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Thursday, December 5, 2013

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Was not Bullied, Despite What Prof Says : Commentary By Dan McGinnis..


YouTube published by Domenic Marchione
COMMENTARY | Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer now appears to be the victim of bullying. Golly Santa, how could you allow that to happen? That's the claim of George Giuliani, a Long Island University special-education professor.


Rudolph was banished from playing "reindeer games" when head reindeer, Comet, discovered that his nose was glowing bright. Giuliani told ABC News that such a punishment is a bad example for kids, because he reinforces bullying behavior. Really?

It's a sad day when a classic Christmas story has to be so analyzed and then equated to victimization and bullying. We live in a day with 14-year old kids like Jonah Mowry screaming out in silence to internet audiences to find hope and encouragement. Thank goodness there are kids like Johnny Robinson to help him. The last thing we need to worry about is that Santa Claus and his reindeer might be bullying them too.

Herbert Nieburg, a Connecticut psychologist and bullying expert, said parents need to watch the Christmas classics and then have a conversation with their kids about bullying, name-calling and other forms of intimidation. Yes, I agree. Parents should talk to the kids about these subjects - and do so frequently. But, they don't need to take safe, comfortable Christmas movies and brandish them as horrible examples, especially when there are so many more questionable shows on television.

Nieburg said the island of misfit toys symbolizes people with disabilities. No, it doesn't. It simply means that not every toy is built perfect. "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" is a classic, but Nieburg claims it would never be accepted in today's society.

"If Rudolph was coming out now, they would have a hard time selling it," Giuliani said.

The problem isn't that "Rudolph" is a bad movie - then or now. The problem is that classic holiday television movies just aren't made like that anymore. I refuse to believe that all the special moments of a by-gone era are damaging to today's children. In fact, that's exactly what I think is wrong with society today.

#Source: By Dan McGinnis | Yahoo! Contributor Network
http://news.yahoo.com/rudolph-red-nosed-reindeer-not-bullied-despite-prof-213800013.html

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