Fox News’ Chris Wallace says his father,
By on Dec 11th, 2005 at 6:54 pm
Fox News’ Chris Wallace says his father,
CBS reporter Mike Wallace, “lost it†and needs “a competence hearing†after the elder Wallace made critical comments about President Bush. (Via Americablog)
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Seems like Chris treats HIS father about
December 11th, 2005 at 7:07 pmthe way Chimpy treats HIS.
And some said Chris won’t become foxlike after he got the Sunday morning gig.
December 11th, 2005 at 7:16 pmIronic, coming from a son who never “had” it.
No one would ever have mistaken Chris for a broadcaster — let alone a journalist — had it not been for his old man.
I hope Mike continues to embarrass his sorry spawn at every opportunity.
December 11th, 2005 at 7:27 pmWhat’s funny is Mike was quite classy when intervied earlier and the question of Chris came up. While he did not give a lot of kudos, he didn’t blast his son.
Chris on the other hand, I don’t make adhom attacks at will but man what a jerk.
December 11th, 2005 at 7:34 pmWow, what a way to sell out your father. Somebody will getting coal in his stocking christmas morning.
December 11th, 2005 at 7:38 pmDo you suppose the Wallace in point is the same wwallace we have come to know and love? Give it the duck test and you may find that if it isn’t the same bird at least thay are in the same flock.
December 11th, 2005 at 7:39 pm“Fox News Sunday” anchorman Chris Wallace says father Mike Wallace has “lost it” – after the legendary CBS newsman told the Boston Globe last week that the fact George Bush had been elected president shows America is “[expletive]-up.”
~~~~
I guess 3/4 of America who think BUSH is A Screw-up are also are Wrong..
NAW!!
POPs Right Chris, I mean Cmon a MBA from HARVARD, who cant run a Company, NEVER was Profitable, then THINKS that GOD, whom was Really Cheney, TALKS to HIM in the OVAL office..thru the Speakerphone..
And YOUR dad is NUTS?
LMAO!! FAUX NUTWORK, WHERE THE HUSBANDMEN SPEAK!
December 11th, 2005 at 7:44 pmThe righties are just imploding all over the place. All the dysfunction is just rising up into full view cause they are running scared. Let’s keep up the pressure. It reminds me of the movie A Few Good Men. (When Jack Nicholson finally cracked on the stand.) Wallace hates his dad. What better way to get at him that being a foamin right winger.
December 11th, 2005 at 7:46 pmAh yes. What does the Bible say about ones parents?
-GSD
Suzanne it sure does seem like the right-wing is going off like Jiffy-Pop as of late. Maybe they are all suffering from PTSD related to the “War on Christmas”.
December 11th, 2005 at 7:49 pm#
Do you suppose the Wallace in point is the same wwallace we have come to know and love? Give it the duck test and you may find that if it isn’t the same bird at least thay are in the same flock.
Comment by Clyde the Ripper — December 11, 2005 @ 7:39 pm
You KNOW, you could be right Clyde,
just for grins..
Wwallce is Chris Wallace
IRI is ROVE
Aphrodite is Red State.org Mcknight
Sounds about Right..? eh?
December 11th, 2005 at 7:52 pmyes, they are going off like jiffy pop. :) Their underlying “truths” are being playing out. And what are they? Fear and hatred of the examined life, greed, and dishonesty. I believe all people are basically alike. You can’t just say one group has cornered the market on bad. But sometimes weak people seek comfort and strength in group and bingo…you have a “culture of corruption.” There is no substitute for education, fairness, goodwill toward men, and knowing we’re all assholes. If we can just get a grip and get these extremists ( definintion of extremist: no thought and lots of passion) out of power, the country has a chance.
December 11th, 2005 at 7:56 pmYou know, all these people have in common ( aphrodite, Wwallace, and IRI) is that they put up this facade of being absolutely confident and in your face about their postition. They are always struggling for the most witty put down and the final word. And guess what. Anyone who is absolutely confident and in your face is acting. It’s not real. Real confidence, knowledge, and insight has class and manners, not to mention being articulate. Real confidence isn’t afraid to listen, discuss, and be polite….because it is secure. It is secure because it’s motive is the good of all and learning for it’s sake. Pushy people with their slimey one or two liners, rudeness, crudeness, and just plain lack of reasonable discourse, are easy to spot.
