The Hammond city school district has banned Halloween, at least the costumes and sidewalk parades. The district says it's a safety issue -- all those costumed children walking down the street. But one parent, Mary Ellen Slazyk, isn't buying it: "I understand that some parents don't like Halloween. But this is a knee-jerk reaction. What are you going to do, ban everything?"
Yes, actually that is the goal. Hadn't you noticed? Too bad -- the liitle tykes will go into adult life unprepared for what a big deal the holiday has become, second only to Christmas in some areas of spending.
