Maybe we could criticize the poor quality of education in the ghetto schools, the cost of college education that prohibits their entry, or are they already prohibited by receiving that ghetto school education?

Only in America would we criticize giving computers to poor kids. Meanwhile our best scientists are building them to give out to poor kids in Africa.

We don't know how the kid got the ipad, maybe it was a gift, maybe it was through a foundation or grant. Maybe he just lives near the projects and was visiting a friend. I do think a computer with internet access is becoming a necessity in today's society. Whether the particular ipad is more expensive than other types of computers, I don't know.

Word, 11:27. Word.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:if they need internet a really new invention called the library exists

Yes, let's make sure they are even more disadvantaged by cutting them off from the best source of free information ever invented. Make them take the bus to get access to what every other kid has. Never mind that the bus fare will cost more than internet access. What a brilliant way to make sure that ten grand per kid we spend on public education is wasted.

Right, the kid shouldn't have an iPad. The kid should have an Acer notebook style laptop and use wifi that broadcasts from a cable modem connection to the house. Would that be suitably modest for the critics? Oh no, let's go a step further. The kid should have a desktop that is connected directly to the cable modem. No wait, I know, the kid should have a desktop connected to a dial-up arrangement - oh, wait, that means the house has to have a landline.

Just how much do the critics think this family could save by using other ways to access the internet? Granted, if there is a library nearby, they could use that but the pp is right, it has to be accessible by mass transit and it has to have decent hours of use. Other than that, the other options either aren't cheaper than an iPad and a monthly AT&T data package or aren't that much cheaper.

Yes, an iPad is an indulgence if you're buying it in addition to your other computer gear. (I was bemused and a little annoyed when both dh and dd got one.) But if it's your only access to the internet, it's not clear to me it's an indulgence at all. (Same with the iPhone.) It doesn't require you to have a landline or a cable modem.

That said, I don't know what the situation is with this particular family. Maybe they're frivolous - or maybe this is the most cost effective access to the internet for them. I don't know and I don't care. I'm not policing my upper middle class neighbors to make sure they don't buy a huge flat screen tv with their home mortgage interest deduction and I'm not worrying about what welfare recipients spend their money on. It's none of my business.

Really?? If you're on welfare and in the projects your family shouldn't be buying you $600-900 electronic gifts. That's a waste of money. We all know it. Spend that money on healthy food, or tutors to get that kid out of poverty.

How old is the kid with the ipad?
How do you know he did not buy it himself by mowing neighbors lawns or helping domeone paint their house. Babysitting?

I think exposing the poor to technology is the best thing that can happen to them

Why doed being on public assistance preclude scene from buying an iPad? oh right, I forgot. The poor are oly allowed to spend "our" money in ways we deem appropriate and they are supposed to suffer and be punished for having the audacity to be poor?

Do you really believe that NOT buying anipad is all it takes to get out of poverty?

Anonymous wrote:OP and others like her, it would be nice if people like you could look at the poor as human. You are jealous of the little pleasures that a poor kid may derive. Are you so damn bitter that you would deny a poor kid an opportunity to have access to better education. Are you one of those people that always need someone to kick down so that you can feel superior to another. Are you the crab in the barrel pulling down the other crabs back down so that none can climb out of the barrel.

Shameful. I bet all the hoity toity attitudes would not change one day in the life of that kid. If you are on DCUM posting your day to day is better than his and yet you still complain. Yuck!!

1) Ipads aren't as educational as so many of the pps have said.

2) If someone gave him the ipad, or if his parents aren't on public assistance, then fabulous. I have no problem with anyone spending their own money on an ipad.

3) If they are on public assistance and still spent their money on an ipad they should be ashamed.

OP and others like her, it would be nice if people like you could look at the poor as human. You are jealous of the little pleasures that a poor kid may derive. Are you so damn bitter that you would deny a poor kid an opportunity to have access to better education. Are you one of those people that always need someone to kick down so that you can feel superior to another. Are you the crab in the barrel pulling down the other crabs back down so that none can climb out of the barrel.

Shameful. I bet all the hoity toity attitudes would not change one day in the life of that kid. If you are on DCUM posting your day to day is better than his and yet you still complain. Yuck!!

Stfu most if not all of the projects is generational welfare due to a lack of time limits

Anonymous wrote:No and they shouldn't have kids

it is not just an issue of poor people having babies. Many were not poor when they had the baby. Families and their steady stream of income has become vulnerable. Unemployment and iillness and disability and bankrupcy can happen to anyone. And you cannot really say that their plann was to end up in the poor house. Just get off your high horse.

Anonymous wrote:We don't know that his parents are on public assistance. If they are and bought this got him (as opposed to getting it as a gift) I have a big problem with it. I don't appreciate being taxed to provide for someone who can afford to buy their kids something I can't afford to buy my kids.

If they arent on public assistance or they received it as a gift I have no problem with it.

Let's be honest. You *could* buy that iPad. Instead, you are saving for college, paying for your kids' soccer team, swim lessons, summer camp, etc.

We don't know that his parents are on public assistance. If they are and bought this got him (as opposed to getting it as a gift) I have a big problem with it. I don't appreciate being taxed to provide for someone who can afford to buy their kids something I can't afford to buy my kids.

If they arent on public assistance or they received it as a gift I have no problem with it.