2012年 02月 16日 木曜日 11:02

Re: Texas Christian University in Fort Worth Texas-

A few days back they were the darling of the nation in many ways. Academics, a sterling education, athletics, Christian principles. Any parent would be thrilled to have their child attend there during the critical formative young adult years.

Why is it that the media just loves to watch anyone or any institution twist in the wind when something goes awry? It takes years- decades- sometimes even centuries to build up a solid reputation. And it all comes crashing down in days when a few wayward miscreants wander too far off the reservation…

In reading the news - and watching it unfold on television, there is one thing that I must add to the rush to judgment about TCU, their students, and the culture that seems to contribute to this type of behavior.

TCU is certainly not alone in this regard. We all know that drugs can be found (bought, sold, and used) on any university campus in the country. Not to mention high schools.

But where else might such things occur?

Just to make certain that we are on a level playing field, I might suggest that all of the Fort Worth Police Department (and others), all employees of the Star Telegram and other news reporting entities, employees of all state and national agencies– even the White House staffers – at any level – take the same "surprise" drug tests that were administered to the TCU football team. Oh- and all the - employees of TCU, administrators and their staff included.

You and I know that the results would not be pretty… If you think otherwise, you are a diehard idealist.

Ok- so some of these "kids" may be into stuff that they have no business messing with. But SOMEHOW most of them were probably also taking a heavy course load from a respected university, working part-time jobs or were heavily involved in sports or other worthwhile activities - up until now.

NOW they will be castigated and thrown aside like a dead pet that has started stinking. All because of drugs?

Did we not just see what drugs did for (and to) Whitney Houston- and many others who took that perilous path - yet have been immortalized for the talents they shared with the world?

Steve Jobs admitted taking acid, for Pete's sake! And musicians and entertainers laugh all the way to the bank— and rehab– about their own drug and alcohol abuse. Some are now contrite, and try to discourage others from making the same mistakes….. but most just go on about their business.

The list is long– and our media often shows illegal drug use in a positive way- especially notable in main-stream and popular movies and even television shows - not to mention MOST "popular" music.

Is there a mixed message here? You bet there is! But the hidden message that many young people get is this:

-do what you think you have to do to get through the crap so you can do what REALLY matters.

Just don't get caught.

MANY famous and "successful" people –and even our sitting and two former Presidents have admitted to unlawful drug partaking at one time or another.
These kids are just trying to get by- and are making the wrong choices- but they are not necessarily evil little vermin who must be stopped and incarcerated for their mistakes!

I wonder how many "law-abiding" citizens took Xanax or Prozac or whatever they could afford that their doctor prescribed - so they could get through THEIR day? Doesn't make it right- but how many of them were given a random drug test and shown the door immediately after failing it?

I don't condone taking ANY drugs that aren't necessary- although I imbibed a bit myself when I was in college (UT- back in the early 70s) - but I also don't condone ripping people's dreams apart just because they made a mistake and took the wrong drug! I realize that there is a difference in taking – and selling– drugs. But not much…

Have you watched "Weeds" lately on Showtime? Do you want me to list others?

—-(One aside note here– when I was a paid staffer of a member of the Texas Legislature back in the 70's it was easy to buy marijuana- and other illegal drugs- in the restrooms right there in the state capitol - from other staffers. It was just too much for me to even consider– I didn't want to be on the front page of every newspaper in Texas or bring down my employer with me if I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Those "dealers" went on to become quite successful in their later careers - and I don't mean by dealing drugs.)

And I learned to find a different restroom.

I'm not at all certain that things have changed much since then, despite billions of dollars being spent on the "drug war". And THOUSNDS of users and dealers have been incarcerated. Once you enter that side of the legal system, it is extremely difficult to assimilate back into society. So many wasted lives…

I'm not sure who was getting hurt at TCU - it seems like many of the football players were doing a pretty good job of what they were tasked with- and the students were hopefully in the process of becoming better citizens- for the future - but now they will sit in jail and spend thousands of dollars in the HOPE that they just MIGHT get back to where they were- before the big bust came down. They will never be the same. Never.

Will TCU?

But the Fort Worth Police Department feels that they have done us all a big service by going "undercover" and arresting a handful of student drug dealers. Heck- Fort Worth and TCU is now (in)FAMOUS– all over the national and international news media!

And we THINK and HOPE that the youths of our nation will see what harm might come to them IF they get caught - but it just ain't working.

There has GOT to be a better way…

http://www.last.fm/music/Quicksilver+Messenger+Service/_/What+About+Me

And the march just goes on…..