My Fundie/Repug Classmate: "America is no Superpower"

[WritingIsMyReligion]

Wow. I'm stunned today by the hypocrisy and idiocy that comes from the fundies here in Maine. So here is a fellow fourteen-year-old, kool-aid-drinking classmate of mine's story.

Meet "Greg." Greg is hilarious, a true comedian; everyone--even, admittedly, me--likes him for this. Unfortunately, his mind is glued shut, by--you guessed it--indoctrination from his parents. Greg is extremely intelligent, but sometimes I get the feeling he just doesn't think, as ironic as that may seem. You know what I'm talking about: he lacks common sense.

So we're in world history, talking about T.R. Reid's book Confucius Lives Next Door. Reid's thesis here is essentially that Japan, China, etc. will eventually rise to be world superpwowers, not because of their economic success, but because of their SOCIAL success that comes from Confucianism.

Of course, Greg doesn't like this at ALL. Finally he mentions, in what is admittedly an innocent enough fashion, "Well, I don't like what Reid is talking about. I don't like all these people talking about America going to the dumps. It isn't."

I've been in classes with Greg since sixth grade. I know enough by now to keep my mouth shut; an explosive argument isn't really going to accomplish anything with Greg. My teacher doesn't realize that Greg is a kool-aid imbiber.

"Greg, no one is saying that America is going to the dumps," Teacher tells him, "least of all T.R. Reid. As we read you'll find out that Reid simply believes that Westerners can learn from the East."

Greg has this dubious look on his face, one that I know exactly. It's that "superiority complex" Repugs have: NO ONE is better than America.

"I just object to America being seen as a superpower," Greg replies. "We're not--"

I choke on my own tongue. Several students whirl around to look at Greg, wide-eyed with shock. Teacher looks at Greg like he has just contracted bird flu. "Right," she finally says, "so being wealthy and all, and controlling every international organization, doesn't mean anything." The sarcasm in her voice is raw.


"We're not a superpower," Greg says again, sounding like a broken record. "We're a great nation, and I just think it's ridiculous to think that those nations would replace us, since we're in no position to be replaced--"

"We have so much status," Teacher tells him, getting impatient, "and we go around meddling in other countries' businesses--"

"We don't go interfering in other countries," Greg replies hotly, and I give a sour laugh.

"Right. So let's just forget the occupation of Iraq," I tell him. One of my friends laughs; a few other students chime in.

Teacher gets mad at Greg. "This is a history class," she snaps, "and you will approach everything with an OPEN mind. You may disagree with everything I say if you are so inclined, but you still must consider it. This 'do it my way or get out' attitude will not be tolerated."

We argue until the bell rings. Standing at my locker, I see Greg walk by. He slows down to speak to me--"You liberal-minded people are so unpatriotic."

Of course, I could have punched him, but that wouldn't look so hot on a record. So instead I just say, "It's not unpatriotic to care enough about a country to want to change it."

********************************

EAAAARGGGGH! SO frustrating! I can't believe this shit has hit my level--high school! Good lord!

(Though Greg's use of Repug talking-points WAS a little interesting...)

What do y'all think?

[yankeedem]

1. Of course we WERE a superpower

until his hero took over....

[WritingIsMyReligion]

2. EXACTLY. I told him that later, and he just said

I was "sour" over losing 04... I can't wait to see his face when (if) indictments come raining down.... :D :D :evilgrin:

[Kerrytravelers]

3. In class, with the teacher right there, tell him to back up his beliefs

with facts. Every rw spew that comes out, tell him that's merely the rw talking points, to back it up with non-partisan facts. When he can't--- you know he won't be able to --- his stumbling and stupidity will do him in for good. It sounds like your teacher has her head in the right place, so she'll easy back you up without having to take sides at all.

I'm a teacher and this is exactly what I always tell my kids. Back it up with facts or state that your beliefs are opinion. Otherwise, you're dishonest.

Good luck!

