Then and Now,

Then- We would all pile into the back of a pick up truck and go places or even our Little League coahces would take us all home from practice.
Now- Anybody riding in the back of a pick up truck is a serious ticket.

Then- We would just jump on our bikes and ride.
Now- Ive seen kids who look like they are suiting up for a joust and all they are doing is riding a block to a friends house.

Then- Saturday mornings were loaded with cartoons that usually contained a moral lesson at then or there would be messages in between cartoons thats taught you something.
Now- Saturday mornings are saturated with infomercials, cartoons that are just ads for toys and other pointless entertainment.

Then- Kids could play outside without fear of some pervert driving by and doing something
Now- I wouldnt let a kid out of my sight because of all the dirty perverts out there.

Then- Athletes would stay with one team for years and years.
Now- I refuse to buy jerseys with names on them..my Shaq Laker jersey, Troy Glaus Angel shirt, Paul Kariya Ducks Jersey and Julius Peppers Panthers Jerseys are worthless now!!!

Then- Cosby Show, Facts of Life, Miami Vice, Family Ties, Knight Rider, Welcome Back Kotter, Brady Bunch
Now- Real Housewives of...., Jersey Shore, The Hills.....Get the hint??

Then- It didnt matter how ugly a singer was as long as they could sing
Now- Mick Jagger wouldnt stand a chance nowadays!!

Criminals, I hate criminals with a passion. What gives these people the right to commit the heinous acts that they commit? Whether it is breaking into your car, your house, assaulting innocent people, tagging public property, selling drugs, driving while drunk etc. People like to say that criminals are usually minorities and poverty is to blame, but what about politicians who steal and violate the public's trust? What is their excuse? In my opinion it starts they day a person is born, if that person is born to good moral parents who teach that child right from wrong from day 1, then that person is more likely to come out alright. But if said parent is born in a bad environment and has gang bangers for parents, meth heads, or dad isnt around then said person is already in a hole. My folks steered me towards sports and other productive activities, but there are points where they arent around and they hope and pray that Im making the right decisions and choices without them. I was offered drugs in junior high and high school and turned it down. I refused to drink until after high school, because I knew my grandpa and real father were alcoholics. I always surrounded myself with likeminded and positive people and always avoided what Id consider assholes or people who didnt have the moral compass I did. A lot of kids don't have this anymore. Nowadays I see parents who instead of holding their children responsible for their actions make excuses or try and protect their child from the ramifications of their behaviors. What does that teach these kids? That no matter what they do there will be somebody to protect them. Instead of learning empathy/sympathy for others they feel entitled to do the things they do because their misguided parents allowed them to do whatever. Also what are we doing in our prison system? I agree with punishing the most heinous of our criminals- the murderers, rapists and molestors deserve anything thats coming to them but what about non violent drug offenders whose only crime is possesion? Do we imprison them with more dangerous criminals where they interact with more hardened criminals and come out worse than they went in? or do we rehab them and give them the skills they need to be more productive? I've always been in favor of mandatory rehab for drug using criminals and if they refuse then they are thrown in prison/jail. Ive also felt that anybody in prison that ISN'T serving a life sentence should be given some kind of guidance on how to not be a criminal. Hell Im even thinking some Clockwork Orange stuff where they use mind manipulation. Anything to keep them from coming out and comitting more crimes. When they come out they are moved to a halfway house AWAY from their neighborhoods and put into job programs where they earn a living and save up to move into their own place with the only requirement being that it isnt anywhere near their gangs neighborhoods and if they go near their old gangs they go back to prison/jail. Also our government identifies all these terrorist organizations and groups, but why dont they consider gangs as terrorist groups. They terrorize innocents and keep whole cities in fear of them. Why not use more militaristic tactics in fighting gangs. The police are outgunned and outmanned and could use all the help they can get!!! In conclusion I feel our society needs to take a more proactive approach in fighting crime then a reactive approach. It's time to get them before they get us!!!!