On the morning of December 28, 1999, as always, I awoke to the sound of my wife (an early riser) turning on the NBC morning news show. But on this particular morning the sound that wafted to my ears was not show's the familiar opening theme but, instead, something that brought a pall of sadness upon me like a suffocating blanket thrown over my head. What I heard was the dramatic final movement of the famous William Tell Overture being played over the sound of pistol shots, telltale hoof beats of a galloping horse and a voice shouting out "Hi Ho Silver!" And of course, being a child of the golden age of radio in the 1940's, and television's golden era of the 1950's, I knew immediately - The Lone Ranger had died.

Far more than a cherished fictional American icon passed on that day. For the actor who played that part of the 'masked man' with an unrivaled dedication (Clayton Moore 1914-1999), carried to his grave the banner of an entire generation; one that came into existence at the turn of the twentieth century.

Via weekly radio and televised half hour dramas, Moore as The Lone Ranger who chose silver bullets as a standard of purity and (before the advent of Political Correctness) a faithful Indian companion, Tonto, carved onto the pages of American history the standard of what this great country wanted to be all about. And like another American icon, singer Elvis Presley, who went on to define an era - the 1950's, Moore's characterization of the 'masked rider of the plains'' reached farther - he defined the time of America's innocence. A time that the daily headlines tell us, with all due certainty, is now gone forever.

America's Destructive Social Metamorphosis

Then most debilitating internal weakness of any society based upon the rights of the individual (like ours), is the inherent tendency of its citizenry to become complacent, and fail to recognize the linked significance of specific events that take place over a period of time. History evolves right before our eyes as a series of linked events whose significance is not always immediately obvious, but nothing evolves in a vacuum. We see what's happening as it begins to take place, but out of need to protect religious or political alliances, or just to preserve a personal preference of cultural outlook, we tend to replace or delay preventative action with rationalization. So was it to be with the changes that took place in the American National Ethic.

Starting most notably with the Charles Starkweather killing rampage of 1957-58, which left in its wake 11 victims, our national nightmare was just beginning. Soon to follow was the cold-blooded killing of two teenagers by another, Salvatore " Cape Man" Argon, in 1959. An event so uncommon in that peer group at that time, that the incident attracted the attention and major coverage by international news agencies.

Next came the mass murder of all 4 members of the Clutter family in 1959, as was well detailed by author Truman Capote's book in his book, "In Cold Blood". Then 1966 brought upon us the notorious "Texas Tower" killings by, Charles Whitman, which took the lives of 14 victims. And least we not forget the Charles Manson Family killing spree of 1969 and the 5 victims of that massacre. But most egregiously, what we failed to address was the glaring fact that not only was this sort of indiscriminate mass homicidal behavior increasing in frequency with each decade, but that the age of the offenders was beginning to decrease alarmingly.

Unfortunately, however, not enough Americans were alarmed. For various and sundry individualist reasons, we were all still sleepwalking in a daze trying our best to believe that we were still under the powerful influence of the mezmoring1950's. As a society we desperately tried to delude ourselves into believing that these violent departures from the social and civic behavior norm we were accustomed to, were no more than tragic random incidents.

So instead of taking the necessary steps to root out the cause of this violence, the choice made was to apply the band-aid approach: so we banned horror comics. Simultaneously, we flocked to high grossing cinematic tributes that tended to glorify youthful killers, like the 1967's "Bonnie and Clyde" and 1965's "Young John Dillinger."

Meanwhile, the very lifeblood of our society, our youth, was transforming into something uncontrollable, unrecognizable and quite deadly. The Columbine Massacre and the recent Newark New Jersey execution style killings of three teenage college students proved that American youth is hard at work in the business of killing, not only other American youth, but quite often their parents and relatives as well. And incredibly we still have no answers to the problem.

The Elimination of Normality and Reprogramming of Morality

In their never ending zeal to bring everyone and every advocate group in America to equality, regardless of qualifications or questionable agenda, Liberal forces within our society have struggled mightily to convert Morality from righteousness to a staple of choice. And the present state of our society is proof positive that they have been largely successful.

From their political point of view, we are all a little good and we are all a little bad - so out of the proverbial window goes the age-old standard of Normality. For them, 'Normal' is a lingering Conservative Bias they would like to see banned from use or application within the public forum. And they fail to see that by giving unrestricted support to the homosexual lifestyle (as opposed to homosexuals as individuals), they have also given hope of acceptance to numerous other groups who are tearing at the edges of the delicate fabric of our society.

Now, in today's world, because of their efforts, groups like the North American Man-Boy Love Association (NAMBLA) openly advocate for the legalization of such acts and alliances as - 'lifestyles of choice.'

