I don't really think its such a fine line though Lauren. I think theres a big, clear difference between those very few extremists just looking for those 15min and people involving their kids in a cause that affects them.

Teaching and passing your values on to your kids doesnt automatically become exploitation because it made the news.

Right. Now the line crossing might be: parading out a kid at a protest holding up a poster of one of those pictures of all the dead puppies. That's using the kids. ( I myself have not seen that. I've seen them at peaceful protests walking their dogs with muzzles) Doesn't mean it hasn't happend sometimes people are just whacked! But there is a huge difference, letter writing is an excellent activity. Hey some of these guys might write them back. Then the children will be toatlly involved in the process...may even grow up to be lobbyists

 Quote: Michelle-Pociask

may even grow up to be lobbyists

$ Kaaaa-chiiing!!! Now your talkin!

 Quote: Michelle-Pociask

Right. Now the line crossing might be: parading out a kid at a protest holding up a poster of one of those pictures of all the dead puppies. That's using the kids. ( I myself have not seen that. I've seen them at peaceful protests walking their dogs with muzzles) Doesn't mean it hasn't happend sometimes people are just whacked! But there is a huge difference, letter writing is an excellent activity. Hey some of these guys might write them back. Then the children will be toatlly involved in the process...may even grow up to be lobbyists

I'm curious as to where this line is for you. The problem is that everyone this line is different on the level of acceptability. Personally I took what was presented in front of me and didn't find it cute because of what it was trying to do. I found it pandering mainly it's being used to gain sympathy for a cause using kids 10-11 who can't possibly work out what the issue actually is. I have a problem with this when it involves kids, no matter what the cause. There is a difference between seeking public attention using children who cannot possibly understand the complexity of an issue and passing on values. These post cards are not the same in idea or intention as sharing sunday school drawings on facebook.

So I guess it also begs the question:
Are you prepared for the opposition to use kids in their campaigns? Something tells me that this is ground that the anti BSL people don't really want tread upon in the court of public opinion.

BTW Steve, I'm not sure what my age has to do with anything. If you have something meaningful to add to the conversation please go ahead.

You first.

Yeah,
4th and 5th graders don't know if they like/love (their) dogs or not.
They're just passing on what someone told them to do.
How could they possibly know if their dog, any dog, is worth keeping around or not?

Who are using these innocents for their own evil motives? I want them to stand and be counted.

Count me first! BSL SUCKS! I'll paste my nephew's cute little face on anything that will end that stupid practice! I live in Denver.....

 Quote: melissa thom

So I guess it also begs the question:
Are you prepared for the opposition to use kids in their campaigns? Something tells me that this is ground that the anti BSL people don't really want tread upon in the court of public opinion.

Are you serious? You're joking right? Ummmmm... The ENTIRE reason we have BSL is because everyone knows pit bulls eat kids.... According to the "opposition."

I know where I draw the line,although I don't think it's as far to right as yours is Melissa. The opposition has used children, kids who have been attacked by "pitbulls".
I am NOT minimalizing thses attacks I'm just answereing the question; I am prepared. I own a dog affected by BSL, get back to me when it targets one of your breeds.
One of your own family. These children are perfectly capable of understanding.
Take a look how bright kids from this generation are and what they are capable of understanding when a compassionate and well informed educator uses their knowledge to help make a community better
Not to mention the lessons about creating an anti-biased community and antibiased future adults.
This is a matter of the heart for me not politics. You seem to be politicizing this to an extreme.
If I remember correctly ,correct me if I'm wrong, you said before you were involved with or know some of the people who began the Denver BSL,
is it possible that maybe you're just too close to the subject to be objective. They weren't asked to give their views on healthcare reform for pete's sake they wrote about loving their dogs.

And here I was just thinking Melissa had a different outlook on kids and their involvement Because shes half my age and has fewer miles.