That opening monologue from the old OUTER LIMITS show says a lot in 30 seconds.
It does indeed take a village to make an idiot.
But here is Fort Wayne, in many cases, it takes a lot less. It only takes...a neighborhood.
I've spoken on the subject of people who, for no apparent reason, will just do AS THEY PLEASE, regarding the opposite of what the rest of us would call "normal behavior" (behavior that basically follows the city ordinances, laws, and has a level of civility, ethics and personal responsibility attached to it). And it's not very hard to do...this type of behavior.
Much of how most of us act IS predicated upon the fact that our PARENTS (as well as mentors) had a certain amount of like traits that they passed on to us at no charge (along with the "board of education" applied to the "seat of knowledge"). And their method of "enforcement" in some instances was firm, not open to negotiation, and just (you're grounded, or no TV for YOU, mister), yet fair. I mean if we didn't do what it was we weren't SUPPOSED to be doing in the first place, we wouldn't have released the "Rains of Ranchapur" upon us, would we?
But we're a much kindler, gentler society these days.
And we're paying the piper for THAT tune to no small end.
Oh, and feel free to insert the word IDIOCY for the term "bad behavior".
We can forgive (read excuse) bad behavior, chalking it up to the old "poverty card", right?
Sorry, that crap just won't wash for me. Some of the MOST strict families were those with a lot less folding money that the rest.They had to watch every red cent, and having a child (or an adult for that matter) out of control, costing the family much needed money in the judicial process was simply NOT an option.
Perhaps we can blame this bad behavior on the old "race card".
Sorry to disappoint you again, but (at least) when I was growing up, the minority families were a LOT stricter with their kids (and themselves) for the same reason mentioned in the last paragraph. They wanted to prove something to themselves as well as everyone else; That they were JUST AS GOOD AND DESERVING (by their own actions and beliefs) as everyone else. And that worked pretty damn well...for a while.
I'm sure we can blame the bad behavior on the media.
Wrong again, although I will grant you that television and radio (as well as movies and music) have gotten a LOT more "free" with their content. What was considered bad is now OK, and what was taboo is considered "acceptable". The words "hell" and "damn" used to never be used in the media, but now, if we watch TV and DO NOT hear it at least once every 15 minutes, it's probably because we're watching Sesame Street on PBS!
But verbage was only the "foot in the door" that was opened wide to allow the rest of the problems into our homes. The increasing violence that is trickling ever downward (in age), is one example. The chronic "bad choices" being made by people, the increased drug use, and the (seemingly) inherent propensity to do whatever the hell one wants to because that is what "freedom" is all about are other examples, and perhaps the best ones. Funny, but I don't recall any founding document to have an "exception for irresponsiblity" listed in our "freedoms".
Perhaps it's a mix of all the above, as defined by our "enlightened age of awareness" (as the tree-huggers would say)?
I'm not about to thump any Bibles here (God knows it's needed), but we, as a nation have to start doing something. We've (collectively) produced at least TWO generations replete with idiots, and if the societal numbers hold true, it will take at least 3-4 generations to reverse this. One need look no further than the educational system to see this in play.
Does the phrase "dumbing down the test" have any meaning?
And this is as good a place as any to start changing things back around.
For example: There are those out there that want to stop using the word "failing", and replace it with some other stupid-ass, politically-correct euphamism.
Wrong.
When you fail...you fail...AND (hopefully) learn. You learn NOT to fail...again. At least that's what you SHOULD be "learning".
Hey, we can belabor this until the cows come home, and we'd be no closer to a real solution (short of going back to the way things USED to be...when they WORKED).
Look around your neighborhood...see all the idiots (well, come down HERE at least...we've got them in abundance, and the admission price is right...FREE), and then tell me that our society has a marvelously rosy future......Without breaking into riotous laughter.
Betcha can't do it.
If you want this type of flotsam we have on our streets in charge of our future (and your childrens' future), then maybe you need to take a look at who's staring back in your mirror.
The only thing worse than doing the WRONG thing, is doing NOTHING.
"...We now return you to your regularly scheduled cup of coffee."
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