Ron & Jen’s Great Escape, Sept. 27, 2023 – Ron St. Pierre and Jen Brien

by Ron St. Pierre and Jen Brien, commentary

BAD PARENTS = BAD KIDS

There seems to be an epidemic these days where parents defend horrible behavior coming from their kids. Could be bullying. Maybe crime, in general. Could be drugs, or sexual situations. Could be disrespect, theft, or even in some cases, MURDER. 

WHAT is it with these sick parents that are unwilling to call their children out publicly or privately when they have done something just super abnormal or irrational? These days we have a problem with lack of respect for things and for others, laziness, drug abuse, a poor me, me-first mentality, and the idea that lawlessness is perfectly fine. Every single day I see stories of young people behaving so badly and some ignorant parent never fails to stand behind the microphone and cameras saying “Johnny is a good boy. He’s never done anything wrong. The truth will come out in the end”. 

Oh please, spare us all. Johnny probably was a problem child who tortured animals and bullied his classmates. See, here’s the secret behind so much of the insanity we see in the news concerning young people… it’s the parents. The PARENTS are the sick ones – first. It starts there, and they infect their children. What follows is the need or want to defend the kids, because it reflects poorly on the parent. 

Look, if you want to be “friends” with kids and let them do whatever they want because “it’s not a battle I want to have with my child”, you’re a crappy parent. It’s your job to set boundaries. Say no. Not enable and NOT DEFEND BEHAVIOR that is evil, demoralizing, or brings society down. 

Let’s hold the parents accountable for their children’s crimes. My guess is you’d see a lot less youth running around the streets with guns at 3am. I don’t have kids, but spare me the “you can’t say these things because you don’t have children” emails or DMs. You’re not a politician, but want to tell everyone how this country should be run.

Clean up your household and get your kids acting right. I’m so sick of getting chucked the bird and being called a “witch” (change “w” to a B) because I ask teens on my dog walks at night to stop screaming the “C” word as loud as they can scream it when they walk down the street. 

Start being parents, so the rest of us don’t have to be – to YOUR children. 

I’ve literally had it. 

Till next week, my friends – Jen

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THAT TIME OF YEAR

The battle has begun! The fight to put off turning on the heat as long as you can. It’s also PUMPKIN SPICE EVERYTHING, EVERYWHERE time! Google trends looked at the most popular pumpkin spice foods across the country. In Rhode Island it’s pumpkin spice Oreos, while in Massachusetts it’s pumpkin spice Cheerios. What are they thinking in Arizona? Pumpkin spice Spam? REALLY?

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THE WELL DRESSED MAN

Many lawmakers aren’t happy with Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s decision to suspend the Senate’s dress code. Schumer quietly changed the code a couple of weeks ago by simply letting the Sergeant at Arms know. Although Schumer didn’t fully explain why he busted the move, many think it’s to accommodate Pennsylvania Democratic Senator John Fetterman who likes to wear a hoodie and gym shorts in the Senate building. I can see a polo shirt and khakis every now and then, but a hoodie and gym shorts? Maine’s longest serving senator, Susan Collins, threatened to wear a bikini in protest. With everything we’re facing as a nation, this is the stuff they’re worrying about in DC.

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THE SHOPPERS ARE AT THE GATE… AND THEY’RE OFF!

A Bankrate survey says holiday shoppers aren’t wasting any time. 12% of holiday shoppers began buying gifts at the end of August, with another 12% in September and a whopping 26% next month. That means HALF of those who buy holiday presents do so before Halloween. We’re both in that category… in fact, Ron has some of his gifts already wrapped.

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DON’T FORGET TO TIP YOUR WAITRESS

Who would have thought Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick would be credited with the line of the weekend! When referring to the rumor that two time Super Bowl champion Travis Kelce might be dating pop superstar Taylor Swift, Coach Bill said of the sure handed all-star, “Kelce has had a lot of big catches in his career, but THIS would be the biggest.” Belichick is known to be a “Swiftie”, himself, so his assessment comes from a place of admiration. Shecky Belichick.

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DOROTHY WAS RIGHT… SORRY, MOM AND DAD

Apparently, there IS no place like home. More young adults are ditching landlords in favor of living with  their parents. A Bloomberg poll shows that 45% of adults between the ages of 18 and 29 are living at home, and yes, money is at the heart of the issue. This is the highest figure since the 1940’s. High housing costs, skyrocketing rents, student debt and inflation lead the reasons. A full 30% moved back because they can’t afford living on their own. Half a chicken (or a quarter of one?) in every pot.

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Read all of Ron & Jen’s columns, here:https://rinewstoday.com/ron-st-pierre-jen-brien/

Ron St. Pierre is a veteran broadcaster whose career has spanned over four decades. Ron has programmed, performed on and managed WHJJ, WPRO, WWRX, 790 The Score in Providence, as well as WBZT and WKGR in West Palm Beach and WABC in New York City. Ron also anchored sports on WPRI Ch 12 in Providence. He is a member of both the Rhode Island Radio and Television and the City of Pawtucket Halls of Fame. He was born and raised in Pawtucket.

Jen Brien has over 20 years of radio broadcast experience having hosted shows on WPRO and WHJJ with Ron as well as her own shows on WRKO and WBZ in Boston, WXTK on Cape Cod and WHAM in Rochester, New York. Jen was born and raised in Woonsocket and served six years in the Army MP Canine Unit.

Hazel, Ron’s dog, makes regular appearances.

“Ron and Jen’s Great Escape” podcast, a more lighthearted look at the events happening around us, can be found on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts, with new episodes premiering each Wednesday and listen to Ron and Jen’s Great Escape on NewsRadio 920 and 104-7 FM, Saturday morning, 7am!