In case you don’t lurk in all the wrong places, TLC (formerly a respected TV station that touted itself as The Learning Channel) has degraded into a “reality” focused network that glories in exploiting the vulnerable. I use the term ‘reality’ knowing full well what the public is being served has little to do with the truth and everything to do with a marketing behemoth.

Doubt what I’m saying? Then explain the late and noxious child labour show Jon and Kate Plus 8’s  24 hour coverage of those poor kids- all so the parents could have their 15 minutes of fame. The spectacular implosion of the Gosselin marriage and accusations of child labour violations points to a serious problem with shows like this. Sorry, but no network should be following any family with children around for “edutainment”.

The fact the network pays the parents to put their children on TV so the world can live vicariously through the family’s ups and downs, to me is a violation of child labour laws and decency. The children have no privacy. Imagine growing up with the knowledge that strangers know the most intimate parts of your life – everything from potty training to emotional meltdowns.  It was my misconception that parents were supposed to protect their children, not exploit them. TLC has a glut of this type of  show. It’s one thing for adults to willingly participate in one – although it has become increasingly obvious that the networks prey on the mentally vulnerable to increase their ratings – but an entirely different matter for adults to sign up children to participate. Now that the cameras are gone from the Jon & Kate household, Kate has said the children are upset that the cameras are all gone. The fact this woman things this is bad – not the cameras being taken away, but the children upset at their leaving – indicates a cold hearted view of her children as commodities, not toddlers. This woman has NO concept of personal responsibility and is in it for what she can get: “society has a responsibility to help with the children, since modern medicine promotes the use of fertility drugs, which can lead to multiple births”. Hey Kate, how about you take some responsibility for your decisions.

This leads me to another of  TLC’s baby bootie shows – the Duggar clan’s 18 and counting… actually it’s 19 now. Yes 19 children all on TV so people can gawk at them and the parents can keep popping out children (in an already overburdened world) in an irresponsible manner.  The Duggars claim they are just doing what God would want them to do – repopulate the entire earth. Don’t hand me any of that nonsense about the family paying their own way blah blah… they are getting paid to be on TV – if they weren’t getting a handsome paycheque, I wonder how they would be paying for all these children. You wanna bet they are getting big help from a variety of corporate sponsors? They are also using this show as a vehicle to promote their “Financial Freedom” seminars and their book.  More fruits of child labour.

First, this cannot be healthy for the mother – she’s in a permanent state of pregnancy. 19 children? Mother Duggar must be worn out. It’s not like they don’t believe in birth control – they used it early in their marriage. But they say “we committed to God that we would leave the timing and amount of children in His hands.” Not only is God busy helping football players win games, he’s now busy working as birth control for families who refuse to take on the responsibility. I’ve had it up to my eyeballs with people who use God as an excuse for their own excesses. They are as useful as parents who use their children as props for a TV career. I think what annoys me the most, is anyone who dares criticise the Duggars is labeled anti-Christian or self-righteous. Sorry, but using children like this is wrong. Don’t care what your reasons are, putting them in the glare of such intense scrutiny cannot be healthy for their mental growth.

Terrorists turn Yeman into Poor Man’s Afghanistan

Yes, that is because the holiday camps for terrorists are so darned expensive this time of year in Afghanistan. Fox and News, the combination of these two words must be some sort of a cosmic joke.

How do you get a clownfish to mate?
First thing you have to do is send his big clown shoes out for a quick shine. Nothing turns off females than a sloppy looking mate. Get the little clownfish car tuned up too – a couple of ill timed backfires will certainly put the damper on any hanky panky in the back seat.

How long do you cook the chopped fins and tentacles with the garlic and onions for stuffed squid?
Wow, where did you find that squid? Fins? You might want to check your squid supplier to see you are really purchasing.

What type of habits do squids have?
They have lots of bad habits, like gambling on-line, leaving their socks lieing about and don’t get started on their habit of leaving all their shoes lieing about the floor. There are a lot of squid questions on line today.

What is it called when a woman have sex with a squids?
Just … weird… really, really weird. And creepy and … just what the hell were you thinking that led you to ask this question! See, I told you, a lot of squid questions. Do you think it’s the same squid obsessed individual or is there something strange in the water supply?

How do you crochet an octopus?
After the 3 previous questions on sea creatures, this one sent me into spasms.

How is sushi cooked?
You might want to look up the definition of sushi before you break out the skillet

To make the two triangles below similar what would the values of x and y have to be?
Cheating on your homework would be a lot more successful if you included the picture of the two triangles

Does justin baber got msn?
Do you got grammar?

How oz in 1 leter?
Sigh…

Is 3oh3 brothers?
Oh sigh again…

What does star wars empire at war map editor?
Once in a while I can’t help but think a coherent thought might be called for.

What do goldfish do before they die?
Put their estates in order.

