Licensing Parents - Michael McFall

Available Now: Licensing Parents: Family, State, and Child Maltreatment [Hardcover] - Michael McFall and Laurence Thomas - NEW!

ONLY: $72.99

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In Licensing Parents, Michael McFall argues that political structures, economics, education, racism, and sexism are secondary in importance to the inequality caused by families, and that the family plays the primary role in a child's acquisition of a sense of justice. He demonstrates that examination of the family is necessary in political philosophy and that informal structures (families) and considerations (character formation) must be taken seriously. McFall advocates a threshold that should be accepted by all political philosophers: children should not be severely abused or neglected because child maltreatment often causes deep and irreparable individual and societal harm. The implications of this threshold are revolutionary, but this is not recognized fully because no philosophical book has systematically considered the ethical or political ramifications of child maltreatment.

By exposing a tension between the rights of children and adults, McFall reveals pervasive ageism; parental rights usually trump children's rights, and this is often justified because children are not fully autonomous. Yet parental rights should not always trump children's rights. Ethics and political philosophy are not only about rights, but also about duties—especially when considering potential parents who are unable or unwilling to provide minimally decent nurturance. While contemporary political philosophy focuses on adult rights, McFall examines systems whereby the interests and rights of children and parents are better balanced. This entails exploring when parental rights are defeasible and defending the ethics of licensing parents, whereby some people are precluded from rearing children. He argues that, if a sense of justice is largely developed in childhood, parents directly influence the character of future generations of adults in political society. A completely stable and well-ordered society needs stable and psychologically healthy citizens in addition to just laws, and McFall demonstrates how parental love

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TV Guide's Body - Get Fit Fast Magazine

AVAILABLE NOW: TV Guide's Body - Get Fit Fast Magazine
ONLY: $4.99

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Includes: 

Featured Articles:
Evangeline Lilly, Jennifer Garner
Plastic Surgery: How Much Would You Pay?
60 Quick Diet Tips
Body Beautiful: Evangeline Lilly Of Lost
Hollywood’s Hottest Hair
Miracle Makeovers! How To Get Ready For Your Next Special Occasion
TV’s 25 Best Bodies!
The Perfect Face, Glowing Skin, Luscious Lips, Dramatic Eyes
Get Jen Garner’s Killer Abs!
Revolutionary Wrinkle Cures
 
NEW! Item in Excellent Condition!
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The Last Lecture - Randy Pausch - Hardcover

Available Now: The Last Lecture - Randy Pausch - Hardcover

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A lot of professors give talks titled "The Last Lecture." Professors are asked to consider their demise and to ruminate on what matters most to them. And while they speak, audiences can't help but mull the same question: What wisdom would we impart to the world if we knew it was our last chance? If we had to vanish tomorrow, what would we want as our legacy?

When Randy Pausch, a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon, was asked to give such a lecture, he didn't have to imagine it as his last, since he had recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer. But the lecture he gave--"Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams"--wasn't about dying. It was about the importance of overcoming obstacles, of enabling the dreams of others, of seizing every moment (because "time is all you have...and you may find one day that you have less than you think"). It was a summation of everything Randy had come to believe. It was about living.

In this book, Randy Pausch has combined the humor, inspiration and intelligence that made his lecture such a phenomenon and given it an indelible form. It is a book that will be shared for generations to come.

"We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand." --Randy Pausch

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We Are The World: U.S.A For Africa CD

AVAILABLE NOW: We Are The World: U.S.A For Africa

ONLY: $39.99

Condition: NEW! No scratches, no skips. Plays good.

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Track listing

1. USA for Africa - "We Are the World" (Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie) – 7:02

2. Steve Perry - "If Only for the Moment, Girl" (Randy Goodrum, Steve Perry) – 3:44

3. The Pointer Sisters - "Just a Little Closer" (Robbie Nevil, M. Mueller) – 3:53

4. Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band - "Trapped" (Jimmy Cliff) – 5:11

5. Northern Lights - "Tears Are Not Enough" (David Foster, Bryan Adams, Jim Vallance) – 4:21

6. Prince & The Revolution - "4 the Tears in Your Eyes" (Prince) – 2:45

7. Chicago - "Good for Nothing" (Richard Marx, Robert Lamm, David Foster) – 3:35

8. Tina Turner - "Total Control" (M. Davis, J. Jourard) – 3:38

9. Kenny Rogers - "A Little More Love" (T. Schuyler, F. Knobloch) – 2:54

10. Huey Lewis and the News - "Trouble in Paradise" (Live Version) (Johnny Colla, Bill Gibson, Chris Hayes, Sean Hopper, Huey Lewis, Mario Cipollina) – 4:34

We Are the World was a 1985 album that contained USA for Africa's "We Are the World" superstar charity recording for famine relief efforts in Ethiopia.

