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Subscribe to RSSA Chicago children’s hospital has canceled an appearance by a Batman impersonator over concerns that it could upset kids and their parents in the wake of last week’s mass shooting at an Aurora, Colo., premiere of the new Batman movie.
The staff at Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital gave it “a lot of thought” and “consulted child psychiatrists” before canceling the appearance over worries it “could be upsetting to patients and parents,” hospital spokeswoman Julie Pesch told the Chicago Sun-Times.
Lenny B. Robinson was supposed to appear at the hospital Friday morning with his custom-made Batmobile. He has been visiting kids in hospitals in the Baltimore, Md., area since 2001, and decided to venture out to hospitals nationwide this summer.
Robinston responded to the tragedy in Colorado in statement last week.
“This senseless act of violence has nothing to do with the Warner Bros’ Batman franchise,” Robinson said. “At the heart of the movie is a central heroic figure that gives hope.”
“The shootings in Colorado was a tragic event, but will not stop me from portraying Batman,” Robinson said. “I will continue to portray this iconic superhero, giving courage to sick children around the world that need it most.”
Robinson became a YouTube sensation earlier this year after a video of him getting pulled over police while driving his Batmobile Lamborghini went viral. Police stopped him because his license plate had no numbers, only the Batman symbol.
Archival video: Batmobile pulled over in Maryland
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Well if this act of violence has NOTHING to do with Batman what's the point of ending with that self-aggrandizing platitude.
So it is peoples' attitudes and not the guns, eh Willy?
Just use Spiderman then.
Cancelling an appearance by a Batman impersonator over concerns that it could upset kids & their parents is totally misconstrued. Batman was my hero when I was a child. How disappointing. How about Mayor Emmanuel cancelling the appearance of 150,000 gang members that walk the streets of Chicago. I am sure I'd feel safer if this were to happen. Where are the priorities of these Liberals. To many distractions in this country to address the real issues.
Chicago has become the new San Francisco and LA all rolled into one.
The mayor of Chicago has CHOSEN to tell Christian business owne of Chik to stay out of his town he is not welcome becuase of his Christian view on marriage. Yet he apopears to be welcoming gangs with open arms. ozmosiss this is where his priorities are.
Exactly, and the first mistake at Children's Hospital was consulting Child Psychiatrists who have probably never read a comic book in their entire lives. How moronic.
If anything, the hospital should have heard what the parents think or ask the kids how they feel instead of asking psychiatrists who always prefer being cautious without knowing if it is really going to make an impact or not. The incident happened at the opening of the movie, but that shouldn't impact how people feel about the Batman franchise or those at a young age who love the hero regardless of something that didn't actually involve the character.
If it had an appearance by the Joker, I'd see their point. But it's Batman! If I were a kid, I'd feel safer seeing Batman!
Please... who's going to buy all those guns from Fast and Furious?
Have you seen the death toll and shooting numbers? More like Syria and New Orleans.
What Chicago needs to do is ban the big gulp and implement ever stronger guns laws.
It wasn't just psychologists they consulted. I'm sure there was another group (Like their attorneys) The hospital is just covering itself because if they did bring in Batman and it "Traumatized" someone then they could be liable.
Too
You're letting the guy win terrorizing people.
The statement you made, is fine for adults. We are talking about children.
chocolate
who surely haven't heard a thing about all the killings and gang B.S. in chitown.
There, finished the sentence for ya...............no need to say to say thanks just send money.............:)
Kids who shouldn't know about this tragedy outside of the kids and families involved. I am all for educating our children, but we should also let them be children. Kids in Chicago shouldnt be worried about Batman, because of something someone in Colorado did at a Batman movie premier. That is for the adults to worry for them and keep them safe. We let our kids have fun and enjoy it while they can as they will be grown up soon enough. There is no reason adults should be informing them or telling them about the tragedy that occurred, they dont need to know these things. And there is no reason a parent in Chicago should be worried about it either, they should have enough sense and intelligence to know better. Could something happen? Yes, a very remote possibility, but it could happen any day any time anywhere, what are you going to do? Everyone shut themselves in and be afraid of everything...thats just ridonkulous.
Yes and I'm sure children who have NO IDEA or CLUE what happened in Colorado. The only people saying this has something to do with Batman are the media.
So instead of the kids having a fun day with something they were probably excited about, now you have to explain to them why it was cancelled and also ruin their day.
Again, Batman didn't kill people in Colorado. That could have happened at any movie, at any time and at any place.
