Signs of the Times

I couldn't help but notice the increasing violence in our schools. In my area alone today, just today, there were at least five schools shut down due to violence of "kids" carrying guns into them. These are 'kids' whose homework is playing video games about killing others and wreacking havoc on innocent people, especially police officers and others in positions of authority.

If you have been watching the news online, there's a new video 'game' which requires the players to go through the motions of killing others. In short, it is teaching them the techniques of killing with machetes, hatchets, bats and other devices. Where is Mom and Dad while junior is 'playing' these types of 'games?' In fact, let's back up a little; How'd the game and equipment get into the house in the first place? Oh, Mom and Dad bought it for the little darlings. Hmmm.

Anyone who says that the young folks aren't learning additional violence via video games and certain 'music' are nuts to use a non-technical term. Psychologists, and I for one, have been telling parents for years that we learn more and retain more by seeing than reading. When a hands-on component is added to the learning process, reinforcement takes place and neuronal patterns are set. These are much harder to eliminate later in life and with each subsequent set of reinforcers, they solidify like concrete in the brain's long-term memory.

We have taken God out of our schools and much of what used to be called family life and replaced Him with State Troopers in the hallways and cafeterias. Here locally, after a series of fights within one school, more Troopers had to be sent in and establish a reinforcement base to deal with the little darlings. Now, the school administration will most likely slap the parents on the wrist and junior will be back in the classroom to continue being a nightmare to his teacher and fellow students who may be trying to learn. I saw first hand this very same thing at the college where I taught for many years. It involved a follower of Louis Farrakhan and her brother. She disrupted the class, the Professor tried to have her removed and she instead telephoned her brother that she was being picked on. Dear old Brother comes on campus, goes to the classroom and attacks the first young man he sees. Security was called as were the State Troopers and in short order, things got under control.

It doesn't end there. On his way out, the Brother decides to voice his distaste at the Trooper who was making the arrest and swung at the Officer. Big mistake Dude. We have the best Troopers in the country and of course I am sure the young man later regreted his actions as he was placed into the police cruiser and hauled away. He was later freed by a liberal judge. Meanwhile Mom came to the scene and screamed at the Troopers also and finally, displayed some actions resulting in her joining her darling offspring in another cruiser. What a mess huh?

It gets better (or worse depending on how you look at it). The daughter who started it all was also arrested and then released by another liberal judge. The Administration of the college took her back and she was returned to class. The Professor put in for retirement and she was an excellent teacher. The young ends up in another class (different subject) and does the same thing to the Professor there. She was told to leave the classroom or security would be called. She responded with language that would make some porn producer blush. Troopers helped her out of the classroom and into a waiting cruiser again. That Professor put in for retirement too.

Hold on...She's back and yes, another Professor retired. The End??? Hopefully. Three Professors left and she remained. Go figure.

Folks, things are awful in the educational system regardless of what the powers want you to believe. It is all over the map and in practically every State. More and more violence is erupting and in essence, our young folks are time bombs of anger and hatred. It has been my experience as a Psychologist that their anger is misdirected since it lies with the absent (physically, mentally or emotionally) parent(s) so they strike out at any authority figures they encounter who rub them the wrong way. Almost any way is the wrong way however since they want things their way and that's that. It will continue to worsen unfortuately because the root of the problems are not being addressed nor will they probably be. There needs to be less committees and think tanks, studies and grants and more discipline and strict adherence to the policies of the educational institutions. Parents and their offspring need to be held accountable to the fullest extent.

The police need to be permitted to do their job and the liberals need to get out of the courtrooms. Society is decaying daily whether one believes it or not. Crime is off the charts and crimes are being committed by younger and younger offenders. Father Patrick Payton had it right; The family that prays together stays together. Old fashioned idea? I think not. Family meals together (no excuses); family talk and sharing too. Church every Sunday absolutely and prayers daily morning and night, without a doubt. The family Rosary would restore the family but it needs to be done by all members.

Let us pray for our young people and especially for families. The core of the American way of life has always been the family and it is clear that God intended that it be this way. The Holy Family of Nazareth is the example all families need to emulate. Mary as our Motherly role model, Saint Joseph as the perfect Fatherly example surely would lead to the role of Jesus for the children to follow. Play, work and pray...in all things but always for the greater honor and glory of God. And one more thing...Keep Holy the Sabbath Day. God made Sunday a day of rest; He didn't suggest it - He made it a Commandment. No work of any kind, no shopping and even no eating out. It is a time mandated by Him for the family to be together, share a meal and conversation after prayer and honor to Him at Holy Mass and Communion. Let's get back to the basics while there is still time. He who breaks one Commandment God tells us, breaks them all. Let's keep the rules !