Being a long-time fan of television sitcoms, there has been a noticeable increase in the use of terminology related to sex and various sex acts. Where two decades ago sexual innuendoes which could be taken both ways were common but the terminology now used is specific, as are scenes depicting sex acts.

Movies once relied on the imagination of the viewer concerning many of the above, such as sex acts and killing. Now, the only thing one does not see sexually is actual penetration (including on television) and the filming of one person killing another (not so with newscasts).

However, the depictions of killing as they are done in films often go beyond the actual act by providing an excess of guts, gore, and squirting and/or spraying blood.

Actors and actresses speak of their sexual activities openly as if this makes them better people. Late night shows have many, many jokes and interview questions relating to sex and sexual topics. Surely, it seems to be the life-style to shoot for.

Women yearning for or wanting to be associated with convicted killers, including serial killers, have been in the news and more commonly now than the word ‘sex’ once was in our society. They seem to be turned on by the violent nature of the killers.

Sports figures are picked up for alcohol related incidents, be it the showing of violent tempers or driving while intoxicated. There have been examples of domestic violence, addiction to various illegal drugs, prostitution, sexual exploits based on money and fame bringing to the figures a never ending line of willing sexual partners, groupy women who admit to wanting to have sex with as many as possible, and those that are just generally not very nice people to others.

In the case of real life dramas unfolding, the media does its best to keep up with any scandal that comes along. The motto seems to be ‘The juicier, the better'.

But, with the power the media wields comes the abuse of using this power to direct people’s thoughts. Whereas Gingrich’s transgressions were pooh-poohed away by the media friends of the Republican Party, Clinton was hounded, even though Gingrich’s were just as bad or worse. And, this biased treatment is allowed and seemingly expected.

Advertising has long relied on sex to sell products. There are few commercials not relying on our sexual natures, commercails used to sell products from laundry soap to condoms. Magazines are, of course, full of ads relating to sex and sexual allure with little left to one’s imagination.

Respect for others and human life seems to be at the bottom of priorities of all the above sources. The name of the game is to sell, to make money, to buy votes or whatever, to gain in power, to treat others with total disregard of feelings and do so in spite of what effects society might suffer.

Ministers, teachers, police, and others figures of service to the public are caught in acts indicative of a deteriorating society and certainly not in the realm of positive family values.

How many young people each year are subjected to becoming part of a one-parent family because of adultery or murder? How many have parents openly using drugs at home or having sex with multiple partners? How many are in homes in which respect for others is not on the agenda? How many are in homes in which theft is a way of life?

Not to dwell on it but there is not any sexual act that can not be viewed on the Internet. Videos abound along with thousands upon thousands of pictures of people doing everything with the human body that can be done sexually. And, it doesn’t matter if the PC user is five years old or a hundred.

Actually, hearing and using the phrase 'family values' seems almost asinine and archaic. One might even conclude the group that does believe in family values is actually a minority subculture in our overall society.

Just as a reflection on the signs of the time, it seems the only time family values is news worthy is during the campaigns of politicians or finger pointing by one party at the other. And we allow this hypocrisy of a corrupt Congress guided by its own excesses.

With all these sources and the many more not named, Ladies and Gentlemen, is it any wonder we have so many depraved, morally defunct people to contend with?