Well put Debbyski. Jatfla, why do you or others who think as you do, believe that sheltering our children from the natural facts of life protects them in some way? One of the prime reasons for unwanted pregnancy, rise in abortion rates, and most tragically, the tremendous increase in sexually transmitted diseases is ignorance. We work so hard at protecting our children from the proper and educational knowledge they need that the only choice they have is to discover all these things totally on their own, secretly and with no competent adult with whom to confer. Instead of treating these subjects as dirty or taboo, perhaps if you did not show embarrassment when these ads appeared on televi...

Well put Debbyski. Jatfla, why do you or others who think as you do, believe that sheltering our children from the natural facts of life protects them in some way? One of the prime reasons for unwanted pregnancy, rise in abortion rates, and most tragically, the tremendous increase in sexually transmitted diseases is ignorance. We work so hard at protecting our children from the proper and educational knowledge they need that the only choice they have is to discover all these things totally on their own, secretly and with no competent adult with whom to confer. Instead of treating these subjects as dirty or taboo, perhaps if you did not show embarrassment when these ads appeared on television while you were watching with your grandkids, they too would grow up with a healthier attitude towards sex.

why do you or others who think as you do, believe that sheltering our children from the natural facts of life protects them in some way? One of the prime reasons for unwanted pregnancy, rise in abortion rates, and most tragically, the tremendous increase in sexually transmitted diseases is ignorance.

I do not view it as sheltering my daughter from the facts so much as sheltering her from society's presentation of those facts. Is it not possible for parents to educate their children about worldly things instead of letting the world do the talking? I do not agree with society deciding how and when I need to expose my child to things I feel are immoral or indecent or too advanc...

why do you or others who think as you do, believe that sheltering our children from the natural facts of life protects them in some way? One of the prime reasons for unwanted pregnancy, rise in abortion rates, and most tragically, the tremendous increase in sexually transmitted diseases is ignorance.

I do not view it as sheltering my daughter from the facts so much as sheltering her from society's presentation of those facts. Is it not possible for parents to educate their children about worldly things instead of letting the world do the talking? I do not agree with society deciding how and when I need to expose my child to things I feel are immoral or indecent or too advanced.

Just because I do not agree with some accepted practices in the world doesn't mean my child will never learn about those practices. She will learn from her parents, as I believe all children should. The best teacher is example.

Zasel, please know that my exhaustion is not directed at you, but at a culture that has a decidedly different worldview than I have. I don't embrace the same values as most of the media presents them, and for that I am labeled ignorant, intolerant, superstitious, naiive, ridiculous, or sanctimonious.

bignosemousie, please understand that I too find many things shown in the main stream media to be offensive. I just have a real problem with censorship of any kind. I am grateful that with today's technological advances, there are ways of guiding our children in a direction that enables them to view and be exposed to material I consider to be more appropriate. I also was primarily responding to the refusal of those two networks from airing condom ads. This is an area in which I feel more exposure is necessary. Too few teens that are foolish enough to be engaging in sexual activity are actually using them, hence the rise in unwanted pregnancies and STDs.

As far as your concerns about q...

bignosemousie, please understand that I too find many things shown in the main stream media to be offensive. I just have a real problem with censorship of any kind. I am grateful that with today's technological advances, there are ways of guiding our children in a direction that enables them to view and be exposed to material I consider to be more appropriate. I also was primarily responding to the refusal of those two networks from airing condom ads. This is an area in which I feel more exposure is necessary. Too few teens that are foolish enough to be engaging in sexual activity are actually using them, hence the rise in unwanted pregnancies and STDs.

As far as your concerns about questionable practices being displayed on television etc, it is somewhat of a problem, but I don't think censorship is the answer. Parents have access to all kinds of tools they can use to block out TV stations that show what they might consider to be inappropriate programming, and there are also Internet filters that can be employed. I find this to be fair, because we all have different ideas as to what is or is not appropriate.

For example, I know of parents who become very upset if any mention is made in television programs such as sitcoms or dramas that relate to homosexuality. I, as a gay man, think it is a good thing that this issue is raised, so that people can begin to see that we are just like everybody else. We have the same joys, sorrows, loves, dislikes etc, etc, etc. Hence, exposure to gay characters on television is a very good thing from my point of view.

But do understand that I totally respect your views and I empathize with much of what you say. Perhaps we are simply disagreeing on how these issues should be dealt with.

Be well my friend.

I believe the young people of our times are very well aware of condoms, what they're for, and the results of what can happen if they do not use them while having sex. I don't believe for one minute they are ignorant. I believe they have been aroused by the constant barrage of sex from every crevice of our society, coupled with the rampage of hormones, and a lock-down on self-control, to where they don't *care* about the consequences or believe that they will have any. After all, if a baby comes, they can always have an abortion or the government or parents will help care for the baby. And within a segment of our culture, it's a brownie-point to have babies.

I appreciate your thoughtful ...

I believe the young people of our times are very well aware of condoms, what they're for, and the results of what can happen if they do not use them while having sex. I don't believe for one minute they are ignorant. I believe they have been aroused by the constant barrage of sex from every crevice of our society, coupled with the rampage of hormones, and a lock-down on self-control, to where they don't *care* about the consequences or believe that they will have any. After all, if a baby comes, they can always have an abortion or the government or parents will help care for the baby. And within a segment of our culture, it's a brownie-point to have babies.

I appreciate your thoughtful comments about the children, but do you really want them to have to deal with all of this at 8 or 10? And if you say they will have to, I say 'why'? There are much more important things to be learning about than these.

Censorship is just a PC word for 'you can't prevent me from saying anything I want to'. And I thank you for letting me know that I'm watching the news channel that agrees with me about the impropriety of such ads.

bignosemousie...you found the object of the offense.

debbyski, I have always found it easier to make my point whenI try to express it from a point of view that others can relate to. Sometimes, as I am sure you know, it isn't easy, and I have had my moments of exasperation, and lost my cool. But for the most part, I engage in Clipmarks and other such forums as a means of discovering interesting topics and ideas; having the opportunity of learning how other people think and why, and also having the chance to express my own views. It is a give and take educational experience at best.

I have never been adored before. Thank you. I feel the same way about you. I will be absent for the next week as I am going down to Philadelphia with Arnold ...

debbyski, I have always found it easier to make my point whenI try to express it from a point of view that others can relate to. Sometimes, as I am sure you know, it isn't easy, and I have had my moments of exasperation, and lost my cool. But for the most part, I engage in Clipmarks and other such forums as a means of discovering interesting topics and ideas; having the opportunity of learning how other people think and why, and also having the chance to express my own views. It is a give and take educational experience at best.

I have never been adored before. Thank you. I feel the same way about you. I will be absent for the next week as I am going down to Philadelphia with Arnold to visit my 95-year-old mom who recently underwent a mestectomy due to Paget's disease. We are also going to attend the funeral of our great aunt who died on my 60th birthday, July 11th. Her funeral will be on what would have been her 106th birthday.