GOP Mikey Steele on TV saying "Why doesn't Obama send daughters to Public school?"

[opihimoimoi]

Nit Picking again Mike?

Thats all you guys got?? Nitts? OMG

Pubs Solving History SUCKs

[monmouth]

1. He may need a new shovel soon, he just keeps on digging and

digging. He's doing nothing for the Repubs. No wonder the PTB in the repub party are furious with him. I don't think we'll be seeing Mikey for too much longer. Such a stupid, silly man, acts like a high schooler.

[liberalmike27]

11. Maybe

He values their lives, and wants them to stay alive?

What sane person would allow their kids to go to an insecure, non-private school, in this modern world, where folks are carrying AK47s to idiot-gatherings?

If he did send them to public school, like Amy Carter, they'd be saying "Obama hates his children."

What are you going to do, it's the corporate media, and like Dean with the scream, they've turned on him big-time, even though he's done so much they want. Perhaps they fear a second term, and that he might actually do things to change stuff, rather than folling along the corporate trail.

[monmouth]

48. Not only that, but heaven forbid it was the first "black" President

to accomplish all that he will. This would just be intolerable for them to handle...

[YOY]

2. What American president last did so?

n/t

[Freddie Stubbs]

3. Jimmy Carter

Although Reagan, nor either of the Bushes had school-aged children when they were in the WH.

[HelenWheels]

4. Amy Carter went to public school n/t

[WeDidIt]

28. Amy Carter didn't have constant death threats, either.

The Obama daughters do.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

133. didn't chelsea go to the same school as the Obamas

[Hekate]

151. Yes, Sidwell Friends', a Quaker school that is very highly regarded and easily defensible...

... both of which you want when you have crazies threatening to kill the POTUS.

I think even Jimmy and Rosalynne Carter would have to rethink their plan for Amy these days -- the necessary security would be entirely disruptive to a normal urban school, and the girls would feel like freaks.

Hekate

[napi21]

6. I don't think the problem is that the schools are so bad, but that

the security required would completely disrupt whatever school they attended. I doubt ANY public school would want that!

I honestly thought Steerl would piss off the Pubs because they wouldn't want a black guy in that spot. I was wrong! They're justifiably PO'd because he's an idiot!

[YOY]

8. Just across the river could handle it. (Arlington)

Of course...there would be a real muckety muck about DC schools not being good enough (because most aren't).

[opihimoimoi]

14. The TOKEN BLK Card NOT WORKING.....He is in COUNTER PRODUCTIVE Gear

[Freddie Stubbs]

26. How would added security be any more disruptive to a public school as opposed to a private one?

:shrug:

[hileeopnyn8d]

41. The private one

already has and is accustomed to a high level of security.

[Freddie Stubbs]

68. the wouldn't added security be a benefit to the public school students?

:shrug:

[napi21]

87. I doubt it. The security would be centered around ONE STUDENT in each class.

That I would think would make the rest of the kids dislike the NEW KID! Probably not good for anybody.

[Kdillard]

30. Amy Carter went to public school but I read she was unhappy there.

[Hekate]

152. I'm not surprised. It's just not normal for a kid to have her own SS detail...

... it makes her stand out, and not in a good way. Amy was already dealing with that "awkward age" look with the braces and thick glasses, she was the new kid in class, and she brought all these adults with her...

I understand the Carters' desire to have her experience public school like "regular" American kids, but there are other considerations when your dad is POTUS. All of a sudden you are NOT a "regular kid" any more, and that's just the way it is.

The Obamas have handled it very well, imo. They were most fortunate that Grandma Robinson agreed to come to the White House with the family and provide a lot of continuity for the girls. She's their anchor for normalcy, while Dad and Mom are running the country.

Hekate

[ginnyinWI]

5. it is all he's got--all they've got

All they can do is make stuff up and say ridiculous things.

[opihimoimoi]

9. Empty Quiver Syndrome??? LOL

[Brother Buzz]

36. He's got nothing.

Zip. Nada. Zero. Zilch.

[Blasphemer]

7. They're trotting out this old line? Pathetic... nt

[CakeGrrl]

10. To quote the train engineer:

"Ohhh, you dumb fucker!"

That is all.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/10/14/793177/-Michael-Steele:-Im-the-cow-on-the-tracks

[w4rma]

12. Obama doesn't believe in public schooling. He's privatizing schools at a very brisk rate. (nt)

[CakeGrrl]

31. Or maybe he doesn't want his daughters kidnapped, hurt or killed by

all those nutcases in the Secret Service reports who'd love to do harm to him or his family.

But nah - it's mainly because he sucks, right?

