Madochop, thank you for some more good points. I never singles rap out solely, in fact I brought up Queen Latifah earlier and mentioned protesting for 2LiveCrew's freedom of speech.

I am saying tha tv, first and foremost, and movies, second, have way too much influence on children of today. They see much more violence on both, than ever before in our society. Today in Cleveland they had close a school because they found a plan by some kids to shoot the place up including certian faculty and kids. What makes them thik they ahev a right to do so? Along wiht tv and movies, come home environment, BUT, even in affluent, white homes, I know parents who are educated who think nothing of letting their 6 yrs old on up watch terribly vilent shows andmovies, I would never have allowed my kids to watch.

I think parents have abdicated their responsibilities big time, partly due to the lack of support for them when they ha to work etc. No rap isn't the only factor, but to that kid who is vulnerable, like the one's Chet has seen, it can be a mighty contributor. And, even if those are in the minority, as you say, what will it do to the majority who will end up supporting those in the prisons etc. and how much will it cost them to try to turn the whole thing around, for that is squarely where it going to fall in the future.

And, then, dare I mention gun control? NO! If anyone is interested in that debate, we had a few months back and I don't think any of us wants to go through THAT, again. If you want to read it, let me know and one of us can refer you to it, but please don't refresh the thread.

Parents should control the content of their children's lives and/or chare the content in a critical thinking way; teaching their kids to think things through.