cedar point rumor

[Gordon Bombay]

Rumors! Barney the Dinosaur and B oring & M edicre! If anything, CP needs to be looking to remove one or both of the two B&M pieces of crap that they have and replacing then with something good! I find Craptor and Trim Brake: The Ride to be two of the four most worthless coasters at CP (Iron Drag and Mean Streak being the third and fourth). But I love CP. I would hate to see it install either another B&M or road side gyp joint style fake dinosaurs, both of which are far beneath a park of CP's stature!

You're wearing your Holiday World fannypack too tight.

[Browntggrr]

"The park also said it's changing the names of some HalloWeekends offerings to allay concerns from mental health professionals who were offended by last year's attractions."

What were the attractions, and why were mental health professionals offended?

They were offended because they chose to take offense.

Seriously, the only way one can be offended is to make a conscious decision to take offense to something. That something, regardless of what it is, cannot automatically cause one to take offense against his/her will.

Yes, and no (makes sense, right? )

Things like Halloweekend entertainment, people should not take offense to it since it is VERY clearly fake and no harm is intended.

However, when another person uses a racial slur, I'm offended even if it is not directed towards me.

[Snowman]

They were offended because they chose to take offense.

Seriously, the only way one can be offended is to make a conscious decision to take offense to something. That something, regardless of what it is, cannot automatically cause one to take offense against his/her will.

While I do generally agree with you, this is a slippery slope with me. My wife has been working in the mental health and developmental disabilities field for many years. While conservatives and liberals easily get "offended" with what the other says, they mostly have the capacity to defend themselves against attacks, abuses, and insulting behavior. Many people with mental health issues and disabilities don't have the capacity or ability to verbally defend themselves against insults and often this can lead to ignored abuses and awful behavior. If people don't stand up and defend the defenseless, and express offense at things that are truly offensive where will it stop?

[Avatar]

Working now but I can help those who may not understand the mental health issue. I am sure the organization was NAMI and knowing a bit how the work they most likely never uttered the word offended. Reporters like to try and interpret to summerize in a few words. NAMI educates police officers, jailers, teachers, Heath care workers, families of the consumers ect.... In addition to that the try to educate Hollywood and entertainment companies how careless stereo typing mental illness puts a scary and bad stigma on the illness. I will explain that better later. NAMI does not go out on a crusade and demand changes and throw around words like offended, rather they get their message out through education and trust me when one educates theirself in the mental illness they normally would rather steer clear of creating a negative stereo typing of the issue including myself.

[jcgoble3]

They were offended because they chose to take offense.

Seriously, the only way one can be offended is to make a conscious decision to take offense to something. That something, regardless of what it is, cannot automatically cause one to take offense against his/her will.

While I do generally agree with you, this is a slippery slope with me. My wife has been working in the mental health and developmental disabilities field for many years. While conservatives and liberals easily get "offended" with what the other says, they mostly have the capacity to defend themselves against attacks, abuses, and insulting behavior. Many people with mental health issues and disabilities don't have the capacity or ability to verbally defend themselves against insults and often this can lead to ignored abuses and awful behavior. If people don't stand up and defend the defenseless, and express offense at things that are truly offensive where will it stop?

I agree 100%. If I hear someone insulting the mentally disabled or even just using "retarded" in the wrong way, I will take offense. But I do so not because the insult forced me to, but because I made a conscious decision to take offense. Choosing to take offense is not necessarily wrong—indeed, as you explained, it may be that choosing not to take offense is the wrong thing to do—but it is still a choice that one must make each time that one is presented with something that is potentially offensive.

[Dalefan]

My mom has a close friend that goes around and draws out plans and constructs rollercoasters and he got a call from Cedar Point and they are in fact making another roller coaster that is set to open in 2013. He also said that some oringinal ride will have to be moved to other parts of the Cedar Point theme park and that is all the information that he gave us, as to he did not want us to spoil it for more Cedar Point fans.

You do know that this info could cost your mom's close friend right? This info may of needed to be hush hush because this build may or may not even happen. And they could be looking at a lawsuit because this info leaked out by the person who designs and builds coasters. This site can be watched by the Kings Island higher ups. All hospitals have a healthcare law about patient confidentiality laws. That law in itself can cost a person or hospital alot.

