Letters to the Editor
MasterKwan
Published Letters: 3
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I fear for my Children
[Read the article: The losing generation]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I fear that they're going to be influenced by all you cry babies and turn onto losers too (well not all of you).
I'm a computer programmer, self taught for the most part (some college, GI Bill). Lied my way into a couple jobs that I was more than able to handle. I built up some resume so, the lack of college was less important. Worked as a wage slave for 10 years for various loser startups. Bought a couple houses on the GI Bill (wife and I are both veterans). I have no debt to speak of, other than my house and work from home these days on my own software projects. How did I do all this? I study programming every day. I work hard and I'm reasonably careful with my spending. I can fix a car, plumb, do wiring and swing a hammer. If this programming thing goes away, I think I'll try life as an auto-mechanic. Since, cars are all computerized I think I'll fit right in.
I'm reading about people who spend 40K on loser degrees and wondering why your parents didn't set you straight? The world owes you nothing. Make yourself marketable or live in mom's basement the rest of your lives. The world is waiting for you to get off you asses and get some skills.
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What's lacking is a man's touch.
[Read the article: My son, the stranger]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]My Son's 14. He's taller than I am at 6'1". I can't imagine myself hitting him in anger over something as petty as washing the car. Hit him yes, we often kick and punch at each other. Not in anger, more as a manly kind of affection. He's managed to hurt me more than once though I always pull my punches (rule #1, don't hit dad in the face).
What seems to be lacking isn't your motherly skills but, the fatherly skills that let you see through his eyes. I know what my son's thinking because, I used to think the same thing. I know his anger because I used to feel it too. The problem with raising kids with no or a weak father is the boy doesn't get the training he needs to be a man. You don't really understand him. He's a man now and you're trying to keep control like he's a boy.
When I found porn on my son's computer, I deleted it all, talked to him about it and told him next time I found some I'd wipe his computer so, he's have to re-install everything. Secretly, I was proud. 14's about when I started looking at magazines too. How would you have handled that? As a female, I doubt you'd have the same empathy that I do.
As for driving fast, that's what boys/young men do. I wouldn't let him drive around in a '95 civic though. There's not enough metal around him. My son's first car's going to be a 5000 lb truck, relatively slow and safe. He already drives me to 7-11 in it.
You have to change your thinking, your "boy" is a man now. When I was 17, I was already in the army for a 4 year stint.
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Poor Airlines.
[Read the article: Getting beyond our airport security obsession]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]You have to feel for the airlines who're just getting traffic levels back to pre-9-11 levels. As long as I can't carry on my laptop I won't be flying. I'd much prefer the rather rare danger of getting blown up to the indignity of airport security.
Q