1) The entire point of this rant is to demonstrate that television is a pervasive, addicting, and accepted part of life. Do I believe that kids that don’t watch television do better in school and in life than kids that watch hours and hours of TV? Sure. The issue at hand is that there are several other things that can occupy an individual’s time better than the boob tube. These include: spending time with family and friends, reading, learning a hobby or activity, and studying. These activities makes life richer and actually introduce the concept of “living” - rather than watch lives that are manufactured by television writers or watch other people play sports rather than actually playing sports.

2) You are not going to like this - I disagree with censorship in almost every form. There are points where I draw the line. I don’t believe kids should be watching porn or more mature viewing. For example, as you might have read, I am about to publish a work of fiction in a horror genre. I don’t think my 10 year-old niece should read it yet. Not that I’ve introduced any kind of carnal images, I just think it might give her nightmares. Is it a good story? Yeah, I think so. However, I don’t believe it’s appropriate for her to watch at this juncture. I do believe that she’ll be ready for it when she’s 13 or 14.

What I really object to are parents that have a tendency to bubble wrap their kids. Perhaps it’s because I grew up in the 70’s, but I was exposed to things much darker than what the 21st century is showing on network television during normal prime time hours. Parents think kids shouldn’t watch the Simpsons or Family Guy. Here’s some news - they really aren’t going to get or appreciate the jokes. How do I know this? I watched Bugs Bunny when I was a kid. It wasn’t until I was much older when I actually understood some of the jokes like “slipping me a ‘Mickey’” or Bugs dressed a female saying, “You’re a naughty, naughty, boy”. It went right over my head.

I think of things that were censored many years ago like some books. Catcher in the Rye, Huck Finn, The Grapes of Wrath, To Kill a Mockingbird, Ulysses, Lord of the Flies, 1984, Catch-22, and Brave New World… all of these books are classics and at one time were banned. Ignore these books at your own peril (I, personally, reread 1984 every five years to remind myself of the lessons of totalitarianism.)

My belief is in awareness and responsibility. For example, there’s a whole section of this country that believes that distributing condoms to teens is wrong and that they should practice abstinence. While I believe that practicing abstinence is good for kids, I don’t believe that that strategy alone is sensible. Some kids may have sex. Perhaps they should know about condoms before they ruin their lives.

Knowledge is a powerful tool. Ignorance can only hurt them. Censoring people from anything is wrong. I advocate prudent judgement and exposure toward things that are appropriate for their emotional age.

It’s just the blood… red as sunset and warmer than wine. You fight it with steel… that’s as cold as moonlight and sharper than sight.

I don’t know whose ears are more virgin..your 10 year old niece’s or your 34 year old sister’s.

As I’ve mentioned before, when Sharon read it she suggested an additional Prologue that was a brief background chapter that takes place in 1778 during the Battle of Monmouth (makes you wonder, now, doesn’t it?). After she suggested it, I thought that it really helped flesh out things that happen in Chapter 6. The second Prologue (II) has more to do with our antagonists, which you just read about above.

Chapter 2 is preceded not only by Chapter 1, but also by two prologues. Sharon suggested an additional prologue to explain more of what goes on in Chapter 6. I thought it was a neat idea and that more backstory for what will be a major factor of the story was needed.

Perhaps next week I’ll put some more of Chapter 2 out there.

Right now, I’m working with my old ranting partner, Brian DeMarzo of the erstwhile “Rant Shack” to get his editorial feedback. He is one of six people I’m floating the manuscript to prior to either publishing or agent review (the one person who will not get a copy is my 10 year old niece who thinks that since she finished Harry Potter, she’s ready to read the disturbing scribblings of her uncle).

I still haven’t decided whether to self-publish or not. I think it would be neat if an agent or publisher thought it worth their time to put this into pulp (or the equivalent of Kindle viewing).

In any event, thanks for the feedback.