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Recently I read a story about a psychologist who was assigned to evaluate the skills of patients in a mental institution. After a great deal of work with one non-communicative 20-something year old patient, she determined that he had a normal IQ and no mental impairments whatsoever. He had been abandoned by his mother when he was an infant, and presumed to be retarded. Raised in an institution, he learned to respond like the other patients. He never learned to read or write; he could barely mumble. But there was absolutely nothing wrong with him... except that he had been raised in an institution where little was expected of anybody.
... an interesting story, the significance of which will become apparent as you read on.
Meanwhile, all last week, ABC television promoted a news program. "Think all hotels are clean? Don't leave on your vacation till you see our report." Well, since my vacation is coming up, I thought I would check this out. The essence of their story was this: there is bacteria in the rooms of both the cheapest and the most expensive motels and hotels all across America - not enough to kill you, but it is disconcerting. ABC's advice on how to deal with this: wash your hands often; look for dirt when you enter a motel room; if the room looks dirty, ask for another one.
Another seemingly unrelated item: My local electric utility company delivers the bill each month with a newsletter containing information and helpful tips. I'll bet they spend a half million dollars a year producing this cutsie little newsletter. This being the start of the summer, they decided to include a few tips this month on how to keep the bill down. Their advice: raise the thermostat; don't leave windows and doors open; change your filter; seal cracks around doors and windows. How they come up with this stuff is a mystery to me. Why they think they have to tell me every year is an even bigger mystery. I know... it's a public service.
Another sign that it is summer is the hurricane warnings offered by the local television stations here in Florida. Each one tries to top the others with its urgent "hurricane special." Generally, their advice goes like this: "Hurricanes can be dangerous. Be prepared; have flashlights and batteries ready. Know where to go in case you have to evacuate. Downed power lines may be dangerous. If a hurricane does come through the area, electricity and phone service may be disrupted for several days. You are in greater danger if you live close to the water than if you live inland." And once is not enough; we hear this three or four times each June... even though there is not a hurricane as far as the 2 million watt, dopler radar can see. And when one does churn up in the Atlantic, out will come the warnings another five times.
There is an ad running on television for an HMO, I think. Part of it goes like this: "What if I break my arm?" Another concerned citizen asks, "What if my baby arrives early?" "What if I have to go to the emergency room?" "What if I have to have X-rays?" "What if my brother makes me eat a bug?" ... as if these are major crises that, as individuals, we cannot possibly handle by ourselves. (The inclusion of a child asking about the bug is no coincidence.)
The June Insta-Poll at BBHQ noted that President Clinton has shown concern about the high level of juvenile crime that occurs between 3 and 7 p.m. (Of course; he feels our pain.) This being an election year, surely he has in mind a government program to deal with this; midnight basketball was just the beginning. Never mind that over 90% of the boomers responding to our poll believe that controlling children is a parental responsibility, not that of the federal government. But the government program will be proposed as if it is the only way to deal with the problem.
ABC News does not think that we have enough common sense to wash our hands and look for dirt. The electric company does not think that we know enough to change the filter or raise the thermostat. An HMO thinks that we cannot go to the bathroom without their assistance. The television stations do not think that we know that being inland is safer than sitting on the beach during a hurricane.
And worst of all, the president thinks that we are incapable of monitoring and controlling our children. So he is going to propose a program do it for us. (As if they do such a splendid job of controlling themselves, mind you.)
A couple weeks ago I asked you to consider what made the U.S. the strongest country in the world. I didn't give you my answer, but I will tell you this: It is the antithesis of this daily dose of helplessness and dependence that we are being fed. Exactly the opposite!
When the television networks and the public utilities and the media and the government all treat us as if we are child-like fools and idiots, eventually many of us become convinced that we are, and that we cannot survive without their benevolent guidance. (Read: higher taxes and more control over our lives.)
That's exactly what they are hoping for. You know what? It's working. Many people are content to have some large company or the government tell them what to do - sure beats thinking. If these organizations have their way, in another generation we will be walking around in circles, mumbling to ourselves, incapable of anything without their domination over us.
The dumbing down of America continues.
Like Ross Perot says, "It's just sad."
Boomers Respond:
"Instead of requiring people to improve their capabilities, we cater to ignorance by adding pictures in case someone can't read, and excusing all sorts of behavior that our parents never would have tolerated. I think it's time for a little self-determination. Wake up, America, and take control of your lives." - BP
If you want to write more, we're open to offerings from other boomers. If you have something to say of interest to boomers, write it as well as you can in 500-800 words, and send it to us. We can't guarantee we'll publish it, but we'll surely consider it.
Hershel will have something else to say on Monday, July 20; mark your calendar to come back to BBHQ every Monday.
| The BBHQ Album of the Month is "Old Friends Live on Stage (Deluxe Edition) (2 CD/1 DVD)," by Simon & Garfunkel. If you were fortunate enough to see them in concert last year, I do not have to sell you. The concert was terrific! This album collection includes 55 songs, plus their new recording, "Citizen of the Planet," and one of the songs sung by the Everly Brothers during the concert. The DVD was recorded during their concert in Madison Square Garden in 2003. For any S&G fan, this is a must have! But then, you knew that already, didn't you? |
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The BBHQ Book of the Month is
"Vinyl Highway," by
Dee Dee Phelps. You remember her as Dee Dee, of Dick and Dee Dee.
Together, they took a decade long ride on the rock and roll roller
coaster. It was a heck of a ride! Dick Clark, Quincy Jones, the Beach
Boys, Glenn Campbell, Dionne Warwick, Bobby Vinton... Dick and Dee Dee
rubbed shoulders with all of them. This is her "behind the scenes" story.
It's pretty cool.
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Copyright © 1998 Baby Boomer HeadQuarters (BBHQ) All rights reserved.
rev. 11/29/98