The Obama School Address

My brother just posted this comment as his Facebook status: ” just got the greatest news: Trinity will not aire (sic) Obamas address.” And two of his friends were in total agreement, loving it.
I find this so sad.
We want today’s youth to be open to so many things, and the opportunity to see the President of the United States address the public and private schoolchildren of the United States directly is a big deal. George Bush did the same thing in 1991. Ronald and Nancy Regan lead the ‘Don’t Do Drugs’ campaign in the 80’s, and that was directed to school kids. Hell, Nancy even appeared on ‘Different Strokes’ in NBC Primetime. Yes, “Whatcha talking about Willis? Oh, say no to drugs? Okay!”
But now, in the 2000’s, when everything is open to suggestion, conservatives find this to be political campaigning. Folks, it’s a stay in school pep talk, not 1984. The school district I grew up in is choosing not to show the speech, as some schools are. Because they are afraid of brainwashing their children. God forbid, we don’t want to hurt the children!
You know, the fact that they are not showing this speech is brainwashing in a way. They are refusing to let their children make independent decisions and learn on their own. What is the huge tragedy here? Our President wants to encourage America’s youth to get a good education so they can succeed. What kind of message are parents sending by not letting the kids see this: listen to me, not our government? They want you to do well and succeed and improve the economy, but I don’t give a shit?
I know this isn’t what parent want to say. I’m KNOW my brother and his wife don’t want to tell their kids to be white trash idiots rather than listen while the President encourages them to go to college and do well. And they are NOT white trash… that was an extreme reference. In fact, I think my nephews are some of the brightest and most brilliant kids out there. I’m biased, of course, but they are. Because they see things the way kids should see things. They make their own assumptions, their own decisions. They are smart kids. They know that Rick and I will never hurt them, that we just love them. And they love us unconditionally. I want them to have to opportunity to continue to make those kind of choices and character assumptions by being given every bit of information they can gather. By denying them the opportunity to see the President speak, it’s akin to having a book on World War II and not having any reference to the holocaust in it. It’s not giving every aspect or bit of information so they can make their own intelligent decision on it. It’s half the story. And that’s bullshit.
My challenge to my brother (and my sister, as I’m sure she is equal in the rejoicing) is that let your kids make their own choices. Give them all the facts and information, rather than block certain things out. Just because you believe the gospel of, say, Glenn Beck (who is a douche-bag and a moron, but I digress), doesn’t mean they should be forced to.
When I was growing up, I remember being able to make my own choices and assumptions about people. Yes ,my decisions were colored by my parents and others, but I had the opportunity to form my own decisions. And because of that, I am the free-thinker I am today.
Why cheat America’s youth out of the same opportunity?

Random recap of the weekend gone by

It’s been a long weekend, and there’s a lot in my head, so this is going to be very hodge podge. Be thankful I don’t go stream of consciousness on you.

Let’s start with weather. I so much dislike this time of year for the inconsistencies in mother nature’s whims. The spring winds and showers… blah. Where are the 65° days and the sunshine? The past week was full of rain, thunderstorms (yes that’s springlike, but not at 40°) and even a hint of snow. Friday I saw hail… granted while I was in PA, but it was hail. I’m so looking forward to Florida in June, and now see in part why Alan and Erin feel the need to escape to Raliegh by summer’s end. Apologies, but the extended Chicago winter blahs are hitting me hard. Next thing you know I’ll be gripping that it’s not fall yet.

I mentioned PA. I have just returned from little Washington where I spent time visiting my family for my Grandfather’s memorial service. Yes, the one that passed in January. A pleasant weekend altogether. It was great seeing my extended family. Friday was my sister’s oldest son’s 8th birthday, where we enjoyed dinner, played the Wii (I bowled and played tennis with Cam and Braydon, while Rick tried golfing with some great success), and Rick and I almost stole my sister’s new puppy Coco away to bring home to join Jose and Claudia. My nephews crack me up the most, especially as kept Rick and I on our toes all weekend long. The funniest part: as Rick and I explored and did some outdoors photos at my brother’s new property on Saturday morning, his two boys Gavin and Colton, who were restricted from venturing past the garage door so they would not get muddy, would yell to us ‘Uncle Jon, Uncle Wick, come back here! Where are you going?’ That and Saturday night, Colton turned to Rick, with his parents sitting right there, and asked, ‘Can you walk me to the bathroom please?’ I love that they love him so much, shows that they consider him so much a part of the family.

Which brings me to my father’s discomfort with our relationship. He introduced Rick to some extended family as my ‘friend’; seriously dad, dead people know we are a couple, just get over it. I almost felt embarrassed for him at this point. The annoyance came later, when during a slide show of my grandfather’s life, a family tree was displayed. All of my relatives and siblings were listed with their spouses and children, except for me. Maybe it’s selfish and simple to be peeved about such an innocuous slight which I probably was the only to notice, but it hurts. To me, I equate it to, say, excluding my cousin because he was adopted. You wouldn’t do that. I need to get over it, and accept his lack of acceptance, but I don’t do well with letting sleeping dogs lie.

Saturday night, we joined my girlfriends from high school for a few drinks. It was a great way to let off steam after so much intense family time, and we had fun catching up. I get the impression that a trip to Chicago is imminent for them, and Rick offered our place to stay next visit. I don’t think he realizes what trouble he has invited upon himself with the five of us all in the same place. He’ll learn.

Monday afternoon, I lunched with Alan, and we discussed the upcoming end of the Premiership and Champions league soccer season. Our team Manchester United stand at the precipice of winning both, with 4 matches standing between them and the Premiership, while also having to face Barcelona in Champions League semifinals. Chelsea is right on their heels on both fronts, with a CL semis match up with Liverpool ahead of them. For the Premiership, being the glass half full type, I was hoping for a loss or draw to their Monday match up with Wigan. Alan, wary as he is, put his marbles behind Chelsea’s chances at success and the potential for United to tumble, but I felt strong that Wigan would pull a 1-1 draw and diminish Chelsea’s title hopes. Sorry Alan, I gotta say I win this one, as Chelsea indeed drew 1-1 to Wigan in Monday’s match up, and are now 5 points back behind United. Let’s just hope I’m right and United also win against Blackburn this weekend so they can pull a 1-0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge next weekend. In between, I’m also hoping for United to have Champions League success over Barca. A busy couple of weeks coming up.

Finally, I am looking forward to starting my new job next week. I’m getting a bit eager to get back into the swing of things and to tackle a new adventure. In the meantime, I’m getting antsy, so thankfully Frank called and wants to meet out tonight. Maybe some time away from the house will do me good.