Outlaw Barbie?

[MaidMarion]

I'm so glad all the major issues are taken care of so that we have nothing better to do than stuff like this!

*****************************

Ditch the doll? Lawmaker out to outlaw Barbie
West Virginia state delegate says iconic toy overemphasizes beauty to girls

TODAY staff and wire
updated 9:21 a.m. ET, Wed., March. 4, 2009
Barbie could get an unwelcome present for her 50th birthday: outlawed in West Virginia.

A state lawmaker proposed a bill Tuesday to ban sales of the iconic Mattel doll and others like her.

The Barbie Ban Bill, proposed by Democratic Delegate Jeff Eldridge (D) Lincoln County, says such toys influence girls to place too much importance on physical beauty, at the expense of their intellectual and emotional development.

"I just hate the image that we give to our kids that if you're beautiful, you're beautiful and you don't have to be smart," Eldridge told West Virginia news station WOWK.

The delegate concedes that the chances of getting the bill passed are slim, but adds that he stands behind it.

"I knew a lot of people were going to joke about it and poke fun at me," Eldridge said. "I couldn't get anybody to sign on the bill with me but I said I'm still going to introduce it."

A Mattel spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday. The Barbie doll officially turns 50 on March 9, and the toy maker has made big plans this year to mark the anniversary.

Barbie has had her foes over that half-century. Critics say the doll promotes materialism and an unnatural body image.

The bill has been sent to the House Judiciary Committee.

*****************
And now I got that Barbie Word sing stuck in my head!

*HUGS*

K.J.

[Katie O'Connell]

Yeh, I know.

Little girls don't get that message from ANY OTHER SOURCE in our society. Just Barbie dolls. :roll:


and...oh, Heaven FORBID parents take the time to discuss things like that with their daughters if they feel it necessary.

That would be like Parenting, and that boring stuff no one wants to be bothered with. :unamused:

[Sareynity]

Promotes an unnatural body image!!! Ya think????
As if what’s on prime time television for teens is any better; most of the girls are too skinny to be as voluptuous as Barbie!
Really these people need to find more useful talents for their time then coming up with a bill to ban Barbie.
Now when I was a kid I hated getting Barbie dolls but my dad was a chauvinist so he tried to make me more girly. I just went out with my cousins and we would use them as hostages in our GI Joe battles. They would get tattoos and special hair cuts….
::yay::

[Selena]

I'm surprised this bill is authored by a Democrat.

While I commend him for trying to change the stereotypes of "beauty" in this country, he's going about it the wrong way. You don't 'ban' a friggin' toy that is ultimately harmless.

[Lady Hefron]

Maybe next we should ban baby dolls because they send the message that girls should only be mommies.

Give me a break! Leave Barbie alone.

[voodookatie]

Barbie dolls don't bother me as much as the Bratz brand. At least Barbies do something worthwhile; she is a doctor, an astronaut, a veterinarian. The Bratz dolls (at least the ones I've seen) wear mini-skirts, have on too much make-up, and don't have a "proffession" like Barbie does. Barbie does promote an unrealistic view of beauty, but at least in her many images she comes accross as being anything she wants to be, a sort of moral that I would like my children (if they ever exist) to live by.

If I had children, I wouldn't have an issue with them playing with Barbies. I'd have issues with the Bratz dolls. But if I were a parent, I would be able to govern my own children without the help of the government. Seriously? Banning toys? Isn't that like banning books, but for children? And do children really notice that Barbie is proportionally impossible?

[Marelle]

"I just hate the image that we give to our kids that if you're beautiful, you're beautiful and you don't have to be smart," Eldridge told West Virginia news station WOWK.

I think that has to be the most insulting part of the bill. Yes, Barbie was created to be a form of the standard of beauty. But really, any kid who watched tv knows that only Victoria Secret models look like that. Real women don't. As for implying that if you're beautiful, you don't have to be smart, well, let's see, Barbie has been a school teacher, a scientist, I think she was an astronaut at one point. She sounds pretty smart to me!

[Pathos]

I'm surprised this bill is authored by a Democrat.
Only a Republican would introduce a bill that stupid?

8-)

[UnicornBee]

I couldn't believe it. I had Barbies growing up. I came out just fine (relatively speaking ;) )
My 6th grade teach told us that if Barbie was real she would have a chest out to here (-------------------). He made sure we understood that her measurements were completely unrealistic (not that I ever cared).
Barbie was a fun toy for me and my sister to play with. That and cabbage patch dolls.

[WenchLadyKate]

I believe it. I've BEEN to West Virginia...

