Recent headlines range from heartbreaking to head-scratching

I don’t know whether to laugh or cry sometimes.

What do you do when you read the story about a Texas woman who ran over her 3-year-old son while she was playing chicken with him in her Lincoln Navigator?

Yep, you read that right. It’s commonplace these days for social media overreaction, but heartbreak like that is unforgivable and unforgettable.

I know what you’re thinking. “Oh, here it comes. Blame all your faults on mommy and daddy.”

Nope. Not me. I grew up with the Cleavers. We were the storybook family. And yes, I know how lucky I was.

In fact, I’ll make a hard argument that the phrase “white privilege” should be changed to “parental privilege” because, regardless of your skin color, the biggest lottery you can hit is having invested parents.

There’s a glorious line in the underrated Ron Howard movie “Parenthood” delivered by Keanu Reeves as a struggling high school kid trying to figure things out. “… You need a license to buy a dog. You need a license to drive a car. Heck, you even need a license to catch a fish. But they’ll let any … to be a father.” Amen.

From the heartbreaking to head-shaking is easy these days.

› Cam Newton offered someone $1,500 to swap seats on a flight over the weekend. Newton, who is 6-foot-6 and 250-plus pounds, needed the extra leg room. (He missed his original flight so he was trying to find a more comfortable spot in coach.) And because of where we are these days, the man who said thanks but no to the $1,500 was labeled racist in some circles.

› The NBA has announced it will now have governors instead of owners, because the term “owner” is viewed as racist. Yes, all you folks who own and operate your businesses are now officially governors in the NBA’s eyes. Congratulations.

› I am embarrassed as an American about how kids are being neglected and treated at immigration checkpoints across our country. Embarrassed.

› We are rightly focused on the looming vote on the proposed tax increase. But the conversation that Bernie Sanders continues to force on us — and the generations to come — about forgiving trillions in student loans is beyond heartbreaking. It’s downright stupid.

And self-destructive. Wow, I’ve been a breath of fresh air, huh?

We’ll end here. Call your mom — or your kids — and tell them you love them.

Contact Jay Greeson at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com.