Responding to Alternet: "How the Religious Right Stole Christmas"
I caught about 10 minutes of this "reality" show on CMT called "The World's Strictest Parents". Curious, I tuned in. Now, I think I can say without much reservation what a primary problem is with our culture and why we are becoming a third-rate, insulate, brat of a nation doomed for a dark age: lack of good parenting.
What became evident in a matter of minutes, if these host families are to be taken at face value, is that honest and conscientious parenting is now considered "strict", rather than simply parenting.
Here's the scenario--two unruly siblings, white trash in attitudes and behaviors (smokers at age 14, bad-ass independent streaks), are sent to a fairly well-to-do white upper middle class family. The parents have two children of similar age themselves.
Two guest kids are given simple chores--cleaning their rooms, dusting, vacuuming a hallway--not unreasonable requests, much of what I was expected to do as a teen. Yet, these two brats--since that is what they behaved as--simply glazed over these chores, did a half-assed job of them, and then went out for a smoke. The older sib, a girl, made some comment about not liking to be told what to do, and the boy simply came across as a kid allowed to run amok at home without any real parameters. Of course, the host parents inspected the work and expressed disappointment ("came down on them" in the teen vernacular). The mother smelled the cigarette smoke on the girl and the two parents convened a meeting whereby they confronted the two about the smoking. The girl admitted her guilt, but the boy lied. When they had the boy empty his pockets to find additional cigarettes, a lighter was also found, which he refused to give up at their request.
The parents then searched the kids' rooms and found additional cigarettes. Of course, both kids were belligerent about the situation--the boy refused to give up the lighter even if it meant sitting on the couch 24 hours. (Would you have taken him out to the shed? I would.)
I don't know how the rest turned out--there was a cut to commercial and I turned off the TV. But, what I saw was enough to confirm my thought that if these parents are considered "strict" by television's standards, and if "normal" parents are less so (deductive reasoning: since unruly kids were going to the "stricter" household), then this culture is really on its last legs. Parents need to be parents. This doesn't mean beating the kids or having them do inappropriate or dangerous tasks. Kids are not ready-made slaves. However, a child should be expected to contribute to the household, just as taxpayers and citizens contribute to the government and culture at large. It's an every expanding civics lesson, starting at home and reaching out globally. No wonder we are become a nation full of greedy, self-absorbed ignoramuses whose only concerns are that the government not "take away their medicare" but don't bother them with that "socialized medicine".
Although I'm not one to profess in a religious up-bringing, by far I think I must have more in common with parents who take an active role in their children's lives, in whatever positive form, than those who would rather go to the casinos and bars and let the brats tend to themselves. What kind of parents will the white trashies become? The cycle will perpetuate exponentially.
More disconcerting in some ways was the subtext of the show--the unspoken admission or belief that "normal" parents are not strict and that somehow these particular parents are stricter than most. It's as though real parenting has become something exotic and spectacular rather than common place. Is this show presuming that the majority of parents do not set parameters and restrictions on their growing children? Is this an assumption made by the television creators and producers or is this something so endemic in our cultural mind-set that such assumptions are merely absorbed as "normal"?
Considering this was aired on Country Music Television, one could presume that those in charge of programming will be more conservative in their outlook. Perhaps, they wanted to make a commentary on the "liberal" lifestyle, revealing their own stereotypes about what makes a "good" family and "good" parenting. Yet, be that as it may, they still used the superlative "strictest" in the shows title. Calling the show "Good Parenting", or "Normal Parents" would have revealed a greater bias. Instead they present these parents as "strictest", three times more strict than "normal" parents. So, even these programmers and producers must view such parents as outside the norm.
Going to the website for the show, I do find that there is a degree of self-selection involved in who gets chosen to be the parents. The application inquires whether parents believe they can demonstrate the "right way" to raise teens. Teens are challenged to "live somewhere else" if they believe their own parents are too strict or unreasonable. Yet, the final choice, I imagine, would be up to the shows producers and funders. Of course, they will select those they believe to be "strictest" based on their own understanding of parenting and what they might consider strict. This does leave quite a bit to subjectivity.
