viewer discretion advised

Last night I was sitting at home, watching my usual mindless Sunday night Fox TV lineup, when the following warning came on the screen: "This episode contains discussion of same-sex marriage. Viewer discretion is advised." I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I mean, I know this is Fox, and my expectations for Fox are pretty damn low. But have we degenerated so far as a society that people are actually demanding warnings before they hear different viewpoints on a particular issue? What's next? "Warning, this television show suggests independent thought -- avert your ears or you might start thinking for yourself too!" The thing that upsets me the most is that if the show had only been espousing the conservative view of the issue (i.e. making fun of same sex marriage), I suspect there would have been no warning whatsoever. But because other views were being expressed, a warning was required to make sure sensitive little minds weren't accidentally exposed to differing views on an issue. There was nothing graphic or obscene about the manner in which the issue was discussed. The warning was not content-based -- it was viewpoint-based. I know, I know... it's Fox. And I shouldn't let Fox get to me. But I'm afraid this is just the start of worse things to come.

wise words

I've been trying to come up with some thoughts about the London bombings, but then I was reading my friend's blog and saw a quote that sums up everything I'm thinking much more eloquently than I ever could. So, with apologies for stealing a quote and not really adding anything to the discussion, here are some words of wisdom that I wish those in power today would really consider:

The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it. Through violence you murder the hater, but you do not murder hate. In fact, violence, merely increases hate. . . . Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.--Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

My thoughts are with the families of the victims and people all over the world whose lives have been unraveled by both hatred and hatred in return.