Reply #186: Well, right back at'cha. No offense intended over here, and my apologies as well.

[Warren DeMontague]

My irritation builds up over what I see as flat out anti-kid self-righteousness on the part of some on the "left"- There's a thread that's a glaring example of it in GD right now- and it sometimes makes me overreact, for sure. Sorry.

I would like to watch the interview; if, as some have suggested, it seems like the mother is totally unwilling to control the kid in any way, shape, or form- that might say something.

Believe it or not, there was a time- a long time- when I was the guy without kids. When I was the guy who would go "Oh, fuck, please, no" when seeing the mom with the young baby get on the plane and head for the seats right next to me. I still understand that sentiment- and believe me, the few times we have had to fly with a baby or toddler, I've gone overboard to try to make sure we weren't stepping on any toes. It's funny, because the occasional anti-public-breastfeeding nut that shows up around these threads really doesn't get it- nothing will calm a baby or small toddler faster than having a boob in his or her mouth. (I want to tell 'em- "Dude: Would you rather be forced to look away from a natural function, or listen to a screaming baby?")

But now that I see just how difficult it actually is to travel with kids; I'm a little more sympathetic than I used to be. And like I said; I've been in public places- and on planes- where parents let their kids run wild. It's not okay. There are some seriously dumb-ass parents out there, no question. The woman who is blaming Great America because her 4 year old drowned when she left him in a pool by himself; I feel awful for her, she's enduring a horrible tragedy- but what the fuck was she thinking?

But I've also been on planes where overworked, stressed, or otherwise out-of-control flight attendants have made problems instead of solving them. Flying in general has become such a pain for everyone (bear in mind that what preceded this whole event was an 11 hour delay... for a 1 hour flight!) that it's kind of understandable that everyone is a little nuts.

Anyway, I'm done with this topic, I think. Peace.