In addition to the title track, the album included nine previously unreleased songs by donating artists, including Prince, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band (a rendition of Jimmy Cliff's obscure "Trapped" recorded live at Meadowlands Arena on their Born in the U.S.A. Tour, which achieved considerable album-oriented rock radio airplay and topped the Mainstream Rock chart), Tina Turner and others.

The album also included another famine relief fundraising song, "Tears Are Not Enough," which was performed by Canadian supergroup Northern Lights.

Prince and The Revolution recorded "4 the Tears in Your Eyes" for the album. A rare live version of the song was included on Prince's The Hits/The B-Sides.

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Olivia Newton-John - Grace and Gratitude CD

AVAILABLE NOW: Olivia Newton-John - Grace and Gratitude CD

ONLY: $19.99 – New! In excellent condition. No scratches, no skips.

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A message from Olivia... "I am very proud to introduce you to my latest CD, Grace and Gratitude, so named for my appreciation of this incredible gift of life I have been blessed with! I hope these songs will help you to take time out of your busy life for relaxation or meditation. As a long-term cancer survivor, I have learned how important it is to take care of both my physical and emotional health. In my recovery, I became even more aware of the power of music. It can heal the body, calm the mind, and lift the spirit; but above all, it can connect us to our hearts."

This "healing" CD was released in America September 25, 2006. It launched Olivia's signature line of body, heart and spirit wellness products for women. Recorded in Toronto, Canada with Amy Sky who recently collaborated with Olivia her Stronger Than Before CD.

Track listing:
1.Shekhinah (interlude)
2.Pearls On A Chain
3.Yesod (interlude)
4.To Be Wanted
5.Hod (interlude)
6.Learn To Love Yourself
7.Nezah (interlude)
8.Grace And Gratitude
9.Tiferet (interlude)
10.Love Is Letting Go Of Fear
11.Hesed-Gevurah (interlude)
12.Gate Gate
13.Tala Al Badru Alayna (interlude)
14.Let Go Let God.
15.Binah (interlude)
16.I Will Lift Up My Eyes
17.Hochmah (interlude)
18.The Power Of Now
19.Keter (interlude)
20.Instrument Of Peace

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Profile: Helen Pantaleoni – Founder of UNICEF

Helen Tradusa "Helenka" Adamowska-Pantaleoni (November 22, 1900 - January 5, 1987) was an American silent film actress and humanitarian who was the founding director of the U.S. Committee for UNICEF, a role that she held for 25 years. Pantaleoni was the daughter of Polish musicians Jozef and Antonina (Antoinette) Adamowski, who with Jozef’s brother Tymoteusz (Timothee) Adamowski made up the Adamowski Trio. Helenka's mother was also the sister of Helena (Helene), the second wife of Polish pianist and diplomat Ignacy Paderewski.

After serving in the fund-raising arm of Polish War Relief, Helenka Pantaleoni helped found the U.S. Fund for UNICEF in 1947, and served as the organization’s president from 1953 until her retirement in 1978. Her service as president of the U.S. Committee for UNICEF was unpaid. The Executive Director of UNICEF, James P. Grant, wrote in 1994:

 “For 26 years, from 1953 through 1978, Helenka Pantaleoni served as volunteer president of the U.S. Committee. While she headed the Committee more than $113 million was turned over to UNICEF in the name of the American people. . .”

Read More: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helenka_Pantaleoni

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Bullying and Harassment Prevention Comic Book

AVAILABLE NOW: Bullying and Harassment Prevention Comic Book

Price: $2.99

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With the rise of Bullying and Harassment among teens and adolescents and the suicides that have claimed those bullied, Lifeforce comics addresses the issue in this special comic book.

Five super-powered teenagers - Lightning Bolt, fearless leader and possessor of electricity, Firestone - dynamic fiery warrior, Counterstrike - crimefighter with ability to reverse any attack, Reactor - armor-clad powerhouse and Lightspeed - energy-powered super-speedster - must stop Agent: Bully from terrorizing today’s youth and using his power to influence others to do the same.

Will the Lifeforce team succeed? And who among them was once a victim of Agent: Bully as a child?

This edition is magazine size with color cover and 16 b/w interior pages; $3.00. It features Bullying and Harassment Prevention contact information and sources on the backcover.

