we weep for humanity

[Large Marge]

Originally Posted by Spicy Jack

Taking this to the extreme would seriously make a GREAT movie....

Yes, I think you have taken that idea to the extreme.

[Large Marge]

Originally Posted by Frieda

imagine what would happen if we'd disallow people to have babies. should they be neutered to make sure they don't start making babies?

i think hardly anyone will admit that they might abuse their children because they cannot cope with the daily stress. and i think restrictions won't help, they'll make babies anyway!

Again, I'm not talking about spankings, or less-than-perfect parents. I'm talking about wack-jobs.

I believe, yes, some people should be neutered, such as the man at the start of this thread. There are people in this world who have proven themselves to be unable to care for children, with no possibility for recovery.

[Large Marge]

Originally Posted by Spicy Jack

I think it would be a good thing, but I don't think it is realistically enforceable and it would probably cause more taxes and heartache than it is worth -- but I would rather see this as a political platform then the other worn out stalemate issues.

I would, too, but no politician would go out on this limb ...

[Spicy Jack]

Originally Posted by Large Marge

Yes, I think you have taken that idea to the extreme.

I'm just trying to think of a realistic way of executing the idea, taking into concideration all of the extremist groups.

But, the movie, will be all out gestapo style with armbands symbolizing if you are a good parent.

[Large Marge]

Originally Posted by Spicy Jack

I'm just trying to think of a realistic way of executing the idea, taking into concideration all of the extremist groups.

But, the movie, will be all out gestapo style with armbands symbolizing if you are a good parent.

That reminds me of this book I read, where your profession was determined at birth, and you had to wear these unremovable wristbands that said who you were, what you did, where you should be, who you would marry ...

I wish I could remember the name of that book.

[Frieda]

Originally Posted by Large Marge

Again, I'm not talking about spankings, or less-than-perfect parents. I'm talking about wack-jobs.

define the difference between wack-jobs and less-than-perfect parents. where do you draw the line? spanking itself is illegal, isn't it? should we neuter everybody that spanks his/her children? or "just" the ones that do it on a daily/weekly/monthly basis?

[Spicy Jack]

Originally Posted by Large Marge

That reminds me of this book I read, where your profession was determined at birth, and you had to wear these unremovable wristbands that said who you were, what you did, where you should be, who you would marry ...

I wish I could remember the name of that book.

Gattaca was the movie I was talking about ... I don't know if it is the book you are talking about though...

[Frieda]

mmm uma, ethan AND jude

[Large Marge]

Originally Posted by Frieda

define the difference between wack-jobs and less-than-perfect parents. where do you draw the line? spanking itself is illegal, isn't it? should we neuter everybody that spanks his/her children? or "just" the ones that do it on a daily/weekly/monthly basis?

I see your point, but I still think there is a very clear line between a parent who spanks his child occasionally and someone who punches his child in the stomach because he lost his temper. One made a bad choice; the other is deeply disturbed. That's a pretty clear line.

[Large Marge]

Originally Posted by Frieda

mmm uma, ethan AND jude

Which movie?

[Spicy Jack]

Originally Posted by Frieda

define the difference between wack-jobs and less-than-perfect parents. where do you draw the line? spanking itself is illegal, isn't it? should we neuter everybody that spanks his/her children? or "just" the ones that do it on a daily/weekly/monthly basis?

Then that reminds me of the court cases against people who take pictures of their kids taking a bath and now it is child pornography, and the dad that casually holds his baby with the hand between its legs for support and it is pedophilia.

[Frieda]

Originally Posted by Large Marge

I see your point, but I still think there is a very clear line between a parent who spanks his child occasionally and someone who punches his child in the stomach because he lost his temper. One made a bad choice; the other is deeply disturbed. That's a pretty clear line.

yes that's a clear example. but you can't see that in advance. that's the main problem! you can't decide in advance if someone is a complete wacko if he/she doesn't have a police record.

Gattaca

[Aphrodite]

If that man had taken a parenting class, perhaps he would have learned that his Dad (who I am imagining hit him) did it wrong. Perhaps he would have learned alternatives or a place to call and say he was out of control.
What about the Mom who allowed the child to be beaten and left alone with her abuser? Perhaps she'd have learned to call for help or stand up for her child.
How do we know he was born a whack job (your term)?

[Large Marge]

Originally Posted by Frieda

yes that's a clear example. but you can't see that in advance. that's the main problem! you can't decide in advance if someone is a complete wacko if he/she doesn't have a police record.

Gattaca

Psychological testing usually can determine that in advance. And often, a police record is not a sign of psychological incompetence. It's usually more of an indicator of economics.

[Large Marge]

Originally Posted by Frieda

yes that's a clear example. but you can't see that in advance. that's the main problem! you can't decide in advance if someone is a complete wacko if he/she doesn't have a police record.

Gattaca

Oh, they were in that movie??

I read that book a long, LONG time ago though. I'll check it out...