My 17 year-old has not learned to simply let others spout
off and let assertions come to rest where they may. No, at least in a family
that watches the news, arguments occur.
Our 17 year-old son made the mistake of saying, “I wouldn’t
marry a conservative or a liberal – because…”
As a verbal family, we were not quick to say, “Oh, that’s
fine, honey. Whatever you’ve been indoctrinated with at the public school is
perfectly fine.” No, we launched into explanations of how we arrived at our
current opinions. While some people would say that we were trying to pass our
prejudices onto our son, we would counter that we were trying to share our
life-learnings – aka – wisdom.
Example: When the AIDS epidemic was spreading throughout the
US, the CDC identified the primary target groups as being homosexuals,
prostitutes, and IV drug users. The
logical question might be, “Shouldn’t those population groups show some
restraint?” However, that was considered to be narrow-minded. So, that question
was dismissed and considered homophobic and even hateful. The epidemic spread
to the point of dictating educational policy, and inevitably silenced. By
today’s standards, a person questioning the practice of the above mentioned social
behaviors would be labeled as a hate monger and worthy of being silenced of,
what, their 1st Amendment rights?
And gee, when the heyday of unbridled drug use took place,
those who questioned the impact of such were shouted down with statistics and headlines
that the war on drugs was a stupid waste of money, incarceration, and
litigation. While we tried to slow the onslaught with public education
informing of the dangers of drugs, the public pressure was to acquiesce and
allow. With the cost of the war on drugs and associated litigation, advocates
of legalizing drugs argued that the US should “Let it Be.” (Courtesy of John
Lennon.) Who picks up the tab for drug rehab, food stamps, unemployment,
welfare, unpaid co-payments and emergency room treatment for drug-related
maladies? Umm, that would appear to be the taxpayers who hold a job. And of the
50% divorce rate, did illegal drug use factor in as any part of the equation?
Shhh! That’s none of your business!
We ended our verbal battle by discussing the schism that has
developed in our American society between those who believe in God,( or at
least intelligent design,) and those who do not. For the life of me, I don’t
understand how those who don’t believe in a God can ascribe to any sense of
“right.” Our Declaration of Independence states “…Life, Liberty, and the
Pursuit of Happiness, …endowed by their Creator…” Okay, so if God is reduced
from the equation, from where do rights come? Some would argue, natural law.
What the hell is that?
If we evolved from slime mold, why should I give credence to
any sense of public decency? In the animal world, might is right. One animal
does not question morality in taking from another. That being the case, all
sense of fairness evaporates. If not, what is the basis of morality? Evolution?
If so, then should I claim to be less evolved than you, which inevitably
explains why I murdered you on animalistic impulse and adrenaline? How then,
shall we determine what is just in society?
The real reason for the right of free speech had nothing to
do with pornography nor lyrics of rap music. It had everything to do with the
free exchange of ideas which inevitably led to public policy vis-à-vis
governmental legislation. At some point, freedom to exchange ideas and concerns
was hijacked by those who would silence the opposition to controversial
thought, and inevitably, public policy. Thank, GOD, that the “thought police”
have not yet silenced the discussions within my own home.
I dread, not what faces me in my lifetime. But rather, what
faces my children and grandchildren. On what foundation will the mores of my
posterity be based?
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