Drug Abuse Prevention Comic Book

Lifeforce: Drug Abuse Prevention Comic Book

Price: $2.99

To order your copy, click “Add To Cart” below and follow the instructions thereafter:

DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION AND HELP – LIFEFORCE COMIC BOOK

In the latest Lifeforce comic book, the adventure continues as five super-powered teenagers - Lightning Bolt, fearless leader and possessor of electricity, Firestone - dynamic fiery warrior, Counterstrike - crimefighter with ability to reverse any attack, Reactor - armor-clad powerhouse and Lightspeed - energy-powered super-speedster - must stop the plague of Agent Drug Abuse and put an end to his reign of terror before another life falls victim to his grip. - 16 pages; magazine size; $3.00

This edition is magazine size with color cover and 16 b/w interior pages. It features Drug Abuse Prevention and Rehabilitation contact information and sources on the backcover.

Information and Donations

Lifeforce Comics and Publishing is a publishing company specializing in community awareness materials for pre-adolescents, teens and young adults. Among our most popular publications is the Lifeforce Comic Book Series.

Lifeforce is a comic book series that feature stories based on community and social awareness issues. It is the story of a team of teen superheroes who combat social issues in the form of villains. They are given special powers and abilities to do so and with their knowledge, (all of which are provided by a character called Captain Life) they deliver a message of prevention and information to readers. The heroic characters are designed to show the fundamentals of hope and respect for others. They are given diverse backgrounds to help readers relate to their character. The antagonist characters of Lifeforce are made up of characters based on social issues. Villains such as Agent Drug Abuse, Agent AIDS and Agent Bully are designed simply to make identification easier and comparison between other non-community awareness literature or comics distinct.

Our Goals

Money raised will be put toward the cost of production, printing and distribution of our books, and will help us print a larger quantity. (Printing comics is much more affordable per copy with large print runs!) In addition to sharing a great story, our goal is to get copies of the book into the hands of young people through youth centers, health agencies, and teachers' groups. Printing the book in a large print run will help us distribute free copies of the book to people who need to hear its message.

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To donate any amount to Lifeforce Publishing and receive a FREE Thank You Gift, click the “Donate” button below:

 

We do offer those who donate to us a variety of Thank You Gifts per amount donated:

For a donation of $10 - $49 : We offer:

1 copy of a Lifeforce Comic Book of your choice - signed by artists and writers

For a donation of $50 - $99 : We offer:

Copy of a Lifeforce Comic Book of your choice - signed by artists and writers

11x17 Lifeforce team poster

For a donation of $100 - $199.00 : We offer:

Copy the Lifeforce Presents: Awareness and Prevention Topics 4-DVD Set

Lifeforce Comic Book of your choice - signed by artists and writers

(2) 11x17 Lifeforce team and topic posters

Ad Space on our site for community agency,  school, etc. of your choice

For a donation of $200 - $299 : We offer:

20 Copies of Lifeforce Comics to be distributed to school, agency, etc. of your choice, 

Lifeforce Presents: Awareness and Prevention Topics 4-DVD Set

Lifeforce Comic Book of your choice - signed by artists and writers

(5) 11x17 Lifeforce team and topic posters

Ad Space on our site for community agency,  school, etc. of your choice

For a donation of $300 - $499 : We offer:

Educational 3-book reference set, 

25 Copies of Lifeforce Comics to be distributed to school, agency, etc. of your choice

The Lifeforce Presents: Awareness and Prevention Topics 4-DVD Set 

The Lifeforce Comic Book Series 4-pk Set - signed by artists and writers

(10) 11x17 Lifeforce team and topic posters

Ad Space on our site for community agency,  school, etc. of your choice

 If you have any questions or wish to donate materials and services to Lifeforce Comics, email us contact information and type of donation at: lifeforcecomics@gmail.com

  

To view comic books, publications, news and updates, go to: 

http://www.lifeforcecomics.blogspot.com/

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Originally this series was published by NC Graphics between 1991-1994 with funding from provided by The Chicago Board of Education. The Board approved the printing of 15,000 copies of Lifeforce #1-3, 5,000 of each issue to be distributed to Chicagoland area schools in 1994. Since then, thousands of teens have read and/or read the series in public school health and counselors offices.

Lifeforce has been a source of reference and inspiration to its readers. The series was birthed in 1991 with the vision to help young readers and teens, through comic book art and characters, to remain aware of community and social topics as a means of prevention. Lifeforce Publishing is a collective body of artists and writers that have utilized their talent and time to continue this vision because of its importance to the inner city and its youth. The creators know first hand the struggles teens can go through in school. Most of which, grew up in the inner city and were faced consistently community issues. Our hope is that the Lifeforce Publishing Company and its publications can continue to inspire the youth of today to learn and to set an example of excellence for others to follow.

We rely on the support of readers, schools and community agencies and any donation is welcome.

