A conversation that I never had with my granddaughter

[Horse with no Name]

It is Spring Break this week. My 7 year old granddaughter and I are spending the morning not doing a darn thing. I am on the computer and she is coloring.

A commercial about bullying comes on TV.

She looks at me and said that she would never bully anyone because it would hurt someone's feelings.

We actually have never addressed bullying or had a conversation about it. But, we have taught her to treat others with respect, share, and to be kind. We also do these things and set the example for her.

As I think about the bullies that I have to deal with in life--the majority of them are "conservatives".
I would imagine the bullies the kids in school have to deal with are the children of these "conservatives".

Bullies almost ALWAYS steal something from you...whether it is your toy, your happiness, your home, your car, your job...etc.

I really wonder why people don't realize the obvious.

WHY would ANYONE want to associate themselves with a bully? It makes no sense.

[The Backlash Cometh]

1. I was thinking something similar to that this morning.

I was thinking how I tend to change my opinion based on the facts. If the facts change then it makes sense that the opinion can change as well. But, I realized that this is an anomaly where I live. People are judged based on their firm stands. They are respected, not because of their reasoning, but on how stubbornly they hold onto an idea, no matter how wrong it may turn out to be.

I think what people around here admire is that the person is so respected that no one questions his or her authority, no matter how bad the idea is. If that's the rules of engagement, does it surprise anyone that our society breeds a lot of bullies since it's that air of demanded respect that is most coveted?

[madmax]

2. Since she brought it up did

the conversation go further? I would love to know more of her thoughts.

My grands are 20 and 16. My granddaughter is 20 and I spent a lot of time with her during her first 6 years. Those were great times. Hang on to these days HWNN - they're gone in a flash!

[ehrnst]

3. Bullies rule the playground. If you think you're in good with one, you might think you're safe.

That said, many bullies are abused or bullied at home. Not that it excuses bullying, but I think that the issue isn't so much a parent's political stance but the insecurity at home.

My alcoholic grandfather beat my uncle, who bullied my father. My father was in turn, abusive to us in many ways. My brother became a bully, while I became a rebel (and defender of bullied people), and my sister became the family peacemaker.

Someone that tried to bully me in high school reconnected with me and told me about the awful things that were going on in her home - her dad out of work, and drinking. She was in a powerful clique in school, and she said that it felt good that people feared her disapproval. It gave her a sense of control when she had no other. I challenged that, and she said that she thought I was trying to destroy her life. Literally. She stopped bothering me when I finally turned around, shoved her up against the wall and said, "Stay. Out. Of. My. Face - or I will knock you into next week."

I hated having to do that. I somehow figured out a way to make her more afraid of hurting me than not hurting me.

[lumberjack_jeff]

5. They also rule business. nt

[DCKit]

4. Your grand-daughter is a sane human.

Rest assured that she will never, ever, vote Republican.

[grilled onions]

6. It's A Control Issue

It feeds their warped ego. People mean little in their world and the more carnage they can create by hurting people,mentally,physically is a star in their book. They might start with toys or ruling all the games at recess. When others step in they up the ante. They take this horrible lifestyle with them as they grow up and "apply" their same tactics on spouse,children and even in the work place. They care nothing of what their hate and crushing attitude will do to those around them. They even like the reputation they get for being this way. They may be lonely because few can tolerate being around them but their love of self is enough to sustain them. Sadly they make life a living hell for so many.