Posted on 11/27/2005 11:25:37 PM PST by Jeff Chandler
Decades of lecturing around America and of speaking with parents on my radio show have led me to an incredible conclusion: More American parents would be upset with their teenage children if they smoked a cigarette than if they cheated on a test.
[clip]
There has been a profound change in American values. In a nutshell, health has overtaken morality. Or, if you prefer, health has become our morality.
(Excerpt) Read more at jewishworldreview.com ...
I'm sure some here would echo those sentiments.
Heck, there are some who are so caught up in the "underage drinking is the devil" mantra that they think parents allowing their teenage children to drink alcohol under their direct supervision is a crime.
Love Dennis Prager.
If you would rather your child cheat than smoke, Dennis Prager asks that you "ponder these questions: Would you rather your business partner smoke or cheat? Your lawyer? Your friends? Would you feel better if your doctor cheated on medical exams or smoked?"
If we get another Clintoon in office who knows what vice will be deemed public enemy number one? Just look around and see which companies have some extra money right now and we will get a good idea of where the Class Action money machine will be headed...pharmaceutical companies or oil are good places to start looking. Gun manufacturers were on the list. Maybe some new predatory lending legislation or a repeal of the bankruptcy laws...maybe they will sue the entire US population for reparations. At any rate some Clinton cronies will be sure to reap the benefits from any proposed legislation. I almost forgot the Americans with Disablities Act.
My kids did sneak around and smoke, without my blessings, but they grew up to be honest, trustworthy adults. Now they are both in their late 20's and both have quit smoking -- and they are still honest, trustworthy adults. Kids can always quit smoking, and most do. Kids who are liars and cheats are usually lying, cheating grownups. Smoking is a behavior problem, cheating is a serious character problem.
I don't see much of difference. They lied to you when they snuck the smokes, right?
You can now only assume they weren't lying and or cheating about other things.
For your ping lists, proof that morality has given way to socialism as the new mantra for many, thus becoming their religeon.
Why do you ask a question when both answers are no. Stupid polls are never needed and prove nothing.
It's a world gone mad that even needs this question posed, eh?
You know, my parents never discouraged me from smoking (stupid, stupid Europeans)... I really don't see the big deal.
Either will get them in big trouble. My kids have been taught not to lie and warned smoking is unhealthy. That said, lying is a sin, and smoking is temporary stupidity. You can quit smoking, but a lie will always be a lie.
In some places it is actually a crime ........ as is a parent giving cigarettes to their underage child.
As a teen I got in a heck of a lot more trouble for ssmoking than my brother ever did for cheating.
Thanks, both, for the ping........
As you both know, my daughter is only 7. I would be very disappointed if she were caught sneaking a cigarette or a drink - but she would be grounded for life if she were caught cheating.
As an aside, I had the cutest conversation with her yesterday, about the idea that "sneaky and sneaking" can have both good and bad meanings.
The good: quietly coming up behind someone to tickle them, or hiding a special present when coming in the house because it's a surprise.
The bad: trying to cover up for having done something you shouldn't have, or trying to hide something you shouldn't have.
It was absolutely priceless.
Your daughter sounds like a chip off the young block. If she can grasp these things at such a young age, then she is smarter than the average voting democrat and most centrist republicans. ;-)
LOL!!!!!
She has been politicking and campaign working with me since she was still in a baby carrier.
I was working as a poll greeter for the local state rep and state senator on election day 1998 and she was with me, in her stroller, she was 4months old :). Well word got around (Dover Delaware is actually a small town) and by the time I finished my first 2 hour stint at that polling place, her stroller had campaign stickers of every Republican running in the county, plus all the state wide candidates.
A friend of mine who was running for a county seat on the Democrat ticket, just threw up his hands and said - "I can't compete against a baby".......it was too funny!
Thanks for bringing a smile to my face on this post-holiday work day.
Happy to be of service :)
Sorry to burst your pompous bubble, but no they didn't lie. I never asked, but it came out years later. I did tell them I'd rather they never start smoking, however, since I smoke it would be rather two-faced to insist they never do. You really don't see the difference? Please say you don't have children.
I've failed my kids, I guess. They neither smoke nor cheat.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.