Linda Ellerbee: The Kids Are All Right

How Racism Works

> > What if John McCain were a former president of the Harvard Law Review?
> > What if Barack Obama finished fifth from the bottom of his graduating
> > class?

> > What if McCain were still married to the first woman he said 'I do' to?
> > What if Obama were the candidate who left his first wife after she no
> > longer measured up to his standards?

> > What if Michelle Obama were a wife who not only became addicted to
> > pain killers, but acquired them illegally through her charitable
> > organization?

> > What if Cindy McCain graduated from Harvard?

> > What if Obama were a member of the Keating-5?
> > What if McCain were a charismatic, eloquent speaker?

> > If these questions reflected reality, do you really believe the
> > election numbers would be as close as they are?

> > This is what racism does. It covers up, rationalizes and minimizes
> > positive qualities in one candidate and emphasizes negative qualities
> > in another when there is a color difference.

> > - Kelvin LaFond, Fort Worth

> > PS: What if Barack Obama had an unwed, pregnant teenage daughter....

THE AFFIRMATIVE ACTION CANDIDATE!

NEVER IN THE HISTORY OF THIS COUNTRY HAS A PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE BEEN GIVEN SUCH A FREE PASS BY THE PRESS AND JUST ABOUT EVERYONE ELSE!

I AM WAITING FOR A BLACK PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE TO MAKE IT ON HIS OWN MERIT.

COLIN POWELL COMES TO MIND!

WHO WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE IN YOUR CHILD'S CLASSROOM, SARAH PALING OR WILLIAM AYERS?

Rather than worrying about what kids should be learning (or not learning), maybe you should do a little learning yourself. First of all, "they're" means "they are" - you meant to say "THEIR parents and school teachers . . ." Furthermore, children have "minds," not a single mind. You should also check the spelling of "politics" and "informed" before you criticize the knowledge or awareness of other people. But the biggest problem with your comment is that you apparently attended a school which did not teach social studies or civics - the right to have open discussions about government, and the right to vote are both Constitutionally guaranteed and fundamental to the progress and success of our nation. The Constitution - the cornerstone document of our democracy - also outlines the structure of American government. Kids need to learn about such topics early in life so they can be involved, informed citizens as adults. What could be more important to learn in school? You seem to have bought into the Washington rhetoric that the word "politics" refers to corruption, trickery, and scandal. Again, basic education teaches us that politics is ideally about "the people" (Greek root "poli") - as in "We the People." If we let politicians discourage us from political involvement by defaming politics, we are no longer a functional democracy, but a nation under the rule of the elite.

Obama said himself the first thing that he will do as president is sign the "Freedom of choice act" which removes ALL restrictions on abortion. You think the world is in turmoil now? Allow this to happen and you will see unimaginable destruction.

Linda's views lack good judgement. In a video she is enthusiastically showing very young children how to use condoms with Magic Johnson. I consider her views more aligned with NAMBLA rather than the views of most parents. Children are not miniature adults.

Kids may not be able to vote but they can certainly be made to march and sing in homage to Obama as we see more and more. And just when the last members of the Hitlerjugend are dying off

I am suggested a TV black out during the half billion 30 min air time purchased by Obama on 10/29. No politican should be allowed to play celebrity by dropping half billion dollar to be on all networks to sell a lemon platform to the american public. Not while the nation and the world is suffering from a massive financial crisis! Let's all turn on cartoons during the obama TV buys on the 29th and send a message that washington is corrupt.

Only corruption can drop half a billion dollar in ad buys during the worst financial crisis we have ever faced!

Join me...take this country back! shut off the obama half billion dollar ad buy on october 29th. send a message that this sort of money for political ambition in time of national crisis will not be tolerated!

A true christian would follow Christ who led by example and did not force his way upon others. In countries where abortion is illegal they have a higher rate of abortion and Maternal/Infant mortality. Their emergencies rooms are flooded with teens and women who attempted to conduct abortion on their own or in some back alley by a crack pot doctor. Yes abortion is immoral but not having the option is worse. We need better education and availability of contraceptives not abstinence only programs. Making abortion illegal will only make it more dangerous as history and the current crisis in other countries proves.

Comment: That 13 year old was to articulate to be 13. Check the time it was posted, it's during school hours.

It is during school hours, you're right. But... in the Seattle School District, today is a professional development day. Look it up here: http://www.seattleschools.org/area/m_calendar/dates0809.xml if you want. I got to Eckstein Middle School and I'm in 8th grade there. As for those calling me an adult, I suppose I'll take that as a compliment...? As for all the people posting here, arguing about everything from abortion to the economy, that's not what this discussion should be about. Go talk about those issues somewhere else. But, seeing as I can't resist, I suppose I'll inject myself into the conversation. Sarah Palin has about as much foreign policy experience as I do. There. I said it. This...stupid lie that being close to Russia makes her more likely to do well in foreign policy. That's like saying, because she can see the moon from her house, she should run NASA (saw that one on a bumper sticker :) ) She is just...not ready to be president of the largest industrial nation in the world if John McCain croaks. She did a good job putting on a disguise for the public last Thursday, but lemme tell ya, Halloween isn't for another 3 weeks.

Another issue: she was blasting Obama for being a Community Organizer 20 odd years ago. Guess what she was doing at that time? Coming in 2nd place in Miss Alaska. Which qualifies you more to be president? Helping recently laid-off steel mill workers, or looking good in a swimsuit? You make the call.

HER EXACT WORDS WERE "I'M PROBABLY NOT GOING TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS THE WAY YOU WANT ME TO, I PREFER TO TALK DIRECTLY TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE". IT WASN'T THE SAME OLD HATE BUSH RHETORIC BIDEN KEPT REHASHING.

I am a survivor of a brutal, child-abusive Republican family, racist Republican teachers and living in a Republican state so I had a front row seat to observe the anti-Americanism, the bigotry, and the racism of the Republican Party. My long experience in that Republican hell makes me wary of Sara Palin. Is she fit to be a mother? Are Republicans fit to be parents? In my 57 years, I have not met any Republicans who are. Didn't she compare herself to a pitbull? That is the warning label there. She is too white supremacist in her thinking. I am white, but she is one of what I call 'scary white people"....ignorance+arrogance+aggressiveness = dangerous.