Originally Posted by sceckert:
Let's not get all high-wired about "what we will say to the kids". I'll give you the ABCs on that right quick. I clicked on DO's video just now, and my son came running because he heard sprint cars on the audio. He sat with me and we watched the whole ranting, raving, lunatic fringe freakout. At every turn, my 6-year old boy kept asking "Why did he do that?" I said to every question "Because he is an idiot." That was followed by "Because he is a total idiot." and "Because that driver, in that green car, is a complete and total idiot, and he needs to go away." By the end of the six minute video, my son left the room after it was done saying "Dad, that guy in the green car is an idiot. We shouldn't root for that guy." And I said "That's right, he is. And that's absolutely right, we won't."
Problem solved. Crisis averted. My son's morality not only protected, but strengthened. Now, anytime he might see some other half-wit numbskull putting his feeble concerns over every single other person's, I fully expect my son to need NO prompting by me to speak up right away and say "That guy is an idiot."
So Thank You, Memmer. That's what we parents call "A Teachable Moment."
And I didn't even have to drive the distance across state lines to sit through it while getting eaten up by bugs and dusted over.
Et tu, Steve? I find this so completely ironic that while I was writing my post, this was being written just 30 yards from me next door. Couldn't you have just said, "being an idiot", and refrained from terms like "half-witted numbskull"...? Geez.
Oh, and for the record, I totally agree with the "teachable moment" aspect of your post. That is precisely the way to approach it. The rest of it? Eh...
Whatever. I guess it's a difference of opinion. I just see no need to pile on. I think the video speaks for itself, and John, upon seeing it will likely wish to alter his approach the next time. Last night, while packing up his truck, he did reach out to apologize to the folks that run the track. I think he realizes his folly. I don't believe he is an idiot, or crazy, or any such thing. He just lost his cool. We've all done it. That doesn't make us bad humans, it doesn't make us half-wits, or anything like that. It just makes us human.
"So before you go and make up your mind...
If Christ came knocking on your door,
Dressed up like the devil, would ya let him in?
I am a Christian; I am a Buddha;
Hari Krishna, I am a Jew.
I am Satan, have Zen within me;
I have Jesus, I am human." - Sammy Hagar, 'Sympathy for the Human'
DM