Timeless Values

This past week has brought to mind the question of values, and just doing the right thing. Though I said I wouldn't get political, some things just make that about impossible. The "Muslim world" got all stirred up over cartoons published in a Danish newspaper, and began riots and violence all over the world. Drawings of the prophet Mohammad are apparently a big no-no. Two things about this bother me. First, the cartoons were originally published several months ago, and sparked a couple of protests in Denmark. I guess this didn't satisfy the bloodthirsty world media, so they republished them last week and all heck broke loose! Second of all, do cartoons warrant violence and destruction? I have seen photos of protesters waving signs against America and Israel - neither of which had anything to do with the cartoons! Things like beheadings and suicide bombers earn an express ticket to paradise, but a cartoon offends these folks??? Oh come on. As I said before, who feeds these folks and cares for their families while they are out yelling on the streets and torching cars instead of working and earning a living?

The second bit of major news was the death of Coretta Scott King, widow of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This drew attention and mourners from around the world to my hometown of Lithonia where her memorial service was held. President Bush, as well as three past presidents attended, as well as scores from the political, sports, and entertainment worlds. Many people who spoke at her funeral decided not to talk about her and the work she did, but instead took the opportunity to speak out against the president, the war, the response to the hurricanes, hangnails, papercuts, blah-blah-blah. These same people cry about the separation of church and state, but stand in front of news cameras in a church while they are supposed to be delivering a eulogy and spout their political views. I think they did a great disservice to Mrs. King. I have been to too many funerals to count, but at least the preachers at all of them remembered why they were there, and talked about the life of the dearly departed instead of taking the opportunity to make a name for themselves. You wouldn't do this sort of thing at a wedding, so why do it at a funeral?

The last part of this post is about children. We had our Cub Scout pack's Blue & Gold Banquet last night. I go to things like that to see my kids rewarded for their achievements, and also to make myself thankful that when it is over I only have to take two of those kids home with me! As I said before, my sons aren't perfect angels, but they are respectful, good little gentlemen. In our home and in our cub scout dens, respect is something we emphasize. How I wish everyone else would do the same. Many of the kids last night acted like it was painful to say "Yes, sir" or "No, Ma'am" or please and thank-you. Some went ahead and did things even if told not to, and their parents sat right there and let them. These boys will ignore most people, but will jump in line when my husband speaks. It is because of his loud military voice, and the fact that the kids know he expects them to behave a certain way.

Scouting talks about "timeless values" and I think this should be something taught in every household around the world. Parents just need to be PARENTS and teach their kids by example how to be good citizens of the world. Respect is the key to it all! Respect yourself and others. Respect the property of others. Respect the fact that not everyone looks the same or believes the same. Just because you don't agree with someone is no excuse to get violent. Stand up for what you believe in, but pick your battles. Learn that there is a time and a place for things, and suit your words and actions by this. If respect had been shown by the cartoonists, the media, the protesters, the speakers at the memorial service, and the wild ones at the banquet, the week would have gone differently and this column would have never been written in the first place!