Leon and I.

This past week, I got to portray Leon Wiley in a mock trial about video games and violence- about the first amendment and protection of minors.  

As I was reading up on Leon Wiley, it made me realize how sad some people live.  Playing video games all day and then committing similar crimes at night?  What a sad life.  My initial reaction to the court case was that it is NOT the government's role to regulate video games- that's what parents are for.  I still stand by that statement.  It is the job of a parent to parent their child.  In a perfect world, this is all the regulation that we need.  I'm starting to realize that the close-to-ideal lifestyle (two loving parents, home centered on Christ and his teachings, high standards and respect for one another, etc.) that I grew up in is not even close to accurate for other people- for most people.

I cannot change the fact that there will be abuse in the world, that there will be parents that don't care, parent, or love their children, and that some people will grow up to be like Leon Wiley despite proper parenting.  However, I can choose to stay close to the principles of the gospel, love my spouse and my children, and work the hardest to make wise decisions on how I parent my children and what to regulate.

Thanks Leon.  I learned a lot from portraying you for a couple of hours.