[WritingIsMyReligion]

5. Thank you.

It's frustrating, because I like Greg, except for that whole "Repug" thing... He's wickedly funny. I can get along wiht him fine, except for politics. He has a tendency to gloat whenever his hero pushes through another bigoted thing or another...

[FreedomAngel82]

64. Good idea!

Next time this happens (I'm sure they'll be a next time) tell him to back up what he says.

[Neocondriac]

4. I think at your age....

you should be more concerned with more fun issues. It is good to hear that you are at least politically aware at a young age, but you should put more efforts toward 14 year old concerns.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

6. Of course I do.

But an issue is an issue is an issue. I'm a writer, so I write. I write to make people more politically aware. I would much rather be politically aware than ignorant. Thanks for your concern, but I have plenty of fun doing just what I do. I can't help it. Gossip, etc. just isn't my thing. Jazz band, clarinet, baritone sax, piano, writing, history, etc., THOSE are my things. And lacrosse, I guess. But I just LOVE politics. It's useless for me to try to back off it any.

[Zynx]

19. I'm five years older than you and I was the same way then.

I became a hard core history, economics, and political nut at around age 10(history actually at age 5) and I find that reading and writing is far more stimulating than the small talk that people typically engage in at school.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

21. Yes, exactly.

Damn, I wish I could vote.

:evilgrin:

[Zynx]

34. The day I first voted was the most exciting day of my life.

Sorry. I had to make you feel worse about not being able to vote. ;-)

I've noticed in school that there are only a few people like us that have decided to skip the teenage drivel of modern society and actually attempt to better our minds. When people told me to act my age they actually meant act younger, but I've never really found that to be satisfying. I've played my share of video games, watched plenty of T.V.(though never MTV), but none of that is as interesting to me as history and politics.

Currently, I am attempting to write a very in depth book on the history of American politics since the Civil War on the side while going to college and I have a couple good resources for you if you don't already have them if you are interested.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

37. Yes!

Everyone is way too interested in gossip, etc. Those of us who are political-minded, be we conservative or progressive, HAVE to stand up. There are too many poeple who have despair for the future because they don't realize there ARE people of our generation who care.

[FreedomAngel82]

72. Oh yes

Now that I'm older (I'm twenty-three) my priorities in life have for sure changed. I still like music (always will) and movies and things like that. Now days I don't watch much tv as I used to but I of course have a few favorite shows I like to watch. I'm more into politics and history. When I'm online I mostly spend my time here at DU or other sites that interest me. :) And yes the first day I voted I was excited too (for Kerry!).

[theplutsnw]

102. Thank you for saying that!

[chalky]

105. Damn! I wish you could, too.

;)

[driver8]

78. I enjoyed your post, and you are an excellent writer!

Now go take the freshman quarterback to a kegger!!

[WritingIsMyReligion]

80. The freshman QB is an IDIOT.

Ha, ha, ha. Rather date a thousand geeks than him. :D :D

[GrantDem]

93. I have to say...

that I am impressed. Your fourteen and so well versed in political topics. It is refreshing to see the younger generation getting involved. Gives us "old people" hope for the future.

Very well written.

[BattyDem]

100. Don't you dare back off!

This country needs more young people like you. You should be aware of what's going on in the world, you should care about your country's place in all of it and you should be involved in the process because you're the one they'll be calling to fight the next war.

I hope you run for office when you're old enough. I think you'd serve your community well! :-)

[hippiegranny]

31. Oh Come ON!

If this is his/her passion, who are you to tell him/her to go play video games or hang out at the mall? We need more of his/her kind, not less!

[WritingIsMyReligion]

33. ROFL!

I'm female, tyvm :D :D

And NICE GRAMMAR, by the way! SO many people just use "their" when talking about a single person whose gender is unknown.

[Warren DeMontague]

65. Damn straight.

Saved me the trouble of saying the exact same thing. :toast:

[WritingIsMyReligion]

67. Cheers to y'all

:toast:

[spooky3]

92. I hope that's ROOT beer in those frosty mugs, young lady!

:hi: Thanks for sharing your story with us.

