South Africa Bans Santa Letter Ad

Nil_IQNil_IQ Join Date: 2003-04-15 Member: 15520Members
<div class="IPBDescription">Way to traumatise a nation's children...</div> I did a search, but I came up with nothing, so don't flame if this has been posted before.

I found this on <a href='http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3307695.stm' target='_blank'>bbc.co.uk</a> (well actually I found it on somethingawful.com and then checked bbc to see if it was really true....).

The basic gist of it for those too lazy to click the link is that the South African government has banned an advert encouraging children to send their letters to santa to an address provided by the post office. Apparently it might "break the fragile spirits of the already disillusioned youth of South Africa" if they didn't recieve what they want.

I know many of you... ahem.. "dislike" <a href='http://www.somethingawful.com/' target='_blank'>somethingawful.com</a>, but I really couldn't put my opinions much better than this guy does (you might have to scroll down to find it).

If the mods feel that this belongs in the discussion forums then by all means, move it.

Comments

  • That_Annoying_KidThat_Annoying_Kid Sire of Titles Join Date: 2003-03-01 Member: 14175Members, Constellation
    this seems like something the Monsieur would post



    but intersting nonetheless


    do you think children really would be tramutized?


    I written letters to santa and stayed up to try and catch him, and I turned out okay <!--emo&::siege::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/siege.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='siege.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • Nil_IQNil_IQ Join Date: 2003-04-15 Member: 15520Members
    <!--QuoteBegin--That Annoying Kid+Dec 14 2003, 04:10 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (That Annoying Kid @ Dec 14 2003, 04:10 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> this seems like something the Monsieur would post



    but intersting nonetheless


    do you think children really would be tramutized?


    I written letters to santa and stayed up to try and catch him, and I turned out okay <!--emo&::siege::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/siege.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='siege.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    What I really meant was that the South African government is claiming that the children will be "traumatised" if they don't receive exactly what they ask for, but don't stop to consider that banning this ad is as good as saying "Sorry, there is no Santa, but now you won't be traumatised."
  • Vulgar_MenaceVulgar_Menace Join Date: 2003-10-29 Member: 22118Members
    It would be funny if it werent happenng.

    Johanesburg is also the carjacking capital of the world
    [/trivia]
  • Nil_IQNil_IQ Join Date: 2003-04-15 Member: 15520Members
    <!--QuoteBegin--Vulgar Menace+Dec 14 2003, 04:21 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Vulgar Menace @ Dec 14 2003, 04:21 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Johanesburg is also the carjacking capital of the world
    <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Really? I thought it was somewhere in Brazil.
  • BogglesteinskyBogglesteinsky Join Date: 2002-12-24 Member: 11488Members
    The south african government is comprised mainly of people who got a kick out of telling thier younger cousins that Santa doesnt exist.

    sad people...
  • MedHeadMedHead Join Date: 2002-12-19 Member: 11115Members, Constellation
    PSST. Wake up guys, Santa doesn't exist. Telling the truth won't traumatize the kids. They'll find out their parents love them enough to give them gifts.
  • DragonMechDragonMech Join Date: 2003-09-19 Member: 21023Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    I wasn't traumatized by not recieving that AK47 I wanted... <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->
    Sigh... I guess this is more of the same old "government officials being stupid"

    South Africa was the site of the first heart transplant in the world.
    [/trivia]
  • CrystalSnakeCrystalSnake Join Date: 2002-01-27 Member: 110Members
    Is Santa black or white?
  • ironpancakeironpancake Join Date: 2003-05-23 Member: 16643Members
    <!--QuoteBegin--CrystalSnake+Dec 14 2003, 06:36 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (CrystalSnake @ Dec 14 2003, 06:36 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Is Santa black or white? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    white. We aren't talking about god here. There isn't any controversy on that subject.

    But honestly I think that it is incredibly stupid to not let children mail letters to Santa <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused.gif'><!--endemo--> . Its about getting into the spirit of Christmas. Parents normally look at the letters that there children are going to mail to santa so many of the presents on those lists could easily be bought. I meen even if the kids asked for an incredibly hightech robot (like i did for the first 8 years of my life) the parents could buy them little robots that could throw balls and such (like my parents did) to try and get the children what they wanted. By not allowing children to mail there letters all they are doing is wrecking the incredible power of a childs belief.
  • SupernornSupernorn Best. Picture. Ever. Made. Ever. Join Date: 2002-11-07 Member: 7608Members, Constellation
    edited December 2003
    In the UK, christmas cards with images showing the birth of jesus, Mary, (usual stuff) has been banned, because it may "offend" non-christians. Its pretty pathetic. This "policital correctness" tripe is just showing how scared our Goverment is, and how they will go out of their way to not offend other cultures, but in the process upset lots of Christians.......
  • BigMadSteveBigMadSteve Join Date: 2003-02-12 Member: 13472Members
    <!--QuoteBegin--supernorn2000+Dec 15 2003, 12:39 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (supernorn2000 @ Dec 15 2003, 12:39 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> In the UK, christmas cards with images showing the birth of jesus, Mary, (usual stuff) has been banned, because it may "offend" non-christians. Its pretty pathetic. This "policital correctness" tripe is just showing how scared our Goverment is, and how they will go out of their way to not offend other cultures, but in the process upset lots of Christians....... <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I agree. Christmas is meant to be a Christian celebration but everyone seems to be forgetting about that, they just want the presents and a reason to party (I really hate working during these party nights, too much to do).
  • pardzhpardzh Join Date: 2002-10-25 Member: 1601Members
    <!--QuoteBegin--Nil_IQ+Dec 14 2003, 03:52 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Nil_IQ @ Dec 14 2003, 03:52 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I know many of you... ahem.. "dislike" <a href='http://www.somethingawful.com/' target='_blank'>somethingawful.com</a>, but I really couldn't put my opinions much better than this guy does (you might have to scroll down to find it).
    <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Dislike SA?

    No, I love SomethingAwful and about 90% of their articles.
  • zoobyzooby Join Date: 2003-08-26 Member: 20236Members
    <!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Is God black or white?<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    This question severely discriminates against the other races of the world.
    BAN teh question!!!
  • AegeriAegeri Join Date: 2003-02-13 Member: 13486Members
    Christmas is now just a general holiday to give crap to eachother.

    Banning talking to the commercialised face of Christmas (Santa) is just silly.
  • CreepieCreepie Join Date: 2003-02-19 Member: 13734Members
    <!--QuoteBegin--supernorn2000+Dec 14 2003, 07:39 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (supernorn2000 @ Dec 14 2003, 07:39 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> In the UK, christmas cards with images showing the birth of jesus, Mary, (usual stuff) has been banned, because it may "offend" non-christians. Its pretty pathetic. This "policital correctness" tripe is just showing how scared our Goverment is, and how they will go out of their way to not offend other cultures, but in the process upset lots of Christians....... <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    eh ?
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