I don't CARE about the kids in the balance

This is the essential difference between you and I as I actually do care. Like you, I had to learn to stand on my own two feet but was lucky enough to have parents who were around to catch me if I fell. Children can't choose who their parents are and some parents don't deserve their children.

I've enjoyed this discussion, Gideon. It shows that two people can have an exchange here without it resorting to name calling or worse. I have to say, while I didn't comment on your 'Responding is not flaming' blog, I agree wholeheartedly with what you had to say.

You and Lucas are well suited for each other.

Suited? No thanks.

While I'm sure she's a delightful individual, there is only one "jennifer" for me, my girlfriend, Jennfier. (See my blog for photos)


~Jennifer~

Three bits: Don't do it.

I know how it can be, but none of this is worth it. Just, let it go, okay?

~L

I know this is politically unpopular, but as for the parents who won't take the time to do their job...so what? If their kids grow up to be the helpless losers their parents were, that just creates less competition for my kids in the workforce. If we want the government to be our "nanny", and demand they run our homes, that's the quick road to tyranny. I don't CARE about the kids in the balance, dynamaso. I had to stand on my own two feet, they should have to stand on theirs. It's not the government's job to see to it that they are raised to be responsible, productive adults. Contrary to Ms. Clinton's assertion, it does NOT take a village, but rather, responsible parenting.

This is the essential difference between you and I as I actually do care. Like you, I had to learn to stand on my own two feet but was lucky enough to have parents who were around to catch me if I fell. Children can't choose who their parents are and some parents don't deserve their children.

Hmmm...I'm going to stick my nose in here. I hope you two gentlemen don't mind. While I don't want the government raising children, and I'm a big advocate for responsible parenting, SOMEONE has to care for the kids in the balance. Because something has to happen to them. You know? I don't know what the answer is. I really don't. I work in a school full of those "kids in the balance". Their parents really don't care much, they don't have a whole lot to do after school, and they only thing they do when they go homw is watch TV or park their butts in front of a video game console and have at it for 6 or 7 hours, have some Twinkies, and go to bed.

As part of the "village," I know I can't do everything, because I know I can't go home with each child that needs a responsible parent home with them, and I know one day I'm going to have my own children at home and they are going to be my primary responsibilities. But maybe I can get a kid to finish his homework and become a little more responsible so that when she does have a job she shows up on time, or I can get a kid to love to read so that he gets interested in cars and wants to learn how to learn to fix them and decides to be come a mechanic one day or something. If there's something I can do for a kid to help him or her become a PRODUCTIVE citizen instead of a criminal or someone draining our entitlements, I should do those things, shouldn't I? As part of the "village"? Because some people didn't have what I have and don't know what I know about families. I rolled the dice and got the family jackpot.

I realized I'm babbling. I hope this makes sense. lol

If there's something I can do for a kid to help him or her become a PRODUCTIVE citizen instead of a criminal or someone draining our entitlements

Without criminals, how would prison guards have jobs? Take away welfare leeches and the BIGGER welfare leeches (eg, the entire social work field) goes south. There's an entire industry that is dependent on irresponsible parenting, and I would feel remiss in knowing that I was taking food off of someone's table by correcting the issue.

As for TV, let's make television illegal for anyone receiving entitlements. That way irresponsiblle television cannot have a negative impact on the children of these families.

Without criminals, how would prison guards have jobs?

It's okay until the crime is against you...until your child or your wife is the one who is raped or mugged or murdered, or it's you who is raped or mugged or murdered, you know?

As for TV, let's make television illegal for anyone receiving entitlements. That way irresponsiblle television cannot have a negative impact on the children of these families.

Let's just make tv illegal period. Think of how much energy we'd save. Maybe our illiteracy rate would fall to absolutely zero. Childhood and adult obesity would probably fall drastically as well.

Getting rid of tv isn't the end all cure all to everything, and it does have it's positives, but there's lots of negatives too. And it DOES come down to parenting and self-regulation, and lots of people don't seem to know how to do those things.

"Let's just make tv illegal period. Think of how much energy we'd save. Maybe our illiteracy rate would fall to absolutely zero. Childhood and adult obesity would probably fall drastically as well."

Odd, but if I recall correctly our illiteracy rate has dropped as TV has become more universal. Not just like 19th century, mind you, but even in the last half of the last century. How many kids do you know that learned their alphabet from Big Bird and to count from The Count?

