I've been going thru threads giving hearts to those who don't have them

[CatWoman]

especially after reading this:

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/02/13/fox-guest-on-classroom-fairness-exclude-kids-who-dont-deserve-a-pity-valentine/

Fox guest on classroom fairness: Exclude kids who don’t deserve a ‘pity Valentine’

A Fox News guest on Thursday asserted that some children should be excluded when Valentine’s Day cards are given out at school so that they can learn that the world isn’t fair while the “stakes are low.”

For years, many teachers have asked grade-school students to bring Valentine’s Day cards for everyone in the class if they bring them to school. But when one New Jersey teacher sent a note home this year explaining the policy, Fox News hosted a segment suggesting that political correctness was running amuck.

“Valentine’s Day is about expressing your unique heartfelt feelings for your special loved one,” blogger Elizabeth Esther told Fox News host Elisabeth Hasselbeck. “To just robotically hand out, ‘Here’s your Valentine, here’s your Valentine.’ Like, what are we? It totally removes the meaning, the special memory for the kids.”

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. And here's a heart for your generosity, my dear CatWoman...

You are a genuine sweetheart!

[CatWoman]

3. awwwww

[Oilwellian]

38. Cat is sweetheart

But don't make her angry.

[CatWoman]

77. LOL

[cui bono]

2. I bought a third (albeit small) batch just to do the same.

It feels good!

And fuck Faux News. Why do they hate everything?

[Spitfire of ATJ]

48. "Why do they hate everything?"

Hate sells.

[SoCalDem]

61. Because they are the "mean kids" on the block

They take pride in being against anything that is decent, kind or generous

[Mojorabbit]

68. I am doing the same! xoxo. nt

[cui bono]

81. =)

[ScreamingMeemie]

4. Once upon a time, I posted a story about this (kids not writing out Valentines for everyone

in the class), and I was called a liar. Oddly enough, I don't think that person is welcome and/or posts here anymore.

When I was a kid, I always looked forward to Valentines day...thinking that maybe that year I (a frequent mid-term mover who was used to being the "new kid" and getting stared at on "The First Day&quot I'd get a bunch of Valentines in return. That never happened. I survived and moved on to school after school, but no child should ever have to deal with public-school-sanctioned rejection.

[mcar]

5. That's so kind

[CatWoman]

7. ....

[Hissyspit]

6. Elizabeth Esther is, what we used to call in the old days,

an asshole.

Her logic is false.

I've done a few of those, too, CatWoman.

[noiretextatique]

19. total asshole

is wrong with these people?!

[Politicalboi]

8. Yes because I loved everyone

Who I gave a valentine to in grade school.

It figures Faux would bring this shit up. The only thing I don't like is when kids compete in some sports, and both teams win.

And thank you to the persons who gave me my hearts.

[anneboleyn]

14. Exactly. Fox is just DUMB. Why not make the holiday enjoyable for kids instead of a contest

for getting the most cards (which is what it was when I was in elementary school -- it had nothing to do with "love" but kids trying to score points with the "popular" kids). My mother, bring a good person (not a Fox viewer either), made me give cards/candy to everyone.

[Armstead]

9. Did you give me one? You used to love me.

Or have I pissed you off along with everyone else on DU?

[CatWoman]

10. ha!!

you were one of the first

I'm on my third batch now

[Armstead]

15. awwww, I knew I could count on you

[blm]

11. Typical of you. Saucy but sweet.

; )

[sheshe2]

12. You just provided proof positive what we already knew,

Faux news is heartless.

Thank you CatWoman.

For you~

[arthritisR_US]

13. Now, why am I not surprised by the OP and the poster...

a diamond never looses its shine

[progressoid]

16. Me too.

Only a handful left to give.

[Demo_Chris]

17. I hope you understand how cool this is...

Right now my family and I are living in a very cheap hotel. It's paid up through the weekend, then we are back to living in the pickup. We have 8 dollars for food until Saturday, when I will hopefully earn something. I cannot even afford to properly feed my wife and kid, let alone buy hearts.

