Back Talk

A few years ago we called it venereal disease, but that phrase may be too politically incorrect for some group or other so we call it STD. Perhaps its too harsh sounding since it points the accusing finger at our pop culture that has glorified sex and promiscuity to the point that teens see sport sex as a, not to be missed, healthy and fun part of life – like a sock hop but with more physical contact. Have you ever watched the well-acted and produced popular teen show “Friday Night Lights” where every week the prime-time 17 year-olds rut like rabbits?” The teen VD report appeared in an internal section of the paper, and I have seen no real discussion on the news. Perhaps the media was too absorbed in their Eliot Spitzer/hooker extravaganza. (the publicity was bad for Spitzer but good for the hooker who will now be very rich from interviews, a Playboy spread, and probably a book and movie contract.) Look for said hooker to be a presenter at next years Oscars. A few years ago, this sort of news about our teens would have scandalized America, shaken it right down to it core; today, it hardly produces a stir. This study was a further reminder of how far our ethical and moral standards have sunk – our popular culture, movies, music, art, and other entertainment is circling the drain. Senator Patrick Moynihan, the last honest Democrat senator, described it as “defining deviancy down.”