December 11th, 2005 at 8:02 pm#12
Suzanne,
AMEN!
An excellent point.
December 11th, 2005 at 8:12 pmClyde, I suggested that very thing in here about 2 weeks ago.
One things for sure, this is the dirtiest, lowest trick I could imagine.
I met Mike Wallace in 1992, just accidently on the street.
He was one of the nicest, kindest people I have ever met, and he was so gracious to grant me an autograph as I walked up to him and said, “Hugh Downs, right?”.
December 11th, 2005 at 8:17 pmI listened to Mike Wallace on Diane Rheem a couple weeks ago. He was articulate, coherent and charming. I guess some things skip a generation.
December 11th, 2005 at 8:22 pmSad.
Next he’ll be calling his Dad a traitor and should be hanged for treason.
December 11th, 2005 at 8:26 pm#14
December 11th, 2005 at 8:38 pmThanks for the link, Ryan — very informative.
Disrespectful Brat!
December 11th, 2005 at 8:48 pmHonour your Mother AND Father!
#17,
Wasn’t there a case of son turning in the
December 11th, 2005 at 8:51 pmfather in 1984?
Too weird that the wing-nuttery is using
Orwell as a script.
#20
Can’t say for sure. I haven’t read “1984″ (although I did graduate from high school that year…weird, huh?), but with all the apparent similarities between the book and the America we live in today, I am wanting to do so.
December 11th, 2005 at 9:12 pmI recently saw the two Wallaces having a brief father-son love scene on TV. Someone’s birthday, or book, or some kind of celebration that brought tears to the eyes of senior Wallace. I guess that didn’t last too long — the tears may have been foretelling of the poke in the eye that was to come.
December 11th, 2005 at 9:58 pmDec. 11 (Bloomberg) — Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. ambassador in Iraq, said this week’s vote on a parliament there may set the stage for a large-scale withdrawal of U.S. troops.
BUSH APPOINTED AMBASSADOR WAVES THE WHITE FLAG OF DEFEAT, THE TERRORISTS WILL JUST HAVE TO WAIT FOR US TROOPS TO LEAVE SO THEY CAN TURN IRAQ INTO AN AL QAEDA TRAINING CAMP.
TO ARMS, TO ARMS, TELL JEAN SCHMIDT(R-Bagodouche,PA) THAT THE US IS RETREATING. THE WAR IS LOST. COWARDS, TRAITORS…
-GSD
December 11th, 2005 at 10:35 pmTo Chris Wallace: You can’t handle the truth.
December 11th, 2005 at 11:42 pmNow there’s a son who needs to be bent over for a good spanking. What a crappy way to talk about one’s father, just because one doesn’t agree with his opinion on Bush and the war!
Chris Wallace is a disgrace as a journalist, and a disgrace to his father’s journalistic legacy, for the way he has turned into a biased Fox News blowhard. Why anyone would take Chris seriously as a journalist is beyond me. He’s nothing but a sham.
Here’s hoping papa Mike cuts him out of his will. It would serve him right for disrespecting his father so.
Just because someone is 87 years old doesn’t mean his opinions are worthless or that he is mentally incapable of having a rational thought.
Sorry to say it Chris, but you’ll never amount to a FRACTION of the professional journalist that your father was. He’s the gold standard, while your talents amount to little more than navel lint.
December 12th, 2005 at 12:11 amWhat happened to their “tender moment” on Fox News that Wolf Blitzer highlighted, and was showcased as the “Moment of Zen” on TDS?
December 12th, 2005 at 1:04 amI can’t belleve someone would trash their own father. Seriously, disagreements are private, no? To use “lost it” and “competence test” about one’s own father is just sick. To do so in a public forum like an interview is just stunning.
