RE: What's happening to you America?
August 7, 2012 at 9:37 pm
(This post was last modified: August 7, 2012 at 9:39 pm by Shell B.)
The problem is that it is not the aggregate behavior of the country, so much as the aggregate behavior of those of a particular mindset. There is no doubt that we have a shitload of loathsome hillbillies making it their business to hate everyone and treat kids like shit. The seemingly universal idea that this is an "American" thing, however, makes me uncomfortable. There are enough of us up and over here that don't feel that way to make a big difference. People are just less likely to notice a bunch of people saying, "Don't beat your kids" than those saying, "Hell, yeah, judge. Make the little bitch pay!"
This reminds me of a rather heated discussion I found myself in once. It was regarding corporal punishment and children. I said that there was such a fine line between shocking a kid into listening and physically harming them that I choose not to use spanking or slapping as discipline. I find the idea of striking a child nauseating. Now, I have said that in a very extreme circumstance, such as a child needing a quick shock back into reality, maybe a panicking child that is about to drag me under water or something, I might have to act fast, but still, it would have to be a very extreme and unlikely scenario. Well, long story even longer, a bunch of women jumped all over me. I mean, they seemed pissed that I don't like the idea of hitting kids. It was so absurd. It seems like those doing the imposing are always the ones most easily offended. Anyway, that seems like the norm in many places, sure. It still does not make it "America." The day it is federal law is the day that it is "America."
I should also point out that there is as much self-righteous "Be good or else" shit going on too. It's funny that even "good" can be taken to far too extreme and imposing levels. The very concept of freedom rails against such extremism, but hey, we have to feel good about ourselves somehow.
This reminds me of a rather heated discussion I found myself in once. It was regarding corporal punishment and children. I said that there was such a fine line between shocking a kid into listening and physically harming them that I choose not to use spanking or slapping as discipline. I find the idea of striking a child nauseating. Now, I have said that in a very extreme circumstance, such as a child needing a quick shock back into reality, maybe a panicking child that is about to drag me under water or something, I might have to act fast, but still, it would have to be a very extreme and unlikely scenario. Well, long story even longer, a bunch of women jumped all over me. I mean, they seemed pissed that I don't like the idea of hitting kids. It was so absurd. It seems like those doing the imposing are always the ones most easily offended. Anyway, that seems like the norm in many places, sure. It still does not make it "America." The day it is federal law is the day that it is "America."
I should also point out that there is as much self-righteous "Be good or else" shit going on too. It's funny that even "good" can be taken to far too extreme and imposing levels. The very concept of freedom rails against such extremism, but hey, we have to feel good about ourselves somehow.
