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Do Not Let the Children Lead
Truth Revolt ^ | 2/21/2018 | Michelle Malkin

Posted on 02/21/2018 7:14:29 AM PST by servo1969

Where are all the grown-ups in times of crisis and grief? Don't bother searching America's prestigious law schools.

Two adult men, occupying lofty perches as law professors, argued this week that the voting age in the U.S. should be lowered to 16 because some high school survivors of the Parkland, Florida, shooting who want gun control "are proving how important it is to include young people's voices in political debate."

That was the assertion of University of Kentucky law professor Joshua Douglas on CNN.com. He praised some student leaders at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School who've been making the rounds on TV, shouting at President Trump, Republicans in Congress and the NRA "to demand change" -- which Douglas defines obtusely as "meaningful gun control," whatever that means.

Because these children are apparently doing a better job at broadcasting his own ineffectual political views, Douglas asserts, "we should include them more directly in our democratic process" by enfranchising them now.

Harvard law professor Laurence Tribe similarly tweeted, "Teens between 14 and 18 have far better BS detectors, on average, than 'adults' 18 and older." On what basis does distinguished Professor Tribe make such a claim? On a foundation of pure, steaming BS.

Undaunted, gun control advocate Tribe urged: "Wouldn't it be great if the voting age were lowered to 16? Just a pipe dream, I know, but . . . #Children'sCrusade?"

This is unadulterated silliness. It's hashtag hokum from a pair of pandering left-wing profs exploiting a new round of Democratic youth props. I have called this rhetorical fallacy "argumentum ad filium:" If politicians appeal to the children, it's unassailably good and true.

This is not compassion, but abdication. America is not a juvenilocracy. It is a constitutional republic. There is a reason we don't elect high school sophomores and juniors to public office or allow them to cast ballots. There are many, many reasons, actually.

Pubescents are fueled by hormones and dopamine and pizza and Sonic shakes. They're fickle and fragile and fierce and forgetful. They hate you. They love you. They need you. They ignore you. They know everything. They know nothing. All in the span of 10 seconds. I know. I have two of them.

If you're lucky, they've only Googled "Should I eat Tide pods?" or "What happens if I snort Ramen powder?" and not actually attempted the latest social media stunt challenges.

But that's what kids do. Because they're kids.

Many may be exceptionally smart, passionate and articulate beyond their years, but they do not possess any semblance of wisdom because they have not lived those years. Their knowledge of history, law and public policy is severely limited (Common Core certainly hasn't helped). And their moral agency and cognitive abilities are far from fully developed.

Most are in no position to change the world when they can't even remember to change their own bedsheets.

Yet, Tribe relishes the opportunity to hide behind the young Parkland activists headed to CNN's propaganda town halls and Washington, D.C.: "NRA will meet more than its match in these amazing kids," he gleefully cheered. "(I)t'll meet its master and will be brought to heel. At long last."

President Obama employed this very same kiddie human shield strategy to ram his federal health care takeover through Capitol Hill and down our throats. Immigration and education lobbyists use it, too. Their cynicism is unbounded. Human prop-a-palooza infantilizes public discourse and renders measured, mature dissent impossible. Those who question the logic, efficacy and wisdom of the latest left-wing "children's crusade" face accusations of "hating" the children. Refusing to acquiesce to their tears and protests is tantamount to letting them die.

Showing resilience and resolve in the face of horrific adversity deserves the highest praise and attention. Juvenile victim status, however, does not warrant absolute moral authority or the unfettered powers in the political arena that ideologically stunted law professors are so eager to bestow upon them.

It's fine to listen, but do not let the children lead.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Editorial; Extended News; Government; Philosophy
KEYWORDS: arewesnowflakesnow; banglist; malkin; nra; yourblogsucks
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Drinking, voting, buying a gun, and serving in the military are all equal in my eyes. They all require an equal amount of personal responsibility and so they should all have the same minimum age restriction.* If someone is old enough to vote they should be old enough to buy a gun. If they are old enough to serve in the military they should be old enough to buy beer. Etc. A person is either an adult or they're not. All our current differences in age requirements are the result of pure politics.

