MuttonChops

Written almost 20 years ago, the song is as relevant today as ever. Some things, unfortunately, never change. Bottom line - when one is living a good life and chooses to ignore the needs of others, the least he can do is tend to the ones he loves. The Ones You Love Children cry on the street They don't have enough to eat Mothers wait for days on end A hopeless situation they can't mend Is it good for you? Is it good for me? I don't know how the world can sleep It's just not right to close the door turn out the lights They'd better be the ones you love The children ought to get some love If no one else should ever get enough They'd better be the ones you love Daddy waits there in line A little work he hopes to find Something wrong with times like these It's enough to bring a man down to his knees Is it good for you? Is it good for me? I don't know how the world can sleep It can't be right to close the door turn out the lights They'd better be the ...

For centuries, little girls have emulated their mothers or other adult female role models around them. Wearing mom’s high heels, donning make up, and exhibiting adult mannerisms are all child’s play. Yet there are certain lines children shouldn't cross, and they depend on those same role model adults to teach them their limits. Good sense tells reasonable adults to not let a six-year-old smoke, drink alcohol, or wear stilettos on the street. Why, then, have certain parents and leaders of a dance competition gotten so defensive over public outcry regarding a troop of six- and seven-year- old children dancing provocatively? The parents and contest spokesperson have weighed in saying there is nothing wrong with the dance. They believe that the people calling the gyrations perverse, are indeed perverse themselves. Even the little girls have been asked to weigh in on the topic, which is another bad move on the parents’ part because the girls are biased. The responses from all of those i...

A mom in Georgia is now under public scrutiny for dragging her toddler by a leash through a store. At first glance, the tactic seems brutal, but after watching the video I am convinced people need to cut this mom some slack - at least until all the evidence is presented. My biggest pet peeve is how the masses make snap decisions based on initial data, popular opinion, or what is politically correct. In handling children, there are some that believe a higher road should be taken. They seem to have a zen approach, talk calmly to little ones, and never use corporal punishment. My experience with such saintly parents has been that they are 1) oblivious to the unruly and disruptive behavior of their children; 2) don't have children and are working from theory; 3) are blessed with sedate tots; or 4) they are lying about how they raise their kids. Instead of assuming the woman with a toddler on a leash is the reincarnate of Irma Grese , let's provide the benefit of the doubt with a mo...

Often my commentary here makes a point about how people follow blindly and fail to think or do things for themselves. I also get aggrevated with people who, in my opinion, behave inappropriately. I wanted to share a couple of anecdotes from this week as testimony that I am not always snipping at people and to lead by example. In no way am I trying to break my arm by patting myself on the back nor am I seeking kudos of any sort. I honestly hope that by sharing, I can create a " Pay it Forward " kind of atmosphere. Two young girls left an interesting message on my voicemail the other night. I would estimate their ages to be around 10 or 12 and they were trying to create a three-way conference call with a friend. One of them did most of the talking and explained, "We are sorry but we got the wrong number. We were trying to reach our friend and must have dialed wrong." She was very clear, to the point and asked me to excuse the call. Impressed by her politeness and deme...

Until now, my experiences in watching the power of Twitter in action from day to day has been like going from skates with keys to a Lambourgini . Today's TwitteReaction to Motrin's newest ads took me to Mach 1. Coinciding with International Baby Wearing Week , the Motrin ad attempts to connect with aches and pains of motherhood focusing on the strain of carrying a tot in a sling. Moms (and dads) go through a lot of pain out of love for their kids. However, the ad has become a royal pain in the ass for folks that see it as a slam. TwitteReaction has tracked comments ranging from disdain over Motrin's implication that baby slings are a fashion statement to seeking sincere retractions from the company. While parents are sending signals over slandered slings and issuing kudos over effective social media efforts, Tweeters in another corner are recommending Motrin for dads dealing with the manic moms and suggest the squealers put forth similar efforts into more justifiable ...

On January 1, 1994 I had been married 11 years and had two small children. My husband and I sat down to talk about the problems we were having. It was a new year and I was creating an opportunity to start fresh. Our arguments and his general mood had progressively worsened. He wasn’t happy and neither was I. The discussion was sane and amicable but the lines were drawn. We both needed to commit 100 percent to mending the relationship or there was no need in going further. He agreed but wanted time to think. As we both took in a deep breath, I felt like I had literally been hit with a lightening bolt. I don’t know where the question came from or why I asked at that moment. I certainly wasn’t prepared for the answer. “You’re gay, aren’t you?” He paused and responded, “Yes.” Tears welled up in his eyes. I crossed the room to where he was sitting and knelt down, hugging him, reassuring him. “It’s okay,” I said. “At least now I know what is wrong and why you’ve been so miserable.” He hadn’t...

When I finished the video I asked my 19-year-old son if he wanted to see it. "Sure," he said. After watching it he said, "Good song." Such a dry sense of humor, that kid. "What about the pictures?" "I see them all the time." "What? My photos?" "No - trees - they're everywhere." I gave him a look. He chuckled in amusement and said, "Well, maybe after I spend eight months in the desert I'll be more excited about seeing pictures like that." He is going in the Army in a couple of weeks. He'll need that humor, just like I needed mine to raise him."