Halloween served up a hefty plate of WTFs – ass-bearing costumes, football beatdowns – but there was one that out WTFed the others and that was when we heard that H1N1 fears had canceled certain Halloween festivities. OK, we understand health concerns and the whole gotta-do-what-ya-gotta-do approach to public safety, but then we heard the alternative to a few shopping center and public building door-to-door trick or treating events – just give the kids a pre-packged bag of goodies. Yes, the children get the candy. And yes, the candy is delivered in a more expedient manner, but that’s not trick or treating. That’s sugar socialism. If you want the damn candy, the kids should be out there – dressed cute as hell, mind you – pounding the pavement, knocking on doors and working for their sweets. Jeez, WTF happened to a hard day’s work?
This article appears in Nov 5-11, 2009.
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What happened to the safe environment for kids to go out in without having to worry about drugs, razor blades, etc., in their candy? Or the fear of being kidnapped by some sexual pervert?
Under those conditions why would you want the kids out there? Some underlying reason for that?
Ken, have you been watching a newscast from 1988 or something? Razor blades in candy? You realize that almost never happens, right? And drugs? Who wants to give away their drugs for free? Candy is expensive enough.
You might as well say: “Why would you let your kids out to trick or treat? They could easily be struck by lightning!”
Mr. Ronson, do you know why you rarely hear of it anymore? It is because parents take the necessary steps as shown above to prevent it; hospitals will x-ray any fruits, or homemade treats, if the parents request that such be done; most parents throw away homemade, or queationable, treats; parents now escort their children to selected sites, not just let the kids go on their own as was done when I was a kid; churches, and other community groups, throw parties, or group events, etc.
Only some kind of pervert would want kids running loose on the streets, as was done in the past, especially the way society is today. Too many kids disappear as it is, and then their bodies are found later. When a 15 year old girl can be ganged raped for 2 1/2 hours, as was done on a school yard in Richmond, Cal. recently, and bystanders video tape the rape with their cellphones, yet none call the cops, I would not say the streets are safe for kids.
You do realize, sir, that just because something happens somewhere, that doesn’t mean it happens everywhere? Richmond, California is not Bend, Oregon. Don’t be so voluntarily fearful, my friend.
Ah yes, I forgot. There are no drugs in Bend, no child molestors (even though there are over 100 registered sex offenders), and all things are just hunky dory. That is why different groups have set up places for children to go like was mentioned in the article.
They are just “voluntarily fearful”. Or is it that they are concerned over the safety of their children, and understand that there are predators that would love to see little children running around in cute costumes.
it’s sad to see that the world we live in today is consumed and controlled by media induced fear. yes, fuked up things do happen, but why should a few random act be allowed to permeate and control peoples everyday lives. there are real dangers faced everyday, like driving for example, yet we robotically step into our metal machines each day to get in line. I say stand up to the media hype and allow kids to be kids, trust that people are generally good, and use a little common sense and judgement in order to insure their safety. aloha