Moms in Time Out.

To that great advice columnist in the sky:

Dear Abby:

I am certainly aware of your recent departure from this earth but I need your advice none the less. Why is it that today’s young parents must insist on micro-managing and arbitrating their toddlers play time with other toddlers? Hovering around and policing play activity. Activity which might bubble up in to a mild disagreement. Maybe claiming playing rights with a certain toy. Possibly resulting in grabbing, pushing, and crying. General give and take. Push and shove. Normal child’s play.

After all, what can a four year old do to another four year old? Well, aside from biting. Hardly nothing. Each has the strength of a Gerbil. Non-threatening. Innocuous. Just sugar-fat pushing each other around.

Usually an altercation ending up in a hugging fest. The best of friends in about five minutes. And no thanks to intruding moms. All is Okay. All is well.

However, parents are like grand stands filled with partisan sports fans. Booing, cheering, and yelling things never heard in church. All in support of their favorite team. Emotions swelling to the breaking point. “MY son had it first.”
“No he didn’t !”
Yes he did!!”
“Well, you can just take that toy and…!!!”

And in the mean time, both toddlers are watching in horror how each mom is castigating the other. Fighting like litigants in a courtroom liability suit. Blaming, threatening, and shouting. OMG. Can’t we just get along?

Abby, what’s your best advice here?

VTR,
Okie in Land of Enchantment.

Dear Enchanted Okie,
Call Dr. Phil. I’m too busy doing nothing.

VTR
Abby

"All I know is what I read in the papers." Will Rogers

What it all comes down to is we the voters. How do we make reasonable and intelligent choices? How to choose a candidate that will best represent our country as President. Certainly not an easy task.

It is not easy to choose because of all the shouting and peripheral partisan noise. Bellicose politicians blowing hard, Pundits spinning, Talk Radio bloviating, Electronic media sound biting, etc. Often misrepresenting, distorting, and prevaricating. Leaving a heavy shroud of media smog. A heavy haze keeping we the voters from finding the truth. Certainly a roadblock on the way to finding honest answers.

In order to find truth and honesty, I suggest to first turn off the TV and radio. Then go to the newsstand and buy a respected newspaper. A newspaper with professional trained journalists. People who have spent years in learning unbiased journalism. To read such is to take out all the hype and hoopla. Just down to earth journalism. Plane and simple. “Just the facts ma’me.” Read it all for yourself.

Yes, it does take a little more of your time but it’s well worth it. Reading the newspaper cuts out the middleman. You know, the spinners, the political handlers, the tabloid sensationalists, and the image hyperbolist. And once you have read what you need to know; well, you’ll feel much better. Much better a about yourself and your favorite candidate. Go read’em bubba!