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Thank you very much for the feedback on my column from a couple weeks ago about the clusterfuck that is our Next Generation. I'd like to respond. I, too, am respectful of your opinions.
First: “What do you have against sports?” The answer: “Nothing.” I appreciate athletic excellence, drive, discipline, etc. and those who participate in sports, instead of just staring at a dozen screens in a sports bar. However, I don't appreciate the Super Bowl illuminati's half-time sexcapades, designed to brainwash and destroy. Or young people killing one another over a pair of Nikes. Or celebrity worship and living vicariously through them.
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Parents of the next generation also need a talking to. First off, yes, this is Orange County. Is there anything more influential over children's minds than Disney, Snow White, Prince Charming, witches, Miley Cyrus, Britney Spears, etc.? Why are there so many cute, bubbly girls that quickly turn into, well, bad girls? They learn at an early age to be sexual exhibitionists. Where do parents come in? They should have come in and stopped the exploitation of their children long ago.
As a parent, I cringe when I hear fellow parents ask children for permission. “We have to go now, okay?” “We aren't buying that, okay?” “That's not okay, okay?” It's difficult enough for teachers to teach, but to have to first instill a sense of discipline and respect in children who have none at home is too much to ask.
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When I was a kid, parents were in charge–often painfully so. But we knew the rules, and mostly, those rules kept us safe. We also had a lot more freedom to play and be kids. We did our homework and maybe watched a little TV. Parents now are bombarded by wants and demands for video games, clothes, movies, music, things, meaningless things. And they are so scared of their children not liking them they can't say no.
Finally, in my opinion, taking young children to see Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Miley, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Madonna or Rhianna is akin to throwing them a birthday party at Jimmy Saville's house. We live in an increasingly dangerous and predatory world that wants to sexploit our children. Miley's latest video sums it up: “Shakin it like we're at a strip club/remember, only God can judge us.”
Parents: Start parenting again. Children should be playing outside and using their imaginations. Hey, why not get out the baseball, football, basketball and volleyball and have a nice weekend with your kids? Sports does have its place in a sane society. Okay?
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