[Lilith Velkor]

79. Like Bush does?

[WritingIsMyReligion]

81. LOL! n/t

[Pacifist Patriot]

90. Why not do both?

I was politically aware and active at 14...and I went to slumber parties and drooled over Sting. You can have fun and pay attention. Come to think of it, I hope we're all doing that no matter how old we are. I'd hate to think someone of any age was engaging in all fun or all seriousness. Balance. It's all about balance. I've got faith Writer can juggle a few balls at once.

[Kerrytravelers]

106. In 4 years, our teen friend here will be voting. I wish more kids gave a

damn. Quite frankly, most kids focus too much on fun and self-centered pleasures and not enough about the world around them.

[leesa]

109. Don't you think Americans have waaaaay too much preoccupation with

fun? I applaud his zeal.

[crispini]

7. Wow. You're fourteen?

You rock infinitely. Good on you for being so intelligent, involved, and aware. Are you considering getting into politics when you get older?

Oh, and ditto on the other poster's advice to ask him to back his BS up with facts. Good tactic.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

11. Yup; I'm fourteen. :D :D I'm WAY into politics and writing.

I've considered being a political commentator for a newspaper/whatever, but I just love writing fiction, too. So some kind of earth-shaking moral fiction--George Orwell, Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials, etc.--would be terrifc for me to write. I know that whatever I do, I have to make people THINK. No kool-aid here. :D :D

[FreedomAngel82]

74. You could write about what's going on now

Just change name's and release it in a couple more years. Nobody will believe that it really happened unless those of us who know everything already (from stealing 2000 to 9/11 to Iraq).

[WritingIsMyReligion]

86. Hehehe

Sounds wicked :evilgrin:

[serryjw]

98. Your parents have to be proud!

I'll adopt you..you have a great future.:toast: We need more young people to understand what we are fighting for.

[Seen the light]

18. Wow, my reaction exactly

If this person's really fourteen and I have no reason to doubt that, I think I can see a very bright future in store for the op. Excellent post. :)

[WritingIsMyReligion]

22. Thank you.

Yes, I am fourteen; it does show in some of my posts. :D :D :D

[MissMarple]

8. Well, I wonder what country he thinks he belongs to.

The founding fathers were liberals, the Constitution is a classically liberal document, our country's foundation is steeped in liberal thought and values. And the people now in charge of our government are not conservative...anything. The old style, Eisenhower Republicans were conservative LIBERALS.

If your classmate aligns himself with the neocons he needs to understand he not conservative, he is a radical, totalitarian ideologue who does not support the Constitution's focus on individual rights and the long held American values of honor, integrity, and just doing the decent thing.

Hang in there, sweetheart, we can't save everyone from their own ignorance. Maybe he just needs to grow up a bit and see how the world really works.

You aren't in IB are you? You sound very intelligent and very academically motivated.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

13. Yes, he's a neocon through and through.

I know a couple more traditional conservatives who agree that Bush is a wacko. But he's just the oddest thing. Obviously I can't tell him how to think, since I'd be way pissed off if he told me how to think (which has actually come up before; thank you, Greg. :eyes:).

IB? (Heh; so much for the "intelligent" part.)

[MissMarple]

39. The International Baccalaureate program.

It is becoming more popular in the U.S. Is it available at your school? My daughter graduated from it at her public high school. And she is a smart young lady, but not gifted until you factor in the academic motivation. My son was more laid back, but he did take advanced placement and honors classes.

Your teacher sounds like she has a lot on the ball, too. You must be in good school. Learning how to deal with the dimbulbs who are intelligent but not very "smart" is a real skill. I'm working on my sense of humor, keeping it light. Maybe there is a twelve step program for that. :crazy:

[WritingIsMyReligion]

41. HAHA! :D :D

No, I don't think we have IB here. At least, I haven't heard of it, but I guess that doesn't mean much. :D :D

[LaurenG]

9. Good for your teacher

Forcing the little "moran" to listen and consider. There are many people out there just like him. They're to be pitied as the truth is not in them so they can't recognize it when they hear it. I am really sorry that this is happening already in your age bracket.