Thank you

From The Artists and Writers of Lifeforce Comics

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Gangs and Crime Prevention Comic Book

Lifeforce: Gangs and Crime Prevention Comic Book

Price: $2.99

To order your copy, click “Add To Cart” below and follow the instructions thereafter:

STOP THE VIOLENCE! Lifeforce Comics: Gang and Crime Prevention Comic Book

In the latest Lifeforce comic book, the adventure continues as five super-powered teenagers - Lightning Bolt, fearless leader and possessor of electricity, Firestone - dynamic fiery warrior, Counterstrike - crimefighter with ability to reverse any attack, Reactor - armor-clad powerhouse and Lightspeed - energy-powered super-speedster - must stop the plague of violence and the threat of Agent Gangster, a villain who recruits teens to do his violent bidding. - 16 pages; magazine size; $2.99

The Lifeforce: Gang and Crime Prevention comic book edition is magazine size with color cover and 16 b/w interior pages. It features Gang and Crime Prevention contact information and sources on the backcover.

The Seven Spiritual Laws of Superheroes - Deepak Chopra

AVAILABLE NOW: The Seven Spiritual Laws of Superheroes by Deepak Chopra - Harnessing Our Power to Change the World

ONLY $15.99 (regular price: $25.99) 

To order your copy, click “Add To Cart” below 

Description:

From Baker & Taylor:

Using superheroes, who have captured the cultural imagination like never before, as well as multiple traditions and myths from Buddha to Batman, this guide presents seven new spiritual laws in an effort to create a new breed of superhero that we can all embody to transform our lives and save the world. 75,000 first printing.

From HarperCollins:

Given the volatile state of the world, it is no coincidence that superheroes have captured our imagination like never before. Everywhere you look, superheroes have broken free from their comic book pages and become a dynamic aspect of the culture at large. Superheroes are imbued with magical powers that challenge the laws of space and time, offering us a vision of a world that can change. By exploring the boundaries of energy and awareness, allowing us to better understand ourselves and our potential, superheroes can help us save the planet in a very real way.

From Buddha's search for truth to Batman's struggle with his dark side, from Wolverine exposing his greatest fears to Hanuman's divine gifts of inspiration, New York Times bestselling author Deepak Chopra with his son Gotham, author and cofounder of Liquid Comics, decode the seven essential laws that govern the realm of superheroes both ancient and modern, cosmic and commercial, and explain their relevance, importance, and perhaps most critically, how to apply them to our daily lives. These seven new transformative laws will help us all uncover greater happiness, courage, balance, creativity, compassion, and purpose in our lives. Each law has the potential to awaken us to our own superpowers and together these laws offer the potential to change our lives and the world around us.

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Audrey Hepburn – Humanitarian of Goodwill

Audrey Hepburn (born Audrey Kathleen Ruston; May 4, 1929 – January 20, 1993) was a British actress and humanitarian. Although modest about her acting ability, Hepburn remains one of the world's most famous actresses of all time, remembered as a film and fashion icon of the twentieth century. Redefining glamour with "elfin" features and a waif-like figure that inspired designs by Hubert de Givenchy, she was inducted in the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame, and ranked by the American Film Institute as the third greatest female screen legend in the history of American cinema.

Devoting much of her later life to UNICEF, Hepburn's war-time struggles inspired her passion for humanitarian work and, although Hepburn had contributed to the organisation since the 1950s, she worked in some of the most profoundly disadvantaged communities of Africa, South America and Asia in the late eighties and early nineties. In 1992, Hepburn was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in recognition of her work as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

READ MORE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audrey_Hepburn

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VIDEO: Audrey Hepburn awarded the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award - WATCH: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JREMCiZpgc



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HIV AIDS Awareness Comic Book

AVAILABLE NOW: AIDS Awareness and Prevention Comic Book - Lifeforce Comics

ONLY: $2.99

To view and order click "Add To Cart" below:

In Lifeforce: AIDS Awareness and Prevention Comic Book, the battle continues as five super-powered teenagers - Lightning Bolt, fearless leader and possessor of electricity, Firestone - dynamic fiery warrior, Counterstrike - crimefighter with ability to reverse any attack, Reactor - armor-clad powerhouse and Lightspeed - energy-powered super-speedster - must stand against the threat of Agent AIDS, the villainous embodiment of the deadly disease. In the process of the confrontation with Agent AIDS, information about the disease and its dangers are featured.

Can this team of teen heroes overcome the power of Agent AIDS or, at least, this time? And who is the mysterious Captain Life and what is his connection to the team? Is he friend or foe?

The Lifeforce: AIDS Awareness and Prevention is a new beginning and fresh start for the landmark comic book series whose goal is to educate and entertain. This edition is magazine size with color cover and 16 b/w interior pages.

