(4) Smoking with a Child in Car: There's no law against smoking with a child in the car; however, a bill recently failed to pass that would make it illegal. Perhaps someday it will be illegal. Opponents argue that it's another case of Big Brother watching. So what! Government should impose restrictions on a society that's so selfish that they would allow smokers to blow toxic fumes into the air space of small children while smoking restrictions are in place to protect adults in restaurants and night clubs. Society is too knuckleheaded to regulate itself.

Richard O. Jones

(5) Double standards: Why is it "okay" for Black people to degrade each other with insulting remarks and names but is racist for someone of another race to say the same thing. I find it unacceptable that some Blacks laugh at the jokes by Black comics that put Black people down but get angry if a white comic tells the same joke. I think BET Comic View and P. Diddy's Bad Boys of Comedy is a big slap across the grinning faces of their audience, only second to the slap of rap lyrics. I don't accept the double standard that a man can go topless at the beach but a woman can't, and a woman can keep her hat on in church and a man can't.

(6) Females with Tattoos and Body Piercing: I realize that tattoos and body piercing are considered art and are a form of artistic expression; although, much like French philosopher Volaire who said, "I wholly disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it," I will defend (maybe not to the death) their right to express themselves; however, I question their sense of decorum.  Perhaps it's my age that renders me to expect females to be ladylike, modest and all that. In my youth, if I saw a young lady with body piercing and tattoos I would be delighted only because she had presented herself as loose and easy, but never would I bring such a gal home to meet my mother or the church to meet my preacher.

(7) Preachers fleecing Poor People: I know the Bible says pay 10% of your income to God, which usually is interpreted to mean the church. I'm very uncomfortable when I see poor people without adequate housing, no medical insurance, or the ability to feed themselves faithfully paying tithes with their social security or welfare benefits then have to lie about their expenditures to the government. For instance they may receive $500 per month then pay $50 to the church they must rummage through trash for recyclable to make up the difference. A pastor told me that he preferred a congregation of poor people because they paid tithes faithfully in hopes of a financial blessing, while people of some affluence were not as easily motivated with prosperity blessings from God.

Richard O. Jones is a public speaker, clean comedian, and emcee. To book him for any engagement email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or go to website for details: www.gigmasters.com/emcee/RichardOJones/