Given that the entire sustenance of my 7-year-old life consisted of Oscar Mayer bologna, mayo, and white bread, a tip of the hat to Mr. Mayer for keeping me from starving to death. And what better way to honor his memory than with a little song:

How’s that?

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For me, learning of his death is now one of those moments where I’ll always remember what I was doing at the time. I was at Kohl’s, looking for shoes. I had to put down the Dana Buchman flats and fire up my BlackBerry to make sure what I overheard was, in fact, true.

Being a forty-something woman, Michael’s music was a huge part of my teenage and college years. I went through a phase where I wanted to be a “Thriller” dancer. I practiced that damn Moon Walk for hours after seeing him slide backwards during a “Billie Jean” performance. I consumed alcohol more than once listening to “Bad.” The jukebox (yes; I am dating myself now) at my favorite neighborhood pub had lots of classic Jackson Five tunes.

And, who could forget the lip-sync in college where my whole sorority performed “We are the World.” I was Ray Charles. Ah, good times. Why we didn’t win that talent show, I’ll never know.

That said, Michael Jackson was weird. Over the years I watched him transform from a black man to a white woman with all his plastic surgeries and skin bleaching. I was appalled when he held his baby boy Blanket (calling a kid Blanket is a whole ‘nother post) over a balcony. The Martin Brashear documentary was truly disturbing. And I never really “got” Never-Land.  Having a zoo and amusement park rides on my property? No thanks.

But, the dude could sing and dance. And you can definitely see and hear his influences in music and videos today.

Michael was reportedly gearing up for an extended performance gig in London, allegedly to stage a comeback.  Whether it was to regain his position as the King of Pop or to get some cash to pay down his millions in debts, we will never know.

Rest in peace.

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No, I do not believe “Miracle Whip” and Kraft macaroni and cheese are their own food groups.

Yes, I get that your homemade sauce stewed from tomatoes you grew your very own self with seeds you obtained from Tibetan Monks on your epicurean tour of the world last year are the epitome of all that is good and decent in the food world.

I understand that you are far too good for “pedestrian” fare such as turkey on Thanksgiving or ham for Easter. It’s something gamey under glass all the way for you. I get that a store-bought cake for any occasion may, in fact, prove fatal.

I understand that the award winning cooking blog that garners something like 10,000,000 hits per minute with family friendly dishes that readers rave about is beneath you.  You wouldn’t touch barbecued meatballs, oatmeal crispies, or “smashed potatoes” with a ten foot fork.

You live to post snide comments on recipe pages and sniff over store-bought sauce. You have a larder full of high quality cooking wines and you’re not afraid to use them.

We get it, we do. You’re better than us. More educated.  More refined. You have an exquisite palate and mad kitchen skilz.

But please, oh please, could you just shut up about it already? The rest of us just really want to cook - and eat - in peace and sometimes only an authentic, old-fashioned, straight-from-the-freezer-case tator tot will do.

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Photo by Flo Holzinger

Earlier in the month, a 93 year old man ran into the front doors of a Walmart with his car. He said he was searching for a parking spot and doesn’t understand what happened. He hit a one year old baby in a stroller resulting in severe head injuries to the baby. Police speculate that he thought he was stepping on the break when in fact; he was stepping on the gas.

Also a the beginning of June, a 73 year old woman, with handicap plates, jumped a curb when she was trying to park and ran into a group of 7 visiting a veteran’s memorial.

Now, you may say that younger drivers can be inattentive drivers as well, as that these accidents could have just as easily been the result of a teen driver, and that would correct. According to the National Highway Safety Administration, ages 16 - 20 do account for the largest amount of fatal crashes, the elderly cause 14% of all vehicle crashes and 19% of all pedestrian fetalities in 2007. This is up 2% since 2002. While the younger drivers are higher risk, risk subsides until 70 years old when risk starts to increase again.

It’s time to hold our politicians accountable. No politician wants to risk losing the elderly vote in order to protect families and children so they stay as far away from this reality as possible, but is a politicians own self interest more important than the public’s general safety?

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 Seemingly overnight, my son transformed from a kid we could take anywhere—WOULD take anywhere thanks to his perfect restaurant behavior—into a child that can’t handle sitting in a shopping cart for five minutes while in Target because all he wants to do is squirm and run around and knock things over.

