At the Y this evening, I could not but help noticing the clothing of a young man (about 9 or 10) playing pool in the foyer. On his dark blue T-shirt was printed in white letters, complete with the Lincoln Police Department uniform insignia,
While this is the first time I have seen this particular T-shirt, it seems to be part of a rather popular trend in youth clothing which I honestly find more disturbing than the general trend toward tighter and more revealing clothing. The attitude behind it is more than merely attention-seeking. It glorifies disrespect for property and identifies the wearer with inmates.
In 1963, Columbia Pictures released the musical Bye Bye Birdie about a Rock ‘n’ Roll superstar who had gotten drafted into the military. I actually have never seen it, but like many other people, I know at least one song from the soundtrack: Kids, in which a very pressing question is raised:
What’s the matter with kids today? Like children in every generation, they lack judgment, discernment and solidified values, morals and ethics. They are heavily peer-driven and concerned with what seems “cool.” They are socialized rather than educated.
That is why I cannot help but wonder, “What is the matter with parents today?” I’m not very good at this sort of thing, but here is an attempt. You are welcome to rewrite it or add your own lyrics!
I don’t know what’s wrong with these parents today!
Parents!
Who listens to anything they say?
Parents!
They are so ridiculous and immature!
More interested in being friends!
Just you wait and see
Parents!
Parents! They are just impossible to control!
(Once you were young enough to be)
Parents! With their awful clothes and their rock an’ roll!
(Another teenage delinquent)
Why can’t they act like grown ups,
Teaching in every way?
What’s the matter with parents to–
Parents!
What the devil’s wrong with these parents today?
Parents!
Who could guess the they would turn out that way!
Why can’t they act like grown ups,
Teaching in every way?
What’s the matter with parents?
What’s the matter with parents?
What’s the matter with parents today?
Related Tags: socialization, parenting, fashion
Welcome to Roscommon Acres, my little home in the country. I write here about life more abundantly, from the joy of a baby’s smile to the almost unbearable grief of losing a son. I am seeking beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, a garment of praise instead of the spirit of despair (Isaiah 61:3).
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Now seems like a good time to tell of how I likely ended up with a Secret Service file….
Picture it, the lovely Black Hills. I was in high school and working for a mail pre-sort place. Part of my daily pick-up route was the chamber of commerce, which had its offices in the local civic center/arena/auditorium mini-Qwest Center type place.
So I go tolling there one day, in the company’s 1978 VW diesel pickup. I back up onto the sidewalk (as always) and up to the door of the Chamber.
I get out and am surrounded by three big guys in dark suits, sunglasses, ear wigs, and little American flag lapel pins.
Oh, crap.
I had forgotten that VP J. Danforth Quayle was speaking at the center in a few hours.
I, in my shock, actually tried to argue that I needed to get the mail. The Chamber people basically throw the bag at me and yell “LEAVE!”
I know I was in the wrong, but these guys were acting really, really weird.
Then I look down at my chest. Emblazoned on the front of favorite T-shirt in big, white letters on a black Tee:
Elvis Shot JFK.
Yep, I’m a dumb arse.
OK, that is funny…even if a bit on the stupid side.
See what you get for glorifying evil?
Besides, didn’t LBJ do it?
I once arrested a fellow for DWI who was wearing a baseball styled cap with the words ” Yes, I’m Drunk”. I was instructed by my police supervisor to remove that cap prior to filming him in the DWI investigation room so that it would not sway a jury or a judge who would later view it at his trial.
Does that fall under fifth amendment rights?
Some drunk drove right into the building when I used to work drive thru at BK. He informed me he was drunk. I answered, “No kidding.” We called the police and chatted with the guy as long as we could while giving him his coffee before he finally drove off and hit a dump truck and a light pole before swerving onto the road.
I can be off topic on my own blog, can’t I? We had our own weird fashions in school, but I don’t recall anything identifying one’s self with criminal behavior…other than the legalize marijuana shirts, but those have been around a bit longer than me, I think.
I think we should ask the question ‘What are parents thinking!’ I see young girls wearing clothes that are too skimpy and with slogans of ‘sexy, hot, sex kitten.’ And I want to smack the parents! The girls like the sparkly letters and often have no clue what the meanings are…or sometimes do know, unfortunately. These shirts that you shared with in the above are another example of parents abdicating responsibility. They may think that it is just a harmless tshirt, but the ideas that we see day in and day out are the ones that impact our soul and behavior!