Katie Couric, was not warning parents about sexual predators when she said "They're after your children and grandchildren." No, the “Evening News” anchor was talking about corporations “spending nearly $17 billion a year trying to sell their products to our kids.”
The one-sided May 14 segment blamed “far-reaching tentacles” of business for obesity and youth sexual activity, among other problems.
One critic, Dr. Susan Linn from the Campaign for a Commerical-Free Childhood said:
“Advertising and marketing is a factor in childhood obesity, in eating disorders, precocious irresponsible sexuality, youth violence, underage drinking, underaged tobacco use.”
But Couric didn’t give a single business the opportunity for rebuttal in the nearly five-minute story. Instead she relied on four critics of business for the report: Linn from CCFC, an author of an anti-industry book, a Pace University marketing professor, and one of the most liberal senators in Congress.
The CBS report attacked businesses from across the spectrum -- food, toys, restaurants and cars -- American Express, Baby Einstein, Chuck E. Cheese, Band-Aids and Oral-B toothbrushes were all named in the story.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
precocious irresponsible sexu
May 15, 2007 - 16:29 ET by Darth Dutchprecocious irresponsible sexuality
I wonder what is meant by this term. I mean, the MSM and the Left say that for us to expect teenagers to not have sex is ridiculous, we're old fashioned if we say sex is to be reserved for marriage and the like. So why is it "bad" to them all of a sudden?
Unless the term "irresponsible" is the key word. If you're "responsible" with sex (use a condom, make sure you're "in love" with the person), then it's okay? I thought sex was great to the people who brought us the sexual revolution and sexual freedom. Now, surprise, surprise, kids are having sex younger and younger and this is now "bad" to them?
Dutch
testes
May 15, 2007 - 18:09 ET by tejanodiablothe far reaching testicles of liberal, gay, pedophiles ..
never look a gift skunk in the tail ..
The difference is Katie, is p
May 15, 2007 - 16:37 ET by Conservative VoiceThe difference is Katie, is parents have control over what their kids buy, can't say the same about education, I mean indoctrination.
Just what I needed - a scap
May 15, 2007 - 16:39 ET by In ExcessJust what I needed - a scapegoat. I decided to keep a copy of this story so if my kids grow up to be outlaws, I can always blame the evil corporations. My parental influence means nothing!
What, no talk of parental res
May 15, 2007 - 16:45 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LoveWhat, no talk of parental responsibility?
Who holds the purse-strings for the children?
Who decides they are going to purchase Sugar Coated Chocolate Bombs (h/t Bill Watterson of Calvin and Hobbes fame) cereal?
Who allows children to sit on the sofa watching TV all day rather than encouraging stonger academics and outdoor physical activity?
Who doesn't instill the morals and values in children to help them understand the consequences of sexual activity especially for those too young to understand and accept the responsibilities and consequences?
Who should have close relationships with children so they will know who their friends are, what they do with their friends, and how to handle their interpersonal conflicts?
Who should teach (or better yet, set the example) children why alcohol and tobacco are products/habits that should be avoided?
Answer to all of the above: Their Parents.
No corporation should ever be blamed or held responsible for my failings as a parent. Why is that so hard for the MSM (and many parents) to understand?
"Believe what you want. You work your side of the street, and I'll work mine." --Frank Bullitt
Agreed Mean Gene, but isn't
May 15, 2007 - 21:15 ET by JasonCAgreed Mean Gene, but isn't the whole point of her spiel that parents should exercise their parental prerogative to keep their kids away from the corporations that are targeting them? I mean there's no doubt that corporations target kids - it's called a "prime demographic." It is, indeed, the parents' job to decide what elements of crass commercial culture their kids can and cannot have access to.
"If their sins were as scarlet, they are now white as snow" Isaiah 1:18
The first corporation, it bei
May 15, 2007 - 21:24 ET byThe first corporation, it being the most dangerous, i would keep children away from is the Teachers Union. Vote yes-for-choice vote for vouchers
Supreme Court, National Security, Borders, Fiscal Restraint, my litmus test for President.
Um, OK. "If their sin
May 15, 2007 - 21:29 ET by JasonCUm, OK.
