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Jewish World Review April 9, 2002 / 28 Nisan, 5762
Tony Snow
http://www.NewsAndOpinion.com | Americans have some of the cutest habits. We don't like anybody to feel uncomfortable or take offense, and as a result, we are the politest people on the earth - more so than the British, the Germans, the French, or dozens of nationalities that pride themselves on well-turned insults or blood feuds, successfully executed. Recently, the Cartoon Network, one of the few television properties still under Ted Turner's control, put on a grandiose show of tender solicitude. The Network announced that, effective immediately, it was going to ban the broadcast of Speedy Gonzales cartoons. Turner and his honchos consider the cartoon an example of atavistic racial stereotyping -- an odd view, since Gonzales is bright, enterprising, clever, and always manages to outwit and outrun his potential foes. Furthermore, Turner and Company may have overdone the sensitivity thing. It turns out that devoted Speedy Gonzales fans still can see their hero in action -- on Cartoon Network Latin America -- where fast-moving mouse is hugely popular.
Time, activity and plain forgetfulness have a way of easing raw pain. But we shouldn't recover too quickly from September 11th. Think first about the chilling details: The hijackers moving briskly through security lines; a pilot banking his jet at the last moment, dipping the wings in order to kill as many people as possible at the world trade center; firemen rushing into what would become their tombs; the skies going dark as giant towers shudder and collapse. Think about the Pentagon fireball. The heroism of the men and women of Flight 93. Remember that as we mourned, others, far away, danced in the streets. We have been drawn into a war for our souls. We appreciate afresh the power of evil, the necessity of good, and our shared American brotherhood. After six months, we're different, but the same: Brash, daring, idealistic and free. We brave the fire to set our brothers free. We hoist the flag. And our defiance proclaims to the world: We'll survive. We'll thrive. And we will win.
Washington, D.C's Janney Elementary School has sent parents an astounding survey. Here are a couple of questions sent home with a kindergartener: "Have you ever talked with your child about becoming sexually active?" And, do you agree or disagree with the following statement: "If Americans engaged in more discussion about sex, discussion that is respectful, thoughtful and mature, there would be less of a problem with unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases in this country." In other words: If kids heard more about sex, they'd be less inclined to try it. I'm normally a calm, mild mannered guy, but this kind of stuff makes me nuts. Educators seem determined to teach pre-teens stuff that would make Hugh Hefner perk up with interest and surprise. Maybe the most galling thing is that the locals are calling the program: "Real Life, Real Talk at Janney."
Is this seriously what the school believes is "real life" for
elementary school kids? I think somebody needs to have a real talk with the
school ... real soon.
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