Op Ed News | Badeau Point of View | Comcast.net News

Apparently there is “Trouble in Toyland.” As you head out to crowded malls or search through deal-soaked Web sites this holiday shopping season, remember that all toys are not created equal.

The U.S. Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG) has released its 24th annual “Trouble in Toyland” report, which lists toys that are possibly harmful to children. They broke the potential hazards out into three categories: choking risks, loud noises, and toxic toys. (Read the full report.) "This is definitely a time when people are going to be thinking about making purchases for the holidays, so we want people to be aware of these hazards," said Elizabeth Hitchcock, public health advocate for U.S. PIRG.

Well, that’s just great. As if figuring out when you need what exam isn’t tricky enough, now women have the added confusion of dealing with conflicting advice on mammograms. According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a government panel of doctors and scientists, women don’t need to start getting mammograms until they are in their 50s, reports the AP. And even then, they only need them every two years. Oh yeah, and according to this panel, self breast-exams apparently are worthless and women shouldn’t even be taught how to do them.

The government task force reported that too many early mammograms can lead to unnecessary biopsies and false alarms. "The benefits are less and the harms are greater when screening starts in the 40s," said Dr. Diana Petitti, vice chair of the panel. The task force’s full findings are posted here.

The videos that many parents believed would turn their babies into the next Mozart, Shakespeare, Galileo, and well…Einstein, may not actually do all the pretty packaging promised, according to the New York Times. In a somewhat surprising move, the Walt Disney Company is offering refunds to parents who are upset that the ‘Baby Einstein’ videos didn’t magically turn their children into geniuses.

People will be able to get $15.99 for up to four ‘Baby Einstein’ DVDs per household. No receipt is required and this offer runs through March 10.

Guest Blog Written by Susan Badeau

It was a chilly, rainy Friday night in October and the World Series hadn’t started yet. A perfect night for a cup of hot cocoa and a good TV show – for me, that would be Numbers. The story line, about a kidnapped child who just happened to be the world’s first human clone, was a little bit out there, but it was a fun diversion nonetheless, and I was particularly excited to hear Charlie and Amita talk about volunteering with Big Brothers and Big Sisters. And then, in a commercial break, "Charlie" (Actor David Krumholtz) was pitching volunteerism and sending viewers to the website www.iparticipate.org. On my computer, I quickly learned that the stars of several of my favorite shows had made PSAs for iparticipate.org and that the story lines of many shows would feature a volunteerism or community service theme. (see this article) Excellent! I can indulge my guilty pleasure and feel good about it. Volunteerism and community service were hot stuff last week, it seems, making appearances in over 100 popular TV shows, and serving as the centerpiece of a Texas event featuring both President Obama and the elder President Bush.