Ain't it cute?

I love this. And really only because it's extremely adorable; I think a lot of babies could do this (though they may not say John Kain-ne-dee quite so cute and clearly). But, seriously, how old is this child? That's a lot of language for a little bit of hair...
Hear it now, my actual children will also be geniuses on YouTube one day, naming people like Martin Luther King, Maria Montessori, Gandhi and Woodie Guthrie--so that's one lofty expectation for them down, thank you. (Although maybe it's the memorizing of these old men's faces that makes naming presidents so cute...not to mention the early introduction of blissful president worship.) Wonderful. I should film Corey's toddlers naming different primates and post their genius-butts on YouTube. Maybe they will be picked up for a t.v. commercial too!

So Many Stereotypes to Know and Love

Mattel recently announced the release of limited edition Barbie Dolls for the New Jersey market:

Tenafly Barbie

This princess Barbie is sold only at Riverside Square. She comes with an assortment of Kate Spade Handbags, a Lexus SUV, a long-haired foreign dog named Honey and a cookie-cutter house. Available with or without tummy tuck and face lift. Workaholic Ken sold only in conjunction with the augmented version.

Paramus Barbie

The modern day homemaker Barbie is available with Ford Windstar Minivan and matching gym outfit. She gets lost easily and has no full-time occupation. Traffic jamming cell phone sold separately.

Asbury Park Barbie

This recently paroled Barbie comes with a 9mm handgun, a Ray Lewis knife, a Chevy with dark tinted windows, and a Meth Lab Kit. This model is only available after dark and must be paid for in cash, preferably small, untraceable bills...unless you are a cop...then we don't know what you are talking about.

Alpine Barbie

This yuppie Barbie comes with your choice of BMW convertible or Hummer H2. Included is her own Starbucks cup, credit card and country club membership. Also available for this set are Shallow Ken and Private School Skipper. You won't be able to afford any of them.

609er (South NJ) Barbie

This pale model comes dressed in her own Wrangler jeans two sizes too small, a NASCAR t-shirt and Tweety Bird tattoo on her shoulder. She has a six-pack of Budlight and a Hank Williams Jr. CD set. She can spit over 5 feet and kick mullet-haired Ken's butt when she is drunk. Purchase her pickup truck separately and get a confederate flag bumper sticker absolutely free.

Hoboken Barbie

This collagen injected, rhino plastic Barbie wears a leopard print outfit and drinks Cosmopolitans while entertaining friends. Percocet prescription available as well as warehouse conversion condo.

Tuckerton Barbie

This tobacco-chewing, brassy-haired Barbie has a pair of her own high-heeled sandals with one broken heel from the time she chased beer-gutted Ken out of Deland Barbie's house. Her ensemble includes low-rise acid-washed jeans, fake fingernails, and a see-through halter-top. Also available with a mobile home.

Cranford Barbie

This doll is made of actual tofu. She has long straight brown hair, arch-less feet, hairy armpits, no makeup and Birkenstocks with white socks. She prefers that you call her Willow . She does not want or need a Ken doll, but if you purchase two UCF Barbies and the optional Subaru wagon, you get a rainbow flag bumper sticker for free.

Lodi Barbie

This Barbie now comes with a stroller and infant doll. Optional accessories include a GED and bus pass. Gangsta Ken and his 1979 Caddy were available, but are now very difficult to find since the addition of the infant.

Sussex County Barbie

She's perfect in every way. We don't know where Ken is because he's always out a-'huntin'.

State House (Politicians) Barbie/Ken

This versatile doll can be easily converted from Barbie to Ken by simply adding or subtracting the multiple snap-on parts.

The never-ending debate.

This is a fun article because it links lots of other articles and has message boards, etc. I especially enjoyed this article from a man's p.o.v. An honest, progressive approach. But my favorite part was this by Cindy Post:

What's a guy to do?
Cindy Post Senning, of the Emily Post Institute and co-author with Peggy Post of “Emily Post’s The Gift of Good Manners: A Parent’s Guide to Raising Respectful, Kind, Considerate Children,” doesn’t think men ought to do much of anything.

“I would not make a point of reacting. Do whatever you would normally do. Work on the laptop, read a magazine, stare into space.” There’s no need to talk, either. “You do not want to make a comment that implies ‘Ooh, what’s going on here?’ Why would you say something?”

On the other hand, Senning says, if the nursing mother were sitting next to you, or in some situation where you might normally converse with a person, do what you would do if she were bottle feeding. “If you are the type who would be inclined to say ‘How old is the baby’ or ‘What’s her name’ or whatever, then go ahead. Otherwise let it be.”

Because to me, that's the most convincing argument: In the breast-feeding sense, the breast is nothing more than a bottle. If you're uncomfortable with it, just think of it as a bottle. (They even make bottles that look and feel like breasts. What would people do if these were the norm!?)