Comments on: A sign of the apocolypse

By: BlakePertuset

BlakePertuset — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 04:09:23 +0000

It's not just infants you have to worry about getting piercings from their irresponsible parents, now it's animals as well. Like this woman in PA who tried to market "gothic kittens" online. Yep. Cats with ear, neck, and tail piercings. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28300503

By: BenRush

BenRush — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 03:20:09 +0000

It is just a toy, and should not be such a big deal. It is a parents job to shape and mold their children into upstanding adults and members of society. If a parent fails to do that, it is their fault, not the fault of a toy tattoo machine. I also take offense to the fact that you speak of tattooed individuals as if they are on a lower level in society than someone who has no tattoos. There are thousands of men and women in this country that make a very good lining from the tattoo industry. Many of these artists are parents, and tattooing is part of their daily lives. Tattooing allows them to provide for their families and give them a great life. Why wouldn't those individuals want to share that with their children the same way a Lawyer, Soldier, Business Manager, or Mechanic would? I don't see it as being any different than buying a kid, a toy Fireman kit, Doctor kit, or a toy tool set. Passing judgment on ones profession is an ignorant and closed minded thing to do, especially on a public forum. I may not personally buy this item for my children, but I support the idea and ability to do so. I respect and support the art and tattoo communities very much, and as a parent and tattoo collector I resent the overall tone of this article. I also find it funny that you mention smoking in this article, implying that the ramification of smoking and getting a tattoo are even in the same ballpark. All while supporting a product called the "Safe Cigarette"…. I guess I expected more.

By: BenRush

BenRush — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:43:23 +0000

Unfortuneatley you can not put a age limitation on self expression. Personally I experienced tragic things in my life at a young age, mainly losing my father.Many years later, at the age of 16, I personally felt that I would like to memorialize him with a tattoo, not because of any television shows, marketing strategies, or childhood toys, It was a personal choice that I felt confident enough to make. Within the legal guidelines set in place, minors are able to get tattooed, only with parental consent. Therefore, you are putting the ownership back on the parent/guardian. I feel that we live in place that is constantly trying to take the "blame" (for lack of a better term) away from parents. It seems as though our society is always trying to make everyone (except the parents) responsible for the children and anything that may happen to them. Instead of trying to "fix" everything else, invest that energy back into the family, and you are making some ground. In the end, parenting is the only way to ensure how our children turn out.

By: ThomasGemkow

ThomasGemkow — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:05:49 +0000

HA. I'm for it.

How crazy is the thing about the gambling machines huh?

By: ThomasGemkow

ThomasGemkow — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:05:10 +0000

I'm on the fence with the ear piercing thing…but I HATE HATE HATE when I see it on infants. HATE.

By: ThomasGemkow

ThomasGemkow — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:02:47 +0000

Yes. B.A. you are right, the child can't drive his ass to the Wal-Mart and put it on his Discover…but why put it out there for the kid to see anyway? Why not market educational toys that are fun, so the child can grow up to be smart and then make the decision to buy an actual tattoo?

By: ThomasGemkow

ThomasGemkow — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:01:49 +0000

Touche.

By: ThomasGemkow

ThomasGemkow — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:01:15 +0000

Ben,

First and foremost, thanks for posting a comment that sparked so much interest on this page.

I think you may have misinterpreted what I said about tattoos in today's society….

Personally, I have no issues with them, but unfortunately, I do not represent society as a whole. We live in a very straight laced place, where in a lot of cases, corporate America does not support such forms of expression in the work place. This is something that hopefully in the near future, changes.

To me, I view the tattoo as a great way use your body as a canvas to express your thoughts or feelings. I view tattoo artists as gifted individuals.

I would be a hypocrite if I said I was dead set against tattoos. I have a tattoo. I plan on getting a few more before it is all said and done BUT I am 25 years old.

However, as I said in the article, the decision to get a tattoo is an adult decision to be made. As is smoking cigarettes, or drinking alcohol. While the ramifications may be different in each case, the point still remains that the decision is to be made by an adult.

So, if you would not market alcohol or cigarettes to a child…why would you market another adult decision to a child…tattoos?

By: KimberJoey

KimberJoey — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:57:30 +0000

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product... and the company that sells that toy ink machine on Amazon, also has this available http://www.amazon.com/Radica-I6003-Big-Screen-Pok... for your young deadbeat. I wonder if they make "Kiddy Liquor" hhmmm… Mt. Dew? I think I'm onto something. And so launches the Parent Group S.T.R.I.C.T. Suggestive Tools Revealed In Children’s Toys

By: KimberJoey

KimberJoey — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:25:40 +0000

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/detail.gsp?image=h... What is the world coming to?! I can't believe I don't have a tattoo yet! I used to have Pooh Bear Tattoo bandages all over me growing up! .. I was clumsy.