[Black Delia]

This isn't the first time this subject has come up as an "issue" .. lord, like we don't have more important issues in this country and world-wide *rolls eyes* than to make a "law" regarding a "toy".


When I was in second grade I wanted a barbie.. mom made me settle for "Skipper" because "Barbie" was a little too 'old' for me. (All my friends were older and had the 'real' barbies. (at the time, Skipper was the "flatchested" younger, almost-teen with pig-tail ringlets down to her arse).

She promised that "IF" I took very good care of my Skipper and didn't lose her shoes and destroy her hair "next christmas" she would 'see' about more... All said and done I had "one of each of the full set" right up to Malibu Barbie and Ken. .. Eventually they were shelved on a nice shadow box "house" my dad made for me one christmas.. in nice, neat little display rooms that I had furnished with Avon containers and home-made furniture carved from wood, upholstered by hand with bits of mother's excess quilt material collection.

I learned to sew clothing using Barbie patterns, read Barbie books and learned about the exciting life outside of our little one-street-light town and wanted to 'be like barbie'.

Several years ago, my husband and were working with our fixer-upper home and the interior was about half done when we made a trip to the store for exterior paint... colors chosen.. the men went about the job with gusto (my darling Ken dolls that they are)...

It was about that time that women were wearing that darling shirt: "I want to be like barbie, the B**ch has everything" ... the next week I had a shirt that said "I don't want to be LIKE barbie.. I AM Barbie. (I got ALL the toys!)"

When it was all done, we stood out on the street and looked it over.. the convertible in the driveway next to the four-door S-10 and fishing boat.. the new granite-grey exterior with moss and desert-rose trim and my son quipped: "wow... mom.. you're Barbie."


It never was about the oversized boobs or the extreme of anatomical design (itty bitty waist, narrow hips, blah blah).. it was always about 'having a visualization of being 'grown up' and exploring careers and social situations in a controlled environment (i.e. "pretend").

[Cyranno DeBoberac]

West Virginia: Darwin's waiting room.

By the way, from the thread title, I was expecting that Mattel was releasing an "Outlaw Barbie" doll, like say, "Biker Chick Barbie" or something like that.

Color me disappointed. :)

[Selena]

West Virginia: Darwin's waiting room.

By the way, from the thread title, I was expecting that Mattel was releasing an "Outlaw Barbie" doll, like say, "Biker Chick Barbie" or something like that.

Color me disappointed. :)

TaaDaa!!! (http://www.dailystab.com/mattell-introduces-totally-stylin-tattoo-barbie/) ;-)

[Cyranno DeBoberac]

TaaDaa!!! (http://www.dailystab.com/mattell-introduces-totally-stylin-tattoo-barbie/) ;-)

Awwww yeah, Tramp Stamp Barbie... woo hoo!!!


All they need now is "Brown Chicken Brown Cow Barbie". :D

[daBaroness]

Only a Republican would introduce a bill that stupid?

8-)

Wouldn't be a stretch.

[Black Delia]

A far cry from "olympic ice-dancer barbie and ken" I picked up somewhere that are still boxed and waiting for me to have a house where I can set up a shadow box wall for my collection (that now, due to some bit if good fortune, includes several of the very very collectable annual ball-gown barbies from a number of years ago that are also still boxed).

I can just see the W.Va. bumperstickers now:


They can have my barbies when they pry them from my cold dead fingers!

When barbies are outlawed, only outlaws will have barbies!


let someone make THAT into a daily cartoon for the Post!

[daBaroness]

OK - you've forced my hand. I give you the West Virginia, inbred redneck Barbie.

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn119/dabaroness/redneck-barbie.jpg

[Black Delia]

at least she's wearing shoes... ::whistle::

[BronxGirl]

Now when I was a kid I hated getting Barbie dolls but my dad was a chauvinist so he tried to make me more girly. I just went out with my cousins and we would use them as hostages in our GI Joe battles. They would get tattoos and special hair cuts….
::yay::

Our Barbies didn't have to be GI Joe's hostages. They went willingly.

[Gemdrite]

Wouldn't be a stretch.
Wow, nice. Thanks.

[LitlePepito]

Voodookatie, good news for you then the Bratz (http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/markets/industries/retail/judge-bars-mga-producing-selling-brat-dolls/) line is being banned. Big to do between Mattel and MGA that boiled down to MGA stealing ideas from Mattel.

As for Barbie, as much as I liked living in West Virginia due to some of their loser laws then Maryland, this is going far far overboard. Barbie may have everything from the guy to the sports car, but she’s also show working for it. From becoming a Doctor, veterinarian, teacher, Mother, Babysitter, scientist, dancer (both formal and improve), actor, Olympian in every sport you and think of, and still some how finding time to work at NASA I just cant see her as being the doll to target. One could make the argument that while she’s high in fashion she’s also the quiescent “be all you can be” model toy that a parent would want to give a kid.