Perhaps Wallace Sr. needs a trip to his lawyer to remove someone from the will….
December 12th, 2005 at 1:37 amThe Backstabbing Jerk
December 12th, 2005 at 1:44 amDecember 11, 2005
Chris Wallace has to be the stupidest and the most backstabbing jerk in the news industry. To begin with he’s employed with FOX News so that means his credibility is shot. It is one thing to be critical of you father’s lack of tack in the public eye it a whole other thing to condemn him before the nation. And as an American, Mike Wallace has the right to his opinions as to Chris’s idiotic FOX News! The real problem here isn’t that Wallace Sr.’s brashness but the right-wing talking heads’ intense and concentrated propaganda in obfuscating the general public in the true facts of this Iraq war: Like George W. Bush, the Iraq war is a Big Fat Lie! By coming to terms or just letting it click in your head you will realizing that the very foundation of this war is a lie thus everything that occurred afterward is a lie as well. That means the whole Iraq war have been a meaningless and costly tragedy. The screaming and backstabbing jerks at Fox know this and they’ll say anything to justify the war and their jobs at FOX. And I mean it doesn’t matter how many of our troops return in coffins Chris Wallace and the rest of FOX News are oblivious to all this. This is how it is: FOX provide the sound bits and our troops provide the blood.
From Booman Tribune:
December 12th, 2005 at 3:16 am
#12
Well said! I haven’t been in here long but have already encountered the three stooges… filled with insults, but nothing else. Even when pressed with an issue, because their usual diversion tactics fail miserably, they simply ‘cut and run’.
December 12th, 2005 at 8:28 am#21
Hey, me too… I did read the book because of graduating that year, and I can say that 1984 is to the Bush Administration what Mein Kampf was to Hitler. Except that Hitler was atleast articulate enough to write his own manuscript. Chimp just stold his from Orwell… well, really Tricky Dick JR. stold it and then pretended to be divinely passing it off to King George.
December 12th, 2005 at 8:33 ammake that stol”e”
December 12th, 2005 at 8:34 am#12 Suzanne.
You’ve overlooked KillCon, Ryan Neat, and WORFEUS just to name a few of the biggest offenders here. How convenient for you to give them a free pass and take a swipe at those who disagree with you. By the way… no real discussion can take place here anyway. Most of the regulars lurking here are vicious attack dogs, just waiting for a “troll” to wander in with the audacity to have a different view than theirs. I appreciate your comments regarding class and manners though–no real communication can occur without them. Unfortunately class and manners are in short supply here. By the way… in case you’re wondering why I’m here–I’m trying to understand both sides of the issues. I’m trying to read through the comments and consider what you libs have to say about many of the topics posted on this site. I’m here to learn, but it’s really frustrating when every discussion gets cut short when the liberal attack dogs start going for the throat.
December 12th, 2005 at 9:04 am#33
The problem with the written word is that the person reading has the ability to assume the tone of the writer. If you always assume that someone is attacking you, then they always will be attacking you. Maybe consider the tone you are assuming?
Plus, this is a liberal thread meant for liberals to vent about the abysmal condition of our country. Most of us are frustrated and angry. Coming in here and calling us names doesn’t exactly get your side off to a good start.
I tried to have an intelligent conversation with I-RIGHT-I about ‘Intelligent’ Design. He didn’t have anything mature to offer, and just kept insulting me and trying to divert form the subject. After a week of trying to get an answer from him, I just gave up. If you’re really looking for a discussion of ideas, then I’m open to it. I used to be a conservative, religious, republican. Now, I’m a very liberal Atheist. Am happy to have a discussion, as I know most of us in here are, without the insults or attacks. Let us know…
December 12th, 2005 at 9:35 amChris Wallace is a zero, a nothing. His comments about any and all subjects should not even be read, or heard. What an idiot.
Mike Wallace is still in the run as one of the best ever, and his son, well, one of the worst ever. I just saw Mike on 60 Minutes Wednesday this past week, he is still great.
