Posted on 09/12/2009 4:59:51 AM PDT by Loyal Buckeye
Perhaps we need to institute a timeout.
Back in elementary school, when things got a little out of hand, the teacher would say we needed to take a timeout. Usually this followed a fight on the playground, an argument in homeroom or an unusually nasty prank. Kids need to learn the boundaries.
It feels a lot like elementary school right now in our political arena. The players have expanded the boundaries way past what had been defined as acceptable. In just over a month we have seen the following:
• Town-hall meetings being disrupted by yelling and shouting.
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• Attendees at a meeting with President Barack Obama carrying loaded guns and rifles.
• Television-program hosts encouraging the downfall of the administration.
• School districts refusing to carry the president's message to students about the importance of getting an education and staying in school.
After each of these happened, I threw up my hands and asked, "What next?" Have we become so polarized and driven by hatred and fear that a message that other presidents have delivered before has become unacceptable to some? And, if many of those folks who are complaining would listen to the words of the president about the importance of discipline and staying in school, wouldn't they agree with the message? What brought on all this hate?
I have to say that as an elected official, I am extremely frustrated that we have reached this point, and I want others to join me in saying that enough is enough. Let's take a timeout.
We politicians are as much to blame as anyone. Our discourse has become partisan and angry, thoughtless and hurtful and totally lacking in civility. We are headed down a very dangerous path, and this is not the type of leadership that our constituents expect of us.
I invite the folks who sincerely have a problem with the president delivering a message to students that it is important to stay in school to join me at my next district dialogue, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Upper Arlington High School. Our topic this month is education. And this is about education. Help me understand your concerns. And let's have a civil discussion about education.
To my colleagues in the state legislature and other elected offices, I suggest we all take a close look in the mirror and see what messages we are sharing with our young people about how to resolve conflict, how to disagree, how to learn and how to get along with one another. Sure, power is won and lost in political battles, and the conventional way to victory is to throw fear and misdirection at your foes. And often the throwing gets really messy. We can do this differently.
I remember my elementary-school gym teacher, Miss Ruth Ann McMillan, often called on us to "grow up" during our schoolyard antics. With today's antics, perhaps she might say to all of us, politicians and citizens alike, "Let's take a timeout!"
STATE REP. TED CELESTE Grandview Heights
“” It feels a lot like elementary school right now in our political arena. “”
Pelosi, Reid, Obama, ACORN, SEIU
Yep, an elementary REFORM school!
It’s OK to beat up black conservatives, and bite fingers off, though.
If they are so concerned about “civility” they can start by having the President stop lying to the American people. People tend to get angry when they see their public servants lying to them
Tell him what you think. district24@ohr.state.oh.us
These idiots were amazingly silent when the Democrats and the MSM (excuse the redudancy) were trashing GWB. Is it possible that his comments are really just simple partisanship?
The press didn’t let out a peep of protest when dems booed President Bush.
And Ted, did you boo President Bush? Most of your fellow "class acts" did - and did you turn away when Clinton used the force of government to go after private citizens? Did you object to Charlie Rangel cheating on his taxes? Or MSNBC showing the man at the tea party with a gun but only showing him from the back so no one could see he was BLACK - then having shills on TV refer to tea party people as racists trying to intimidate blacks.
HEY Ted - we don't have all the the MSM like you guys - and we don't have the money to "rent crowds" like you do. But we are free citizens of a free country and we a tired of taking dem lies - and not fighting back. Tune into Hannnity or Beck or Rush and see what the country is seeing. If you step out of your liberal bubble you might have your eyes opened. We do hate what you stand for, nut we're kind hard working people who love our country ... and we vote.
This is tame compared to politics in the past. I swear it’s like these people have no idea of history before the 1970s.
And Ted, did you boo President Bush? Most of your fellow "class acts" did - and did you turn away when Clinton used the force of government to go after private citizens? Did you object to Charlie Rangel cheating on his taxes? Or MSNBC showing the man at the tea party with a gun but only showing him from the back so no one could see he was BLACK - then having shills on TV refer to tea party people as racists trying to intimidate blacks.
