Are we "over parenting"?

I recenty read an article in TIME Magzine (November 30,2009) after the cover caught my eye. It was a boy who appeared to be around 10 or so and he was attached to strings as a puppet would be.

Catching my eye, I quickly located the article and read it in it's entireity and it really got me to thinking.

Having been a parent now for going on 5 years and a father of two for now 4 years, I find that all to often, Tracy (my wife) is reminding me of how old they REALLY are. I know I have fault here of maybe being over protective or too hard on them and not allowing them to be 3 and 4 year old boys. As with anything new and if you are already a parent, you learn as you go. They can really test your nerves almost on a daily basis.

While reading the article, I remember being about the same age of the boy on the front cover and thinking back of what all I did do when I was at that age. I asked myself, "did my mom and dad really know where I was or what I was doing OR, who I was with?" The answer is, they knew I was out of trouble and I could take care of myself. They were not breathing down my neck calling all my friends parents wanting to know if I was there or not if THEY knew where I was and who I was with. At least to my knowledge they didn't.

The majority of my life growing up, I lived at the corner of a well traveled road and the entrance into a housing development which was basically full and only one or two empty lots. At the end of my development, back in the woods about a 100 yards or so, there was a creek. A creek that I now know goes from behind the Middle School in Walkertown all they way to Belews Lake. It was probably 3 or 4 of us went down to the creek just to mess around and walk. It was in the summer time, we were out of school and it was hot. We played in the creek for about 30 minutes or so and then everyone else, but me, was ready to go back home. I told them to go on and I would go home later. They left. After about another 15 minutes or so,I made my way back and could not find where we had cut through the woods to get to the to the creek in the first place. So, I started walking back the way I had came and I walked for about an hour or so and finally made my way back to where I knew I would surely run into Belews Creek Rd. I walked and walked and walked. I was soaking wet from walking in the creek and sweating my butt off. I finally came to the end of a field and could see houses on the other side. The fields were about 500 yards long. When I made my way to the other side, this guy seen me and knew I was scared and lost. I asked him where I was and he told me I was at the dead end of Corvette Lane. I knew exactly where I was but I was tired. He knew I was tired. I was about 2 1/2 miles from my house and graciously gave me a ride home. When I walked in the door, Mom was talking to her best friend on the phone and she told me that I was late for supper and that I would have to heat it back up. I told her that I had just gotten lost in the woods and someone from Corvette Lane had brought me home. She looked at me and while still on the phone, told me to go get my wet clothes off and eat.

There was NO concern what so ever. While I was glad I found my way home and I had been gone for over 4 hours, I would have expected some concern even at the point of her knowing that a complete stranger brought me home. Nope, that didn't happen.

I was pretty much able to do what ever I wanted to do as long as it was legal and no one got hurt. I find myself now, telling my kids not to do this and not to do that for the simple fact, I don't want to see them get hurt.

Recently, we over to one of Jared's schoolmates house. He lives with his grandparents on 40 acres. There is a lot of stuff this little guy to do. His grandfather has several tractors and a whole bunch of neat stuff. Montana, (Jared's schoolmate) has his own 4-wheeler and can ride it better than I think I could. He also drives one of those Mules where he pretty much has to stand up to reach the gas pedal and drive at the same time. We asked ourselves, would we let Jared and Jeremy do that? Probably not. Montana's grandfather told us that he doesn't tell Montana that he can't do anything but yet makes him aware of the hazards and unless it could kill him, he lets him do. Now, don't get me wrong, Montana doesn't seem like the spoiled brat type kid. He's well mannered and very nice and is NOT selfish. This makes me think, am I really one of these over protective parents that the magazine is written about?

Just something to think about. The other thing that I think makes us more cautious is we live in a society where there are a lot more criminals and child molesters out there than was before. That's another story.

I guess we all need to step back re-assess ourselves and go from there.

Just my point of view.

2008 Dixie Classic Fair

Okay, I'm going to the fair tomorrow to work the police departments food booth. So, if you read this in tonight or in the morning, come out and have a burger.

I'll be taking some pictures tomorrow as I would like to post them here on this site. I'll be there from 9:30 til 5pm so I should get some good pics.

Common Sense, Freedom of Speech and the W-S Journal

Yesterday there was an article on the JournalNow website about a kid that had gone into a un-occupied house and was severely injured when he picked up a box that was actually a booby trap. While the kid is going to recover, it's unfortunate that it happened. The person or persons who set this and other booby traps in the house up are being sought as we speak.

If some are not aware, when there is an article in the journal, they allow readers who have signed up a chance to voice their opinion on the story. I have replied to probably a handful of stories in the past and have never had one deleted until yesterday.

I was addressing a couple of readers who had posted before I had. One asked the quesiton "can you set a booby trap in your house?" while others were defending the person who made and set them.

It was noted in the article that the ATF as well as Local Authorities determined that the traps were built and set to severely injure or kill someone. There was no harm of the occupants being in danger as they did not live there apparently and there was only property. I replied basically that the loss of property does not justify the use of deadly force and therefore, the person or persons should be charged accordingly. It is MY opinion that they be charged with attempted murder, based on how the ATF said the device was built and what it was intended to do. JUST MY OPINION.

