I remember seeing a story, about a kid somewhere in Alabama, that stole a car, and was driving it like he was in the video game, Grand Theft Auto! He was like 14 years old.

That's a familiar story..... something similar to that happened a few years ago here and it was apparent that the kids were playing "Real Life GTA". I was telling everyone I talked to that I think they were warped by or maybe even just influenced by playing the game so much. Everyone laughed at me like it's not conceivable... but it was really obvious by the actions they took. Funny. Not much anyone can do about that though. Again, I think that's a - to each his own responsibility per parent...

But I think that's the point here. We live in a different time, than I was a kid. My mom stayed home with me, until I was at least ten, or eleven. Now a days, with the economy as terrible as it is, both parents HAVE to work, if you have kids. While I agree that parents need to take the lead role, in the raising, and instilling values, in their children, it also fall on the community to help out. As well as the people who our children are looking up too, and immulating. Take us all here for example. When one of our players does something completely idiotic, even if he's a great player, the majority of us jump on them with both feet, even though we don't really know him. Why not do this with the kids in our neighborhoods? Why not keep a watchful eye out, and help these kids, that need helping? We can't keep blaming a system, that we all helped to disable, if we aren't willing to do our part to make it work. And in my mind, that means doing more, than just complaining about it, and passing the buck onto the parents, the police, and the politicians.

Couldn't agree more, but the people that make up their communities share the same mentality as the absent minded and unconcerned parents. Not being mean, but it's just how it is.

I don't want to get to into it, because I'll spare my nerves.... but a small example that struck me as interesting (er, obvious) happened a little while back:
a couple teens stole a car and went on a wild and dangerous police chase through the city. When the cops caught up to them, the cops shot them up.. like 50 rounds into them or so. In other words, overkill.... and some might say, not even necessary to shot / kill.

So, what happens...... the church of the community that the kids spawned from, the families and community rallied together, committed all of their focus and energy to fight against the brutality, and unjust actions they felt the police took. hmmmm.....

I'm not speaking on whether voicing their opinion had any validity to it or not.... BUT, here's my point. If they would focus half that much energy and dedication that it takes to be accountable parents and community, they would eliminate this foolishness in the first place. They wasted no time and energy pulling together, rallying, parading and everything when they felt they where wronged... and maybe more importantly, when they felt they were due something do to authorities wrong doings.

It's typically convenient that they get vocal and concerned when they are inconvenienced and felt owed something, but otherwise unconcerned with the day to day development and reliability of their youth.