Sorry Chris, go back to school and this time take journalism, it might help you in your quest to be an announcer worthy of walking in your dads footsteps.
December 12th, 2005 at 9:42 amno chip off the old block, I guess… Wallace Sr. comes from a different era of news reporting – when you reported the frickin’ news!
December 12th, 2005 at 10:05 amYes, Chris, how dare you think for yourself and actually report the news as good reporters do. Just because he doesn’t carry the liberal torch, that immediately makes him a bad reporter? You people are pathetic. You are losing your power. When will you understand that Chris represents the new media, where conservatives actually get a voice? My guess is never. RIP Liberalism in America.
December 12th, 2005 at 10:11 amSounds like Chris needs a good spanking. Opps, I forgot, those Phaux Pnews types all love that kind of stuff (kinky bastards). Well maybe Mike can just punch his son’s lights out for the rest of us.
I’m not gonna support violence but I wouldn’t call the cops on this one, if you know what I mean.
December 12th, 2005 at 10:25 amSorry Unbelievable #34
December 12th, 2005 at 11:19 amBut words have meaning. It’s been my experience to be called stupid, idiot, nazi, red-neck, Bushite, cracker, neocon, moron, goose-stepper, racist, bigot and other such lovely names–all in response to my offering an opposing view. There’s no other way to interpret than an attack. I’ve seen I-right-I receive the same treatment. I’m trying to be fair-minded and honest about this, but I’m afraid that those on the left have been the worse offenders. Aside from that, what caused you to switch from being a conservative, religious Republican, to a very liberal atheist?
#39
I-RIGHT-I gets treated that way because any attempts to be nice to him are confronted with insults. That I know from personal experience.
Well, I’ll make a deal with you. I won’t call you names or attack you. I don’t like it either.
It’s hard to tell this, because it’s been years of exploration and discovery, but I’ll try to condense it for the sake of brevity…
I was 31 and miserable. It’s hard to describe why. I had a great career (architect), lots of friends, plenty of eligible male suitors, enough money to drive a nice car and live in a nice place. I followed the rules, attended church on a regular basis, and did a lot of volunteer work. Yet I never felt like there was meaning in my life. I was always looking for my purpose in the world, and wondering why nothing ever made me feel good for very long. So, at 31 I bought a backpack, a Eurail pass, and a friend and I wandered around Europe for 3 months. I talked to everyone who would talk back to me, hoping that someone would have some secret to life that I had been missing. I met some incredible people who’ve had some amazing lives. I will never forget them (unless I get Alzheimers :). And I did meet someone in Greece who said something to me that made a significant impact.
So, I came back to America after three months with some different ideas, and I tried them. I tried a lot of things and kept an open mind. And I started to read books like Ishmael by Daniel Quinn and I started to make friends who were different than me. In essence, I began to question the unquestionables that had been handed to me at birth. I started to think for myself. And I’ve yet to meet anyone who has done so who didn’t change significantly as a result.
Basically, it was a lot of different things, but mostly opening myself up to other possibilities. And the more I did that, the more and more liberal I became. I decided to think for myself, determined my own purpose in life (rather than allow someone or something else to decide), and started accepting other people for who they are (until it infringes on me or others – which is why I would never condone murder or rape or any of those atrocities). But most people do mean well. And I found that if given the choice to do the right thing or the wrong thing with no fear of consequences, that I wanted to chose the right thing because it made me feel good about myself. So often we take the best parts of being human (compassion, love, charity) and we give them away to other forces. And we forget how capable we are of great kindnesses.
So, I guess it was a lot of things that added up to wanting to be accepted for who I choose to be and for giving that in return. And, as a result, I have the peace I was looking for. My friends now are diverse in culture, religion, skin color, and so on. I am now a high school teacher. I accept myself even when others don’t. And, finally, my life has meaning.
So, enough about me :). Tell me about you. And what would you like to discuss?
December 12th, 2005 at 11:57 amI believe I saw on the Daily Show recently a father-son moment that was quite telling. Chris was commending his father for being the greatest or something and at the end Chris said he loved him. Mike just stared at him. It was so creepily awkward I was squirming. Ick.
