The Conservative Cave
Current Events => The DUmpster => Topic started by: franksolich on October 07, 2009, 03:00:22 PM
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http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6718834
Oh my.
rainlillie (178 posts) Wed Oct-07-09 03:11 PM
Original message
The American flag belongs to all Americans..
My 11-year old said something to me yesterday, that really shook me up. She said: " Mom, can we move to another country, because America just isn't good anymore?"
Hearing her say that, really broke my heart. I asked her how did she come to such a conclusion?
She said Americans are always mad at each other and she doesn't understand why people are being so mean to Obama. Even a few kids at her school were upset when they were told they had to write a letter to President Obama. She remembered a few years ago, no one was upset when they had to write a letter to President Bush.
She talked about the people yelling at the town hall meetings and carrying the ugly , hateful signs. She said: "Hitler was bad, Obama is good, why can't they see that?"
She went on to tell me that one of her classmates dad is a republican. I said it doesn't matter; then she jumped in and quoted what I always tell her.. "as long as they are nice."
I asked her how did she know that he was a republican? She said he has a flag on his car. That was another eyeopener for me. She associates the American flag with the Republican party. I told her that the flag belonged to every American, not just the republicans. I wondered how many children thought this( talk about indoctrinating)
I realized that at 11, she has lived through 9-11 and two wars. She was too young to remember a time of peace and a time where there was seemingly harmony in the country. I wanted to tell her that things will get better, that the country would come together again, that politicians would start putting country, before party; that good people would start drowning out the voices of Sean, Rush Glenn and Bill.
Then I saw a clip of some republicans rejoicing at the fact that America lost the Olympic bid, and I knew that the damage may not be repaired, at least not while Obama is President.
So I let her read a letter I wrote to the editor a few years a ago. the letter said:
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Some Bush Supporters have told anti-war people to "love it or leave it."
Meaning if you criticize America your don't love it. I see America as my mother, father, sister, brother or child. If you're right I'll fight like hell to defend you...But if you're wrong I'm going to bring it to your attention.
I'll never walk away from you, even when things get tough...Because I love you. I want you to live up to your full potential and l I won't accept anything less.
This is why I have spoken out against the invasion of Iraq, and every single day... I'm proven right.
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I doubt reading my letter changed her mind or made her feel more hopeful. I tried to make her understand that your country is your home and just because things seem bad, you don't walk away. You stay and fight and you try to make it right. I asked her what if MLK ran away, where would the Civil Rights movement be today? what if Rosa Parks decided to stand up instead of sitting down on the bus?
I went on to tell her that a lot of good people have given up a lot, to try to make this country a better place for her and other children in America. Sometimes the easy thing to do is to runaway or accept things the way that they are. If we walk away the bullies win. I told her to remember that brave people; are people who will not let fear overtake their morality.
rd_kent (1000+ posts) Wed Oct-07-09 03:14 PM
Response to Original message
1. 11 year old having that kind of conversation at school?
really? Your 11 year old said "mommy, I want to move to another country"? Really?
rainlillie (178 posts) Wed Oct-07-09 03:16 PM
Response to Reply #1
2. Yes she did,
Perhaps you haven't talked to an intelligent 11 year old or adult for that matter. I suggest you reread and try to comprehend my post. I'd like to think that most people who are politically active and have children are well aware of what's going on.
rd_kent (1000+ posts) Wed Oct-07-09 03:24 PM
Response to Reply #2
3. Uh, ok, I guess.
Smells fishy, but if you say so, ok.
Sylvarose (21 posts) Wed Oct-07-09 03:43 PM
Response to Reply #3
7. Uh...
My very libertarian father used to read an article from the newspaper to my brother and I when we were in elementary school at dinner. Then he'd ask us what we "thought" about it. Didn't matter what we "thought" as long as we could explain why we thought what we did.
He also used to make us watch the nightly news. I hated it but I always knew what was going on in the world and never had a problem with social studies or keeping up with current events.
So yeah..I can believe an eleven year old would have this conversation.