After I posted the comment, I went on about my business. Later I came back to see if anyone had replied based on my comment and seen that it had been deleted by Journal Staff. I checked my email and no email.

It would have been nice had the journal staff let the person who posted know why it was deleted so that I would know for sure. Apprently the Freedom of Speech does not have a play here even though it's an open forum.

I do believe that I will contact the journal today and find out just why my post was deleted OR, I may just try it again.

Law Enforcement doing their job and the general public.

Recently there was an incident in housing establishment in Greensboro where someone videoed the Greensboro PD trying to arrest a male who had a gun. The people that live in this housing development are screaming police brutality. Now, If you look at the video and you have not cast judgement prior to looking at it and you look at th entire video, you will see that there are several things wrong with this video including but not limited to questions as to why the GPD waited so long to put this guy on the ground and in cuffs. Setting that aside, this guy who says he's the leader of a coalition against police brutality has gone on camera voicing his opinion which he has all rights to do.

The problem is that once a couple of more officers get there, the suspect is quickly taken to the car and cuffed and then moved to a cruiser and placed in the back.

The thing that bothers me is that while SOMEONE called the police because he had a gun and supposedly had discharged the gun, after the police get there, they are all of a sudden against the police. What is the deal here people. You call when you need help but when they show up to take care of business, you are the FIRST to scream police brutatlity, excessive force OR they didn't do anything or enough.

My suggestion is for the officers to get retrained on arrest techniques and the public to back the hell off.

If you would like to see the video, click on the link below.

Greensboro Police Video

The MySpace Craze

Everyday, technology allows us to communicate with Friends, family, co-workers and the like more easily than the day before. Lets take a look back just....oh say......20 years ago. There were no cell phones, there was the Commodore 64 computer that you had to write your own scripts to get it to do what you wanted it to. I actually remember doing that.

The first cell phone was either a bag phone or one mounted in your car that took up half the dashboard and you were making your statement by having that familiar Cellular One antenna on top of your car. The handset was the size of your home phone and it weighed about 5 lbs.

Now, lets jump a head a bit. We now have progressed to the NEWER computers that run faster than ever, cost a fraction of what they did 15-20 years ago and there are cell phones that you can buy for .99 cents or even get free depending on what plan or carrier you get. We can receive text messages on our phone for little or no costs to us and some of the younger people can type quicker than they can talk. (Go figure that one out.)

With the newer computers and still more and more people relying on the computer to make their jobs easier, quicker and just fun, we have an abundance of software developers that are making a killing on keeping us all in contact with one another. This brings me to......yes.....the MySpace Craze.

MySpace.com has only be in existance for about 2 years now and I would dare to guess at how many users they have signed up. Not to mention what all you can do with it, but it is a pretty neat way of finding, contacting and emailing those people that you lost contact with the day you walked across the stage and got the piece of paper that you could show to the world that yes, you did make it through school in one piece and no, your parents did not kill you before you graduated. I have to admit that I have become somewhat addicted to MySpace (but so has others) since I signed up just to keep tabs on my nephews. I could care less about what they do now but I still do care about them. Anyways, I used to check my MySpace messages about 2 times a day and go on about my business. NOW, some jackleg has come up with an application that you can add to your MySpace and you can now BUY your friends with play monies that you have earned or obtained. Now, I'm in this contest between one of my friend about who owns who. My wife says that I am now addicted to this just like I am porn. I disagree. I look at porn less now that I am able to buy someone. (This is cool!!)

Anyways, bringing this to an end. Parents, if you read this and you know about what I'm talking about , please pay attention to what you children are doing especaially when it comes to using MySpace. It can be fun, entertaining and time consuming but it can also be a haven for people who are predators and are looking for those young ones that appeal to them. Just be careful.

Nothing is changing, it's getting worse.

Afternoon,



I know it's been several months since my last post but I'm busy. Just plain and simple, I'm busy. Work is still going great. It is still looking like I'm going to BLET in August but I do not have any kind of confirmation at this point other than being told "don't worry about it".



Anyways, I thought I would again, let you know the happenings and what's going on in the big city of Winston-Salem. Not that you probably don't read the News Paper but some actually don't and this goes to people out of town.



Recently it appears that we are having an influx in Violent Crimes in Winston-Salem. Winston is making their mark on the map as with any other big city in the U.S. This being said, we have a problem and it is a growing problem to say the least.



People, take your blinders off and be aware of your surroundings. Gangs in the U.S. are rising every minute of the day and yes....even has I type this blog. Working in Law Enforcement on the "safe side" we still are seeing this. We realize what our fellow LEO are facing every day that they put on their uniform and head out the door and to help us, the law abiding citizens that shuffle from work to home, out to eat or maybe to just go shopping and have some alone time. Yet, we are faced with the hidden facts of the crimes that these scum buckets are commiting. Violent crimes are not happening in the shadow of the night at the wee hours of the morning when most are sound asleep in the security of their own homes. NO, that's not the deal now. People, these crimes are occuring in broad freaking daylight and everyone is watching in amuzement and turning their heads as if to see nothing just as long as THEY are not messed with.



