Mr. Carver was the first really old man I knew who wasn't a relative. He lived across the street from our house in Lynnwood; an east section of a Tuscaloosa neighborhood famous for the Lynnwood Villains. Mr. Carver was an extremely nice old guy, agreeable with almost everyone. His wife was absolutely angelic.

Mrs. Carver evidently spent all her time in the kitchen baking cookies while her husband worked in the yard. Late each evening Mr. Carver would stand in the street for what seemed like hours and admire his lawn and flowers.

Although, I never heard as much as a single disparaging word from the old guy, my dad would laugh about how concerned he was with the future when the young whippersnappers took over.

Dad's bemused observations became ironic in a few years when the Beatles came along. He got a little older and also began to worry about how the next generation would ruin civilization.

Older people have been complaining and worrying about the next batch of decision makers since Dionysus was a little boy. And not only does the world not crumble into oblivion, the human race seems to improve with every generation, despite indications to the contrary.

I swore long ago not to become Mr. Carver and whine about how screwed up the world is becoming because it is different from the one I grew up in. But still I have to wonder. Have we all gone crazy?

The Delaware Department of Transportation stands accused of insensitivity because of a brochure the department produced to train its employees on the subject. The pamphlet cautions against insensitivity and gives examples of poor choices, like asking gay co- workers if they have "considered getting help," or offering chicken and watermelon to black co- workers. A DOT spokesperson explained you have to shock people to get their attention.

A girl, who was strip- searched in elementary school over Advil, has seen her case go to the Supreme Court. Savana Redding was in the eighth grade when school officials began looking for white pills responsible for a boy's illness.

When ibuprofen was found in the possession of another student, she fingered Savana. After nothing was found in the honor student's possessions, the principal sent her to the school nurse where her clothing was removed and she was told to shake so any pills would fall out. When school officials refused to apologize and defended their actions, the Reddings sued. After a decade, the issue is still being discussed.

A woman in Wausau, Wisconsin was on trial for refusing to get medical help for her sick daughter and relying on prayer to heal her. During the subsequent trial after the child died, the mother became too ill to continue. 911 was called and she was treated by EMTs. The trial resumed when she felt better.

In addition we have Octomom, the Dick Cheney farewell tour, and NBC exploiting Farrah Fawcett's fight with terminal cancer. Precedents are being set and habits are being established that will obliterate personal freedom and make common sense extinct. All because it makes us feel better about ourselves and a little more secure.

At least the front yard looks good.