When romantic fiction exploits politics to reshape real life.

There are gifts one gives to those that have everything. Some of my grandchildren belong in this category. Good toys are simple enough to stimulate the imagination. In their case, a large volume of items whose chips let them to do adults things replaces such objects. Their life expectancy, if measured by the time of use, is only momentary. Once they have demonstrated their programmed trick, being at the end of their repertoire, the toys become a source of boredom. 

There is some logic to the idea that, once adults get everything by “charging” it to a hope in the future, they will want instant gratification for their kids, too. As we know but do not discuss in polite society, sex is an irresistible seller and a major buyer. Traded is whatever conveys the impression that it makes the bearer sexy or “cool”. Naturally, sex shops proliferate. These outlets grew from mom and pop enterprises into competing chains. Playboy mansions fade away. The peripheral treatment of the suggestive but ever discreet centerfold girl that decorated college dorms –the writers walls were shared by them and motorbikes – tell about generational change. Actually, we might be having more exposure to sex than can be digested and so immunities have developed. Even what used to be perversion has lost its magic. Cases such as Strauss-Kahn’s suggest that, regardless of a sane component of feminism, even sexual abuse is moving from the category of crime to that of a misdemeanor. Nothing is unthinkable and the once unconscionable provokes only a shrug of the shoulder.

Well, “almost”, but not “quite”. Surprises remain possible when in some circles common sense is retreating and moral standards are packaged as reactionary folkways. All seeming pinnacles are topped. Constantly, there is a new cause lurking that no guess, being limited by the sanity of the speculator, could have anticipated.

A project that deserves to be rated in the category “this cannot be true” has arisen in Switzerland that happens to have thrived due to its normalcy. Rest assured that the idea will spread to your place. One suspects that the inclination to come up with what will be told has to do with the ability to pay. Being one of the riches countries of the world is related to the proliferation of insane ideas. “Unlimited” funding keeps institutions alive that support dreamers and which feed those that hatch outlandish ideas. Such sinecures have a magnetic effect. The birds of matching feathers flock to where the worms of reward are plenty. At the same time, it is in such places, where the down-to-earth public feels that it can afford to occupy the nuts by supplying playgrounds to live out their fantasies. Such majorities feel that they have the funds to buy peace by letting the weirdoes play. In practice, the idea of creating posh reservations to buy undisturbed lives fails although the approach seems to be plausible. Madness converted into programs will not be content to remain in its place as a harmless tumor might. In time, what is meant to remain limited to a restricted zone will metastasize and threaten vital organs. It so happened in this case.

The cauldron from which an idea sold as “science” seeped out were institutions of teacher’s training. These got status when they were promoted to be scientific institutes. In the pursuit of originality, the idea arose that that sex education outside of the family is essential for the emotional growth of children. Arguably, such information might be of personal use and as such properly a part of the curriculum. Less meritorious is the case made by Switzerland’s well-endowed cabal that is kidnapping its public education. These radicals are pillars of tradition when competition threatens. Such as when science educated persons with solid degrees and with years of industrial experience are to be recruited. If these lack teaching degrees they are excluded as the ability to teach well is made legally dependent upon a degree. While conservatively manning the parapets of their fortress, the priesthood that can anoint its own members is radical when it comes to the marketing of its ideas for re-designing society. Such as in the case of the practical details of sex for kids.

By now, you have guessed it. The orientation of children cannot begin too soon. How about starting with the liberation from sexual ignorance in the kindergarten? The attentive have noted that the more outrageous a proposition is, the more likely it is that it will be considered. This reflects not the soundness of the idea but the pressure of the interest group that had generated it. Now, the naïve will think that telling toddlers about the birds and the bees might not respond exactly to the child’s interest. Nevertheless, if education’s establishment insists, why not let them have their way?

By sex education, its sellers really mean the real McCoy and go whole hog. In the proposed approach catering to all sexual preferences, the “birds” and such are “for the birds”. In addition, the bees prove to be too busy to serve. What is offered is as explicit as one can get; the instructional drawings would make a sailor blush. Certainly, most parents would hide under the table if exposed for their perversion of viewing such stuff. 

Here an illustration should be added. It cannot be done. Really! An organization responded to the plan and created a critical mailing. To make the point, pictures were included to show what is about to be used by the sex-peddlers. The result is a good example of bureaucratic inconsistency. The political class is either silent or approves of whatever its clientele - the organized educators are part of it - recommend. However, the Postal Service refused to distribute the brochure. Oh, not because it openly disapproves of old-fashioned blackguards and the like. No! The pictures that are to enlighten at age 5 were judged pornographic. By implication, to what the general public could not be exposed suits the kindergarten. This prompted a weekly to print one of the objectionable drawings. It shows a naked boy child and a girl. She is busy putting a condom over the kids erect penis. Praise the educators for not beating around the bush the way they do when their performance assessment is brought up.

“What makes them climb so far out on such thin and slippery limbs?” is a question that arises. The reasons are convincing. If implemented, such a project raises the importance of its inventors. If the plan becomes policy there are committees to man, instruction is to be organized, curriculum development takes place, teachers can be trained, speeches, articles, and interviews will be sought. Just think of the dissertations the new discipline can inspire! The supervision of the project creates good jobs as does the hire of the newly made specialists that will train those instructing the new courses. There will be jobs for cousins and party colleagues galore. The point is that money can be made in projects through which government disburses a service. The less society demands that help the better the deal. In addition, where there is money, there is a taker. A group that would otherwise be ignored and remain economically wobbly will gain. It will serve itself by joining the cause that it can carry as a torch.