Is it intimidation? Yes, of course it is. Intimidation is what has most of us running scared and in the opposite direction. Do I blame these people? No. When one sees something going on such as these horrific crimes and knows or suspects that it's gang related, there is a different kind of fear that overcomes our senses. We, like the common criminal, get into the Fight or Flight mode. Well, we just seen something bad happen to a innocent person so Fight is not an option unless we are approached by the same person or persons so, we FLIGHT. Not saying this is a bad thing but the criminal see this and they bost about it on their websites that they have. Which brings me to this.



If you have a MySpace account, you have ACCESS to see what I'm talking about. These people are proud of what they do and are not ashamed or embarrased to show it to those who want to look at it. Their pictures are posted holding a lot of money, a lot of backing by their peers and a LOT of Fire Power. They bost about what they have done or are going to do. You just need to know who to look for or what gang/street names to put in the search field of MySpace. It is AMAZING what these people will post for others to see.



Now, this is not totally a bad thing. It gives a little education into who these people are and what they stand for. It tells us where they are or at least what part of the city, who is in their groups and what young ages are joining their groups. You think that gangs are not in schools? Think again. They are there and they are keeping a low profile right now.



All you have to do is read the local paper just in the past...oh, week and a half. There was just a robbery of a person the other night. An adult was robbed by two teenagers, one 15 and one 17. Now I don't know about you but when a 15 year old is robbing me, a 37 year old man, and he has a gun, this is not a good combination for it turning out okay. You have a boy that is barely old enough to hold a gun let alone have control over it and he's demanding money from you. Chances are he is not old enough to know that you don't keep your finger on the trigger unless you are ready to pull it. Then, you suspect that his intentions are to just rob you and use the gun as a scare tactic and then in the menst of all of his excitement and moving around, he accidentally pulls the trigger. Your life has changed for the worst I don't care how you look at it even if by chance he misses you. God forbid that you are one of the many that are legally carrying concealed and knowing that this person just took a shot at you (not knowing if it's intentional or not) and then drawing your own weapon and shooting him, it's not a good day for either of you.



We have grown tired of the bullies and the trouble makers and we want to take what is ours and keep it ours and this means our communities, churches, schools and the such. It scared the hell out of me knowing that in just a few short years, my oldest will be starting school. It looks now that it's going to be public because right now, I cannot afford a private school. We also know to a certain extent what lies out there lurking in the darkness OR daylight hours waiting for us let our guard down but we do NOT want to admit it. Friends, let me tell you something, it's happening wheather we like it or not. It's going to happen and get worse every day that we walk this land that we once called ours. All I have to say is this. BE CAREFUL OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS, YOUR ACTIONS and WHERE YOU ARE AT. Always have a friend or co-worker with you if at all possible. I have a friend that goes with me every where I go and it's sad that I have to take him with me.

NOW, you may ask yourself.

Is John scared? Yes. I'm scared that it is going to get worse and people are going to get tired of it and take matters into their own hands. I am NOT saying that you should not protect yourself. What I mean by people taking this into their own hands is that people are going to go look for trouble and they will find it.

Is John intimidated? NO! I'm not intimidated by anyone. If I need to go from Point A to Point B and I have to go through a bad part of town, I may not intentionally go "around" to get where I'm going .

IS John aware of his surroundings? You bet ghostrider.

Stay safe and keep your eyes open.

Crimes in our area.

Most know that I work for a Law Enforcement agency here in Forsyth County. I have been seeing a steady increase in what I believe are and could be very violent crimes. Over the 3 years I have worked here, I look back on my past 3 years and see what appears to me is an increase in certain crimes. While you still have the standard House Break In or Business Break In, I am seeing a high increase in home invasions, armed robberies and most, if not all, have guns involved. Due to the sensitivity of the crimes, I am not able to tell you where they occured, who was involved, etc. but what I can tell you is this. Criminals are getting more brave and couragegous. They are robbing people in broad daylight, in well lit areas, and they are barging in at our own house. Recently there was a robbery at a convienent store where they robbed not only the store but the customers as well. What I don't understand is this. You would think that criminals do their leg work and know when is the best time to rob someone or kick in the door to a house to rob the owners. Well, that being said, you would also think that they would KNOW that there are more and more people that are carrying concealed weapons on them due to this influx of criminal behavior. My friend, it is only a matter of time before one of these thugs walk into a store to rob them at gun point and a law abiding citizen with their concealed carry permit and gun in hand is going to pop a cap into someone. Here lies the problem though. Will it be justified? Of course, the case has to be investigated by the local law enforcement ageny and then determined by the District Attorney's Office. I would say that if the suspect is unfortunate to live through the ordeal, that justifiable homicide will come into play. At least I hope it does anyway and not just neglegent homicide. I can tell you this. If someone decides that they want to walk or bust in to MY house, they had better be prepared for the welcome they are sure to receive and be quickly introduced to GLOCK Inc.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out in the future. Stay safe and stay alert.