Obama Speaks to Children in Congress, Adults in High School
This week, in a nationally televised event, President Barack Obama addressed children on the brink of adulthood, urging them to work hard, set goals, stay at it when things get tough, and assured them that one day they would be able to help solve the nation's challenges.
On the previous day, he gave a speech at Wakefield High School in suburban Virginia, which was televised to the nation's students.
Wakefield students were far more polite, respectful, and civilized in their treatment of the President of the United States than were many of the Republicans in his address to a Joint Session of Congress.
No student yelled at him, calling him a liar. Students didn't hold up signs and papers objecting to the points he was making. And none of the students booed him.
The same cannot be said of the Republicans posing as adults in the nation's capital.
Those Republicans chose to follow the lead of the sputtering ruffians who disrupted last month's town halls with angry threats and behavior that makes European soccer fans seem mild mannered. In the august setting of the United States Capitol, they showed the whole world their childishness (my apologies to actual children), their lack of ideas, and their refusal to work for solutions. They just don't know how to play nice.
The dwindling number of adults in the Republican Party can only hope that some day their colleagues will learn from the high school students, grow up, and at least act like they're civilized.
Maybe it's time for remedial kindergarten lessons for Republicans. Or take away their hall passes and send them to detention.
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"Apologies to actual children.." Sooo right. Actual children have way better manners.
Quite right!! Bravo!
We could definitely benefit from civility lessons from high school teachers.
First lesson: stop wagging your finger at the people you're talking to and speaking to them as if they are unintelligent students derserving of the condescending tone used by the President.
Second lesson: stop calling all your detractors liars, mobs and political terrorists. This may in fact result in fewer people calling you a liar.
Third lesson: stop talking in platitudes that provide no real substance and avoid the details that would require taking personal responsibility. This will in fact reduce the number of rude people calling you out as a liar.
Yep, we could all use some civility lessons from high school teachers. I never once had a high school teacher treat me like Obama has. I did have multiple college professors act exactly the way Obama does and it always resulted in the same thing--a total and utter lack of respect.
Yes, that is the lesson in civility we all ought to learn and practice.
See Don Parker's Profile
You must have an interesting life, viewing the world through such a strange and warped Orwellian lens. Please tell us more when you come back to reality.
That was it's reality. You may have to lower your expectations for some recent newcomers to the HP.
As a retired high school teacher from an inner city high school in Los Angeles, I know why none of the students at Wakefield High School booed Obama. At our school assemblies, I stood at the sidelines and watched my students every minute. My students knew what to expect. If they knew that if they misbehaved, I'd yank them out, take them to the dean, and call their parents. Maybe that's what needs to happen to Congressmen.
" Joe Wilson, wipe that silly smirk off your face, and donate all those hundreds of thousands of dollars campaign contributions you received to charity." Your ex-English teacher.
See Don Parker's Profile
That's it. They need adult supervision and lessons in decency, civility, and respect. As the son of a former high school English teacher, I salute you, mnyegele. Thank you for your comment, and thank you for your service for those students and your service to our country.
Nope... As a faculty member at the school, I can say no one was watching every move the students made. Wakefield students are that way at every assembly, no matter who is speaking. We work in a culture of respect. Congress should act the same way.
So true, Don! And again, you have shown that satire and truth are close friends. Last night, among a flurry of commentary on Twitter during Obama's address, I wrote that it seemed he was talking to the Repubs as if he were their parent. Too bad he can't get them to do the right thing -- whoops -- do what's good for the country. And the subtle flash of "what the hell?" across the President's face when Wilson-the-heathen shouted out, was priceless. But as always, Obama kept his cool.
Keep up the reality checks, Mr. Parker!
We call them out for what they are attempting:
Sedition is a term of law which refers to overt conduct, such as speech and organization, that is deemed by the legal authority as tending toward insurrection against the established order. Sedition often includes subversion of a constitution and incitement of discontent (or resistance) to lawful authority. Sedition may include any commotion, though not aimed at direct and open violence against the laws. Seditious words in writing are seditious libel. A seditionist is one who engages in or promotes the interests of sedition.
Sedition is the stirring up of rebellion against the government in power. Treason is the violation of allegiance to one's sovereign or state, giving aid to enemies, or levying war against one's state. Sedition is encouraging one's fellow citizens to rebel against their state, whereas treason is actually betraying one's country by aiding and abetting another state. Sedition laws somewhat equate to terrorism and public order laws.
Actually, they DO know how to play nice.
When they want to and it suits their purpose.
They just don't know how to BE nice.
And the Prez seems to BE a very nice man.
He's not just playing at it because he needs to.
THAT is what they really can't stand about him.
This verbal shoe throwing at our president, while not punishable by imprisonment and torture, should not be just treated with a slap on the wrist. And it should not be believed that is was a "heat of the moment" response. I am sick at heart at what has become of our country and the lack of real anger about these elected officials acting this way. Bush would probably have treated a Democrat as an enemy combatant and ousted him big time ... to another country.
Good one Don. I was appalled at the bratty insolence exhibited by the Republicans last night. In all eight years of George Bush, I never saw such behavior coming from the Dems' side.
Well put. Maybe a fund should be set up to send all the republicans in congress (and some dems) Robert Fulghum's book "All I really need to know I learned in Kindergarten" and while we're at it Fred Roger's book "The World According to Mr. Rogers"
See Don Parker's Profile
Yes, Fulghum's book came to mind as I was writing that. I should have given him credit. Thanks for your comment.
Fulghum is my favorite... Crayola Bombs!!!
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