Oh, to be so offensive
I was on a business trip last week and saw the news ... um, not at all. So it wasn't until sometime on Sunday when the TV was on that I saw the news that the POTUS was going to give an address to schoolchildren. Previous presidents have done this -- on both sides of the aisle, I am sure. In addition, I heard an older person mention recently that their whole family used to group around the radio when the president -- any president -- was going to speak.
You see, there's this thing where an Official Address is an Official Address. It's kind of like an All Employee email from the CEO at my firm -- it's important, it's from the CEO, and whether I think he's a jerk or not, I should still read it. Right? Lest I sound overly-informed, pompous or patriotic, I'll admit that I don't listen to Obama's weekly radio addresses, nor all the stump speeches he gives, nor even all the it-looks-like-you're-campaigning-again speeches. However, a Presidential Address to Schoolchildren Everywhere is kind of a Big Deal, no? I mean, it's his all employee email to all kids in school. They should hear it.
And if you don't agree with him, or you don't agree with his policies, isn't that a great chance to discuss them with your children? Maybe I don't understand because I don't have children. [/tongue in cheek]
I guess for me it boils down to the common sense question of "what exactly is he going to say?" On the news last night, they interviewed a woman who was going to take her children out of school today because she didn't agree with Obama on abortion, gay marriage, etc., etc. I turned to Unk and said, "Does she think THAT'S what he's talking to schoolchildren about? Hi, I'm the President. Get abortions. Become gay, and get married. Thank you for listening."
Seriously? I watched his speech. I also skimmed his script. The most offensive thing he said, as far as I can tell? He thinks there's an "s" at the end of J.K. Rowling's name. If he'd stayed on-script, the "s" would have been an appropriate possessive. However, he said her name was J.K. Rowlings.
So there you have it. A mispronunciation of the author's name who most of you find offensive anyway (we all know people who won't let their kids read those books. My guess is they are the same people who didn't want their children to hear today's speech). The rest of the message was inarguable by any sane person.
Stay in school, try even when it's hard, and don't give up. Wow, I hope I can offend someone that way today.
You see, there's this thing where an Official Address is an Official Address. It's kind of like an All Employee email from the CEO at my firm -- it's important, it's from the CEO, and whether I think he's a jerk or not, I should still read it. Right? Lest I sound overly-informed, pompous or patriotic, I'll admit that I don't listen to Obama's weekly radio addresses, nor all the stump speeches he gives, nor even all the it-looks-like-you're-campaigning-again speeches. However, a Presidential Address to Schoolchildren Everywhere is kind of a Big Deal, no? I mean, it's his all employee email to all kids in school. They should hear it.
And if you don't agree with him, or you don't agree with his policies, isn't that a great chance to discuss them with your children? Maybe I don't understand because I don't have children. [/tongue in cheek]
I guess for me it boils down to the common sense question of "what exactly is he going to say?" On the news last night, they interviewed a woman who was going to take her children out of school today because she didn't agree with Obama on abortion, gay marriage, etc., etc. I turned to Unk and said, "Does she think THAT'S what he's talking to schoolchildren about? Hi, I'm the President. Get abortions. Become gay, and get married. Thank you for listening."
Seriously? I watched his speech. I also skimmed his script. The most offensive thing he said, as far as I can tell? He thinks there's an "s" at the end of J.K. Rowling's name. If he'd stayed on-script, the "s" would have been an appropriate possessive. However, he said her name was J.K. Rowlings.
So there you have it. A mispronunciation of the author's name who most of you find offensive anyway (we all know people who won't let their kids read those books. My guess is they are the same people who didn't want their children to hear today's speech). The rest of the message was inarguable by any sane person.
Stay in school, try even when it's hard, and don't give up. Wow, I hope I can offend someone that way today.