And now when my father wonders (lovingly) how he got two such *liberal* kids - we tell him "It's your fault; you taught us to think."
eShirl (1000+ posts) Wed Oct-07-09 03:50 PM
Response to Reply #3
9. In what way?
Too intelligent? Too dumb? What?
peace13 (1000+ posts) Wed Oct-07-09 03:29 PM
Response to Reply #2
5. Children that grow up in 'enlightened' homes understand what is going on in our country.
They are a special breed. Your daughter sounds like a neat youngster. I hope that things will calm down on the Obama front so she can enjoy her country again. Keep up the good work!
MineralMan (1000+ posts) Wed Oct-07-09 03:24 PM
Response to Reply #1
4. Why are you questioning that? Have you talked to many 11 year olds recently. They're way smarter than you think, and know way more than you appear to think, too.
It's my favorite age. They know a good deal, but haven't learned not to ask awkward questions.
rainlillie (178 posts) Wed Oct-07-09 03:29 PM
Response to Reply #4
6. She went into the voting booth with me when I cast my vote for Kerry and Obama..
She saw how heartbroken we all were when Kerry lost and she celebrated when Obama won. I had no idea that an 11 -year old being politically aware was such an oddity. Maybe that's why the folks at town hall meetings act like jackasses, they don't think children are watching.
MineralMan (1000+ posts) Wed Oct-07-09 03:44 PM
Response to Reply #6
8. It's actually not that much of an oddity.
Since I don't have any children, I interact a little differently with kids than a parent might, and find that 11 year olds know more and are way more astute than parents think. I think schools teach more than people know, and the kids see television, too.
As I said, it's my favorite age. I have bunches of nieces and nephews and even grand nieces and nephews, who are passing through the years. It's fun to talk to them, and there are always surprises. They're smart and candid, and don't mind asking tough questions.
They're also prone to turning that off and acting like the kids they are, but it's there.
Oh, I dunno. I think the rainy lily primitive made it up.
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Enlightened Youngster is DUmpspeak for Brainwasher
Hitler Obama Youth.
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My children were interested in politics at a very early age also. I'd have to say that by age 11, their comments were a little deeper than "Mommy, Everybody's being mean to poor wittle Obama" I'm actually disappointed in RainLillie, she forgot to tell her child that everybody who disagrees with the Obumbler is a racist. Didn't she get the memo?
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Enlightened Youngster is DUmpspeak for Brainwasher Hitler Obama Youth.
If this has even an iota of truth these people are mentally abusing their kids.
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My kids listen to the radio when they are in the car with me and I'm listening to talk radio. They ask questions and I am nice about democrats and say they just see the world differently but I do tell them why I think they are wrong. Sometimes my kids say the simplest things that are really rather brilliant. Like the time my daughter asked why doctors would abort a baby when they are suppose to save lives. Now imagine if a Liberal's kid asked them the same question. I'm sure they would get a lecture about the evil "anti-choice" religious kooks out there and say that doctors are saving lives by emptying the uterus of the "products of conception".
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This story is a bouncy lie as bald-faced as DUmmy greenbriar's lie about the little slave girl,
or the Pittster giving a political education to Ty the Bouncer.
The kid sounds like Amy Carter despairing over nuclear proliferation.
DUmmies lie, all the time, and never more blatantly than when they spin tales about
precocious little kid commies.
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When I was 11 it was the Impeached One's first year as president. I knew he was no good, but I didn't pay much attention to politics then. This is a stretchy at best.
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When I was 13, Carter was sworn in . . . now my son is 13 and Carter II is sworn in. He is much more aware of what's going on than I was at 13. He watches Beck most days at 5 while I'm at work and is forever asking political/governmental questions of the 2 of us which hopefully we're answering in a reasonably intelligent manner. If he keeps picking my brain though, I won't have anything left! :-)
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ZERO bong.
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MineralMan (1000+ posts) Wed Oct-07-09 03:24 PM
Response to Reply #1
4. Why are you questioning that? Have you talked to many 11 year olds recently.
Well, now, it's entirely possible he has, if he's been igoring the restraining order again...
:uhsure:
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Zing!
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Well, now, it's entirely possible he has, if he's been igoring the restraining order again...
:uhsure:
:asssmack:
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