I'm gonna be a publisher--Update

[Nitetimes]

our responsibility to be that “village that raises our children” as one of our preeminent politicians wrote?

Ya know I still have a bit of a problem with that statement. Whatever happened to the parents raising their children?
I'll never understand why I should let someone instill their values in my kids.

[Joseph]

Whatever happened to the parents raising their children?
I'll never understand why I should let someone instill their values in my kids.

Because it takes a village to raise an idiot...

Joseph

[Ira]

At the risk of sounding like a hypocrite….. (this comment is not specifically targeted at Ira’s publication)

Recently, a local sport announcer here in the SF Bay area was let go because of certain remarks. Specifically, he stated in a sports talk “opinion” show, that he was tired of “Caribbean ball players hacking at slop”. The local manager, a Dominican, was not pleased with what he heard. Since the radio station was the flagship broadcaster of this team. They of course promptly fired him for his insensitivity even though he had apologized.

So, given that, how come it is OK to exercise our “free speech”, in a morning zoo mentality, which feeds at the trough of the lowest common denominator in search of the almighty dollar, to broach just about any subject we deem fit in the name of “humor”?

When does our right to free speech usurp our responsibility to be that “village that raises our children” as one of our preeminent politicians wrote? Must we consistently push the limits of borderline humor just to see who gets a rise out of it?

If that’s they way is gonna be then, I say, hell’s bells, screw the v-chip, damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead – do what ever you want. Let’s give the kids crack for breakfast and porn for recess. After all, it’s what all the other kids are doing and they’re not even wearing a helmet. Oops, I forgot, it’s already happening and all the kid’s are doing it on Youtube. Oh well, better buy that Google stock…..

The broadcaster case you mention isn't really an example of what we're discussing here--he's an employee of the station, ownership certainly has the right to fire him for representing them in a bad way, and it wasn't satire.

But do you know that he could say, "Keep all the Yids out of baseball ownership because they're ruining the sport and this country in general!" And the FCC would and could do nothing?

But if he said "tit," the station would be fined $50,000 dollars?

In other words, who is to draw this line/these lines, that you think we shouldn't cross? This is SPEECH, and it's amazing how some people are so frightened by it.

We're not talking about giving kids crack for breakfast, but instead realizing that if a 10-year-old hears the word "s***" on the radio, his life isn't going to end and he won't grow up into a deformed human being. (Heck, what do you think he's saying in the schoolyard anyway, where he learned it in the first place? Do you think he was listening to Opie and Anthony on the radio?)

It is real, real dangerous trying to restrict speech--because who gets to decide WHOSE speech?

And after speech, they come after every other aspect of your life, like my kid having to wear a helmet to ride his bicycle. He was 4 years old learning to ride his 2-wheeler, and the kid has to wear a helmet in Florida's 95-degree heat.

Is this actually SAFER than not wearing a helmet in the first place? Millions and millions of us rode bicycles without helmets and have lived to tell about it. But because one kid may get hurt out of millions, the millions are imposed upon? Where does it stop?

I guess one of the reasons I'm such a rabid Democrat is because Republicans claim to want less government in our lives, but I keep seeing more. Not saying the Dems are any better, they're worse, but if the Republicans lived up to that promise, it would change my thinking.

Anyway, back to speech:

It's just talking. It can't HURT you--and we often LEARN from it.

[Nitetimes]

Whatever happened to the parents raising their children?
I'll never understand why I should let someone instill their values in my kids.

Because it takes a village to raise an idiot...

Joseph

Ya got a point there, and we seem to be getting a lot of those lately.

[Miriam C.]

It's just talking. It can't HURT you--and we often LEARN from it.

The written word has always been a powerful motivator.

The truth is that getting people riled up may get them off thier duffs to change the things they don't like hearing. Not change the right of people to speak them but change the attitudes that make it an issue in the first place.

Jay: I sure hope the moderators on this forum are free to speak as individuals without someone restricting them based on thier own thoughts.

[Miriam C.]

i had honestly thought more of the administrators' judgement than to allow this.

Ok, I know it is kinky but I just gotta know what it is in Ira's first page that leads to this call for censorship. (didn't catch it when written) Cause I be darned if I can find reason without writing the second page in my own mind. Which wouldn't put it on this forum, now would it.

[Elumia]

Ira,
I’m sorry that this is so personal. I understand it is your dream to be a writer. It’s like you opened a restaurant and I told you the food stunk. If I am to continue on this analogy, I think that you just opened another burger joint that is serving up the same old fries and shakes when you have the ability to offer something much more. I truly enjoy you tales of your adventures in Hope Depot and your jaunts to Walmart. You have Kugel to offer a world that doesn’t know they even like it.

I guess I’m tired of the same old crap I see on TV. Did you know that MTV and VH-1 barely play videos anymore? Not that music videos are the bastion of art, but at least they make you think as opposed to hitting your broadside with a litany of bleeped out words. How much Flavor of Love and Yo Momma do you want your kids watching when they come home from school? I call those Channels “argument TV”, It’s just Jerry Springer for kids.

