To paraphrase Einstein I believe only two things are infinite: the Universe and Human Stupidity. But I'm beginning to have my doubts about the Universe.

If you live in West Virginia, kindly make sure you don't vote for this person:

Jeff Eldridge, a Democratic Delegate in West Virginia proposed a resolution to ban the sale of Barbie dolls because he believes that the dolls put too much emphasis on appearance.

This guy is a moron. Barbie is probably one of the most positive influences a girl can have. In a world where Gossip Girl and the Hills are hits, I think Barbie needs to be a little bit more put back in a girl's world. For generations Barbie has been presented as a girl who will be friends with anyone, regardless of race or cultural background, who is a conscious citizen and environmental advocate. For the past fifty years she has been breaking gender barriers by taking career after career normally associated with men. Years before Sally Ride was allowed into NASA's training program, there was an Astronaut Barbie. She's been a police officer, army soldier, super hero, airline captain, at least four kinds of doctor (GP, Pediatrician, Vet and Dentist)--even a paleontologist. In her books, movies and video games she's saved abandoned animals, stopped poachers, helped the elderly and babysat her sisters without complaint or anger. And looking stylish and elegant the whole time.

And as to her actual appearance Ruth Handler envisioned Barbie as a 3-d paper doll, based off of the drawings fashion designers create. And if you've ever seen those things you'd understand why Barbie has had such freakish proportions. And after her new body modeling from the past few years you'd realize her body has actually gotten more realistic, and more imperfect. Now she has a small bust, but big hips.

So Mr. Eldridge, you clearly don't know what you're talking about. To say Barbie is bad influence on girls is like saying the Disney Princesses are bad, or Wonder Woman, Nancy Drew or any of the other iconic female characters to come through American history. What we need to do is not ban Barbie, but get mothers to not place so much focus on appearance--the cause most psychologists agree is behind the horrible body image and self esteem problems girls today have.