I can't toss a picture up here per normal rules of the self-governing blog today. It was a toss up for a Google search between "Wide-Eyed School Child Watching A Presidential Speech" and "Disgusting Lack of Focus On Behalf of Normally Respectful Patriots"...neither returned the requsite emotions for the way I feel today.
I'm sad. I'm not a Liberal. I'm not a Conservative.
I'm a forty year old Conservabal Liberative.
I am a hearty fence-rider in most cases, struggling to balance myself between foolish obligation to any political or moral force that I may one day regret. I piss people off some times, appearing unwilling to choose a side and rolling around in the middle ground that is simultaneously created by and despised by polarity that we call the "Democratic Idealogy".
Conservatives spit at Liberals...Liberals spit at Conservatives. Whatever doesn't hit one side in the face falls into the middle, and I make it my politics by sifting through the mud in the middle to find some rational understanding of the human heart and brain. Most of the time, I find solace in the middle. I can rationalize and empathize with the greatest rationalizers and empathizers in history...Most notably musicians, poets, comedians and huggers (not trees, but huggy people).
That being said, it's much easier being me to simply stay away from politics and talk about anything else. Alas, today, I am just too sad.
My middle of the road mindset finds time for Bill Maher, Bill O'Reilly, Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Billy Bragg, Billy Carter, Billy Graham, Bill Bradley, Bilbo Baggins and Bill Hader. My middle of the road brain cannot find time to listen to Bill "Hater"...the everyman quoted in blogs, headlines, reports and TV shows all week denouncing a speech designed to rally the kids of America to stay in School and delivered by the President of the United States.
I'm sad on two levels.
Level one:
The President wrote (or had his writers write) a speech designed, at least in theory, to inspire kids to set goals, work hard, and stay in school. He implored them to be respectful of and listen to teachers and to never give up on themselves. He asked that schools allow students to hear his message.
I don't have to tell you how schools and parents obliged.
I read it. I watched it. It was a good speech. It was the President of our country talking to my kids with the notion of leaving a lasting memory for them.
My kids did not hear it. No choice in that matter. I'll show it to them, so it's no big deal. Kinda pissed about that having to be an issue, but I'll survive.
Level Two:
This country is so self-absorbed that we have completely forgotten to wade into the spit filled middle of every battle to find common ground. Our President delivered a speech to kids and the freaking ALARM went off. I won't even say the following words to describe the public outcry that led to the banning of this speech to school kids. I want to, but I won't mention these words:
short-sighted
trigger-happy
ridiculous
wasteful
cold
internet driven-garbage
It's really sad. I won't waddle to one side of the fence to defend anybody's actions over the past week, but it's tempting.
Days like today, I hate the viral Internet. I wish that the speech would have shown up in every classroom as a matter of fact...not a prejudicial and political tug of war. I cannot imagine jerking my kid out of class for any speech delivered by any sitting President since I've been alive.
That's why this overly-saturated, Internet-fueled ignorance and fuedalism must be stopped. Please come visit my Internet Blog again soon to find out the answer to how we take it down and get our sense of national pride back without tearing each other down to do it.
(Note: Ironical statement noted.)