Hang in there.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

15. One of my old teachers said

that he was too young to be so close-minded, which is true. It's sad how he deludes himself.

[NYC Liberal]

16. Probably more that he's naive, and doesn't actually think he parents

would tell him something that's WRONG.

Unfortunately, he'll probably keep believing what they tell him unless someone tells him the truth, now.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

20. Naivete comes into play, sure, but what frightens me is that

he IS intelligent. He's a great speaker--one of the top members of the speech and debate team, as a FRESHMAN. So even the intelligent are being sucked in.

[NYC Liberal]

29. Ask him one good thing Bush has done. You can refute whatever he says

pretty easily.

It IS sad that he is closed-mined. I know that one of my teachers last year was a Republican. One time, after the SOTU, he asked us in class what we thought and I said, "Well, he mentioned an anti-gang program, but last year he cut anti-gang funds by $1 billion." My teacher had NO response to it...he pondered that for about a minute before saying, "Well..I guess that's a 180-degree turnaround, right?"

And then when we had to write a "response" to the SOTU, I wrote four pages basically debunking everything Bush said, with footnotes and everything He gave me an A and wrote "Dem? Good job!"

So he was open-minded about things. But a lot of people aren't, so you just have to hit 'em with specific FACTS that they cannot possibly refute.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

32. Hehe. Talk about FUN.

Good job, though, with your teacher. I'm glad he was able to be objective in your case. :D :D

[NYC Liberal]

35. Luckily, YOUR teacher sounds pretty open-minded.

:)

Do you know if she's a Dem or a Repug? Some of mine I still have not figured out for sure. I know in one class last year, we watched TDS! :D

[WritingIsMyReligion]

38. She's a Dem. My

science teacher gave us a lecture on the correct pronounciation of "nuclear," so that tells you his political affiliation. :D :D

[NYC Liberal]

44. I go to a Catholic school. Religion class, last year,

my teacher was very anti-war...but we spent about a month on abortion (guess which side he took ;)). So you can guess HIS political affiliation. :D

[WritingIsMyReligion]

47. Oh dear. :D :D

My school has a tight "no-disclosing-political-or-religious-affiliations" policy for the teachers, but by the time we're in high school, that becomes a bit pointless.

[FreedomAngel82]

76. LOL!

Someone should try telling Bush. But he probably wouldn't listen and think it's apart of his little fake southern accent. Ugh.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

82. He wouldn't understand a word the person was saying. :D n/t

[FreedomAngel82]

75. Wow

And good for you for doing that. Bush is nothing more than all talk. He could care less about gangs. And how did he know you were a democrat? Is telling the truth only a democratic thing now? :eyes:

[Lisa]

10. I'm curious -- how does he define "superpower"

Has he been reading the articles by various columnists talking about "America the hyperpower" (since after the Cold War), and happened to conflate the two terms? Or is he criticizing the Huntington view (of one superpower and a bunch of "World powers")? He seems to be saying that a "great nation" outranks a superpower, and I don't think this is the usual definition, in geopolitics. Now I'm all confused!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperpower

p.s. There have been other supreme nations/empires in the past who appeared indispensible to civilization -- Rome, and England, and in the intervening time, Spain and Portugal dividing up the world between them (see the Treaties of Tordesillas and Zaragoza). Gee, I wonder what happened to them? Maybe this will be discussed in (ahem) history class.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

17. I have no idea how he goes about defining it.

His mind is a mystery to me, as much as I'd be interested in seeing it. It would be scary as hell, sure, but I think it would be useful and interesting to get a better idea of how he thinks and WHY.

Hmmm.... maybe psychology's for me :D :D

[Lisa]

26. or sociology, if you want to look at how a whole society like that ...

... sees the world, and makes decisions based on those beliefs.

As you say -- scary! (I'm more on the physical side of geography, myself -- but from what I've seen in the resource management and geopolitics sides of my discipline, the perception of reality actually has more of an effect on people's attitudes than the "real world".)

