Random Rant

Sometimes I'm wondering if anybody is actually paying attention to the facts. Seems alotta times we get wrapped up in our emotions about a topic, and don't take the time to take a breath and pay attention to the facts and figures from a safe distance.

Ferinstince: I'm on Facebook (because I am a mindless automoton who craves any kind of tiny spotlight, that's why), and one of those useless "polls" comes up: Should "one nation, under God" be taken out of the Pledge of Allegiance, it was asking. And without hesitation I voted Yes.

My reasoning is just this: It's not part of the original verse. It was added in the 1940s, I believe, by President Roosevelt (and feel free to correct me if I'm wrong on the date or the man), but the fact remains it was added. So taking it out is not commiting some kind of sacrilege, it's not revisionist-history-making, and it is certainly - by far - Not Un-American.

America SHOULD change things from time to time, in order to keep up with the times and the temperment of its people. It needs to take a fresh look at things, compare and contrast the facts to the principles we've built them upon, and review, rethink, and re-edit when needed. Hell, the Vatican did! And I'm thankful I can eat a Slim-Jim on Friday now. We do it with our currency, and not just to stay one step ahead of the counterfieters, either. How many Buffalo Head nickels you see anymore?

Point is that the term "under God" is a great thought; a heart-warming hug of safety and nostalgia that makes a lot of Americans feel all warm and snuggly. It is not "bad." It is, however, not needed. It does not make the Pledge any more or less American, Communistic, Socialistic, or Federalistic. (...is that last one even a word? Look that up and get back to me.) It simply does not accurately reflect the ideals or commitments implied by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. We've got to keep in mind that this country is not made up of just You's and Me's. It's a whole lotta Them's. And that's cool. Together, we're all still Us. We just gotta remember to look at things bigger.

We, as Americans, have got to look at things in the big picture, and the big picture here is "Sometimes you don't get your way, just 'cuz you think you're right." Sometimes, even though you are a lovely person, an honest taxpayer and one helluva golfer, the thing you want most dearly in life may not be the best thing for the entire country. And that's ok. That's the way it works. Sometimes, you don't get your way. And you have to learn to live with that and move on.

Still upset by the decisions being made? Good. Means you're still paying attention. Now you're next move is writing letters, studying the concepts, researching the topics both pro and con so you can make the best possible judgments, and working the system. It is NOT just whining on Facebook or Twitter or MySpace -- if you're 12, that is -- and screaming out in your status update about your tiny little thoughts. Shut up and DO something if you don't like it. That's what America is all about: Doing something. Good, bad, indifferent. But doing something. Something that will, if you're lucky, smart, and determined enough, actually incite a change. A change for the better, maybe. A change that will turn people's heads and get them thinking. A change, perhaps, in something that many folks consider a solid, unchangeable staple of the American landscape.

Like the words in the Pledge of Allegiance.

So it seems to me that whatever side of this point you're on, you have a chance to do something about it. For it or a'gin it, you get to make a stand and hopefully be counted. Ah, I love America!

And I know there'll be backlash. A huge, tsunami wave of crap-laden backlash, sweeping my way from people I've known and not seen for thirty years. My Michigan friends, my Los Angeles colleagues, my Asian Hookers. They'll all come out of the woodwork now and tell me how wrong I am.

At least, I hope they do. That way I'll know somebody is still paying attention. Until the villagers storm my walls weilding torches and pitchforks, leave me your thoughts on the subject. I'll be here, boiling the oil in the parapits.

By the way, this was a one-draft rant, so save your barbs about my spelling and grammar. I didn't even go back to check. Thanks.

Obama's Speech Controversy

Ok, I'm pissed, so sit down and strap in. Here it comes.

I cannot believe the idiocy I am hearing from all kinds of citizens and political pundits with regard to the President of the United States addressing this nation's school children just this past week.

