But fast forward to the corporate conglomerate's current television commercial for AT&T U-Verse, a system that records up to four television shows at once, and I can't help but label the outfit as anti-parent.

As boob-tube viewers, AT&T has subjected us to a family scene in which dad is treated like a persona non grata when his plan to change the channel is thwarted, first by the mom's demand for her own viewing pleasure, then by the young son who points his remote at mom and dad. "Drop `em," he says. Finally the young daughter proclaims, while of course pointing her remote at all the family members: 'Happy Ponies' is coming on and I'm not going to miss Happy Ponies.

The icing on the cake is Gramma entering the scene planning to say something. She shakes her head, gives up and turns and walks away when she notices all family members are aiming their remotes at each other in a threatening manner as though they were weapons.

Kids rule in this commercial.

At a time when children are taking control and running households in communities all across America whether rich or poor, whether black or white, whether Asian or otherwise, why pump the young ones up with television scenes that encourage blatant disrespect for the elders?

Youth have difficulty distinguishing between right and wrong, reality and dreamland. Television, for them, pretty much represents both of these.

Kids repeat what they see on the tube. Many years ago, my teenager who lived in Boston came home for the holidays. While here she asked her sister to perform the latest dance popular in the West. Turned out they both were doing the same moves, having learned and practiced them watching "Soul Train" with Don Cornelius every day after school.

Grandmothers have an important role in families and for this commercial to relegate her to an exasperated individual who can't stand up to the nonsense she sees unfolding in the home helps our children determine grannies are irrelevant.

For the kids to have the last word before this 31-second piece moves to an announcer telling us what we need to buy perpetuates our current troublesome reality that it is OK for children to be in charge.

It's just TV? No, it is not and AT&T the corporate giant knows better. If you've been fortunate enough to miss this subtle but disgraceful attack on parenting, Google AT&T standoff and form your own opinion.