[WritingIsMyReligion]

30. Aye.

All very true. :D :D

[NYC Liberal]

12. Yes, keep asking him to back up his arguments...AND

when he pulls the 'unpatriotic' nonsense, ask him, "How so?" Just continue asking that..."Really? How is that unpatriotic?" to his responses, which will be nothing more than, "You WANT the US to fail," or "You don't support our troops," etc....easy enough to debunk.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

25. Yup. I used to avoid conflict with him,

but after the stealing of 04--ANOTHER fraudulent election--I'm so sick of being told to sit down and shut up. He's beginning to realize that I don't buy into any of his nonsense. He actually makes a pretty good debate.

[Swamp Rat]

14. Greg is a PodPerson.

He has no mind of his own. Don't waste your time, unless you and your human friends enjoy rhetorically knocking him around for laughs. :)

[WritingIsMyReligion]

27. It's true that he'll never entirely change,

but I do think he could become more moderate--IF someone got him to realize what he's doing, which is parroting talking points. Now, I may well not be the person to do that, but all in all, he makes the school day just a ltitle more intersting.

[Swamp Rat]

42. Ask him when he plans to obey his Führer Bushler and go to Iraq?

Bushler needs him to die for his oil right away.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

43. It's a laugh to think he'd go to Iraq.

He's such a hypocrite that way. Last year, in his locker, he had "Support the Troops--And President Bush." Made me want to vomit every time I walked passed it.

[Swamp Rat]

49. If he doesn't sign up for military duty, he's a hypocrite.

and a chicken shit coward. :)

[WritingIsMyReligion]

51. ROFL @ pic

That's great! :D :D :D

[Swamp Rat]

59. Feel free to download them and send them to others.

;) :D

Here's my gallery:

http://news.globalfreepress.com/gallery/index.php?cat=10002

It's missing a few like:




Btw, :yourock:

[WritingIsMyReligion]

61. Thank you--

:yourock: as well!

[nadinbrzezinski]

23. Good for you

we need to stand up

Now some advise from somebody who had the same concerns in HS... (and JH)

You want to be a writer? Get ready for way too many rejections. Get ready for people to steal your ideas, in other words, do some readhing on copyright and how to protect it. Otherwise you are in for some reall heart ache

Now you can start by writing letters to the editor and submiting the ocasional editorial and in this environment don't expect to see it in print.

As to fiction... write now, rewrite, tomorrow, repeat... just don't expect to be published immeadiately... it takes time and it takes way too hard work

[WritingIsMyReligion]

36. Oh, I'm aware of that.

It's gonna be one hell of a slog. :D :D But I don't have a choice. As an eighth grader, I took the SATs via Johns Hopkins' Center for Talented Youth and scored a 720 on the verbal portion--this was before they redid the SAT. So writing, of one form or another, is in my blood, my soul, and my mind.

[nadinbrzezinski]

52. Just as long as you know it is hard worrk

one avenue you may want to pursue and caveat emptor for they are among the worst offenders, game companies hire freelancers to write the crap we all put out

If they don't offer a contract, ask for one

if they give you excuses as to why they don't, walk away

Oh and if you want to know the worst offenders, feel free to PM me..

[WritingIsMyReligion]

53. Curious.. Are you in the business? n/t

[nadinbrzezinski]

55. Yes I am a freelancer in the gaming industry

have had plenty of material stolen by one company, a second got an IP excision contract and right now running my own start up.. and still freelancing on the side.

And I'd better speak plainly, it is an easier market to break into and get some credits, but be careful, they love fan boys for they don't have to be paid

[WritingIsMyReligion]

56. Ouch.

Well, it's all very interesting, that's for sure...

[nadinbrzezinski]

57. It is a mafia actually

and we freelancers tried to make contracts standard, they disolved the academy... for they confused this with a... get ready for this, hold it, a... UNION!

I was asked recently will you submit to the Origins Awards?

No.

Why?

You bloody well know why... and I left it at that

[WritingIsMyReligion]

58. Ouch again.

Brutal world out there, just brutal...

