Amazon reviewers agree, the toy Atmosphere is dangerous

Amazon reviewers agree, the toy Atmosphere is dangerous

By Renee Fox

Okay, I admit it. I let my son, who may or may not have ADHD, watch Sponge Bob Square Pants on Nickelodeon sometimes. This means that about two or three times a week he comes up to me in the kitchen while I am listening to National Public Radio and doing the dishes or writing a blog on the counter and asks me if I we can go to a store to buy a certain product.

I abhor this! That is why we appreciate services like Netflix and PBS, they feature quality programs with limited or nonexistent commercial breaks. Unfortunately, I also feel inclined to give into my 6 year-old boy's pleas to watch Sponge Bob a couple of times a week, usually when I need the 30 minutes to accomplish something, anything!

There is something adorable about my boy's eloquence when describing a toy he saw advertised on Nickelodeon, even though it makes me cringe. He tugs on my arm with an urgency and begs me to, "see what the Amazon kids say" about wonderfully unique inventions that seem to offer a revolution in play. So I minimize my work and indulge him, typing possible spellings of words that I thought were already listed in Webster's a certain way.

My son has seen me impulse shop Online before, we did most of our Christmas shopping for the family on Amazon and Etsy last year. I find it relieves a lot of stress to select products after reading numerous reviews. This is especially true when buying toys.

We all remember the disappointment experienced after realizing a toy is not as exciting as its advertisement made it seem. Product reviews give parents a way to save kids from this heartache and  protect their wallets.

That is why I feel it is necessary to comment on a product that my son and I saw advertised on Nickelodeon, the toy Atmosphere.

Atmosphere offers a kid unspeakable joy, it is a sphere shaped hovering ball! How long have we dreamed of an affordable ($22.98) and exciting craft capable of hovering. There are 45 reviews and 24 are "1 star," resulting in an average of "2 stars." I acknowledge the small sampling, but the reviewers offer fairly shocking stories of the toy's danger.

Amazon user, Kari L. had this to say, "This product HURTS! In order to catch the AtmoSphere while it's in motion. you have to grab it by the frame. And if your fingers get anywhere near the propellers, the pain is VERY sharp and intense." She was not the only reviewer who felt this way, M. Alver said, "the way it is designed is much too dangerous for children" and that if it were to come too close to one's hair, "the blade will not just get tangled in the hair, but will continue rotating until it pulls the hair completely out."

 I did not buy the toy after discovering a spontaneous consensus among the reviewers, this toy is hurting the kids that play with it. So why is Nickelodeon advertising it? Why wouldn't they, they know we will all put our kids in front of Sponge Bob two or three times a week and that a percentage of us dopes will buy these unvetted toys for insistent children.

Tensions mount after Durham teen's death in police custody

Tensions mount after Durham teen's death in police custody

Summary of article By Paul A. Specht and Mark Schultz

23 November 2013

http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/11/23/3401848/memorial-for-durham-teen-who-died.html

In Durham, North Carolina at least 150 protesters gathered on Friday night to demand answers in the death of Jesus Huerta. On Tuesday night the 17-year-old was shot and killed while in the back seat of a police car. The police department has revealed only that Huerta was arrested for second-degree trespassing.

There have been numerous civilian deaths at the hands of police officers across the state this year. Three of these deaths have occurred in Durham's jurisdiction.

The protesters want the details of the investigation released, the department will not reveal additional details until the State Bureau of Investigation completes an investigation.

The protest on Friday night began peacefully, but when young men in hoodies and masks joined the others the police began using batons and tasers. A few young teens were arrested and a few police cars were damaged.

Although it is unclear what happened in this case, many in the community are weary of the recent tendency to shot first and ask questions later.
Durham City Councilman Eugene Brown, warns, “It almost appears we’re looking at a pattern here, and it’s very sad."

It is unfortunate that the facts are not yet available to the public. Any police department involved in a shooting should reveal what training the officers received and review typical procedures.

AltSchool

As the country debates Common Core Standards, teacher pay, standardized tests, even school lunches; the AltSchool in San Francisco is striving to broaden the conversation surrounding education in the 21st century.

AltSchool is a private school designed by former Google employee, Max Ventilla. Although the tuition can cost $19,000 a year, Ventilla offers financial aid and educational opportunities unavailable in most public schools.

The school caters to students who are categorized as advanced, hyperactive, or who otherwise benefit from the unique class structure. The children are divided into general age groups, 5-7 and 8-10, and instructed by certified teachers, usually one for every eight students.

On touch screen computers, provided by the schools, students manage their time and weekly task lists with help from the teachers.

In its first year, no one knows how successful AltSchool will be; although, there are plans for expansion and parents of untraditional students are excited about this new learning experience.

As the mother of a child diagnosed with ADHD, I find the principles and goals of AltSchool inspiring. Most public schools do not have the resources or know-how to educate kids with specific needs. Many kids with ADHD require one-on-one attention and unique programs to highlight their strengths and eliminate their weaknesses.

Charter schools and private schools that learn from the successes of AltSchool (and other alternatives) may inspire a new approach to education that will be local, sustainable, and better for our children.