Still, four different people here gave me a heart. It made a difference. One of those little things, like the sun peaking from behind a cloud, that doesn't REALLY change anything but matters anyway. It made me feel like maybe I have friends here, and that's a nice feeling.

Which is a long way of saying THANKS!

[herding cats]

20. I hope things get better soon for you and your family.

I've been flat broke before, too. I know how scary it is not knowing what tomorrow is going to bring. I don't have any brilliant words of wisdom to offer, just understanding and empathy.

[Demo_Chris]

22. Thanks! I think everything will be fine. nt

[Tree-Hugger]

73. Ditto to this

My family is on the edge of a razor with poverty. We got our love letter from the landlord today about taking us to court for not paying February yet. We've been struggling for months. I have gotten help from DUers and it's such a boost to morale. But these hearts are such happy little things. They give you something to smile about and remember that you are not alone. I'm such a nerd that I'll screen shot my siggy later today before the hearts disappear (I think they go away after today???).

I truly hope that your situation looks up very soon. I will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers.

[tanyev]

18. I don't recall having a 'special loved one' in my grade school home room for whom I wanted

to express any unique heartfelt feelings. I was excited to give everyone a card and enjoy some party food.

Oh, and if the loved one is that special, why not spring for a postage stamp or personal hand delivery?

[Lifelong Protester]

21. Thanks, and I have been doing the same!

I spend a lot of time here, I don't post too many times (at least OPs) but I come here everyday for the real story.


Thanks!!!

[Mr.Bill]

23. I don't have any.

I guess I haven't been posting much lately. I'm still lovable, though.

[CatWoman]

25. i'm sorry, I'm out now

I've bought 3 bundles already

[Mr.Bill]

36. Thanks anyway.

Somebody gave me one, thank you!

[scarletwoman]

24. I love doing that, too. And those Fox News idiots are just assholes!

It's not "political correctness" to bring a valentine for everyone in your class; it's solidarity, it's community, it's empathy, it's about the joy of GIVING, fer crissakes!

What an utterly despicable world view these jerkwads are promoting!

"...unique heartfelt feelings" - excuse me? From 7 year olds? How about the heartfelt feelings of holding everyone as being equally deserving of love and respect and attention?

I'm an old lady, but when I was in grade school, our teachers ALWAYS sent home a list of all the kids in our class before Valentine's Day, so we'd know how many little cards to buy, and what names to write on the envelopes. If there was someone for whom one had "unique heartfelt feelings", you could always write a little extra special message on the card addressed to them - but I would have never, ever NOT brought cards for every person in my class!

[CatWoman]

26. can you hit Mr. Bill (right above me)

??

[unblock]

27. thanks! (i'm guessing)

[CatWoman]

39. yep

[NorthCarolina]

28. I saw that story this morning and thought of posting it here on DU, but to tell the truth

the very premise of it sickened me to such a degree that I chose not to to do so.

Those that would suffer the emotional hardship of being singled out for not receiving any valentines from fellow classmates are sure to be the shy, the less attractive, the slightly effeminate boy, or the not-so-feminine girl, those that suffer through enough rejection and ridicule on a daily basis. It is instances like this, of being left out, that can cause a young girl or boy to comtemplate the fatality of suicide. What a small minded person it is that would suggest such a thing. Truly abominable, it shakes me to the core.

Pegged as gay by the time I was in 1st grade, and shy to boot, I suffered much ridicule and abuse through all of my school years...so much so that I did not even attend my own graduation from HS, but simply opted to have my diploma mailed home to me.

School is a very difficult time for anyone labelled as "different", and to further compound their complexes as they search for answers about themselves is simply unforgivable.

It's not just the big things...it's the little things too that can send one over the edge. How has our society become so callous?

[BlancheSplanchnik]

54. ....

I was bullied mercilessly too. Because i already looked terrorized all the time--my mother was nucking futz and i was her punching bag.