[Avatar]

Jvgoble3 you really need to get away from the words choice and offended when talking about the mental illness issue. I promise I will explain it later on why they are concerned about these issues. You can do a search on NAMI andfind one of my old post about this same issue several years back and of course during the Halloween season. Be careful my friend

Here is that link from 2006 http://www.KICentral.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=8413&view=&hl=&fromsearch=1

[dr_humor]

I am a therapist and psychology professor, and I work with a colleague who, together with my help, started the letter writing campaign to change the Asylum haunt at Cedar Point.

Very happy to hear it paid off.

If you do not understand why this is offensive, then educate yourself (www.nami.org).

The stigma against mental health issues in this country, not to mention seeing a therapist, is tremendous. Pray you never have to realize that first-hand.

[RailRider]

This is a slippery slope that I don't want to even venture down, but it is clear that efforts paid off by groups like nami and that Cedar Point listened. Maybe even received some education in the matter. Unfortunately the news media will take this action as a group protesting the name of said attraction, which is not the case. There is a difference between stupid and ignorant. Cedar Point was ignorant in their choice of names, hopefully they are no longer in this matter.

[dr_humor]

Our whole point was, and is, the following:

1) No one believes that it was intentionally offensive.

2) It is offensive to millions of people

3) Why not change it, now that you have been made aware that it is offensive to millions of people, when you can simply choose another theme that is not.

I applaud Cedar Fair for recognizing it. If they did not change that, life goes on, it's their choice. We just spoke or mind, and they listened. There was no yelling, no pointing fingers, just a lot of good, quality discussion, and RailRider, you are correct...a lot of people did get educated, which is exactly what was intended.

I don't expect everyone to agree with it.

[Avatar]

RailRider like you say slippery slope many others feel that same way on the mental illness issue. Mental illness is a hard conversation to have because as a society as a whole we or ignorant in that subject and feel uncomfortable having that conversation. It is human nature for that but we are getting better and are better for it.

Honestly I wonder if Mr. Ouimet was made aware of the issue and considering his professional background he influenced the change.

[Browntggrr]

Let me preface my question that my daughter is autistic and I am not in disagreement with any of the above statements.

Is there overwhelming belief that these halloween skits/ attractions take away from what organizations like nami.org are trying to accomplish?

BTW- I did visit the site for the first time, only to be immedately turned off by the 3 seperate full screen links to donate money. I then noticed that the "Grading the States" link was last updated in 2009. It is too bad the site is not updated more often.

[dr_humor]

I'm not sure I understand the question, but I'll try. What NAMI is trying to accomplish in highlighting the offensiveness of a skit/presentation of this nature is just how offensive it is, and why. The tip of the iceberg has to do with the stigma of violence associated with someone who has a mental illness. Most people assume that those who suffer from a mental illness are more likely to be violent, which is simply false (yes, even those with schizophrenia). Presentations like this promote, albeit unintentionally, ignorance, and do nothing but support misguided beliefs and stereotypes of people with a mental illness; in fact, some would argue that it is exploitative.

Sorry you were turned off by the request for donations. As you probably know, mental health is completely underfunded, and the money goes directly to families and individuals in need. I don't think that should be the front page either, though, incidentally. It's like saying, "welcome...but can I have 3.50" (south park reference)

[Avatar]

Also in a nutshell a person who sees the Hollywood exploited versions or Halloween houses themed to old asylums may especially when they become a consumer often in their twenties will fear treatment. Keep in mind their mental state and reasoning at the time.

[RingMaster]

If I'm not mistaken, most haunts themed to asylums are ones whose story lines take place in the past; in essence, their timelines are set in the 50s or 60s, where treatments for patients were far less safe and positive. There were some pretty horrific things done to patients back then for the smallest of illnesses (something like schizophrenia or dementia was billed as a communicable disease and said people needed to be quarantined). Even movies featuring asylums almost never have one set in this day and age; it's usually a twist on the basic ghost story, except the ghosts are roaming the halls of an abandoned mental institution rather than a Victorian manor.

[teenageninja]

It's not like the haunt has been shy about offending people, See:

Death's Office (Owen Wilson, JK)

The entire Holiday theme with Santa (don't remember the name)

Half Pint Brawlers

The list goes on. I do applaud you for making your voice heard though.

[Browntggrr]

I'm not sure I understand the question, but I'll try. What NAMI is trying to accomplish in highlighting the offensiveness of a skit/presentation of this nature is just how offensive it is, and why.

You answered it.

I was hoping their mission was more than to just highlight what they believe to be offensive.

Given that mental illness is underfunded, nami.org could spend all donations on those that need it as opposed to fighting attractions that do not represent the illness in a good light.