:evilgrin:

[nadinbrzezinski]

60. As i said you are 14

first major huge tip.. DON'T post at most company website forums... the bottom feeders consider that their property... and I am not afraid to say such because itis in the damn fine print...

I don't... but I have been told I am the damn exception. If you should have a similar idea and I see it, will contact people and make sure there are no misunderstandings

Second tip, research the companies and ask questions... some are good for two or three credits and then move on... Personally a good one to get your feet wet is Kenzerco (Knights of the Dinner Table), and Signs and Portents (the latter is technically irish, pay scale is european which means lower, but they do NOT work wothout a contract)

[WritingIsMyReligion]

62. Very interesting advice.

Thank you. :D

[nadinbrzezinski]

68. You welcome

also remember, you are technically under age, so any contract will have to be signed by mom and dad, any legal guardian will do, since you cannot be held accountable to a contract

;-)

So use the next four years to bone up on copyright law... good sources out there and some of us are willing to share... I'm not afraid of the competition, in fact I relish it.

;-)

[WritingIsMyReligion]

69. *gets out large book* Here we go...

:D :D

[annabanana]

89. If you "don't have a choice"

then write you must!

[GreenPartyVoter]

24. Heh. Think he'll go to Colby for college?

[WritingIsMyReligion]

54. :D You from Maine?? n/t

[GreenPartyVoter]

99. Ayuh. And the one Colby grad I know is a super-yuppie, but it would

not shock me to find out she is a Repub as well.

[stevedeshazer]

28. When I was in high school, I had such a friend

That was 35 years ago, and the subject was Viet Nam.

I hear you, young friend. By the weay, he still feels the same - still a Repug.

I still don't understand it, he's really a smart guy.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

40. It IS very, very frustrating.

But I guess there's nothing really we can do.

[Thirtieschild]

45. Writing is also your talent

[WritingIsMyReligion]

48. Thank ya.

:D :D Many people have told me so.

[sweetheart]

46. Friends

Good dialog, real for you; apparently.

In the adult world, we don't care. Nobody cares. You watch out for
your own, and you pretend to care, but that grows tiresome after older
years, and people don't fucking give a toss.

Their joints get tighter, pains in places you wouldn't believe hurt,
as the body gets old and dies, people become fragile, immutable,
and hard.

Writing is not a religion. Truth is a religion, and would that
you come to it by writing.. no, perhaps by reading as well... and
by loving. Love is worthy of religion, truth even, but writing?

If you want to cut your teeth in mature writing, drop the identity.
Don't tell us you're 14. Don't take a position. Tell the relevant
truth, not that johnny said this, but that you became aware of
something. You had the choice to be aware of God, and instead you
chose to focus on johnny, all so you could write it down and tell
someone. And what is gained?

In future years, you'll look back on "now" and wonder what
impulses drove you. And in childhood, it is approval.

You've written well. Sometimes the best writing is unread.

Your writing is "your work" and not "you". The failure to disconnect
these 2 things is suffering. You just said that to 6 billion people.
When you step up to the microphone to speak to 6 billion, be greater
than yourself, don't be 14, be a person; ghost write yourself, and
define the character insomuch that it will change totally every year
for the next 10 years totally. And who's writer is god, is tomorrows
sex queen and the next day's dancer.

Good to hear from the kiddies, and gosh i better watch my mouth.

nevermind all that pompous advise. I'm just jealouse i did not have
the internet to write on at 14. Great luck to you. :-)

[WritingIsMyReligion]

50. No, no; it's all very true.

I see what you mean. I actually am usually a bit more detached from my writing, but retelling true events is relatively new to me. I'm used to fiction, where I hide inside my characters.

