No problem Sue.

I have fun discussing topics of substance with people. Things that MEAN something. Consequently, those types of discussions can get VERY heated but I hope the admins will be able to discern a heated discussion from a flame war and not shut them down prematurely.

no heat coming from my side, just discussing views and in a way getting to know more of another poster.

I agree flame wars are the easiest way to have a debate go horrible.

We do not permit heated in the forums. Please read the anchored post.

I could have sworn this was a casual discussion about concert tickets and how a couple of them were obtained through questionable methods.
When did the flame throwing begin?

This appears to be a pretty straightforward post about a child who won an essay contest. If you want to discuss shallow American society, the worship of pop stars and pandering to children [ accusations I happen to agree with, by the way] you must start a thread someplace else. And in a civil, non -condescending manner, please. We aren't dolts and many here have decades more life experience than you do. Lighten up, daboosh.

I found it appalling that a mother would even write the essay in the place of the child for these purposes. I believe some quick fact-checking would have saved everyone a lot of grief and undoubtedly this story wouldn't have even broken. It's unfortunate all the way around, for the mother who thought she'd secure this prize for her child because buying the tickets weren't a possibility; unfortunate for the store promoting the event as it sheds a poor light on them, unfortunate for the organizers for trying to do something good for the business and it backfired and most unfortunately for child affected by the humiliating exposure brought to her family by her mother's acts. This woman will probably never live this down but to falsify a story like this also is a bit of an insult to those families who have in fact lost loved ones, especially to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. She should be ashamed of herself.

[And what kind of example is this mother setting for her six year old daughter?]



Sadly the kind of example that coined the phrase "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

So the mothers parents did something similiar as the mother?

I don't see what the child did wrong, or how she is emulating the mother.

I've just read the article and, frankly, I found that I didn't particularly care what that rather enterprising, if somewhat dodgy, mother did to get a few free goodies.
I was, however, fascinated by the photograph. That little girl is remarkably mature for a six year old.

trojan,
Unless you are referring to a different one, the photo shown with the article is of Miley Cyrus. She plays the character Hannah Montana. The photo is not of the six year old. Sandy

Ah, thankyou Sandy. I've never heard of the folk that you mention. I later come to the conclusion that it must be the child's mother.

The phrase "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree" implies that we learn the difference between right and wrong primarily from our parents. Whether we like it or not,as we grow we emulate what we are taught.Attitudes and values are intangible concepts,yet they are evident in how people behave.Nature abhors a vacum,so I certainly hope this little girl has an alternative role model,with more socially acceptable{not repugnant} behavior than her mother has demonstrated by her actions.I certainly hope that the fact this mother was caught out sends a strong message to her little girl. Stronger than the message the mother was sending by being deceitful,dishonest and disrespectful to those who really have lost a loved one due to the horrors of war.

She can either have an alternate role model, or she can just think for herself as she grows up. I am sure she comes in contact with more people in her life then her mother.

I know if I reacted to things the same way as I saw from my parents I would be a much different person then who I am.