19 Crimes
Everything Seems to be a Crime these Days…
Everything seems to be a problem these days in the wake of the cancel culture. While I am not disputing that there are definitely things that needed to change in our world I believe things have gotten to the ridiculous point. Every time you turn around there is someone being offended by something and demanding it either be removed or given a disclaimer. I’d like to do what Cher does to Nicholas Cage in “Moonstruck” and slap the world across the face and say, “SNAP OUT OF IT”.
I think I turned out just fine (although I know several people who would dispute that claim) yet many of the things I grew up with are apparently too horrendous for today’s children to watch. God forbid parents simply turn off the TV so their children can’t watch it like our parents did. Today’s parents need to have it removed so that they don’t have to actually parent. I am sure this notion is going to ruffle a few feathers today, but let’s face it, today’s world is a bit crazy. You can find something wrong with anything if you look hard enough or try to read something into it. Do you really think a toddler watching Peter Pan or Dumbo is going to see anything in that cartoon other than a boy who flies or how funny it is that an elephant is flying in a circus because of his giant ears? Isn’t that our job as parents to open a dialogue about what is appropriate or inappropriate words or behavior with our children? I suppose it is easier to remove these things and just pretend that such things never existed. Let’s take Pepe Le Pew. Sure maybe he’s an annoying little skunk always trying to hit on the other ladies in the forest, but don’t you see that’s the humor of it all? He’s a skunk and people stay away from skunks yet this one thinks he’s Rudolph Valentino. Plus he never does get the girl. And poor Miss Piggy! Sure she goes around hitting people, but don’t you want your daughter not to take crap from anyone? Of course hitting is wrong, but the message is clear—stand up for yourself and believe in yourself no matter what people say.
I’m 2 glasses deep into this blog and I’m sure I’m making friends and influencing people so let’s just delve into a few more things. Here’s some things I think this cancel culture has missed. Apologies if my influence causes disclaimers on any of these beloved shows.
Scooby-Doo: Teenagers solving mysteries. These kids ride around in a mini van all day and we never see them go to school. What message is that sending our children? They wear the same clothes everyday (bad hygiene) which clearly means they can’t do laundry yet they are allowed to get into potentially dangerous situations. And what does that say about the police in their town ? Obviously it sends the message that police are useless. Don’t call the police for a crime just look for the van with those meddling kids.
The Flintstones: Where do I start? First of all, none of them are wearing shoes sending the message to our children that shoes are bad. I understand they live in the stone age, but they can make a pearl necklace but not shoes? Let’s talk Bam Bam. Betty and Barney found him on their doorstep and “adopted” him. I don’t remember their being a search for the birth parents. And what about a baby carrying a club and swinging it around all day everyday. Pretty sure that’s promoting violence. How about the fact Fred is always yelling at Wilma and demanding she do things. That says women should always wait on the man which is not how it’s supposed to be. Fred and Barney are always lying and they attend a male only lodge. Hello, this is 2021! There should definitely be a disclaimer before those shows so that girls know this was before everyone was allowed into everything. See how ridiculous this all sounds?
The Jetsons: Talk about bad parenting. These kids are basically being raised by a robot. It’s Rosie they are always calling when they need help not their parents. Rosie fixes everything. Plus, these kids never have to do anything because it’s all being done for them. If this doesn’t promote laziness in children I don’t know what does.
The list goes on and on. Speed Racer is a kid driving a race car without a license. Porky Pig and Donald Duck don’t wear pants. I guess since they are wearing shirts and not just a raincoat (some of you won’t see where I’m going with this) it’s ok. Mickey never asks Minnie to marry him. He’s basically just been stringing her along for the last 70+ years. Don’t you think it’s time for Mickey to give her a rose or at least put a ring on it? Point is, you can truly find a problem with anything. I don’t like how the classic The Godfather portrays Italians as murders or how movies portray the Irish as drunks, but I understand they are movies. They are not documentaries but a form of artistic expression therefore I can enjoy them and not take them at face value.
This 19 crimes wine is bold just like me but it also represents second chances. So, if you thought this blog was too much, I promise if you give me another chance I will be more positive next week. But again, being bold is a good thing in wine and in life. So lighten up people. There is so much to worry about in this world why go looking for problems.
Until Next Time…..Salute
*These ideas expressed in this blog are not necessarily those of the world nor of the winemaker.