"If their sins were as scarlet, they are now white as snow" Isaiah 1:18
Please tell me your being s
May 15, 2007 - 21:47 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LovePlease tell me your being sarcastic.
There is no doubt that corporations target children. But in the household I grew up in and in the household I now run (jointly with my wife). The parents are the final authority on everything. My daughters can beg for Sugar Coated Chocolate Bombs til the cows come home, but they aren't getting them because they don't need them. I have no problem with my kids seeing commercials aimed at them, each one gives me another opportunity to reinforce the idea in their minds that they will not get everything they want and ask for. The problem here is not the corporations it is the parents that give in to their kids. That is what society has parents doing today.
I had a discussion with a co-worker once about television in children's bedrooms. He thought I was completely unreasonable because I will never allow my children to have a TV in their room--even if they buy their own. Why not? Because they don't need a TV in their room. When it is bed-time I expect them to sleep. When they are sent to their room as a punishment they don't need a TV in there tempting them to enjoy their punishment. My friend asked, "What if your kids want to watch something different from what you want to watch?" I told him that we would watch what I choose to watch (whether it be the program they want to see or not) or nothing at all. The kids do not run my household...and it is not a democracy, there is no majority rule. Parents need to help their kids learn discipline, patience, and how to distinguish between wants and needs. If parents fail at this then they train their kids to be "victims" of the "evil" corporations.
"Believe what you want. You work your side of the street, and I'll work mine." --Frank Bullitt
Mean Gene,my concluding com
May 15, 2007 - 21:52 ET by JasonCMean Gene,
my concluding comment was: it is, indeed, the parents' job to decide what elements of crass commercial culture their kids can and cannot have access to.
I think we're in perfect agreement my friend!
It's the parents job to regulate this stuff, be it junk food like chocolate frosted sugar bombs, media like "Hamster Huey and the Gooey Kablooey" or behavior like the Noodle Incident.
Bonus if you can name the sequel to Hamster Huey in the next few minutes. Sadly, I can do it off the top of my head.
"If their sins were as scarlet, they are now white as snow" Isaiah 1:18
10-4I can't recall the sequ
May 15, 2007 - 22:14 ET by Mean Gene Dr. Love10-4
I can't recall the sequel. My C&H books are currently stashed in the closet in my kid's room and it's way after bed-time so I can't go check.
My wife thinks I should sell my C&H books on eBay or in our upcoming garage sale...I don't know if I can part with them just yet (or ever), and I know my kids will love them when they get older.
"Believe what you want. You work your side of the street, and I'll work mine." --Frank Bullitt
The new hardcover anthologi
May 15, 2007 - 22:39 ET by JasonCThe new hardcover anthologies are beautiful but ridiculously expensive.
And the trivia answer is "Commander Coriander Salamander and 'er Single-Hander Bellylander."
I kid you not.
"If their sins were as scarlet, they are now white as snow" Isaiah 1:18
LOL! That is it! C&H wa
May 15, 2007 - 23:33 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LoveLOL! That is it! C&H was the only comic I religiously read. While I understand his reasons, I was sad that Bill Watterson decided to move on. I admire the fact that he never licensed the characters for merchandising, I think it was genius of him and made the comic more "intellectually valuable" because you didn't see it everywhere from toddler's underwear and lunchboxes to t-shirts and car air fresheners.
My personal favorite was his Snowman House of Horror.
"Believe what you want. You work your side of the street, and I'll work mine." --Frank Bullitt
C&H Phillosophy
May 15, 2007 - 23:40 ET by Free StinkerC&H Phillosophy
"I'm always putting off what I want to do, for what I have to do." -Calvin
"Welcome to the World." -Calvin's Dad
Oh Katie...refuse your oh so
May 15, 2007 - 16:45 ET by bigtimerOh Katie...refuse your oh so intelligent daughter something when she wants it from one of those big bad corporations...
Get a life and a dose of reality would you please you worthless eye-browed wonder.
Katie, we're worried about BI
May 15, 2007 - 16:57 ET by rbosqueKatie, we're worried about BIG government not BIG business. I don't have to buy that toy but I can't avoid a leftist government that wants half my wallet by way of crazy confiscatory tax policies.
Katie
May 15, 2007 - 17:39 ET by iveseenitallKatie is getting low ratings because she is a woman---an ignorant, pathetic woman.
