DOWN WITH DARE

ALFRED LORD TENNYSON, THE BRITISH POET, "DIPT INTO THE FUTURE, FAR AS HUMAN EYE COULD SEE/ SAW THE VISION OF THE WORLD, AND ALL THE WONDERS THAT WOULD BE; / SAW THE HEAVENS FILL WITH COMMERCE, ARGOSIES OF MAGIC SAILS, /" SO I ASK MYSELF WHAT IN AMERICA'S FUTURE SHOULD PREVAIL?

I HAVE NO ILLUSIONS, DON'T BROOK DREAMS AND AM NOT ENTHRALLED BY UNREALISTIC BELIEFS, HOPES OR LOVES. AMERICA'S FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM IS TERRIBLE AND ONGOING. AMERICA'S DECLINE INTO CULTURAL DECADENCE MUST BE SLOWED. NEVERTHELESS, AMERICANS MUST UNITE FOR SOMETHING THAT CAN REPRESENT A LASTING STAND. UNITE FOR WHAT? MY SUGGESTION WOULD BE PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY, ALSO UNDERSTOOD AS INTEGRITY. IF PARENTS PRACTICED RESPONSIBILITY, THERE WOULD BE NO NEED FOR THE USELESS, WASTEFUL, NATIONAL PROGRAM CALLED D.A.R.E. IF ADULTS CANNOT SAY NO TO DRUGS, ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO, HOW CAN THE CHILDREN BE EXPECTED TO DO THE SAME? A LOCAL D.A.R.E. PROGRAM RECEIVES $18,000 IN FEDERAL FUNDING FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, STATE MONIES AND LOCAL CONTRIBUTIONS. POLICE OFFICERS 'PAL AROUND' WITH GRAMMAR SCHOOL PUPILS AT LUNCHTIME, SPONSER A PROGRAM TO STIMULATE INTOXICATION FOR PROSPECTIVE TEENAGE DRIVERS WITH THE GOAL OF DISCOURAGING DRINKING, AND CONDUCT SURPRISE RAIDS AT SCHOOLS WITH A DRUG-SNIFFING DOG. YET WE ALL KNOW HOW DRUG, ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO USE HAS FAILED TO DECREASE IN AN INVERSE PROPORTION TO THE AMOUNT OF MONEY SPENT ON THIS NONSENSE. YOUTH STILL KILL THEMSELVES ON THE HIGHWAYS, OVERDOSE ON ALCOHOL AND SELECT ILLEGAL DRUGS. ANY POLICE OFFICER, ASKED AT RANDOM WHERE THE SOURCE OF THE TROUBLE LIES OR QUIZZED WHO OUR YOUNG PEOPLE IMITATE, VOLUNTEERS THE ANSWER - THE PARENTS AND THE PEERS. DUH! DARN THAT D.A.R.E. "GOOD-HEARTED" CITIZENS DONATE BUNCHES OF MONEY TO PREVENTIVE PROGRAMS TO FEEL GOOD ABOUT CURTAILING AT RISK BEHAVIOUR IN OUR YOUTH. BUT AMERICANS ARE MISLED. MISLED. MISLED. D.A.R.E. IS JUST ANOTHER WELFARE PROJECT FUNDED BY THE MISLED. RESPONSIBILITY BEGINS WITH PROPERLY PRESENTED MORALS TO MATURING MINDS. I DARE PARENTS TO SAY: "I SMOKE, BUT YOU NEVER SHOULD. IF YOU DO YOU MUST ASSUME THE RISKS. I ENJOY A DRINK, BUT IF YOU ABUSE ALCOHOL, YOU MUST PAY THE CONSEQUENCES. I CHOOSE TO ENJOY ... (DRUG), BUT IF YOU DO AND COMMIT A CRIME YOU MUST NOT DENY THE CONSEQUENCES. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO PURSUE YOUR HAPPINESS, BUT YOU HAVE THE DUTY TO PURSUE IT RESPONSIBLY."

I DARE PARENTS TO SET EXAMPLES THAT THEIR CHILDREN CAN FOLLOW.