Ready or not, security targets kids (Homeland Security's new mascot, Rex)

[sabra]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0602030151feb03,1,3170941.story

Ready or not, security targets kids
The Department of Homeland Security's new mascot, Rex, roars into Chicago to teach youths how to prepare for disasters and terrorism


Touting a 21st Century version of "duck and cover," the Advertising Council and Homeland Security chief Michael Chertoff on Thursday opened a national effort in Chicago to prepare children for natural disasters and terrorist attacks, then trotted out the mountain lion mascot they hope will drive the message home.

The government wants children and their parents to do three things to be prepared: Have an emergency kit ready, a disaster plan in hand and an awareness of the dangers that can become emergencies, including terrorism.

The program is called "Ready Kids," and joins homeland security programs for families and businesses already in place. The spokeslion is Rex, a muscled, bandana-wearing mountain cat dressed in what looks to be a cross between safari clothes and lederhosen.

Homeland security hopes Rex will join Smokey Bear and McGruff the Crime Dog in children's consciousness.

[wtmusic]

1. Are those cammies or just really ugly clothes

and do they give him a big hook-nosed, turbaned sidekick named Mahmoud who he beats the crap out of?

[saigon68]

4. a big hook-nosed, turbaned sidekick named Mahmoud

Wow, that sounds like fun,

To kick the SHIT out of a (INSERT RACIAL EPITHET HERE) Head

[hatrack]

2. "Rex" - that's Latin for "king"

Kind of appropriate, all things considered.

[WinkyDink]

3. Leave my Nittany Lion ALONE!!

"Rex". Oh, BROTHER. What P.R. firm got millions to come up with THIS one?
Gotta scare the kiddies!
"And kids, you tell Rex whenEVER you hear Mom or Dad saying nice words about (lowered voice) Democrats. Here is how to call: 1-800-...."

[AnneD]

5. Boy....

That was my first thought....teach kids to rat out parents and other adults.
At least the lion is friendly looking. Michael Chertoff even gives me nightmares, his face would definantly terrorize kids!

[rodeodance]

6. tsunami comes second on their list of threats

....... While a national response to terror threats drove its creation, terrorism is mentioned last on the list of risks facing children, behind hurricanes and tsunami. The word is defined on the Web site.

[sofedup]

18. I thought of the same thing...

...get 'em young- like the Nazis. This is so creepy.

[meegbear]

7. He'll be as famous as the Enegry Hog!!

and just as forgotten.

[mikeytherat]

9. They had to "dose" the committee that approved that thing...

that is the only logical explanation.

mikey_the_rat

[shugah]

8. only YOU can prevent terrorism

got to get them little children full of fear early!! terrorism! terrorism!

'duck and cover' for the 21st century! what a great idea! :eyes:

[mikeytherat]

10. The DHS mascot is a bit, er, military, is it not?

Based on his outfit, looks like 'ol Rex is prepped for desert combat. Getting the kiddies acclimated to their future?

mikey_the_rat

[superconnected]

11. The glove and sleve should have been one unit.

His face expression is intense. It may scare kids.

He looks like he was designed by the military, not anyone with experience in childhood psychology/tv shows.

His appearance also begs the question, how many disasters is the military expecting anyway, if they feel they need to get children involved.

Why did homeland security design him. What's their interest in natural disasters. I have a feeling he's going to be used for more propagandic reasons - like telling kids to turn in their parents to the SS if they are gay or say they don't like Bush. I just don't trust it, coming from the Homeland Security Gestapo.

[uppityperson]

12. A mountain lion teaching duck and cover?

the big eyes make it look so cuddly, right before the king rips out my throat.

[FlemingsGhost]

13. So, whose comfortable about the DHS introducing ideas ...

into our children's consciousness?

Rex? :eyes:

Long live the king ...

[Stewie]

14. Why not get Gary the No Trash Cougar?

[GoddessOfGuinness]

15. First, we give you these cool-looking brown shirts...

Then you watch everybody and everything around you...especially people who wear turbans.

[XemaSab]

16. This is good stuff

http://www.ready.gov/kids/family/index.html

But did you know that mountain lions are actually very different from lions and tigers? Mountain lions don't roar ... they purr, just like house cats!

What this website fails to mention is that they also scream like a woman being murdered.

:popcorn:

[XemaSab]

17. This website is the shit!

I think they're high. Who draws a hummingbird with wings like a dragon?

[Blue Poppy]

19. OMG!

The hummingbird's name is Hector! Is this "Speedy Gonzalez" part II?

[WinkyDink]

20. Dragon-worshippers!

[0007]

23. I agree! And this one. Are ya happy to see me big boy, or is that a

pistol your packing.

[HockeyMom]

21. Tell Mommy and Daddy to build a FALLOUT SHELTER,

stock it with all your basic food supplies, bla, bla, bla.

Anybody else remember those commercials?????

I really MUST be getting very OLD. That they are going after the kids again, doesn't surprise me at all.

[Autobot77]

22. Teaching kids what to do during disasters...

I guess its appropriate, since unless your rich and/or white you won't be getting any help from FEMA. If a disaster hits, your on your own.