[lurker]

Play in your world?

A recent television commercial for a video game opens looking down the barrel of an automatic weapon, blowing up everything in sight. It ends with the slogan, "Live in Your World, Play in Ours."

I have fought battles, alongside Caesars. I have studied with the world's ancient philosophers. I have pondered the mysteries of the universe with Newton, Copernicus and Einstein.

I have sailed ships across the oceans, and have explored the depths of the seas. I have been inside the mind of Hitler and have seen the depth of evil at its most vile. I have lain in the grass and listened to the loving words of Jesus, and felt His healing touch.

I have galloped across the plains chasing outlaws. I have ridden with Crazy Horse and tried to talk military sense to Custer. I have pondered the formation of this country with men like Jefferson. I have argued cases in the Senate of Rome and in the Superior courts of this country.

I have spoken hundreds of languages and studied with the ancient Egyptians, Romans and Greeks. I have stormed the beaches of Normandy and planned battles with Eisenhower and Patton.

I have been able to do these things and too many more to mention, because my parents encouraged my imagination, and along with my early teachers gave me the gift of reading.

Play in your world? I don't think so. It would be far too boring and restrictive.

Our children are not buying these video machines and games with their own money. So to parents I would say: Do your child and you a favor. Take the money that you would spend on these things and buy them books.

Then spend half the time you allow them to spend playing on these things and encourage them to read. You might even try to spend some time reading with them. You would probably find that if you encourage their reading and imaginations you might have to read and study just to answer their questions.

This would go a lot more to the true education of your child than any possible $50 million to $90 million bond issue that our board of education might proffer.

JIM HAHN

Hutchinson

03/09/2006; 02:34:43 AM

I like the way this guy thinks.