:eyes:

[w4rma]

35. Is Obama privatizing schools like no President has before him or not? (nt)

[CakeGrrl]

108. What does that have to do with Steele's plaintive, ignorant question?

There are considerations that the President of the United States has to make other than what school is cool.

Does that really need to be spelled out here as well as to Chairman Steele?

[dionysus]

111. where is obama privatizing schools en masse?

[Name removed]

40. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[GreenPartyVoter]

42. Unfortunately this is very true.

[HopeOverFear]

54. What proof of this is there?

No snark, I'm asking honestly.

[GreenPartyVoter]

99. Arne Duncan was a red flag for me. Why would the President choose someone like him to

oversee our education system? There's an article and some thoughts about him in this older post: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=6692526

[HopeOverFear]

102. I have the author of that post on ignore.

So the appointment of Duncan as Sec. of Ed is your only proof that Obama wants to privatize public schools? AGain, no snark, I'm just asking.

[GreenPartyVoter]

109. Oh, ok. There's a direct link to an article in here. And yes, I do think that

who a President chooses to appoint reflects on his (or her) plans for how things should be done. Why appoint someone who would do things differently from you or who has vastly different values and goals than you do? I mean, I get throwing a bone to the opposition and all, but this is a reallly big stretch in terms of mollifying the Repubs, if that's what it was all about.

http://www.worldcantwait.net/index.php/features-mainmenu-220/obama-watch/5340-obamas-privatizing-agenda-for-education

[HopeOverFear]

114. Ok, I'll read it. Thanks.

[GreenPartyVoter]

116. Any time. There are a ton of resources listed, which is one of the reason I picked that one. Granted

I am basically forming an opinion of what I think the President thinks based on what Duncan is doing. But without him making direct attempts to work on the education system himself, it's all I have to go on (and not entirely unreasonable given that he chose Duncan to do that work for him.) :)

[butterfly77]

13. I'm am so tired of these people...

they will do or say anything to bring this President down,instead of being part of the solution they are a part of the problem. They talk against him to other countries and try to make an issue over a damn phrase "The War on Terror" why in the hell do they car what its called these are some silly assed,childish people.

They want us to believe that they really,really,give a damn about the safety of the President when what they are really concerned about is getting rid of Desiree the social secretary.. These people have no place in government they play games while this country goes to hell and they do it year after year,after year. They just waste time while nothing really gets done unless it something to hurt the majority of Americans...

[opihimoimoi]

16. Their Transgressions against Sanity has resulted in a gear changing shift

of Dems winning and the Pubs losing Power

[PatSeg]

124. Exactly

They've turned governance into a big game and defeating your opponent is the primary objective regardless of the consequences.

The republican party reminds me of an abusive spouse. No matter what you do or say they'll turn it against you. On Monday they'll say you're not assertive enough and on Wednesday, when you take them seriously and fight back, then you are being arrogant and combative, need to show more humility. Show more humility? Now you're weak and wish-washy. You can't win because there are NO RULES and your opponent cheats.

You can't win playing their games. Best to leave them to destroy one another, because evidently they can't change their behavior and have an inherent need to destroy someone.

[ShortnFiery]

15. Steele, for once, makes a valid point.

Amy Carter went to Public School. With sufficient security, the Obama Daughters can also. Otherwise they'll become RICH elitists and marry Goldman-Sachs Economists just like their most recent role model, Chelsea Clinton. That's OUT OF TOUCH and not commendable. :thumbsdown:

p.s. I was surprised and disappointed when it was announced that the Obama daughters were going to be sent to Private Schools. I was HOPING that they would have sent them to Public Schools. :shrug:

[butterfly77]

17. WRONG!

[ItNerd4life]

22. RIGHT!

Love how much intelligent writing you put behind your disagreement.

How it is wrong that Obama send his kids to school like the rest of us? Ever heard of the word 'hypocrite'?

[butterfly77]

34. Because...

it is NONE OF YOUR MOTHERFUCKING BUSINESS!!! My intelligent answer got to the point didn't it..

[joeglow3]

155. Umm, no.

He who yells the loudest wins is not a desirable trait.

[opihimoimoi]

18. Its the Presidents Pleasure that them kids go where Michelle wants them to go

[ShortnFiery]

20. Yeah, it's always "the PLEASURE" of wealth and power and SCRAPS for the rest of us.

I hate that phrase ... seems like a hold-over from "royal families." :eyes:

[dionysus]

46. this shows there isn't anything you won't wail about.

holy shit, he sends his daughters to a private. school. oh my fucking god the horror.

you stand with michael steele...

