Douchebag of the Day: West Virginia Lawmaker Wants to Outlaw Barbie
March 4th, 2009
By: Melysa
Democratic Delegate Jeff Eldridge proposed a bill yesterday to outlaw Barbie dolls from being sold in West Virginia. While the lawmaker doubts the bill will be passed, he stands by his decision, saying “I just hate the image that we give to our kids that if you’re beautiful, you’re beautiful and you don’t have to be smart.”
Ranting and raving this way >>>
Excuse me, but, what is he talking about? I mean, I know what he’s saying, but it’s not up to a doll maker to make our kids feel smart. It’s up to parents. It’s up to the community. Getting rid of some dolls isn’t going to make little girls across the nation feel smarter and better about themselves.
If I seem fired up, it’s because I am. When I was a little girl, I absolutely loved my Barbies, and had a room dedicated just to her and her many mansions– Yes, I was very luck and very spoiled– and I can honestly say that they never made me feel ugly for not looking like her, nor did I ever think that if I grew up to be beautiful, I didn’t have to be smart.
My parents always told me to work hard for what I wanted and to never give up on my dreams. And– I’m not gonna lie– I was a beautiful little girl, but who cares if you’re beautiful if you’re as dumb as a bedpost? Getting B’s was like death to me, and my parents always expected A’s and that’s what I brought home because they told me I was capable of doing it. Plus, if not, I’d be grounded.
Seriously, banning Barbies? This genius must be related to the same douchebag who outlawed vibrators and dildos in Alabama back in 2003. (Seriously, it’s illegal to own sex toys in that state. Talk about suppressed!) If Barbies can be outlawed for promoting “beauty over brains,” then to me pageants and cosmetic surgery should also be banned.
What we need are laws that ensure that our schools are well-funded, that teachers are doing their jobs, and that parents are involved in their children’s future. Outlawing Barbies isn’t going to suddenly make little girls realize that intelligence is vital. How would such a law even be enforced? Are they going to fine a family for catching their daughter with a Barbie doll? Puhleez!
If anything, Barbie made made me feel like I could rule the world. That broad has been everything from President of the US, to a pilot, to military personnel, to a doctor, to a veterinarian, a schoolteacher, an astronaut, and beyond. Barbie helped fuel my desire to reach for the stars. Plus, how else was I going to play out my sex fantasies without Barbie and Ken?!
What do you guys think? Do you agree or disagree with what either Jeff Eldridge or I have said?
Source: MSNBC via Current.com
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I agree, im a mess because of stupid Ken.
All they have to do is come out with West Virginia Barbie with brother/cousin/husband, Ken and this lawmaker will feel more comfortable. We can even have the Barbie come equipped with “Mountain Dew Mouth”
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=6899312&page=1
Shit if you are beautiful you don’t have to be smart, he must have ugly kids.
JayTee, that is an awful stereotype and it bothers college attending, hardworking West Virginia citizens like me. But besides your ignorance…
We discussed this in class today. I think he’s just doing it for the publicity.
By the way, I have all of my teeth. They are perfectly healthy, thank you. No “Mountain Dew Mouth” for me, or for anyone else I know around here.
it’s ken I want to outlaw…and G.I. Joe….j/k
there should be a limit on barbies though..there are
way too many in the gym I go to
http.imdb.com/name/nm0006718/
Every Jackass you meet on the road has an idea.
-James Joyce
http://www.alistz.net
well I definitely have to agree that’s just crazy its not the toy makers responsibility to make a kid smart and just because the image of barbie is like a paris hilton doesn’t mean it teaches kids to be pretty and dumb that’s totally insane way to think.
yeah dont ban barbie..remember all the good times you had with them, Melysa.
Banning just barbies will achieve nothing, because the rest of our culture is full of the message that youth=beauty=sexuality=virtue, to the exclusion of all other human capacities. If we got rid of Barbie, Paris Hilton (et al, but she’s the worst of the pack), advertising products to children through sex, every teen TV show set in a high school but only has stories about socialising and sex, all adverts which seek to use beauty or sex to sell their products, beauty pageants, cosmetic surgery (except when people actually need it) and the rest of the gamut then we might make some progress.
As to the author – by your own account you were pretty and smart, so you have no idea what it’s like for people who are considered ugly. It can ruin their self-esteem and ultimately their lives. You having pretend orgies with your barbie dolls doesn’t justify that.
@ Zbigniew Brzezinski,
I understand what you’re saying when you write “[being ugly] can ruin [people's] self-esteem and ultimately their lives.” For one, I was a beautiful little girl, but I got hell when I hit puberty. Boys made fun of my athletic legs and said I had “man-arms” because I’m naturally built. Trust me, I wasn’t “the popular girl” and instead was voted “Class Weirdest” and labeled “a lesbian witch.” I think I’m pretty, but I still won’t wear tank tops, but like I said, telling your children their smart and beautiful and to pursue their dreams, and giving them other outlets to reach their full potential, whatever it may be, that is what gives kids confidence. Paris Hilton is a perfect example of this. Girl is ugly inside and out and she swears she’s all that and a bag of chips. I’ve had many friends growing up considered “ugly” by society, and I remember the many tears they shed, but now they’ve all found ways to channel their inner beauty and they get more guys than any of the popular chicks ever got back in high school. While I’m not disagreeing with your statement, my point is that I think telling your kids they are smart and beautiful from the minute they are born helps make them into that which they have heard their whole lives. =)
XOXO
Melysa
F-Listed
I have a 6 month old daughter who will play with Barbie. Barbie is the perfect doll. Her hair and long limbs is ideal for little hands and fingers. Her clothes and accessories help breed skills and creativity, and problem solving. The attitude Barbie portrays of “let’s have fun” is what a child should be feeling. This guy may think that Barbie is beautiful and doesn’t have to be smart but that sounds like he has a personal problem regarding women and reality to me. News flash Jeff, Barbie is a doll for little girls to play with. And BTW Jeff, people must know by now dude, that dolls dont tell you weather or not you have to be smart and unfortunately, for 150 years longer that Barbie, neither do lawmakers like you.
Wow @ Kay. It was just a joke. Loosen up a little bit and take the stick outta yo’ *ss. Thank you for reading my comment though =) Enjoy your day! But seriously, Mountain Dew Mouth is no joke. Parents should start giving their kids diet soda. That IS an option
How about you focus your attention on educating those folks, give them better jobs then old school coal mining and stop family in-breeding Cletus? You should stop worrying about Barbie, there are bigger and better things that you should be doing. Again, I truly hate politicians!