Properly fitting pants isn't always enough

I received a phone call from a reader last week, complaining about local young people who apparently were walking in the middle of the street with their baggy pants hanging around their midsections.

Though I'm not sure that a few kids looking like fools with their pants on the ground is a particularly major news story, I generally share the sentiment of the caller. It looks stupid. And when coupled with walking in the middle of the road, as these young people were apparently doing, it's rude and inconsiderate as well.

I was thinking about that caller Friday night while doing some shopping. I was in the lawn and garden section of the store, trying to find the carrot plants my wife sent me in search of. They weren't to be found, but I was doing my diligent best to make sure I hadn't missed anything — and I think it was pretty clear that I was looking intently at the merchandise.

That's when another shopper pushed his cart between me and the shelves, stopping right in front of me to look for what he needed, completely obscuring my view. He has absolutely no consideration for what I was doing. What's interesting is that this shopper was not some young punk, but rather an older, generally respectable-looking gentlemen.

I guess it goes to show that when it comes to rude and inconsiderate behavior, age does not discriminate.

Another example: I was at a local restaurant with an out-of-town professional colleague a couple of years ago, when a citizen took it upon herself to use that time to accost me over an item that had recently run in the paper. Now, in general, I appreciate feedback, both good and bad. And for the record, the woman probably had a reasonable gripe about the item in question. But to make a point of bringing it up in that manner, in that place, took some gall. Surely, such issues could be addressed in a more considerate time and place than when I was attempting to enjoy lunch with a visiting colleague.

And again, this wasn't a young person who "hadn't been taught any better." It was a fully grown adult — an individual who I think is otherwise pretty well-respected around town.

My point is this: We can complain all we want about "these kids today" with their rude behavior and inconsiderate demeanor; but the fact is, we've all got to do a better job of behaving ourselves.

Besides that, the notion of kids behaving "badly" is nothing new. Every generation has had it's share of youthful rebellion, from the 1920s to the 1960s to the 2010s. Nobody is wrong to be turned off by such behavior, mind you. Teens can be loud and obnoxious, to be sure, and you can put my name at the top of the list of people who have been annoyed by such antics.

But spending too much time complaining about "these kids today" is a waste of energy. That energy could be more well-spent in the name of doing something positive. Something like helping a neighbor. Or donating time or money. Or simply making sure we each doing our best to be kind and considerate. That's the kind of thing that will truly make our community — and our world — a better place.

How to win my vote

With early voting for the May 18 primary now under way, it's time to get serious about choosing the candidates we plan to vote for.

I plan to take advantage of early voting this year, though in the past I've been a fan of the ritual of voting on the actual day of the election. But the simple fact is that it's far more convenient for me to run over to the Moore Center on Chickasawba to vote early than it will be to get all the way out to my Armorel precinct on Election Day — especially since my kids have ball games at the Aeroplex that night.

I'll probably take a few more days to mull over my options on the voting front. I've got my mind pretty well made up on most of the races, but there's still little bit of uncertainty in a couple of contests.

The good thing about this year's primary is that, for the most part, we've got a good crop of candidates to select from. As far as I can tell, each of the candidates on the campaign trail is a good person, and each wants to make this a better place to live.

I'll consider many factors before I vote — some of what I've learned, some of what I already knew. One thing that will make a big difference for me, though, is the degree to which each candidate seems to want my vote.

I'll admit straight up that any candidate running for office significantly increases the likelihood that they'll get my vote if they've purchased an ad in the Courier News. That may sound self-serving, and it probably is, a little.

But I'm also a strong believer that anyone who runs for public office must do so with a commitment to maintain strong lines of communication with those he or she seeks to serve. That's why I'd expect any serious candidate to have a strong presence in the local media, and specifically, with the only daily newspaper in the county.

It's about more than advertising, to be honest. Some candidates, since announcing their intention to seek office, have worked diligently to build a relationship with this newspaper. I respect that. It says to me that they are candidates who believe in an informed citizenry.

In contrast, other candidates have been complete strangers to the newspaper. I find that troubling. It suggests to me that they have little or no interest in keeping citizens informed. Perhaps they are communicating via other media outlets, which is OK. But when I go to the voting booth, I only have my own experience and observations to draw upon.

Beyond anything that has to do with the newspaper, I'm also more prone to vote for a candidate who has personally asked me for my vote. Like any other citizen, I'd like to have a conduit to those who serve in office. I'd like to think that my concerns are being heard. And there's nothing like a personal appeal to make you think this might happen.

I realize candidates for office have limited resources. They don't have the time to meet with every voter. They might not have the money to purchase a glitzy advertising campaign. But every candidate has at least a little bit of time; and every candidate spends at least a little bit of money.

So what I'm looking for is effort. Not only do I want to see candidates who are smart, honest and able — I want to see candidates who demonstrate that they care about my vote. I want to see candidates who demonstrate a knowledge of the role of the local media and its commitment to keeping citizens informed. I want to see candidates who have put forth the effort to demonstrate they understand what it means to truly serve the people.

That's what's going to make the difference for me when I head to the polls.