Good posts guys. This is stupid. Thanks media for trying so hard to make the connection; you just helped the shooter win again. Yes, maybe not the best thing if this was in Colorado (even then it was not related to the movie and Batman is a hero, duh). This is Chicago and no where near where this happened. If anything this is the perfect thing for this event. Batman is the good guy and that nut called himself joker. The PC crap and not trying to hurt anyones feelings is ruining this country. Those kids likely had no idea what happened or even see the connection that is trying to be made. This was something good for them and to lift their spirits; but apparently helping sick kids feel better is not as important as trying to not hurt anyones feelings who can't grasp the reality of what happened in Colorado. The only people who might of got the connection were the adults and I doubt they cared. But of course some busy body probably decided to get involved and make a big deal about nothing. Sorry kids, but idiots are apparently in charge of these types of appearances at this hospital and now you have to suffer for their stupidity. Not to mention are any of these people directly related or know someone that was there? If you can't handle seeing a Batman after this, and I'll add, were not part of the shootings, you probably need some help. BTW blocking out anything that could be somehow related to this event does not change the fact that it still happened. Might as well stop showing all movies and close down all theaters. We are doomed if we keep this up.
It is time
I gotta love you wing nuts - you just CAN NOT pass up an opportunity to ding the media - the SAME media you're reading and posting on. If you hate the media so much - why are you here, reading it? Are you masochists? IS THAT WHY YOU DO THIS? You're only happy when you're bitching?
And quite frankly - how is this the media's fault? Are *THEY* the ones who've cancelled the appearance of Batman? NO! It was some hospital administrator.
Now let's think about this: hospital administrator = rich greedy bastard = REPUBLICAN
So tell us some more how this is LIBERALLY induced?
Sam- I hope you aren't referring to anything in my post. Call me a wing nut, those are fight'n words. I can be mad at the media and still post and let them know I'm mad. I don't blame them directly for this but I do blame them for the onslaught of articles trying to link Batman in someway to what this guy did. Thus fostering in the minds of these idiots to decide its better off to cancel this appearance for BS reasons.
BTW - rep or dem = rich greedy bastard = both are self serving and do not have what is in best interest for American people at heart. Put down the kool aide.
I don't know if the kids in the hospital really realize exactly what happened to the extent that adults do. However I think cancelling Batman is more for the adults then the kids as the adults would be the ones most likely to raise a stink over it. I feel bad for the kids, meeting a super hero who is really an ordinary person with no super powers and fights crime would make my stay in the hospital that much more bearable. Regardless of the tragedy I think they should have given the parents and children a say in if they should meet him.
I beleive it would be more distressing for the children after obama looses the election and moves back to chicago. Give me a break people.
It's "loses," you moron. Also, it's "i" before "e," except after "c" ("believe," not "beleive"). Why don't you go back to grade school and learn how to spell? I think I'm distressed about the lack of education in this country. Obama losing the upcoming election is wishful and unrealistic thinking on your part. Unless you're the one percent (doubtful, based on your apparent lack of education), I don't see how you could vote for Romney.
I think his education level is a clear sign of why he is voting for Romney....
If you BELIEVE what you say, maybe you should go to the black neighborhoods, door to door, telling everyone how Romney will fix everything from the car companies down to the banks our economy and everyday life....Yep, he does have experience with the banks, they're all overseas though. Let me know how that works out!
Wow talk about knee jerk reaction. Way to many people with bleeding hearts in this country.
This is just dumb. Batman had nothing to do with the crazy guy shooting people. But had Batman been there he could have saved the day.
No he couldn't have. Batman doesn't use guns. Only an armed John Rambo could have ended the horror through perfectly-placed shots in a dark room full of panicking people and filling with tear gas.
Batman does have his batarangs and other tools as well, so yes he could have stopped this very easily. Batman almost killed Superman using kryptonite once. Logic and sheer badassness trumps brute force and an outdated hair cut any day.
Spartan, apparently you have never read a Batman comic.
State of Awareness
Interesting name State of Awareness considering you are totally unaware that was sarcasm on Spartan's part.
Rambo would have killed more innocent bystanders than the Joker guy would have. Batman would have done just fine...it was just one guy. Donkey Kong could have done it even better...he can take several rounds before he drops.
Overreaction.
Totally.
Seriously, the staff (plural) pondered this decision. They couldn't come up with a concensus so they got he Child psychatrists (note plural) involved. I wounder how many people were involved in this brain trust of well paid professionals.
Have Batman show or not show, replace him with Bart Simpson character or a dancing hippo but don't admit that a single high administrator at the Hospital can't make a decision. Seriously, hospitals are often places of life or death decisions and they have to have some sort of brain trust committee to make a decision about Batman.
Well, in the Hospital's defense, physical healthcare knowledge does not equal mental health knowledge.
