Comments on: The Donkey in the Room http://mamabirdsblog.com/2009/09/05/the-donkey-in-the-room/ A half-hatched role-reversal takes flight on a wing and a prayer. Sat, 20 Mar 2010 03:30:23 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Shooting the Messenger: Was Obama’s Speech Dead Upon Arrival? « MaMa Bird's Blog http://mamabirdsblog.com/2009/09/05/the-donkey-in-the-room/#comment-458 Shooting the Messenger: Was Obama’s Speech Dead Upon Arrival? « MaMa Bird's Blog Wed, 09 Sep 2009 08:44:13 +0000 http://mamabirdsblog.com/?p=1613#comment-458 [...] him. I scratched my head for a bit and then… it suddenly made sense. This reaction just confirms what I supposed in my previous post, that the level of distrust for this president has become an overriding factor in the people’s [...] [...] him. I scratched my head for a bit and then… it suddenly made sense. This reaction just confirms what I supposed in my previous post, that the level of distrust for this president has become an overriding factor in the people’s [...]

]]> By: bluecottonmemory http://mamabirdsblog.com/2009/09/05/the-donkey-in-the-room/#comment-455 bluecottonmemory Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:05:01 +0000 http://mamabirdsblog.com/?p=1613#comment-455 High Five! I'm with you! Way to be brave, too. You can view my reasons at the following post: http://bluecottonmemory.wordpress.com/2009/09/06/obama-is-not-my-kids-mama/ High Five! I’m with you! Way to be brave, too. You can view my reasons at the following post:
http://bluecottonmemory.wordpress.com/2009/09/06/obama-is-not-my-kids-mama/

]]> By: Colorado Moms Voice Their Opinions About President Obama’s Speech to Schoolchildren – The Denver Moms Blog, Mile High Mamas http://mamabirdsblog.com/2009/09/05/the-donkey-in-the-room/#comment-454 Colorado Moms Voice Their Opinions About President Obama’s Speech to Schoolchildren – The Denver Moms Blog, Mile High Mamas Tue, 08 Sep 2009 13:10:46 +0000 http://mamabirdsblog.com/?p=1613#comment-454 [...] of MaMa Bird’s Blog said: The government’s only role in the educational system should be to make sure that every [...] [...] of MaMa Bird’s Blog said: The government’s only role in the educational system should be to make sure that every [...]

]]> By: Pagebyrner http://mamabirdsblog.com/2009/09/05/the-donkey-in-the-room/#comment-453 Pagebyrner Mon, 07 Sep 2009 06:06:43 +0000 http://mamabirdsblog.com/?p=1613#comment-453 First, thank you for the conversational tone of your post; most people launch into flaming tirades when dealing with hot topics. You are spot-on about approval ratings being the thrust here. We've already reached the plot-point in this movie where Toto runs behind the curtain. Several "movements" need Obama to be seen as a successful president at any cost. And if he isn't, they need enough focus groups, Gallup polls and other statistical data to show it wasn't his fault, the American people wouldn't cooperate. As Rhett Nielson reminded us, the president works for us, not vice-versa. Sorry, I answered a different question than the one you asked of me. Hey! Maybe I should get into politics. First, thank you for the conversational tone of your post; most people launch into flaming tirades when dealing with hot topics.

You are spot-on about approval ratings being the thrust here. We’ve already reached the plot-point in this movie where Toto runs behind the curtain. Several “movements” need Obama to be seen as a successful president at any cost. And if he isn’t, they need enough focus groups, Gallup polls and other statistical data to show it wasn’t his fault, the American people wouldn’t cooperate. As Rhett Nielson reminded us, the president works for us, not vice-versa.

Sorry, I answered a different question than the one you asked of me. Hey! Maybe I should get into politics.

]]> By: Shawn Bellamak http://mamabirdsblog.com/2009/09/05/the-donkey-in-the-room/#comment-452 Shawn Bellamak Sat, 05 Sep 2009 22:45:47 +0000 http://mamabirdsblog.com/?p=1613#comment-452 I am not a fan of Barack Obama, however, I think the elected leader of our Nation should be able to address school children with positive advice. He is the President of the United States. My problem with all the debate is that history has proven that every administration is corrupt in many ways. There is more than enough evidence out there to show that it doesn't really matter who is president, bad, corrupt stuff will happen. Having said that, we all need to focus on what we can control, which in my opinion, is the raising of incredible kids because we are outstanding parents. After Barack is gone, and the next guy comes in, and the debate continues, and blah blah blah, I just want to know that the children who I have raised with 100% of the best I had, are sitting by my bedside while I die. All the rest is just a waste of time to me. I am not a fan of Barack Obama, however, I think the elected leader of our Nation should be able to address school children with positive advice. He is the President of the United States. My problem with all the debate is that history has proven that every administration is corrupt in many ways. There is more than enough evidence out there to show that it doesn’t really matter who is president, bad, corrupt stuff will happen. Having said that, we all need to focus on what we can control, which in my opinion, is the raising of incredible kids because we are outstanding parents. After Barack is gone, and the next guy comes in, and the debate continues, and blah blah blah, I just want to know that the children who I have raised with 100% of the best I had, are sitting by my bedside while I die. All the rest is just a waste of time to me.