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For more information on large quantity discounts and digest size editions, email us at lifeforcepublishing@gmail.com

Profile: Princess Diana – Humanitarian of Global Causes

Diana, Princess of Wales (Diana Frances née Spencer; July 1, 1961 – August 31 1997) was a member of the British royal family and an international personality of the late 20th century as the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, whom she married on 29 July 1981. The wedding, which was held at St. Paul's Cathedral, was televised and watched by a global audience of over 750 million people. The marriage produced two sons: Princes William and Harry, currently second and third in line to the thrones of the 16 Commonwealth realms, respectively.

A public figure from the announcement of her engagement to Prince Charles, Diana was born into an old, aristocratic English family with royal ancestry, and remained the focus of worldwide media scrutiny before, during and after her marriage, which ended in divorce on 28 August 1996. This media attention continued following her death in a car crash in Paris on 31 August 1997, and in the subsequent display of public mourning a week later. Diana also received recognition for her charity work and for her support of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines. From 1989, she was the president of Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children.

Charity work

Though in 1983 she confided in the then-Premier of Newfoundland, Brian Peckford: "I am finding it very difficult to cope with the pressures of being Princess of Wales, but I am learning to cope," from the mid-1980s, the Princess of Wales became increasingly associated with numerous charities. As Princess of Wales she was expected to visit hospitals, schools, etc., in the 20th-century model of royal patronage. Diana developed an intense interest in serious illnesses and health-related matters outside the purview of traditional royal involvement, including AIDS and leprosy. In addition, the Princess was the patroness of charities and organisations working with the homeless, youth, drug addicts and the elderly. From 1989, she was President of Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children.

During her final year, Diana lent highly visible support to the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, a campaign that went on to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997 after her death.

READ MORE ABOUT THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF PRINCESS DIANA

TV Show: Captain Planet and the Planeteers

Captain Planet and the Planeteers is an American animated environmentalist television program, based on an idea by Ted Turner and Robert Larkin III. The show was produced by Andy Heyward, Robby London, Barbara Pyle and Nicholas Boxer. The series was developed and co-produced by Turner Program Services along with the partnership of DiC Entertainment and ran new episodes from September 15, 1990 until December 5, 1992. A sequel series, The New Adventures of Captain Planet, ran for three seasons and was produced by Turner Broadcasting and then-corporate sibling Hanna-Barbera Productions. Both programs continue today in syndication.


The program is a form of edutainment and advocates environmentalism.


Click Here To Read More about Captain Planet

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Captain Planet- Episode 1- (1/3)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_w_TE3yuGqw







Captain Planet- Episode 1- (2/3)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cpllakh--0





Captain Planet: "Rain Of Terror" (Pt 1)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0lMcNgCjPA




Captain Planet: "Two Futures" (Pt. 1)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmdLPi_tZkg





Captain Planet: "A Formula For Hate" (Pt. 1)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgaBuS2oWyY

Event Profile: Earth Day - April 22

Earth Day is a day that is intended to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's natural environment. Earth Day was founded by United States Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in first held on April 22, 1970. While this first Earth Day was focused on the United States, an organization launched by Denis Hayes, who was the original national coordinator in 1970, took it international in 1990 and organized events in 141 nations.

Earth Day is now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network, and is celebrated in more than 175 countries every year. Numerous communities celebrate Earth Week, an entire week of activities focused on environmental issues. In 2009, the United Nations designated April 22 International Mother Earth Day.

Responding to widespread environmental degradation[citation needed], Gaylord Nelson, a United States Senator from Wisconsin, called for an environmental teach-in, or Earth Day, to be held on April 22, 1970. Over 20 million people participated that year, and Earth Day is now observed on April 22 each year by more than 500 million people and several national governments in 175 countries.

Senator Nelson, an environmental activist, took a leading role in organizing the celebration, hoping to demonstrate popular political support for an environmental agenda. He modeled it on the highly effective Vietnam War teach-ins of the time. Earth Day was first proposed in a prospectus to JFK written by Fred Dutton. However, Nelson decided against much of Dutton's top-down approach, favoring a decentralized, grassroots effort in which each community shaped their action around local concerns.

Nelson had conceived the idea for Earth Day following a trip he took to Santa Barbara right after the horrific oil spill off the coast in 1969. Outraged by the devastation and Washington political inertia, Nelson proposed a national teach-in on the environment to be observed by every university campus in the U.S.