:rofl:

[ShortnFiery]

51. Yes, it's smug. Our country had A REVOLUTION to nix this "royalty" complex that Obama is

encouraging to promote. No, I want a REAL PERSON to be my leader. I don't respect people who don't respect me back.


We kill innocents overseas and call it "collateral damage."

The elites send their children to private schools and call our kids "peasants."


I don't think there's much RESPECT for "the average American" when our "illustrious leaders" can send our youth to go kill and die for EMPIRE and MIC war profiteering while they send their children to the most posh schools, not to mention, their little angels would never LOWER themselves to enlist.

Damn straight, I resent the hell out of their smug attitudes of ENTITLEMENT.

[DevonRex]

58. You're sounding quite deranged. nt

[ShortnFiery]

67. You're sounding even more deranged. See, we both can insult each other.

Isn't that special?

[dionysus]

72. the point is, devonrex isn't acting unhinged. that would be you.

seriosuly, get a hold of yourself.
:shrug:

[ShortnFiery]

76. the point it, dionysus is behaving self-righteous to "get even" for past slights.

You're so cute in your transparency. :hug:

[DevonRex]

82. So anybody who points out your complete disregard of the Obama children's safety

is just getting even for past "slights?" LOL. Anybody who agrees with Steele on this deserves to be castigated.

And somehow I don't think Dion gives a rat's ass about any so-called "past slights."

You said in this thread that the safety of Malia and Sasha is "irrelevant." What did you expect would happen? Folks would cheer for you? Not bloody likely. Not in a Democratic forum. Perhaps they'd agree with you over in Free Republic, but NOT HERE.

[ShortnFiery]

86. There was no "complete disregard." You didn't like my point of view and hyper-FOCUSED on

this one point. It was so transparent and waste of bandwidth used in order to defend myself against your inane one dimensional attack. I'm sorry that you felt a need to hyper-focus on it. :shrug:

[joeglow3]

156. Safety is a horse shit argument

Whatever means are implemented at one school could easily be implemented at another. Now, I cannot criticise Obama, as I send my kids to a private school. However, I am not the president going on record saying our public schools are great and everyone should feel fine sending there kids there.

My son's school has no special set-up or pool of resources to implement addl. security (in fact, they have less than our neighborhood public school).

[dionysus]

69. you've completely lost your marbles. you better stick to posting gory war pics.

[ShortnFiery]

77. Yes, that's what THIS is about - getting even. No, I don't like rich people who

push their kid's private schools in my face. Sue me? I'm far from alone.

[dionysus]

79. in what way did obama push his kids going to private school "in your face"

you hate obama so much you're jumping in whole hog with;

michael.
fucking.
steele.

as i said, get a hold of yourself.

[DevonRex]

83. That one takes the cake. Seems like Michael Fucking Steele is the

one she's listening to, not Obama.

[dionysus]

85. DON'T OPPRESS ME YOU ELITIST!!!1!!! CHOKE ON YOUR LATTE!!!11!! PRIVATE SCHOOL IN MY FACE!!11

(insert random photo of war dead here)

:rofl:
:evilgrin:

[DevonRex]

89. GACK ACK GACK!!!

Damn you Dion. Well, my computer screen really did need a bath. Off to get the screen cleaner now. I don't think it likes latte baths.

:rofl:

[ShortnFiery]

88. Now, the tag team element is really "low class" ... Other moderate elitists would

be ashamed. :eyes:.

Hey WE GET IT! I agree with ONE POINT of Michael Steele's argument and you go after me. That's cool, up to a point.

We disagree, and worry that the other(s) might be deranged.

I get it. Really. :shrug:

[opihimoimoi]

70. Entitlement?? He earned the priv to send them kids whereever he wanna

Elite?? are we talking forgetting them Bushies?

Fuck the GOP....all they do is whine / nit pick

[dionysus]

74. he's supposed to wear sackcloth and send his kids to school in the ghetto, didn't you know that?

that fuckin elitist! look he's wearing a tie!!1!!1!11 his wife has a pair of expensive shoes!!1!1!1

jesus these people have literally gone mad...

[ShortnFiery]

75. Yes, but with great power and privilege also come responsibility ...

He could have made us "working class folk" feel more special if he would have actually TRIED to check out the public schools and/or expressed an interest but then stated that he regretted that for security reasons he could not.

Hell, even if he didn't mean it ... now we are supposed to be envious of snobby behavior?

It's just my opinion, but I would have respected him more if he would have TRIED ... at least expressed an interest in sending his kids to public schools.