As for tomboys, we are always going to look at the Barbie doll fluff as to girly. Using them as hostages in G.I.Joe was a must for my brothers. I’m glad I’m not the only one who sacrificed their barbies for the cause of a good battle. :snicker:

[Aine]

say it with me FREEDOM!!!!

Good gractious leave the parenting to the parents and just figure out how to get us out of this financial mess!!!

:blech:

[Isabelle Warwicke]

I'm surprised this bill is authored by a Democrat.


I'm not.

::best Mrs. Lovejoy voice:: Won't somebody please think of the children.

[Sareynity]

This is a good one,


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3490/3234478127_e3f8488305.jpg

[Adriana Rose]

hahahaha


for gods sake its just some stickers!

[daBaroness]

hahahaha


for gods sake its just some stickers!

I have to disagree!!!!


Looks like a fine point Sharpie to me. LOLOLOLOL

[Black Delia]

I have to agree with DaB

and.. not 'that' kind of outlaw, though it puts me in mind of a quote from someone's signature on another forum:

"what do you mean, 'use a canopener on my arse'?! *facepalm* use it on the armor!"

[Tink]

Anyone see this yet? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjDmCEJokZs

[LitlePepito]

Anyone see this yet? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjDmCEJokZs


That was so wrong! *rotfl*

[Lady Sarah]

Our Barbies didn't have to be GI Joe's hostages. They went willingly.

That's right. Barbie played with Ken but came with G.I. Joe. Yo Joe!

I've mixed feelings about outlawing Barbie. On one hand it's ridiculous to think that people aren't responsible enough to teach their children that the plastic bitch isn't real. On the other hand, a lot of parents are lazy enough not to care, so long as the kids leave them alone while they're playing.

And Delia... we Scarby wenches tease the knights on horseback every day during faire that one day we're going to sneak back into their camp with can openers - and they sass back there's no need, it's all quick removal armor. One day during parade this year, we all need to bring can openers. HEE!

[RaevynCait]

That's right. Barbie played with Ken but came with G.I. Joe. Yo Joe!

I've mixed feelings about outlawing Barbie. On one hand it's ridiculous to think that people aren't responsible enough to teach their children that the plastic bitch isn't real. On the other hand, a lot of parents are lazy enough not to care, so long as the kids leave them alone while they're playing.

And Delia... we Scarby wenches tease the knights on horseback every day during faire that one day we're going to sneak back into their camp with can openers - and they sass back there's no need, it's all quick removal armor. One day during parade this year, we all need to bring can openers. HEE!

:cheer: I'm in! and I think somehow I've gone from none to 3 of them

[Marelle]

http://lifestyle.msn.com/your-life/just-dreaming/staticslideshowgh.aspx?cp-documentid=18253285&gt1=32002

Thanks to it being Barbie's birthday, they posted a link to the different jobs she's had. Pretty cool.

[lavender r dragon]

1963: Executive (Career Girl)
After Congress passes the first Equal Pay Act, Barbie can rest assured she’ll remain a top-earning executive. With a two-piece tweed suit and matching hat, red sleeveless pullover with long black gloves, and black shoes, Barbie makes a statement that she is ready for any project her busy job throws her way.

1965: Astronaut
Barbie goes into space four years before astronauts set foot on the moon, and she's dressed in style, with a silver spacesuit, helmet, and boots. Barbie can even plant her American flag on the moon!

1998: NASCAR Driver
Barbie hits the pedal and races the tracks 10 years before Danica Patrick’s historic Indy car win. She celebrates the 50th anniversary of NASCAR with a fun and exciting new look. With helmet, hat, and pantsuit, Barbie is ready to race!

2004: Presidential Candidate
Barbie makes her third bid for the Oval Office four years before Hillary Clinton ever vied for the White House. As the 2004 presidential campaign heats up, the candidates learned that Barbie is joining the race. In preparation for hitting the campaign trail, Barbie consults thousands of loyal constituents through Barbie.com to help finalize a platform that includes three issues relevant to girls: creating world peace, helping the homeless and poor, and taking care of animals.
these were all kinda ground breaking, weren't they?

1973: Surgeon
Decades before Grey’s Anatomy and ER, Barbie is booking surgeries and running the operating room in chic scrubs. Sanitized for surgery, she’s ready and willing to save lives in style.
though she needs longer scrubs!