I am convinced that all we need to do to bring an overwhelming insistence of the new generation that we stem the tide of environmental disaster is to present the facts clearly and dramatically. To marshal such an effort, I am proposing a national teach-in on the crisis of the environment to be held next spring on every university campus across the Nation. The crisis is so imminent, in my opinion, that every university should set aside 1 day in the school year-the same day across the Nation-for the teach-in.

One of the organizers of the event said:

"We're going to be focusing an enormous amount of public interest on a whole, wide range of environmental events, hopefully in such a manner that it's going to be drawing the interrelationships between them and, getting people to look at the whole thing as one consistent kind of picture, a picture of a society that's rapidly going in the wrong direction that has to be stopped and turned around.

"It's going to be an enormous affair, I think. We have groups operating now in about 12,000 high schools, 2,000 colleges and universities and a couple of thousand other community groups. It's safe to say I think that the number of people who will be participating in one way or another is going to be ranging in the millions."

Nelson announced his idea for a nationwide teach-in day on the environment in a speech to a fledgling conservation group in Seattle on September 20, 1969, and then again six days later in Atlantic City to a meeting of the United Auto Workers. Senator Nelson hoped that a grassroots outcry about environmental issues might prove to Washington, D.C. just how distressed Americans were in every constituency. Senator Nelson invited Republican Representative Paul N “Pete” McCloskey to serve as his co-chair and they incorporated a new non-profit organization, environmental Teach-In, Inc., to stimulate participation across the country. Both continued to give speeches plugging the event.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT EARTH DAY

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An Earth Day Message

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OUmG2bG2BQ

NEWS: President Obama Hosts White House Conference on Bullying

President Obama Hosts White House Conference on Bullying
 
by Alex Wagner, White House Correspondent


For a few hours on Thursday morning, President Obama donned the cap of America's "Father-in Chief," hosting the White House Conference on Bullying Prevention. Standing alongside the first lady, the president announced, "If there's one goal of this conference, it's to dispel the myth that bullying is just a harmless rite of passage or an inevitable part of growing up. It's not. Bullying can have destructive consequences for our young people."

As evidence, the president recalled victims of bullying who had taken their own lives: "They felt like they had nowhere to turn, as if they had no escape from taunting and bullying that made school something they feared."

Citing the almost 3 million students who have said they were "pushed, shoved, tripped, even spit on," Obama said that bullying was "more likely to affect kids that are seen as different -- whether it's because of the color of their skin, the clothes they wear, the disability they may have, or sexual orientation."

READ MORE: http://www.politicsdaily.com/2011/03/10/obama-father-in-chief-hosts-white-house-conference-on-bullying/ 

The New Teen Titans - Drug Awareness Comic Book Series

The New Teen Titans - Drug Awareness comic book (DC Comics/Keebler Company, Spring 1983) (Subject: Drug Abuse Awareness)

The Teen Titans has definitely become a phenomenon! The US Government saw the potential of the characters and along with DC and other corporate sponsors published three anti-drug comic books which have been sent all across the United States. Other countries have asked for those books to be published in their languages. The comics were special giveaways intended for distribution in schools, and published in co-operation with the President's Drug Awareness Campaign.

Drug Awareness Giveaways:
 
The New Teen Titans #1 (Drug Awareness Giveaway) (1983)
Story by Marv Wolfman with art by George Pérez.
 
The New Teen Titans #2 (Drug Awareness Giveaway) (1983)
Story by Marv Wolfman with art by Ross Andru.
 
The New Teen Titans #3 (Drug Awareness Giveaway) (1983)
Story by Marv Wolfman with art by Adrian Gonzales; scripted by Joey Cavalieri.

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George Pérez on the Anti-Drug Issues

[from a George Pérez Interview: Comics Interview #50, 1987]

ANDY: You did two "Runaway" books which were very well received, not only by fandom at large, but by Nancy Reagan. What did you think when you first heard about Nancy Reagan wanting to use yours and Marv's characters, in the drug campaign...?

GEORGE: It wasn't that they wanted to use the TITANS; they wanted to use DC Heroes - until they saw the "Runaways" book - the commission that was handling it. They found out that we had a book dealing with teenage characters, so what better book to do about teenage problems than a book with role models? And when they saw the "Runaways," they decided, "Hey, we'd like to do it with these characters." Marv and I were informed, and I said I would definitely draw it. It was more of a problem than the "Runaways," because the "Runaways" was strictly DC editorial; we could do a stronger story. Unfortunately, with the drug books we were dealing with so many committees, it became a much more watered-down book than it was intended to be. Marv's research on real drugs was muted by a lot of editing down. They didn't want to cause blame here, they didn't want parents to feel intimidated there; a lot of groups were kind of cross-pressuring, until the book became a watered-down version of what it was originally intended to be. Had we produced the same story strictly as a DC book, I am sure it would have been a lot more potent - and probably a lot closer to reality than the book ended up being.