*Yes, voting is just as serious as owning a gun, often more so in the long run.

1 posted on 02/21/2018 7:14:29 AM PST by servo1969
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To: servo1969
"how important it is to include young people's voices in political debate."

Yeah, as long as they say what their masters want to hear.

No sale.

2 posted on 02/21/2018 7:17:38 AM PST by Joe Brower ( Les deplorables sont victorieux!)
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To: servo1969

CNN has a child-like view of the world.

Not surprisingly, CNN went out and interviewed a bunch of kids about gun control. Many of the children said that guns were scary. Because the children’s views corroborate CNN’s own child-like view of the world, CNN is pushing the idea that the Second Amendment is obsolete. If you disagree with CNN on this, you are a poopy-head.


3 posted on 02/21/2018 7:17:40 AM PST by ClearCase_guy (The revolution will not be televised (at least, not by CNN).)
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To: servo1969; All

“A person is either an adult or they’re not. All our current differences in age requirements are the result of pure politics.”

True, but STATES have the RIGHT to determine their ‘age of consent’ laws. I don’t want to see THAT right taken from each state.

I joined the Army at age 17, but delayed entry until I was done with High School the following spring. Turned 18 in Basic Training. Legal age in WI at the time was 18 - but not in South Carolina.

Then, at 19 I moved back home for a year, got married, then moved to California - where I had to be 21 to do anything, after already voting and buying alcohol in my home state.

But, it is what it is. And each STATE should have that right. Take that away and we’re at the edge of National ID cards and chipping us in the neck. ;)

JMHO.


4 posted on 02/21/2018 7:20:41 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: servo1969
....but do not let the children lead.

No one has really scratched the surface on this new story. I think just below the surface...and hovering above pulling the strings....are some twisted activist adults.

What 17 year old can secure a contract to rent tour buses? Who is paying for the "movement"? Some "adult" was coaching some of these little angels on what to say and how to say it. What adults are allowing these kids to skip school, rent buses (and maybe hotels) to travel to Florida's capital?

As in smelly things, FOLLOW THE MONEY, and you will find adults with bank accounts.

5 posted on 02/21/2018 7:20:49 AM PST by SERKIT ("Blazing Saddles" explains it all.......)
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To: ClearCase_guy

I posted this yesterday. Nothing new under the sun. Read all versions for the full flavor.

Isaiah 3:4

(ASV)  And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them.

(BBE)  And I will make children their chiefs, and foolish ones will have rule over them.

(Brenton)  And I will make youths their princes, and mockers shall have dominion over them.

(CEV)  He will let children and babies become your rulers.

(DRB)  And I will give children to be their princes, and the effeminate shall rule over them.

(DSV)  En Ik zal jongelingen stellen tot hun vorsten, en kinderen zullen over hen heersen;

(ERV)  He says, “I will put young boys in charge of you. They will be your leaders.

(ESV)  And I will make boys their princes, and infants shall rule over them.

(GNB)  The LORD will let the people be governed by immature boys.

(GW)  “I will make boys their leaders. Children will govern them.”

(ISV)  “I will make boys their princes, and infants will rule over them.

(JPS)  And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them.

(JUB)  And I will give children to be their princes, and young fools shall rule over them.

(KJV)  And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them.

(KJV+)  And I will giveH5414 childrenH5288 to be their princes,H8269 and babesH8586 shall ruleH4910 over them.

(LEB)  And I will make boys their princes, and children shall rule over them.

(LITV)  And I will give young boys to be their rulers, and caprices shall rule over them.

(MKJV)  And I will give young boys to be their rulers, and caprices shall rule over them.

(NKJV)  “I will give children to be their princes, And babes shall rule over them.

(NLT)  I will make boys their leaders, and toddlers their rulers.

(YLT)  And I have made youths their heads, And sucklings rule over them.


