Just the other day a friend of mine mentioned that after reading several of my columns he concluded that I was a ‘cranky old man?. As I looked back on some past articles, I had to agree that at times I assumed that role. But I would rather liken my opinions to that of a curmudgeon ? an ill-tempered old man, which sounds less threatening. In any event for those of you who may share my friend’s opinion, I will not disappoint you in this week’s column. In the words of anchorman Howard Beale (aka Peter Finch) from the movie ‘Network?, ‘I’m mad as hell and won’t take it anymore.?
Having said that, permit me to depart from the spirit of the holidays and offer some issues that have been troubling me of late.
Have you noticed that attending movies, Broadway plays and sporting events has taken on a new look? That ‘look? is the emergence of small babies being carted around by doting and adoring parents. Mary and I attended a showing of the play ‘White Christmas? recently and had to endure the cries, whimpers, and restlessness of countless tots under the age of two! If one can afford a ticket to a play, then please have someone watch your offspring so the rest of us can enjoy the presentation!
While watching the NFL games and the bowl games over the past two weeks, it seems the cameras always hone in on someone’s baby. Why do people find it necessary to bring junior to an event that is strictly for adults? Inevitably my seat is always next to one of these drooling, precocious imps. Don’t get me wrong. We have eleven grandchildren that we love dearly, but not dearly enough to bring the younger ones to a sporting event. Is it just me or do you agree?
And speaking of children, how about the six-year-old in Virginia who missed the school bus and took his mom’s car keys and attempted to drive to school while she slept! The lad drove nearly six miles, made two 90 degree turns, passed several cars on a rural two-lane highway before crashing into a utility pole only a half a mile from school. He suffered only minor injuries, fortunately. His parents were charged with child endangerment. The boy told police he learned to drive by playing Grand Theft Auto and Monster Truck video games. I hope the parents were jailed for allowing him to play these games, rather than his taking the keys to the car!
And just when you thought that you had heard it all, how about this for a headline: Angry Four-Year-Old Shoots Babysitter After He Accidentally Stepped On Child’s Foot.? Sounds like another case of where the parents should be charged with child endangerment. My question is why was a gun left unattended in the home, and why does a four-year-old know where it is stored? Fortunately the babysitter had only minor injuries and was treated for pellet wounds to his arm and side. I want these parents in jail along with the parents of the six-year driver from Virginia!
Are you ready for digital only broadcasting for your TV on February 17, 2009? We have been inundated with conversion information for years and yet just the other day we learned that only 90% of the populace is aware of the change. Cities that have experimented early with the changeover report that thousands of people were unaware what happened to their TV when the test change was made. This 10% of the population probably still think that Truman is president and are unaware that we have had men on the moon. These are the uninformed, witless people of society. Is it any wonder that our national political process is in such disarray when we have people such as this entering the voting booth!
And when did sports take over family life? Seems some coaches make practice mandatory wherein missing a practice means removal from the team, inability to play the next game, or a series of push-up and laps for twenty minutes. I am even aware of coaches who issue this edict: don’t sign up for this team if you plan to be away for the holidays, or family vacations. Now I’m not talking about college players, I’m talking about grade school athletes! And let’s not forget the games that are scheduled for Mother’s Day ? never Father’s Day, of course, because that’s when the coach plays golf all day! Let’s somehow convey to these destroyers of the family unit that we will not tolerate an environment where sports is first and family is being relegated to somewhere in the background!