[Rustbucket]

While MF is a good coaster, I am certainly not very impressed with the coaster. CP does need a coaster though: a wooden coaster. Blue Streak is an ok one. Mean Streak? With The Beast, Grizzly, Renegade, Shivering Timbers, Ghostrider, Prowler in the chain; one would think that Cedar Point would get a decent wooden coaster. Cedar Point is my favorite park but I have not really had desires to go there recently with Diamondback addition at KI.

For different coaster experiences, I think SFMM, KD, and SFGAd have more diverse coasters than Cedar Point.

[dr_humor]

^^ No money was spent "fighting" the "Asylum". Letters were written and phone calls were made out of people's own time/pockets. I volunteer all my time and resources that I use with that organization. No one gets paid.

[Browntggrr]

^Perhaps your personal money did not, but money donated to nami.org did.

Instead of using donations (or time/ effort) to fight what many will not ever believe to be an issue, use those same resources towards the people that need it.

Sure, the letters & phone calls did eliminate what many believe to be an issue (and that is a good thing), but how did it help those with the real issues?

[dr_humor]

I would argue that social stigma and the need to educate about it is a very real issue.

[Browntggrr]

^ I never said those were not issues, but what about using all available resources for those with the issues?

[Avatar]

Splitting hairs again I see.

[dr_humor]

Let me put it this way. Most of what NAMI does goes unseen and unspoken. It touches millions, literally, every year with help and support that is in dire need. The thing is, many people at NAMI (not everyone, by the way), feels that educating people, organizations, and other entities about stigma and the things in our society that perpetuate it are very, very key issues.

I am actually not sure what "resources" you are talking about. I picked up the phone and spoke with John (Hildebrandt). I wrote a letter. Tens of thousands of other individuals simply write a letter. That's it. Those are the "resources" that were used. That's all it takes. Most of the time, though, I can tell you that a corporation just shrugs it off...I was actually pleasantly surprised when I heard about the change. No resource that could have helped someone was shifted away from a child or family for this.

Everyone has an issue (or should) that they are passionate about. This happens to be someone's issue, and that passion made an impact, regardless of how small or insignificant others think it may be.

What available resources were used? My time? Other's time? We are all just professionals and/or those who care about mental health issues, and quite frankly, it's our choice to use our time (again, it's all volunteer work above and beyond our careers) how we see fit.

If there were thousands of dollars spent on a campaign to get rid of asylum, or whatever else, then I would agree...that money could be put elsewhere. The only resource that was used was spare time. Who is to say how I can best utilize my spare time other than myself?

[Browntggrr]

^^In cases that involve me and my family personally, I ask questions (or hairs as you put it) to be sure that I understand the correct path is being followed.

Given my daughter's condition, a organization that can help her as a student, and educate myself on how to help her out throughout her life, are welcome with open arms, as long as I understand their overall goal.

[dr_humor]

I certainly respect your thoughts on this as well. I can assure you, while there may indeed be people associated with NAMI or any other organization that do not have those who need help as their number one priority, I have never been made aware of any such person.

Perhaps we each come to the table with different overall goals. My personal overall goal, as you put it, has always been to extend some type of help to families who may not know that help is available to them. But that's just one tiny brick in a very large wall.

[Browntggrr]

^ Thanks for helping me out dr_humor.

It is much appreciated.

[Avatar]

I do not know of an a finer, caring and more dedicated non profit organization that makes it their mission to help educate the community and offer resources for the ones who need it than NAMI. One function is that they act like a resource center for doctors, pharmaceuticals, politicians, advocates and families of consumers. The letter thing is like a few blades of grass compared to a football field of grass. If you are truly that interested in what they provide as an organization then take the time and search the web to include their website. I know what you said earlier about the website but the answers you are asking here can be found there.

[BavarianBeatle]

http://www.iconoclastreport.com/news/health/190-nami

Everything you need to know about NAMI can be found here.

From the article "Board member Richard Lamb resigned...saying NAMI's dependence on drugmakers made some actions impossible, such as warning against the use of some mental health drugs with life-threatening side effects."

[Snowman]

http://www.iconoclas...health/190-nami

Everything you need to know about NAMI can be found here.

From the article "Board member Richard Lamb resigned...saying NAMI's dependence on drugmakers made some actions impossible, such as warning against the use of some mental health drugs with life-threatening side effects."

So are you linking to a cheesy conspiracy theory site to attempt to discredit all the amazing work NAMI does? Why? I think it's a terrible misstatement that everything I need to know about NAMI is there.