As I watched some of the news reports and the election protests, I am not surprised by the outpouring laments and threats. What does concern me, however, is legitimacy. Civil rights protests have a legitimate cause, because humanity is being exploited by others and a protest is warranted. The Civil Rights Movement, the Indians at Standing Rock, oppression of illegal aliens etc. These are legitimate protests engineered to protect the rights of liberty, treaty,enviorment and the right to make a living for your family.

Years ago, one of my young sons and I entered a grocery store for some needed supplies. His eyes fell on a large candy bar and he decided he wanted it and demanded that I purchase it for him. I told him no. His mother had dinner ready at home with a dessert. His little mind would not be persuaded. He exploded in a tantrum complete with "I hate you ─ "etc. etc. His little tirade was embarrassing because I failed to give him what he wanted. I calmly picked him up, apologized to the folks around for his unseemly outbarring behavior, and threw the squalling little heathen in my pickup and headed back home. He bristled like a porcupine, called me names, and hissed out venom. We lived out in the boonies at the time, so I stopped about a half-mile from the house, told him since I was in his opinion a mean and bad dad he could carry a heavy jug of water the rest of the way home. He didn’t want to do that either.” Well I’m a bad and mean dad remember so you are until you figure it out.”To make a long story short, I had to be forceful, I had to run and catch him, I had to pull a lot of cactus thorns out of my extremities, but I made him carry that water, asking him whether he figured it out yet. It broke my heart to be such a bad dad, but he needed a lesson that would shake him and make him THINK.

After an hour of stopping and running, chasing, dragging and straining his fatigued little frame fell in a heap.

“I can’t do it any more dad. I’m sorry about calling you a bad dad. He cried and I cried.

“Think son. The water needs to get home. It is your chore. How can you make it easier? He looked around and saw a heavy stick. Comprehension dawned on him then, and it is glorious to see a son use his head. He picked up the stick and put it through the handle and then the words came that was better than any apology.

“Dad can you be a good dad and help me carry this water home.”

“Of course I can.” I’ve been here all along to help you but you wouldn’t have it. All you had to do was ask. The task became a breeze.

I guess I see these tantrum protests as unthinking brats who are mad that they didn’t get what they wanted. .Millennials who grew up without a sense of propriety…maybe they need to be forced and led and chased thru the cactus…but I’m to old to do it now. I just wish that selfish bunch would have grown up smarter.