December 12th, 2005 at 12:07 pmMicheal – a good example of treatment of the other side is the treatment we all get when we post over at the predominently conservative blogs (those that allow posting). Probably every one of us has been kicked out of redstate. They brook no disention at all. At least here you are humored to the extent that you are allowed to keep posting.
Rather than deal with the personalities at play here, try just giving your opinion on a thread and back it up with a link if you feel you need one.
No one can please everyone.
December 12th, 2005 at 12:27 pmWhile many of the Fox News pundits are waging a jihad against retailers who use “Happy Holidays” in their advertising instead of “Merry Christmas”, we have another Fox pundit who is behaving in a most unChristian manner.
December 12th, 2005 at 1:34 pmIn the Bible, which is so dear to all Christians, Christ tells his followers to “Honor thy Father and thy Mother” (Matt 19:19).
The Ten Commandments, which are so dear to Christians says to “Honor thy Father and thy Mother” (commandment #5).
Fox News is waging a jihad against the places where Christmas presents are bought because they don’t say “Merry Christmas”, yet they employ people who very publicly go against Jesus’ teachings and the Ten Commandments.
Chris Wallace dishonored his father in the most vile way a son could do, by questioning his sanity.
Why did Chris Wallace do this unChristian act? Because his father spoke badly about Republican President Bush.
Ideology was more important to Chris Wallace than the word of God.
Thanks for the tip kindness.
Thanks for sharing those personal things unbelievable. As for me, I am on a very different path than you. I am first and foremost a Bible believing Christian, and have been for nearly thirty years–I’m 45 now. I’m sure that you and I would agree that a person tends to live what they believe. Because of my religious beliefs, by definition I cannot determine my own purpose in life. This is not blind adherence to empty rituals for me, but rather a willing submission to the creator. I also fall into the conservative camp because of my values, but that doesn’t mean I agree with everything that is said there. Because of my conservative leanings I end up voting Republican–but I’m not a staunch Republican, or even an anti-Democrat. I realize that by confessing to be a Bible believing Christian that I open myself up for a lot of attacks. It’s seems that many who post here would equate that with intellectual bankruptcy. Although I certainly can see why the stereotype exists, there are many highly intelligent people as well as some great minds within Christianity. Like you, I have friends and co-workers who are very diverse in skin color, culture, and religious beliefs. I do not limit my friendships to people who only look and think like me—even though it would be very easy to do that. My life is busy. I’ve been doing research and development for an aerospace company for 20 years. I’m married and have three children—two of which are grown. My interest in politics is mild. I enjoy listening to talk radio on my way home from work—of course it’s guys like Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity—but I don’t agree with everything they say either. They dismiss liberals as if they had nothing important to say, and I strongly disagree with that. I find many of you to be very bright, and highly intelligent. I know that many of you have well thought out positions on the hot issues of the day, and that’s what I come to this site to hear. I want to hear the other side of the story, so to speak, and to make up my own mind about what to believe. So as an atheist—Do you no longer believe in a God? It’s seems like a dumb question, but many people define atheism differently.
December 12th, 2005 at 2:01 pmMichael – you’ve made a good start. There are those here from both sides that like to throw crap more than a good discussion. Admittedly, I’ve been in on that myself on occasion. Sometimes the spirit moves me that way, or some could say, I’m not filtering out the “wrong” voices.
Our political parties try to portray themselves as being at one with the guiding princilples that religion is built upon, but it is all too often a facade. Money and power can corrupt almost everyone to some extent.
Which right leaning blogs to you go to? I still read Redstate (kind of like passing an accident) but can’t post, Tacitus, and I will once in a while drive through little green footballs, powerline, hindrocket.
Best of luck. I hope we don’t offend you too much. Try to have thick skin and don’t take stuff personally here.