ANDY: So you didn't actually have contact with Nancy, then?

GEORGE: Oh, no. In fact, we were invited to the White House for some kind of conference but I didn't go, anyway. So I can say I turned down the President of the United States for a meeting. (Laughter.)

ANDY: Now that's something John Byrne can't say.

GEORGE: Yep. I was invited to the White House and I turned it down. My schedule would not permit me to go to the White House. Man' did go, and he didn't get to meet the President, either. I believe there was some kind of terrorist activity that prevented the Reagans from actually being there.

ANDY: What did you think of the changes they made in the stories, Kory 's costume..

GEORGE: Kory's costume was my idea to change. I knew that we were dealing with young kids, and I knew that we were going to be going through some kind of committee - why give them ammunition to complain about something that wasn't important to the book? I changed Kory's costume at the bustline a bit, so we wouldn't have to deal with something that we knew would have been a problem immediately. Why ask for trouble. We censored ourselves there.

ANDY: Did you change any other things?

GEORGE: Wonder Girl, her neckline was kept modest, we didn't show her cleavage as much. Basically, that was it. Everyone else was left intact. Raven's costume didn't require anything.

ANDY: That pretty much covers everything.

GEORGE: Exactly. She's a modest character in the way she dresses. But the only other change was that Robin was drawn and inked as leader of the TEEN TITANS because of an incredibly ridiculous bit of trouble with licensing. Keebler, the cookie company, was sponsoring the first drug book, and through the licensing of superhero cookies, Robin was licensed to Nabisco. So we couldn't use Robin on a Keebler-licensed product, even though it was a totally different type of marketing. Dave Manak - who was editing that book - whited out the entire costuming on Robin and drew this costume they quickly designed, and renamed him The Protector. So you have The Protector doing all the Robin-type things, like flying the T-jet, and giving all the orders - and who is this guy? Every single pose he's in, that was Robin in the original pose. Anyone who has the original artwork can see all the whiteout on that Protector figure and, if you hold it up to the light, you' can see Robin's costume underneath.

ANDY: So why did they decide to keep him for the other two books which you did?

GEORGE: Now you had a character where they'd say, "This character was designed specifically for these drug books," to cover their tracks, so he was utilized over and over again, because now he was the binding tie that made these stories different from the TITAN stories.

ANDY: You didn 't design his costume...?

GEORGE: No, no. Dave Manak designed it.

ANDY: An ugly costume.

GEORGE: (Laughter.) The colors were ugly, the mask was dumb.., but that was the breaks.

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Marv Wolfman on the Anti-Drug Issues

[from Comics Collector Magazine, Spring 1984]

DC Comics, Inc., joined the Keebler Company to produce this first in a series of anti-drug-abuse comics designed to reach a grade-school audience. School systems who want to use the comics can contact DC Comics, Inc.

By Kim Metzger

1983 saw the publication of a very special Teen Titans book. It made its debut, not on newsstands, but as part of a kit distributed to schools around the country. The kit was co-produced by DC Comics, Inc., and the Keebler Company for use in President Reagan's drug awareness campaign. Its goal was to inform schoolchildren (in particular, fourth graders) about the dangers of drug abuse.

"The idea for the book began approximately in the fall of 1982," said Marv Wolfman, scripter for the regular Teen Titans book as well as this one. "Steve Jacobs, a special consultant for the U.S. Customs Bureau, approached us first about the comic.

"They'd done a comic book before with Campbell Soup and Marvel about energy-saving that used Captain America," Wolfman said. "They felt a comic book was a good way of reaching others."

Originally, the head of the White House drug program approached DC because he had wanted to use one of their better-known characters such as Superman, Batman, or Wonder Woman. But those characters were tied up in other projects at the time. Instead, DC recommended The New Teen Titans, the company's best-selling title. The program heads were shown Wolfman's two-issue story dealing with runaway children and were impressed. Best of all, they realized The Titans would appeal most strongly to the age group they wished to reach.

"The book was intended to address the young," said Karen Lippert, public relations director for DC. "Teen-agers are likely to be the role model for that age group. In fact, many of the young children who started on drugs did so because their older brothers or sisters were doing drugs."

After it was decided to use The Teen Titans, Wolfman was approached to write the book. He was interested in the project, in spite of having almost no knowledge of the causes and effects of drug abuse. To overcome this problem, Wolfman attended a meeting in New York with several people, including former drug users who were involved with private programs. He was given more than thirty different pamphlets, books, and slides on the subject. And he went to various organizations, detoxification centers, and a psychiatric ward.

