The Kind-Hearted Smart Aleck

Recently, I read the following letter-to-the-editor in the Columbus Dispatch  and felt the need to respond. The letter was entitled, "Young people have lost their sense of values." Here it is: "In his Thursday letter 'Young people more flexible on gay marriage,' Ben Meacham said, 'The younger generation is adapting to an ever-changing society.' Well, either it is adapting to an ever-changing society, or it is changing society itself. I recall that back in the 1940s and 1950s (I am 81), abortion, euthanasia, cohabiting before marriage, children born out of wedlock and — gasp! — same-sex marriage were simply unheard of. The problem, as I see it, is the members of the current generation, because many, if not most, are completely comfortable with these developments. Does anyone really think our society is better off by virtue of allowing 54 million abortions to have taken place? It’s really not a question of society evolving or traditions changing. ...

I read a rather strange movie review from a friend of mine on Facebook today. It was with regard to the new Simon Pegg and Nick Frost film - The World's End  - which I want to see, but have yet to do so. The review read as follows: "The World's End was a fantastic movie. Probably the best one I have watched all year. Inside the comedy you find a very good understanding about the nature of humanity and why every single nation or group of people who have ever tried to 'make society better or utopian' has failed in it's endeavors as well as a good message about what it means to be a good friend. Five out of Five stars" While I can understand the claim that any nation that has attempted to make itself a utopia has failed to do so, to try and improve a nation is quite different than trying to make it a utopia. To claim that any nation which has tried to make "society better" has failed to do so is quite the statement to make, and also quite ina...

In light of former Kansas City Chiefs player Javon Belcher killing his girlfriend and then shooting and killing himself, NBC's Bob Costas made a few pro-gun control remarks at halftime of Sunday night's game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys. Gun control is a rather divisive issue, so as could be anticipated, Costas has received his share of support and criticism for his on-air remarks. While I haven't seen any gun control advocates posting statuses regarding Costas, I have seen a few anti-gun control individuals posting pictures with commentary on them. One has Costas pictured alongside O.J. Simpson and asks Costas "How about knives?" In another, Sam Elliott is portrayed with the following words written across the screen: "Do you really think criminals will obey gun control laws?" I understand people believing in their right to own guns, but do these uber-gun rights enthusiasts realize what they're saying when they post such thi...

This letter-to-the-editor was published in The Columbus Dispatch on February 8th, written by one Peggy Wolock: "Same-sex marriage  Lane Halterman is apparently curious about my opinion on laws prohibiting so-called same sex marriage.  He states that “the only reason to ban same-sex marriage is because of religious beliefs.”  The only reason?  Although there are religious arguments against re-defining marriage (i.e. God created the institution so it’s not ours to change),  the state does have an interest in protecting traditional marriage.  Social science studies show us time and again what happens to children when traditional marriage falls apart.   More children live in poverty.  Crime rates rise.  Unwed pregnancies go up.  There are always exceptions, but children that grow up in a single parent household are more apt to face these kinds of issues.  The truth is we are conducting a social experiment when we place children with...

The March Away From Freedom A single-file line is formed, Before marching in unison, With matching suits and ties, All following our leaders, With hair slicked back similarly, Our scents reminiscent of one another’s, All eyes looking straight ahead, No hesitation is shown, Trained for the same mission, Trained for the same goal, Brainwashed into submission, Containing no thoughts of our own, Taught that it was moral, Taught that it was just, That it would be best for our families, That it would be best for ourselves, Approaching the door we are, Awaiting for it to be opened, No fear of the door closing on them, To be locked in permanently, As the door opens, I walk far away, Away from the herd, Never looking back, I dispose of my suit and tie, Clear my body of its prior scent, My hairstyle drastically altered, No longer do I march in unison, Unashamed to hold thoughts of my own, To stand out from the rest, To not fit in with the norms, To stay tr...