 It’s a tough stage. It’s a stage that makes you doubt yourself as a parent. It pushes you far beyond your patience limit and then back again. It’s a stage where one parent is pitted against the other at times, just desperately trying to find a way to make it through our cheeseburgers on a Friday night out in public.

 Time-outs work pretty well, but my husband and I are still frazzled and on-edge after a particularly difficult tantrum session. But, thankfully, we’ve found a way to cope—we laugh. We joke that living with our son is like living with a very tiny, very loud, very destructive drunk person–emotionally unstable, extreme mood swings, wobbly gait, copious amounts of drool, liquids spilled on the carpet and a predilection for running around naked. It’s like living with a college student.

 So, here’s hoping that this challenging stage passes soon—although it’s sort of the-devil-you-know-versus-the-devil-you-don’t. Because I’ll probably look back at this post later on in life, after he’s totaled our car or something similar, and wish time-outs still worked.

 But, I’d love to hear any other suggestions or comments—even if it’s just to express shared misery!

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I myself was fully prepared for  Ernie and Berts cozy basement apartment, Oscar and his mood swings,  and whatever else was thrown at us as we passed a lazy Sunday away. I wasn’t however, prepared for the warning that reminded me that THIS box set was for ADULTS only thank you very much. After all, who wants their kids exposed to the idea that befriending strangers doesn’t equal cookies and milk, but most likely child molestation.  Or the fact that Cookie Monster not only smokes a pipe, but eats it too!  And  Oscar is far too grouchy and perhaps needs a stint in the psych ward for mood stablizers before coming back on the air. Yep, S.S of the past was filled with too many secret gays, addicted puppets, and cows that move way too fucking slow.

We watched it anway…My 21 month old and I now have daily conversations on cow breasts [it's better than her thinking they were vaginas, which she did at first] and how we get our delicious whole milk from them. Kids these days wouldn’t be able to sit through a 20 minute cow milking if they wanted to.  Not without flashing, bleeps, and bloops anyway.

The kids of the old school dvd had fun.  They played without fear, they embraced the idea of community, and they took it easy. When I look at the kids of today I’m surprised anyone goes outside anymore.  I saw a mother cautioning her son that “the slide was dirty, and not to touch…” If a man smiles at your kid in the food market, chances are (get honest!) that you have a little voice in the back of your head screaming “pervert! he could be a pervert!” even if he just loves kids, and has a few of his own. And god forbid our kids ride a bike without a helmet, or ride the subway alone.

We need to loosen up as parents. Stop judging each other, and head outside in the dirt. Stop worrying about germs for a second, and worry that all the antibacterial propaganda is making super bugs that are more harmful than swallowing a worm or two. And that’s all I got: there’s a handful of chocolate chips waiting for me and I am itching to get my hands on them.

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In recent years, well meaning parents enlightened and emboldened by mere conjecture and rumors have started to reject and refuse life saving immunizations for their children. Science concludes that much of the decisions to not vaccinate children is based on misguided trends and misinformation.

Much of these rumors started with outspoken celebrities, because they’re so much smarter than everyday people don’tchya know? Celebrities love selling parents on the demerits of vaccinations as the root of all evil, i.e.; Autism. Never mind that scientist after scientist has completely refuted this claim, parents are so afraid that their kids might turn out to be freaks (like my Asperger* son), that they’re willing to make these hasty decisions in fear and loathing often relying on a false sense of security that “herd immunity” will prevail. Recent outbreaks of various, once eradicated or nearly eradicated diseases have only furthered the lack of evidence to support the herd immunity theory.

The problem is now becoming so serious; it may only be a matter of time before courts step in and order parents to protect their kids, much like they did in Minnesota when a mother refused chemo for her 13 year old son, when there was a 95% that he would be cured with the treatment.

The following will be published in Pediatrics next month…

Before a vaccine was available, whooping cough was a major cause of childhood illness and death in the U.S., but with the introduction of a vaccine in the 1940s, the number of cases fell from approximately 200,000 a year to an all-time low of 1,010 in 1976. Since then, however, the number of whooping cough cases has been steadily increasing, reaching 25,827 in 2004; the highest since 1959. Experts believe this trend could be due in part to the rising number of parents who refuse some or all of the recommended immunizations for their children—a theory confirmed by a recent study.

*Asperger is believed to be something you’re born with unlike other disorders on the Austism spectrum

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Fast forward almost two years.