]]> By: The Casual Perfectionist http://mamabirdsblog.com/2009/09/05/the-donkey-in-the-room/#comment-451 The Casual Perfectionist Sat, 05 Sep 2009 19:55:41 +0000 http://mamabirdsblog.com/?p=1613#comment-451 I agree...however, I consider teachers to be in positions of authority. Our tax dollars are paying the teachers' salaries, and I know they won't always teach my child using views I approve of... It will just mean the conversations at home will be that much more interesting. :) Anyway, I'm not arguing with you, so I hope others don't get that impression. I agree…however, I consider teachers to be in positions of authority. Our tax dollars are paying the teachers’ salaries, and I know they won’t always teach my child using views I approve of…

It will just mean the conversations at home will be that much more interesting. :)

Anyway, I’m not arguing with you, so I hope others don’t get that impression.

]]> By: Mama Bird http://mamabirdsblog.com/2009/09/05/the-donkey-in-the-room/#comment-450 Mama Bird Sat, 05 Sep 2009 19:53:54 +0000 http://mamabirdsblog.com/?p=1613#comment-450 Which school is that? The only schools I've heard of not participating are in Texas. There are more? Which school is that? The only schools I’ve heard of not participating are in Texas. There are more?

]]> By: Mama Bird http://mamabirdsblog.com/2009/09/05/the-donkey-in-the-room/#comment-449 Mama Bird Sat, 05 Sep 2009 19:38:39 +0000 http://mamabirdsblog.com/?p=1613#comment-449 I have no problem either with my child being exposed to differing points of view, and feel uniquely qualified to explain both sides, since I grew up in a Democrat household and considered myself a liberal for over half my life. But, when a viewpoint comes from a position of authority and is the exclusive view being presented paid for by tax dollars, that is where I think it's our duty to cry foul. No matter who is throwing the flag. I have no problem either with my child being exposed to differing points of view, and feel uniquely qualified to explain both sides, since I grew up in a Democrat household and considered myself a liberal for over half my life. But, when a viewpoint comes from a position of authority and is the exclusive view being presented paid for by tax dollars, that is where I think it’s our duty to cry foul. No matter who is throwing the flag.

]]> By: The Casual Perfectionist http://mamabirdsblog.com/2009/09/05/the-donkey-in-the-room/#comment-448 The Casual Perfectionist Sat, 05 Sep 2009 18:57:21 +0000 http://mamabirdsblog.com/?p=1613#comment-448 As an Independent, it's frustrating when both sides bicker and then a few years later toss their complaints to the other side of the fence and then start bickering again. It's frustrating, but also a reminder (to me anyway) that a 3rd option would be nice. The whole, "Well, the liberals did it then!" or "The conservatives would have the same issue if the tables were turned!" arguments make me tired, regardless of which side is "right." There will always be those people who find something to criticize. Not that there's anything wrong with that. ;) Personally, I understand that from here on out, my child will be exposed to views that differ from our own. People she loves and trusts will have views that are different than the other people she loves and trusts. This will be confusing, but it will be a great opportunity to discuss all sides of an issue and realize that even with differing views, it's possible to get along. As an Independent, it’s frustrating when both sides bicker and then a few years later toss their complaints to the other side of the fence and then start bickering again. It’s frustrating, but also a reminder (to me anyway) that a 3rd option would be nice.

The whole, “Well, the liberals did it then!” or “The conservatives would have the same issue if the tables were turned!” arguments make me tired, regardless of which side is “right.” There will always be those people who find something to criticize.

Not that there’s anything wrong with that. ;)

Personally, I understand that from here on out, my child will be exposed to views that differ from our own. People she loves and trusts will have views that are different than the other people she loves and trusts. This will be confusing, but it will be a great opportunity to discuss all sides of an issue and realize that even with differing views, it’s possible to get along.

]]> By: Lori in Denver http://mamabirdsblog.com/2009/09/05/the-donkey-in-the-room/#comment-447 Lori in Denver Sat, 05 Sep 2009 18:06:25 +0000 http://mamabirdsblog.com/?p=1613#comment-447 What a well-researched post. I bet you're right that declining popularity(and the reality that Hope won't cure all ills) has something to do with the uproar. But also that people like shortcuts. We like to take shades of gray and recast them in black and white. It's easier to say "President good; cheer his every word" or "President bad; ridicule every move he makes" than to look at each issue independently. What's good for the goose is good for the gander. In politics, if you're focused on person or party rather than non principle, you will eventually be at risk for hypocrisy. What a well-researched post.

I bet you’re right that declining popularity(and the reality that Hope won’t cure all ills) has something to do with the uproar.

But also that people like shortcuts. We like to take shades of gray and recast them in black and white. It’s easier to say “President good; cheer his every word” or “President bad; ridicule every move he makes” than to look at each issue independently.

What’s good for the goose is good for the gander. In politics, if you’re focused on person or party rather than non principle, you will eventually be at risk for hypocrisy.

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