TR> There seems to be a complete lack of respect for life.
 RT> You put it into words extremely well!
 RT> I see a distinct correlation between young folks' attitude and the
 RT> kinds of entertainment they're involved in, particularly the kinds of
 RT> music they listen to and the way they dress.
... My wife and I had a discussion about this very thing not 
oo
long ago, and she played the devil's advocate. I played the old-fashioned
conservative, and I have the distinct impression that I lost the discussion.
She made the following points: 1) you listened to that hip-gyrating, sex
fiend Elvis; 2) you wore your underwear in public (t-shirt); 3) you had those
outlandish haircuts (flat-top, burr, ducktail, or down your back); 4) you
belonged to the hippy generation (make love - not war, peace signs, communes,
acid, marijuana, love-ins, and flowered VWs). I opted for a compromise, but I
refused to admit total defeat. 
I certainly agree with you on the entertainment. Some of the music glorifies
suicide and violence. Much of the entertainment does tend to dehumanize
mankind and cheapen the value of life.
 RT>                     The next sign of degenerating attitude is
 RT> disrespect for parents, teachers, and other authority figures.
 RT> The decline to complete lack of respect for life is a natural
 RT> process when these attitudes are allowed to continue unchecked.
I would certainly agree with you, but I would like to add something to the
discussion. Many of my generation would point out that the disrespect for
authority started with the Viet Nam War and the lack of support for our
soldiers from our government. Many would say that the respect problem started
with our government and snowballed from there. I would say there is reason
for these beliefs, and our government has not recovered the respect it once
had. Many authority figures, including parents, generate a respect problem
when they command, "Do as I say, not as I do." It makes the discussion more
interesting when most admit that they all contributed to the problem, and the
problem will not go away without a lot of effort from all authority figures,
especially parents. Nobody, including the government, can command respect, it
has to be earned. Since parents are the first authority figure and role model
in each child's life, they should be aware of the results of confusing and
hypocritical behavior on their part. The respect problem may have started
with the government, but the only current fix for the problem starts at home.
Just food for thought and discussion.
 RT> Herein we have a definite problem... how to governor the input of such
 RT> trash to their minds without creating a rebellion that is
 RT> counter-productive.
I think that it all starts with a stand at home and a commitment for each
parent to be a positive role model for their children. This is not an easy
task.
Tom Rightmer - Victims' Rights Advocate
... Life has a great deal up its sleeve.
--- Blue Wave/DOS v2.30
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