Dear Mongoose,
I have a 7th grade son who wanted to go to the 8th dance...Not as a date with someone in the 8th grade, but just by himself. Since it's called "the 8th grade dance" I didn't think that was possible, but apparently you can get an 8th grader who's either not going or going alone to purchase a ticket. I told him no. We found out over the weekend that there were about as many 7th graders there as 8th...what's up with that? has our middle school people lost their minds? Dear Dance Mom or Dad, Nothing like a bunch of dressed up kids standing in the corner listening to music, staring at an empty dance floor. At least that’s how it was when I was in school. First of all, good for you telling your kid “no”. NO is the most underused word in a parent’s vocabulary these days. The problem with giving your kids everything they want is that they expect the rest of the world to do the same. This is why there are more people in jail today than live in Dallas TX (google it). If I had to guess, these 7th graders didn’t even have to ask twice before Mommy or Daddy moved heaven and earth to make sure little Susie doesn’t have to wait a whole year to stare at an empty dance floor. I don’t blame the kids, I bet you a dollar and a donut little Susie had every Barbie she ever asked for and some she didn’t, and when she turns 16, will have a car nicer than a hedge fund manager’s. Good ol' mom & dad loving their kids to death and Mr. & Mrs. Teacher scared to death to tell parents no, that’s who I blame. Get a pencil and paper, write this down: one or more of this group of kids, (this group being the group that can do no wrong, always gets whatever they want and get treated like they are about 10 years older than they actually are), will end up in jail, rehab, or parenthood before the age of 18. Parents, you were told no and survived. We all want our kids to have it better than we did but at what cost? I’ll take calluses over blisters any day. -MG
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Hey Mongoose:
My wife gets so mad at me every time I pass up one of these panhandlers on the street in Bowling Green. She says it's our duty to help someone in need, and I agree...BUT normally there's a help wanted sign across the street from where these people are begging. Am I supposed to help someone that won't help themselves? Dear Hands Out Don’t Shoot, My wife gets mad at me when I use her panhandlers while I’m welding so I feel your pain. The following is a true story: Not more than two weeks ago I was coming home from working around 8:00 pm and got stopped at a light in Bowling Green. It was a nice evening, I had my windows down and here comes Mr. Face Tattoo Cowboy Hat-wearing guy, holding a sign that read, “broke and hungry”. Ol' Tat Face walks right up to my window and holds his sign up to me. I had left my house before 6 am that morning and hadn’t eaten since breakfast and was just headed home after a 14-hour day. I saw the sign, he saw that I saw the sign, I said “me too brother”. He laughed and asked if I had any spare change, I then asked him how much his face tats cost—he walked back to the next car without saying another word to me. Oh yeah, funny story, so? Some people have bad luck, can’t help it, need a break. Some spend their money on cowboy hats and face tats then wonder why they’re broke and can’t get a job. You'll often see these folks that also have expensive dogs, guitars, and other non-essential items. You can't eat a guitar or dog,--well, I guess you could, but anyway--You see where I'm going with this... I trust my gut, if they look like they need it and didn’t put themselves in that situation, I’ll give them what I can. If they look like they have no one to blame but themselves and their bad decisions—I drive on past . Pro tip: if you want a job somewhere other than a tattoo parlor don’t get tattoos on your face. -MG Dear Mongoose,
What is your take on the fairness ordinance that was voted down again in Bowling Green? Dear My Fair Lady/Gentleman? “All men are created equal”, true statement. “Life ain’t fair”, also a true statement. I’m all for equal rights, no—seriously, I may not agree with one's persuasion, but even U of L fans are created with the same rights as I was, and I will defend those. I will also defend the rights of a business owner who has built a business and reputation based on either principle or brand strategy, and would now be made by law to hire someone who may or may not fit the brand/principle/reputation. The Fairness Ordinance seems to put more weight on the individual looking to work or live somewhere over the individual hiring or renting. Finally, this is not PC and I really couldn’t care less, if you are LGBTUVWXYZ, do you want to work for someone who doesn’t want you there? Do you want to live somewhere the landlord doesn’t want you there, and finally, do you want to eat a cake someone didn’t want to bake for you? Life ain’t fair. -MG Dear Mongoose,
I am a young resident of EC for 12 year now, and I know that graduation is coming up. I was often advised and almost expected by most teachers, long time residents & friends to leave Edmonson soon after graduation if I ever 'wanted to get anywhere in life'. I've heard our town described as a black hole. Unitedly my mindset towards this town was easily convinced by it's blasted negativities, and very often witnessing ill-fated relations, blithely or glibly. Yet, this town has such an innocently pure, good natured aspect. Unfortunately it isn't the main focal point as it should be. I've became trustworthy of this town. My name is not familiar! Through little to-no connections, I still know so many. I feel Brownsville, in a sense will always be a safe town & my home. I am surrounded by good hearted people.Our local store employees are always someones family or a long lost friend. I often pass fellow drivers that wave customarily, or honk caringly but wouldn't know me from Adam other than us parking beside each other at the local store. Nonetheless, I've been lucky to