2008 Woodie Awards
Should age restrictions be enforced?
Matt Flanagan
Opinion Editor
Issue date: 2/25/08 Section: Opinion
I'm not a fan of age restrictions for certain materials simply because they propagate the horrible assumption that maturity comes with age. I don't believe that I'm any less mature than a 25-year-old adult just because the or she is two years older than I am. Age, as it seems, is a horrible red herring in the face of maturity.
But I'm really not here to talk about age restrictions. I'm going to discuss restricting certain materials in general from the public in the aim to better its physical, mental and spiritual health (I'm aware I'm not a doctor, but with a good 23 years of experience as a human being, I can imagine what's best for my health; just bear with me).
To this end, I do believe that certain objects or behaviors must be restricted from the public at all cost, even if that does require a momentary denial of certain liberties. A government must always look out for its people's best interests, and frankly I don't think the American government has done that great a job enforcing healthy regulations on our society. While I'm a firm believer in the American public to choose what's best for its own, I also believe that the government has allowed a lot of temptations that may lead our society in a downward spiral. Tell me that's the way to represent the people!
For example, in my "perfect" society, there would be no more:
a) annoying pharmaceutical advertisements telling people to drug themselves up with extraneous medications their doctors would not have otherwise prescribed;
b) military drafts that do not also coincide with the American government regulation smoking/drinking ages;
c) news media that only cares to inform the public about the lives of celebrity stars like Paris Hilton while brave men and women from our country are dying on the other side of the globe;
d) mention of Paris Hilton in general, except in direct connection with the aforementioned ban;
e) reality television in general - please tell me you can think back to a golden time when it didn't dominate the airwaves;
f) people in high places of American power who ignore the commonwealth of the country that put them there - and to that end, lobbyists who pressure such people into pretending the country's all about them instead;
g) "political debate" shows on television or radio that spend network money to use aggressively disturbing tactics in order to censor guests on the show;
h) use of Botox. Period. Come on, it's the worst thing ever, and it looks disgusting.
If we all followed these rules, I can promise you that America would be a much happier, friendlier place.
But I'm really not here to talk about age restrictions. I'm going to discuss restricting certain materials in general from the public in the aim to better its physical, mental and spiritual health (I'm aware I'm not a doctor, but with a good 23 years of experience as a human being, I can imagine what's best for my health; just bear with me).
To this end, I do believe that certain objects or behaviors must be restricted from the public at all cost, even if that does require a momentary denial of certain liberties. A government must always look out for its people's best interests, and frankly I don't think the American government has done that great a job enforcing healthy regulations on our society. While I'm a firm believer in the American public to choose what's best for its own, I also believe that the government has allowed a lot of temptations that may lead our society in a downward spiral. Tell me that's the way to represent the people!
For example, in my "perfect" society, there would be no more:
a) annoying pharmaceutical advertisements telling people to drug themselves up with extraneous medications their doctors would not have otherwise prescribed;
b) military drafts that do not also coincide with the American government regulation smoking/drinking ages;
c) news media that only cares to inform the public about the lives of celebrity stars like Paris Hilton while brave men and women from our country are dying on the other side of the globe;
d) mention of Paris Hilton in general, except in direct connection with the aforementioned ban;
e) reality television in general - please tell me you can think back to a golden time when it didn't dominate the airwaves;
f) people in high places of American power who ignore the commonwealth of the country that put them there - and to that end, lobbyists who pressure such people into pretending the country's all about them instead;
g) "political debate" shows on television or radio that spend network money to use aggressively disturbing tactics in order to censor guests on the show;
h) use of Botox. Period. Come on, it's the worst thing ever, and it looks disgusting.
If we all followed these rules, I can promise you that America would be a much happier, friendlier place.
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