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Mar 2nd, 2004 - 06:11:00 |
Michael Cartier
EXCITING NEWS! Members will be invited to participate in the first International Conference of the World Youth Organization to be held in Washington DC, summer of 2005. More details to follow.
Michael Cartier
Jan 27th, 2004 - 13:35:15 |
Michael Cartier
I recently read an article about a teenager who won millions of dollars in a 1st Amendment lawsuit against his school, which had prohibited profanity on clothing. It reminded me of a friend of mine in California who was not allowed to bring his bible to school because it might "offend" other students. He wasn’t promoting his religion, he was simply doing his religion homework. Apparently there is a stronger 1st Amendment right to use the word ‘f---‘ than to use the word ‘God”.
Why is it that 1st Amendment rights protect those who promote drug use, violence, profanity, rape, and murder, yet it does not grant that same protection to a student who is interested in studying his religion, or from taking 30 seconds a day to say the Pledge of Allegiance?
A 6-year-old is continually exposed to the promotion of hatred and violence from music, and other forms of media all around them, including older students at school; yet he is not allowed to take a few moments a day to express his pride in being an American because the pledge mentions God. Where are his First Amendment rights? Not to mention, his right not to be exposed to such horror and violence at such a tender and impressionable age. The gang ideal of shooting up, either by drugs or murder, is glorified, and children are terrified.
The over-exposure to incredible amounts of drug-use, hatred, and murder in a young child's life through music, television, video games, and other forms of media, is destroying the American Dream. It is creating a society of youth that is clinically depressed, with no hope for the future. This issue is compounded by the pharmaceutical promotion of prescription drugs, promoted every 22 minutes on television. Preschoolers who are often placed on highly addictive drugs, to curb their restlessness and depression, are reaching unprecedented numbers. This generation is growing up with no sense of hope for the future, and is angry about their loss of innocence at such a young age. It has created a generation lost in depression and hooked on drugs. Perhaps it isn’t such a stretch that many of these kids turn to illegal drug use.
As we fight to protect the 1st Amendment rights of the media, what happened to the rights of children? What happened to the 1st Amendment rights of religious expression? What happened to the rights of those who want to pledge their pride in being American? Are certain ‘rights’ more politically correct than others? What gave certain people the right to rob children of their childhood? Who gave them the right to kill their hopes and dreams? Look at the statistics, they are devastating.
Many of our youth are denied the exposure to positive environments, such as scouting, church groups, boys and girls clubs, the YMCA, etc. Not only are these activities not considered ‘cool’, but they are frequently unavailable in local neighborhoods. A young child’s options can become very limited, regardless of financial status. His future begins to be molded within the negative framework of a transitional subculture, which promotes and glorifies hatred and violence. His options for the future become increasingly limited as his hope for the future begins to die.
The Constitution also provides the “right to pursue happiness”. What do we do when 1st Amendment rights prohibit that pursuit (which was considered so important to our founding fathers that it was specifically included in the Constitution)? Happiness is not guaranteed, but the pursuit of it is. I sometimes wonder what would happen if a group of young people got together and filed a class-action law suit. Now that would be a great idea … millions of dollars paid in the protection of a kids ‘right to pursue happiness’, to build and promote fun, innocent activities for kids all around America.
It is up to our generation to reverse this negative trend. We are the future. Let’s make it a bright one.
Michael Cartier
Dec 25th, 2003 - 17:08:28 |
Michael Cartier
Wishing all members a wonderful holiday season and best wishes for an incredible new year. Remember that YOU ARE THE FUTURE!
Let me know if any of you need help with your year-end projects. I am hearing some wonderful success stories, please consider posting them as an inspiration to other members.
Thanks for a great year. Looking forward to continued success in 2004.
Michael Cartier
Nov 23rd, 2003 - 08:56:31 |
Michael Cartier
This week, the United States celebrates a day called Thanksgiving. The day has historical significance, but the main focus is on giving thanks for all that we have, and to spend time with those we love.
With all that is going on in the world, let's take time to appreciate the wonderful things that we do have in our lives.
Developing an attitude of gratitude is the sure key to happiness. Let's remember to thank those around us, who make our lives something special.
Thank you ...
Michael Cartier
Jun 21st, 2003 - 08:41:03 |
Michael Cartier
A New Strand In Time:
Check out this incredible site, a bit of computer graphic magic. It is so creative and fun, you'll love it! (It doesn't seem to work on Netscape, but the others pick it up just fine)
http://www.suite101.com/files/mysit...alice/clock.htm
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