I’m standing in the kitchen at a friends daughters 2nd birthday, wearing a pretty black sundress from the Gap with one of those waists that poofs out, but in a cute way that makes you feel like a little girl at a picnic, and not so much a fat tub of lard. I’m observing the hostess, her mother, and friends cook, all while attempting to put out a small fire in the oven, when I’m ambushed.

“Is there something in the oven?” [Friends MIL]

“No, I don’t think so. I know there was burnt cake, but I think it’s under control so no, yep, nothing, nada…”

With that said, she reaches out and pats my tummy.

Oh. That oven. The one that makes me look 6 months pregnant, but is really just fat and fantastic for resting books on. And now I’m thinking, what does she feel? Does she feel two layers of cotton and tulle and below that soft mushiness that’s too many chocolate chip cookies and a tummy that never went back to shape? Does she feel like a fucking idiot? I hope so, because who ASKS that, without proof. Like, a head showing.

“Are you sure? I mean..” Insert, another pat, and a knowing glance.

The thing is, as soon as she said that I was mentally calculating my last period. Of course I wasn’t pregnant, but when someone has enough balls to question your own body, you start to wonder if they are right.

“I’m sure, I’m not pregnant, nope, just fat..I have to um, go..”

And with that, I died inside.

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Having not watched much over the last couple of weeks but IDOL and DANE COOK, I finally watched “Glee” on DVR.  I can sum it up in 13 words:  “Fame” meets “American Pie” meets “Rent” meets “Boston Public” meets “Hairspray” meets “Carrie”.  Sounds good, right?

Well the “Fame” reference is obvious.  A one hour musical tv show based on singing dancing students at school.   While “Fame” was set at the prestigious school of the arts, Juliard, “Glee” takes place at your average high school.  If your high school was once the pillar of show choir society but had been taken down a few notches thanks to scandals and unfortunate events, that is.

“American Pie” threw you for a loop didn’t it?  Pair it up with “Rent” and think CHRIS KLEIN and IDINA MENZEL.

Remember Chris Klein’s character “Oz” in “American Pie” was the all star jock who sort of fell into choir and in love with the over achieving choir girl and was embarrassed for the guys to find out about his love for singing?  We have that same situation going here in “Glee” and although you might think that Zac Efron/Troy Bolton/High School Musical might be a more timely comparison, “Glee” actor Finn Hudson is a dead ringer for Chris Klein/”Oz” in appearance, voice, and character.  He is sweet to watch.

“Rent” makes more obvious sense as a comparison, what with the music and all. The two shows also share an offbeat sense of humor.  Now the movie wasn’t that runny as I recall, but the live version had me in stitches with unexpected remarks and zingers.  But the real comparison between “Rent” and “Glee” is that the lead choir girl “Rachel” played by Lea Michele had such a strong resemblence to Idina Menzel who played badass but confused Maureen in “Rent”.  A lot of the time when Michele and Hudson were singing I felt like I was watching Klein and Menzel, in a good way!

I miss the David E. Kelly’s “Boston Legal”.  Do you?  I am excited just to mention it in a post and it’s a bonus that it actually is relevant here.  It is the show I think of when I think of teachers on tv who care enough to go to bat for their students.  The teacher here,  Will Shuster, played by Matthew Morrison (who played “Link” in Hairspray on Broadway) is passionate about glee club.  We don’t know his whole story yet but we pulled a few layers in the premiere episode.  He is married to a quietly bitchy princess who runs up secret charges at Pottery Barn while accusing him of not wanting “more” out of life.  More MONEY that is.  Turns out she was the head cheerleader in school, and he was a jock who loved show choir… and has never been as happy as his times spent at national show choir competitions.  I am hoping to see their relationship fizzle as Mr. Shuster pursues his happiness which consists of equal parts helping the misfit glee club members and getting his own show choir fix.

Lastly, and least likely in comparison is “Carrie”… Stephen King’s homage to the picked on, abused, and desperate to “be” something kids in high school.  All shows highlight that characteristic, yes.  And many shows depict jocks and bullies tormenting other kids.  But when our lead female glee lead has a big red slurpee chucked in her face in the hall way, it is hard not to think of poor Carrie at the prom.  We see occasional glimpses of Rachel’s pain, but it only makes her practice more and sing better, not seek revenge.  Go glee club girl!

