Wednesday, March 28, 2007
What do you know. I start my first blog and I make a mistake right off the bat. I did say there were TWO issues in the news that have gotten my attention. I have mentioned the first one. The second one is an issue in one of Florida's northern counties. It is another Ten Commandments issue on government property that the ACLU had to get involved in. The problem centers around a small town, mostly Catholics, that have the Ten Commandments displayed in their government center. It has been there for quite some time, however someone decided that it was "offensive" for this small town to somehow show that their town hall sponsors religion. The catch to all this is one of astonishment. The ACLU was made aware of this display and was fully prepared to go ahead with a lawsuit to have it removed. The thing is that it took them almost six months to FIND someone in that town to support their cause. As far as I know that is unheard of. The ACLU usually has no problems with supporters of their fanantical beliefs. People come to them constantly wanting their backing regarding "constitutional" issues. Not in this town. This is not some prima donna city that wants to national media flying down upon them. They are a quiet, keep to themselves, town. Why does the ACLU have to hunt for things to prosecute. Why does the ACLU constantly think they are acting in the best interests of the American public. The ACLU may think they are the citizen's watchdog, but they need to lighten up.
Welcome
Today is a landmark day as I have just created my new blog. I will deal primarily with current events, political, and sports issues. Basically anything that has, and will continue to, turn this world upside down. That being said, there are two issues that have become prominant in the news as of late.
There was an article in the St Petersburg Times this week about the escalating violence in high school sports, especially female sports. It seems that girls are playing the gender equality card, but this time to prove how tough they are on the playing field. Thumping their chests with their fists, using inappropriate "sign language" during games, using inappropriate language, AND trying to prove their might by starting fights. What's scary is that their parents area WORSE. The parents are going after not only the coaches and those officiating these games. They are going after the high school students themselves who "challenge" their kids.
Who's to blame for all of this? Well, in my opinion there are three avenues. One, the parents. It's interesting to note that althoug I would bet that many of them are my age, 38, I can't help but think that many of these parents had these kids when they were young to mid teenagers and since they are not seasoned enough parents themselves they still think fighting is the best way to go. Two, school districts across the country. Decades ago parents let school districts do what they felt was best when it came to running the show and disciplining their kids. All it took was ONE lawsuit in the early 90's and that came crumbling down. School districts' and parents are constantly butting heads. Parents want the schools safer so they blame to school districts when something happens. School districts' blame parents when their kids turn into hoodlums. It affects EVERYONE in one way or another. Third, and most to blame, the media. We can throw "what if's" all over the place but the plain and simple truth is that the media glamourizes taunting, verbal and physical assaults, and mudslinging. Cameras are constantly in the face of those who use it as a way to degrade others. These high school students are seeing this on tv all the time. Major sports stations, news channels, major newspapers. They all do the same thing. The make this behavior front page news for the "shock" effect, but when nothing is done to mitigate the behavior these students think it's acceptable.
When I was played high school sports we had parents yelling at officials, telling them they made bad calls, but there was a line that was never crossed. At least not in the sports I played. In fact, there were parents who yelled at THEIR kids to "pick up the pace", or "concentrate", or the dreaded "if you can't put your heart into sit on the bench". None of todays' "Kick their asses", "screw you (or worse)", or the infamous "don't disrespect me" (with the in your face attitude)". I just laugh and realize how much of an UPSIDE DOWN WORLD we live in.
There was an article in the St Petersburg Times this week about the escalating violence in high school sports, especially female sports. It seems that girls are playing the gender equality card, but this time to prove how tough they are on the playing field. Thumping their chests with their fists, using inappropriate "sign language" during games, using inappropriate language, AND trying to prove their might by starting fights. What's scary is that their parents area WORSE. The parents are going after not only the coaches and those officiating these games. They are going after the high school students themselves who "challenge" their kids.
Who's to blame for all of this? Well, in my opinion there are three avenues. One, the parents. It's interesting to note that althoug I would bet that many of them are my age, 38, I can't help but think that many of these parents had these kids when they were young to mid teenagers and since they are not seasoned enough parents themselves they still think fighting is the best way to go. Two, school districts across the country. Decades ago parents let school districts do what they felt was best when it came to running the show and disciplining their kids. All it took was ONE lawsuit in the early 90's and that came crumbling down. School districts' and parents are constantly butting heads. Parents want the schools safer so they blame to school districts when something happens. School districts' blame parents when their kids turn into hoodlums. It affects EVERYONE in one way or another. Third, and most to blame, the media. We can throw "what if's" all over the place but the plain and simple truth is that the media glamourizes taunting, verbal and physical assaults, and mudslinging. Cameras are constantly in the face of those who use it as a way to degrade others. These high school students are seeing this on tv all the time. Major sports stations, news channels, major newspapers. They all do the same thing. The make this behavior front page news for the "shock" effect, but when nothing is done to mitigate the behavior these students think it's acceptable.
When I was played high school sports we had parents yelling at officials, telling them they made bad calls, but there was a line that was never crossed. At least not in the sports I played. In fact, there were parents who yelled at THEIR kids to "pick up the pace", or "concentrate", or the dreaded "if you can't put your heart into sit on the bench". None of todays' "Kick their asses", "screw you (or worse)", or the infamous "don't disrespect me" (with the in your face attitude)". I just laugh and realize how much of an UPSIDE DOWN WORLD we live in.
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