Reach out!

You probably haven’t heard of the show Cbeebies. This is because of two reasons: 1. It’s British and 2. Most people reading this blog are 16-18 year olds and it’s a television network for children under the age of six. Why am I talking about it? I feel obligated to mention it because it was the centre of a large controversy in physical disabilities.

Meet Cerrie Burnell, a new host to the children’s network Cbeesies. What makes her so special from any other host on any children’s show is that Burnell only has one hand. This caused a lot of controversy throughout parents of children everywhere. They complained that the disability would scare their children. About 25 official complaints were filled about the issue. Of course, the people who filed complaints weren’t the only ones who had something to say. People logged on message boards and voiced their own opinions. But were these opinions over the edge? The Tart has an example of some of the parent’s complaints.

“One incensed parent ranted, ‘It’s a disgrace. I had to sit my 4 year old boy down and explain to him what a retard is. I’d only just explained to him why Jade Goody is bald and all.’
Another fumed, ‘I was watching CBeebies the other day with my 3 year old daughter, and this Burnell took about a bloody hour just to cut out a leaf shape from some paper. It’s offensive. I mean I’d only just got over Sachsgate and now I have to deal with this.’”

Ouch. Imagine you had a disability like Burnell and things like that were said about you. The fact is, they’re not just complaining about the fact that this might scare their children, they’re complaining about parenting. Oh no, you have to explain why some people have disabilities! Oh, the horror! Please, shouldn’t it be better that they’re being exposed to this at a young age? The parent’s complaints are poisoning the children’s minds into thinking they should discriminate against others different from them as well. Instead, they should teach them why people are like that, be glad to, and let them know that they are no different from any other human being or any less important. Let’s see what Burnell is like in an interview on BBC News:





Obviously she’s taking everything quite well. That’s very commendable. I don’t find anything wrong with her, do you? She can still make some children laugh, smile and learn things. She can also help children learn about disabilities and acceptance. What she said was true. Disabilities never scared me when I was little, but I was very inquisitive. Because I got the right explanation and people made sure I understood, I now know today that some people are the way they are, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Some parents might be scared of differences, but that doesn’t mean they should complain when they have the opportunity to teach their children to be more accepting then they are themselves. They should take a lesson from their children and Cerrie Burnell. Always stay open minded!





Morgan, James. Disabled Children's TV Host Faces Criticism from Parents. 27 Feb. 2009. 30 Mar. 2009 http://www.thetartpaper.com/articles/view/673

Copycat Diva

Recently in the media, there have been many problems with copyright infringement. There have been many issues, particularly in music. From Vanilla Ice and George Harrison to Coldplay and Avril Lavigne, it's clear that its getting more and more difficult to not make songs sound a lot like another one. Or maybe music artists these days are just lazy. Who knows? But there is a someone new getting introduced to the world of copyright infringement. You can always tell the first timers. "Bootylicious" Beyonce has now joined the growing list of people sued for copyright infringement.


What is the topic of this new lawsuit? Beyonce's song "Still in Love (Kissing You)" isn't Beyonce's song at all. The song was first co-written and sung by Des'ree in 1996. This song was called "I'm Kissing You" at that time and was used to the film "Romeo and Juliet" starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Personally, I think the song is way too laid back and calm for that Shakespearean swirling vortex of gunshots and explosions. But that's besides the point. What is the point, though, is just who is at fault here. Des'ree or Beyonce? Both similar sounding names, both have very similar sounding songs.


In fact, the songs are identical. This is because Beyonce did this song as a cover. One problem. Beyonce never even got permission to do the cover. This caused a lot of difficulties between agencies on both sides. Eventually Beyonce sent Des'ree a formal license request. Des'ree counter-proposed with three limitations. These were: no music video, United States distribution only and no changing the title. There was no reply and Beyonce ended up releasing the song on her "B-Day Deluxe Edition" CD on April 3rd, 2007. Obviously, Beyonce was in the wrong here. However, she wouldn't have gone through with this if she had known something that Des'ree didn't. She did, but Des'ree caught it just and time. "The day before the CD release, realizing that you need your work registered with Copyright Office before you can sue for copyright infringement, filed for an expedited copyright registration for the original song. Two weeks later, they filed a lawsuit against Beyonce. " [1] Let the cat fight begin!

Here's a video from Copyright Website!