“Glee” has some other great characters, including the cheer leading coach played by Jane Lynch, who I LOVED as the sex therapist in “Boston Legal”.  She is brutal and hysterical with her quirks and zingers.  Sort of a tougher, less charming but just as fun, Karen Walker (Will & Grace).

I was sometimes bothered by the kids being tormented and it brought to mind images of the nightmare called “high school” that my own kids will be heading into all too soon.  But mostly I smiled.  Smiled while laughing and smiled while beaming at the musical numbers and seeing everyone grow and come together as a team, finally producing a number that looked and sounded so good I had goosebumps.  “Glee” is on my dvr auto record schedule now.  It makes me happy.  Did you watch it yet?

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In Treatment is an HBO series about Paul Weston (played by Gabriel Byrne, my new celebrity crush), who is a therapist in Brooklyn. Each episode features a patient coming for their weekly therapy session. The fifth episode (there are five a week) has Paul at his own therapy. Dianne Wiest plays Paul’s mentor/psychologist, and she is amazing in that role.

The story lines are very compelling. There’s a 40-something single attorney who wants to find a boyfriend and have a family, a girl in her early 20s diagnosed with cancer, and a boy coping with his parents’ pending divorce. John Mahoney (from Frasier) also is one of Paul’s patients, playing a CEO who recently lost his job.

The drama also delves some into Paul’s life. He is coping with his own recent divorce, and is being sued for malpractice by a former patient’s estate. He is also grappling with his father’s recent death. While the focus is on the patients’ stories, you do get to know some about Paul in the process, and you see how the events in his life shape his work.

The sessions can get intense. As someone who’s spent time on the couch myself, I find the banter between Paul and his patients very realistic.  With no commericials, the 20-some minutes fly by.

A recent Entertainment Weekly review said In Treatment was perhaps “the most habit-forming TV show on the air.” I concur. This is must-see-TV at its finest.

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Perhaps this may be an unpopular opinion, but I think American Idol has jumped the proverbial shark.

American Idol used to be a huge priority in my TV week. I used to provide running commentary online to my friends. I wouldn’t take phone calls during the show and furiously dialed and redialed for my favorites when it was over.  I even watched the cheesy Ford music videos.

There are still many talented musicians on the show (although Adam is a little too theatrical for my taste). I enjoy the performances. But I don’t find myself compelled to pick up the phone and hit redial like I did a few years back.

What’s causing American Idol to lose its lustre? In my opinion:

Judges. The four-judge format isn’t working for me. The four of them yapped so much early on, several of the episodes ran late (which is killer when you’re relying on TiVo for the action!). Contestant performances have been cut back in the later episodes as a result.

Paula seems somewhat coherent this season, which reduces the fun factor. Simon is the only judge who provides decent feedback, but you can’t hear it half the time because the overly caffeinated audience is too busy booing! Randy is, well, Randy. Kara, while she knows her stuff, is just plain dull.

Results show. Way, WAY too much filler. There is no reason the results show cannot be 30 minutes. For example, I could have done without seeing Paula lip-synch, er, perform her new single. And I don’t care what most Idol alumni are up to these days. Just give us the results.

Voting. Every week before announcing who’s leaving the show Ryan lets the viewers know there were “a record-setting 60 gazillion votes.” Honestly though, how many of those votes are made by the same household?  Most of them! People can vote as many times as they like. This changes American Idol from a true talent competition to a popularity contest, or whose fans have the fastest dialing technology on their computers.

Success factor. Some of the show’s winners have realized success. Look at Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood. Others, not as much. (Ruben Studdard and Taylor Hicks, I’m talking to you.)  But it’s also brought recognition to those who didn’t win the competition, like Daughtry, Jennifer Hudson, Clay Aiken, to name a few. So, what does America really know?

All I know is this: it’s getting harder and harder for me to watch. What do you think? Are you still viewing or are other programs taking priority?

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Photo by Jason Morrison, GA

On April 29, 2009, the California Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling, saying that private schools are not considered legal business entities and therefore, cannot be bound by the same discrimination laws as businesses. This gives private schools in California the ability to suspend or deny students based on race, sexual orientation, religious preference etc.

(04-29) 16:14 PDT SAN FRANCISCO — The state Supreme Court left intact Wednesday a lower-court ruling that said a private religious high school wasn’t covered by California civil rights law and could expel students it believed were lesbians.

