Yes i am most people dont realize how violent calvin can get when hes ticked off :-)
Posted on 09/28/2005 1:53:37 AM PDT by freepatriot32
RACINE - Eddie Eagle - a feathered National Rifle Association cartoon character who teaches children how not to handle guns - could actually be harmful, says an alderman opposed to a Police Department plan to use Eddie in programs for children.
The City Council will decide Tuesday whether the Racine Police Department can order hundreds of coloring books from the NRA for no charge and use them in conjunction with lectures the department holds with children.
Among other things in the books, children would be coloring in images of guns and of children finding guns in their homes. You can see some of the images online at:
http://www.journaltimes.com Opposition Alderman Pete Karas, who is leading the charge against the police department's efforts, said the booklets are harmful and ineffective, teaching children that guns are for adults, which could further a child's interest in the weapons.
"These are things that usually aren't brought up to children," Karas said. "This is an introduction."
But the NRA's Eddie Eagle can help children of all ages know not to touch guns, to leave the area where they found the gun and to find an adult, "and that's the only thing the gun program teaches," said Sgt. Bill Macemon, Racine Police Department spokesman.
Karas isn't so sure.
"At first glance you look at this and say it's OK," he said, "(but) by making kids aware of guns ... they may, in essence, be harming children, especially those who are contemplating juvenile suicide or juvenile homicide."
Officials split Earlier this week, the city's Finance and Personnel Committee voted 4-0 to deny the police department's request for the books, while the License and Welfare Committee approved the request 3-2.
Both recommendations will go to the City Council, where Alderman Sandra Weidner said she will vote to approve the measure, despite the possible politics behind the books.
"I think the benefit far outweighs the danger of a political logo," Weidner said. "Second- and third-graders don't pay attention to (politics) anyway."
Weidner said when her son was 6 years old, he found what he believed was a gun inside the garage attic. He left the attic, told Weidner about the gun and they called police.
The gun turned out to be a toy, but Weidner said somewhere along the line her son learned what to do in that instance. That's why she supports efforts by schools and police departments to teach children about guns.
"I believe any opportunity we have to educate our children on any of the dangers out there we need to take that opportunity," she said.
Lessons not acted out But Jeri Bonavia, executive director of the Milwaukee-based Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort, of which Karas is a member, said programs like Eddie Eagle don't involve parents and adults enough. The targets of the educational programs and materials are too young to take the brunt of responsibility of being safe around guns.
"This is all bad news," Bonavia said. "All the research that looks at these programs that attempt to keep children safe from guns by going to children show no signs of success what so ever."
A 2002 study by the American Academy of Pediatrics, for example, found the Eddie Eagle program was "effective for teaching children to reproduce verbally the gun safety message," but that many children didn't act out the lessons in role-playing games.
Supporters of Eddie Eagle, including those with the NRA, say the program works and familiarizes children with guns to prevent accidental injuries and deaths.
Racine Alderman David Maack said he's not concerned about any potential political connection between the city and the NRA if the police department receives the books. He also said the Eagle program rightfully puts responsibility on the child for proper gun safety and then on the parents.
"I looked at the material," Maack said of the comics children can draw in, some which have guns in them. "I didn't find them to be offensive. The bottom line is, we all know not all parents are responsible. We educate our children, we hope they educate their parents and the parents take responsibility."
More intensity sought Karas said he would like to see the Police Department use a more intense booklet or program to teach children about guns.
He said that if the city were to adopt a portion of the Eddie Eagle program by receiving the coloring books, it "would give ammunition to the Legislature in Madison to pass some type of bill" mandating Eddie Eagle be used in schools, he said.
At least six states have attempted to mandate the NRA program.
Maybe mr. dumba$$ alderman needs to read this.
I've taught Eddie Eagle to a number of kids. I don't see any message that guns are inherently dangerous. The program discusses many safety issues, street crossing, household safety etc. along with gun safety. It never says that guns have no value, it just teaches kids that guns are not toys and are not for them to use. Real guns are for adults, not kids.
Eddie Eagle teaches "Stop, Don't Touch, Leave the Area, Tell an Adult," not "Stop, Hyperventilate, Run Screaming, Breathlessly call the Police Because that Big Black Gun Might Shoot Me."
The kids I've taught have a healthy respect for guns. Most of them have gone on with Scouting and shoot BB guns as part of their Cub Scout experience. Several also shoot .22's at camp and other places.
You should see my suppressed full auto MP5 (well mine as soon as the paperwork goes through).
Eddie Eagle focuses on gun safety not danger.
OTOH, comic books from NAMBLA front organizations showing "Heather's Three Daddies" making out in the hot tub are just fine for kids.
That's one of my favorite T-shirts! I wear it to the range, of course.
Gerat poster, although the photos may be mirror images.
I have the Beretta .40 cal and then safety, and other switches on it are on the other side.
*pout* i'm not very diverse, i only have two of the guns on that shirt :)
But showing kids how to put a condom on a banana won't "introduce" the notion of sex to them? What you want to bet this guy is all for sex ed, the younger the better.
Yes i am most people dont realize how violent calvin can get when hes ticked off :-)
My three kids adore Calvin! I adore Calvin.
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