1993: Army Ranger
Watch out, G.I. Jane! Barbie takes a nonviolent approach when she joins our nation’s troops. She wears authentic desert camouflage fatigues like those worn in the Desert Storm campaign. Sergeant Barbie is a medic and is always ready for field duty with two medic packs! She is a proud and spirited American serving her country as a sergeant in the distinguished United States Army 101st Airborne Division.

[shyanwench]

I swear! Republican or Democrat... it is insensing that legislators would waste their time on such an issue. It's like the TV, if you don't like what's on turn the thing off. Nobody is forced to buy a barbie doll...
Oh yeah! I'm all for a Wench Barbie that comes with a Wench Master or her personal Pirate! aarrrrrggggg!
Speaking of dolls, the yeah-who that is sponsoring this bill needs to have a voodoo doll made in his image.:cheer:

[Phoenix McHeit]

ummm... WTF is a "Wench Master"...???

Shaddap, Bob. ;-)

[shyanwench]

Where I live a Wench Master is the Wench's significant other... of course it's her call of who that might be... The Wench Master doesn't know that the Wench Rules!

[Isabelle Warwicke]

Where I live a Wench Master is the Wench's significant other... of course it's her call of who that might be... The Wench Master doesn't know that the Wench Rules!

:mmph::mmph::mmph:

Yeah, Bob, what Phee said.

[Lady Sarah]

Where I live a Wench Master is the Wench's significant other... of course it's her call of who that might be... The Wench Master doesn't know that the Wench Rules!

A true Wench has no Master... unless she chooses one.

Where I'm from, a Wench's SO is either her Rogue, her Husband, or her chewtoy.

[Isabelle Warwicke]

or her chewtoy.

that's My preference.

Be kind, shyan is new. And she's from Wyoming, we don't get many from up there. The culture coud be differnt

[Lady Sarah]

that's My preference.

Be kind, shyan is new. And she's from Wyoming, we don't get many from up there. The culture coud be differnt

Oh now Isabelle... I'm not being unkind. If I were being unkind, I'd tell her that the font she's using makes my eyes bleed and isn't necessary... or that punctuation is a good thing.

[Isabelle Warwicke]

Oh now Isabelle... I'm not being unkind. If I were being unkind, I'd tell her that the font she's using makes my eyes bleed and isn't necessary... or that punctuation is a good thing.

Which font? There was the yelling one, then there was the Master one.

;-) You are such a sucker for good punctuation.

[Lady Sarah]

Which font? There was the yelling one, then there was the Master one.

;-) You are such a sucker for good punctuation.

The yelling.

And don't you know that properly placed periods provide perfect pauses? And it's those pauses that just make me happy.

[Isabelle Warwicke]

properly placed periods provide perfect pauses? And it's those pauses that just make me happy.

And I love lots of alliteration.

[Black Delia]

... as for "wyoming" ..

been there.. um... men there like for others to think they're all manly and "in charge" ... but with a ratio of (off the top of my head) 4 men to 1 woman, they know the real score. I never knew a man from wyoming that didn't understand that "chew-toy" and "cabin boy" are applicable. It was almost as much fun as Alaska :) (where the ratio is closer to 10 or 14 to 1 .. or was when I was there).

[Isabelle Warwicke]

...but with a ratio of (off the top of my head) 4 men to 1 woman...

Anyone for a road trip? :lol:

[Black Delia]

LOL ... not this year, I've got my sights set on several faires and weekends... but the spirit is willing, even if the pocketbook isn't able!

[Lady Sarah]

Anyone for a road trip? :lol:

TAKE MEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

[Cyranno DeBoberac]

ummm... WTF is a "Wench Master"...???

Shaddap, Bob. ;-)

:mmph::mmph::mmph:

Yeah, Bob, what Phee said.

Okay, how did this become about me all of a sudden???

:ow:

[daBaroness]

Okay, how did this become about me all of a sudden???

:ow:

It's always about you Bob. You're a legend in your own mind m'dear! And, I might add, one of our favorite chew toys!

[Lady Sarah]

It's always about you Bob. You're a legend in your own mind m'dear! And, I might add, one of our favorite chew toys!

yeah, the hair acts like dental floss!!

(sorry, couldn't resist that one...)

[Isabelle Warwicke]

yeah, the hair acts like dental floss!!

(sorry, couldn't resist that one...)

*snort*

Bob, we adore you. One day I might get to meet you. However, I have enough knowledge of you to know that you would pop in wagglin' your eyebrows and making innuendo about the "Master" of Wenches. Which if there were ever one (*doublesnort*) you would get a turn at it.

Of course, if it weren't you it might be Pathos, he's the other ranking smartass on the board.

