What a time to be alive—DOGE and government cutbacks, the rise of AI, genetically modified foods, the issue of making obscene materials available for children, men trying to play women’s sports and use women’s restrooms, cricket burgers, and Slam Ball. Surely we’ll look back at this time as a golden age, the good ol’ days.
Take a hike! Step away from the politics and noise and wander around in the woods.
As readers of the Pulse and its Explore Tennessee hiking series might imagine, I consider myself a huge proponent and fan of our city, state and national parks. The preservation of these beautiful lands is one of the greatest things the government has done in my life. I remain hopeful that the parks can remain where they are even if some of the staff members are cut.
Nature is still going to nature, no matter if there are government agents there to patrol, interpret and welcome others to it.
I strongly support free expression and the free press, also. However, one can simultaneously stand for free expression and for restricting what material children see in books, in movies, on the internet, in school and in person, and what a taxpayer-funded government library geared for 9-year-olds should contain. Some films have “R” ratings and age restrictions for legitimate reason, and likewise, for similar reasons (protecting the innocence of children and not subjecting minors to pornography) some materials should be left out of the collections of elementary and middle school libraries.
Do those who push for obscene materials to be available in school libraries, making it a Constitutional issue, believe the Constitution grants absolute freedoms to young children regarding the other rights it references? Do the other amendments apply to children also? If that’s the case, then school kids should have the right to bear our arms in government schools as well, right?
I stand for the right to bear arms, but it’s probably not a good idea to supply a bunch of unsupervised children with firearms.
I support the free press, but it’s probably not a good idea to supply a bunch of unsupervised children with sexually explicit material or videos.
The issue of keeping overly violent, sexualized and obscene material out of children’s libraries isn’t necessarily a free-press issue. Authors and publishers can still print the books they want and have them available for sale, even if those curating libraries meant for children don’t choose to host them.
No one is telling authors, directors and publishers they can’t write or release certain things. Is anyone getting in trouble for publishing certain works? The discussion seems to be about curating government libraries meant for children with works suitable for their age.
The Mayos lost dear fluffy Jojo this past month. It is the end of an era; she was quite the puffy feline.
Life can change quickly. Everyone’s life arrives at the end of the line at some point.
Focus on the good things. We have basketball and barbecue, chess and chimichangas. And our parks. And we have SlamBall!
Find me at the MTSU basketball game on March 8, the Special Kids Race on the following Saturday, March 15, hopefully at Murfreesboro Community Chess at McAllister’s on Medical Center on one of these Fridays, and at Champy’s on the 20th at 5 p.m.
And surely at some point I’ll visit Avalon, Nacho’s, Valley Growers and other fine Pulse supporters throughout the month; plus we have the Boro BBQ Fest coming up in April.
Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. [1 Thessalonians 5:16-18]
