In 2009, a new cartoon game for kids featured colorful angry birds trying to save their eggs from malicious green pigs. According to the web, the red bird developed his anger issues from being deserted by his parents before he hatched. Then, he was bullied by other birds. It was a popular game, and kids who played it would be in their late teens or twenties by now.
But those cartoonish games were benign compared with what is available to my grandchildren. It’s terrifying…truly terrifying.
I was babysitting one evening and we’d been watching Bluey. I love Bluey! For my purposes, let’s pretend Bluey is Bingo’s brother, even though in the show they are sisters. They’re Australian cattle dogs with the sweetest accents. Of course, there’s mischief but it’s harmlessly playful and fun.
I could watch Bluey all day, but the kids had seen enough and were clamoring for something else. So, unsuspecting Granny started flipping through kid channels looking for an alternative. Ah! There was one with trains. I’d seen numerous episodes of Thomas the Train and thought that’s what I’d found. We cuddled in to watch.
I have to admit, sometimes my mind drifts when the storyline doesn’t engage me. Such was the case when, in the midst of my daydream I heard, I’ll kill you, you little bastard, coming from the TV. HUH? My attention was riveted to those big bad engines running over defenseless baby trains with language that curdled my blood. This was not Thomas the Train!
The TV went off with only a few minor complaints from the kids. They knew better.
Who creates those atrocities, and why? Why the violence? The language? What about those children who have unmonitored access, the ones who watch those creepy cartoons and play killing games? They’re being programmed in ways pre-tech generations never were. Perhaps most disturbing is the fact that cartoon and gaming evil seem to go unpunished, or worse, rewarded. There are no consequences,
It’s not just a kid thing, either. What news media gets noticed, especially now with the heated political climate? What’s more entertaining? Is it the smiling face of Kamala Harris and the unpolished charm of Tim Walz? Or are we mesmerized by the toxic vitriol from the Trump/Vance team? Don’t we all wait with morbid curiosity to see who they’ll disparage and mock next?
It’s a little like Bluey and Bingo vs. The Angry Birds and I’m so over it – so ready to change the channel.
We don’t have much longer to wait. Out here in the wilderness, my ballot is mailed to me. I’ve already voted. I know all my readers aren’t of the same persuasion as I, but voting is one of our most cherished rights, especially for women and people of color who weren’t always granted that privilege. It’s a responsibility I don’t take lightly.
So, dear friends, even if what it boils down to for you is an attempt to determine the lesser of two evils, please choose and vote. Then sit down and watch an episode or two of Bluey. But unless you’re equally as tech-savvy as a 7-year-old, and want to double-up on your blood pressure meds, don’t even try to play Angry Birds.
writing for self-discovery 
Comments