I think such youthful crimes are actually a good thing. If youth feel they have no freedom to flout rules, you are living in a dictatorship. Should their be "rules" and limits and consequences, absolutely. But testing social boundaries is a sign of strong individuality and actualy bodes well for their furures. It is when there are no boundaries and no supervision or worse yet true criminal roles models that you have a problem.
3
As a story, this is intriguing, thought-provoking! Note that the author reports the facts, without making the moral judgement that inevitably follows in the reader's mind. As a story, it is humorous! Reminds me of the "what scamps kids are" tales that old folks tell. But if my child actually did this, there would be hell to pay, for a very, very long time. If you would merely chuckle and ruffle your child's head, that's your parental choice.
2
The lollipops are worth more than the interest you receive from the deposits.
These aren't the only suckers at the teller's window.
These aren't the only suckers at the teller's window.
9
You can give your children all the moral lessons you want, but electing a vile and immoral man (even if only seemingly so!) into the highest office in the land effectively tells them that morality doesn't matter. Grab all the loot while you can.
11
To the editor of Metropolitan Diary: How do these three young hooligans comprise a 'guild'? Surely, they are the Lollipop Gang. And why is this antisocial conduct meant to be amusing?
4
>>.And why is this antisocial conduct meant to be amusing?<<
Because in a world with so much horror, this is...cute, funny, and for most readers who were not saints as children, got into similar mischief, and grew up to become productive citizens, this brings a smile. In other words, chill out: nothing about this anecdote signifies the end of civilization.
Because in a world with so much horror, this is...cute, funny, and for most readers who were not saints as children, got into similar mischief, and grew up to become productive citizens, this brings a smile. In other words, chill out: nothing about this anecdote signifies the end of civilization.
12
If they are bold enough and impulsive enough to do a snatch and grab from a bank - for anything, it won't be long before they move up to shoplifting, then Smash and Grabs of clothes, electronics, and jewelry.
People may smile, but these kids almost certainly have a life of crime ahead of them. A turn towards jail for some form of robbery has started with far less.
Very Sad...
People may smile, but these kids almost certainly have a life of crime ahead of them. A turn towards jail for some form of robbery has started with far less.
Very Sad...
5
..If they are bold enough and impulsive enough to do a snatch and grab from a bank - for anything, it won't be long before they move up to shoplifting, then Smash and Grabs of clothes, electronics, and jewelry.<<
Completely illogical conclusion
>>Very Sad...<<
Took the words right out of my mouth (your comment, not the story)
Completely illogical conclusion
>>Very Sad...<<
Took the words right out of my mouth (your comment, not the story)
4
Sounds like the work of Suckers McGraw and the Squiggly Pops Kid.
5
now, they are selling the lollipops for 25 cents a piece.
5
It was a sticks up and they got a bundle.
3
Tune of “Lollipop Lollipop” (Chordettes version)
(song from a young bank customer to his father)
(chorus)
Golly Pop, golly Pop, they swiped that lolli-lolli
Golly Pop, golly Pop, they swiped that lolli-lolli
Golly Pop, golly Pop, they swiped that lollipop
Lollipop!
They go to banks for lollipops
Bank don’t care
Cause their rich parents do their banking there
They run to the lollipops
Cops don't pounce
Cause their folks have large accounts
(repeat chorus)
(song from a young bank customer to his father)
(chorus)
Golly Pop, golly Pop, they swiped that lolli-lolli
Golly Pop, golly Pop, they swiped that lolli-lolli
Golly Pop, golly Pop, they swiped that lollipop
Lollipop!
They go to banks for lollipops
Bank don’t care
Cause their rich parents do their banking there
They run to the lollipops
Cops don't pounce
Cause their folks have large accounts
(repeat chorus)
16
When is a comment not a comment? When the commenter is trying to upstage the original author's work.
And so it is with the prolific (it's not a compliment) wannabee-lyricist Freddie who pops up far too often with his attempts to co-opt attention from Metropolitan Diary contributors. Surely I cannot be the only reader who cringes every time his spoofs of standards and Broadway songs appear in this space.
This is hardly an attempt to stifle anyone's creativity no matter how lame the attempt is. To be fair, there are those who delight in Freddie's compositions irrespective of the stilted and uninspired work.
