Muscatine

So, what do teens want to do besides get high and laid? I got a great idea that probably won't fly with libs. Pick the kids up Friday after school, bus 'em to a camp in another area. Feed 'em, shower 'em and tuck 'em in for the night. Early Saturday morn they get up, eat well, go to work planting trees, flower beds, helping old folk with chores, etc. Saturday night a chaperoned dance, bed by 11pm. Early Sunday morn, up, eat, get bussed home in time for church services with their family.

School vacations or breaks, same deal.

Hoboy nedl. You went and said some bad words to kids and you better be careful. "camp, work, helping, chores and church." You dare suggest that kids need to learn these things?  You left out time for video games, hanging out, text messaging and the best parts---getting laid and high. Sheesh man. Whats wrong with you? Next you will suggest that they actually learn to entertain themselves or get a job or read a book. You are going to get in trouble with the young kids.

Look, I know there are lots more good kids than bad kids and dont really suggest that all kids want to do is get laid and high. That is offered tongue in cheek. Seriously Mr. Kopf--How do you intend to finance these ventures? Donations and corporate gifts only go so far. I contend that if it were a viable business, someone would be doing it. Kind of like the discussions in the past about more businesses ie: chain restaurants. They will come when there is money to be made and not before.

  NVIZIBLE & NEDL... stop, please? This young man has a dream for his community.  Who are  you, or any of us to tell him it can't happen?  STOP!  Don't tell him why it might not work, ask him HOW does he see it happen...?  Give him positive advice!

  Mr. Kopf, please understand?  Many of us started out with dreams & aspirations just like you have!  Some succeeded & made a difference; some have not. 

  "Look, I know there are lots more good kids than bad kids and dont really suggest that all kids want to do is get laid and high".   Nviizible... you offered this "tongue in cheek?"  I BEG TO DIFFER!  I have a 15 yr. old son.  He &  many of his friends  are  respectul, honest, decent & wonderful human beings!  He & his friends, (Mr. Kopf included), have the potential to make a difference in our world & our town!  They care & want a safe & decent place to congregrate.   Financing is an issue, to be sure.  Ryan, there are parents that want a safe place for all of you to go.  Some money could be raised there, fund raisers, etc.  Parent involvement would be a positive.  Let me know your email address, I might be able to give you names of parents, (and kids),  willing to work with you!  

Tlou...My bad. I got my sentences out of order. I really should proof read before posting or not be drinking when I post. I do believe there are lots and lots of really good kids and small number ot misguided kids that make the news more interesting.

I do support Mr. Kopfs desire to improve the community. It is great that he has vision and fire to do so. The fact is the things he wants to do and the things that  kids think they want to do cost a lot of money. The kids can not support them and the parents apparentlly wont. They are not viable business ventures or someone would be doint it to make money.  Mr. Kopf tried to run such a business and it failed. A great lesson but a failure none the less. To exect to have a place like they envision and not have a funding stream is not realistic. That too is a life lesson. I hope that there will be some funding stream that he can find. I dont think so but maybe.

Maybe it is up to the kids to entertain themselves in a responsible manner. It is not up to someone else to do so. Many kids today dont knwo how to have fun if a videogame is not part of the fun. Personal interaction is not part of their lifestyles anymore. I fear that is going to be a real problem for them in the future. 

I do wish them well but dont ask for my trax dollars to do it.

nvizible