This country is stronger than any one speech given by any one man. These are WORDS, people. Words. And this is the United States, a country founded on some pretty cool ideals, one of them being Freedom of Speech. And with that comes the responsibility of those listening to... shut up and listen! A wiser man than I once said, "I may not agree with what you say, but I'll defend with my life your right to say it." But that seems way too tough for a bunch of parents who themselves were raised on "Just Do It", "Just Say No!" and "Have it Your Way." If they are against it, then they're not going to let anyone, anywhere, make up their own minds, it seems.

Have we so forgotten our own strengths that we have become a nation of complete knee-jerk reactionaries? Scared of words? And is that how we've raised our children, that they could be swayed by one speech? That this one episode will so curve their spines, disease their minds, and destroy their sense of free will that they're going to ...what...goose step down the halls of their schools now? I raised my kids with a little bit more integrity than that. They are open minded and thoughtful, and willing to take in new ideas while at the same time remembering who they are and where they come from! Are parents in this country so cowardly and so poor at their parental responsibilities that they believe this one speech will turn their precious air-heads into socialistic zombies? Really?

You don't like Obama? Fine. I grew up with Nixon. My Dad taught me one thing when I made fun of ol' Tricky Dick back in '73: If you can't respect the man, respect the position. Seems to me, too many are too quick to pull the plug on Obama already, and he's not even celebrated his first anniversary yet.

And what about the other side of this coin? The BS I keep hearing about how our school children are being 'forced' to watch this propaganda. They don't have to watch it, they get to watch it! There's a huge difference! Seems to me, parents and political figures who don't agree with our President's views and formats don't want anybody else to, either. Which is nothing new, I realize. But to raise such a stink about children getting to hear the views of the leader of the free world is not only sickening, it is embarrassing. Used to be a time in this country when listening to the president speak in school was a treat. Like watching "Gone With the Wind" or "A Charlie Brown Christmas." Once each year, maybe, tops, you got to see that. And here our kids have a chance to hear him speak, and parents are so used to dipping everything their kids come in contact with knee-deep in Purell, they're afraid it won't be sanitized enough for their tender toddlers.

And another thing. I don't care what he has to say, or if he changed his mind about it seven times before he said it, or that it's socialist dogma or political pandering or the last act of Henry V! The President would like to address our kids! How cool is that? Sure I wish it were Michael Douglas from "The American President" but, hey! This ain't a movie! And you had a chance to be casting director for this flick by casting a vote back in November. If I were king, only people that voted would get to speak about political happenings in the paper or on CNN, anyway.

Speaking of which, listen to this, from CNN:
"Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a possible contender for the GOP's 2012 presidential nomination, said Friday the classroom is no place to show a video address from Obama.
'At a minimum it's disruptive. Number two, it's uninvited. And number three, if people would like to hear his message they can, on a voluntary basis, go to YouTube or some other source and get it. I don't think he needs to force it upon the nation's school children,' he told reporters at the Minnesota State fair."


Yeah. Right. Politics has no place in our nation's schools. Let 'em learn about it on the streets and on the internet. Good thinking, you idiot.

And how about this one, also from CNN:
"Florida GOP Chairman Jim Greer released a statement this week accusing Obama of using taxpayer money to "indoctrinate" children. 'As the father of four children, I am absolutely appalled that taxpayer dollars are being used to spread President Obama's socialist ideology,' Greer said. 'The idea that school children across our nation will be forced to watch the president justify his plans ... is not only infuriating, but goes against beliefs of the majority of Americans, while bypassing American parents through an invasive abuse of power."


Wow! Get some pitchforks and torches! Free Barabus! An invasive use of power? Obama's not coming into your living room smoking Lucky Strikes and slapping your wife on the ass, buddy. He's TALKING. Talking to your children. And if you're that scared about what they might hear or understand or misinterpret, well, then maybe you should have spent equally as much time talking to them in the first place.

I'm Scott Miller. I'm a teacher. And I am pissed off and saddened by today's Americans who think this country is some kind of metal you can beat the impurities out of. If anything, it is an amalgam, made stronger from the melding of all forms of metal, hardened in the furnaces of adversity, and forged into a shining example for the rest of the world to look at and respect. But hey. That's just me. Tell me what you think. I'll be here, polishing my shield and ironing my flag.