Stick to the Script!

[vovat]

Hey, two entries in a row on my friends page mention Sarah Palin. One is about how she hates science, and the other about how the McCain campaign is angry at her not following the script. So they want her to be in a position where she could be President at any time, but they don't trust her to decide what to say on her own? Could they make it any more obvious that they only want her as a figurehead? But then, I guess the President and Vice President are essentially figureheads anyway. I mean, sure, they have considerably more power than, say, any twentieth century Emperor of Japan, but their main function is a largely ceremonial one. It does bother me how pretty much ALL politicians feel they have to stick to the script, but I guess they'd never have a chance of being elected otherwise.

Speaking of which, slfcllednowhere posted an article about Obama that was written by a conservative columnist as a joke, but was later forwarded through e-mail as if it were real. Here's one selection from it:

Senator Obama Live on Sunday states, 'As I've said about the flag pin, I don't want to be perceived as taking sides, Obama said. 'There are a lot of people in the world to whom the American flag is a symbol of oppression. And the anthem its elf conveys a war-like message. You know, the bombs bursting in air and all. It should be swapped for something less parochial and less bellicose. I like the song 'I'd Like To Teach the World To Sing.' If that were our anthem, then I might salute it.'

Really, though, flag lapel pins DO bother me. Flag worship in general does, for that matter. Besides, if you really care about the flag, isn't it kind of lessening its significance to use it as a fashion accessory? I'd appreciate a candidate who actually DID denounce those stupid pins, but you know there would be people who would get angry about that.

And for my final political topic of the day (I think), I find Palin's talk about "special needs children" to be rather patronizing. I get the impression that it's something she's so keen on bringing up because it's something no one is likely to come out against. But hey, maybe I think ALL children have special needs. It's not like only kids with Down Syndrome are suffering from the impersonal mass-education system, or need help to get ahead in life.

Comments

[suegypt.livejournal.com]

maybe I think ALL children have special needs. It's not like only kids with Down Syndrome are suffering from the impersonal mass-education system, or need help to get ahead in life.

couldn't possibly agree more. As a person with no kids (and therefore, no future grandchildren) I still feel a terrific obligation to help all kids (most especially those who can't afford anything more than what's free) get the best possible education in the public system. It certainly isn't perfect, or anything close, but it has to be made over to be the best it can be. Vouchers, etc., to me are just inroads to dismantling public education. That said, kids need more than education (healthcare, food security, advocacy in the social system). But, without access to a decent education, they won't make it out the gate.

[dragonxbait.livejournal.com]

I am with you on the vouchers thing, but I am a *big* supporter of public charters (although I would be ok with a state requirement that they be not-for profit, which probably works against the whole market idea of them). I think one of the biggest problems in the public school system is lack of differentiation. Kids learn differently, and different families have different educational philosophies for their children. Charters have the independence to experiment a bit, and the flexibility to fire teachers who are inadequate (which is why the unions are not fans). I am speaking as a future parent feeling like our only educational options are going to be very expensive private school, or homeschooling both of which we are *so* fortunate to be able to consider. We have some decent charters around here, but they are by lottery and the number is limited by the state. end rant. :-P

[suegypt.livejournal.com]

I live in an area that has a bunch of charter schools (the most in the state, I think), and they seem to be really great. You're right, as far as I know, that this gives a lot of diversity and opportunity to the kids without making there be such a clear distinction between the haves and the have-nots. If I had kids, I would so want to homeschool, and have some like-minded (open-minded?) families to co-op with. Good luck with your future fam!

[vovat.livejournal.com]

I get the impression that some private schools aren't much better than the public ones at giving kids individual attention, but I'm sure some are, since the classes tend to be smaller.

[suegypt.livejournal.com]

No expert here (no kids), but yeah, private schools seem to depend on the unity of the parents/administration/PTB, and if they are trying to educate their kids about the real world, or "protect" them from it.

[colleenanne.livejournal.com]

My dad, a Vietnam vet, gets really angry when he gets a hamburger or similar with a paper American flag in it. He's not particularly patriotic otherwise, but that really gets to him. It's interesting.

[rockinlibrarian.livejournal.com]

Besides, if you really care about the flag, isn't it kind of lessening its significance to use it as a fashion accessory?

Angie wrote a thing once about how she found an American flag disposable lighter, and about how that had to be the most ironic thing anyone had ever invented to show patriotism.

I'm uncomfortable with flag worship too, and it's also ironic that this is because I consider it idol worship, and yet why is it the conservatives who pride themselves on their Christian ideals who make a big deal about the flag? Ick, creepy.

Heh, like the Republicans' plans for how to fix education are actually going to help special needs kids at all. Yay, Every Child Left Behind.

[vovat.livejournal.com]

I'm uncomfortable with flag worship too, and it's also ironic that this is because I consider it idol worship, and yet why is it the conservatives who pride themselves on their Christian ideals who make a big deal about the flag?

I remember hearing about students who refused to say the Pledge of Allegiance because they considered it idol worship. I think they might have been Jehovah's Witnesses, but I can't remember for sure.

[slfcllednowhere.livejournal.com]

But then, I guess the President and Vice President are essentially figureheads anyway.

Um, how can you possibly say that with the huge horrible war, the Patriot Act, all the other bullshit of the last 8 years?

[vovat.livejournal.com]

Fair point. Maybe I should say that the president is SUPPOSED to largely be a figurehead, but some of them (Bush being a prime example) have stretched their powers to the limit. And Cheney and Palin apparently don't even think the Vice President is part of the executive branch. Still, the current administration wouldn't have been able to get away with so much if it weren't for Congress approving really stupid ideas.