December 12th, 2005 at 2:38 pm#40, #44
December 12th, 2005 at 2:40 pmCome on you two, this open, level-headed, polite conversation is doing nothing to reinforce the divisive, negative stereotypes that a number of posters here rely upon as the basis for their own hatred and ignorance… keep up the good work. :)
#46
Thanks for teh support… you know it’s never easy being green :)
December 12th, 2005 at 3:00 pmAnd likely the only this moran ever got a tv news gig in the first place was through his father’s connections. There’s gratitude for you, Fox News style. If his father dies today, this is the last memory he wants to leave him with. What a guy!
December 12th, 2005 at 3:16 pm#44
Michael,
Thanks to you as well. I know that our culture in general doesn’t make it easy for those who take a stand on anything – whether to the left, the right or anywhere in between. Which is really surprising considering all the Constititional stuff about individualism and freedom and the such. Your beliefs being different from mine should not require me to hate you. That goes against what I know you have been taught, and what I personally believe. It’s that kind of diversity that has always made America unique. The right to say that you think the King is full of crap. The right to change your mind and later vote for the King when he decides to become Prime Minister instead of royalty. And the right to not be beheaded for either choice.
I fully respect your beliefs. You’re a grown man with the right to decide for yourself. And you clearly follow the system in which you believe. Not so with people like I-RIGHT-I, who are so filled with anger that that is all there is. My frustration lies with those who spew hate at me for not believing in God, or any spiritual being (yes, you were right, I do not believe in God or any kind of god idea). As far as Atheism itself, I do believe that it gets an unfair stigma. There is a developing trend among Atheists to be present, show people that we do not wish to eliminate their religion, but yet at the same time, to ask them to understand that we’ve chosen this thoughtfully, and that we are not evil (we don’t believe in evil, ironically :), that we don’t wish to be preached at, and that we are Americans too. We love, feel empathy, and care about humanity as well.
I’m like you, I came here to meet people to share experiences for understanding and tolerance – not to convert or condemn. I wanted to meet others who could share their life experiences so that I as a person could grow. Like you, I want to know both sides of the argument before I make my decision. I think that makes us Independents :).
Well Michael, I wish I could have more conversations with people like this. A lot of us do. So thanks for showing up and being willing to present your side of things. It had to have taken a strong constitution to come here. I don’t know if I could go to conservative sites and post there. So, welcome. I look forward to speaking with you more.
Just curious – and this might settle some of my frustrated fellow progressives a bit – you mentioned that you don’t always agree with the right. Any thing specific?
December 12th, 2005 at 3:25 pm#45
Our political parties try to portray themselves as being at one with the guiding princilples that religion is built upon, but it is all too often a facade. Money and power can corrupt almost everyone to some extent.
I’ve been thinking about this lately. About what it is with people who are drawn to power rather than leadership, and how do we differentiate? Would removing the money from the elections help? Would removing ‘corporate personhood’ from our culture make a difference? Any thoughts?
December 12th, 2005 at 3:31 pmunbelievable-
December 12th, 2005 at 4:10 pmI can’t think of any specifics at the moment, but I don’t like how the right tends to see everything in black and white. Perhaps it’s because it’s comprised of a lot of people who hold to religious values. They believe in the concepts of Heaven and Hell, good and evil, right and wrong–and like I said earlier, people tend to live what they believe…it’s also the lens in which they view the world. I’ve come to realize that not everything can be viewed in terms of black and white. There’s a lot of gray areas and a lot of hard issues that demand more than pat answers. I also don’t like the hard line that right wing leaders take when talking to liberals. I’d like to see a wiser approach that is more honoring to people. I’ve seen this done in theological discussions and I really like it. Opposing viewpoints were communicated to the presenter. the viewpoint was stated back to the one opposing to make sure the position was accurately represented–and then that position was explored. Respect for individuals was always maintained. As for attracting leaders who aren’t drawn to money or power–I don’t think there’s anything we can do about that. I think it has always existed, and it always will.
