Choooose your battles...

The syntax of which, you will notice, matches "Heeeere's your sign." And there's a reason.

Go read this then come back and sit down. Because I said so.

If that were my child, he would be marching his smart-ass self up the steps to that police station, wearing a coat and tie and shoes he shined HIMSELF. And he would apologize to that policeman until the front of that policeman's shirt was GLISTENING with spittle from the word, "Sorry."

THE KID WAS BREAKING THE LAW. Not sort of. Not kind of. The kid was skateboarding in a place where it was illegal to skateboard, he KNEW this, and when he got caught? Not only did he smart off to the authorities (and they ARE the authorities, whether you like it or not) but then his MAMA got on national television and defended him. (Oh, the shame...the pure shame of somebody's MAMA puttin' up with that kind of carryin' on.) And you know what she said? Her words were, "If I talked to someone like that cop talked to my son, in my workplace, I'd be out of a job."

Guess what, lady? Has it occurred to you that at some time in the foreseeable future, that smart mouth KID of yours is going to have to have a job? And if you know of a place where he can pop off his ignorant mouth like that and function in society? Let me know about it. I'd be REEEEAALL interested to see how that works out for you.

Choose your battles...it's what makes the world go 'round. I was raising kids when the first wave of "self esteem" hype hit the parenting front. Theory was, all you had to do to raise happy, successful kids was make them think they were important. Turns out? Self esteem has to be earned from accomplishments...no one else can build it for you. And all those kids who sat around watching Smurfs while their parents told them how great they were? They grew up with, and I quote, an "unrealistic sense of expectation." As in: I'm great. Hand it to me.

I don't think so.

You want to "express your individuality?" You want to "talk about your rights?" Earn 'em. If you're so damn worried about standing out from the crowd, go paint a masterpiece. Write a Great American Novel. Feed the homeless, volunteer at a nursing home, pick up trash on the side of the road.

Just DO NOT break the law, and then whine because the cop didn't buy you ice cream.

Because I SAID SO.

Having said this, no. I am not advocating police brutality. I am advocating common sense, common decency and respect for the laws that are in place for a reason. Skateboarding on a busy walkway is DANGEROUS. To other people. And your right to swing your fist ends where my nose begins.