have spent time traveling to the majority of our large country & others. It is amazing how people 2,300 miles away can mimic certain acts or be like-minded to Brownsvillians(?) While traveling I would be reminded of my home town. Even with completely different cultures, races, laws, traditions, and family ties. Everyone, no matter where, always wants a better life. It seems a common assumption that anywhere else is more significant and appealing/ diverse than this small country bumpkin town. Yet in actuality in this country - we all have the same grass, just a different lawn. However it all grows the same. As a soon to be adult I was convinced if I stayed - I wouldn't make anything of myself. I wouldn't help the world- this town is too small for me to matter. But in all actuallity that mindset was simply wrong. I could do all those things I wanted so badly, right here, in this community. I've often wondered what the older aged residents of this county would tell their younger selves if they had the chance to. Would they have stayed? How can we convince our younger generations to believe that this county isn't as bad as its made out to be? That efforts to beat the odds could snowball into so much more. That it's not a lost cause. There is a plethora of opportunity here just needed of a plan. This town, and world could be much better off by the desire of improvements and change. Kindness, warmth and optimism. An agreement of aspirations for everyone's future. So my question is Mr Mongoose, if a graduating student or individual trying to make a life changing decision - asked you "Do you think I could help this world and be successful if I stayed in Edmonson County? " What would you say? Dear Hometown Hero: I can remember when this county was a vibrant bustling town, then they outlawed rock n roll, the plant shut down and they banned dancing. Ah yes but then a kid from New York moved in, stood up in church and had a prom. No, wait a minute, that was “Footloose”. Let’s face it, unless you want to be a teacher or a banker--and even banking careers are limited in this county-- there aren’t a lot of career opportunities in EC. At least that’s the way it looks from a distance, but if you dig a little deeper you see there are several successful business owners living and thriving among us. Think for a minute about the businesses you or your family patron on a weekly or monthly basis. With the exception of a very few national chains, I’d say 80% of the businesses in Edmonson County are locally owned and operated by individuals or families. Some of these locally owned businesses aren’t owned by native county folk which should bring you to think of it this way: Someone away from here saw opportunity. Someone who possibly had the same thoughts in high school of moving away from their sleepy hometown to pursue hopes and dreams of being successful and making it in this world. The fact that they were able, as outsiders, to succeed here should give you hope. Its refreshing to hear someone concerned enough to take time to write in to the #1 opinion column in the county, What is not so refreshing is the advice you were given while in school. Not sure what teachers told you that, but I also went to school here and most of those folks were very Edmonson County-minded. If I could give you or any school age person one piece of advice it would be this; learn to communicate face to face with people and you will have an advantage over the majority of the world when it comes to being successful. I would NOT tell them, “you don’t stand a chance of making it here, better move on”. The world is your oyster, believe it or not there are pearls in your own backyard, you just have to be willing to dig and look for them. Thankfully we haven’t reached full on Amazon Prime Time where everything is a click away, delivered by drone with zero personal interaction with other human beings. If you can learn to communicate with real people across a counter, board room ,desk, or the tailgate of a truck, and have interest in something that others have need or want for, you can make it as a small business owner here. Not only will you be able to stay close to home, you’ll have the satisfaction knowing you built something that not just sustains your living but also grants opportunity to other hometown people who may not have aspirations as lofty as yours to work close to home while meeting the needs and wants of your community. -MG Local Advice Columnist Seeking Feedback On "Born Alive Protection Act" Dear Edmonson Voice readers:
I would like to take this opportunity to inform the dear readers of Edmonsonvoice.com about a bill that was up for consideration in the US Senate yesterday. The “Born Alive Protection Act” failed to meet the necessary 60 votes to progress to a full vote with only 3 democrats joining the 50 Republicans that voted to proceed. To sum it up, the bill basically protects babies born alive after a failed abortion. (Meaning a successful abortion is death) If you follow social media, pro-abortionists paint the bill to be one that stifles a woman’s right to choose. In a sense they’re not wrong in this characterization if the choice is; to murder a baby outside the womb. Don’t believe me? Here is text taken directly from the bill which is available for full review at https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/311/text (1) If an abortion results in the live birth of an infant, the infant is a legal person for all purposes under the laws of the United States, and entitled to all the protections of such laws. (2) Any infant born alive after an abortion or within a hospital, clinic, or other facility has the same claim to the protection of the law that would arise for any newborn, or for any person who comes to a hospital, clinic, or other facility for screening and treatment or otherwise becomes a patient within its care. I would love the opportunity to ask the 44 Democrats, including all 2020 announced Democratic Presidential candidates, how can any sane individual support killing a living, innocent baby that just survived attempted murder? I want to hear your answer, face to face in plain speak, how? Seriously, most of these people have kids themselves, I would assume they at one time felt like I did—love at first sight, looking into the eyes of the most innocent beings on this planet and instantly being willing to do anything for this precious, tiny, LIVING human that made me feel as if I’d known them my entire life after seeing them for seconds. Secondly I would love to ask my fellow Edmonson County citizens that support these 44 men and women the same question. Since no one knows who I really am and I don’t intend on ‘coming out’ anytime soon, let me know: opinion@edmonsonvoice.com or on Twitter @askmongoose. Sincerely, Mongoose MOngoose,
