Not suitable for kids
The July 17 cover picture of the Rocky Mountain News is very inappropriate.
We have 9-year-old twins whom we encourage to read as much as possible. However, we cannot even let our children see that day’s paper.
Showing a picture of a dead man in the Capitol building, while it may be breaking news, is in poor taste. I am disappointed in the decision your staff made.
Karen Hay, Centennial
please keep them in a dark room then so they will not know the realities of the world we live in. I don t like it either but its a fact of life these days.
Posted by on July 28, 2007 05:47 AMif you don't like it , you do not have to look at it, it is your American right to be offended, freedom of speech, press and so forth, if your a smart person please pick up a bill of rights and the constitution at your local library , whining sniveling libs like you are what is ruining this country driving us into a state of political correctness because you cant stand to have your feeling hurt poor little baby, .....grow up you freakin baby
Posted by hoimaha on July 28, 2007 06:00 AMMy children both 7 and 10 saw the picture and asked what it was about. I explained to them a man went into the Capitol building and wanted to shoot the Governor. I also explained it seemed like he might have been mentally ill,because he said he wanted to be the emporor of Colorado.
Both my children said that wasn't a good thing to do and went on their merry way.
Children are going to see violence somewhere in their life.All they want is an explanation of why the person was shot by the good guys ,the police. That's all.
Posted by Can I get an AMEN! on July 28, 2007 08:43 AMAMEN, I liked your explanation to your kids. I don't think we HAVE to see photos of the dead in the name of news. Anything I need to know about the story I can read about and don't need unnecessary graphics of the casualties.. Unfortunately, the media seems to cater to people who need the thrill of seeing inappropriate pictures.
It's the parents who want to shelter their kids from the way the world is and do not want to have to explain certain facts to them, that do their kids a disservice in the long run. Do they want their kids to learn about the world the hard way? It would be like sending lambs into a den of wolves.
A simple explanation to a three year old would have been a piece of cake.
AMEN!
Posted by Lazy Chemist on July 28, 2007 09:40 AMThank You , TEW and Lazy Chemist. I think our children need to see their is evil in the world and every story does not end with, and they lived happily ever after.
My children love to watch the news. We have had discussions about politics,political parties,child abuse,cooking,doing good deeds,war,where countries are,gas prices,sex offenders,gangs,police,different jobs,stealing,prison,committing crimes and the consequences,schools,proper behavior,what not to wear in public,how not to look up to and admire people like Paris Hilton,Brittney Spears and Lindsey Lohan, Drugs,Pot,alcohol,meth,colleges.and the list can go on.
Kids need to be in the real world.Mine are 7 and 10 and are old enough to discuss these and many more subjects with their dad and I.
The news is one source to open a dialogue with your children about the world around them.
Posted by Can I get an AMEN! on July 28, 2007 12:55 PMOne example of how kids want to know things. My 10 year old kept seeing the story of Paige Birgfeld on the news. They news would describe her as a dedicated mother of 3 children and she was missing and people were searching for her.In one story they said she ran an escort service and had an appointment the night she disappeared.
My daughter asked me what is an escort sevice and I told her it is when someone has sex for money.
My daughter said, that doesn't sound like a dedicated mother to me.That is wrong.
Posted by Can I get an AMEN! on July 28, 2007 01:03 PMWell done, Amen! Good answer.
Posted by RU Serious on July 28, 2007 01:26 PMOkay, how many of those of you offended by the picture have screened the television programs, movies and other forms of 'entertainment' watched by your kids? Dead bodies in the name of entertainment is okay, but when it is reality it is somehow offensive? I'm confused. I would think that seeing dead bodies on TV (think of all the shows that glorify crime, etc.) would be more offensive and a problem for parents than the picture of one innocent REAL MAN killed by the cops. Not saying they were right or wrong in doing so, but at least acknowledging that he was, in fact, REAL can begin a wonderful dialogue with your kids about mental health, personal responsibility, proper behavior for police, etc.
Posted by Sheila on July 28, 2007 03:25 PMOkay, how many of those of you offended by the picture have screened the television programs, movies and other forms of 'entertainment' watched by your kids? Dead bodies in the name of entertainment is okay, but when it is reality it is somehow offensive? I'm confused. I would think that seeing dead bodies on TV (think of all the shows that glorify crime, etc.) would be more offensive and a problem for parents than the picture of one REAL MAN killed by the cops. Not saying they were right or wrong in doing so, but at least acknowledging that he was, in fact, REAL can begin a wonderful dialogue with your kids about mental health, personal responsibility, proper behavior for police, etc.
Posted by Sheila on July 28, 2007 03:26 PMThere are some truly outstanding responses to this thread! I think that if Karen is concerned about sheltering her children from reality at the age of her twins she took the correct step by keeping the paper from their view.
Personally, I prefer the honesty CIgaAmen used to explain reality to her kids when the opportunity presented itself via the picture. Sooner or later reality is going to smack all developing kids; controlling the explanation is preferable to them being confronted with it when a responsible parent or adult is not around.
Posted by Trinity on July 28, 2007 03:49 PMI think letter writer Karen is another fine example of the coward wing of the Democrat party.She is trying to hide behind her children to mask her fear.She is probably against the war.Many Democrats hide behind children to excuse thier cowardness.
Posted by An American on July 29, 2007 11:00 AMAn amerikan,
(I won't insult our country by calling you American).
Please stay with, and continue to speak for, the pro-war conservative party you love so much.
Your kind is a fine example of what America is NOT supposed to be about, and, subsequently, when disgusted soon-to-be-former " republics" read your posts, I'm sure will help swell the ranks of Democrats even more .
The DEMOCRATIC party thanks you very much.
Posted by dmz on July 29, 2007 01:07 PM