Goin’ Off the Rails on a Crazy Train

Crazy, but that’s how it goes

Millions of people living as foes

Maybe it’s not too late

To learn how to love

And forget how to hate.

I printed out the lyrics to Ozzy Osborne’s “Crazy Train.” I figured if my kids were going to shout this song in the car at the tops of their lungs, they should at least know the words.

They initially heard the music from the TV commercial for the Honda Pilot, which was what we drove for football carpool; thus, considerable shouting occurred when we were in transit.

Having the lyrics in hand, my middle son decided to download the song on his iPod, during which time he obtained a picture of Ozzy to accompany it.

“Wow, Mom, is that really Ozzy Osbourne? He looks kinda scary. Is it really him singing the song?”

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“Let me see. Yep. You know that song’s like, from the ’80s, right?

“Uh huh, so? He actually has a really good voice…”

“Yeah, he sure does. You can’t judge an album by its cover.”

“What’s an album?”

…

Social media unleashes the haters

I caught myself humming the song a few times, and it got me thinking about a couple of things. First, what’s up with all the haters on social media these days? Can’t people disagree respectfully: stay calm, not take things personally, criticize ideas, but not each other?

Millions of people, living as foes.

Come to think of it, this language is prevalent in religious conflicts, sporting events, or anytime people have a difference of opinion, even with things like dog breeds. I would be much more receptive to someone’s ideas if they were presented on their merit and not simply as the assumed opposite of anything used to tear down the opposing view.

Crazy, but that’s how it goes.

Some conflict is necessary

Second, the song reminds me of a question my youngest asked on the way home from camp during a break from “all aboard,” “ha ha ha ha,” and “ay ay ay”: “What if Adam and Eve never ate the fruit from the tree?”

Though the boys went to a local Christian camp, the story about the tree in the Garden of Eden is common to many religions, including Judaism and Islam.

“I guess we’d all be walking around naked, for one thing…”

“What!” His older brothers perked up, one of them pulling his earbuds out.

“Well, we’d be naked, but we wouldn’t realize it. Naked would be the norm.”

“Mom!”

“Seriously, boys. The fruit was from the Tree of Knowledge, right? So once they ate it, they became aware of things.”

“Oh, yeah…we heard about that part during message time.”

“And also, I guess everyone would get along with each other…there would be no conflict…uhm, competition. Hmmm,” I continued, thinking aloud, “I’m not sure how that would work. If there were no competition, how could there be any businesses…never mind that, what about sports?”

“Whaddaya mean?”

“Well, how could there be a football game without competition? Someone has to win and someone has to lose. “

“Duh.”

“And no one’s gonna say, ‘be my guest, go right ahead and score that touchdown’…”

“Duh! That would be so stupid!”

“I know, right? But it can be friendly competition: no trash talk.”

“Sometimes there is, Mom.”

“Well, I know there is, but I also know your coaches don’t encourage it. I know they teach you to compete respectfully. Stay calm. Don’t take things personally, and don’t criticize the other team. No name-calling.”

“Duh, mom.”

“Don’t ‘duh’ me, honey. Not everyone in this world gets it. Sometimes it’s hard to remember in the heat of the moment. That’s why we have terms like ‘poor sport’ and ‘sore loser.’ ”