Admittedly I viewed only 10 minutes of this show. I doubt I'll view any more of it since "reality" shows often lack much realism simply because the camera changes everything. Like the anthropologist in the field, the natives' behaviors will necessarily be altered by the presence of the anomaly. In this case, the camera and crew. Of course, this would indicate that perhaps much of what I viewed in 10 minutes lacked any credibility whatsoever. Yet, by simply presenting this as somehow indicative of "strictest" parenting, the program creates a "standard" whereby viewers can gauge their own abilities to parent. Even if this show is complete fictitious, because it is "sold" as reality-based, those who view it will receive a certain amount of subliminal comparative messaging. The show depicts a subjective expectation regarding parenting, whether true or false, that leans toward an assumption that parents are typically un-/less involved with their children as compared to the "strictest" parents who are "overly" involved (by this standard). Again, we end up with real parenting relegated to the exotic and strange rather to the norm. And, it seems to set up a situation in which would-be parents may feel compelled to judge themselves based on what they could interpret as "too strict" or "harsh".
Why not just have a show on parenting and save everyone the confusion? Oh, yeah. Not exciting or dramatic enough.
So, I had this dream today which referenced another dream I had forgotten in which I was a child with a sister (younger) and we were hunted by two groups of people, neither looking out for our best interest, but one definitely worse than the other. The worst of the two was headed by a man who had shadowy features, someone I've not been clear on, and who had "minions" who wanted to harm us, if not outright kill us. The second group was more of an organization, a corporation or government--"officials"--who wanted me in particular to "walk in the dreams" of the former man and discover what he was plotting. Somehow, various dreams I've had previously merged since I was dreaming not only the first dream, which was me as I am attempting to wake up for class this morning, but me remembering a dream I had forgotten involving these two groups AND THEN the vision/dream that I walked into of this man.
Now, this is the first time that I've dreamt a word that I can remember upon waking and I was curious about it. So going on-line I first did a Google search on "raaptu" and "raptu". Turns out that "rapture" was the word Google suggested, which was something I thought also. I ran across the word in various odd forms, but landed on the Latin classic De Raptu Prosperpinae by Claudian. Knowing enough about classical mythology, I deduced that "raptu" must have something to do with "rape". I finally found several Latin-English dictionaries that define "raptu" as the following: "seize, thief, ravish, rape". Interestingly, the word "rapture" is etymologically derived from "raptu", since it is "to seize".
Crazy. The odd part has yet to come.
So, somehow, I am recalling the second layer dream--of me as a child with a younger sister--and that somehow I walk other people's dreams and she somehow facilitates this. I am trying to recall a vision of this shadowman which will somehow enable me to know how to "defeat" or thwart his plans. He is in a church-like area--with a semi-circular dias with short columns fencing it off. Atop these columns are holders, brass perhaps, shaped like open crowns. Each holder is about 9 inches in diameter and holds an particularly shaped object made of silver, gold or some other fine metal--filigree surrounding a highly polished stone of some sort. In my dream-walk, I am seeing though his eyes and somehow know that whatever he picks up will be then placed in it's "proper" location, and that somehow the word(s) he utters will be connected with this action. He/I pick up a silver hexagonal shaped silver artifact, somewhat flattened so as not to be perfectly 3-D. It is filigree on the inside holding up a inch-diameter or so sapphire-blue spherical stone, highly polished and glowing. He/I speak the word "Raptu" and he starts to turn toward the back as if to go to where this artifact should be placed for something to occur.
I never get there completely since I wake up.
Now, this is the first time that I've dreamt a word that I can remember upon waking and I was curious about it. So going on-line I first did a Google search on "raaptu" and "raptu". Turns out that "rapture" was the word Google suggested, which was something I thought also. I ran across the word in various odd forms, but landed on the Latin classic De Raptu Prosperpinae by Claudian. Knowing enough about classical mythology, I deduced that "raptu" must have something to do with "rape". I finally found several Latin-English dictionaries that define "raptu" as the following: "seize, thief, ravish, rape". Interestingly, the word "rapture" is etymologically derived from "raptu", since it is "to seize".
