Sep 09 2009
SOAP BOX: Speechless in Seattle
I live in an area of what might be as ignored a part of the country as Alaska or maybe Hawaii. Like any other part of the country, we have the same issues and concerns as most states. Maybe most people feel that way about their little part of the world. I never felt that way when I lived in Los Angeles…I thought it was the center of the universe, but according to those who live in Seattle’s Freemont district, they are the center of the universe. 
And, they are, a different breed here in Seattle’s Freemont…but, that is what makes their place as unique as the center of the universe.
Children are the center of our universe, they are the future. They are unique, little learning sponges, bursting with new energy, and the power to give life to the future!
I appreciate points of view that differ from mine, makes me wonder why that person chooses to look at it differently> I try to walk in their shoes for awhile. That is the one thing I enjoy from my childhood, knowing how to put myself in someone else’s shoes- and if I fail to do so, admit my failure and make amends for it. I guess my point is, not everyone is the same as you, not everyone is going to make you happy, not everyone is going to do what you think is right or agree with your choices in life> But…here comes the big BUT…everyone expects to be heard, everyone expects to be allowed to speak, everyone expects to be happy.
Quite a job to make that happen.
I watched most of President Obama’s speech to school children yesterday. It fired me up, I am a grown adult…imagine how big that was to a child? I was extremely disappointed to hear that my grandsons did not hear the speech because some adult in charge, at school, thought it would damage the children’s political psyche and opted out in favor of their own agenda. I am shocked because I thought people in the Northwest were progressive thinkers and open minded to all possibilities> I am trying to see this from their point of view…I am having a hard time with that.
By the same token that people complained about the speech being broadcast in schools, why should some school official take it upon themselves to choose to take that opportunity away from a US citizen, to hear their President speak? He is the child’s President as much as he is the adult’s. Blatant lack of respect, lack of understanding! With the same rights that adult has to make that choice, the child had the right to have an opportunity to hear it. Children are not so dumb as most adults think they are.
In an age where most adults don’t speak to children, they speak AT them….it was nice to have an adult in a powerful position, speak to them like he cares. Why wouldn’t he? He is a dad. I bet he loves it when someone speaks to his children like they care about them. Most adults don’t listen to children. Fact of life. Children are way smarter than we give them credit for. They need their intelligence nurtured to be strong and break through the barriers that will confront them. The future of this country is up to their being able to live toward expectations of the future and where this world is going to be 20 years from now.
We all, could use a little, getting ‘WeeWee’d’ up!
I whole heartedly agree.
The kids who were able to see and hear the address, had to have felt like they too count.
It’s the parents who are the cause of the “dumbing down of America.”
I know you didn’t call it socialist. I feel like a am missinterprated a lot. Forgive me, i hope you weren’t upset, i need to rephrase stuff. I didn’t get to hear the speech so i looked it up, and I saw reviews listing how some of the sentators said it was socialistic or whatever other bull shit loaded words they could find. I like reading speeches sometimes because you can review something, whereas with listening it just keeps going and you only have time to think once its done. Your blog is great, you are great, I love the thoughts that come out of you and its refreshing to hear something honest and uninhibited. Good luck with the quitting smoking, and keep standing on that soap box.
Nice read, and I agree… what exactly was so dangerous about Obama telling kids to help him out by staying in school? Oh wait Bush Sr. and Reagan did the same thing??? Those right wing knuckleheads need a reality check.
Congrats, too, saw you made the frontpage of today.com
Yeah…what a shock…didn’t expect that. Thanks!
Those who drummed up the stink in the first place must be one and the same who heckled the Pres’ speech last night…Reality check, Good point…. want to make an ass out of yourself? Be the first Senator ever to be known to blantantly disrespect your President. LMAO!