MOST OF US HAVE NO CHOICE. :shrug:

[hileeopnyn8d]

105. How do you know he didn't

"try to" look at public schools? I seem to recall them saying exactly what you are now claiming they didn't say.

"A number of great schools were considered," said Katie McCormick Lelyveld, a spokeswoman for Michelle Obama. "In the end, the Obamas selected the school that was the best fit for what their daughters need right now."

She said Sidwell can provide the security and privacy that Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, will need as part of the new first family and Sidwell can help with that. She also said that Sasha and Malia had become good friends with Vice President-elect Joe Biden's grandchildren, who go to the school.

Sidwell is a private Quaker school with a campus in northwest Washington for grades 5-12 and another in suburban Bethesda, Md., for kindergarten through fourth grade. Malia is in fifth grade and Sasha is in second grade, suggesting that the girls would attend schools at different locations.

Michelle Obama and her daughters visited Sidwell and private school, Georgetown Day, earlier this week. The soon-to-be first lady visited both schools last week, without her daughters. Lelyveld said that while public schools were considered, the Obamas felt that a private school was in the best interest of their children. The two girls currently attend the private University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, where Michelle Obama is on the board.

[ShortnFiery]

120. No, not "a commission" of spokespeople, either Michelle or Barak expressing

the above that you had bold. It seems that between Charter and Private Schools, our politicians won't be satisfied until the entire education system goes private.

For those of us who do not have a choice, it would have been thoughtful for either Obama parent to give us a quote or two of how they would have loved to send them to public school but couldn't RISK the security concerns.

[jberryhill]

123. Most of us do not have children who are a national security risk of kidnapping or assassination

And that's the bottom line.

All students at any school attended by the president's children - any president - have to put up with things that can't be imposed on those who do not choose to send their children to a school which has to put up with those things.

The other parents at the private school can make that choice.

Parents at a public school may not be able to make that choice.

[ecstatic]

144. GET OVER IT!

Stop worrying about what's in other people's pockets or where people choose to send their kids to school. It's none of your business! By the way, you do have a choice. You can choose to make more money and send your kids to a better school or take out loans.

[ShortnFiery]

146. "Choose to take out loans or make more money" (with no gainful employment prospects)?

How very CORPORATE and Republican of you to offer such advice. :crazy:

However, since you're probably "centrist democratic" I'll chalk it up to CORPORATISM adoring.

No wonder you treasure PRIVATE education. :(

[PatSeg]

128. I think the Obamas are doing what is best for their children

under the circumstances. They are determined not to use their children for political purposes and if they felt they were better off in public school, I'm quite sure they would have sent them there. This would not be an issue if a republican hadn't brought it up. If the president had chosen a public school, Steele would have found a problem with that too.

We shouldn't allow the republicans to control the dialog and distract us from more important issues.

[MadMaddie]

139. Wait a minute....

So are you implying the President Obama is the one that promoted the "royalty" complex? Are you kidding?

Did you say this about any of the white presidents that lived at the WH in previous years?

http://www.capenet.org/facts.html

Private School Statistics at a Glance
PK-12 Enrollment (2009) 6,049,000 (11% of all US students)
# of Schools (2007-08) 33,740 (25% of all US schools)

President Obama and his wife have worked hard throughout their lives and he is now the president and as parents it is their choice of where they send their children.

You act like elitism just appeared at the end of 2008. Is it right that all of our children don't have the opportunity to go to a private school? Sure it is but that's life.

[opihimoimoi]

148. Thats edzacery whad I said....LOL...(wink)

[WeDidIt]

24. Amy Carter didn't have death threats made against her life

a year before her father was elected.

The Obama daughters have constant death threats made against them.

[ShortnFiery]

53. You don't know that. She very well may have. Back then the Secret Service kept their

mouths shut about ALL threats.

I don't know what's going on within today's Secret Service, but, IMO, it's not professionalism.

[mstinamotorcity]

29. You make that choice

for your children not the President's children.They did what was in the best interest for them and their lifestyle.This is not 1978 its 2010.

[CakeGrrl]

32. With the ridiculous uptick in death threats for THIS President?

I don't think so. I wouldn't risk my children either.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

37. I think that's the reason SnF...

so often agrees with the crazy RWers.

[ShortnFiery]

55. Oh stop projecting. I don't agree with right wingers and it would have been quite acceptable

if President Obama would say that he genuinely REGRETS that it's not "security wise" for him to send his daughters to public school. But he didn't do that ... he really is corporate.

Most of all I'm angry at myself for WANTING to believe that Obama cared as much for The Average, hard working American half as much as he values the ruling elites ... but I was wrong.