A suggestion: Freddie, submit your work to Metropolitan Diary editors to see if it, like everyone else's, merits the light of day. Short of that, please limit your compositions to New York Today. Not only are you spreading yourself thin(ner), you are being incredibly disrespectful to the column's contributors.
The individual pieces were selected because an editor felt they would resonate with the readers. This is not about you no matter that you think your own comment merits validation by publication.
And so it is with the prolific (it's not a compliment) wannabee-lyricist Freddie who pops up far too often with his attempts to co-opt attention from Metropolitan Diary contributors. Surely I cannot be the only reader who cringes every time his spoofs of standards and Broadway songs appear in this space.
This is hardly an attempt to stifle anyone's creativity no matter how lame the attempt is. To be fair, there are those who delight in Freddie's compositions irrespective of the stilted and uninspired work.
A suggestion: Freddie, submit your work to Metropolitan Diary editors to see if it, like everyone else's, merits the light of day. Short of that, please limit your compositions to New York Today. Not only are you spreading yourself thin(ner), you are being incredibly disrespectful to the column's contributors.
The individual pieces were selected because an editor felt they would resonate with the readers. This is not about you no matter that you think your own comment merits validation by publication.
14
This lyric seems so innocent (and relatively short) even a day later, and I certainly wasn't making fun of the writer of the story in any way, I hope! There's even a term on google for this that existed before I ever started doing this: "comment-box poets" (like Larry Eisenberg and others)
4
Dear measured response,
I don't understand why you are taking issue with Freddie. His lyrics do not "co-opt" attention from the post. It is obvious that they are always inspired by them.
You may not personally be a fan of this type of humor, but that isn't a reason to disparage his tributes to the diary posters. Many enjoy reading his musical take on posts (as you can tell by the amount of recommendations they receive). They are actually both complementary and complimentary.
Feel free to scroll past his verse if you prefer the more prosaic comments. But, when there often many negative comments, a light-hearted ditty makes my day!
I don't understand why you are taking issue with Freddie. His lyrics do not "co-opt" attention from the post. It is obvious that they are always inspired by them.
You may not personally be a fan of this type of humor, but that isn't a reason to disparage his tributes to the diary posters. Many enjoy reading his musical take on posts (as you can tell by the amount of recommendations they receive). They are actually both complementary and complimentary.
Feel free to scroll past his verse if you prefer the more prosaic comments. But, when there often many negative comments, a light-hearted ditty makes my day!
11
A life of crime starts early.......seize the candy culprits! On another (serious) note, hopefully the trio's parents addressed the little felons - the booty may have been free but the sneak attack was definitely planned with criminal precision and planning, "getaway" included........!
7
A life of crime surely awaits them.
Good one! (And so is the headline.)
7
These days with minimum sentencing and lowered ages for criminal responsibility, a bank heist with only Dum Dums as the loot is well, dumb. Some friendly counseling to the young entrepreneurs seems in order.
5
Ha ha ha - what a great story; cheered me up instantly!
8
A lollipop heist! Where's security?
4
Haven't you seen the TV ad that there are only bank monitors, who don't protect, just monitor the activity?
2
Note the setting. The reporter escorted his/her 11 year old with a passbook. Legitimate business supported by an adult. The Lollipop Gang may have been even more serious in their need. One wonders if the adults in their lives will ever learn of their conspiracy and review their decisions while tucking them in. Perhaps no adult will ever escort them to make a safe deposit for their future. The only certainty is a repeat appointment at the dentist. Pity the bank clerk who witnessed the heist and now has to meet with a manager to decide whether to continue the policy of largess or rein in the extravagance. I see a summer spree from the Lollipop Gang all the way to Washington Square and look forward to detailed descriptions of the miscreants.
8
It always starts with lollipops . It calls " broken window "!
4
this has the appearance of "amusing," and it is, but tune in 15 years from now and we'll see how it all turns out.
respect for a person or institution's generosity begins at an early age.
respect for a person or institution's generosity begins at an early age.
16
>>this has the appearance of "amusing," and it is, but tune in 15 years from now and we'll see how it all turns out.<<
As with the overwhelming majority of these and similar examples...they'll grow up and become regular people. One example does not a lifetime of crime make.
As with the overwhelming majority of these and similar examples...they'll grow up and become regular people. One example does not a lifetime of crime make.
7
Start young to practice for success in America--it's competitive out there!
3