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- G e n d e r G a p p e r s T M
IS OUR CHILDREN LEARNING?
 Of
course they are. We have it on good authority. Republicans.
Remember all the massive condemnation of President Clinton by politicians,
the talk shows and media whores? During his term in office, Republicans
claimed that children were influenced by presidential conduct.
So it follows that they are being influenced and learning from Bush also. At least many of those who are paying close attention are. This is because they delight in his cowboy threats of kicking ass and retribution. It matters little that Saddam was not the author of 9/11 -- indeed was not even implicated. These children, following the presidential lead, wave flags and spout patriotic phrases. They have thrown aside their studies about anger or conflict management. The presidential message is clear: don't use reason and understanding, use your fists or guns or better still your whole military/industrial complex. Bomb the bastards back into the 13th Century in reprisal for 9/11 because we can^Òt find Osama. These children now know that all that stuff their teachers spouted about how necessary it is to separate themselves from the violence of their past and learn peaceful problem solving techniques is just so much crapola. This is according to the Bush teach-in, his example our children is learning now. They now understand that you must not mind that your daddy beat your mommy and you. It was good training for when you are married and have kids. Forget all the goody-goody stuff about "The Force" and Luke Skywalker. The reality is "The Empire Strikes First." They have learned
that if anyone demands reasons for their aggressive actions they just simply
make up a lie and tell it with great sincerity. If the first one doesn't
seem to go over, tell another and another and another. Children who are following the Bush presidential example can now list the many, ever-changing reasons for the Iraq invasion. They have learned to say, "It's not about oil" with a straight face. They have learned to speak of casualties with tears in their eyes. But there are many children who are learning a different kind of lesson from Bush's actions. And the proof is right out there as we see school children starting their own protests to the Bush war. They are speaking up in their school classes and speaking out at rallies and demonstrations. They keep themselves informed via the Internet and know the futility and horror of war from their history lessons and TV. Some see Bush as a frightening menace bent on conquest using the bodies of our young people. Others see him as a characterization of a cowboy cum dictator. They note his swagger and smirk turning to crocodile tears as the camera turns on him. They have experienced the recent history of his disdain and disregard for women demonstrated by his refusal to help third world women. They have noted him scornfully slapping his wife's butt shortly after he was appointed to office and his ignoring the plight of Afghani women. Many are angry and most are fearful. But they are connected to the world and the people in other countries, via the Web, much more directly and intimately than Bush and his handlers ever were. They have seen his naked arrogance displayed around the world and are appalled by it just like their friends in other countries are. "It's terrifying because it's as though we're in the back seat of a car careening down a road, and they've just thrown away the steering wheel. We have no control." -- Emily Bruce, 17 of Williston, Vermont after watching President Bush's speech Monday night. Is our children learning? You'd better believe it, BUT ARE WE? 2003-013
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