Klarinet Archive - Posting 000441.txt from 1999/08

From: Fred Jacobowitz <fredj@-----.edu>
Subj: [kl] Brownies with a Difference (fwd)
Date: Sun, 15 Aug 1999 23:32:16 -0400

Brownies with a Difference

After the tragedy of "non-parenting" evidenced in Littleton,CO, many parents
are working hard to explain to their children and teens why some video games,
music, movies, books, and magazines are not acceptable material

One parent came up with an original idea that was hard to refute. He
listened to all the reasons his children gave for wanting to see a particular
PG-13 movie. It had their favorite actors. Everyone else was seeing
it. Even church members said it was great. It was only rated PG-13 because
of the suggestion of sex. They never really showed it. The
language was pretty good. They only used the Lord's name in vain three times
in the whole movie. The video effects were fabulous and the plot was
action-packed. Yes, there was the scene where a building and a bunch of
people got blown up, but the violence was just the normal stuff. It wasn't
very bad.

Even with all these explanations for the rating, the father wouldn't give in.
He didn't even give them a satisfying explanation for saying, "No." He just
said, "No."

It was a little bit later that evening, that this same father asked his teens
if they would like some brownies he had prepared. He explained that he had
taken the families favorite recipe and added something new. They aasked what
it was. He calmly replied that he had added a special ingredient -- "dog
poop". He stated that it was only a little bit. All the ingredients were of
gourmet quality. He had taken great care to bake it at the precise
temperature for the exact time. He was sure the brownies would be superb.

Even with all the explanations of the perfect attributes of the brownies, the
teens would not take one.

The father acted surprised. There was only one little element that would have
caused them to act so stubbornly. He assured them that they would hardly
notice it if at all. They all held firm and would not try the brownies.

He then explained that the movie they wanted to see was just like the
brownies. As with the brownies, "just a ittle bit" makes all the difference
between a great brownie and a totally unacceptable product. He explained
that even though the movie people would have us believe many of the movies
which are coming out are acceptable for both adults and teens to see, they
are not.

Now when this father's teens want to do something or see something they
should not, the father merely asks them if they would like some of his
special brownies . . . and they never ask about that activity again.

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