July 29, 2025

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Babies Behave Better Than Us
Columns & Opinion
September 27, 2024
Babies Behave Better Than Us

Two-month-old Lydia suddenly feels uncomfortable, so she begins twisting her little head back and forth, whimpering, and when that doesn’t bring her mom, she begins shifting her body around. According to her beliefs, that lady-in-waiting has only one function in life - to attend to Lydia’s every whim and need. Mom is supposed to be watching that tiny body 24/7, so as to catch the first indication that “Hey, ma’am, I am not happy, and you should have already fixed this situation 45 seconds ago!” And if that dear lady is lax jumping to attention and attending to the baby’s immediate desire of the moment, then in another few seconds all hell is going to break loose in the room. Baby fists will flail, tiny feet will kick and her face will turn redder and redder, as she screams and demands the attention she wants now! And the din and chaos will only get louder until she gets her way.

Two-month-old Lydia suddenly feels uncomfortable, so she begins twisting her little head back and forth, whimpering, and when that doesn’t bring her mom, she begins shifting her body around. According to her beliefs, that lady-in-waiting has only one function in life - to attend to Lydia’s every whim and need. Mom is supposed to be watching that tiny body 24/7, so as to catch the first indication that “Hey, ma’am, I am not happy, and you should have already fixed this situation 45 seconds ago!” And if that dear lady is lax jumping to attention and attending to the baby’s immediate desire of the moment, then in another few seconds all hell is going to break loose in the room. Baby fists will flail, tiny feet will kick and her face will turn redder and redder, as she screams and demands the attention she wants now! And the din and chaos will only get louder until she gets her way.

There is no reasoning with the child - she doesn’t want to hear any explanation Mom could offer in self-defense. There are no excuses that will be acceptable to her. Mom could lovingly argue that the phone is ringing, someone is at the door, the soup on the kitchen stove is boiling over, and she just took a header on the tile floor rushing to see what her angrily screaming baby is wanting ... it matters not. The tyrant wants what she wants. Now! And absolutely nothing but the best for her. If she is hungry, there better be warm milk on tap at the ready. If her issue is a less-than-comfortable feeling between her legs, then by golly, nothing and I mean nothing, should prevent her from nestling her tiny bottom on a comfy and dry diaper.

Whine, squirm, complain loudly and refuse to stop manipulating those around her, until the goal of getting what she wants is achieved.

That one simple sentence containing only 22 words describes the behavior of two-month-old Lydia ... and our 2024 Presidential Election.

Here’s my question. What is wrong with us adults!? Some people on both sides of the issues are acting like spoiled br... um ... babies. Just like tiny infants, the needs and fears of everyone else in our country are absolutely meaningless to them, and are being totally ignored. There is a terrifying amount of “I want what I want, and I will accept no less!” surrounding this presidential election. No holds barred. We are seeing grown adults - among our country’s leaders, no less - unwilling to listen to another point of view, with an arrogant smirkiness that smacks of the childish taunt, “Just talk to the hand ‘cause I’m not about to listen, and you can’t make me.”

Lydia is only acting her age. But today we have adults behaving worse than tiny tots. It’s past time to grow up, people, before we lose everything we hold dear.

--- Podcasts are available at Coffeetimecolumn.com. Send any responses to andybowman839@gmail.com.

New HPS Board Member Welcomed
A: Main, Lifestyle...
New HPS Board Member Welcomed
July 26, 2025
Willem Vandenborn is welcomed by Henryetta Public Schools Superintendent Jason Price after he was sworn in to fill the Ward 2 seat on the HPS board. The action came during a special meeting Thursday, ...
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Patrons Bank warns community of rising phone scams
A: Main, Lifestyle...
Patrons Bank warns community of rising phone scams
July 25, 2025
Patrons Bank is urging the community to be on high alert as phone scams targeting bank customers continue to rise across the country - and right here at home.Scammers are spoofing legitimate bank phon...
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Christmas in July is today
A: Main, Main...
Christmas in July is today
July 25, 2025
Downtown Henryetta is set to come alive with holiday spirit and summer sunshine today, as the Henryetta Chamber of Commerce presents its annual “Christmas in July” celebration. The event, scheduled fr...
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A: Main
Back-to-School excitement builds
July 25, 2025
As summer winds down and the school year quickly approaches, Henryetta Public Schools and Dewar Public Schools are rolling out the red carpet for students and families with a series of exciting back-t...
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Main Street Crossing Temporarily Closed
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Main Street Crossing Temporarily Closed
July 25, 2025
The City of Henryetta has announced that the Main Street railroad crossing is currently closed to all traffic. Residents needing to cross the tracks are encouraged to use the Trudgeon Street crossing ...
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Sales Tax Holiday returns Aug. 1-3
A: Main
Sales Tax Holiday returns Aug. 1-3
July 25, 2025
Shoppers across Okmulgee County and throughout the state will soon get a much-needed break on back-to-school expenses, as Oklahoma’s annual Sales Tax Holiday kicks off Friday, Aug. 1, and runs through...
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Editor Picks
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Historical Museum open Saturday
July 25, 2025
The Henryetta Historical Museum continues to welcome guests through its doors this summer with its special every-other-weekend schedule - and this Saturday is no exception. The museum will be open Jul...
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News
OCEM Report
July 25, 2025
This report is a summary of activities Okmulgee County Emergency Management participated in and does not reflect all activities performed by or participated in by Okmulgee County Emergency Management....
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Plans underway for Okmulgee County Fair
News
Plans underway for Okmulgee County Fair
July 25, 2025
Planning is in full swing for the much-anticipated 2025 Okmulgee County Fair, with the event officially set to take place Sept. 4-6 at the Okmulgee County Fairgrounds.Members of the Fair Volunteer Com...
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Lions Club celebrates new members, history and upcoming events
News
Lions Club celebrates new members, history and upcoming events
July 25, 2025
The Henryetta Lions Club held a lively and productive meeting on Thursday, July 17, at The Shack 2.0, welcoming new members, celebrating local heritage and preparing for several key community events o...
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News
Preston Schools announces Child Nutrition Program
July 25, 2025
Preston Public Schools announced they are participating in free lunch and/or breakfast program for the 2026 school year. All students enrolled in the district or the listed sites may participate in th...
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