I am fairly conservative by nature, and I really enjoy the O’Reilly Factor, but I am sick and tired of passing the buck to explain why certain segments of society misbehave. It is a fairly well known fact that O’Reilly thinks that “Rap Culture” contributes to juvenile delinquency. I disagree with this thesis.

Last night on the O’Reilly Factor there was a segment linking 50 Cent to gangster violence. I will admit that the “message” in 50 Cent’s songs is not exactly wholesome. I listen to some of his music (love me some “Candy Shop” – listed to it twice this morning), but blaming gangster behavior on 50 Cent is just too much. Seriously, the very nature of gangs is based on respect (as if I am an expert after playing GTA), sex, and violence (I can read the news).

What bothers me the most is that everyone from religious zealots to the media to misguided parents is always searching for a scapegoat to explain why good kids go bad; Dungeons and Dragons, music, video games, TV violence, and even Smurfs. It is just too much. Let’s just admit that some segments of society are completely f’ed-up regardless of the music they listen to, the games they play, and the amount of time they spend watching TV.

At the end of the day the problems run much deeper; poverty, discrimination, broken marriages, out-of-wedlock babies, lack of respect, poor public education, and the list goes on. I admit that I am very blessed. I grew up in a good home (my parents did divorce when I was very young). I lived in a nice neighborhood with prosperous families, and my parents provided me with a good education. I may not know what poverty is like, and I may never know how it feels to be discriminated against based on the color of my skin, but I do know that I have values, a decent amount of morality, and a firm grasp on my religious convictions. In other words, I am fairly well grounded.

I am not saying that I am perfect, but I have not been influenced to the point of misbehavior based on various forms of media. Growing up I played Dungeons and Dragons, I scratched many a record looking for stupid messages, I have played video games most of my life, I watched violent TV and movies, and I am even ashamed to admit that I watched the Smurfs. I was listening to Prince the day my step-father told me that Prince was not allowed in the house; nice and protective of my dad, but I guess he was an ignorant bloke. Prince was “bad” so he was not allowed in our house – of course I said screw that and kept on listening to this day.

Have to blame it on something …

If you have to ask about records, then please do not because it will make me feel too damn dated.

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