Education lesson

Too foolish to talk about -

How many columns had I written since I started writing for The Beacon? Now, if there is 52 weeks in a year, in 10 years that is 520 columns of Too Foolish to Talk About. Throw in the New-Wes-Valley news, and that's a 1,040 columns. Take out the time I have been sick, and that leaves about 1,020 columns. Now that is a lot of writing.

That is based on 10 years, but I think I have been writing longer than that. And remember, I was the one people called stupid.

Don't get the wrong idea, I'm not thinking about giving it all up. I have a third book started, and I be writing for The Beacon until I die, or they don't need me any more. Or until that darn head of mine blows a fuse and I won't be able to function.

Maybe you are wondering why I'm writing this. To tell the truth, I don't know myself. But, I think it because I've been seeing lots of young people out shopping for school supplies, and the latest styles for the school year.

Oh Lord, it is great to be young. Those kids have a lot to look forward too. We all know education is important. It doesn't matter if you're a fisherman, logger, teacher or farmer, it pays to have a good education. It is not a heavy load to carry around. It doesn't take up room in your pockets. And your head has unlimited space. Unless it is like my head, stuffed full of rocks and sawdust.

How do I know that? My God, the teachers told me that years ago.

But how many stumbling blocks will be put in front of those kids? Remember, this is the 21st century. Anything can happen. We have a lot of sick people out there. Now, I know we had some pretty bad people from all walks of life, going right back to Bible times, and today's child's predator might not be worse, but they are just as bad.

One of the worst stumbling blocks is the Internet. Now I love the computer and the Internet. It is one of the marvels of today. I can go on the Net and chat with three members of my family from Africa, the States, and Canada. I can also chat with other writers from all over the world.

The children can play all sorts of games, and the Net is very educational. But parents beware. There are some sites on there that children shouldn't have access to. They have predators that love to prey on children. And here is a word of advice. Never let your child use a computer, if no adults are around. Remember, the children of today are very intelligent. They could find a site that is unsuitable.

Another barricade in the children's life is drugs. More than one of our young had taken the wrong road because of drugs. Now let me tell you something. That wacky 'baccy' is worse than the fruit that Eve gave to Adam. Over the years, this has lead to worse drugs. I have seen a good many mixed up lives because of these drugs. Many of our youth took the wrong road, and never did get back on the right one. Why do you think that there are so many robberies going on? They need money for drugs, and they don't care how they get it.

And the drug dealers are the cause of all this trouble. When they get nabbed by the law, all they get is a friendly slap on the back, and given free room and broad for a couple of years.

Now, how can you have respect for judges and lawyers? They are being too nice to people who should be locked up for a life time.

The other thing that can ruin a life is alcohol. Listen, all of you young bedlamers. Booze is not cool. If you think you need it to have fun, you're wrong. You can have fun without it. Having a drink here and a drink there, and before you know it you are getting hooked on it without knowing.

The most important thing I can say is get a good education. This is important. Without education, you are going down a one-way street to a deadend.

And you are all too good for that.