Because the producers of this stuff have the right to free speech (and it’s on Cable) they can pretty much do whatever they want whenever they want without using their good sense and at the very least limit the broadcast times to an hour which would keep the most vulnerable from seeing them. Because they lack this good sense we have been legislated helmets for our TV in the form of a v-chip (although most don’t have a clue how to use it). How long before you are required to activate your v-chip and CPS will be notified if you don’t? Already there is movement to ban parents from smoking in their cars because they don’t have the good sense not to light up with a baby in there.

As a community, we have rights but we also have responsibilities and we need to find a balance between those. Those that don’t use their good sense tend to push people to put restrictions on all of us.

Mark

[Ira]

It hasn't been personal--I at least hope not!

But it's not a matter of you or me not liking certain crap--it's a matter of others who do. And as far as the stuff we see on TV, we see what the people want to see. I hate 99% of it myself, but who cares?

99% of the American people DO like it. But we're still getting away from the issue of free speech--which is SACRED to me.

And it's really not that I want to be a writer--I already am, in every sentence I write anywhere.

IT'S JUST JOKES!!!

By the way--don't go see "Borat," because that will REALLY drive you crazy.

[jay]

[quote="Ira"][quote="jay"]anyone who thinks pedophilia is funny needs real help[/quote]

Really?

Do you want to start on me again, Jay?

What world do you live in? What age do you think most kids start experimenting with sex nowadays? What do you YOURSELF find funny?

I guess as long as it doesn't involve subjects like your daughters, it's okay then. But everything ELSE is funny, as long as it ain't your daughters.

But if you DON'T find something funny, does that mean someone is "sick" and needs help?

Get off your high horse. No one cares. It's just a joke, and your commentary is irrelevant:

If you don't like the humor, that's fine. But the NERVE of you to critique it.

I'm still waiting for you to say something even REMOTELY humorous!!! Or maybe humor isn't part of your universe.

Let me guess--Mormon???[/quote]


i think we all like to think the world revolves around us. but my comment was directed at those giving you the "atta boy" and encouraging this.

right after reading this, i read a post by another member explaining why he did not take the time to post often. in effect, he admitted that he couldn't get excited at pictures showing hourly progress (oh, i put in five more screws!) or asking absurd questions. i cannot say that i disagree with him entirely either.

everybody must learn, but if someone does a home improvement and it fails, there May not be life threatening consequences. if an interior hollow core door flies apart on the highway, the folks behind might be justified in their concern for your mastery of construction skills.

since this original post i have taken moderator john's (sic) advice and gone on to focus on the things which genuinely interest me and only stop in to visit here now and again.

after reading the most recent posts, if i ever see a teardrop trailer on the road rather than go near it to get a closer look, i will drive away as quickly as possible in the opposite direction!

this is Jay - over and OUT

[Jst83]

Wow are we having a bad day Jay?

Scott

[Nitetimes]

....after reading the most recent posts, if i ever see a teardrop trailer on the road rather than go near it to get a closer look, i will drive away as quickly as possible in the opposite direction!

this is Jay - over and OUT

Thanks, I'm sure it will be appreciated.
Tho I'm sure we will miss all the valuable input you've given while here, hope you've got your thesis done.

BYE

[Miriam C.]

after reading the most recent posts, if i ever see a teardrop trailer on the road rather than go near it to get a closer look, i will drive away as quickly as possible in the opposite direction!

this is Jay - over and OUT

WELL! Dang!!! I wonder if all the 4000 members of this board feel properly chastised.

I sure hope no one ever takes anything I say and applys it as a reflection of all the people who own Teardrop trailers, good or bad.

Jay, This is a piece of shameless dramma not befitting your character. You have quoted yourself and once again implied that pediphilia is written in these pages. There is no pediphilia here. There is only the threat which has written itself out in the minds of those with vivid imaginations.

What is written in Ira's mag. is just that and not a reflection in anyway the character of the 4000 member group.

[Steve_Cox]

....after reading the most recent posts, if i ever see a teardrop trailer on the road rather than go near it to get a closer look, i will drive away as quickly as possible in the opposite direction!

this is Jay - over and OUT

Dear Jay,

If you see the Tear Drop pictured below. Please heed your own words. The owner could possibly corrupt your wife and children. He is known as the Terrible Old Man, he's a seaman, and corrupt cultist, also beware; he knows english.

[cracker39]

I received my complementary copy of the Florida Funnies today in the mail. I just want to tell you that, although I’ve only read the first 10 pages so far, I’ve come to this conclusion--I found it to be a vulgar, irreverent, sarcastic, meaningless rag, completely devoid of any social redeeming value…and…I LOVE IT!!!. I haven’t read anything so satirically funny since my first encounters with Mad Magazine back in the 50s, when it was first published. Kudos to all of the writers/contributors.

[Dean in Eureka, CA]

Ira,
I just received my complimentary copy of the Florida Funnies...
The magazine is your stage and you are the star comedian.
Truely a great piece of work.
I'm amazed that you created this by yourself.
Now go get that registerd letter, it can only be good news...

Thank You!

BTW-Have you ever considered doing stand up???