I probably could have come up with an individual post for each of these news stories.  But it’s been a long week, so I decided to combine them and have some fun.  Feel free to comment on one or both.

Story #1 – Little Tikes is dialing up a lousy toy – submitted by Angella.  Little Tikes, a well-known toymaker in Ohio has come under fire by a UPS driver of all people.  Driver, Ron Boyd, was concerned that the Princess Cozy Coupe box showed a little girl talking on a cell phone.  You can read the original Ohio.com story here.

Boyd may have a very valid concern.  This story isn’t about some adults trying to take away a child’s fun.  It’s a story about what we’re instilling in the minds of our children – that using a cell phone while driving is OK – when it might not be.  We’ve all seen the studies – that texting while driving is dangerous – that talking on the phone while driving is dangerous – and whether or not your mind is really focused on driving if you’re talking on the phone at the same time.  Every watchdog agency has an opinion on this topic.  And that’s why 30 states now have legislation involving cell phone usage while driving.  Let’s face it – our children imitate us and want to be like us.  Therefore, I can certainly understand the criticism that Little Tikes has encountered.  Interesting enough, Little Tikes was interviewed for this story in mid-July, but as of today, the same picture (of the child with the cell phone) is still on their web site.

Story #2 – Teacher fired for premarital sex – submitted by NeoConDon.  A widow with five children starts dating.  She also gets a job at a Christian School and becomes engaged.  But she also gets pregnant and gives birth to a daughter three weeks before her wedding.  And the school fires her for “fornication.”  You can read the original Today Show story here.

Jarretta Hamilton put in for maternity leave and was fired.  She hired an attorney and the school sent her attorney a letter which said:

“Jarretta was asked not to return because of a moral issue that was disregarded, namely fornication, sex outside of marriage.  The employment application, which she filled out, clearly states that as a leader before our students we require all teachers to maintain and communicate the values and purpose of our school.”

Hamilton taught fourth grade and to make matters worse, all of her parents were called and told the reason for her termination.  This story is very interesting because it discusses how the school’s Principal, Jon Ennis, asked Hamilton if she was engaging in premarital sex and also complained about the school not being able to properly cover her maternity leave.  I have never seen such an absurd story.  It is absolutely none of their business who she is sleeping with or when her child was conceived.  As Bill Murray once said in the movie Wild Things, “They’ll settle, they will, trust me, they’ll be begging to settle.”  I hope Southland Christian School’s insurance policy is paid up.

All Posts / Business / Family/Lifestyle / Law and Order / Relationships / Religion / Schools Bill Murray / Cell Phone and Texting Legislation / Jarretta Hamilton / Jon Ennis / Little Tikes / Premarital Sex / Princess Cozy Coupe / Ron Boyd / Southland Christian School / Today Show / UPS / Using a Cell Phone While Driving / Wild Things /