Steve isn’t forcing his views on anyone, the business has the option to ignore steve. But at the very least by raising their awareness, steve is allowing them to make a more informed decision.

> The reality is that we are in a society where violence is visible everywhere.

Hmmm, that’s not the Austin I know, or my kids. The only violence I ever see is on TV in public places, video games in public places, TV news, and the movies.

I haven’t personally seen a real fight, or an assault of any kind since Willie’s 4th of July Farm Aid concert at Manor Downs in Austin in 1986. Two drunk bikers were fighting in a mud hole. I rarely even see rude behavior in Austin (except when driving), or hear someone raise their voice.

Violence does exist in the world, as we all know, but I think it’s incorrect to say “violence is visible everywhere”. Not in “real life” Austin it isn’t. Violence in our culture is mainly only ‘visible’ on TV and video games. Without media, your chances of witnessing real and actual violence in life are pretty slim.

I didn’t say that TV and video games are reality. The reality is that we are in a society where violence is visible everywhere.

I have never been to that Green Mesquite restaurant, but I can imagine it be just another Tex-mex restaurant in Austin with a bar. If that’s the case, I don’t think you can call it “children friendly”. They are just a place to eat with all kinds of people there (golfers, fishermen, musicians, boaters, gays, retirees, immigrants, church goers, pot heads, pizza drivers, professors, slackers, hikers, bikers, republicans, democrats, atheists…) And some of these people wanted to watch WWF or American Idol or World Cut on TV while they are eating or drinking.

I don’t think Austin can be labeled in that manner. Austin is a very diverse city, which adds to its appeal. Austin is a great party town for people who like to party, and it’s also a kid friendly town for families.

It’s great for golfers, fishermen, musicians, boaters, gays, retirees, immigrants, church goers, pot heads, pizza drivers, professors, slackers, hikers, bikers, republicans, democrats, atheists, and all people in between – including Leslie.

I can’t imagine any kind of person or lifestyle that can’t find a place in Austin. It’s a very big tent with an even bigger welcome mat.

What I’m saying is that the kid friendly aspects that make Austin a great family town ought not let other elements bleed in and erode the kid friendliness of Austin.

I have nothing against men who want to put on Speedos and beat each other up. But I don’t expect to see it on TV in Green Mesquite when I go there to eat with my kids. If nothing else, it just a stupid business decision to have that junk on the TV in a place promoted as “kid friendly” in all the restaurant guides.

> I think instead of shielding children from the world of reality …

I find little, if anything presented in media to be representative of reality. Quite the opposite, in my humble opinion. Kids will have their entire adult lives to suffer or enjoy, whichever it may be, all that American media culture has to offer. Postponing exposure to media violence won’t cause a kid any loss of aptitude or social grace, I’m certain of it.

Moving images with sound grab our monkey brains and drive out all other thought. I won’t eat in a restaurant where I can’t escape the TV.

Even though I like the blue-island-in-a-red-state aspects of Austin culture, I do think some establishments could be a little wiser about what they expose kids to. I’m thinking, for instance, of I Love Video, which puts Star Trek and the Simpsons in the back room just a few feet away from the pr0n. On the other hand I know that if I take the kids into Vulcan or I Love Video, they may hear a few F-words from the store TV and that’s a chance I’m willing to take.

Austin is obviously both liberal and raw (that’s a texas thing).

Personally, I think instead of shielding children from the world of reality (our human world are filled with violence and tragedies) and creating a fake picture perfect world where no one ever die and everyone loves one another, the best way to nurture children is to show them the right way to handle all these negative factors in life so that they will know how to handle it when they grow up to be adults. To hide all violence is not as effective as to show how them how to identify right from wrong. Hence, sometimes they have to be exposed to some “wrong” things in order to know there’s a difference.

Thanks for your comments.

I’ll have to disagree with you. I think it’s reasonable for parents in Austin to expect that kids can be taken into places such as the electronics store, the barber shop, a family restaurant, etc. without being exposed to media that would be rated “PG-13″ or even “R” on a movie rating system.

I do agree that we can just not come back, but I also think managers and store owners should be made aware of things that cause parents/customers to be unhappy. Then management can choose to ignore that information or make changes.