To suggest this hateful "lesson" for anyone, let alone little kids is the epitome of sick.

Sick sick sick, fux spews is a disgrace. Anyone who watches it should be ashamed. But they dont have the humility for that, I'm afraid.

[cal04]

29. I try and do that as well because a lot of kids in the school

where I work, years ago, didn't get awards or valentines cards(we call them warm fuzzies) but now we make sure everyone gets one. The kids are not even aloud to invite some of the class to a party, it has to be all or none.

[Arugula Latte]

30. So many rightwingers just thrive on pure cruelty. They revel in it. It lights them up.

They are sick, warped people.

[bullwinkle428]

80. Charlie Pierce expressed this exact sentiment the other day - it's completely

spot-on. It really is at the root of everything they believe in, propose, and do.

[Egalitarian Thug]

31. What an obscenely twisted fuck!

Even accounting for the assumed fact that this twit doesn't understand that handing out cards IS the whole point of Valentine's Day, how screwed up does one have to be to so badly misinterpret the mythology behind the marketing?

[TBF]

32. I think it's part of their

"no one deserves anything" schtick. Unless you're born a millionaire of course, then you are entitled to have everything you want. There is a name for people like this - sociopath.

[aquart]

42. Calvinist. It's an actual belief system.

Being born rich is proof God loves you and has a nice space for you in Heaven. Of course, He loves the Koch brothers much, much more.

[MrMickeysMom]

33. You deserve one for pointing this out!

Personally, I think a lot of people have given themselves hearts on DU, but hey, we should be kind to ourselves, too, eh?

I can't imagine what awful elementary school shun memory induced Mizz Esther to admit this wonderful truth!

[dorkzilla]

34. Me too!!!!

I just remember last year how I only got 1, but it was the best heart ever (thank you whoever that was!!!). So I went through a few threads giving hearts to newbies and people who have been here a while but still had none.

I wish I had 100 more...

[lpbk2713]

35. They revel in their hatefulness

I'm glad those mouth breathers all gravitate toward Faux though.

That way they don't pollute the rest of the internet so much.

[DamnYankeeInHouston]

37. I was so tickled to get a heart as a newbie, I did the same thing.

[MarianJack]

40. 2 Points, CatWoman.

First, Fox "News" continues to be moronic "info"tainment for the stupid, selfish and greedy.

Second, if YOU are the one who gave me a heart, than thank you very much!

PEACE!

[aquart]

41. I only give hearts to people who don't have one.

Ran out yesterday.

I remember what it felt like not to have even one.

[Paka]

43. What a lovely activity!

Living in Thailand I live a cash life, so I don't have a visa to buy hearts. When I send in my DU donation I do it by old-fashioned check, an almost lost art form. It still works, but it does slow things down.

A dear DU friend gave me one anyway. May I send wishes for happy hearts to you all.

[phylny]

44. I did the same. Trolled for the "heartless" and gave my 20 away :) n/t

[Liberal_in_LA]

45. that''s a lovely thing to do

[EileenFB]

46. DU never fails to warm my heart

especially the generosity I see on here that is in abundance. Thank you

[tblue37]

47. Well, if you are responsible for one of my hearts, thank you. nt

[LibDemAlways]

49. You would have to be a total scumbag to

Last edited Fri Feb 14, 2014, 12:31 AM - Edit history (1)

suggest that some children be excluded from receiving Valentines. She has to be a heartless Repuke.

[Skittles]

57. what kills me is

those kids being excluded more than likely have already figured out "life is unfair"

when I hear "bleeding heart liberal" I think, better a bleeding heart than no heart at all

[narnian60]

82. Well said, Skittles.

[Snotcicles]

91. Skittles, Liberal = Generous. Conservative = Stingy. nt

[rocktivity]

50. There is an official "Thank you for my hearts" thread

With plenty of posts from people who had zero or one heart!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1018570459


rocktivity

[zeemike]

51. I have already blown my budget for hearts.

And have one left.
I am saving it for a newbie that does not have one...no matter what they post.

