BSA weasels into schools
p2pnet news view | Kids & Kartels:- Taking an entire chapter out of Hollywood’s How to Brainwash Kids book, “Elementary school students heading back to school in September will be invited to name the ‘Play It Safe in Cyber Space’ mascot, a ‘copyright-crusading’ ferret who teaches tech-savvy kids about cyber ethics,” says the BSA (Business Software Alliance).
A copyright-crusading ferret? Jesus H. And the BSA is teaching people about cyber ethics? That’s a bit like Jack the Ripper offering to perform an appendectomy.
On the other hand, there’s not a lot of difference between a ferret and a weasel ……..
Anyway, it’s all part of the latest corporate attack on school children and this time, the BSA is leading the way – with nothing but profit in mind.
“Thousands of kids nationwide are expected to log on to www.playitcybersafe.com to vote for one of five ferret names by the end of the month,” says the sleezy propaganda project, scheduled to go online on September 1.
Diane Smiroldo, BSA’s public affairs vp, gushes, “We hope that naming the ferret and creating a comic book curriculum that focuses on respecting digital copyrighted works will be a fun way to remind kids and educators about the importance of learning and practicing good cyber ethics.”
The storyline features the ferret as the Copyright Crusader and, “is designed to educate children about the importance of protecting and respecting copyrighted works such as software, music, games and movies,” gushes Smiroldo.
“The comic book and companion teacher’s guide will be mailed nationwide to fourth grade teachers who subscribe to Weekly Reader [whether they ask for them or not, no doubt] and will be available for free download at www.playitcybersafe.com. Recent research underscores the need to continue to educate our young people about the importance of cyber ethics and respect for intellectual property.”
The ‘recent research’ refers to one of the many Harris Interactive polls commissioned by BSA to prove that black is white.
Since its initial distribution in 2002, the ‘curriculum’ has reached more than 13 million kids, parents and teachers, says the BSA, which boasts Microsoft as one of its principal members.
For ‘reached” read ‘No one asked for this or wants it, but they’re getting it anyhow’.
How many parents were consulted as to whether or not they want their kids to be on the receiving end of this industy crap, and what freebies will be offered to over and under the table to ‘encourage’ teachers to squeeze the Copyright Weasel into already over-crowded lesson schedules?
Feel free to contribute to the BSA’s Name the Weasel contest.
[Jeez, I'm really glad we home-school our daughter - Ed]
August 13th, 2004 at 3:48 pm
Funny site. Download the “Anti-Piracy Public Service Announcements.” “SUPPORT THE CREATIVE COMMUNITY SO THEY CAN CONTINUE TO ENRICH ALL OF OUR LIVES” Yeah right, that coming from the mouth of 5 boy-band losers and some black kid. How does that crap enrich our lives? You know, boy-bands and britney have fucked this generation up big time.
I wonder how much they paid the little girl to read that script. What a crock.
“And da moosic you lubbs ta jam too” Yeah, right. Your crap you call music is nothing but that, Crap. And its highly unlikely those nitwits design any software that ive ever used. They can’t do anything better than be a pretty face for the BSA and a boy-band that uses no instruments.
File Sharing Goes On!
August 13th, 2004 at 3:50 pm
When you consider that they are industries with a long history of trying to surreptitiously brainwash (other people’s) children to do their bidding, it is a small wonder that the RIAA and MPAA have not already undertaken their own “weasel” cartoon campaigns targeting children.
The Joe Camel cartoon blitz helped open up a goldmine of cigarette sales to children – and in the process probably created many lifelong customers.
It’s no secret that getting into the minds of children – and the younger, the better – is the most effective method ever devised to commandeer public opinion, especially in the long term. Which is why the content of school textbooks – history especially – is so politically influenced.
For instance, after Iraq was conquered, one of the first duties for the occupier was to start rewriting all the school history books so, among other things, enemies would become friends and friends would become enemies. In past colonial occupations, children have even been forcefully taken from their parents for re-education in state-run boarding schools.
Schools in the future may well turn into little more than a vehicle for corporate interests to deliver their pitches to children by wiggling them into lessons, and who knows, maybe textbooks will become full of ads and school walls will become plastered with billboards.
Cheers to everyone who cares enough to home-school their children and avoid all the weasels.
August 16th, 2004 at 3:58 am
Oh yeah-me again. Did I mention that those of us who were most familiar with BSA’s thought it really stood for “Bastard Stopped Again!!!” Do you really want fourth graders reading propaganda from a group with a socially un-acceptable phrase in their name? (Politically correct version: “Love Child” But NO ONE would ride a motorcycle refered to as ‘Love Child Stopped Again”
August 16th, 2004 at 6:52 pm
is it hard to home school a kid, and dont the education boards complain about it?
August 16th, 2004 at 7:48 pm
It’s not hard – the kids end up doing all the work : ) And because they’re interested in what’s happening (they’re not having it rammed down their throats) what they learn sticks.
And they certainly don’t get exposed to this kind of garbage.
August 17th, 2004 at 5:19 pm
This same point is the reason why Everyone loves McDonalds. More kids can identify Ronald McDonald than a photo of Jesus. Joe Camel was banned some 7 years ago, but it was too late and the damage was done.
When i think of weasel i think of the RIAA and the MPAA themselves. Its good they at least chose a mascot that symbolizes them.
August 17th, 2004 at 5:45 pm
What’s the site? I’ve seen these things on http://www.musicunited.org that apparently went on TV. Anyway it’s got this whole page of musicians complaining that they didn’t get their $1.50, and how it’s the same as shoplifting. It’s also got these commercials with one-hit-wonder mainstream artists like Nelly, Mandy Moore, and a bunch of other talentless losers. I don’t know how Mandy Moore even got a career. She started out in Noxema or Neutrogena (did I spell that right) commericals, and then some idiot thought she could act and put her in a movie. And then she was in that stupid movie with Britney Spears, wrote a song for the soundtrack, and somehow that made her a singer. As soon as the major labels disappear, we won’t have to deal with this stuff ever again.
May 20th, 2005 at 12:20 pm
How about a Vulture and a Jackal? Now, now, Dan and Cary, please don’t fight over who gets to pick first……..