And we luv you both equally. As chewtoys.

[Katie O'Connell]

yeah, the hair acts like dental floss!!

(sorry, couldn't resist that one...)

Yeah :lol:... Bob, the official ORAL B for the IWG.

[Isabelle Warwicke]

Yeah :lol:... Bob, the official ORAL B for the IWG.

Wait for it....

[shyanwench]

To the Wenches! Here Here! To the Rogues! Here Here! A mighty toast to you all! I have not always lived in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Twas a great culture shock for me from the Olde Country! I think...that I may be one of the only ones here. A Wench amoung Cowboys... has to be my next book. There is definitely writing material here! Yes! I've had to teach them few a things or two. Tis a shame!

I took my "western" husband to the Renaissance Faire in Larkspur, Colorado. Basically said, "Now, Ye are in my world!" He had never been a minority before. It was great!

Loved the dental floss addage, and the chew toy! Naughhhhhh, chomp chomp. As for so many of you Ladies wanting to come out here for a yee-haaa time... be prepared for the yee-haaa frame of mind. As boisterious as I am... I finally learned that a bawdy voice don't cut it... but they do understand a "flying ass iron skillet!":cheer:

[Lady Sarah]

"flying ass iron skillet!"

flying... ass... iron... skillet... the hell?

OK, look... I'll give you an "A" for enthusiasm, but whoa. Just... whoa. I'm trying to be nice here, really, I am. But maybe we could tone down the font and the excitability just a hair? I know I can't understand what you're yelling at me through the board and I'm pretty sure there are a few others who are also staring 'deer in the headlights' style at your posts.

So, just calm down a bit, slow down and let's see if we can get coherent posts from you, 'kay? :smile:

[Isabelle Warwicke]

"flying ass iron skillet!":cheer:

You can simply use the font that is auto-set on this board. You don't need to adjust the font, unless you really are using a BIG voice.

[shyanwench]

I appologize. I'm not yelling... I am visually challenged. I was only using a font that I could see what I was writing. The flying a skillet... is a frequently used term used to get a cowboy's attention. No offense intended. I am so sorry if I offended any one. I will use my other glasses.

[Ysobelle]

I appologize. I'm not yelling... I am visually challenged. I was only using a font that I could see what I was writing. The flying a skillet... is a frequently used term used to get a cowboy's attention. No offense intended. I am so sorry if I offended any one.



Ah! That makes sense, then. Is there a way to increase the size you're seeing? I know on a Mac it's the Apple/Command and the Plus key. There must be something similar on a PC, I'm sure!

[Lady Sarah]

Ah! That makes sense, then. Is there a way to increase the size you're seeing? I know on a Mac it's the Apple/Command and the Plus key. There must be something similar on a PC, I'm sure!

That does make sense. My mom did the same thing on her PC... rather, she had me do it for her. LOL

I think you have to go into the control panel for the PC and tinker with it there.

[Lady Sarah]

I appologize. I'm not yelling... I am visually challenged. I was only using a font that I could see what I was writing. The flying a skillet... is a frequently used term used to get a cowboy's attention. No offense intended. I am so sorry if I offended any one. I will use my other glasses.

See my post above about the font. I think there is a way on a PC so that you can adjust the font upwards so it's easier for you to read, but doesn't make it larger for everyone else.

And you didn't offend me - it takes a lot to offend me, actually. You just confused the hell out of me. LOL

One thing to think about when posting is those frequently used terms might not be so frequent to the rest of us. Cultural dialects and all don't translate well when you've never been to that locality.

Just relax a bit and I'm sure you'll do just fine now that we understand why your font's so big.

[shyanwench]

The muse has hit... all this started over a Wench Master Barbie... I am going to go write my book. Maybe it will sell at the next Faire I attend. Thanks for the critique.

[Phoenix McHeit]

I'm thinking you're mis-hearing the skillet one.

Could it be 'a flying cast-iron skillet' ? Cuz dat's whut mah 'Bama-born Grandmammy useta say when she was fixinta put a whuppin on my bee-hind.

::whistle::::whistle::

[Cyranno DeBoberac]

*snort*

Bob, we adore you. One day I might get to meet you. However, I have enough knowledge of you to know that you would pop in wagglin' your eyebrows and making innuendo about the "Master" of Wenches.

A) Oh no, believe me I know better. Even when in situations where I am fortunate enough to be in mastery of a single Wench, I know that it is only a temporary privilege that is bestowed upon me by her choice, and it is a sacred trust that I do not take lightly. So I would never automatically presume to the stature of Master over even one Wench, much less the entire gaggle.

2) Innuendo? In YOUR endo! :snicker: