More Culture Clashes

Once again, the news is filled with problems. Two of the big ones today are the protests in France and the Hispanic protests over new bills in the U.S. designed to curb illegal immigration. Granted, these are two very different subjects, but both involve a group of people trying to influence their respective governments.

In Paris, there is violence, car burnings, confrontations with police and general mayhem. The law that is being protested is an attempt to bring down unemployment and to move France into the modern world. Currently, if you get a job in France, it is almost impossible to be fired from it. Employers have no way of getting rid of poor employees unless the employee does something illegal. Because of this, employers don't want to hire many people, so unemployment stays high. Even though I don't take sides in political issues, it certainly appears that France has to do something with their economy now, or they won't be able to compete. However, the main aspect of this that fascinates me is the attitude of the French worker. It is an attitude of entitlement. They feel as though they are entitled to jobs for life, free health insurance, money for having babies, etc., etc. Yet they don't seem to understand that they are paying for this with a sales tax of 22%, high income taxes, television taxes, etc., etc., etc. And so, they strike, they protest, they burn cars, and they look like rabble.

Let's contrast that image with the Hispanics who are opposed to new laws that would treat illegal immigrants as felons and would punish employers who hire them with huge fines. How did the nation's Hispanic population react? They protested. However, there was a marked difference in how they handled themselves as opposed to how the French did. In Los Angeles, there was a march of over 500 thousand protesters. Five...hundred...thousand! But the amazing thing is that it was peaceful. In other cities there was more of the same. There were walkouts from schools and from jobs; there were discussions with civil leadership; and there was calmness. This was truly an example of how a group can get their message out. No violence, no burnings, and no vandalism.

Again, I don't take sides on any political issue. I see both sides of the French and Hispanic issues. Do I see logic on one side or the other? Sure. I have been to France on a number of occasions and have seen the problems created by unemployment and an over-regulated group of employers. I know many Hispanics, as I live in California. I see the hard work that many of them do, whether they are in landscaping, hotel work, or other jobs that caucasians don't seem to want. Granted, there are many Hispanics in higher positions and even the Attorney General of the United States. But I'm focusing on the "lower" jobs that most people don't want. These immigrants work hard for the most part, and I am frequently impressed with the modesty and kindness I receive when I speak with them.

My point? I have a couple. First; the French people need to quit whining. If they want to compete with the big boys, they need to change. And they also need to stop with the constant strikes, protests, and vandalism. The rest of the world watches this and wonders what has happened to these people who used to be the epitome of diplomacy. Second; people need to quit blaming illegal immigrants from Mexico for the problems in California, Arizona, Texas, and other states. Create a program where they may work legally without fear of deportation, and have employers take a set tax amount from their checks. Easy, right? Nonetheless, the French could take lessons from the Hispanics on how to conduct themselves. Classy protest, amigos. Classy, calm, and effective.

Personal Responsibility

As I was driving to work today, I was listening to sports radio. (I'm a guy...what can I say?) The conversation, as it frequently is, was about Barry Bonds and steroids. One caller said that it is the parent's responsibility to teach their children the dangers of steroids, to watch over them, and to recognize that men like Bonds are not role models.

That is true. However, we also need to teach our kids personal responsibility. If they take steroids to be like Bonds, there have to be reasons behind it. There is the "win at all costs" attitude that prevails in the world today. But the kids choose to take the 'rhoids. They get them from somewhere, and it usually isn't the parent that is providing them.

In a way, this is a symptom of the "not my fault" generation. In many cases, this generation of adults has moved away from the principle of hard work to earn their money and have looked for the "quick fix" method. There is the gambling method, where someone continues to plow money into the lottery or gambling trying to get the easy millions. (Eventually, even the winners end up miserable because they found that money didn't solve their problems...but that's a topic for another time.) My favorite method is the "let's sue them" method. I hear that phrase over and over, especially on the news. Someone is suing McDonalds because their food made them fat. Really? Junk food three times a day can make you fat? What a concept! Another person sued McDonalds because they spilled coffee in their lap and the coffee was...hot!! Another surprise! You order hot coffee and you get hot coffee! Come on now. When I get something from the drive-through from a minimum wage employee, I always check to be sure the lid is on tight because I don't want to wear my drink. Yet this person who didn't check thinks McDonalds should be sued because the coffee was hot. That isn't the real reason. They want an easy buck, and that is the attitude of society today. Look for a reason to sue and sue.

Okay folks. Tell me that this attitude hasn't affected our kids. I dare you. Whether it is teen sex, drug use, stealing, materialism, or whatever; society's example has infected our kids. And how can we stop it? One way is to set the example. Bonds should take responsibility for what he did, confess it, take the spanking, and move on. As parents, we should display the benefits of hard work and not look for the quick buck. We also should teach our children the necessity of taking responsibility for their actions. If they get in trouble at school, don't go down and yell at the teacher like it is her fault! Nine times out of ten it is the child's fault, and he or she should take whatever punishment is doled out. That is how we teach it. That is how they learn it.

Winning isn't everything, and money isn't happiness. And Barry...take the blame. You did it. You know you did. Be a man.

Why is everything a "phobia" now?

As I was reading the "Scene" section in the local newspaper, I noticed what is becoming an all-too-common accusation. Because the film Brokeback Mountain did not win the Oscar, some were accusing the Academy members of being "homophobes". Basically, the term has come to mean anyone who doesn't approve of homosexuality. But what is a phobia, really? One online dictionary describes it as:

an anxiety disorder characterized by extreme and irrational fear of simple things or social situations

OK...with that definition in hand, can the members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences really be called "homophobes"? For that matter, can anyone who doesn't approve of homosexuality be called "phobic"? I don't see these people running in abject terror from anyone who is openly gay. Nor do they see psychiatrists in order to conquer this phobia. Let's face a simple fact: the word homophobia is being used as an attack word to group anyone who doesn't agree with such a lifestyle into one negative gang.

Now, let's be realistic and discern if I can be called a homophobe. I am a firm believer in what the Bible says about homosexuality. In both the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures, homosexuality is not tolerated. God does not approve of those kinds of sexual appetites. Thus, as a Bible student and believer, I agree that homosexuality is not acceptable. When I see an openly gay person on the street, however, I don't break out in a cold sweat and run like a crazed rabbit in the opposite direction! Nor do I treat homosexuals as though they have the plague. No, I don't condone their choices or behavior, but I am not afraid of gay people, nor am I hostile towards them. Yet by the standards of those who love labels and are so quick to go on the defensive, I would be called a homophobe.

Isn't this just another way to attack anyone who doesn't agree with someone's lifestyle or choices? I have the right to my opinions about various subjects. I can be opposed to political matters. If I am opposed to politics, do I become a "politiphobe"? I am opposed to murder. Am I now a "killophobe"? If the gay community doesn't like the fact that I disapprove of their lifestyle, they have the right to say so. They cannot, however, force their opinions on me and they should not group me in the same category as those who feel that homosexuals should be physically injured or those that feel that they shouldn't be seen or heard.

Let's get rid of the "phobe" suffix, folks. There are too many people who truly suffer from phobias to minimize the psychological condition by labelling opinions as phobias. If you don't like my opinion towards gays, you are free to discuss it with me. You may even imply that I am closed-minded (which I am not) or very religious (which I am). But don't use "homophobia" as a grouping for all of the people who do not approve of the practice. The film didn't win because the film didn't win.
Period.
Deal with it.
Or are you an "Academyphobe"?