Friday, November 24, 2006
A Nu Toy 4U Yule [Heart] 2 H8
Posted by Alan Childress
Yesterday, which I refuse to call Black Friday, was the official starting date for hawking creepy toys that should never have been invented. Tops on my list, so far, is this product from eToys.com, called the GR8 TaT2 Maker. That's a "home tattoo parlor" for those of you who do not speak fluent license plate yet. For ages 6-12 (somehow outgrown by, and inapt for, the teens).
Creepy: the description. "Open up your very own pretend play tattoo parlor. This easy-to-use tattoo maker kit includes an electronic tattoo pen and funky stencils. Using soft, safe pulsating action, the tattoo pen creates realistic, washable designs with dramatic effects. Requires two AA batteries (not included)."
Creepier: rating of 3-1/2 stars out of 4, by twelve customers (most are sincere though one notes, "I've always wanted to see my kid in prison").
Creepiest: the ad's photo of the two boys using this item number 713380 on each other. It's not a parody. They're having way too much fun.
How does this rel8 to the legal profession? The blogger and HatTipee at Arbitrary and Capricious, a
Public Defender, predicts of the pictured users: "These kids are so going to show up in my caseload." If so, I add, at least they will already be fluent in license plate. Meanwhile, some poor slob of a dad will be cruising the 7-Elevens on Christmas Day trying to score two AA batteries for this edisonian invention from the fine people at Spin Master. Too bad he can no longer pick up a pack of those chalk-candy cigarettes too--remember, the ones with the fake red-flame tip we loved as kids? Ah, holiday memories.
But do give generously to your local Toy Tats for Tots drive.
https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/legal_profession/2006/11/a_nu_toy_yule_h.html
Comments
I think that the comment made by the public defender is a very ignorant statement. I picked up this blog from a blog written by a heavily tattooed female lawyer. Will she end up in your case load? People enjoy art in all forms, body art is one of them. I bet that same guy that made that comment has some art hanging on his walls in his home. I display my art on my body. I am a united states soldier proudly serving my country in a time of war. As long as the world has a negative bias on tattoo art it will make society worse on a soldier transitioning back into the civilian world. I may not be a lawyer but I go to college, serve my country and wear my art with pride.
Posted by: Jason McPherson | Dec 3, 2006 1:35:03 PM
Good points, both. I withdrew my lame prison references in a follow-up post: http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/legal_profession/2006/12/legal_professio.html
Posted by: Childress | Dec 3, 2006 8:20:56 PM
Kids play at being like their parents-- they try on their folks' clothes, they cut their hair, they wear mom's makeup. And a lot of parents have tattoos. Why shouldn't the kids draw on themselves? Tattoos aren't exactly the criminal element they were back in the 30's.
I agree that the toy is stupid-- it does nothing a magic marker wouldn't do, and that's what I used when I wanted to draw on myself as a child. But it's merely a waste of money, not a sign of poor parenting.
Posted by: Aaron | Dec 1, 2006 5:38:34 PM