Transgenders who are or were school teachers or were employed in day-care centers, after their sex altering operations are demanding the right to return to those positions - regardless of what affect their doing so may have on the youth in their care.

Needless to say, the legal ramifications of so-called 'gender changes' are far reaching, particularly as related to matrimony. Recently a judge in Clearwater Florida ruled that a man must continue to pay alimony to his ex-wife, even though she had a sex altering operation to become a man.

The Violent Evolution of National Crime

Someone once stated, "What ever happened to the days when they robbed you and only took your money?" Well, those days are gone forever. And to make matters not only worse, while bordering on the very essence of horror itself, these evil forces born of our new social structure, are coming to a home near you. Or should I say, invading a home near you. Maybe even yours.

We have always suffered a percentage of home burglaries over the years, but on average they we not so worrying. Most of the time the burglars wanted nothing more than your money and valuables, and the majority made it a point not to carry firearms. They came in, they took what was materially available and they left. However, things have changed dramatically. Now, they are no longer satisfied with simple robbery. In fact, based on the number of increasing incidents, the growing trend seems to be that they want to stay awhile and be entertained by members of the household, via the application of torture and the sexual humiliation of their victims - then they kill them.

The number of 'Home Invasions' is on the rise and has taken an unusually nasty turn. Homes are now being invaded in areas where they have never been invaded before namely - Suburbia. What before had been a largely metropolitan phenomenon, has now turned outward to the green lawns of suburban America. In essence, their bloody blatant actions are telling us as a nation, in no uncertain terms, - there are no safe havens anymore.

Rise of the Sexually Predatory Schoolteacher

When I was a young lad in junior high school and later, high school, there were a number of female teachers I found moderately attractive. For although women in general, and female schoolteachers in particular, did not dress provocatively in the 1950's, a few were known to fill out sweaters in an alluring manner (like the character Lois Hammond in the classic 1955 film "Blackboard Jungle"). And yes, many of my pubescent dreams were fueled (as I am certain were those of my peers) with never to be encounters and impossible to attain quests.

One thing was for certain, however, under no circumstances would an adult teacher approach any student to propose having a sexual encounter. School was the one place our parents knew we'd be safe from all dangers, including that of adult sexual coercion. And if on the rare occasion such did take place, it was usually between a male teacher and a female student. For the most part, young boys were never sexually involved with or approached for that purpose by female teachers. However, going by the accumulating documented evidence, it now appears the situation has changed dramatically. (Click HERE to watch interactive slideshow on ABC's website)

Since the early 1980's, there have been no less that 1500 proven and alleged sexual liaisons between young boys and their female teachers, ranging from junior high to high school levels. Keeping in mind that these figures do not take in allegations or incidents of such activities between young schoolgirls and male teachers. The magnitude of this social crisis was brought glaringly to the attention of the public by two cases of recent times.

First there was the Pamela Smart case in 1990. Smart, a high school teacher in Hampton New Hampshire was tried and convicted of ensnaring a 15 - year old high school student with sex to promote the murder of her husband, Gregory Smart, on May 1, 1990. She was found guilty of accomplice to first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, witness tampering and using her teenage lover as a hit man to commit the crime.

In 1997, married schoolteacher, Mary Kay Letourneau, was arrested and charged with child-rape. Under exhaustive investigation, it as discovered that she'd had sexual relations with a student, Vali Faulaau, who was just barely 12 years of age at the time.

Letourneau first met the student when he was in her second grade class at Sherwood Elementary School in Burien, Washington. He was 8 years old at the time and she was 29. She became his teacher again when he was in the sixth grade and they had their first sexual encounter when he was 12 in 1996.

She was arrested on February 26, 1997 and eventually pleaded guilty to two counts of statutory rape. Four months later she gave birth to her teenage lover's baby. On August 7, 1997 she was sentenced to 89 months in prison, but only served six months in the county jail when the sentence was suspended. She was released on January 1, 1998 for good behavior, and as part of the release agreement was required to enter a Sexual Deviancy program, and to not have any contact with her former lover - under any circumstances.

On February 3, 1998, police on routine patrol found her parked in a car with her teenage lover in the act of having sexual relations, whereupon she was arrested for violating the conditions of her suspended sentence. In March of 1998, prison officials discovered that she was once again pregnant with another child by her former lover.

Letourneau's husband divorced her and was given total custody of their four children. The family of Letourneau's lover, Vali Fualaau, claiming the school had failed to protect their son from Letourneau, sued the Highland School District of Des Moines, Washington for emotional suffering and the costs entailed for rearing his two children. For whatever reasons, however, the jury ruled against them and no damages were awarded; even though one would have thought they most definitely had a case.

