Memories For Sale-Cheap…Clinton, Flowers, Jones

      I am a little bit surprised by the timing of the announcement, as it seems to me that these ladies would have gotten more mileage out of launching their website during the high point of Hillary’s historic campaign.   There is a new website that is offering to tell you all sorts of memories of Gennifer Flowers and Paula Jones.   They are putting on video, memories of their times with Bill Clinton.  Their website is offering an opportunity for paying customers to listen to what they want us to know about the Clintons; and, their memories of their times together, for a cheap, bargain price of 1 dollar and 99 cents. 

         What is a shame, is that what should be, upon self-reflection, a time of acknowledging a personal low, in the area of accomplishments and deeds; instead, has become a celebration of those sorrowful experiences with financial perks.

        The sheer marketing genius of selling cheap memories for a cheap price is astounding.  Sad but true, there is always a market for such things that exploit the sensational aspects of life.  I am sure there will be no lack of paying customers…but like most things of this nature; it won’t last, and then what?  Isn’t it time to move on?

         Now, I realize that over the years that both Paula and Gennifer have tried other venues to get their thoughts, feelings and points across…but, let’s reflect a little here on the various ways they have expressed their rejection, humiliation, sadness, anger, and low self-esteem, in my opinion.  

            Let’s see… there was a dramatic  (sexual harassment) lawsuit in 1994 by Paula Jones against Bill, there have been media- driven news announcements, television shows, interviews, a book that was written by Gennifer Flowers about her alleged 12 year affair with Bill, musical tours, speaking engagements, nude photos in men’s magazines, boxing matches, offering up recorded conversations to the highest bidder, and last but not least, financial settlements.

         I guess…in my opinion…the circumstances of each woman’s relationship with Bill Clinton was sad enough in it’s very roots.  But the full growth, of each of their sordid stories, has been nurtured and fertilized by their need to have us all feed off of the fruit, of their in your face, here, is what happened to me situations. 

          I am afraid that this whole thing leaves a bad taste.  After all, by charging for your memories of those times…you have validated Bill’s low opinion of you…women he could use (or attempt to use for his own pleasure) and then discard when it no longer suited his needs.  Then, when confronted, he denied his connections to you…he devalued your worth as women.  Now, all of those who said that you had little class will feel justified in their opinions.  Once again, there will be ridicule instead of people understanding your version of past events.

          By capitalizing financially; and, seeking attention, for more fame and publicity….it seems that you’ve succeeded in taken self-destruction to a whole new level by willing jumping into the pool of degradation, after having been coaxed into it by Bill Clinton; and, his political foes and cronies over the years.

          Paula Jones has allegedly said that this website is a way of getting their words out there without someone else’s interpetations or corrections.  However, i think it has only opened them both up to more media attention and public opinion….therefore, more criticism.  It is at times like this, that your mother’s wisdom is best heeded; if you don’t have anything nice to say…it is better to say nothing at all.   Let’s just end this with the thought, that it is always best to respect yourself; so that others, will afford you the same courtesy. 

         

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Parental Disappointments

         There are alot of things in life that are disappointing.  Parenting is one of those areas in life where we really desire and expect to excell.  I don’t know why we expect things to turn out well when there is no exact parenting plan to follow.  When a child is full grown and turns out well; meaning that they are productive, respectful, well- educated, and, showing caring and concern for others…it is no small feat.

           In today’s society, in America, it seems successful parenting is almost a rarity.  If you can get a child through elementary school without being expelled for violence, sexual harrassment, bullying, profanity, drug/alcohol use; well then, you are considered a paragon of virtue.

         You see we allow our kids to be exposed to violence on television 4 or 5 hours a day, we dont filter what they see in between shows regarding commercials with more skin than a newborn baby exposes, sexual innuendo’s on “family entertainment shows”, magazines with suggestive pictures and titles, we have lowered the bar on the level of respect that is reflected in their conversations, and their behaviors are over the top because consequences are not consistent. 

           Let me tell you, stepping into the schools today is a bit like stepping into another world…even children as young as elementary school aged children are not immune from these types of issues.  The lack of discipline, manners, respect and appropriate behaviors is staggering. Teachers have a thankless job.  Chaos reins in the classroom because the teachers have to spend so much time dealing with behaviors that educating the children often comes in second place to discipline. 

           Moving on to middle school is no less disallusioning.  The negative attitudes and behaviors have only amplified into open contempt.  By this age, many students have been led to believe that they are their own person and as such really do not have to listen to their parents.  Rebellion has taken on a life of it’s own.  Even students who wish to learn in school have trouble doing so because of the chaos going on around them in school. 

           Schools officials try to have more influence on the kids as many households have no control over their children whatsoever.   When they can’t control the kids…they call in law enforcement.   Some schools even  hand out condoms and medical advice, refusing to inform the parents because of privacy issues!!!  Say what?  Who’s child is this?  Who is legally responsible for providing for that child…not the school, surely.

           When the troubles come…and they do…then the system pulls in the parents and expects them to correct the situation or control the child.  The parental authority has been diminished by each and every person who trys to chip away at that God given authority….whether it be a school counselor, sports coach, the students very own peers, organizational leaders or whomever it may be.  It can’t be both ways…others can’t be in control of the students and still expect the parents to have the same influential authority that they should have had from the beginning.

         High School…now here is the real breakdown.  Parents are a killjoy.  They are always telling their children no.  They are trying to control their teens.  Rules are meant to be broken; right?  Yet when it comes right down to it…who is left with the responsibility when the teens have crossed the line…and entered into something illegal, immoral, or something self-destructive?  It is the parents.    Is it any wonder that many families are broken beyond repair?  We need to get back to having appropriate boundaries and expectations; so that our children know that they are loved and that they have someone close to them who cares what happens to them.

              It should be the most natural thing in the world, to turn to your parents when a kid finds themselves in trouble.  Often they are not the first person that a kid turns to.   Many times, it is a misquided, ill-informed, or rebellious peer; or, another enabling adult who wants to befriend the teen in some ignorant attempt to feel better about themselves.  This is the environment we are raising our children in today. 

         So, when a teen or preteen comes into your presence and complains about the evil parent they have at home…listen to the complaints carefully before you are pulled in.  It could just be a venting session like every other teen in the history of time.  If it is a genuine situation that needs intervention, such as real abuse or neglect, then by all means…recommend they talk to a professional. 

          Parenting isn’t easy; parenting when you are a teen is even more difficult.  When people decide to have children…they don’t think of all of the problems to come their way in the future.  When starting a family…you dream of the good things to come your way; and that is how it should be.  Parenting shouldn’t be mainly about disappointments…it should be about successes.

        

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