FLASHMOBS by: William Wilson

What the hell is that? I said as I was taking a shower one evening not to long ago. It sounded like a war zone on my block and I was helpless in my bathroom. I quickly gathered myself together to go outside and see what the commotion was about. Can anyone guess what I saw stampeding down the middle of the street?  How about 100 to about 150 screaming kids causing terror to anything that was in their path. This ladies and gentleman was a flash mob in the middle of the city in the middle of the night. They were climbing on poles, dancing  on top of cars, kicking peoples cars and fighting each other. Now my question in all of this was where are their parents? Its one in the morning and last time I checked curfew for people under the age of 18 was about 10:00.

I wanted to know just what go's through the minds of kids across the area when they participate in these kinds of activities. I've seen people get beaten with night sticks by cops, arrested and jumped all in the midst of these things. Coming into these kinds of things one has to in some way know the consequences of it all. This to me though is just another sign of the times that we live and grew up in. I and a few friends were once caught in a flash mob. We weren't doing anything but everyone around it is usually guilty by association. All flash mobs aren't bad but the particular ones that I'm targeting are.  We already have enough violence in the world so why do people band together to influence it even more? It's not right and we need to teach younger and older generations that it's not right. I also think that flash mobs are a great example of group think.

Bus Etiquette

By Terri Davenport

If you have ever rode public transportation before than you know exactly what I'm talking about Bus Etiquette.  You know, that thing that some people just take for granted but we think everyone should know about.

• For example, letting the elders get on the bus before you, don't try to knock them down getting on the bus for a seat.
• Standing in front of the bus when it's almost empty in the back with seats. It seems like all the people standing in the front are large and they dare you to say something to them.
• How about when the young people sit in front of the bus when all the old or handicap people are standing.  
• In my opinion, it's rude to play your music on the back of the bus so loud that the front of bus hears it.
• How about the fact that everyone is talking on their phone all at the same time!  I see why the regional rails have a quite car who wants to hear your conversation?
• Do I even have to mention how people eat on the bus and just throw their trash on the floor or the seats.  Bus Etiquette I'm not understanding how some people can live with themselves.
• There literally was a fight that fell into my lap between maybe a 65 year old woman and a girl in her 20's.  I even saw a man slap a older woman in her face because she didn't move off the bus fast enough!

What is up with this generation?  How dare you slap or hit someone else's mother or grandmother.

Is society teaching us that it is okay to solve everything with violence?  Why is everyone so angry?

There is no respect for one another.  Is this society teaching this generation to be that self absorbed that no one matters but themselves?

We do not need to improve on cell phones, computers, ipods or anything else electronic, we need to improve on manners, respect and compassion for mankind. I believe that because of modern technology no one is really communication with one another.

Back in the day, the elderly's wisdom were honored, respected and loved, and in some cultures today they still are. If someone even looked like they were going to disrespect an elderly their families were all over them.  But not in this day and age, why is that?