Don't worry about the mouth. Mine is vile and has been forever. It's my vice :D :D

Writing, of course, isn't my REAL religion (I have none); I just thought that name would be a bit of a jab at any trolls creeping about. I guess that means I should have done WRITINGIsMyReligion, for the emphasis, just to rub it in, etc. I think I was a bit tired that night I signed up :D :D

[FreedomAngel82]

63. You should have told him

what Teddy Roosevelt said about not questioning authority. Everyone knows Teddy was a republican so let him choke on that one. I get so tired of this unpatrotic crap. Earlier this week I was telling my Mom about Operation Northwoods and she said "we're so mean" (we as a country). So does that make her unpatriotic? Of course not. A true patriot can see reality and stand up and say no. When FDR wanted to court pack the Scotus and the democrats told him "no" was that unpatroitic? No. Sorry but I prefer being a realist.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

66. Things such as those were right on the tip of my tongue.

I know many great quotes around dissent, etc. Better bone up on 'em and throw 'em back at him the next time.

[Neocondriac]

70. Look into .....

Leo Strauss and Margie Schoedinger and bury {figuratively} your brainwashed fascist friend.I only dispense the ammo , it's up to you to use it.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

71. Good names.

Thank ya. :D

[nadinbrzezinski]

73. Gee read the PNAC plan

and quote from it, I think it is on page 98, that famous quote about a new pearl Harbor?

Happy readying and you will need some coffee, that thing IS dry...

[Warren DeMontague]

77. Don't worry too much about "Greg". My whole family is pretty liberal

and at age 14 even I still had my head up my ass about some things.

I think girls your age are generally more mature when it comes to social, human, political and global awareness issues. Lots of boys are still playing army man in their head at age 14. That doesn't worry me so much- it's the ones who are still doing it at age 34 and beyond that bug me.

Here's a book you might want to surreptitiously corrupt his mind with:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0140265473/qid=1130367654/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/002-2331772-9877605?v=glance&s=books

[WritingIsMyReligion]

85. I know, I know.

But 'tis one thing to say it and another entirely to do it---as I'm sure you are well aware. :D :D

[ComerPerro]

83. I am floored by the fact that you're 14. You are a good writer

[WritingIsMyReligion]

87. Thank you.

:D :D

[Bouncy Ball]

84. All the repubes I know were SO unpatriotic when Clinton was in office.

:rofl:

Your friend? Sucks to be him. But at least he's young--there's hope he'll use that gray matter after all.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

88. I wouldn't call him my "friend,"

but yeah, it probably does suck to be him. I think he's got family issues up the wazoo, which, sadly, always seems to be the case nowadays.

[ContraBass Black]

91. That garbage was going strong when you were in elementary school.

Nothing new.

[Kire]

94. I just want to say...

...that I've really enjoyed reading this whole thread. I almost flamed the guy that said you shouldn't be 14 (while espousing the virtues of truth), but you handled him perfectly.

When I was 14, I had a Walkman permanently glued to my ears with Metallica blasting at level 10. My political awakening was slow as molasses until college.

I'm glad you're out there WIMR. There is an audience for your writing, and I'm a member.

[lildreamer316]

95. YOU Kick ass!!

Was I that lucid at your age? Wow! Keep it up; we SO need you!!!:applause:

[PatrioticLeftie]

96. Typical Fundie tactic

Attacking one's patriotism

[BattyDem]

101. Yep! When all else fails ...

play the "patriotism" card! :eyes:

[mitchum]

97. Sorry, but Greg is just really stupid

[Kire]

103. You hate Amurrican Children!

How un-Amurrican, you apple pie non-taster!

[Aimah]

104. Loony Classmate

Although your classmate is loony I think it's cool that the both of you are so passionate about politics. When I was in high school I was the only student in the entire school that seemed to care. I never had anyone to debate. That could mainly be due to the fact that most of the students were probably Liberal anyway. But no one was active in engaging about anything political.

[lectrobyte]

107. You rock...

I'm always amazed at the power of words, so that's a good religion you've got going. Keep in mind that "fundie" or "repug" is just a label, albeit powerful ones here, and consider what would have to happen to make them change, to awake, to come into the light.

[patrice]

108. What is so patriotic about ignorance or lies?

The truth requires strength. Lies and ignorance come from weakness.

[wryter2000]

110. I think

That if writing is your religion, you must be some kind of saint. :evilgrin: Wonderful post. If you ever run for office, I hope I get to vote for you.

:applause: