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Crimes Are Reported Each Day

Watch any news channel you like and you will hear of murders, rapes, child molestations, school shootings, child abductions, robberies, and a ton of other violent crimes. What’s happening? Why can’t people in America just enjoy life? I have an idea of what’s going on.

Punishment Does Not Fit The Crime

I have heard some organizations argue this point, but their argument is usually that the punishments are too harsh for the crimes committed. I say that as a nation we are too soft on crime. For example I checked the sex offender registry for my home county, which is Lee County, AL, and found that 102 convicted sex offenders live here. You want to know how many I think should live here? Zero. That should be a one-strike-and-you’re-out crime.

A New Justice System To Deter Crime

Scenario: A man kills his grandmother because she would not give him drug money.

Result: Expedient trial and swift execution.

Scenario: Person molests a child.

Result: Expedient trial and swift execution.

Scenario: A store clerk is killed during a robbery.

Result: Expedient trial and swift execution.

Scenario: Person abducts a child

Result: Expedient trial and life in prison. No parole. No possibility of being outside the prison walls unless it’s in a pine box.

Can you see where I’m going with this? If there’s a bucket of $20 bills and I walk by and pick one out and nothing happens what will I do? Well the next time I walk by I might grab a couple of twenties and so on. But, if the first time I grabbed a 20 someone cut my hand off I wouldn’t steal another 20. Not with that hand anyway. And at most it would happen one more time before I had to start picking my nose with my elbow. My point is that if there were real consequences for crime and not just some slap on the wrist I promise that crime would be dramatically reduced. Wow! What a concept! Punish people for doing wrong! I wonder why no one has thought of this before? I’ve got news for you, they have. The problem is that the criminals are given more rights than their victims.

Tags: America, Crime, Kids, Politics by Eric Sanders
1 Comment »

Four blocks stacked nice and straight. Check.
Blocks are sturdy and rigid, no shaking or wobbling. Check.
Top end of the board set squarely on the blocks. Check.
Bottom end of the board dug into the ground for security. Check.
Pedals in right position. Check.
Everyone’s watching. Block them out. Just focus.
Ok…go! Pedal harder! Come on, get your speed up! A few feet away now, stop pedaling. Balance is the key now. Just aim for the center of the ramp. Ok, front tire over the top, pull up slightly on the handlebars. Back tire over now, push down slightly on the handlebars now to even the bike out it the air. Man, what a rush! Ground coming up quick! Knees slightly bent, firm grip on the handlebars…touchdown! Slide sideways to a stop. Heart pounding. Look back to see if anyone else will try. No, they are pulling blocks down now. Back down to three or maybe only two. That’s right, this day belongs to you!

Tags: Kids, Nostalgia by Eric Sanders
7 Comments »

I have found that soccer and basketball are the best sports for young kids to play. We signed my 4 year old son up for T-ball a couple of years ago. I could hardly wait to see him fielding balls, hitting homers, rounding the bases, and sliding across home plate. After several weeks of watching him sitting in the field pulling up grass while he waited for his turn to hit, we decided to try something different.

Soccer is great!

Soccer was a huge hit with my son and daughter. The nature of the game holds their attention non-stop. They are constantly running up and down the field in a pack kicking at anything in reach. Everyone feels like they are contributing during the entire game. After soccer season we signed my son up for basketball and my daughter for cheerleading.

Basketball keeps them focused

Basketball was similar to soccer in terms of holding their interest. It didn’t matter which team had the ball or which goal they were shooting at, everyone was happy. When the defense took possession they would stop play, have the kids run to the other end of the court and get both teams set up in their offense and defense positions. I guess this stopped any wrestling over the ball while trying to move up and down court.

Cheerleading teaching biblical principles

My daughter loved cheerleading. She was in the Upward program held at a local Baptist church. This is an awesome program. The registration fee included the uniform and a CD with scripture in contemporary song form. They had several cheers during the games and also did a big dance/cheer at intermission.

Keep it exciting

 I suggest that you really look at the amount of activity involved in any kid’s program before you register. There may not be enough to hold their attention.

Tags: Kids, Sports by Eric Sanders
1 Comment »

When I was around 8 years old my dad was scooping a bowl of ice cream. He was putting it in a translucent orange bowl. My 4 year old brother walked up and said, “What kind of ice cream is that?” Well I was standing there looking at a bowl of white ice cream and I said, “It’s vanilla, stupid! Just look at it!” My dad then told me to stoop down to my brother’s level and look at the bowl. When I did all I could see was an orange lumpy silhouette. The ice cream worked great to help get the taste of my foot out of my mouth.

Tags: Kids, Life Lessons by Eric Sanders
1 Comment »

My kids go to a private school with a  limited number of sports available, but they have an excellent academic progam. I occasionally hear parents say that when their kids reach a certain age they are going to move them to a public school so they can play more sports.

Sports should be enjoyable but not top priority

Now, I am a huge college football fan. I start counting down the days until the next season kickoff before the headlines can report who won the national title. But I have a real problem with people putting sports ahead of academics. I know there are some good schools that also offer several sports, but when that is the only concern of the parent it sends a really bad message to the kid.

Don’t cause your kids more stress

Let’s say you remove a kid from a great academic atmosphere so that he can play football. Now you have basically said that football is more important. Next let’s say that he makes the team but doesn’t get much playing time. Now he sees himself as failing at what you have indicated is the most important aspect of school. I think this can be confusing and damging for kids and only adds to the problems that jr high students face already.

Education always wins

 As far as I’m concerned, a great education is better that a mediocre sports career any day.

Tags: Education, Kids, Sports by Eric Sanders
2 Comments »