Ok, apparently while my back has been turned, clowns have been popping up all over the US, and some are pretty malevolent. Don't quite get what is going on here, but "clown sightings" is THE hot topic right now.

I duck way from the media for five minutes....


"Target removes clown masks after series of creepy clown sightings"
http://money.cnn.com/2016/10/17/news/companies/scary-clowns-target/


http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/05/health/creepy-clowns-rumors-trnd/index.html?iid=EL


https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/oct/16/clowns-scary-black-lives-matter-arizona-halloween

One more, with more detail of specific events:

http://www.grunge.com/26608/bizarre-fact...school-threats/

There has been a lot of talk about it locally where I live. It has turned into quite a big deal. Some around here have even been talking about coming up with alternate plans for trick-or-treating because of the clown sightings.

They actual put a school in the area on lockdown not too long ago due to clown sightings. Even though most of us think it's more hype than reality, some of the kids are scared and parents would rather be safe than sorry.

It really did surprise me when I first heard about it a few weeks ago, so I didn't think much about it, but then it turned into a topic of conversation that I heard my students talking about, and even my daughter who is in middle school. I've even seen a lot of videos on social media lately of people either fighting back against the clowns or beating them up! Who'd have thought this would be something that would be blown up into a huge deal? Of course, if there is even a little bit of truth to the (attempted) abductions, then it's worth checking into.

Apparently Target is now no longer carrying clown masks due to this...

In my opinion had the media not over sensationalize yet another story this issue would have passed, but beings how they normally do it has now taken on a life of its own. The media only exacerbates things nowadays, I long for the days of true journalism.

The clown thing reached the UK and also even here in the Channel Islands, some have been arrested and now have criminal records. Our police have asked anyone seeing clowns to phone them and they will attend. It really isn't funny to deliberately upset people, and in particular children who could find that they become scared of what ought to be something amusing.

Just prior to the clown sightings, Walgreen's Pharmacies ran a promotion where they gave away free red bulb noses (a la Patch Adams). Some kids get frightened seeing those noses for the first time. I'd place a wager that one thing led to another in this case. Whether it was rival drug outlets demeaning Walgreens or just some nutcases, we need to get our love of clowns back.

The creepy clown craze has hit Australia, too, and I think it's starting to scare people. Police have issued warnings that people will be prosecuted if they take part in this craze because they're worried someone might get hurt (people with medical conditions or people reacting violently towards the appearance of clowns). Recently heard that, in the lead-up to Halloween, this creepy clown thing has caused at least one major retail store to stop selling clown costumes.

The UK has an annual charity event, huge, Comic Relief commonly called Red Nose Day. This has been taken up by other countries. People buy, and wear, red noses, some even buy car and house versions. No one ever got scared by them here.

What is Red Nose Day?

Since its launch in 1988, Red Nose Day has become something of a British institution. It’s the day, every two years, when people across the land can get together and do something funny for money at home, school and work.

There’s a fantastic night of TV on the BBC, with comedy and entertainment to inspire the nation to give generously.

Comic Relief spends the money raised by Red Nose Day to help people living tough lives across the UK and Africa.

Any 'creepy' clown that comes within striking distance of me or my family had better have a good dental plan in place...

As someone said - if you have a problem with these clowns - just go for the juggler

FYI the McDonalds in Arlington VA still has its lifesize Ronald McDonald figure out in plain sight. I'm kind of proud of them.

With Arlington the size city it is, I'm sure there are several McDonald's locations there.

I haven't noticed any more reports so hopefully it has died down locally, unless some come out tonight.