I have come to expect little to nothing intelligent from MTV. It’s amazing how much the producers of “MTV Cribs” feel the camera needs to move around when touring celebrity refrigerators, simply to keep the miniature attention span of the viewers focused on the show. I honestly feel that my brain matter is being reduced every time I see “Spring Break Karaoke” or a very boring Carson Daly present 20 percent of the number one video on “TRL.”

Now, unintelligence I can handle, but recently the channel seems intent on eliminating not only intelligence, but any ethical standards a young person may have. MTV has followed in the footsteps of the advertising, movie, and clothing industry in advocating a liberal lifestyle.

MTV has run and re-run a sad attempt at an investigative report on marijuana use in the United States and Canada. The young reporter visited bong shops, drug dealers, marijuana clubs and drug users with virtually no dialogue other than, “So how long have you been using?” After the segment ended, I wasn’t left with information about the negative side of using marijuana, but I did find out I should use “psychedelic purple” weed to get rid of my migranes.

Other attempts at journalism include a recent piece about body art. It consisted of a dialogue between young people who have tattoos or alternative piercings. The discussion focused on how ridiculous parents were for not letting their kids be “individuals,” those who define themselves by how odd they can look. I have a tattoo myself, but I respect the fact that parents may not approve of their children doing so. MTV, however, does not respect any ethical or personal conduct code other than the very low one which they think younger generations should have.

These are simple, yet blatant attempts to convey a message that kids should be free to do as they please, regardless of parents who hold their children to a higher standard than “Spring Break Cancun.”

Virtually every show crosses the line of appropriate behavior. From the over-sexed “Spring Break” shows to “Urban Myth” shows exploring sexual issues, from “The Real World” to “The Osbournes,” MTV has apparently made a serious effort to add inappropriateness to every program available. I’m curious if it has bothered anyone else that a channel solely aimed at youth has a show called “Undressed.” A description of the show on MTV’s Web site, www.mtv.com, reads, “Not getting enough action before you go to bed? Undressed will definitely be changing that!” What great programming to promote a liberal lifestyle for the most impressionable members of society.

It seems rather obvious that many liberals, especially those in the media, would simply rather be comfortable and unchallenged. It’s easy to laugh about your newest anti-Bush bumper sticker, compare him to Hitler, and talk about the latest rumors regarding the secret memo that reveals Cheney’s intentions to drill for oil in Central Park. It is more difficult to understand the opposite side of an issue and write an objective news story than it is to spin facts to spread a liberal ideology.

Yes, the press and the media have freedom of speech. MTV has the right to convey reckless messages that are within the law, just as they are now. I, too, have the freedom of speech, and I think that MTV has become the trashiest channel available on basic cable.

It’s common to hear someone say, “Don’t put your morals on me,” or something to that effect. The truth is that is just something people with no standards say in order to make it sound as if having no standards should simply be okay.

Despite common criticism, it’s okay to attempt to hold others to a higher standard. Having a different set of values does not mean that one can make no attempt to persuade those of a different ideology, political or otherwise, to adopt those same values. I believe it is inappropriate for MTV or other youth-targeted media entities to suggest that kids need not be held accountable to their parents’ standards.

Parents should and do have the right to let their children watch whatever they feel is appropriate. I, however, think MTV has become a moral hazard, so to speak, to every impressionable person who could watch it. MTV will not be on in my household; my children will not watch it, and I honestly think they will more than likely be better people because of it.