Hi Dave, Alas, its not just kids today. It was that way in my generation too. We raided a melon field. We could have bought melon but no we had to have the trill of stealing it. We got a bale of hay out of a field, placed a person behind it in the trunk of the car....drove to main street and the person shoved it onto the street where it broke and spread. Next morning my dad commented about the young people and why they did such a thing. Every generation just needs to prove themselves. Therre was a time when cow tipping was the big thing to do and yes, I remember older brothers talking about shoving over outdoor toilets. A disassembled car, hoisted to the school roof and reassembled kept some youth busy for a night. So laugh, and be grateful they had the ability to be creative and ornrey. I have worked with children who could not lift their hand, head, legs or speak/eat etc. Enjoy the youth and enjoy the chuckle.

Hi Art, Can I make an observation? Would it be correct to say that you are feeling frustrated? You observe all these things and feel powerless, as one man, to stop all the degradation. I see it too. You are not alone. Many of us see it. I get frustrated too but I refuse to accept garbage from people. I feel as though I am worth more. I don't treat people badly because I have a standard that I will not go below. I was raised with principles. I like to treat everybody with respect - at least until they prove that they are unworthy. But I know what you mean. Your observations are correct and that is the very first thing that has to happen for things to improve. People HAVE to identify the rust. Sure, we can all go around seeing only the good (rose coloured glasses) but what is that well known saying?: "All it takes for evil to spread is for good men to do nothing." - or words to that effect. Keep writing about it Art. Write a letter to the Editor of your local newspaper, keep submitting your thoughts here, let people know that you don't agree with all these things. Make it a crusade. In that way you will be striking back. Like I said, I know exactly how you feel. It's annoying, frustrating and it can get you down at times. But fight back. If somebody is rude to you - tell them. If somebody gives you lousy customer service - tell them. Some time ago I stood up in a cinema and confronted five young idiots who were burping, swearing, making loud farting noises, throwing lollies, using cell phones and generally being obnoxious. They were being a stupid sideshow to the movie. Many people were just getting up and leaving. I felt like leaving myself. After I made my stance THEY left and people clapped me for what I did. I won't tell you what I said to them but they knew I was very serious. I can tell you something Art... they weren't so clever when I was standing in front of them. I eyeballed each and every one of them. I reckon they probably won't do that caper again. You see, if they had driven everybody out of the cinema then they may have tried it again. Bad behaviour, when tolerated, invokes more bad behaviour. The best way to combat the crooks and fools and morons of society is not to join their ranks. And Art that comment was not aimed at you by any stretch of the imagination. No sir! I find your comments excellent. All you need to do is turn them into action - like the story about the starfish on the beach. Gary

Hi,Gary, You are right, I am frustrated. I am frustrated by the silent majority. They are in danger of becoming the silent minority. A very good friend of mine is currently in hospital because he tried to prevent a purse snatch in a shopping centre. The young lady victim had been knocked to the ground. My friend intervened and was attacked by the snatcher and his mate. The attack lasted about two minutes and at least a hundred people walked by and did nothing. No comment. A neighbour of my wife assaulted a burglar in his home in the early hours of the morning. He now faces charges relating to the use of unreasonable force in the defence of his wife and property. He expects to have to pay the burglar damaes. The burglar faces no charges. No comment. It is perfectly legal for a social worker in UK toarrange an abortion for a minnor without reference to or permission of the parents. No comment. I can look at the rosey world so many people think they inhabit but I do have good all round appreciation of the world in which I live. My private world is idylic but the fence between it and the real world is not impervious. Reality exists.

Hello David, Those are deep insights you've just written about. The problem that I see is that some have substituted entertainment for a more meaningful purpose. And it's easy to do that because being entertained normally is easier since you just keep receiving. Pursuing a meaningful purpose entails effort, sacrifice and responsibility. If we can only recapture the vision that we're destined for greater things, maybe we can break out of this mentality. Cheers! Ricardo

Hi: ========== The problem that I see is that some have substituted entertainment for a more meaningful purpose. And it's easy to do that because being entertained normally is easier since you just keep receiving. Pursuing a meaningful purpose entails effort, sacrifice and responsibility. If we can only recapture the vision that we're destined for greater things, maybe we can break out of this mentality. ========== Bravo!!!!! : ) Linda