[oblomov]

Is this part of the marketing campaign for the book/toy?

[sparklite2]

It’s not like EOTS is the only behavior modification tool ...

“Mommy, why is it raining?”
“It’s raining because Jesus is crying, honey.”
“Why is Jesus crying, mommy?”
“It’s probably something you did.”

[crusadersoldier]

With all the real government intrusions out there ... Elf on a Shelf is what lights some people up ... geez

[Mears]

““sets up children for dangerous, uncritical acceptance of power structures,”

---

This type of thing gives me a big,fat headache.

Kids SHOULD accept power structures because,like it or not,that’s the way life is.

.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I have a girlfriend who sets up these same little ‘scenarios’ for her kids overnight when she finds their toys where they shouldn’t be. Plastic dinosaurs who have gotten into the cereal or cooking supplies, etc.

The kids adore it. She is the Best. Mom. Ever. And her kids are super-smart, polite, well-mannered and a JOY to be around versus most of the sniveling brats in my life, LOL!

No psychological damage, so far...

[Alex Murphy]

“You’re teaching (kids) a bigger lesson, which is that it’s OK for other people to spy on you and you’re not entitled to privacy,” she tells the Toronto Star. She calls the elf “an external form of non-familial surveillance,” and says it’s potentially conditioning children to accept the state acting that way, too.

Elf on the Shelf revealed to be part of secret NSA spying program

Top secret documents leaked by former contractor Edward Let-It-Snowden reveal a previously unknown NSA program code-named SANTA (Securing America's Noel Toy Allotment). A key component of the SANTA program is the use of hidden recording and transmitting devices in Elf on the Shelf dolls. The Elf on the Shelf dolls allow the NSA to secretly monitor citizens from inside their own homes.

Via the SANTA program the NSA has been able to collect highly personal data about millions of America's children, including but not limited to

◾When they are sleeping
◾When they are awake
◾Whether they've been bad or good

Additionally, the children are asked to name each Elf on the Shelf, which serves as a subversive psychological exam. Although the details of the NSA's criteria are not fully known, examples in the leaked documents indicate that naming an Elf on the Shelf "Bob" or "George Washington" or "Eagle" results in a rating of "nice." Naming an Elf on the Shelf "Osama" or "Saddam" or "Death to America" will result in a household being flagged as "naughty" likely leading to a drone strike.

Since the program has become public many have criticized SANTA's spying as a violation of civil liberties, an example of unlawful monitoring, and a gross abuse of power. Others, however, feel the scope of the SANTA program is too limited.

"The biggest weakness of SANTA is that it only monitors families who celebrate Christmas," said one Republican lawmaker. "It turns out a lot of people don't even celebrate Christmas. At all. Can you imagine? Those are the people we should be watching."

The best way to avoid being monitored is to boycott the Elf on the Shelf product. If, however, you already have an Elf on the Shelf in your home you can wrap it in aluminum foil to prevent it from transmitting data to SANTA.

[freedumb2003]

Remember the great things Calvin (of Calvin and Hobbs) used to do to snow-people?

[Dixie Yooper]

When our 10 year old daughter wanted a shelf elf, I declined for the same reason I never respond to FB posts that order you to watch this or respond to this or share this, or take this survey or a multitude of other things. My daughter deserves all the time I can give her, but I draw the line with having come up with daily elf situations to amuse, especially when my wife said she won’t have anything to do with it either.

[Minsc]

It’s not evil, it’s stupid.

[capt. norm]

My mind was really in the gutter, thinking I knew what’s in the box by the way he’s holding it.

[Beowulf9]

More evidence that liberalism is a mental disorder.

[Wiser now]

My problem with the “Elf”? It is a secular replacement for the Advent Calendar.
The elf is about Santa Claus. The Advent calendar is about Christ.

[mmichaels1970]

If the elf is truly evil, then I have no sympathy for him.

[5Madman2]

Bump for graphics