Considering the context of the dream, it would seem to me that the "rapture", if I might posit an interpretation, may not be the great who-ha the Christian community would like to believe it is. Considering that the root of "rapture" is "to seize" with the undertone of "rape" and "ravish", it would seem to me that this "RAPTURE" is not meant to be very pleasant--if indeed it is to occur in a literal manner. One is being "seized" out of a twisted desire, not for one's own good--for salvation.
Another thought I've had associates this "raptu" with "seize" in a forceful manner, or to perhaps to "be seized" by something. Lately, with these right-wing nutzos going off at congressional townhalls, and with the hate-filled speeches coming from the right punditry (all the accusations of Obama as Hitler crap), I wonder whether this "raptu" might signify that such individuals are "seized" by their own hatred or anger. They have, in essence, become possessed by their fears and bigotry to a point that they can no longer contain the illusion of self-control. The question remains, who is this shadow-man who incites them? My first thought was Samael, aka, Ialdabaoth, aka, Yahweh--the twisted Archon progeny of Sophia from the Gnostic creation mythos. But, who embodies such a creature? One who wishes to enslaved the world? (Dick Cheney does come to mind, but even he is too much in the limelight.)
Whatever it might be, I'm curious and intrigued at several features of my evolving dreams:
- I'm dreaming layers--recalling dreams previously forgotten within other dreams which seem to jog my memory within another dream
- I am able to access or walk within other "people's" dreams, perhaps a remote viewing of sorts, and merge with them to discover their thoughts, words, actions
- I am now able to recite and remember spoken words, to the point in which I awaken. I have read words in dreams before, but only now have I recalled even one such word accessed through the dream-state
I am more convinced than ever that dreams are not just some random replay of the days events, or even deep-seated emotions surfacing (although in many cases they could be). These kinds of dreams feel much different, must more vivid, conscious and real--sometimes more so than physical "reality". I'm forming the opinion that such types of dreams may be, in fact, either higher states of awareness/consciousness which are translated into terms I can "comprehend" in my physical state, or that perhaps, they are actual visitations to alternate "universes" or "dimensions". Einstein himself suggested that there could be an infinite number of universes and dimensions, which means one cannot dismiss that we haven't begun to scratch the surface of accessing them (if we actually acknowledge them). Life is much to complex to simply rely on the lowest form of physicality to pursue its evolutionary call.
More on this as it happens.
This doe was one of several out in the field on Rosario property. We saw a herd of them daily as they fed on the clover and would literally take food from people's hands. This particular doe might have thought Brian's tripod a tasty morsel. Or, perhaps, she wanted to take up a bit of photography of her own.
I have always found fascinating the "lost" evidences of human invention left out in nature as both a sign of our passing, and that Nature, left to Her devices, will eventually reclaim all humanity claims pride for.
This particular delivery truck was at one end of a rather large garden, fenced off and left. By the looks of it, I am doubtful the beast can run. It will likely remain there for eternity, as so much of humanity's trash does.
Entrance Mtns. from about 2K ft. elevation after we had descended from Mt. Constitution. My lens was not very pleased with me--since I allowed it to take a tumble. The tube is cracked, and the lens misaligned so there is some odd highlighting around the edges. Otherwise, not an unsalvageable photo. Reminded me of photos I've seen of the Paps of Shrone in Ireland, one of Lori's future destinations with Robin Leach on "Lifestyles of the Crazed and Dangerous".
View of the coast and Puget Sound from atop Mt. Constitution. A bit hazy and some light pollution from lens. Glorious day for the view, however. Water very blue. Could see for miles, even into Russia! *snark!*
Coming down the mountain (hill, really), a spot to turn off and hike in to see several water falls. This one is called the Cascade Fall. There are 3-4 more of varying heights and speeds. Unfortunately, most were not easily photographed since the trails were positioned precariously on cliffsides. Not great for me and my acrophobia. I did what I could given this "handicap". Brian was even more daring and stood on the ledge to take shots. I believe his pics may turn out much better. Hey, one does what one can.
A great quote from Bill Moyers from his book Moyers on Democracy:
"That old sense of community is gone [re: comparing our current social structures to that of the age of our grandparents], depriving us of shared loyalties and landmarks, making us more nervous, vulnerable, and amenable to nonsense and violence. Fearful and fragmented, we seek refuge in the comfortable lie rather than face the uncomfortable truth. The like is John Wayne: the embodiment of the rugged individual as savior of the West. The truth is the wagon train: if we don't get there together, we won't get their at all."