6 posted on 02/21/2018 7:22:16 AM PST by PeterPrinciple (Thinking Caps are no longer being issued but there must be a warehouse full of them somewhere.)
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To: servo1969

Well, I just renewed my membership in the NRA. And I don’t even own a gun.


7 posted on 02/21/2018 7:23:23 AM PST by miss marmelstein
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To: Joe Brower

Cruz’s lawyer gave a lengthy diatribe the other day on how her client at age nineteen did not have a fully developed mature brain — just a child ! Research was given from a leading university shortly after that the congnitive skills are not completely present until about age 25

And yet the left wants our government to bow to the youth ! Rediculous


8 posted on 02/21/2018 7:23:54 AM PST by hoosiermama (When you open your heart to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice.DJT)
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To: servo1969

The fault for the shooting lies squarely on the school and the permissive politics of the school system of Broward county.

The black students can do no wrong permissive policy of the NAACP choking the school system allowed a white boy to come in and shoot his enemies in the student body.

There is no fault beyond the school


9 posted on 02/21/2018 7:24:16 AM PST by bert (K.E.; N.P.; GOPc;WASP .... The Fourth Estate is the Fifth Column)
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To: servo1969

I tried to watch some of these kids on the news but I can’t ,all they do is SCREAM


10 posted on 02/21/2018 7:24:54 AM PST by butlerweave
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To: Joe Brower

Do Not Let the Children Lead

We seem to be in a era of mob rule. Emotional resolutions are becoming the norm. The tools of mob rule are taught in our schools by the socialists of the 60’s. No one will accept the true cause of the problems because they are caused by the same people that use mob rule to to try to effect change.


11 posted on 02/21/2018 7:25:09 AM PST by JayAr36 (Washinton DC, District of Corruption proven daily)
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To: JayAr36

If you listen to fools, the mob rules.


12 posted on 02/21/2018 7:25:53 AM PST by dfwgator
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To: JayAr36

Hitler let the children lead, we saw how that worked out.


13 posted on 02/21/2018 7:25:57 AM PST by tet68 ( " We would not die in that man's company, that fears his fellowship to die with us...." Henry V.)
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To: hoosiermama

Think Normandy
Thank Tarawa
Think Iwo Jima

Then speak ill of 19 year olds


14 posted on 02/21/2018 7:26:49 AM PST by bert (K.E.; N.P.; GOPc;WASP .... The Fourth Estate is the Fifth Column)
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To: bert

The children were leading for 8 years before Trump go elected, look what a mess he inherited.


15 posted on 02/21/2018 7:28:06 AM PST by DaveA37
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To: SERKIT
As in smelly things, FOLLOW THE MONEY, and you will find adults with bank accounts.

Yep, let's audit the books.

16 posted on 02/21/2018 7:29:29 AM PST by 1Old Pro
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To: PeterPrinciple

The children you are seeing on the news are NOT leading. They are the puppets of the adults who script them.


17 posted on 02/21/2018 7:30:23 AM PST by generally ( Don't be stupid. We have politicians for that.)
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To: servo1969
They're fickle and fragile and fierce and forgetful. They hate you. They love you. They need you. They ignore you. They know everything. They know nothing. All in the span of 10 seconds.

So...they don't in fact differ at all from adult liberals? :)

18 posted on 02/21/2018 7:31:47 AM PST by Mr. Jeeves ([CTRL]-[GALT]-[DELETE])
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To: servo1969

Have these people not been around any actual 16 year olds?

When I was 16 I was interested in 2 things - boys and sneaking liquor out of my parents liquor cabinet. My 16 year old son and his friends are interested in 3 things - food, playing baseball, and girls (not necessarily in that order). Oh, and they parrot everything their teachers tell them, which I guess is really the point.


19 posted on 02/21/2018 7:33:17 AM PST by pinkandgreenmom
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To: bert

Just saying the liberals want it both ways I agree with you -—


20 posted on 02/21/2018 7:34:04 AM PST by hoosiermama (When you open your heart to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice.DJT)
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