I don't hate President Obama, honestly, he's highly intelligent and personable. However, right now I'm just immensely sad that Obama's 100% bought and paid for by large multi-national corporations.

I feel duped. And at 51 years old, it's a really "sad" feeling to know you've been USED. :(

[DevonRex]

60. Uh, yes you DID just agree with a right winger. Right here in THIS thread. Despicable. nt

[ShortnFiery]

62. Shame. Just act all haughty, that works. Such simplistic knowledge.

No one would accuse you of any critical thinking or anything smattering more than uni-dimensional.

[DevonRex]

64. You damned well better believe I'll act all haughty with someone who DOESN'T CARE IF

THE OBAMA CHILDREN ARE SAFE.

[ShortnFiery]

66. Irrelevant. You did not read above that I said President Obama didn't even

CONSIDER public school.

Now you throw up this RED HERRING. Are you challenged ... or do you seemingly boost up your own ego by attacking someone online?

[DevonRex]

73. There is absolutely NOTHING you can say to justify putting Obama's children in harm's way.

NOTHING. The very fact that you could possibly ignore the danger they would be in is despicable. Just despicable.

[ShortnFiery]

78. That tired old meme. We've already discussed this ... you won't let go - who's deranged now? eom

[dionysus]

81. did you ever get so worked up and frothy that you don't even realize what you're saying anymore?

i haven't, myself, but i think we're witnessing it right now...

[DevonRex]

84. I haven't either. I think this phenomenon must be studied more closely, though.

:rofl:

[ShortnFiery]

90. I've seen you there but you often prefer the tag team approach.

You are dirty fighter when it comes to message board banter. However, that's ok because I'm used to your cheating and bully-boy behaviors and snide remarks. I'm still here to stay - your insults won't drive me away because you are "a part of the sycophantic tag teams" ... part of "the bullies."

[treestar]

93. Now you've jumped the shark

If he's really bought and paid for, blah, blah, then you may as well just go in the photo threads and enjoy the show. If it's really that hopeless, why bother?

Do you resent every single person who ever went to private school? Catholic School? That's going to make for a lot of resentment.

[ShortnFiery]

100. Hey there's a lot of resentment to go around for the uber-privileged classes.

And newsflash: My friend's child who I tutored to enter Catholic High School lost her scholarship, but no worries, the RICH can always pay.

You may think of me as resentful ... and sometimes I am when I see such disparities of wealth ... but I'm far from alone.

Have a nice evening. :hi:

[hileeopnyn8d]

38. Good grief!

Chelsea went to private school in part because of the way Amy was treated at the public schools. She wasn't allowed out of the school until the SS picked her up, she couldn't go out at recess with the other children, as a result she was treated poorly by the other kids.

You know, it is possible that Chelsea actually loves her fiance.

[ShortnFiery]

103. What's not to love about a Goldman-Sachs Executive Paycheck?

:evilgrin: <glib - tweak>

[DevonRex]

39. Are you so consumed by hate that you don't see the difference in

the Obama children and Amy Carter? Most people here understand the level of hatred that a certain segment of society has toward African Americans in general and towards the Obamas in specific.

[CakeGrrl]

47. Willful ignorance for the sake of making an anti-Obama point

Seems to be a lot of that lately.

[DevonRex]

49. Yes there does seem to be a lot of it lately. But to be so callous toward children

is just beyond the pale.

She has embarrassed herself today, if only she knew it.

[ShortnFiery]

57. You embarrass yourself more by acting snidely self-righteous. OMG, the children?

This has NOTHING to do with "the children."

President Obama didn't even CONSIDER or EXPAIN that he was considering Public Education.

It's just more evidence that he considers those who are not highly intelligent and/or politically connected and/or wealthy as LESSER THAN.

I didn't elect "a king" ... I elected "a president" who takes an oath to UPHOLD The Constitution, not the Wealthy Ruling Elites.

[DevonRex]

63. You bet OMG the children. You damned well BETTER believe I'll take up for CHILDREN

when folks don't give a rat's ass if they're killed or kidnapped by folks who ALSO AGREE WITH MICHAEL STEELE, BY THE WAY.

[ShortnFiery]

80. You're hyper-active emotional for "effect" - everyone can see your act for what it is. eom

[These Eyes]

91. Seriously… what is wrong with you?

The president has a right to send his children to school wherever he wants. I live in DC and I didn't enroll my son in public school. I'm not rich or part of the 'elite', but I want the best education for my son possible. That's why he goes to private school. That's my decision, my choice. The president's decision, or anyone else's, on where he sends his children to school has absolutely no impact on your life. Your name must be Misery and you'd just love some company. Get over yourself!

