Everyday Ethics

By now there is nothing shocking about the fact that some shows' sole purpose seem to be pushing the envelope. I'm not a Gossip Girl follower, but the few times I've caught an episode, I found myself spouting off like an old fuddy-duddy.

"How old is that girl?" "When I was her age, I didn't even know what that was!" etc etc.

For instance, a threesome. Ok, I'm sure at 16, I could have put two and two together (or, I suppose, two and one together) but I sure wouldn't have thought of it on my own. And I most definitely wouldn't have been taking part in one.

Apparently, 3 of our favorite GG characters both know exactly what a threesome is and will be taking part in one on this Monday's episode. Time for sweeps week, people, and making money the old-fashioned way -- the promotion of promiscuous teens!

Now, I'm a strong advocate of freedom of expression and speech, so I'm not sure where I fall on this debate. Personally, I'd love to see some sort of responsibility on the part of the network and the show's writers and producers. Again, not to sound like a fuddy-duddy, but a threesome? Come on!

What do you think? Is this crossing the line? Should we look for a stronger sense of social responsibility from those that are entertaining us?

I'm not one of those people who tosses out the word "hero" comfortably. I feel that news accounts of folks who are just doing the decent, ethical thing in a moment of crisis sometimes blow the term out of proportion and devalue it. Not so with police Sgt. Kimberly Munley, the hero of the Fort Hood's terrible incident yesterday. She, in my opinion, is the real deal.

Cameron Diaz's new movie (also starring Frank Langella and James Marsden) is out today, posing the moral question, "Would you kill a stranger to keep your own family well? Watch the trailer and let us know:

I'm some type of strange masochist who absolutely loves reading the comments section of every news story, blog post, and youtube video I read or watch. It's one of the reasons I love digital media -- the immediate forum to hear the voices of my fellow man. And sometimes, my fellow man makes me want to take a fork and stab myself in the eye.

Case in point, Rihanna's interview with Diane Sawyer, which airs tomorrow on 20/20. I was one of probably millions who Googled the five-minute Good Morning America clip from this morning. Personally, I am happy that she is taking her experience and letting something positive come out of it--whether or not you or I value her role in society, she does play an important role to young women everywhere. And if Rihanna speaking about her involvement in this sad situation helps one girl get out of a similar situation, amen to that.

However, from what I can glean from the peanut gallery, people are more upset that she timed this interview to coincide with the release of her new album. Also, they're upset that she lacks humility and presumes to speak up for young girls and women everywhere. Many (too many) maintain that Rihanna hit Chris Brown and was possessive, and therefore was not a victim. Some claim that because of her fame and forture, she is less of a victim -- she didn't have to escape to a shelter, therefore her situation doesn't count as abuse.

How is it that two days of jury duty can feel like two months in purgatory? Can sitting in a room with nothing to do but read a good book, away from the demands of one's job, the ringing of phones, the beeping of incoming emails... really be so horrifyingly, mind-scrapingly agonizing?

Wal-Mart seems to be playing a much larger part in our blog than usual lately, but apparently that's where all the news happens. Actually, the incident I'm referring to in this case actually occurred three years ago, but the trial is...

I, who think on Halloween so fondly, savoring everything from its sugary overload to its creepy crawly costumyness, have today crossed a line into fuddy-duddery that I never dreamed would come to pass. That's right. When our doorbell rang, I hid from the trick or treaters.

I've weighed the question of whether we should be held accountable for the failings of our friends, I've raked myself over the coals for my unethical shoving-morals-down-throat technique when it comes to family -- now, I wonder, is it wrong...

For those whose morbid curiosity is driving them to take a peek at Michael Jackson's autopsy pictures, I say, if you must look, keep a moment of pity in your heart. Keep a spark of humanity in your mind. One day it will be you on the cold slab.

"I bet this is a learning incident." This is a quote from West Contra Costa Unified School District spokesman Marin Trujillo, in regards to the gang rape that occurred on school grounds after a homecoming dance. I actually felt chilled as...