#45 kindness
I don’t go to right wing blogs. I have been to redstate–but found it visually confusing and never posted anything there. I listen to Rush Limbaugh when I can, or read the transcripts of his show on his web page. It seems like all the other right wing guys just echo what he says anyway. From that I have a pretty good understanding of the conservative position on whatever the subject may be. No need for me to immerse myself in it. Both you and unbelievable have beebn very gracious towards me—Thank you
December 12th, 2005 at 4:23 pmZookeeper, I had mentioned it earlier. Check out the new story on TP.
December 12th, 2005 at 4:49 pm#51
Wow – well said! You pretty much conveyed exactly how I feel about ‘absolutism’. How very sad, you know? That we can’t find the beauty and hold on to that.
Okay, so where do you agree with the Right? What holds you to voting for Republicans mostly and listening to Rush Limbaugh?
This is so much nicer… Thanks for the respect.
December 12th, 2005 at 5:04 pm#54
Rush Limbaugh portrays a certain morality that strikes a chord with me. Because I believe in God–I must also believe in absolutes. I believe most of our founding fathers held to religious values and to certain absolutes as well–I think those things were the guiding principles in forming our government and our constitution. Rush and the right seem to try to uphold that intent of the founders and framers of our nation, and for some reason that makes me feel good. I don’t know how you feel about this, but I believe our society has changed–for the worse. Drugs, crime, and perversion are more prevalent throughout our society than ever, and all kinds of dysfunction exist in our homes and our families and kids at unprecedented levels. I believe you said that you are a high school teacher, you could probably tell me story after story of troubled teens and dysfunctional families. Many on the right attribute these things to a departure from our traditional values. I do as well—which is why I mostly vote Republican. I want leaders who live the same values that they tout, hoping that they will somehow make a difference. Granted—a lot of times an election comes down to picking the lesser of two evils. I’m also for tax cuts and smaller government—conservatism. By the way, my wife is a junior high algebra teacher :)
December 13th, 2005 at 7:23 am#55
Michael,
Funny you referenced school… We had an anti-drug assembly last week and the whole thing was shocking. In my days, people drank, smoked pot and a few did cocaine. It was nothing like it is now with the hardcore stuff. And the whole time I am thinking “Why are they doing this?” And I think this is a part ofteh split between the left and the right. In general, the right observes society and addresses its concerns through an external platform (arrest drug dealers, make drugs illegal, blame a force of evil, etc.), while the left addresses them through an internal platform (self-esteem, self-worth, self-acceptance, etc.)
Having been on both sides of the political spectrum, I do not believe that one person can control another person. Making drugs illegal will not stop someone from taking them (because we have many people in jail to prove that :). On the other hand, I believe that someone who values him or herself won’t be interested in drugs no matter how legal or how free they are. I’m sure the solution lies some where in between the two view points, as it usually does… but my experience shows me that we cannot control our problems with drugs, teen pregnancy, crime, etc. with rules and regulations. The conservative side is doing exactly that. I don’t think it’s working. I see it at school… Although I would never let them hurt themselves or one another, I don’t think over-protecting them is in their best interest either. I allow them to make decisions about things more than other teachers. I think that if they make mistakes within the security of my supervision, that it gives them confidence in themselves to be able to handle the crises that will arise throughout their lives, so that they will turn to themselves for strength and not a deadly drug. I work very hard to build their self-esteem, because people who value themselves value others. People who value themselves don’t participate in self-destructive behaviors. And people who value themselves don’t contribute to the ills of society. So, that’s my two cents on that particular issue. Because we definitely agree on the fact that we have problems, we (the country as a whole), just needs to find some middle ground through consensus that the majority can get behind and start making change. Everyone wants their way and few seem to be willing to find a compromise so that we can be pro-active about the matters. Who knows, Michael, perhaps our conversation here might be contageous, and others might be willing to try to understand the viewpoint of the opposite side, so that we can find some concensus.
I’d be interested to hear what your wife has seen in junior high. I imagine you have lots of stories via her experiences :)???
December 13th, 2005 at 3:59 pmIt is like I have always said that conservatives will eat their own young on this case their parents. There is no politcal figure in our out of office that would cause me to slam my own father. This goes to show you how biais the reporters on FOX are when it comes to this admistration. Anyone who would take anything they(FOX)say as fact, is an idiot.