It was well worth the time driving around hair-pin turns on the edges of cliffs on narrow, one-lane roads to get to the top of Mt. Constitution on Orcas Island in the middle of Moran State Park. The view was breath-taking! Mt. Baker was spectacular, if a bit hazy. The islands were equally amazing from the 2K+ elevation.
Unfortunately, my camera took a tumble and the telephoto lens, my newest one, received the brunt of the abuse. Massive vignetting/haloing around the edges. There's a crack in the tube and the outer lens is scratched. I don't think any damage was done to the camera itself, but time will reveal that. Seemed to be okay with the wide angle. Too much sun, however, so things got really blown out in camera. Thank goddess for Photoshop! Woohoo!
Having loads of fun. More to come!
More baby knits! But these were completed months prior. I've just been lax about getting them on the blog. You can see more additions at my Photoblog--click on "Spinning a Yarn."
This is perhaps my favorite piece so far. Made with Dreambaby 4-ply cream, it is soft and promises to be warm and look adorable on either a boy or a girl. It was given to Jessica Michelle before her birth on September 18. Complete with booties, she'll be the most fashionable baby on the block...one can hope.
Another set of baby knits I especially like is the textured sweater and matching had. 
The pattern is a zig-zag that wraps around the sweater body horizontally. It's a bit difficult to make out when close up since I used a bumpy cotton yarn for its creation. It too will look good on both a boy or girl. The matching hat has a rolled rim and a cute little poof on the top, which was, indeed, the most difficult item to make. Since then I've purchased a bom-bom maker (is that what they are called?) which should alleviate the frustration of making them from scratch.
Here are some of my first baby and maternity knits. All went to Holly and her daughter (now we know), Jessica Michelle. There are more items that will appear soon. These and more can be seen at my Photoblog.
The really cool thing about knitting baby clothes is that they are generally quick to make. Of course, the purple bag and the yellow jumper took a bit of time, but compared to many other items, they were fairly quick.
I love working with DreamBaby 4-ply and Encore yarns. Both are not natural fibers but they feel soft and are relatively friendly. I continue to use many of these yarns for other baby and adult projects.
For grown-ups, I've discovered that Cascade Yarns has a very nice superwash wool that knits up evenly. I've used it several times now to knit sweaters. It washes in cold water and you can throw it in the dryer without risking shrinkage. In fact, it softens the threads up after at least one washing. The blue sweater Holly is modeling with her "bump" (before the birth), is made with a medium blue. I knitted a darker blue cardigan for my mother-in-law.
I was rather pleased with the design for Holly's sweater--it was knit "sideways", working from side to side rather from bottom to top. This then allowed for several short-rows to be inserted which create the space for the bump to go as she got bigger. Unfortunately, the Mookster came a month early and Holly did not have the opportunity for excessive largeness. Better luck next time.
Coming soon: Autumn sweater, baby blankets and more socks!
Our oldest feline family member and long-time Sassy McKat, Silver, the Grey One Softy-kitty, departed from the planet at approximately 8:45 p.m, Tuesday, April 15, 2008. Our best guess was that she died of heart failure due to old age and a scaredy temperament at the old age of 16 years.
Silver is survived by two very needy, spring-chicken kitties, Stormy--13 and Butter--13, who miss her terribly, and her two house-slaves, Lisa and Brian, who still cry at the thought of her.
Her remains were cremated and placed in a nice blue ceramic urn. They will be enshrined along with an imprint of her paw and several photographs taken by Brian.
As you can see, Silver was a cat of many talents and moods. She was found of traversing the bed widdershins, to keep the evil spirits away, of contacting the Mothership to give daily reports, and shifting colors to indicate her moods. Her three primary moods were pink=Sassy, blue=Loving and Yellow=Watch out, hairball!
We know that the Mothership will take especially good care of our Grey Kitty and that she is worthy of a new experience at life--perhaps as another divine feline or maybe as a human.
May her memory never fade and her fur stay softy in the next dimension!
Catsforbrains Guestbook
