ANNIE'S MAILBOX He swears music won't cause bad language

Dear Annie: I am a 14-year-old boy living in the Midwest. I am a big fan of the politically charged band "Rage Against the Machine." Even though the band broke up, I still like their music. The problem is, their CDs have "Parental Advisory" warnings on them because of bad language.
My parents do not allow me to buy these CDs, yet I am permitted to see and buy R-rated movies with the same words. I do not swear at all, and don't plan on starting, but my parents still think these CDs somehow will be bad for me.
I have looked high and low for edited or "clean" versions of these CDs but have not found any. I don't see what is wrong with buying their music, but my parents do. Please tell me what's right. Kid in the Midwest
Dear Midwest: Perhaps your parents disagree with "Rage's" politics, but they are being hypocritical if the only complaint is that the band uses foul language.
Some rock bands use their freedom of expression to espouse hatred and violence, and the truth is, the music you regularly listen to has a greater effect on your attitude than you might think. That label rating is one way for parents to determine if the music has such objectionable material in it -- but it's not the only way. Talk to your parents about the band. Let them hear the music or read the lyrics. You are old enough to learn how to make responsible decisions on your own, but for now, the final word belongs to your folks.
Dear Annie: My mother went to dinner last week with several other senior citizens because it was one lady's birthday. The birthday girl selected the restaurant, and it was understood that everyone would pay for her own meal. The birthday girl ordered flowers and handed them out to everyone.
When it was time for the bill, the restaurant refused to divide it up among 15 patrons, so everyone figured out their own portion of the meal and tip. They passed their money to the birthday girl, who put the tab on her credit card.
Here's the problem. When the money was counted, there was a little extra left over. One person suggested each guest get a bit of the money back. The birthday girl, however, became angry, saying the others should have offered to pay for her meal (they did not). Therefore, she thought she should keep the extra money as reimbursement for the flowers.
My mother is upset over the dissension the incident has caused. What do you think of this mess? Lexington, S.C.
Dear Lexington: How much money was left over? It would have been both generous and appropriate to give the extra cash to the birthday girl as a treat to cover the cost of her meal (not as reimbursement for the flowers -- the flowers were gifts to her friends). If the extra cash was a substantial amount per person, however, the money should have been refunded.
Dear Annie: I recently read with great interest the letters about "dumpster diving" (aka treasure hunting).
Perhaps your readers would be amused to learn that I have won a Hawaiian vacation for two (valued at $9,600) on someone else's discarded Vermont State Lottery ticket that I found in the trash. This was a losing ticket that I entered in a Recycle and Win, Second Chance Drawing -- and I won. R.H., Huntington, Vt.
Dear R.H.: We are impressed with your luck -- and your willingness to sift through other people's garbage for treasures. Congratulations.
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