The album is already out there, same with the music video and it's world wide. It is also under a new title. Uh oh. I can see why Des'ree is angry. I would be too. But it's too late because this case has been going on for 2 years and many people have the CD. Hopefully there will be some justice though. "The lawsuit seeks to stop distribution of the album and asks for damages in excess of 150-thousand dollars." [2] The 150, 000 would help, but Des'ree can't do much about the song and video being out there anymore. Beyonce is so guilty. Stuff like that should not happen. It's one thing to accidentally use something that sounds a lot alike another song in your own material, but when you do a cover and not get permission, that's just wrong. Let's hope Beyonce learns her lesson, and others will learn right along with her!


[1] Copyright Website. Beyonce and Des'ree.. 7 Mar. 2009 .

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[2] Access Hollywood. Des’ree Files Lawsuit Against Beyonce. 1 May 2007. 7 Mar. 2009 .

Miss American Dream since she was 17...

She was a teen pop sensation. She topped the charts with singles like "Oops I did it Again" and "Hit me Baby One More Time". She also strolled into a barber shop and shaved her hair off. I'd bet my life that you know who I'm talking about. Britney Spears. Where do I start? Once upon a time, Britney was a role model who practiced abstinence and gave every girl the idea for the right body type. Midway through the story, our hero starts to fall. But are we blowing some things out of proportion?



Many people recently have liked to comment of Britney's weight. "Look at those thighs, I've seen skinnier elephants!" and "If you need a flotation device, use Britney's flab." Just to name a few insults. Personally, I think that's rubbish. If you want to comment on Britney, why don't you comment an how amazingly THIN she is after having two kids! I mean, making fun of the maybe 30 pounds she put on after 2 pregnancies wont make you any thinner. I wouldn't mind being as thin as she is now.



All this hype about Britney has to do with the media in the first place. By 17, she was already put out as a sex symbol and the ideal body figure. The media made girls want to be like her, and made the guys WANT her. Period. The constant pressure maybe helped lead to her break down. As I pointed out, practically everybody knows about that. The whole shaving head and getting a tattoo and such. Which is really weird, from any point of view. However, this break down is not completely the media's fault. "Several sources say the events are the results of a long-gestating mental illness. "She's suffered from a psychological disease for years," says a source close to the singer. "[1] - according to an article in PEOPLE Magazine. The article goes on to talk about Britney's bipolar diagnosis and the antidepressants she has been prescribed. Despite this, paparazzi were there filming her actual mental breakdown live! Was this too far?



There is this law that might be passed that is literally called "The Britney Law". The law has to do with banning paparazzi from following stars around too close. Any profits made from a picture taken from less then 20 yards away will be confiscated. They are trying to pass this law due to the paparazzi getting to violent. For example, ramming into Lindsay Lohan's car just to get a shot. The law is named that way is because Britney is just followed that much by the "paps". Celebrities like Brad Pitt and Lohan (who admittedly used to love the paparazzi) are fighting for this bill to be passed. Britney on the other hand seems to enjoy the attention. In the documentary "Britney: Speared by the Paps" where it clearly shows just how much the paparazzi follow her, she rolls down the windows of her car just so they can get a shot. The paparazzi also show their dislike for the law by complaining how the "20 yards personal bubble" will violate their First Amendment rights. They also blame the celebrities for the accidents that happen, like the pap in "Speared by the Paps" said it was probably Lindsay's fault in the accident.



In 2007, Britney was thought to make a comeback in the MTV Awards. It did not turn out that way. Britney's performance was - to say the least - kind of suckish. According to CNN, Britney had been clubbing the night before, and it came out in her performance. Her moves were sloppy and the lip sinqing was way off. It wasn't really up to par. Fortunately, Brit got a second chance at the 2008 MTV Awards. She ended up winning 3 awards for her "Piece of Me" video. The media suddenly started posting in magazines about how Britney has made her official comeback. Suddenly, Britney is radiant and glowing, with a bright future ahead. This begs the thought, now that Britney isn't making a tragic spectacle of herself anymore, let's build her up again! Thus, Britney has returned.



My thoughts on Britney are that she obviously needs help. Mental illness or not, the fact she ran out without panties and flaunted it to everyone coaxed this reaction from me : ew. I heard on a radio show called "Derringer in the Morning", the producer, Ryan, added his thoughts to the crotch shot by comparing it to an "old, leathery wallet." Great description, but the closest I've ever seen of the picture is a star blocking where the sun don't shine. I'd like to keep it that way as well.



Other people also think she needs help, needs spiritual awareness, or they love her just the way she is (coughChrisCrockercough). Whatever someone thinks of Britney Spears, she will never be forgotten.








[1]People Magazine. People. 10 Jan. 2008. 22 Feb. 2009 http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20170133,00.html.

"Britney_Bald" 30 January 2008. Online image. Carpe Factum. 22 January 2009.
carpefactum.typepad.com/my_weblog/people_issues/