"It was an incredible eye-opener for me," Wolfman said, "one of the most gut-wrenching experiences I've ever been through. At the psychiatric ward, there was a 13-year-old girl who'd been drinking since she was 8. Her father wanted someone to drink with, so he started giving her alcohol. Later, he wanted someone to do drugs with, so she was started on them.

"Her eyes were completely blank, without any feeling at all. She would answer questions and talk to us very freely.

The saddest and most terrifying moment to me came when I asked her if there was anything she thought we could do to keep others off of drugs. She said we should tell them her life story. I then asked if that would've kept her from using drugs. She said it probably wouldn't have. "Another person at the ward was a 22-year-old man who'd found his two-year-old son going through the motions of using a syringe because he'd seen Daddy doing it."

Wolfman also attended a six-hour indoctrination session at Straight, an organization that tries to help users kick the habit. There, Wolfman saw the format he would use in the book. Drug-users sat so that they faced their parents. The users would take turns standing and telling their stories. Then the parents would have a turn to speak. Similarly, throughout the book's story, pages are turned over to the users to tell their stories, with one main difference.

"At the session, the kids would give this incredibly long list of the drugs they'd used, some of which I'd never even heard of before. I figured no one would believe me, if I listed all the drugs they mentioned, so I cut the list down to, at the most, five or six drugs for each user.

"It was very tense. Some of the parents were angry. When it was over (the users aren't allowed to leave until they've put in six hours), one boy jumped up and yelled 'I'm free!"'

As a result of this experience, Wolfman himself felt a strong sense of outrage when he began to write the book. "I used some language in the book I wish I hadn't, calling some of the dealers 'punks' and 'scum.' And I had to he careful to tone down the violence in the book."

There is some violence in the comic, but it's a lot quieter than what appears in some other comic books published today. "President Reagan saw the book before it went out and asked about the violence. We showed him some of the comics on the stands today, and he let it pass. We tend to forget sometimes how violent other comics are today."

One problem cropped up with the book as Wolfman and Titans artist George Pérez began work on it: Robin, the leader of The Teen Titans, couldn't be used. "This book was being sponsored by Keebler, and Robin was already licensed by Nabisco. So I came up with a new character, The Protector. We already had the art done, so Dave Manak did all the corrections to turn Robin into The Protector. He looks pretty much as I envisioned him, except where his costume is purple, I had originally wanted black."

When the book was published, DC printed a million copies. They were distributed, 30 to a kit, to schools around the nation. "We had tests done with the books," Wolfman said. "I was concerned I might have written over the heads of the target group, fourth graders. But we found they understood perfectly what had happened in the book." The response was so good, a second million copies were published to meet the demand and there were even editions for foreign countries.

Wolfman then began to consider the possibility of publishing an edition for the direct-sales market. He knew that since it had been produced by the regular Titans team of artist George Pérez and himself, comics fans would want it, too. He was worried fans might try to get the book from the schools, thus taking it out of the hands of children, something he didn't want.

DC shared his feelings and printed an edition for comic book shops. (The only difference between the direct-sales version and the one published for the program is that the edition sold in shops has a price on it and a banner at the bottom of the cover.) Profits went to the Youth Rescue Fund and the National Federation of Parents for Drug-Free Youth, two anti-drug organizations.

Encouraged by the success of the program, more issues are being planned. A second has recently been published, this time with sixth-graders as its target. "This one is a little quieter in tone, since it was written five months after I had my experience with Straight," said Wolfman. "It has some very strong sequences, though, like a scene of two kids on the floor trying to snort up some cocaine that had fallen on it."

Although the second book is sponsored by the National Soft Drink Association, Wolfman decided to continue using The Protector rather than Robin. "The Protector has become a symbol of the drug program. I want to keep using him in the books."

The second book will not be published for comic-book stores, which has Wolfman a little concerned again about collectors. "1 wish DC would print it, but they don't want to overdo it. By the time it would appear in comic shops, there will be two Teen Titans books on the market (one on newsstands, one for direct sales only) DC doesn't want to saturate the market with Titans books."

Pérez is not the artist on the second issue, due to prior commitments. That may lessen demand among collectors. The art was handled by Ross Andru, who has worked in the field for years, drawing Wonder Woman, Superman, and Spider-Man, among others. His pencils were inked by Joe Giella.

A third issue is also in the works, sponsored by IBM. Wolfman, however, is only plotting this one because of demands on his time.

Wolfman intends to do his best to discourage collectors from trying to get these books. "At conventions, I try to make it a practice not to autograph copies not bought at shops. I hope they're not taken out of the hands of the kids."
 
SOURCE: http://www.titanstower.com/source/libntt/drugs.html

 




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