Previously published in the Los Angeles Times, Tuesday, June 27, 1995. Page B11

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Copyright (c) 1995 Douglas E. Welch

douglas@welchwrite.com
http://welchwrite.com/

Are We Sheep?

DOUGLAS E. WELCH, a writer and computer analyst from North Hollywood, is concerned about calls for government control of electronic media in the guise of protecting children. He told The Times:

The thought of anti-violence and anti-sex technology built into our televisions and computers is appalling and unnecessary. The ultimate control device is already built into every piece of technology manufactured today: the "off" switch.

We need to use our own best censors, our values and morals, to decide what we and our children watch. If we took control and stopped watching, advertisers would quickly learn that we expected better entertainment.

Instead, we have become lazy, whining neo-children who want our governmental parents to tell us what is right and wrong, what is good and bad, so that we don't have to think for ourselves. We want to continue grazing peacefully like a herd of sheep while the shepherd keeps the wolf at bay. What we don't realize is the shepherd might be the wolf in disguise.

We should not be so willing to give our government the power to control what we see and hear. If we give these rights away, they will only be bought back at a very high price, if they are to be bought back at all.