December 13th, 2005 at 5:35 pm#56
You and I are not all that different. I don’t believe rules and regulations are the answer either. I’m also with you 100% regarding people who value themselves don’t participate in self-destructive behaviors. We live in an age where there is so much information and awareness, yet so many people are engaging in self-destructive behavior. It’s kind of mind boggling to me. Things are different nowadays…take parties for example–young people today seem to party more frequently and in many times with reckless abandon. My adult children have told me stories about parties that my wife and I find shocking and appalling. The peer pressure young people face today is far greater than any I’ve had to face. Also people of all ages seem to be lacking in the self-control department. I don’t know what the answers are to society’s problems,but I think most people would agree that we have a growing problem. My wife has only been teaching junior high this school year, and has been enjoying it. The school is made up of a lot of good kids from good families. It’s also one of the top schools in our area for academics. Before that she taught at a charter high school. The school was filled with all the problem children. Kids who were kicked out of the public schools for one reason or another, dropouts who have returned to school, teenage moms with their kids, and registered gang members. Most of these kids come from unbelievably dysfunctional and disturbing backrounds. There were also a high percentage of hispanic kids who knew little or no English.
December 13th, 2005 at 5:50 pmMy wife really loved most of these kids, but grew tired of fighting the battle with so many who refused to succeed. I’ve really enjoyed our conversations–I think we could easily become friends. You don’t happen to live in the Phoenix area do you?
#58
Michael,
By the way, my real name is Stephanie. Seems that at this point, you should know it :). Unfortunately, I’m in the metro Atlanta area right now. Was living in San Francisco and before that Sacramento for a few years. I grew up here and came back to make the career change (used to be an architect). I think I would like Seattle the most, but that won’t be in the hear future. Are you from Phoenix?
You know, at the core of the matter, mots of us probably share the same hope. It’s just that it gets so emblazoned with the right and wrong argument until people waste their time on name calling and battling instead of trying to solve the problem. Now if we could just share our secret with others…
I was one of those dysfunctional kids. My father was abused as a child, and so what else could he be as a father? He was a functional alcoholic, and when I was 13, he developed colon cancer that became a decade and a half ordeal. As a result, I seem to relate to the dysfunctional kids the most. And when I tell them that my father was a nasty drunk, there seems to be some immediate bond with them that gives me an unfortunate edge. There are definitely those who can’t be reached, and it breaks my heart. But, my approach has been to tell them that they are special, valuable and loved. It’s what I wanted when I was in their shoes. But I know what your wife means. It’s a tough job. But, now that I’m doing this, I honestly can’t imagine not doing it.
So, what do you think of the current Administration? And the situtation in Iraq?
I agree – and believe that adage about never having enough friends – cyber or otherwise :)!
December 13th, 2005 at 7:04 pm# 59
Michael is my real name, but I go by Mike. I’m from Wisconsin, joined the Air Force at 24, got stationed in Arizona near Phoenix, got out after four years, and stayed here. I’ve been working at the same place ever since. My wife is from the state of Washington, and my daughter is living by Lake Tahoe. She flies out of Sacremento to visit us. I find it very intersting that you and my wife have similar backrounds. Her parents divorced when she was 6 and she was raised by her schizphrenic mom and alcholic uncles. She also has a heart for the dysfunctional kids, and has seen the same type of bond with her students after sharing her story. My wife (Sherrie) says that she’s in the classroom to love those kids and to teach them algebra in the meantime. Todays kids really need people like you guys. As far as the current Administration goes–I like George W. I think he’s a good man. I know the left absolutely hates him, but I think he’s honest and is always trying to do the right thing. I think Cheney is a good man as well. For the most part I like the Bush administration, but am disturbed by the Scooter Libby thing and the hunt for Karl Roves head. I really don’t know if it’s all just politics or illegal activity, or both. What are your thoughts about the administration? By the way if you ever want to take this conversation offline you can email me at mt75689@yahoo.com
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