Where I Stand — Ruthe Deskin: Sexual awareness courses could be going too far

Tuesday, March 24, 1998 | 11:13 a.m.

Stop the world. I think it's time for me to get off.

After watching Mike Wallace interview professors and others regarding the teaching of sexual awareness, or whatever they call it, I've decided my sense of morality belongs with the dinosaurs.

Wallace's face was a study in amazement as he questioned professors who are teaching everything and anything about sex and encouraging students to search for answers through experience.

My generation went for years without even saying the "S" word. It was a mystery to be delved into following love and marriage.

Shucks, for me, gay meant joy and happiness. I didn't even know about lesbians and gays until I took a psychology course in college.

Our parents took great measures to protect us from such knowledge. I don't say that they had the right approach, but sometimes I wonder. There weren't as many illegitimate babies. Rape and incest probably occurred, but we had little knowledge of it.

As one who always backed sex education in high school, I can't help wonder if we have come too far.

If our nation succumbs to the belief that self-indulgence in the pursuit of pleasure is a way of life, we are in trouble.

Every civilization that became totally hedonistic disappeared from the face of the earth.

Remember, everyone has to have standards, but if you set them low enough they're not hard to live up to.

Think about it.

The site of the Nevada State Museum and Historical Society in Lorenzi Park is picturesque and easy to locate.

Sadly, visitors do not flock to see the exhibits, and officials are considering moving the museum to another location.

Before they do, a good publicity campaign might bring more sightseers to the museum.

Several times I have commented on the interesting exhibits displayed at the museum only to be told, "I never knew there was a museum at Lorenzi Park -- where is it?"

Even if one gets to the park, there aren't directional signs to inspire interest in the museum.

The museum itself needs a bit of sprucing up. Exhibit areas could use more light and color to provide a more welcoming atmosphere.

Give the museum a chance -- give it some hype -- let citizens know about the exhibits and the people will come.

It's baffling and bewildering.

Gloria Sturman, chairwoman of the Las Vegas Clark County Library Board, issues high praise of embattled library director Darrell Batson and the job he did. So how come he was forced out of the position?

For his friends, I am happy to report that Batson has landed a library directorship back East.

Changing a law because nobody complies makes good sense, I suppose.

At any rate, that's what the county commissioners have done. Pet owners in unincorporated Clark County will no longer have to license their animals. Other methods of control have been adopted.

Pet owners would be wise to check with county officials as to what restrictions and rules now apply.

Everything goes in politics, but a new first has been established in my life.

A political candidate became so incensed at something I said, he hung up on me.

Being the loving instead of fighting type, I would like to issue an invitation to the gentleman to come by the SUN and discuss issues. He knows who he is.

Residents of Sartini Plaza are hoping a meeting on March 25 with Frederick Brown of the City Housing Authority will solve some of the problems they have been facing for many months.

"The only problem," one resident explained, "we have had ongoing communication with the housing authority and nothing has happened."

Maybe things will change once the grievances are aired in a public forum.

If this item doesn't scare you, nothing will.

"AIDS has become the leading cause of death among all Americans ages 25 to 44, new federal data shows."

AIDS surpassed cancer and heart disease, according to Dr. Harold W. Jaffe, an official at the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.

Since 1980 the total number of deaths from AIDS has reached 379,000.

Less than a month to April 15.

That's the day we all pay for being Americans, and though it's not pleasant it's worth it.