Things That Make Me Go Hmmmmm - THIS Week (Batman, Lamar, Twerking, Folgers Coffee)

ABC News Article - Twerking: A Scientific Explanation.  Welp.  People are STILL talking about Miley Cyrus' VMA (MTV Video Music Awards) performance.  ABC News even jumped in the mix with an article they posted yesterday about the "science" of twerking.  Included in the post: An Auburn University professor's twerk break down (no pun intended *side-eye*) for those who want to know more.  No.  No--I'm not kidding: http://dld.bz/cNGJp

Folgers is America's #1 Coffee Brand - Yep, you heard it right.  Folgers is top dog in the $100 billion coffee world. Bloomberg Businessweek recently reported  that Americans buy more Folgers than any other brand.  Sorry coffee snobs (Starbucks soldiers), you came in at...number #5 on the list.  

Ben Affleck Is The New Batman - Warner Brothers announced recently that Ben Affleck will replace Christian Bale in the highly anticipated Batman-Superman movie that's scheduled to be released in July of 2015.  Listen.  I like Ben Affleck, but I gotta give a side-eye to him playing Batman.  I mean...huh?  Somebody want to explain that to me.  I'm listening.  *steeple fingers*

Lamar "Lam Lam" Odom - Drug addiction is no laughing matter.  If the reports of Lamar's drug addiction are true, it's really sad.  To make matters worse, reports are out that he's missing too.  Lord, this story is like an onion - layer after layer after layer.....

Judge Postpones Jodi Arias' Penalty Phase Trial AGAIN - This has GOT to be the longest criminal trial, re-trial, penalty phase trial in American history.  I mean, how MUCH is this costing taxpayers???  

 

When Keeping It Real Goes Toooootally Wrong - Dad Whips Daughters For...

It's no secret, I'm not a parent.  But, I love kids.  I really do.  And I know, I KNOW the laws of life say it's not cool or appropriate for me to have strong opinions about raising kids, disciplining children or the failure of the American public education system.    *side-eye*   *slow-blinking*   *long-sigh*

Anywho. 

Before I start, take a look at the video below.  It shows a father "whipping" his 12 and 14 year-old daughters for posting a video of themselves "twerking" on Facebook.  Twerking? 

Twerking = Lewd, sexually suggestive dancing; usually done by young females. 

Take a look.... (WARNING: It's pretty graphic.)



Now, listen.  I wholeheartedly believe in disciplining kids.  Children have to be taught right from wrong.  They need structure in their lives and they need parents to guide and support them as they grow.  I get it.  

But this video is disturbing.  On one hand, I understand this father's anger and frustration.  Young girls should not be doing this.  They shouldn't.  It's not right.  It's totally inappropriate and unacceptable behavior.  Can we all agree on that?  Yes? Ok-good.

However, on the other hand, I'm totally not OK with a parent (or anyone for that matter) using a cable wire to whip a kid in such a brutal way.  That too, is totally inappropriate and unacceptable.   The beating left the girls with welts on their legs, open wounds and bruises, and the father was ultimately arrested on child abuse charges.   

All in all, this is a sad situation.  I'm certain this father was doing what he thought was best.  And those girls?  They were being teenagers.  And we all know that teenagers oftentimes do stupid things.  Still no excuse though.   

There are plenty of experts who say spanking kids is OK.  And people's views on punishing children differ based on culture, race and generational influences.  In fact, one of my friends said to me recently, "I was never spanked, but I was slapped upside the head all the time by my dad when I was younger and I turned out fine."  *blank stare*   

Disciplining children with extreme violence just seems so barbaric, ineffective and downright wrong on many, many levels. The result is fear, not respect.  And pain doesn't always = obedience.  But, hey what do I know?  I'm not a parent.  So take what I say with a grain a salt.  Pay me no mind.  I'll just go on about my way and keep on raising my dog....  *sips smoothie*