No, TV engages the mind, no matter what the luddites seem to think. Video games and the Internet are the same thing. They portray them as making you brain dead, but I read more in an hour of playing video games of surfing then net than others read in a week.

It's okay until the crime is against you...until your child or your wife is the one who is raped or mugged or murdered, or it's you who is raped or mugged or murdered, you know?

(head, meet desk) OK, Marcie, I realize the lack of a sarcasm font is a limitation, but there are times when it should be self evident.

And it DOES come down to parenting and self-regulation, and lots of people don't seem to know how to do those things.

But their lack of parenting and self-regulation should not limit my access to 24 hour midget jello wrestlers with oversized breasts, Marcie! I'm sorry, it is unreasonable to expect TV to substitute for my parental oversight.

Frankly, I don't like dwarf jello wrestlers with oversized breasts. It's an abomination! So let's ban them. MIDGETS only, and I want doctor's notes so they ain't trying to sneak dwarves in on me!

(head, meet desk) OK, Marcie, I realize the lack of a sarcasm font is a limitation, but there are times when it should be self evident.

Ditto, dude! Just kidding! lol

Odd, but if I recall correctly our illiteracy rate has dropped as TV has become more universal. Not just like 19th century, mind you, but even in the last half of the last century. How many kids do you know that learned their alphabet from Big Bird and to count from The Count? No, TV engages the mind, no matter what the luddites seem to think. Video games and the Internet are the same thing. They portray them as making you brain dead, but I read more in an hour of playing video games of surfing then net than others read in a week.

So...is there a direct correllation between the increased literacy rate and the watching of television? My guess is no (although I freely admit I've got other things to do here and I've not googled anything to look it up. Yes, I'm lazy...well...just kinds pseudo-busy). And if I'm playing a video game online or on television, and all there are is characters or vehicles running across a screen, what reading am I doing?

I'm playing devil's advocate here. I'm not against playing television or playing video games. I do both myself, probably much more than I should. I'm not against Gid watching big-busted midget jello wrestlers that he doesn't really like, or you, Baker, watching Sesame Street with your daughter and CSI on the side later on and then some CNN and your local news (although for some reason I highly doubt this is your nightly viewing regimen).

I don't REALLY want television banned. What I really want are for parents to spend time with their kids and read a little with them and just basically, like Gid said way up there, be RESPONSIBLE for their kids. Know where they are. Feed them. Spend a little time with them. Give them a hug. Go to conferences. Put some clothes on their backs (and NO, they don't have to be designer, they can come from goodwill or a garage sale).

How do you get more parents willing and prepared to do that sort of thing though?

I'm not against Gid watching big-busted midget jello wrestlers that he doesn't really like,

No, I don't like big busted DWARF jello wrestlers; I LIKE themidgets. Durn dwarves take over everything.

I LIKE themidgets.

He likes 'em with the full-sized hands, not the proportional ones. Makes it easier to wrestle with the bigger ones.

No, I don't like big busted DWARF jello wrestlers; I LIKE themidgets. Durn dwarves take over everything.

Hey! Dont be a dwarf Bigot! I like dwarfs! Everyone should have a couple.

(Damn! Where is that sarcasm button}

Damn! Where is that sarcasm button

Just pick a font and announce that as your sarcasm font.

Mine, for example, will be Impact! Ooh, sexy. so when you see that, you know that I'm being sarcastic.

Oh, wait. That means I'll never get to type in any other font. Oops.

Britain's social irresponsibility?

As a Brit I feel I should come to the defence a little here. I am one of the children that was dragged up here in sunny old England, with no spanking at all, and though it may sound like I am blowing my own trumpet, I reckon I turned out of okay. Now of course I realise this article isn't generalising all of us Brits, but I kind of think you get good and bad aspects whereever you are. That's just the way the world works.

Events in the BB house, which is an entertainment show, has brought to light sides of people that aren't very pleasant. I personally don't think Britain is socially irresponsible, but I admit I am probably biased. I think there is always room for improvement, but I don't think Britain should be given that title jugding from the behaviour of folk who want to further their washed up careers on reality tv.

I apologise if my comment doesn't make sense, its early morning here and I am suffering from a lack of sleep. Good article though, it got me thinking.

Oh, wait. That means I'll never get to type in any other font. Oops

Too late "Mr. Sexy"!

No, I don't like big busted DWARF jello wrestlers; I LIKE themidgets. Durn dwarves take over everything.

lol...I can't wait for you to get flicked off by a bigoted dwarf midget walking down the street tomorrow, Gid. You'll have to let us know how that goes. Or something.