My wife has a seperate checking account but she wants us to have a joint facebook page. what's up with that Dear Two Faced, Just be glad she’s not asking for separate bedrooms, that’s when I’d really get concerned if it were me. Money is the #1 cause for divorce in the US, whether it’s too much, too little, spending habits, or behind-your-back spending. Every family dynamic is different, if you and her don’t fight about money, and having separate accounts work, leave it alone. Now FakeBook on the other hand--probably the #2 cause of divorce, listen to me. If she wants a joint account due to trust issues, that’s deeper than MyFace . com, you either need to build trust or she needs to get over her insecurities. My guess, without more information, is that’s why. My advice, delete SpaceBook, turn off the TV, and look to www.edmonsonvoice.com for all your news, weather, sports and community events. What more do you need?! Dear Mongoose,
Seems like everyone is talking about cultural appropriation these days and I was wondering what is your opinion on school programs having the kids to dress up like pilgrims and indians or things like that? Is it really offensive? Dear Fauxcahontas, Say what you want about kids dressing up, but whoever came up with making an Indian vest out of paper grocery sacks was genius. Ok, here’s the deal, if you go looking for a booger, you’ll find one. Unless a kid grew up in a KKK compound, a 6-7 year old kid doesn’t have a racist bone in their body. Now before someone plays the “white privilege, you can’t comment card”, let’s just say I’m 800 times closer to being Cherokee than Elizabeth Warren and I don’t play cards, so who cares. Anyway, me wearing a vest and feathers in 2nd grade had no effect on me as an individual-- positively or negatively, as related to my view of a certain race or ethnicity. As long as history is taught apolitically, not skewed one direction, and this helps kids learn—who cares? No one gets upset when a student from Kazakhstan wears a silly looking pilgrim hat. Dear Mongoose
As the year comes to an end I just want to say that I love living in Edmonson County and enjoy reading your responses. I don't really have a question but I want to encourage your fans to pay attention to our local businesses that are contributing back to our local community--and the ones that are NOT. Look at our school programs, our volunteer organizations, our charities, and benefits, and pay attention to who sponsors them. We have a ton of great businesses that continually invest their own money back into Edmonson County schools and programs. We also have businesses that have been here for years that never support anything except their own pockets. I'm not calling anyone out, I'm just urging people to pay attention. We need to support those that support others, and stay away from the ones that don't. Have you ever noticed this? Dear Community Reinvestment Act-ers, I once had someone in sales tell me, “if a customer is happy, he/she might tell 3-4 people; if a customer is unhappy, they’ll tell everyone they know and even some they don’t”. I see where you are coming from and personally I haven’t given the subject much thought as it pertains to my personal business done in county. I think the reason relates to my opening comment. Unfortunately most, myself included, don’t recognize the good because we’ve come to expect it and “good” is only “mediocre” now. That being said I’m with you. We live in a world where there are a lot of hands out and in turn hand outs (read closely). There are two groups, we’ll say one group, the hands out group is over here on the left, and expect the other group, this group here on the right, to provide them with whatever they deem is needed. Now don’t confuse me, I’m not saying the charities, schools, etc.. are on the left side with arms out and palms up, just bear with me... So in the beginning the left side says, “hey, you have plenty,I need some, can I have some?”, the right side says, “you know I do have plenty, I’d be glad to help you”. Hey, the left side gets what they need and the right side feels good because they were able to help someone, a win-win. Fast forward, the left side that once only asked for help when they needed it now expects the other side to give them not only needs but wants and has gone from asking to demanding. Meanwhile the right side lost the feel good received by helping and became indignant after seeing their once gifts now hand outs squandered. Back home now, the schools, charities, sick individuals and so forth DO NOT equate to the group on the left in my example nor do the hander-outers equal the right group. However, our view, the great citizens of this county, has been conditioned in such a way that we either 1) expect those on the right hand side to give, 2) are reluctant to give because the other side feels entitled, and to answer your question (10 pages later) C) all sides don’t see the good guys giving and reward them or see the ones that don’t because we’ve been conditioned to expect it. Bottom line, you can blame most of society’s ills on the tenants of socialism, the antithesis of freedom, morals, risk/reward —the list goes on and on. |
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