The intelligence of a decision is inversely proportional to the number of people involved in the decision-making process.
matt i call B.S.
the hospital is merely playing the PC game of "cover my a**", if someone even looks like there COULD be a problem, the lawyers will take over and they damn well know it.
Denver Bill 2...absolutely agree and to boot this Chicago hospital felt a need to release this story to media. Wonder how much of a consensus made that revaluation reasonable.
Bingo. Help yourself to some cookies from my bag. ;)
Yeah, but ultimately, it was the Hospital Administrator's call.
Who more than likely is a Republican.
Are you sure about that Samuel....Michelle Obama was an Administrator at a Hospital in Chicago. Last I heard she hadn't changed parties. I love it...instead of it takes a village...perhaps we should just say it takes a committee of folks to decide what is best for all.
Ya know..that was almost too easy.
Blame it on Batman and let terror win over joy.
Why have we come to expect such stupidity coming form Chicago. Sounds like they need a real Hero to save them from runaway PC politics and corrupt and unethical political leaders.
so as a country are we just going to start completely ignoring one of the most famous and marketable characters in history, just because of one bad memory associated with the franchise? This is so stupid. Stop acting like children who weren't there and didn't know anyone there are going to be deeply affected by this. before this time next year people will have completely forgotten about this in favor of some other terrible event.
Does the phrase "Too Soon" mean anything to you?
It's never too soon for mis-placed fear and over-reaction.
I think you are stupid, and acting like little babies. When are people going to stop being afraid of everything, and start growing up. You only let the bad guys win, when you act this way. It is not going to hurt anyone to let Batman visit. You want to start the healing process this is the time. I suppose after the twin towers came down you did go in any high rise buildings anymore. GROW UP !
Chicago children's hospital cancels Batman appearance after Colo. massacre
One of the stupidest things I have read boat the whole thing. MORE @!$%#ing stupid PC bull@!$%#. An un-preventable random act is just that. This could have taken place anywhere. A park, the mall, a grocery store, a school, it just happened to take place at a batman movie premiere and now batman is all evil?
@!$%#ing stupid conservatives
On a side note... your telling me that because of some crazed lunatic that this guy who portrays batman is going to have a harder time finding work now? Even donating his time will be more difficult?? OH COME ON!
I dunno, if I was a twelve-year old who's body was riddled with cancer, I'd think that a visit by the Caped Crusader would cheer me up.
Thank you Mr.Bubbs, and if I were a parent of one of those unfortunate children I would encourage anything that might bring a smile to his or her face, if even for only a few minutes.
So what if this tragedy had occured while seeing "Bridesmaids"???? Do we start cancelling weddings?? Gimme a break. I have a crazy idea - why not ask the kids if they want to see Batman......hmmmm.......no that's too simple let's just let the psychologists weigh in.
Good idea Mike 32658799. I would also like to add that, as a parent of a child who had many hospitalizations, these children have a different perspective than your average child. They have been poked, prodded, bandaged, cut, medicated, etc. They have had to deal with their own challenges, which has made them have to be tough stuff. They would appreciate something like a Batman appearance to take their mind off their illness, injuries. The parents are tougher than given credit for too.
True to new society, and the cowards that you sound like in colorado. Rather than get over it, stand up and start walking again, you choose to punish the kids, You choose to badmouth batman, you choose to act like a city that does not know how to start the healing process, I say to colorado stop trying to make america feel sorry for you, let the kids see the batman show, batman had nothing to do with an individual that lost control of himself, go to the park, start living again, I am over it now i look at colorado and see your blatant attempt to keep your city on its knees like a bunch of punished school kids. for christ sake act like a group of proffessionals and get the hell off the feel sorry for me band wagon and stop acting like a bunch of three year old babies. you are adults, act like it.
More pussification of America. Did any of the adults think to ask the children what they thought? Doubt it.
Of course not. Cause gods knows that adults seem to think children need shielded from everything. Parents would rather freak out and hide their kids from everything and then wonder why they react violently later one.
way to knee jerk.......
im certain the daily killings and destitute conditions in chitown has absolutely no impact on these kids though right?
Remeber in the MGM grand promo for movies the lion use to roar, now it meows.....somehow it fits todays time's.............sigh..............:(
c'mon...that dude is awesome. He visits hospitals and makes kids happy. He's obviously loaded (he drives a Lambo and has a sweet Batsuit), most rich guys can't think past their next stock sale.
I agree with the hospital decision. St. Louis Children's also cancelled. It is way too soon after the shootings. I would suggest they reschedule for September.
I can't believe some of the comments here. Children don't process/comprehend like adults do. What might not be scary to YOU is terrifying to a child. The comments here are acting as though the children ARE adults and completely understand what has happened. That is if they have heard about the shootings.
