In My Mind

I had a moment of clarity last night coming home from the movies. I had no real intention of having one, but I guess it's a good thing for you all that I realized I was having one. That's what this column is all about.

We had just jumped into the car and I had slipped a Marilyn Manson CD in the stereo. For some reason, I immediately thought of the tragedy in Littleton, Colo. The only reason for this, of course, is because the tragedy was blamed, in part, on the music of KMFDM, Marilyn Manson and Korn. Now I unwillingly relate the music and the massacre. I have to say that irritates me no end.

I considered, momentarily, maybe it was the fault of the music. Marilyn Manson used to mutilate himself on stage. Korn writes songs about hating your parents. And other bands like Tool write about Armageddon coming. So it is true that this style of music, which happens to be my favorite kind, isn't exactly relaying very positive messages all the time. However, the messages are protected as art and as constitutional freedom of speech. The question is should children be allowed to listen to such music.

On his Web page entitled "Something to think about," Kenny Moore opposes warning labels on records. He writes: "By keeping these labels on our music, we are endorsing the idea that owners of record stores and music chains have the right and responsibility to be involved in the parenting process for each child in the United States. And we are also accepting the idea that certain pressure groups have the right to decide what is best for all children through their intimidation of these record stores and music chains."

I disagree.

The owners of record stores and music labels have the right and responsibility to warn parents of potentially harmful content in music albums. If a child under the age of 18 wants to listen to Marilyn Manson, I think the parent should have an active say. Perhaps 18 is a little stiff. I think 16 would be more appropriate.

The point is that if I ever have children, I want to be responsible for what shapes their personalities until they are responsible enough to know right from wrong, good from bad and real from fake. As sick as it sounds, I would want my children to listen to Top 40 until their minds were developed enough to appreciate creativity in art, music and thought. I would want them to know what's out there before they decide which path in the woods to take.

And even that would probably be unnecessary. I would let my children listen to whatever they wanted. However, I would listen to it myself and talk about what it means with my children. I don't know of one parent who does that.

The media, which should be upholding free speech and denouncing censorship, decided to blame a national tragedy on music lyrics. This breaks my heart. Censorship shouldn't exist. Anyone should be able to say anything they like through music, poetry, essay, etc. But the warning labels are a good idea. They tip off otherwise lazy and uninterested parents. But then, even with the warnings, not enough people talk with their children about these kinds of issues.

Blaming juvenile delinquents on music is nothing new. Elvis Presley was responsible for the destruction of family values because he liked to shake his hips around while he played guitar. The Grateful Dead, The Doors, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix were responsible for the entire 1960s. And now, Marilyn Manson is responsible for Littleton. So are musicians responsible for social upheaval? I think not.

The task of forming children's value system lies with parents. Any parent who doesn't notice that a child has become a homicidal maniac should have been forced into abortion before the whole mess began. Why are only the stupid people breeding? People should have to be nationally certified to have children. To belong to the American Kennel Club you do, why not with our own species? Isn't it supposed to be the desire of the parent to help the child every step of the way? If it isn't, why the hell did you have one in the first place? And don't tell me it was a mistake. Use a condom. If it breaks, the Hope Clinic is only a short drive away. The world doesn't want your psycho children. Don't have them!

But then, if you're ready to dedicate your life to the upbringing of a child, you'd better be serious about it. Take an active role, don't just let your children learn everything on their own. There is a time to let them go, but it's not at age 13.

There is no reason for me to associate Marilyn Manson with Littleton. The shooters were obviously not responsible people. Their parents were obviously not responsible people. Maybe the shooters should not have been listening to Marilyn Manson, but their parents, if they were responsible, would have taken an interest in their children's behavior. But, instead of blaming the parents, the media took the easy way out and blamed the musicians.

I'm glad to see those journalistic ideals are still running strong through the modern media. I hope they win a Pulitzer.