[ShortnFiery]

92. Nothing, we disagree and I was tag-teamed several times but didn't back down.

I'm sorry. Most times when people don't IDOLIZE all things democratic party or President Obama and the "sharks circle" most people back down. I don't.

There's nothing wrong with me other that I'm one stubborn scrapper.

Have a good one Tweety-bird. :hi:

[ShortnFiery]

94. I see also that you have to defend sending your kid to private school as some of us can't

afford such a LUXURY. :shrug:

It may be nobody's business but don't be surprised if some of your neighbors may secretly resent your privileges. It's not kind but it is understandable behavior which will only get worse as the middle class DEPRESSION deepens.

[dionysus]

96. what the hell man? it is not a sin for anyone to send their kid to a private school!

[ShortnFiery]

101. No, it's not a sin but it's also not something to BRAG about. If there are decent public

schools, children should go to them. America is going to ONLY have poor quality PUBLIC SCHOOLS if our legislators don't do more for the Public System. That includes at least attempting to "set the example."

p.s. perhaps if you take your own sig line to heart you won't "get off" so much with the hobby of tag-team trashing me? ;)

[dionysus]

110. but who was bragging about it?! that's where i am losing you. it was michael steele complaining!

[ShortnFiery]

117. Yes, and perhaps I'm expecting TOO MUCH, but many of us who don't have A CHOICE

to send our kids to expensive private schools would have appreciated if he would have EXPRESSED an desire to wish he could send his kids to public school.

Yeah, the above perspective makes me JUST LIKE Michael Steele? Why, look at my past posts, we're twins and/or kindred spirits? :silly:

[Zoeisright]

147. Oh, he's not worth it. Just ignore him. I do.

[CakeGrrl]

106. Keeping his kids away from whackjobs is not a LUXURY

You don't seem to be willing or able to see past the act of their attending a private school to the possible underlying reasons, even if he isn't writing it in big letters on the White House lawn.

Why do so many people need to have things trumpeted with a bullhorn in order for them to believe or accept the possibilities?

People don't SEE the President doing anything, so they assume he isn't.

People don't HEAR him say he's angry or hear the words "I CARE SO VERY DAMNED MUCH", so they assume he does not.

I've never seen someone get less of a benefit of the doubt for what cannot be seen or heard.

[dionysus]

112. you usually get met with the "HE'S TRYING TO DESTROY US ALL!!!1" type of stuff...

[ShortnFiery]

115. IMO, it seems that, at times, Obama's so aloof that he doesn't even recognize that he should care.

During the campaign Michelle kept him tuned in with regard to empathy. Rahm? Well, he's less than aware. President Obama needs an adviser who's cognizant of Working Class People's wants and needs.

I'm happy for some children who can earn a scholarship to Catholic school. I tutor children. A number are friends' children and for little to no money.

I don't think it's "far fetched" for many of us to EXPECT that our leaders be more aware of what a "non-privileged lifestyle" in America is like from day to day.

[hileeopnyn8d]

118. I believe Michelle

was the one that ultimately chose (or swayed) Sidwell Friends as the school the girls would attend. I don't look at either one of them and think that they are elitists. And since when in the hell did that term become our term? I thought that term was most often used as a right-wing slam against liberals.

Plenty of public figures pretend to be "folksy" and in touch with the "non-privileged" Americans, some of them sell their folksy ranch as soon as it is no longer politically necessary, others build 28,000 sq.ft. homes. Myself, I prefer that they not pretend - I think building a house that size while pretending to give a shit is WAY worse than sending your children to private school.

[DevonRex]

119. Funny, isn't it, how right wing slams are used so frequently here.

Who would have believed it? That coupled with saying that their safety is "irrelevant" to the discussion just boggles my mind.

[ShortnFiery]

121. It's NOT a right wing slam to express disappointment that neither Michelle or Barack

explained their positions on this.

I'm getting DISGUSTED when every time we HAPPEN to agree with one or two stray points of republicans, we're automatically labeled "right-wing."

It's getting both old and lame. :thumbsdown:

[hileeopnyn8d]

122. I didn't call you right wing

I asked you a question about going on and on about elitists. It is used against liberals by the right wing, I suppose like many things they co-opted the lefts message and turned it back on us.

And I believe they DID address the reasons they were sending the girls to Sidwell, but it isn't good enough for you.

[ShortnFiery]

126. One thing in indisputable: Where there is greed and corruption ...

You'll find politicians and corporations.