Children most likley have no idea that the show was cancled because of a shooting in a movie theater. you are all assuming that these children think lile adults, that tells me none of you have the moral values to be parents yourself. grow up.
Come on, do you really think that kids who are in the hospital actually watch the news? Or that they think that Batman had anything to do with the shootings? The guy wasn't dressed as Batman? If it had been a church would people cancel Sundays just so the kids aren't frightened?
I give kids more credit. They don't make associations like adults. And to be honest, any clear-thinking adult wouldn't make any association between this tradegy and the fact that Batman was showing. It was the act of a deranged man. We cannot protect ourselves from that. And frankly the only conversation (except condolences) should be about gun control and whether the current laws are sufficient.
Sheesh, I kind of miss the old days where we didn't have 24-hour media 'pundits' who incessantly talk, 'analyze', and basically just keep it going, and going, and going. It happened, let's decide on the gun laws and move on. I expect the folks who were actually there and personally affected would like a bit of peace too. They are the one who really have something to deal with. The rest of us are just voyeurs.
@chocolatekat
It is only terrifying to a child if the parents lead them to that conclusion. I have found that children are curious, not terrified, unless they are taught and expected by the parents to react that way. Children will respond to parental expectation, you know, and if you don't know, you are simply not paying attention to your children. Thus, the parents lead the children into the horrible tyranny of crippling co-dependence and fear, unable and unwilling to trust their own judgement and decision making abilities.
Batman impersonator heading for the unemployment line!
Back in the mid 1960's concerned parents and other citizens started a real outcry against the violence on TV westerns- you know the ones where the good guy got the bad guy and you never saw blood- and tv westerns died out...now we owe them a big apology because look at what has taken their place on TV- more violent tv show that center on blood and gore and correctly depicted out and out violence, not to mention weird and immoral sex of all kinds!
how about if more places like hospitals, schools and just plain concerned citizens were to start being more vocal, writing letters, BOYCOTTING and just plain sending the message to hollywood.....NO MORE VIOLENCE IN OUR MEDIA- children are impressionable!!!!
yeah run and hide. how about society that shoots back. that would stop crime. dialouge? look what it has brought over the last decade, a bunch of cowards.
Why don't you just go straight to the government and request that they pick and choose everything we watch, weeding out anything that could conceivable negatively effect a poor innocent child? All hail the censor.
I say shut the doors in colorado, They got their buts kicked, no more reason to live, turn off the lights when you leave. P-u-s-s-i-e-s. I no longer give a flying crap about you or your state. Grow up.,
What?
Did i stutter, man up. grow up, stop acting like a bunch of cowards, it is over get over it, stop locking you r kids up let them go and play, stop running and hiding, enough is enough, we are tired of hearing about batman, batman did nothing, your sick colorado mind set has you all fearing batman like a bunch of girls. jesus dude grow out of it.
Did you even read this story? If you did, did you understand it? There were a few big words in there, it's okay if you got a little confused, a lot of 2nd graders do.
Now be a good little girl and reread the story. Come back after you have reread it and tell the class where this hospital is located. If you need to do so, get you mommy to help you.
And this is all assuming that 12 year old children with cancer have time to watch the news and fully understand what happened in Colorado. Something tells me they wouldnt have made any connection. Anyone else want to run and hide from the bad man? Grow a backbone America!
Batman the movie had nothing to do with the shooting in Denver, in fact, the shooter choose the venture because he knew a lot of people would be in the theater that night. That tells me the guy planned the whole thing, thats 1st degree murder. Instead of asking the kids how they felt about seeing Batman they asked a "child Phychiatrist", he can't speak for the kids, nor can he speak for the parents. Batman is well liked by most kids for reasons only they know, so when the decision was made to cancel the appearance by Batman, somehow I don't think they had the kids feelings in mind. This was the hospital administrator acting on his/her own, as administrator it's their right to do that. If he didn't want Batman at his hospital then say it, but don't act like you had the kids and parents feelings at heart, because you didn't, if you had, you would have ask them.
The shooter identified himself as the Joker:
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/aurora-dark-knight-suspect-joker-cops/story?id=16822251#.UBK-6Wbn9dg
It might have been opportunistic since it was a Batman movie, but it got tied to the franchise. If the press hadn't identified the movie or the shooter's claims to be a fictional character, we wouldn't be having this conversation. But since this has been dominating the news for the past week, I'm willing to bet that most kids have heard at least a little about it. I won't say it's the right call to cancel his appearance, but I will say that people are going to think twice with events relating to the Batman franchise for a while.
why? they caught the animal. I think YOU would have cancelled batman, too.