IN MY OPINION...

Never before have I felt so disillusioned, disheartened -- disgusted!  The other day while I waited in a hair salon, I picked up a copy of Redbook magazine.  On the cover was actress Meg Ryan, looking innocent, eyes bright and happy, in spite of her recent split with husband Dennis Quaid.  Her glowing smile intrigued me, so I flipped through the pages to find the article.  But something else caught my eye.  I don't remember the heading exactly, only that it had to do with new ways to stimulate your sex partner.  Isn't Redbook a magazine for all ages?  I wondered.  I took a deep breath and continued reading.  What I found was that 12-year-olds who read Redbook will discover alternative uses for pillows. 

Most Americans are aware that there's a glut of pornographic websites on the Internet that are harmful to our younger generation.  We're angry about it…. right?  Well. . .if we are angry about what's on the Internet, then why aren't we incensed by the graphic sexual illustrations in magazines?  Has our culture become so desensitized by filth that we just stopped noticing?  And if we've noticed, where is our sense of outrage? 

Do I sound like an alarmist?  I promise you, I'm not.  But lately even listening to the radio gets my ire up.  I usually listen to Christian programs and occasionally to conservative talk-radio.  The other day my seven and five-year-old grandsons were with me in the car and I turned on the radio to listen to a conservative broadcast.  During a commercial break an advertiser came on and explained, in graphic detail, what "Viagra" can do for those who are having problems in the bedroom.  This was in the middle of the day…America's kids are up and around…their inquisitive little ears tuned in to what's going on around them.  And yet there was no warning to parents to turn down the volume -- or change the station!  Caught off guard, I shot a sideways glance at the boys, who undoubtedly heard what was being said, but thankfully refrained from asking questions.  If they had, I would have been mortified! 

This is only a small part of why I've become disillusioned and disheartened.  Let me give you another example.  Several months ago I took my eleven-year-old nephew to a video store.  Sounds innocent enough, right?  Wrong!  Upon entering the store, patrons were exposed to an R-rated movie that was being shown on a ceiling mounted TV.  In the few minutes I was in there, I heard enough vulgar language to last me a lifetime!  Not wanting to disappoint my nephew, I hurried to pick out a movie.  Naturally he was drawn to the sounds of a furious battle going on. What young kid wouldn't be?  Several times I had to steer him away from the TV.  On the way out I mentioned to the sales clerk that the movie was not appropriate for young viewers, that it was in fact R-rated.  Not surprisingly, she gave me a stone-cold stare that spoke volumes: "Soooooo?" said her eyes as we turned to leave.

My question is this: If there are laws that prohibit those under the age of eighteen from viewing R-rated movies inside a darkened theater, why doesn't the same law apply to video stores?  Isn't it obvious that our children's malleable minds should be protected from gratuitous violence and profanity everywhere, even in video stores?  Certainly video storeowners can show R-rated movies if they want to.  However, if they do show one, shouldn't someone be checking ID's?  Am I missing something here?

In all honesty, video stores are not places I usually frequent -- but the mall is another story.  I love to browse through stores, selecting just the right gift for a friend or family member.  At times I even shop for myself.  Recently I wanted to buy a toe ring  (yes, even grandma's wear toe rings!) so I found the appropriate store and went in to look.  Inside the store a RAP song played too loud for