I stumbled across this article by Dene Moore recently and what with Christmas fast approaching I thought it might interest all who purchase toys for children at Christmas:

"VANCOUVER (CP) - A defecating reindeer and an action figure that seeks to infect his daughter and others with a virus are among the most warped toys on the shelf this Christmas. Screaming monsters, a World Wrestling Federation action figure with his head between a woman's legs and a sado-masochistic fantasy character with a bullwhip also made the list compiled by Rev. Christopher Rose. "They're all awful," said Rose, rector of the Grace Episcopal Church in Hartford, Conn.

Rose started compiling his list in 1986 after a disheartening search for gifts for his son. "I just feel very badly that people do this to children in the name of profit," Rose said in a phone interview. "It's the antithesis of the Christmas season."

There are four criteria for the list, including whether the toy stereotypes or makes fun of a group of people and whether it inspires violence. Rose also looks at toys that graphically depict gore and violence and the age group the toys are marketed to. Most of the toys on the list are available in Canada - a disturbing fact for Stuart Auty, president of the Ontario-based Canadian Safe School Network. "It's absolutely outrageous," Auty said in a phone interview. Children learn from their toys and act out what they learn, he said. "Generally speaking, I think that parents probably don't look at their children's playthings very closely. Unfortunately," Auty said. But Beverley Cathcart-Ross, of the Toronto-based Parent Education Network, said parents have to have faith in their children's judgment.

There are many television shows and toys that conflict with the values parents want to instil in their children, said Cathcart-Ross, who didn't have a chance to look at Rose's list. Parents do have to challenge that but their job isn't to guard children from the world, she said. "Our long term goal for our kids is to develop their own internal evaluation and their own judgment, because we can't protect them from what they're going to be exposed to." One of the most disturbing toys for Rose is a lovable character from the Disney movie Monsters Inc. Although the movie was wonderful, Rose said, the toy encourages children aged four and up to hit and shake monstrous Mike to make him cry out in pain. "That's perverse," he said.

Toys R Us is one of the worst offenders but has tried to distance itself from violent toys lately, Rose said. Not all companies are ashamed of making the reverend's naughty list. McFarlane Toys, which has starred on the list several times, was disappointed in 1998 to have just two action figures register. "In 1999, we want to do better," said Todd McFarlane, creator of the comic book Spawn and owner of the company. "We're going after No. 1." The following year the company proudly announced on its Web site that they had "achieved" the number one spot and two others. But Rose believes that toy makers are slowly getting the message. "If a few children don't find this under their tree on Christmas morning, then I've accomplished what I set out to accomplish," he said. "And maybe, hopefully some day, I'll put myself out of business. I would love to do that."

2001 Warped Toy List:

1.- Bounce n' Shake Wacky Mike from movie Monsters Inc., by Disney's Pixar. Ages four and up.

Children violently interact to hurt, cause pain to lovable Mike character. Highly and sadly interactively violent. What were they thinking when they designed this toy?

2.- Electronic Stretch Screamers by Manley Toy Quest. Ages five and up.

How far can you stretch your monster? Listen to him scream. Puss comes out of the head when squeezed.

3.- Resident Evil: William Birkin and Sherry set, based on the Sony Playstation video game. Ages eight and up.

As Birkin continues to mutate he will seek out suitable subjects for implantation of his G-virus embryo. He is drawn to his daughter Sherry, whose compatible genetic code makes her the perfect specimen. . . . The list researchers say this toy borders on promoting incest.

4.- Finishing Moves, World Wrestling Federation action figures by Jakks Pacific. Lita versus Bubba Ray Dudley. Parental guidance suggested.

Male figure has tongue hanging out, with his head between female action figure's legs. Sexually suggestive.

5.- Fisher Price Mummy King Play Set by Mattel Toys. Ages three and up.

Action figure's mask shoots off, fists shoot off. Frightening action figure for a toddler.

6.- Max Steel N-Tek Adventure Pack: Explosives by Mattel Toys. Ages four and up.

Realistic set demonstrates explosives as an innocent, fun plaything.

7.- Monsters Inc. Splatter Dome by Disney's Pixar and Hasbro. Ages five and up.

Make and destroy gooey creations, including a teddy bear. Children are able to act out their anger and frustration destructively in guise of fun, with no consequences.

8.- Lord of the Rings Orc Overseer by Toy Biz. Ages five and up.

Orc Overseer can whip newborn Urak Hai as he rises out of his birthing sack. Toy depicts sado-masochism, encouraging child to whip deformed newborn being.

9.- Oh Deer - The Super Dooper Reindeer Pooper by Midlon Foods Inc. Ages three and up.

Jelly bean toy inappropriate for sale in children's toy store. . . . Insensitive and offensive to Christians celebrating Christmas. Offensive to secular holiday season.

10.- Stan Winston Creatures by Stan Winston Creatures. How to make a monster; the visitor; Queen of the lair. Ages five and up.

Graphic depictions of gore, mutilation, pain, suffering, with highly questionable value as playthings for five-year-olds.

List compiled by Rev. Christopher Rose and others at Grace Episcopal Church. Available at www.gracehartford.org." (END OF ARTICLE)

People who make, sell and support such garbage certainly have a lot to be thankful for at Christmas time. They have made piles of money from it. Oh, and parents, don’t forget to purchase your WWF wrestling tickets for Vince McMann’s show the next time it comes to your town for your children! Your kids will be able to see and hear all kinds of cool things like 300-pound macho men slapping and body slamming supple young female ring attendants while cursing them to the utter delight of the audience; not to mention if your really lucky, the main man himself, Mr. Vince McMann, dropping his pants at center ring to make his underlings kiss his ...

Thank God my kids are grown up!

St. James and Mary our Blessed Mother pray for all parents who must find the courage to make a stand this Christmas for all that is decent and as always, pray for us!

Ed

-- Ed Lauzon (grader@accglobal.net), November 27, 2001

Answers

Ed,

How about Lincoln Logs (though expensive) or Legos? Both work for me. Also, there are some really great books out there like the Harry Potter series.

Frank

P.S. I know, but it seemed funny at the time!...

-- Someone (ChimingIn@twocents.cam), November 27, 2001.

thought i can't speak for all of the figures on the list, i can at least speak for the 'resident evil' character. i just bought the deformed william and sherry figures shortly after christmas, along with a few others (all of which i must confess are not half as weird.) the figure is part of a series of collectibles for fans of the game, like i am (its my favorite game.) it really is not meant as a toy for kids and can be easily taken out of context by someone who hasn't played the game.

-- phil (funknoflex@earthlink.net), January 07, 2002.

p.s. i have been an avid catholic since my birth in 1983

-- phil (funknoflex@earthlink.net), January 07, 2002.