We got the bully pulpit
And the poisoned pen
We got a press no better
Than the public men
This brave new world
Gone bad again

God’s finest little creatures
Looking brave and strong
Whistling past the graveyard
Nothing can go wrong

Quoting from the scriptures
With patriotic tears
We got the same old men
With the same old fears

Standing at attention
Wrapped in stars and stripes
They hear the phantom drummers
And the nonexistent pipes

These days the buck stops nowhere
No one takes the blame
But evil is still evil
In anybody’s name

If dirt were dollars
If dirt were dollars
If dirt were dollars
We’d all be in the black ............... by Don Henley

[ShortnFiery]

127. It's a shame that the Obama Children must be so sheltered for security reasons.

They won't be able to develop much more of a personality than Paris Hilton.
It's a shame ... for them too.

[ShortnFiery]

113. So those of us who send OUR CHILDREN to public school are sending them to be

with "whack jobs."

Or perhaps our children are, being not privileged, part of the "unwashed masses?"

Please continue to dig that hole?

So YOUR CHILDREN are more special than MY CHILDREN?

[CakeGrrl]

132. Oh for fuck's sake...

If you don't get why the children of the President of the United States, a man who has received more death threats than any other President in history as confirmed by the Secret Service, might have harmful intent directed at them by people who wouldn't know your kids or mine from Adam (nor would they care), coupled with the fact that they are obviously far more recognizable than the average child due to being the children of the President of the United States, then there's really nothing more I can add.

[These Eyes]

143. I don't have to defend anything…

It's my choice and my business. And I don't give a rat's behind if any of my neighbors are so petty as to resent where I send my child to school. They don't pay my bills, live in my house or have a heaven or a hell to put me in. You clearly have issues with understand what is your business and what is not. Where the Obama's send their children to school is not your decision to make.

Again, get over yourself.

[ShortnFiery]

52. Excuses. It's just another example of how Obama is privatizing every damn thing in the USA. eom

[DevonRex]

56. Either you replied in the wrong spot or you just prefer to ignore the fact that

those 2 innocent schoolgirls could be in GRAVE danger in a public school setting. If the latter is true then you're one coldhearted person.

[ShortnFiery]

59. Now this is so embarrassing ... for you. Read the rest of the thread.

Genius. :eyes:

[DevonRex]

61. You replied to ME in this instance, not the entire thread. You should be embarrassed

but folks who agree with Steele rarely are.

[ShortnFiery]

71. I'm sorry but you're not my mother nor do you sign my paycheck so, with respect,

I'd suggest you to nix the insults and decrees as to what I should be feeling ... keep to the issue. Your point has been made and I have countered it. Move on.

[Undercurrent]

65. That's the ticket. Lock up the kids. duh!

Amy Carter wasn't even allowed to go outside for recess, because they couldn't provide the needed level of security on the playground.

[noamnety]

134. There wasn't any reason to believe he'd switch them to public schools after being elected.

I don't have a problem with them being in private schools during the campaign or the presidency, I don't fault him at all for that. We all put our kids safety first, and I assume they would be a target.

But I don't think it's intellectually honest for people to make a point of justifying that decision as if it was based on secret service concerns or based on his being a target now that he's president. They were sending the girls to private school in Chicago before the campaign, no?

[DevonRex]

135. Oh, but the argument here has been that as President he needs to make

an example out of his girls and send them to public school. Until he became President, nobody gave a rat's ass WHERE his kids went to school. But for some reason he's supposed to expose his kids to danger now that their safety is at very real risk.

Further, I would think that safety has been an issue for as long as Obama has been in ANY kind of politics and that security precautions might be a little tighter at a private school.

[mstinamotorcity]

19. Why is he so concerned

about where the first daughters attend school? The point he is trying to make has no validity. The public schools in D.C. are like public schools every where running out of funding.This was done under the Bush/Cheney administration.No child left behind.And then Sir George cut the education budget.He should go back to school to learn how to have his own thoughts and opinions.And he needs more than twelve steps to defeat the Obama agenda.Because its the peoples agenda that he is out of touch with.

[opihimoimoi]

27. Steele is a sword made of Lead...heavy and useless....yes, he is a "Babbler"

[mstinamotorcity]

33. He has no

validity in his own party every time something comes out of his mouth he has to take the statement back or apologize. Rush said on his radio broadcast that Micheal Steele cant even write a check without permission nor could he raise funds for the repug party.Because no one will give him money. This might explain why he must charge a fee when attending speaking engagements where he is the speaker.Ya think!!!!!!1

[WeDidIt]

21. If he did, they'd scream he was putting his own daughters in harm's way

to score political points.

I'm with the Obamas on this one. Private schools are more easily secured by the Secret Service.