HEY Ted - we don't have all the the MSM like you guys - and we don't have the money to "rent crowds" like you do. But we are free citizens of a free country and we a tired of taking dem lies - and not fighting back. Tune into Hannnity or Beck or Rush and see what the country is seeing. If you step out of your liberal bubble you might have your eyes opened. We do hate what you stand for, Ted, but remember, we're kind hard working people who love our country ... and we vote.
And Ted, did you boo President Bush? Most of your fellow "class acts" did - and did you turn away when Clinton used the force of government to go after private citizens? Did you object to Charlie Rangel cheating on his taxes? Or MSNBC showing the man at the tea party with a gun but only showing him from the back so no one could see he was BLACK - then having shills on TV refer to tea party people as racists trying to intimidate blacks.
HEY Ted - we don't have all the the MSM like you guys - and we don't have the money to "rent crowds" like you do. But we are free citizens of a free country and we a tired of taking dem lies - and not fighting back. Tune into Hannnity or Beck or Rush and see what the country is seeing. If you step out of your liberal bubble you might have your eyes opened. We do hate what you stand for, Ted, but remember, we're kind hard working people who love our country ... and we vote.
Are we sure Rip Van Winkle didn’t write this? This guy must have been asleep from January 2001 to January 2009.
That's how obama presents himself; nose in the air, scolding his charges like a snooty schoolmarm. Like Castro. But it isn't just democrats. There is a visible movement toward a permanent political class in this country. Kind of a feudalism of ideas, an aristocracy based on nothing but money and appearance. But with the power of law. Plenty of 'Republicans' want in as well; check the list who disparaged Wilson after the speech. Compare their remarks with their voting record. Corrupt to the bone, they over use the words 'stupid' and 'uncivil' to try to guilt-trip voters into compliance with their plan to petrify this society for their own gain. The democrats are just the official collectivist party here, but too many of the others, once they get a taste of Authority and the bennies which come with it want to keep it forever, and will say and do whatever it takes to make it so.
I don’t see a moral equivalency. If Democrats held the positions of the most obnoxious country-club Republicans we have in the party, the country would be better off than it is now. Obama and the Democratic leadership are so far outside the American tradition, GOP sell-outs can’t compete. Snowe is not Al Franken. McCain is not Dick Durban. I would like to see Snowe and McCain replaced by conservatives but I do not believe they are as injurious to the economy, to national security and the country as a whole as even the average Democrat.
Taken alone they are harmless. But they are a protective cloud around the activists which enables them to do whatever they want safe from public reaction. Their job is to put their party to sleep while the commies get away with murder. Durbin would be nowhere without a McCain running interference for him, in the senate and in the media.
Obviously it does no good to try to reason with a liberal fascist or to try to win a debate with them. “Discourse” is impossible. What Celeste does not understand is that the communication has evolved in to a very simple statment: “Stop trying to take away my freedom - or else”. From the liberal fascist side, the statement is: “You are my slave, do what I tell you - or else”. Therefore we are at an impasse, and the time has come for “or else”. My “or else” would be a peaceful split of the country into liberal fascist and Free American states. It’s really time to do it.
Whenever normal Americans peacefully assemble, demand answers from their elected representatives, or dare to ask questions, it is time for a "time out".
We're being held hostage by the enemy.
Okay, given how the president and his party have treated and are continuing to treat their opposition in general, and one now-former governor and her family in particular, I find the “play nice” lectures now coming from them, for lack of a better word...droll.
Interesting thing is, when I mention this to liberals I know, all they do is shrug or smile, and mumble something like "well, Bush (or Palin) deserved it". Just because they feel that way, it's okay. When the 'Rats are boorish and rude an uncivil and have temper tantrums, it is "dissent is patriotic", or "speaking truth to power". Well, I think Obombah and the 'Rats "deserve it", but evidently that is not okay. We have to treat O$hitface with the utmost respect and deference. I say, *spit*.
Goodie goodie civility sucks!!!
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