And I ran out of hearts long before I ran out of people that I wanted to give one too...there are plenty here that deserve love and kindness.

[3catwoman3]

52. At first, I thought...

...the story said that Elisabeth Hasselbeck had said this. I was disgusted but not surprised.

[vt_native]

53. Right here, Cat!

[Demeter]

55. I always felt that the Life Is Not Fair meme should ONLY refer to:

genetic or communicable diseases and other natural disasters.

The whole purpose of a social organism like humanity is to compensate for those things beyond our control.

[El_Johns]

60. +1

[Skittles]

56. that's what I do every year

after giving out some hearts to some favorites

I save the names of some DUers throughout the year who I know will need hearts

I give out the rest to people who don't have one and who have just posted something of which I very much approve

[Kurovski]

58. K&R

We are birds of a feather
That is enough!

Geez, if kids learn to love, enjoy, and acknowledge each other as kids, maybe they'll do it as adults.

The sociopathic mindset has got to go down in flames.

[El_Johns]

59. Thanks if you are the one who gave me my heart!

[Lisa0825]

63. I have been doing the same :-)

There are ways to express a unique sentiment when one wants, while still including everyone. Repukes are just *heartless* so of course they wouldn't care if kids get their feelings hurt.

[fadedrose]

64. And the heart given to the one who doesn't have any

may be more appreciated than the ones who have many. I have 5, and every one was appreciated, but the first really threw me...

Ya know, people and kids know when they're not "popular," but still enjoy knowing people who are kind, like you.

Nice work CatWoman

[CatWoman]

65. EVERYONE

should feel loved and included.

[Kurovski]

66. Kick to the top.

[countryjake]

67. WTF! So she thinks some kid's special memory should be, nobody loves me...

I've never even heard of a "pity Valentine", when and how did that term come about?

When I was little, we were always taught to give everyone in our class a Valentine (or else, nobody, at all) and the same held true when my daughter went to school...her teachers even would send home the class list to make it very easy to check off each child, so that nobody was forgotten.

How ever Fox News arrived at the conclusion that teaching common kindness to our children is some sort of "politically" correct ideology, I'd be willing to bet that asinine segment left quite a few of their older, hapless viewers shaking their heads. Ms. Esther is a heartless fool!

Kudos to you for seeking out those who actually might be feeling left out this week, a very sweet gesture!

I sincerely appreciate the heart that I have and the poster who gave it to me is yet another sweetie, someone who I have long admired in this community (we each became members here within a few weeks of one another).

If spreading the love around, be it with hearts or Valentines, is somehow running amok, I say let the frenzy flow!

[kjones]

69. Well, my response would be to say we should be making the "real" world fairer. Problem solved. n/t

[CatWoman]

70. i'm all out of hearts, and have overspent

however this old friend is heartless and it's just not right: http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=profile&uid=146538

anyone have a heart or two to spare for her?

Please?

[seabeyond]

71. i concur.... and i too have my hands tied. lol. so????? anyone?

thank you cat. she is a fav duer

[CatWoman]

76. took care of it and gave her two

AND I'M NOT BUYING ANY MORE!! LOL

[seabeyond]

78. lol. sigh... you are the woman.

and i hear ya.

[Pretzel_Warrior]

72. nice! FoxNews proves every day why they are the lowest scum

that is a ridiculous notion--a planned method of ostracizing young ones. Idiots.

What about the new kids who just moved to school and haven't had opportunity to meet and make friends yet? THey deserve to be ostracized? You motherfuckers at FoxNews need to all be fired and become shit haulers at some cattle ranch.

[bvar22]

74. Thank You, Cat Woman.

I never have liked the DU Valentines fund raiser.

