As I sat and revamped the look of Belden*NET, I knew I wanted to use some of this space to "explore" my thoughts on various subjects from time to time, so I created the Soapbox.

I've spent too much time listening to news reports lately about women accused (and probably guilty) of killing their own children. I'm not referring to abortion, but young mothers taping their baby's mouth with duct tape and tossing the child into a dumpster. I'm referring to the woman who drove her car into a lake with her kids in it and blame it on a non-existant carjacker. What about the mother in Rowlett who claims someone broke into the house and cut up her kids?

I ask myself this question each time I hear these things: Have these events always occured or have increased media coverage and criminal investigation technologies brought these acts more into the public knowledge? I haven't investigated past happenings of this sort to answer that question...yet. I simply don't understand people, fathers as well as mothers, too, who are so far gone that their own children are subject to their deep seated psychological flaws. I understand that many adults were once children subject to the hang-ups of their parents and now are a little screwy, but the key word is "now." They're still alive! What about these children who aren't victims of drunk drivers, drive-by's and natural distasters, but who are victimized and murdered by the very people who gave them life.

I've spoken with my wife on this subject many times. I take note of the link between the majority of mothers and children. It's an incredible bond! Movies, books and poems stress that it's the most unbreakable connection there is. If this is so...what is WRONG with these people?!?!

When my wife and I talked about the lady in Rowlett who claimed a burglar broke in and killed her kids, her response was simple. "If someone broke into my house and tried to kill my kids, they would have to kill me first." It poses a good question. How did this "burglar" get away? We wouldn't have stopped chasing this guy.

Well...that's it for my first column of my Soapbox. I don't have any wise conclusions or advice. I don't know of any major changes to the political system that can fix or alleviate this problem. I simply believe it is further evidence of the moral decline of the world. Am I a saint? No, but I don't kill people, either!

- Will Belden