One Big Happy by Rick Detorie for January 06, 2019

“progressive patenting”? More like raising a loud-mouth arrogant brat…and it looks like Ruthie had the right idea!

Not the movies, but I was in Barnes & Nobles one time browsing for a book. A few aisles over, some teenagers were sitting around talking very loudly about inane stuff, so loud that everyone could hear them. One of them even said “I bet everyone is listening to us.”

I just couldn’t contain my natural sarcasm, so I replied “I’m not trying to hear you, but you are just so loud, AND BORING!” You could have heard a pin drop it became so quiet, then they burst out laughing.

A clear example of how ‘Progressive’ eventually becomes ‘Regressive’!

I’m willing to bet Big Caesar (the villain Cagney portrayed, “Rico” Bandello) never used the word “Mug” in his entire life.

Dr Spock led this country to this current state of no responsibility

I used to run a Cub Scout pack. Many parents would cheat when “helping” their son make a pinewood derby car and then get upset when I caught them. They really didn’t like it when I asked if cheating and lying was really the lesson they were teaching their kids.

Aaaand Grampa gets hauled off to jail for threatening the little brat and his clueless mom.

Some folk just should not be allowed to be parents..

Hmm. A movie with a cat, a fish and a cricket? If it’s Pinocchio it’s famous for the only Disney movie Mel Blanc worked on before signing an exclusive contract with Warner Bros. He recorded dialog for the more anthropomorphic cat in the movie: Gideon, but most of the dialog was cut out leaving just a burp. I don’t think the fish talked either.

A long time ago I went to the theater to watch a showing of Fantasia. A little kid behind me was talking all through the Beethoven segment. I turned and told him “I paid admission to hear Beethoven, not you.” His mother quieted him down.

Progressive parenting?Can you believe that?

I saw a revival of BAMBI once, with a kid four or five years old a couple of rows ahead who said every single thing that came into his head.

For once, it didn’t bug me. I took it as a chance to have telepathic powers for a while, and to see just how this one kid’s mind worked.

I even agreed with him some of the time. “Where’s Bambi’s mom?” “Shhh. She’s dead.” “No she isn’t!” … (When grown-up Bambi suddenly comes along) “There’s Bambi’s mom.” “Shhh. That’s Bambi.” “No it isn’t!”

Kid was right. That wasn’t Bambi!

if I could I would “like this 1000 times”

I’ve always been quiet while watching a movie in a theater, except for one Star Trek movie when the Enterprise got in a good shot at the bad guys. I gave out with a “Yesssss!” My daughter hushed me.

My wife and I never had to hit our children, Instead, we provided ( I like to think) positive role models, involvement with Boy and Girl Scouts, a lot of parental involvement. We took them on road trips and didn’t usually need a sitter. We also weren’t afraid to say Yes or No when it was required. I think they turned out great.

Or as the less eminent actor Mike Myers said, “Zip it!”

At least he isn’t saying what’s about to happen in the movie. (When my sister saw BEN-HUR there was some kid sitting near her who kept doing that!)