Letourneau was released on parole on August 4, 2004 (but was required to register as a Sex Offender), where upon she almost immediately applied to the court to lift the no contact order between her and her former lover: the request was granted. Letourneau and Fualaau (now age 21) were married on May 20, 2005. Since that time, their illicit love affair has been exploited in magazine articles, several talk and morning news shows and news magazines.

Addendum:
"A U.S. Department of Education study released in June of 2006, found that 7 percent of pupils were victims of physical or sexual abuse by teachers and other school employees.  Of those, 22 percent were victimized by a woman."

The Loss of America's National Morality

Clearly, it is now open season and to some degree fashionable, for erotically desirous members of teaching staffs to gratify their sexually deviate appetites within the pre college education system. To these individuals, our schools are equivalent to sexual fast food outlets. And once uncovered and exposed, how are they received by society in general and the media in particular? They are treated by the television networks as celebrity interviews of high ratings value.

I hold that the reason such activity did not take place in previous generations, was that there was a 'National Morality' in place that effectively protected our society and, for the most part, our youth. It was a universally recognized and accepted standard of community behavior that required no written declaration. That undocumented pledge stood for respect of family, neighborhood, country and trust.

At present, that moral pledge has been allowed to degrade to a state of virtual nonexistence; bordering, in fact, on the mythical. The family is rapidly eroding even as concept, there are no more neighborhoods, there is very little respect for country, and as we've seen and will continue to see, public trust is betrayed every day.

The Politics of Shame

We therefore have to ask ourselves, in light of all that has passed, are we the ones who have caused our political servants to become so outwardly corrupt? Note I stated 'outwardly', because they no longer appear to make the most rudimentary efforts to cover their illegal tracks and immoral deeds.

It is not a matter that there has always been political corruption, but more a matter of why of late the offenders are so open about it and apparently, for the most part, un fearful of the political repercussions. Is it possible they no longer feel the need to be concerned about the reaction of the electorate? And if so, why? Have we the electorate ourselves become corrupt? Maybe, in a way, that has become the case.

The average American citizen of late has become so aligned with political affiliation as a mantra; they no longer require 'moral substance' in their representatives. One side is willing to crucify the others choice because he lied to Congress, while under oath, about a sexual liaison with an aide. But when their chosen elected officeholder refuses to testify about the reasons for starting a devastating war, and he also refuses to testify under oath or to have any recording of his testimony, if given, that side remains quiet on the issue.

Why is a Black congressman caught on video during a sting operation taking and negotiating bribes, and who is discovered to have ninety thousand dollars in cash secreted in his home freezer, reelected to office by his church going Black constituency? And why did the party bosses of a representative from the state of Florida, conceal his frequent and well known homosexual advances to underage congressional pages? Why does an Alaskan congressman want to build with taxpayer money a $230 million dollar bridge to an island, already served by a daily ferry and with a population of less than 50?

Why, why, why...? I am sorry to say, the answer to that searing question is within all of us. We are the problem, the shame is ours - we keep electing them to office.

Riding Into the Sunset of Our Glorious Past

Conservatives, Liberals and Independents alike say what you wish, but in its youth America achieved much, the greatest of which was its survival against all odds, and this nation has absolutely nothing to apologize for. We as citizens, however, must take stock of the present status of national morality as it is now 'selectively' practiced and, as a start to a mid-course correction if it is at all possible, take our fair share of responsibility for what has come about.

We were the ones who allowed the Psychology Establishment usurp the established and well-functioning age old practice of 'Parental Control', only to replace it with sibling tyranny. We were the ones who let these same forces take over our education system in cohorts with the teachers unions, and to bring it to ruin. We allowed the advertising world and corporate America to set new moral trends and to dictate the behavior of our children, all so they could fill their coffers. We were the ones who employed the television set as a cheap and always available babysitter, while expressing little concern for what was going into the heads and psyche of our children. And now as a result, we are afraid of our children.

There's not much time left and, unfortunately, the 'masked rider' of the plains is not here to help us out this time; his time has run out. You see, he only worked for one generation - ours. So either we do it ourselves or be prepared to ride off into the sunset - defeated. This time, it's up to us and us alone. We as a nation of individuals have to cease fighting among ourselves over politics, mount up, don the white hat and mask, and redirect this nation's moral course ourselves - before it's too late. Hi -Yo Silver!

Your comments - The voices of our readers

Great "Conservative Independent" of 8-13. That AZ teacher (Jennifer Mally) is from Paradise Valley in Phoenix and she was getting it on with a couple of kids. She's 28 and the kids were high school age. Nothing yet on her outcome. She also is married. Weird [crap] for sure. When I was in high school, I didn't have any teachers that I would want to have sex with. JM, Arizona Dear CI, yor writing and viewpoint is interesting. But you still don't sound lika a true conservative to me. I think Sir your liberal skirt is showing. Arlene, OH