Child abuse?

A 9-year-old girl from New Zealand was made a ward of the court last week so that she could legally have her name changed. The girl, Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii (yes, that's what her parents named her). The judge, concerned about the names parents have been dubbing their children, is allowing the girl to change it. Other names that parents have given their children include Benson and Hedges (given to twins). Some names have not been allowed such as Fish and Chips, Sex Fruit and Twisty Poi which is a Polynesian cuisine.

It's just as bad here in the states: In July, an Illinois man was alllowed to legally change his first name to "In God" and his last name to "We Trust". Give me a break.

Jennifer Jones, a mother of two from Maryland, named her daughter, now 12, Indiana. Their son's name, named by his father on a dare, is Dow. This is not funny. Children have a hard enough time as it is in life; why add to their stress? Naming a child is something to be taken seriously and while, yes it might be great to joke around about it, put something "real" on the birth certificate.

peace,

paul