A Change in Format

The 80:20 rule

When I started Story Lines in December my idea was to communicate on a more personal level with my readers as well as provide background information about my books. Showing my research has been fairly easy. My thoughts and rants have proven more difficult, though they have been well received.

I started with Why Politics explaining where I, and I believe most of the country stands. That is with about 80% of you, with the fringes on both sides making up the other 20%. One of my aims was to cut through the hyperbole and rhetoric that comes from the media and the extremes in order to get to the heart of the issues.

In some of my past posts I’ve merely been voicing my opinion. Knowing that my personal views fall with the majority of you and the population, I merely restating what many of you are already thinking. That’s not a bad thing, but it doesn’t really serve a purpose to me or you. ‘

In the future I plan to have a consistent format to my political posts. I’ll show the extreme point of views as well as clearly stating what I believe would best server the rest of us.

In that light, below is yesterdays post: You Can Say Gay in that format. I hope that it gives a better representation of the issue by showing all sides, with what I believe is the most logical stance.

I’d appreciate your comments.

Introduction

There’s been a lot of talk about the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, just signed into Florida law by Governor Ron DeSantis.

The Issue

It reads, "Classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards."

The other part of the law requires school personnel to notify parents if there is a change to services or status of a student.

The Left

The left, who call the bill: Don’t Say Gay, believe that bill isolates children with LGBQT tendencies and will result in mental problems and even suicide. To them the school is more important than the parents.

The Right

The right believe there is no place in school for sexual discussion. All discussion and decisions about sexual preference and orientation should be by the parents, or at least in their control.

The Middle

How this says: Don’t Say Gay is beyond me.

I’m not really sure how this can be controversial. The law has been misrepresented by the media and several larger corporations who will remain nameless - DISNEY -

Children are malleable, especially at a young age. It’s hard enough to be a kid, especially a teenager without adding choices and options. Teaching, the law was modified to not rule out discussion, kindergarten through third-grade kids anything that would lead them to question their identities or make what could be a life-changing decision is crazy. Children that age and through high school are more worried about what their friends think of them than what they think of themselves.

For many kids, their decisions are based on peer pressure. Adolescence is a confusing time as it is. It is a period in a child’s life where they don’t always understand themselves or what is happening to them. A good parent will provide the stability and assurances necessary to help their child through this period. I don’t believe it should be in the schools’ hands and at the very least agree with the law that parents should be notified. Until their kids are 18 they are driving the bus, not the school.

Critics claim the increased suicide rate of LBGTQRABCDEFG kids. I would maintain that if the parents were more involved in their children’s lives they would be a help and not a hindrance.