Happy Thanksgiving

May you and yours have a happy, pleasant, and safe Thanksgiving.

If Your Kid Acts Up, Just Give 'Em Their Sign!

This morning, I read a very interesting story about a teenager in suburban Oklahoma City whose mom made her stand ona busy streetcorner and wear a sign for her poor grades and poorer attitude in school.

Please click here to read the article "Mom Makes Teen Stand On Street With Sign" from Yahoo! News.

Perhaps comedian Bill Engvall had a great idea with the "Here's Your Sign" concept. If people insist on misbehaving, especially when given plenty of opportunities to "shape up or ship out", then perhaps they need to wear a "sign" to make them examples for the rest of society.

While everyone from child advocates to the average "man-on-the-street" debate the merits of making the teen in question do this, it apparently seemed to have worked in this particular instance. Personally, I applaud this teen's mother for having the intestinal fortitude to take this measure, even if it is somewhat drastic and unorthodox. After all, it's not like the sign her child wore literally said "I'M STUPID!".

Don't get me wrong, though. I do believe in positive reinforcemnt when a person shows positive, healthy behavior, but a good parent should know how to mix positive reinforcement with punitive measures when said child's behavior is not up to par. My parents did a wonderful job with my 2 younger siblings and me, and as a result, we all became productive, law-abiding citizens. Thanks, Mom and Dad! :)

Furthermore, we, as a society, need to counter the "MTV" message portraying the "gangsta", "pimp", and "thug" lifestyle as fun, cool, and glamourous by emphasizing the negative consequences (teen pregnancy, AIDS, etc.) of such behavior. Comedian Bill Cosby, one of the few celebrities with true intestinal fortitude, recently addressed his fellow African-Americans regarding this issue. Regardless of race, color, religion, politics, etc., we should all follow Mr. Cosby's example and address our own respective communities and peoples.

Again, kudos to the Oklahoma City mother who had the intestinal fortitude to "do the right thing" and help her child get on the straight and narrow path to become a healthy and productive citizen of this great nation.

Folks, we need to "do the right thing" and raise children right, all for the very survival and perpetuation of a civilized society.

That's all for now. Thanks for visiting and please do so often.

Veterans Day

Today is Veterans Day, a day we, as Americans, set aside to honor those who have served our country in our armed forces and those who currently do so.

North Georgia College (yes, it's still NGC to me and always will be) has produced more than its share of veterans since its founding in 1873. Whenever you are on campus, take some time to visit the memorial at Memorial Hall.

Here in the Williams family, my little brother Chris, a 1994 U.S. Naval Academy alum, serves our great nation proudly as a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy. Currently, he is stationed at the Pentagon, but his next sea duty will be back at Kings Bay, Georgia, where he will be an XO of a "boomer" (nuclear ballistic missle submarine). Chris, thanks for your service. We love you and appreciate all you do for your fellow Americans. :)

Also, on this day in 1960, my parents, Louie Sr. and Linda, were married. Happy Anniversary, Mom & Dad!!! :)

Come to think of it, it's kinda funny that my folks were married on Veterans Day 1960, plus my wife Mary and I were married on Flag Day 2003 (June 14th). I guess us Williamses like to marry folks on patriotic days. :)

Since I am a State of Georgia employee, I have the day off today.

No matter what your personal views are regarding the current situation (Afghanistan and Iraq), please take some time to remember those who have served our nation and those who currently do so. They'd really appreciate it.

If you'd like to drop me a line, then please feel free to e-mail me at louie#louiewilliamsjr.com (NOTE: "Spam" filter in effect.)

That's all for now. Thanks for visiting and please visit often.