Anne's frank by name—and by nature. It seems Justin Bieber's appearance in Amsterdam has brought the girl's 1947 diary back into the limelight. Even though 'The Diary of Anne Frank' is an established part of the curriculum in many North American, not everyone is happy about it.
A Michigan parent has decried the book as "pornographic" and too explicit for middle school. According to an article in the Huffington Post, Gail Horalek filed a formal complaint over the "Definitive Edition" of the diary of a Jewish family hiding from Nazis during the Holocaust. She claims some passages aren't suitable for seventh graders like her daughter.
"If they watch any kind of movie with a swear word in it, I have to sign a permission slip," said Horalek "It doesn’t mean my child is sheltered, it doesn’t mean I live in a bubble, and it doesn’t mean I'm trying to ban books."
It's actually not the first time parents have complained about this particular edition of the diary. A Virginia school district started using an edited version following a parent complaint in 2010.
As for the particulars... Well, in one passage Anne apparently describes her vagina, and presumably calls a spade, well, a spade. (Anyone remember that lurid piece prose? I certainly don't. Then again, I did attend a Catholic school...)
Ridiculous and trite censorship? Or is it comforting to know that parents can incite change when they see fit?
Think you love your ma? Forget the tulips and Godiva truffles this Mother's Day. One son has raised the bar impossibly high, surprising his mother with a gift that nearly kills her. Yes, the footage of the Canadian guy who paid off his mama's mortgage is totally priceless.
It's also viral. According to the Daily Mail article, in a matter of two days the video has had been viewed more than half a million times, proving that this sort of euphoria never gets tired. And the internet needs cheery news from time to time.
"Tonight I will not sleep for fear of dying of happiness," said the Ethiopian woman, whose son claimed that his gesture "can't even amount to 1/10 of what she's done for me."
Thanks to YouTube user iProjectAtlas for bringing a smile to the lips of all the moms out there. Though he claims that he isn't the perfect son, many would beg to differ.
More of this, please...
Kids say the darnedest things. Don't we know it? But sometimes they also say the most bone-chilling, Hitchcock-like comments, and according to an article in the Globe & Mail, the online forum has captured a few of the downright psychotic things to come out of the mouths of angels. Be worried. Be very worried.
“Parents of Reddit, what is the creepiest thing your young child has ever said to you?” was the question posted on Reddit. Are you ready for some of the toe-curling responses?
And my personal, never-closing-my-eyes-again, Satan-spawned favourite from user GatorMcGovern: “Daddy, I love you so much that I want to cut your head off and carry it around so I can see your face whenever I want.”
Really, who needs Stephen King? We have children (of the corn). Think you can top any of these? Spill away, and excuse me while I go hide in the closet...
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