[PatSeg]

131. A good parent does what is best for

his/her children first and foremost, not what is good for his/her political image. The Obamas are clearly exceptional parents and have done everything possible to protect their children. I don't always agree with Obama, but I admire the way he and Michelle have kept their children out of the limelight. Politicians with less integrity would have used their children as political props every chance they got, i.e. Sarah Palin.

[TheKentuckian]

23. Obama ain't too keen on public schools

[ItNerd4life]

25. I wish I had the luxury and privilege and snotty nose to send my kids to private school.

But, poor working folks don't get the luxury or the opportunity.

[Rebubula]

43. My God...

..what a bunch of horseshit.

All that hate is gonna burn you up inside....

[GreenPartyVoter]

44. The only objectionable thing I saw there was "snotty nose." All the rest passes the

horse apples test imo.

[jberryhill]

125. A lot of "poor working folks" send their children to private schools

[ecstatic]

145. A lot of "poor working folks" do sacrifice to send their kids to private school

Right or wrong. It's not your or my call to judge. Just worry about your own situation.

[JohnnyBoots]

45. Did Steele's kids go to public school? NT

[HopeOverFear]

50. Ah, there's the $64,000 question.

[Undercurrent]

95. I wish people

would stop bringing up Amy Carter as some kind of wonderful example of sending President's kids to public schools.

Amy Carter wasn't even allowed to go outside for recess, because they couldn't provide the needed level of security on the playground.

[dionysus]

97. what's even worse is the handful of people in this thread going to the mat for steele.

strange bedfellows and all that...

[tosh]

107. Indeed....

:wtf:

[politicasista]

136. Yuck n/t

[DevonRex]

98. And that was in the 70s. NOT in the current hateful political climate.

Amy Carter's school days were not happy ones. It's just a fact. Because of that, the Clintons didn't send Chelsea to public school and that was the right decision. Same for the Obamas.

[ShortnFiery]

104. The climate was equally hateful in the 70s and 80s. Remember how they ragged on Billy Carter?

[Undercurrent]

129. "Ragging" =

threats to murder? :wtf:

[ShortnFiery]

130. Harassment. Murder threats would not be surprising.

The Secret Service were "silent" about their ops back then but it wasn't a cake walk.

Amy came out of the "horrific" experience of Public School fairly unscathed.

However, perhaps the Secret Service are not as good as they were back in the 1970s or the THREATS are more sophisticated and they just can't keep up? :shrug:

[dancingme]

137. Why doesn't Jenna Bush "report" for PBS?

Instead of the corporate NBC's Today Show?

[MadMaddie]

138. This guy must lose brain cells on an hourly basis...

He will go down and the worst RNC leader.

Keep up the good work Mike!

[Colobo]

141. Michael Steele's public persona should be called "Homie The Clown"

[Colobo]

140. What's so wrong with private schools? I went to one and it was the best thing

my parents could do for me. If you can afford it, then do it.

[zulchzulu]

142. Why does Michael Steele schtoop sheep in the toosh in the barn on Tuesdays...

Doesn't he know any gerbils?

[opihimoimoi]

149. Reality escapes the man....

[BluDemocratGirl]

150. Do YOU have children, Micheal Steele?

If t not, mind your own business! The Obamas can put their daughters in ANY school they want, private or public.

[asphalt.jungle]

153. Why is it an issue now? They never went to public school in their entire lives.

Why start now? Why the double standards? It's not even like a Chelsea Clinton situation where she went to public school in Arkansas and they changed for privates schools in DC. Which is perfectly fine and their prerogative, but if the Obamas had done that then I could understand someone having a complaint (even though it would be petty and stupid because of the increased security risks) because it would at least be a semi-decent talking point. But they've been going to private schools since they started going to school and they expect him to switch and go public when they get to DC in some fake common man bullshit like Dubya's ranch.

This really shows that some in this thread have jumped the shark and would fit right in at freeptard central.

[Phx_Dem]

154. Because there are too many teabagger and GOP lunatics that might do them harm.

But the main response should be BUT THE F OUT. It's none of anyone's business where a president sends his kids to school, particulary not the business the opposing party chair.

[opihimoimoi]

157. 5 Stars ***** :o)

[yurbud]

158. it's a good question, but the answer is a couple of decades of GOP budget priorities plus

the conservative snake oil of education reform (which really means privatization) that unfortunately even Obama has bought, are crippling our schools.

[RoadRage]

159. Maybe if Republicans would FUND Education..

and this country spent less on war and more on school books.. Obama would be able to send his girls to a public school. Never mind the constand security issues or any of that.

Where did the Bush Girls go to school again.. or where they already out of high school by the time W was selected in 00?