Is it illegal to give your dog liposuction?
Stop being an idiot, feed your dog less and take it on more walkies.

Can a microwave be used to open a coconut?
Give the coconut one hard whack with the microwave and I’m sure it will crack open.

On december 10 i sent a check for 215 to be paid in full to my roman’s account please confirm you have received it
I just know there is a question lurking here somewhere.

Transformers how big is sideways?
Oh, about sooo big.

How runescape is educate for kids?
Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.

Converse black kiss double tongue low top sneakers where can i find a store that carries sells them
Is that a shoe or a sex position?

Who will win in a fight bill gates or oprah?
Wouldn’t you love to see this? Will it be full contact?

Why did Aberham Lincon die and how?
(This is the answer posted, not mine)People in the South didn’t want slavery to end. John Withs Boths shot him he died the next morning.
I want to know did John Withs Boths die the next morning or did Aberham?

Should you get a sitar
(This is the answer posted, not mine) If you like Indian music, by all means you should get a sitar. If you like Scottish, go for the bagpipes instead.
Not a thing wrong with either the question or the answer. I posted it because I loved the lateral move from sitar to bagpipes.

When was the subway used?
I personally used it about 7 hours ago. But I’m pretty sure it’s being used right now.

You wonder how dogs have such good hearing. well dogs have such good hearing because they have something tiny in their ear?
I didn’t stop giggling for 5 minutes after reading this one.

Why was pa founded?
Cause ma wanted pa to go down to the cellar and git more moonshine. (Although I’m reasonably sure the person meant PA as in Pennsylvania)

How do you build a blanket fort?
(This answer was supplied and it is utterly brilliant!)
SUPPLIES: 2 OR 3 BLANKETS
CHAIRS, COUCH, OR TABLES
PILLOWS
OPTIONAL SUPPLIES:
SNACKS
PORTABLE DVD PLAYER
DVDS
FRIENDS
PORTBLE VIDEO GAMES ( such as a Nintendo DS or DSi)

I can think of all sorts of other things to put in a blanket fort like a nice down sleeping bag, favourite stuffed animals, flashlights. Oh the fun to be had in a blanket fort. We used to make forts out of our bunkbeds. We’d grab all our blankets and hang them down from the top bunk – it was perfect. The bunkbeds were everything from forts to submarines and caves. Hmmm… they also served as great parachute platforms. Only problem was pillow cases make really rotten parachutes as we discovered one cold winter day. It’s surprising my siblings and I made it out of childhood in hindsite. We also learned that just because you call something Superman’s cape doesn’t mean it will let you fly, umbrella’s don’t work like they do in Mary Poppins, never stick your tongue on a frozen metal pole, and flattened cardboard boxes make great staircase toboggans (Mom didn’t find out how her lovely cuckoo clock was broken until all of us were safely in our adulthood. Actually none of us fessed up until we were well into our 30’s).

Rats, now I wish I had bunkbeds again!

To make amends for the endless snivelling about snow, cold and wind you are about to endure this winter, I present you with …. a bird:

From Catpaw’s Art work – birds

A Scrub Jay I drew back in the fall. I’ve been drawing a bit here and there this past month, but have been so busy with my new computer I’ve not spent a lot of time drawing. Well except for the unfortunate looking sparrows … but we won’t go any further with that short lived experiment. They are best left unseen. Let’s just say Frankenstein’s monster meets the Birdman comes to mind. See, I’m still struggling with new pencils and techniques so some of my pictures are a wee bit embarassing. Although the other day I did manage a passable attempt at a song bird. I haven’t hooked my scanner up yet, so I can’t load up anything new. I’ll stop being lazy today and hook it up so I can show you some of my newer birds.. or maybe tomorrow…is it spring yet?

The Back-Up, a racking system for any legal size shotgun, keeps the firearm fixed securely to the side of the owner’s bed facilitating easy access for protection against home invasion….The truth is, with The Back-Up shotgun racking system, homeowners are able to access their firearms in just a few seconds – even while in bed. Fitting easily between the mattress and box springs, The Back-Up cannot be felt while sleeping and can remain concealed by bedding.

Just what I want for Christmas, a rack for my shotgun so it’s always handy… just perfect for shooting my foot off in the middle of the night. Or worse, the cat or dog… I wonder how many spouses are maimed because some trigger happy goofball mistook the wife/husband going to the bathroom for a burglar. I don’t know about you, but if I wake up in the middle of the night, I’m not qualified to find my way to the bathroom let alone wield a loaded weapon. I can just smell disaster with this Christmas present.

One of the big selling points for The Back-Up is the fact you can use your shotgun because it is sooo much better at hitting something than an itty bitty handgun. After all with a handgun you have to make a pretense of aiming – a shotgun can spread carnage over such a larger area.

Hmmm it’s corrosion resistant… just how much rain do you get in the average bedroom?