sponsor Medicare for All now, it is time to resign and let someone take your place who will do what is right.
Posted on November 22 at 4:16 p.m.
Quite a few of us showed up this afternoon for the event listed for this afternoon:
"New Dimensions in Sustainable Development"
When: Saturday, Nov. 22, 2PM to 5PM
Where: Institute of World Culture, 1407 Chapala St., Santa Barbara
It is still listed on the Independent Web site at http://www.independent.com/events/2008/n... which could have been corrected at any time if the time or location had changed.
The doors were locked and no one answered repeated knocking at the door.
No note was left on the door explaining what had happened even though thousands of copies of the Independent went out with this information.
How many problems in the world do you think are due to poor communication?
Do you think the Institute of World Culture would want to promote better communication?
How could this have been handled properly, do you think?
Do you think those who expended precious time and precious resources to show up for this event will be less inclined to return for future events?
On New Dimensions in Sustainable Development -- 11/22/08 at Institute of World Culture
Posted on May 1 at 3:38 p.m.
Actually, this Festival runs all weekend long and ENDS at 5PM at Robertson Gym.
See you all there!
On 32nd Annual Isla Vista Juggler’s Festival & Vaudeville Show -- 05/04/08 at Robertson Gym, UCSB.
Posted on May 1 at 3:37 p.m.
Actually, the Juggling Festival takes place all day long at Robertson Gym at UCSB.
The Public Show at 7:30PM takes place at the Isla Vista Theater in Isla Vista.
On 32nd Annual Isla Vista Juggler’s Festival & Vaudeville Show -- 05/03/08 at Robertson Gym, UCSB.
Posted on October 28 at 11:13 p.m.
To see some good photos, Robert Bernstein has posted a nice selection at http://www.swt.org/events/hallow2007/iv2...
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Posted on November 21 at 8:12 p.m.
Thanks for sharing your own story, Janet. It is most relevant. Children have a strong natural fear of falling, only overcome with confidence gained through experience. The species would not have survived if current pathological levels of vigilance really were needed.
I do not blame "bureaucrats". They are just doing what the public demands.
I blame ordinary citizens for demanding zero tolerance of risk. There is no such thing. Minimizing activity-based risk leads to far greater risks to personal well-being and to the environment.
On Teacher in Trouble