I was able to bring my daughters (and their college student-after school sitter) to see Sen. Clinton up close and personal last night. It was a delight to see their reactions.
Our older (almost 14) is a delightful mix of fanciful and real world. She wants to SEE a woman as President of the US, but isn't sure whether Clinton should win because my daughter wants to BE the first female president. She likes Sen. Edwards because his last name matches one of her favorite literary characters, but also is interested in some of the issues. She decided she was going to become a reporter for a night, took copious notes during the speech, read me her account excitedly and then exulted when the local news reporter's account noted the same things she had noted! Now, she says she may follow one of my (other) paths and study journalism.
Our younger (almost 9) reflects my wife's and my political and social justice interests, but is studying it all on her own, too. Just in this week, she has watched MLK, Jr.'s speech and the Democrats' debate with me, and made some good comments. She was excited to be there to see Sen. Clinton up close (we were about 20 yards away), but was disappointed not to get to shake her hand and wish her well.
I was also happy to see that our sitter was genuinely excited when I called her and asked if she wanted to meet me there with the kids. She has not been politically-active, but was happy to be able to evaluate one of her possible choices close-up.
My wife and I are VERY HAPPY that our daughters have an opportunity to become politically-aware at a time when we may be on the verge of electing either the first woman (or the first African-American) to lead our country. (They have also met and spoken with our female Governor, and know that 3 of our last 5 governors have been strong women.) And, seeing her (them) in person makes it all the more real, and all the more inspiring.
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Comments: 26 ( 1 removed by paul w. )
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By the way, I am posting this to "GATHER Discusses Tolerance", at nohate.gather.com. I hope you will join and participate.
By the way, "Rose D's" comment was the only thing that she (he? it?) has posted on Gather. I am flattered, and I hope that she/he/it feels comfortable writing an original response to any of my articles. Welcome to Gather, Rose D.! Rose D's Gather namespace can be found here: http://alsonever.gather.com/ (clever username, Rose.)
For a blink of an eye Kim Campbell served as Canada's first female Prime Minister back in the early 90s. My daughter was all of four years old at the time, but I remember it had a very profound impact on her. She clearly took from it the idea that she could be whatever she wanted to be in life.
That alone is important.
It would be nice to see Clinton as president in 2009 and Obama as president in 2017 (he'll still be pretty young).
And Jesse, you should add that if your election lasts more than 4 years, please call your Congressperson and ask them to amend our Constitution.
Deb, I think that Ms. Clinton has always been the power generator in that relationship.
Good question, Moggy. I expose my children to all kinds of viewpoints, and I have told them that I have a history of voting for/supporting/meeting (even being friendly with) candidates and officeholders from both parties and even an independent candidate or two. I have tried to take them to a few Republican or presidential events in the last couple of election cycles; however, Republicans have gone much farther toward requiring attendees to pledge loyalty and/or require volunteer commitments.
By way of contrast, Sen. Clinton's campaign asked everyone to fill out a "ticket" - name/address/e-mail/phone - in order to get in. It also had a place to affirm that you would vote for her, and it asked if you would volunteer. However, volunteers told attendees that they did NOT have to fill out the entire form and the tickets were NOT EVEN LOOKED at before you dropped it in the cardboard box and went inside.
Moggy, in-person events such as public rallies require a significant time commitment. Tuesday, start to finish: 6 hours. So, TV viewing of: debates, presidential speeches, election returns, news, etc is a common occurrence in our house. With ensuing discussions about why I/we agree or disagree with all.
In other words, we are doing what we can to parent our children to be informed citizens and critical consumers of media. If they are moderates like ourselves, fine. If they decide to go to the left or the right, fine. As long as they are thinking critically.
So, Moggy, how about YOU?
But what I see today are problems in every aspects of our daily American life, in a nation that was built on a concept of the people, not big government; this is far different than what we have today. We have a nation being torn apart by big businesses, government corruption, and too much politics, failing infrastructure, ramped illegal immigration, too many American deaths, broken education and out of control Health care, etc..
And what is being done about this? Nothing, just endless chatter and broken promises.
This is what years of experienced politician have brought to us.
Here is a better way…
www.odom2008.com/id.html
We have left this country in shambles and turned around and dumped it into the laps of our children, with the backward thought process of "Maybe they can fix it, since we fuc**d it up"........
Ok, so we ruined it, the least we can do is equip them with the knowledge and the intelligence to hopefully fix what we broke....I applaud each and every one of you who take the time to insure your kids are educated and informed in the political process of this country.....
My daughter is 6 yrs old, and she sits with me every night and watches the news and discusses intelligently with me issues that come up, and the fact that it's time to vote for a new President....Of course it is on a 1st grade level but she is aware, and I WILL continue to make sure that she stays that way.....She, along with all of yours (Children) are the future of this country and our world, I would say that's a pretty important responsibility to inherit from your parents, wouldn't you??
Jerry (Odom), I wish you well. (But, how are you going to encourage families to play games together: a tax credit for Nintendo Wii's?)