NEVER,NEVER trust a liberal
I take objection to the fat
May 15, 2007 - 18:33 ET by Night WatchmanI take exception to the fat foods adds, like the Little Debbie fat
cakes being passed around to all the kids at the dinner table. If
anybody eats these cakes regularly they will become fat. Desert should
be a once a week treat.
Freewill
May 16, 2007 - 04:37 ET by UnsaneEmbrace the power that is freewill...
Dessert can be 3 meals a day if I want to.
Or it can be once a year.
Freewill. It's not just track #2 on Permanent Waves...
"HAV3 TH3 BRIDG3S OF INSANITY B33N CROSS3D AND FOR3V3R R3TRACT3D???." - Meshuggah, "3ntrapm3nt", from Catch Thirty Thr33 (2005)
Parents cannot be trusted to
May 15, 2007 - 18:35 ET by MidAmericaParents cannot be trusted to make good choices for their childen.
So beware! The (It takes a) Village is coming for your children.
Children are to be raised as members of a village not as members of a family.
Since I don't watch CBS, I do
May 15, 2007 - 18:47 ET by ThisnThatSince I don't watch CBS, I don't know who advertises during the evening news. But, I would guess that big corporations provide plenty of money to CBS to air the news.
So, Katie, a question: Do you recommend that we boycott your advertisers? Or, do you recommend that CBS news be provided free of advertisements? Or, are you going to recommend that only advertisers that don't sell products be brought in for the CBS news?
I ask only because I know that you and CBS are not hypocrites, by any stretch of the imagination, and that you would want to always be first in line to practice what you preach.
"I don't want to sell
May 15, 2007 - 18:57 ET by Mean Gene Dr. Love"I don't want to sell anything, buy anything, or process anything as a career. I don't want to sell anything bought or processed, or buy anything sold or processed, or process anything sold, bought, or processed, or repair anything sold, bought, or processed. You know, as a career, I don't want to do that." --Lloyd Dobbler (John Cusack) in Say Anything
"Believe what you want. You work your side of the street, and I'll work mine." --Frank Bullitt
Katie
May 15, 2007 - 19:51 ET by Gordon SchumwaySpaceman Spiff sez: "Drink more Ovaltine!".
Gordo
Melmac
I can remember even as a ki
May 15, 2007 - 20:20 ET by lnthompI can remember even as a kid in the 1960's thinking how stupidly grating the ovaltine ads were.
Lee T.
U.S. Navy (ret.) / Vancouver, Washington
The history of the race, and each individual's experience, are thick with evidence that a truth is not hard to kill and that a lie told well is immortal.-- Mark Twain
Ha! I want my Maypo!Supre
May 15, 2007 - 20:25 ET byHa! I want my Maypo!
Supreme Court, National Security, Borders, Fiscal Restraint, my litmus test for President.
Physician heal thyself
May 15, 2007 - 20:25 ET by nkviking75"One critic, Dr. Susan Linn from the Campaign for a Commerical-Free Childhood said:
Dr. Susan Linn hasn't heard o
May 16, 2007 - 04:39 ET by UnsaneDr. Susan Linn hasn't heard of freewill yet either.
Freewill. It's not just an awesome poem from Canada...
"HAV3 TH3 BRIDG3S OF INSANITY B33N CROSS3D AND FOR3V3R R3TRACT3D???." - Meshuggah, "3ntrapm3nt", from Catch Thirty Thr33 (2005)
My son though he is 40 year
May 15, 2007 - 21:11 ET by Right2thePointMy son though he is 40 years old is handicapped and since his mother passed, I have the TV here in the office locked onto the cartoon channel. He likes the channel and it entertains him.
However I note from having it on all day there is continuous marketing to the children and even show related websites that tell kids to get their parents permission before logging on.
Also I also turn the tv off if he is staying up late at night on the weekends, since even the cartoon network has programs beyond his comprehension level on weekend nights, for example the "Adult Swim" programming.
Hey kids - did your mom (or
May 18, 2007 - 00:10 ET by MilesDHey kids - did your mom (or the police) yell at you about some bad behavior of yours?
Tell them it is actually Aunt Katie's fault - for telling you it is OK to blame your problems on other people