Journalist teaches that stealing is OK – especially from schools.

Geez! I was gonna post a photo, but this is much more important. It’s been out for the last few weeks that a journalist named Stacey Bradford wrote an article for SmartMoney.com where (s)he lists the Top 5 annoying school costs. (S)he then suggests some money saving tips for each offending cost. Apparently it’s Ok to teach your readers, parents, and children alike that stealing is OK.
To top the offending list, read the following excerpt from her aticle, snd note especially the last line. Following that is a copy of an email I sent to Stacey Bradford.

2. The Class Photo

Parents’ Gripe: Spending nearly $50 for a full package of individual, class and sport team photos — multiple times per year!

Ever wonder why the school takes so many darned pictures? Turns out those adorable snap shots are often yet another fundraiser. Only this one pulls at the heart strings. We found one photo studio based in California that advertises on its web site that it’s willing to pay schools a 10% commission on all orders.

Money-Saving Tips: Just buy the class picture. And don’t even consider placing an order during the spring session, when many schools host a secondary picture day. If you just can’t resist, purchase the smallest package possible. At the Clark School in Swampscott, Mass., parents can spend as little as $24 for a few wallet-size photos and one of the class. The bill rises to more than $50 if parents splurge for a package that includes a couple of 5-by-7s. Worried you won’t have a spare to send to Grandma? Consider scanning your copy or email a cute digital shot you took yourself.

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Dear Stacey Bradford:

Please have the decency to have an addendum posted immediately below the paragraph in your article which resides on the SmartMoney web server:
See: http://www.smartmoney.com/top5/index.cfm?story=20061108

You should have the moral compulsion to issue an apology for your misdirected statement, as I assume you are NOT meaning to teach parents and more especially the kids, that stealing is acceptable behavior.

The correct thing to have said was this if you don’t want to support your kids school fundraising efforts, DON’T BUY THE PRODUCT.

Unfortunately, most schools are not so privileged as yours, since apparently they must have enough money already. As parents, we choose to support any fundraisers where and when we are able. No one is forcing you to buy the pictures, and I hope that no one is teaching me or my kids that it’s OK to steal the cookies, just because you want them, but not pay for them.

Shame on you for not already having posted some type of apology / correction, unless you stand by your suggestion.

(signed)

-  As I said before, “Geez!”