Been doing some thinking...
As the post title suggests, I've been doing a lot of thinking. Especially about the conversation I've been having with Michael about the social responsibility we all bear for our children.
A legend comes to mind. One of those stories that, if it isn't true, should be.
A certain group of travelers wanted to move west. They were in need of an experienced driver to lead the wagon train through rough terrain. In particular, they were concerned about a mountain pass that was extremely narrow and dangerous. Many a wagon had come to a fatal stop at the bottom of the gorge that bordered the path. Upon petitioning the locals' recommendations, three drivers were found who were interviewed for the job.
The first driver declared with certainty. "I can handle anything. I've crossed the country several times and can manage any trouble that we encounter, including Indians." When asked about the mountain pass, he responded with confidence, "I can get within a foot of the edge without having any problems whatsoever."
The second driver, during his interveiw expressed even more bravado. "I'm the best driver around. Ask anyone, they'll tell you." And his response to the question about the pass was even more astounding. "I can get a wagon and a team of horses within 6 inches of the edge and still manage to get everyone safely across."
The third driver, the one who was hired, also came with high praise. When the leader of the company of pioneers asked him if he was familiar with the dangerous mountain pass that presented such a hazard, the third driver replied, "I know that pass. It is indeed very dangerous." "Well," asked one of the pioneers, "how close can you get to the edge?" "I don't know" he responded "I stay as far away from the edge as I can."
Many Americans want to skirt the edge of decency, morality, and good sense using the law as a measuring stick with which to mark the distance between themselves and a terrible fall. Some intentionally push the wagon closer and closer until they are on a dangerous precipice or even leading unsuspecting followers down a treacherous path toward a deadly end.
Others are convinced that a healthy respect for freedom demands that we get as close to the edge as humanly possible. They declare the edge a guardrail instead of what it really is, a terrifyingly unstable position.
Then there are the drivers who stay firmly on the path and refuse to skirt the edge simply because a foot of earth and the laws of phsics say they might stand a chance of getting away with it. They recognize that the obligation of a driver is not to see how close to danger he can ride, but how safe he can keep his passengers.
With respect to the conversation about pornography and our oversexualized society, there are edges. They are all around us. And we are in danger. Safety can only be found by staying on the path. And while some may walk the edge and survive, enough fall that we must recognize the dangerous reality. Making excuses for skirting the edge only reveals our true purpose - and that isn't protecting our children.
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My biggest frustration, when I get into topics like this with my lefty buddies is how often they miss what I believe is the key question. It is not whether or not someone has the RIGHT to do this, that or the other thing, in my eyes. It is whether or not they should do this, that or the other thing.
The lefties seem to be so hung up on the idea that "you can't legislate morality" that they seem to miss out that there IS such a thing as morality- laws or not. I agree that generally, laws shouldn't encode morality, but that doesn't mean that morality doesn't exist. It does- above and beyond the realm of man's laws, and the left shoots themselves in the foot by neglecting that basic point, IMHO.
Comment by Michael— 2006/11/18 @ 02:06 PM — (Reply)
Comment by Elmers Brother— 2006/11/18 @ 05:25 PM — (Reply)
A Fence or an Ambulance
By:Joseph Malins (1895)
'Twas a dangerous cliff, as they freely confessed,
Though to walk near its crest was so pleasant;
But over its terrible edge there had slipped
A duke and full many a peasant.
So the people said something would have to be done,
But their projects did not at all tally;
Some said, "Put a fence 'round the edge of the cliff,"
Some, "An ambulance down in the valley."
But the cry for the ambulance carried the day,
For it spread through the neighboring city;
A fence may be useful or not, it is true,
But each heart became full of pity
For those who slipped over the dangerous cliff;
And the dwellers in highway and alley
Gave pounds and gave pence, not to put up a fence,
But an ambulance down in the valley.
"For the cliff is all right, if your careful," they said,
"And, if folks even slip and are dropping,
It isn't the slipping that hurts them so much
As the shock down below when they're stopping."
So day after day, as these mishaps occurred,
Quick forth would those rescuers sally
To pick up the victims who fell off the cliff,
With their ambulance down in the valley.
Then an old sage remarked: "It's a marvel to me
That people give far more attention
To repairing results than to stopping the cause,
When they'd much better aim at prevention.
Let us stop at its source all this mischief," cried he,
"Come, neighbors and friends, let us rally;
If the cliff we will fence, we might almost dispense
With the ambulance down in the valley."
"Oh he's a fanatic," the others rejoined,
"Dispense with the ambulance? Never!
He'd dispense with all charities, too, if he could;
No! No! We'll support them forever.
Aren't we picking up folks just as fast as they fall?
And shall this man dictate to us? Shall he?
Why should people of sense stop to put up a fence,
While the ambulance works in the valley?"
But the sensible few, who are practical too,
Will not bear with such nonsense much longer;
They believe that prevention is better than cure,
And their party will soon be the stronger.
Encourage them then, with your purse, voice, and pen,
And while other philanthropists dally,
They will scorn all pretense, and put up a stout fence
On the cliff that hangs over the valley.
Better guide well the young than reclaim them when old,
For the voice of true wisdom is calling.
"To rescue the fallen is good, but 'tis best
To prevent other people from falling."
Better close up the source of temptation and crime
Than deliver from dungeon or galley;
Better put a strong fence 'round the top of the cliff
Than an ambulance down in the valley.
Just my own mindless musing....
Comment by Verity— 2006/11/18 @ 06:52 PM — (Reply)
Comment by Cate— 2006/11/18 @ 07:15 PM — (Reply)
Comment by Verity— 2006/11/19 @ 05:00 AM — (Reply)