Perhaps large public schools are a relic of 20th century, ill-equipped to meet our needs. If so, we will likely see many more technologists and unconventional educators enter the playground.

http://techcrunch.com/2013/11/29/aardvark-founder-is-trying-to-turn-education-on-its-head-with-altschool/

Rob Ford...Oh the mockery!

From the Canadian Press Megan Leach delivers a video mash-up of late night talk shows hosts cracking jokes about the Toronto mayor, Rob Ford. 

In the era of digital and social media there has never been a worse time to be imbrued in political scandal. Every press conference leads to a new apology, a new accusation lurks behind every camera lens.

Ford hopes his city will understand the stress he has been under. The city council has made it clear, it is too much stress to run their city. 

Whether you watched Online or tuned into Jimmy Fallon, David Letterman, Jon Stewart or Stephen Colbert; we all had a laugh at the expense of the beleaguered mayor. Comedians can be said to represent us, I wish for the late and beloved Chris Farley to come back for one more ghostly and hilarious season on Saturday Night Live.

Late night TV hosts mock Rob Ford's latest outbursts

http://news.nationalpost.com/category/news/#ooid=k4N2tlNzrUBL8wS6gxnzKlIsdyi6uDJj,UxcWVhaDpzLy_8VogIky2k8S68UI0bDq

http://news.nationalpost.com/category/news/#ooid=k4N2tlNzrUBL8wS6gxnzKlIsdyi6uDJj,l4MTY5aDrCarpEUkCPJmwU2--WGRJuOz

BBC Profile of Mullah Fazlullah

Profile: Mullah Fazlullah  

The Pakistani Taliban seems more united than our Congress these days. According to a profile released by the BBC today," Fazlullah is extremely close to the Afghan Taliban and was always their preferred choice as the Taliban leader in Pakistan."

Fazlullah is the man who lead the assassination attempt against Malala Yousafzai in 2012. He is responsible for the destruction of many schools and has created a network of Taliban  districts controlled by Sharia law.

The BBC profile reports that Fazlullah, "first came to prominence a decade ago with his fiery radio tirades against the Pakistani government, education and the polio vaccine." Nicknamed the Radio Mullah, he is known for using technology to spread the ideology honed by legendary jihadi scholars.

Fazlullah has fought battles all over the region. Like a myth in the making, he has been mistakenly reported dead numerous times.

This appointment comes as the U.S. prepares to draw down activity in the region, relying more and more on drone strikes. A drone strike killed Fazlullah's predecessor, Mehoud, last week.

Already naming targets, Fazlullah has the potential to be a bigger thorn in the side of those fighting the radicals.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24847165

Did PBS pass up "Citizen Koch" because David Koch sat on WNET board?

By Renee Fox

28 October 2013

There is no denying the conservative activism David Koch funds through nonprofit groups like Americans for Prosperity and David H. Koch Charitable Foundation. He has also given away millions to museums and schools. So is it a problem if Koch sits on the board of a couple PBS affiliates?

The creators of Citizen Koch, Tia Lessin and Carl Deal, believe the presence of Koch on the board of PBS station WNET (NY) led to a decision by Independent Lens (ITVS) to not broadcast their film.

The documentary, "explores what the Wisconsin playbook and the U.S. Supreme Court decision that unleashed a new era of unbridled special-interest spending means for us all. And it poses a crucial question: Who owns democracy in America?"

Koch resigned his seat on the board of WNET shortly after ITVS said the film was not selected because clips of the film did not reflect the information in the written proposal. Brian Stetler of the New York Times documents claims from the film makers that trouble arose after the name of it was changed from Citizen Corp to Citizen Koch.

PBS' Ombudsman blogger, Michael Getler acknowledges the $23 million David Koch has donated to produce programming and his active participation on Boston's WBGH. Although he hasn't seen the film, which aired at Sundance, he cites reviews of the film that demonstrate its bias and loose fact checking.

Supporters of the film petitioned PBS to air it after money was raised to finish its production, some 140 people sent emails asking Getler to, "Please fight censorship from the Koch brothers and air 'Citizen Koch.' Individuals like the Kochs should not have the power to censor public television just because of their personal wealth."  

Getler responds, "Whatever the good intentions of the petitioners to fight censorship, there is no evidence that David Koch interfered with or tried to censor these films."

Like many viewers I expect high quality, factual programming from PBS. If this film did not satisfy editors and producers I am inclined to respect that, because I believe PBS is one the best providers of unbiased media. I could not find any concrete evidence that Koch influenced the editorial decision.

I have not seen the film, but I have seen Trouble the Water, one of Lessin and Deal's other documentaries about Hurricane Katrina. The winner of Sundance's Grand Jury prize, the duo has earned the respect of many for highlighting troubling societal issues. However, Fahrenheit 9/11, which they produced, might be said to have liberal leanings.

Koch is acting within the law whether he donates money to a conservative politician or public television; and public television needs that money more than ever. User-funded media suffered in the struggling economy and last year Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) suggested Congress de-fund the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

In order to build and retain confidence in journalism's ability to "comfort the afflicted and afflict the comforted" media outlets should be careful about selecting board members and administrators. Koch's relationship as a donor to PBS is much needed but his presence on the board of an affiliate station creates concerns for viewers who don't want to see his conservative politics influence programming.