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From: ned@SCIRTP.UUCP (Ned Robie)
Newsgroups: net.flame
Subject: Re: smoky kids in restaurants...
Message-ID: <228@SCIRTP.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 18-Jul-85 15:42:15 EDT
Article-I.D.: SCIRTP.228
Posted: Thu Jul 18 15:42:15 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 20-Jul-85 18:00:22 EDT
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>                                                          i simply
> meant to say "14-15 means you are NOT a child, and you have probably
> heard these no-no words."
> 
> 	ron vaughn	...!ihnp4!ihdev!rjv

YOU don't consider them children, American society would disagree.  14-15 year
olds can't legally drive in many states (most? all?) nor is it legal for them to
purchase spirits and alcoholic beverages, purchase tobacco products, attend
X rated movies (or even R rated ones), or enter an ADULT bookstore.
Furthermore, they are not allowed to vote and must attend school.  The list
goes on and on.

There are many reasons for such legislated restrictions, but they all are
founded on one basic premise -- that children are generally too immature
(i.e. ignorant, irresponsible, IMPRESSIONABLE, lacking in good judgement)
to handle the responsibilities associated with certain actions.

I was trying to make two points in my first response:

1. Adults and children have equal rights when it comes to smoking cigars
   (although the same cannot be said for purchasing them).  Your
   comments WERE prejudicial.

2. As an adult, you are a role model for every child you're around.
   I'm not trying to say your actions during that brief encounter
   may have damaged the kids for life, but it sure didn't help.

I certainly did NOT intend to imply that you taught them a dirty word.
But you just reinforced the idea that it's "adult" to use foul language.

Most kids are good (even cigar toting ones) if you give them a chance.
You had a chance to share some "adult" wisdom with a couple and you
blew it.

-- Ned Robie