`jackie' Too Mindless To Be Tasteless

2 Plead Guilty To Robbery Of Local Massage Parlor

Saturday, November 15, 1997 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 





When marital discord hits the Taylor family, society's in deep trouble &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Maybe I'm getting too old or more aware of moral issues facing
AmericaPerhaps I'm discovering maturity. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I'm so upset with the upcoming story line on "Home Improvement." I turn to
entertainment primarily to laugh and forget the troubles of the day. I want to
get away from the realities and the ugly side of life for 30 minutes. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Give me a good dose of Tim Allen fumbling through an intelligent
conversation with his next door neighbor. Let him blow up another hair dryer
or set fire to the TV studio. But don't tell me his marriage is in trouble. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 There's no humor in that. Oh, let them fight like Lucy and Desi. Let them
get mad like the Honeymooners, only to make up in the end with "Baby, you're
the greatest." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 If I want reality, there are dozens of shows with murder, rape and sex I
can turn to. But I tune into comedy to laugh. I know, some of you are saying
switch the channel, turn off the TV. Next you'll be saying lock your doors,
stay home, because you won't like this next idea either. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I'm disturbed about this Barney incident, too. Oh, I laughed at first
seeing the chicken tackle the dinosaur. But then I thought about what it
represented to the kids watching the game. The message is it's OK to beat up
the good, pure, kind things in life. Only the tough guys win. So then let's
beat the crap out of Santa, Big Bird and innocence in general. We'll call it a
sport and charge admission. The sad thing is it would sell out. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 We accept this and pass it on to our children. Then we stand by in shock
wondering how someone could destroy a holy statue or a cemetery. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 We need only to look at what we permit and accept as society's standards,
standards set and supported by adults. We wonder why we need metal detectors
and guards in our hallways at school. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Lighten up," we're told. Every day we lower the standard one more level.
One day, the news won't shock us at all. The burden of lower morals is so very
heavy and must be shared by all who still believe in the goodness of the human
spirit. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 How much can we handle? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Alone, very little; but together, all that can be thrown at us. Speak up or
shut up. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Robert Perks &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Shavertown &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

When Marital Discord Hits The Taylor Family, Society's In Deep Trouble Maybe I'm Getting Too Old Or More Aware Of Moral Issues Facing America.