Over Justice Kathryn Mickle Werdegar’s dissent, the court denied review of an appeal by parents of two girls who were expelled from a high school in Riverside County. A lawyer for the parents said the ruling, which is binding on trial courts statewide, would allow private schools to discriminate against students on any basis they chose, including sex and religion.

It’s horrific to even think about a private school only allowing a certain race (such as all white school - it gives me the heebie-jeebies just thinking about it), yet the laws for “social organizations” are designed to protect freedom of religion and given that religious schools aren’t funded by tax dollars, shouldn’t they be able to do what they want?

Conversely, what if an antheist student decides s/he doesn’t want to take the required religious courses needed to graduate from a Catholic school, does s/he have the right, under the rule of law, to refuse those classes since public schools cannot require such classes?

What do you think?

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Madlyn has been charged with a crime and isn’t able to see her daughters anymore.

I’m torn because this case definitely isn’t black and white for me. I mean, who didn’t hear the threat of “If you don’t stop fighting, I’ll pull this car over and…” But, c’mon–we all knew it was an empty threat. But, who hasn’t gotten so annoyed and worn down by their kid that they’re tempted to leave them on the side of the road and drive away. Of course, there’s no way I could actually DO it, but I’d sure as hell be tempted. And the kids aren’t little–they’re 10 and 12. Definitely old enough to understand punishment and consequence.

I think this just brings to light a larger issue that parenting is HARD. It’s frustrating and thankless and will make you question nearly every decision. But, thankfully, for me, is 100% worth it.

But I’m interested in what everyone else thinks. What’s your opinion on this situation?

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But ANYWAY…

As I’m looking through potty training, and parenting books, I’m in awe of the number of text out there devoted towards figuring out how to balance maintaining a healthy sex life, with parenting. Each book boosts pretty awesome titles too: “Is there really sex after kids..”  “Great sex for moms..” “The Sex Starved Marriage..”

I mean really, how dramatic. I certainly am not starving for sex, but I am starving for ice cream, always.

I guess my issue is this: Why is having sex after giving birth to a child such a “thing?” Why can’t we just give our bodies a break and request back massages instead of doggy style, without feeling like we are STARVING ourselves, or our partners?  Why is it not considered normal for couples to go through a period where they aren’t having the hottest of hot sex every night, because they are trying to find balance?

After my own child was born, I was horny. I’m still horny now, but sometimes I put that aside so I can catch up on my own creative endeavors. And sometimes I want to do it and my husbands busy, and sometimes he wants to do it but it’s past 8pm so you know I’m too tired. We’ve accepted that thus is life, and one day we will be wondering what to do with all our free time when our daughters say, 18.

I just find it odd that people would go out and buy a book on figuring out how to make time to have sex. When did sex become this thing to add to our “to do lists” instead of something we do for pleasure, spontaneously, or just not at all?

I guess my thoughts are this:

Has having a child affected your sex? How? Is it negative? Do you struggle with this?

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Photo by Joel Rorabaugh, AR

I’m going to be 40 this summer and if that didn’t suck bad enough, I’m in total denial about my age and how it’s affecting me physically. Recently, I went on high blood pressure medication because my blood pressure is higher than a 60 year old Lumberjack who drinks a 6 pack and eats buffalo wings every night. So, my doctor decides to order blood work. She says when I get past 40, she’ll likely order a cholesterol test. I tell her, no time like the present, especially considering that my last cholesterol tests had me at a stroke or heart attack within days. She said, “Really? Huh.” (And, for the record, I don’t eat fast food but I am about 40 lbs. overweight.)

So the tests come back and the doc calls me. Everything is out of whack. TH levels (thyroid) are wonky, cholesterol through the roof and other wonky crap.

My medicine cabinet is starting to look like my Great Grandmother’s before she died. To top it all off, I am extremely estrogen sensitive and take medication to counter that.

What happened to me? I used to eat worse, exercise less and be healthier.

This getting old(er) thing sucks big time! I wouldn’t even care, but it’s going to be a while before I see the light of Grandchildren and if this is happening to me so early, I’m scared I won’t be around to see them. (Sure makes a case for having children earlier rather than later, no?)

I need some serious intervention. Not sure what kind I need, but I’m not really thrilled about taking more pills.

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Photo by Wesley S., vancouver, BC

Also in the study, an increase of weight in pregnant women living close to McDonalds or Burger King too. Shocking! So if a fast food restaurant is only within a few blocks, I might go there more often? You don’t say?