I was a nerdy little kid in elementary school.
Existing in the nether regions outside the Cliques of Middle Childhood, I didn't get many Valentines.
Some kids had to ask the teacher for a box to carry all their valentines home.
I could usually put both of mine in my top pocket (and one of those was from myself).
The criteria I chose for giving Valentines was to give them to those I thought wouldn't get any.
That was always a tough day for The Nerds and others who didn't quite fit in

I am grateful for all the Valentines I have been given by DUers,
and would love to be able to pass them on to others.

A great feature would be to allow those of us who get Valentines
to pass them on to others.

[Tree-Hugger]

75. #1) You are amazingly awesome

#2) Elizabeth Esther is a bitter old dick.

I already shared one memory on MadFloridian's post of Valentine's hearts - February 14th was called Friendship Day in my High School. You could buy a lollipop bouquet for your friends and it would be delivered to their homeroom on the 14th. For four years, I was the only person in my homeroom who did not receive lollipops. It was always obvious since the teacher would call out each name one-by-one and I'd be the only one left. I'd do my best to remain brave and would bury my red face in a book until the bell rang. To this day, that still affects me. I remember it on every single Valentine's Day and it still stings.

I was bullied from first grade to 12th grade, college, and so on. Grade school was the worst and to say I was tortured is an understatement. I was the one kid left out of everything, picked on and picked last. I didn't get Christmas cards. I didn't get Valentine's cards. It felt awful. The feeling of being rejected and unloved all the time has stayed with me today. It didn't toughen me up. It didn't give me a good sense of what's fair. No. It made me bitter. It made me violent. It made me unable to trust anyone - an issue I still struggle with at 35 years of age. It made me paranoid that people are always staring or laughing at me (and sometims they still are, which doesn't help). It completely fucked up my inner dialog.

I would love to tell all of my former classmates that they need to thank Jesus that I grew up in a loving family and had one friend outside of school and discovered David Bowie, whose music literally saved me. I think the stable home life, knowing I wasn't coming home to be bullied some more, saved me. I can say with certainty that I would have either harmed my classmates or myself if I didn't have that sense of stability in my life. I frequently had fantasies of stabbing people, setting the class on fire, beating my 5th grade teacher (she was as bad as the kids) to a bloody pulp.....but I left them as fantasies. Elizabeth Esther lacks perspective....she is selfish and unable to see how something as simple as being skipped on Valentine's Day can damage a person.

[Amaril]

87. I know you got a lot of hearts, but.......

........from one tree hugger to another............

[Tree-Hugger]

88. Thank you :) nt

[Petrushka]

79. Did the same thing yesterday . . .

Last edited Fri Feb 14, 2014, 03:38 PM - Edit history (1)

. . . felt good to be able to give hearts away.






Edited to add:
Is anyone old enough to remember (as I do) receiving an insulting "penny dreadful" valentine in grade school?


http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=insulting+valentine&qpvt=insulting+valentine&FORM=IGRE

[MFM008]

83. Im so old

I remember when the only heart you got or gave was hand made and the teachers was the only one you KNEW you would get
one from. No , not the 1800s, just 1960s, same thing hahahahahahaha.

[GoneOffShore]

84. Thanks to the people who donated hearts to me.

I've been remiss this year in donating hearts.

I'll do better next year.

[Sissyk]

85. Hi, CatWoman!

I would encourage those with hearts left to seek out those without one and give.

Dating way back to when I was in elementary school, we had to take a valentine for everyone in the class and none of them were identified on the front who it was to. The teacher took our sacks or box or whatever we brought and would go up and down the aisles and pass them out. We wrote our names inside so everyone knew they were from you.

Same for treats on any day of the year.

It was still the same when both my boys and neices\nephews went to elementary school.

Thank you for your kindness in giving to those without.

[CitizenLeft]

86. oh, I got one - was it you?

THANK YOU much if so, and if not, thank you anyway for giving them out!

[11 Bravo]

89. You are definitely one of the great ones, CW!

Happy Valentine's Day!

[Snotcicles]

90. Thank you.

[F4lconF16]

92. Thanks to all those that have done this!

I got one last night with no clue who it was from and it made me smile on an otherwise stressful day