Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
Here’s part of a comment from a parent of a student at Sandhill-Venable Elementary School, the school that has been the latest lightning rod for national controversy over charges that a school program, which included praise of President Barack Obama, was political indoctrination.
Here’s what’s interesting from this commenter: she says she has “enjoyed” conservative talk radio commenter Rush Limbaugh for years. But when he called her kid a name, she got upset. So all the other name-calling was OK, apparently, until things suddenly got personal. Very interesting.
Below find the comment. Here’s my blog post about the video.
I am so completely over the hooplah over the program at Sand Hill-Venable. My child was in that program, although her class was not the one in question. Instead, her class recited a poem about Abraham Lincoln.
Now, let it be known, that I am an ultra conservative, college educated, Rebulican. I did not vote for Obama and I do not aprove of the job he has done thusfar as our nation’s president. I am ashamed of the way he insults our allies and buddies up with those who oppose us. I have heard what various media outlets have had to say about our entire school based on this 50 second clip.
I have enjoyed Rush Limbaugh’s opinionated program for years and have never had a greater emotional response to anything he has said (that I have heard) than I did on the day I heard what he called my child. We teach our children not call names at those with differences, but that is exactly what he feels entitled to do. My child does not have a “head full of mush” and if you ask her, she will tell you she does not like Obama either. I think the only one with the head full of mush, is the one without the common decency to research what he airs on national radio waves.
Instill your values, sure, but don’t tell a child what to believe or whom to support. There is no such thing as a Republican child or a Democrat child. There are only children of Republicans and children of Democrats. (And, thank goodness, there are children of unaffiliated voters).
As for "worshipping at the altar of NPR" and "lockstep narrowmindedness"… the very word "liberal" means openminded and tolerant, and willing to consider the opinions of others. The word conservative means some good things, too, but it does not mean those things. The notion that listening to "AM raido" (sic) and "worshipping at the altar of NPR" leads to narrowmindedness is just plain foolish.
I certainly respect your right to raise your daughter the way you see fit, Proud Parent from SH-V. I just happen to disagree with some of the points you make.
You may find both Rush Limbaugh and Jon Stewart entertaining, but I see a huge difference between the two. It appears to me that Stewart tries for irony and humor with his brand of liberal showmanship, but he does not ever tell his viewers what to do. That is obvious. Limbaugh, however, seems to be attempting to incite a conservative riot – encouraging a so-called “populist” rebellion – and striving to be some kind of political force in this country himself. Rush is frightening. That should also be obvious to any thoughtful listener. But his “regulars” are sheep. He is preaching to the choir. Thankfully, the vast majority of Americans do not listen to his program.
I think we agree that teaching children about values and morals is an important responsibility that should not be taken lightly. Kids need to know that treating others the way they want to be treated is critical to a civilized society. That is how mom and dad ought to, and I am quoting from you here, “instill in their children enough sense to make good choices.” That is how I was raised. That is how I tried to raise my own daughter.
But when it comes to grown-up politics, I believe parents ought to leave it alone, especially in the case of young ones – like yours – who have yet to even complete elementary school. What do they know about any of it? I do not believe they are old enough to grasp it. I think our public education system is careful enough to realize that fact and I still believe the only political indoctrination occurs at home. That is not good. I do not think it is fair to your daughter. Again, that is my opinion. Insisting upon good values is necessary and appropriate. But teaching politics at this point will only set her up for a lifetime of following your doctrines and beliefs, not her own. Start ingraining politics now and she will never change – regardless of who is leading the government – local, state or federal – conservative or liberal. You said she already does not like President Obama. Is she already among those who hope he fails? Not very patriotic, especially for a little kid.
“Teach your children well…” Graham Nash
dempol
Once again – wait for it, Asheville Dweller – your posts make no sense.
dempol
Just for the record, I never said I agreed with Rush, just found him entertaining. I also enjoy watching John Stewart occasionally, but that does not make me a raging Liberal. And you are right that I teach my child my values. I would hope you do the same for yours. Teaching our moral and political views to our children is the parents’ responsibility. When they are grown, then they can make their own decisions about morality and politics. Hopefully, parents will instill in their children enough sense to make good choices.
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 KJV
I understand, i Just hit a sour note with you, and attack my spelling all you want, the first sign of someone who has no argument, look as petty as you want.
I stand by what I said its you who is in denial. The same info can be swapped out for the oppossing party. Its just all most people in this town cares about is whether a D or R is front of the name D=Good no matter who unqualified R=Bad no matter if they are decent and hard working.
Its what you get for listening to AM raido and worshiping at the altar of NPR. Lockstep narrowmindness.
Asheville Dweller,
Do you really not get the simple fact that this mother has no grip on her conflicted feelings for His Highness Rush and that her young daughter is stuck in the middle? Mom’s statements regarding Limbaugh are completely contradictory. Please take a minute to read what she had to say again. Read Ash’s post. Read my post. If you still find you cannot comprehend, try reading them all just one more time. Whether you understand our observations or not, you certainly must see they are actually related to the topic here. Maybe not. Maybe I am expecting too much of you.
I suggest you try to get yourself on-point, consider the issues being discussed, and then attempt to offer a cogent opinion. Do you know what "cogent" means? I didn’t think so.
At least do everybody on ashvegas one favor. Try to learn to spell.
dempol
Same can be applied to Dems as well dempol, but its a President with a D in front of his name so eveyrthing he does or does not do or fails to do is ok and we should sing his priaise.
Love the hypocricy of the blind Dems in this town . . . . .
dempol: well said
You are right on the money here, Ash. Very interesting, indeed.
Mom loves Rush until he points the finger at someone in her family. Limbaugh takes something out of context and attacks. He is suddenly the bad guy because he does not have "the common decency to research what he airs on national radio waves." Well guess what, Mom? For all the years you have been listening to His Fatness, that’s been his daily shtick. That’s what he does for a living and how he gets rich. His program is and always has been full of baseless, senseless, blowhard crap – blatantly intended to incite listeners like you. You loved your hate-filled hero until now. All of the sudden, a faithful follower’s feelings are hurt. Boo-hoo.
But something else she said truly frightens me: "My child does not have a "head full of mush" and if you ask her, she will tell you she does not like Obama either." Keep in mind, this youngster attends elementary school. She is just a kid and already dislikes a president? I wonder where she gets that political opinion. Does she listen to Rush or just her mother? Conservatives say they are concerned about political indoctrination in schools. I am more worried about what is said to the little ones sitting around the kitchen table at home – where plenty of "mush" is likely being served.
dempol