Of course, missing from this study is the environmental and situational confounding factors. Is it not unreasonable to assume that people living within a few blocks of fast food restaurants are more likely residing on land with lower property values? In other words, these might be poorer subsets or more densely populated areas where access is increased by way of proximately to everything? I mean, when’s the last time you were in an upscale neighborhood and you just saw a McDonalds smack in the middle of luxury homes, next to a school?

The problem I see with this Nanny State regulation, is the role we, as the people, are willing to give to the government and how many rights we’re so ready to squander and poop all over. Have we lost all appreciation for our freedoms? Is this the dumbing down of America going to ultimately take away the critical and creative thinking that has spawned such innovation in this country for years?

I had the “pleasure” of seeing Mr. Gioia on some news program this evening and he said something to the effect (and I’m paraphrasing here…), “Well, if my daughter had a McDonalds within 500 feet of her school, she would be begging me to go there everyday. Government’s job is to make a parents job easier.”

What bull. How about Mr. Gioia get off his lazy ass and hone some parenting skills. The battles that are fought and won are those worth fighting for and ultimately the lessons your child will remember and benefit from the most. Parent your own kids Mr. Gioia and stop displacing your lack of parenting skills on everyone else!

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Don’t be deluded into thinking that the Real Housewives are even close to real. These are women with cash to burn (or big credit limits) and are into the whole high-society scene.

First there’s LuAnn. She is a Countess by marriage and is writing a book on etiquette. Watch this woman in action for about five minutes and you will see the irony with this book. It’s been announced since the show finished taping that she’s getting a divorce from the Count, leaving her, well, Count-less.

Jill is the most likable of the bunch. She and the hubby own a huge fabric store. Her days are spent at work, doting on her daughter and her annoying, ill-mannered dog, and assisting with charity events.  She recently got a new Mercedes for her birthday. I know, I feel really bad for her.

Ramona is a blonde businesswoman with absolutely zero filter. For example, she had no problem telling the Countess she’s married to an old man. True, yes. But would you say it out loud? If you’re Ramona, yes. Her husband Mario is, how can I say this gently, an ass.

Alex and Simon  are called Silex out on the interwebs because they are inseparable, They are social wannabes and have two very wild children. Oh and Simon, just because you CAN wear a Speedo, it doesn’t mean you SHOULD. I am just saying; that is all.

Then there’s Kelly, a former model. I’m really not sure why she was added to the cast this year because she adds zippo to the show. I fast-forward through most of her appearances. Plus, girlfriend really needs to something about her skin.

Finally, there’s Bethenny. Bethenny, a chef, has a tongue sharper than her best kitchen knife. Her one-liners about the other women are hysterical, and she does an awesome impression of Jill.

You know what? I love watching these women. I have no hope of ever leading a life in high New York society, so I live vicariously through them.

Oh, and the best part! In May, Bravo is launching The Real Housewives of New Jersey. The women are loud, gaudy, and not afraid to flaunt their wealth. Several of the women are related and part of a big Italian family. This ought to be good.

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Are you concerned about any of the following issues?….(You just might be a redneck terrorist.)!

A footnote in the report, “Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment,” said that while there is no specific information that domestic right-wing terrorists are planning acts of violence, such acts could come from unnamed “rightwing extremists” concerned about illegal immigration, abortion, increasing federal power and restrictions on firearms — and singled out returning war veterans as susceptible to recruitment.

So moms and dads who are concerned about their children’s mounting debt; who’s going to protect them from our own law enforcement and military when they start knocking on their doors? Regardless of your political affiliation, doesn’t this concern you? So, if the PTA mom can be surveilled for having a bumper sticker that says, “Enforce our laws, stop illegal immigration”, what is she going to tell her child if/when she gets hauled off in a squad car?

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A PG-13 rating is a sterner warning by the Rating Board to parents to determine whether their children under age 13 should view the motion picture, as some material might not be suited for them. A PG-13 motion picture may go beyond the PG rating in theme, violence, nudity, sensuality, language, adult activities or other elements, but does not reach the restricted R category.

So, is Disney being irresponsible, marketing to little girls or does the responsiblity of appropriateness land squarely on the parents? I think it’s a very real possiblity that this movie is going to include swearing and sexual situations.

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