I'm starting a war for peace

I've found two items dealing with childrens' books that I want to blog about. I should go with the annoying one, but the "so idiotic it's funny" one is a better Earth Day post, so I'll go with that.

From USA Today: The Lorax is Back!

And he's going to help save the rainforest this time, instead of the Truffula trees! How is he going to do this? I hear you ask. I picture you straining forward in your seats, holding your collective breaths in anticipation.

Why, by putting out a new edition of his book, naturally.

Now, Dr. Seuss Enterprises is teaming with Conservation International and Random House to use The Lorax to help save the forests.

The book is being reprinted with a special environmental message that describes "The Lorax Project," which is being launched today in honor of Earth Day. Ten percent to 15% of profits from the book and from Earth-friendly consumer products featuring the Lorax's image will be used to stop deforestation in Madagascar, Brazil and China.

The book's depiction of how environmental destruction is bad for everyone is especially relevant to today's world, says Leeanne Alonso, director of Conservation International's rapid assessment program.

She says the disappearing forests are our Truffula Trees. The Lorax "was the harbinger of what's happening now. He's saying, 'Stop cutting the forest now, or you're going to regret it later.' We're protecting the forests that are left, like The Lorax is saying."

Maybe this new edition will have the Lorax cutting down some of the remaining Truffula trees so he can print up handbills and pamphlets decrying their destruction?

Parents Fight Over Which Gang Toddler Should Join

Yes, gang. Not playgroup; not preschool. Not Church. Remember the days when having parents of different faiths would cause problems with the child's upbringing? And the tensions caused by interracial unions? Welcome to the new millennium:

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. -- A couple fighting about which gang their 4-year-old toddler should join caused a public disturbance that resulted in the father's arrest, Commerce City police said Thursday.

On Saturday, Joseph Manzanares stormed into the Hollywood Video store where his girlfriend worked, threatened to kill her and knocked over several video displays and even a computer, Commerce City police Sgt. Joe Sandoval said.

After he ran out of the store, police were called and the 19-year-old was arrested at his home.

His girlfriend told police that they had been arguing about the upbringing of their son and which gang he should belong to. The teen mother, who is black, is a member of the Crips. Manzanares is Hispanic and belongs to the Westside Ballers gang, the woman said.

"They have different ideas on how the baby should be raised. Basically, she said they cannot agree on which gang the baby would 'claim,'" Sandoval said

Manzanares was charged with disorderly conduct, harassment, and domestic violence. He was transported to the Adams County Detention Facility.

On Tuesday, he pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and was sentenced to a year of probation. The misdemeanor harassment charge was dropped.

Everyone knows how bad it is for the child when parents don't present a united front. Whichever gang this toddler joins, he's sure to alienate himself from one of his parents. Very psychologically devastating.

There's no mention of Child Protective Services. Or parental counseling. Hopefully that will be addressed later, but who knows?