Photo from jillstanek.com via google images
Him: What if the asshole parent reads your blog?
Me: They don't.
Him: What if they do?
Me: Then maybe they'll see it and say, "Wow, I didn't realize I was being such an asshole. I am totally going to change my ways. Thanks, Shana!"
Him: No, really, what if they read it?
Me: They won't.
And so on.
Bottom line: if you are discussing abortion with your nine year old child and the discussion consists of "Obama kills babies," I think you're an asshole. I am more than willing to own that. Maybe asshole is harsh. How about: I think you're ignorant, and wrong, and ill-informed and a fear-monger. Is that less harsh? (Tim's objection is mostly to the word "asshole" and only partly to not wanting me to "step on toes" with my "radical liberal thinking".)
And to clarify: I do not think Republicans are assholes. I do not dislike you if you vote for McCain. And though I am pro-choice, there are people that I love very much who are pro-life and that's OK. Because we CAN all just get along. Really. We can. But I think spreading hate-filled propaganda-esque lies to young children (or anyone for that matter) is scuzzy, no matter which side of the political divide you are doing it on. This whole topic for me is absolutely more about parenting than politics.
Also, had lunch with a friend Friday and was telling her about this. She had a big de ja vu moment. Her son, a senior this year, came home in fifth grade with "Clinton kills babies." Some things never change I guess.
The beat goes on. God Bless America.
2 comments:
I'm with you! I just can't write it on my blog b/c I'll get in trouble. My 7 and 9 year olds have been bringing this stuff home from school (verbatim) all year. I have been more than a little upset. Your posts made me realize I am not alone in my outrage and frustration. The Clinton line makes me realize this will probably never change. My point, that I tried to make at a parent/teacher dinner last week, is that I should be able to choose when and how to mention very difficult topics to my kids. I should be able to frame them in a way that is truthful AND age appropriate. I do not want 9 year olds "teaching" my kids about this stuff. Also, the last I checked, 9 year olds couldn't vote, so instead of filling their minds with this stuff, perhaps we should encourage them to talk about things like American Girl Dolls and Bionicles!
I am so with you on this one. I can't believe anyone would be so hardcore as to tell their children (in some form or the other) that Obama kills babies. Then again, my children, think that Sarah Palin is personally out there hunting down each and every polar bear in the world. That's not what I told them, but that's what they took from the conversation.
Post a Comment