First of all I did not vote for President Obama. I do not agree with his ideology or plans for our country. I also did not vote for President Bush, either time. In my short life I have voted for both democrats and republicans I refuse to align myself with either party. Today as I was reading the many opinions of President Obama’s address to school children, which is supposed to air in classrooms across the country next Tuesday, I read something that sums up exactly what I have been thinking for a while now. It said:
“I haven't been alive long enough to know whether my instincts are correct, but it feels like people who have differing political opinions used to think that each other were wrong. Now it seems like more and more people think of those with differing political opinions as evil. A couple illustrations support this example.
*I know of plenty of conservatives who feel that Obama's not just mistaken in his politics, but that he's evil, that he seeks the demise of this country and the enslavement of its populace.
“I haven't been alive long enough to know whether my instincts are correct, but it feels like people who have differing political opinions used to think that each other were wrong. Now it seems like more and more people think of those with differing political opinions as evil. A couple illustrations support this example.
*I know of plenty of conservatives who feel that Obama's not just mistaken in his politics, but that he's evil, that he seeks the demise of this country and the enslavement of its populace.
*I know of some liberals who feel that Bush was not just mistaken, but that he was evil, that he sought world domination and the suppression of the peoples of other nations.
It's easy to have civil discourse when you think that another person's just mistaken, but when you think that they're genuinely evil, with ill will and malice in their heart, well, that's an entirely different story.”
Years ago I read a talk by Boyd K. Packer which said, "The Mantel is Far, Far, Greater than the Man," and although it was about the "mantel of the priesthood," the message is applicable to the mantel of the President of the US as well. I don't care if people are for or against President Obama, or where people's political leanings take them, it behooves us all to show a little respect. Some of the comments I have read lately make me very, very sad. If you are concerned about your children seeing President Obama's speech about education, PLEASE read the transcript for it Monday and take the time to go see the film with them at school and find out for yourself whether it is bad, good or just drivel. In the meantime, please respect the "Mantle" even if you do not respect the man.
Post edit: For those who say the President has no business speaking to children, President Obama is not the first to speak to America's school children. George H.W. Bush spoke to America's school children twice both times it was televised in classrooms across the country. Now you can argue that Bush gave the 1st speech to a group of assembled kids and that was beamed to classrooms, as apposed to President Obama who is addressing students in general, but I think that is semantics. It is still the same basic thing. At the time the Democrats pitched a HUGE fit just like conservatives are doing today. Also, Bush gave a speech from the Library at the White House on September 12, 1989. His address was broadcast live on nationwide television and in classrooms around the country. And this wasn't just any speech "aired in public schools" but one that was specifically to students. President Bush said,
It's easy to have civil discourse when you think that another person's just mistaken, but when you think that they're genuinely evil, with ill will and malice in their heart, well, that's an entirely different story.”
Years ago I read a talk by Boyd K. Packer which said, "The Mantel is Far, Far, Greater than the Man," and although it was about the "mantel of the priesthood," the message is applicable to the mantel of the President of the US as well. I don't care if people are for or against President Obama, or where people's political leanings take them, it behooves us all to show a little respect. Some of the comments I have read lately make me very, very sad. If you are concerned about your children seeing President Obama's speech about education, PLEASE read the transcript for it Monday and take the time to go see the film with them at school and find out for yourself whether it is bad, good or just drivel. In the meantime, please respect the "Mantle" even if you do not respect the man.
Post edit: For those who say the President has no business speaking to children, President Obama is not the first to speak to America's school children. George H.W. Bush spoke to America's school children twice both times it was televised in classrooms across the country. Now you can argue that Bush gave the 1st speech to a group of assembled kids and that was beamed to classrooms, as apposed to President Obama who is addressing students in general, but I think that is semantics. It is still the same basic thing. At the time the Democrats pitched a HUGE fit just like conservatives are doing today. Also, Bush gave a speech from the Library at the White House on September 12, 1989. His address was broadcast live on nationwide television and in classrooms around the country. And this wasn't just any speech "aired in public schools" but one that was specifically to students. President Bush said,
"But Presidents don't often get the chance to talk directly to students. And so today, for each of you sitting in a classroom or assembly hall, this message goes straight to you. "
5 comments:
Very well stated Steph :-)
amen amen and amen!
between this and the health care debate i want to hurl myself over a cliff somedays! sigh...
and not to "beat a dead horse" but i have a FIL and SIL who are both teachers--they have been told that the "speech" is ONLY about the importance of getting a good education. not sure (obviously) if that is true or not YET. but seriously how can ANYONE of any party be oppossed to that?
k--done beating! LOL
you are so right! the perceptions are very sad. and it's even sadder that for so many the perceptions are the reality.
thank you for sharing this.
it is so very upsetting that there is no longer such a thing as a "friendly debate".
hey stephie me again...wanted to let you know that i also blogged about this and mentioned your post. i linked it so that others can check yours out. i hope that at the least we will be able to reach out and encourage just one parent to rethink their decision of allowing their children to view the address.
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