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UPDATE 1: We talk alot about politics in my house and I don't tell him that all republicians are bad and all democrats are good. My concern over Terry is that I have attended his townhall meeting, and spoke with his aides, and I have witnessed his partisan attacks and lies. I wanted my son to attend becuase quite frankly, it is a good learning experience. However, I also wanted him to know about this man's character so that he would not accept his statements as the absolute truth - this applies to all politicians even President Obama. I like the commenter's idea of fact checking his statements when he comes home today, which we will do!
UPDATE 2: Well, it was't all good or all bad. My son said that Terry talked alot about congress's funtion in government. Yeah! However, he then talked about the differences between Democratic and Republician parties. I guess you can imagine what he said.
He then launched into a "Health Care Reform bad, it will cost trillions of dollars" diatribe. I asked my son how he felt about that and he said that he thought it was crap. "I trust you mom!" Heart bursts!!!!
He said he did ask Terry a question, he asked, I'm paraphrasing, "the supreme court ruled that politicians don't have to tell the truth, do you think that it would be a good idea that we make a law saying they have to tell the truth?" Of course he said yes. PROUD of my son! I told him that it is good that his classmates know this!
So, here is what I did yesterday after speaking to his Gov teacher. His teacher said that he has invited other officials to speak but it was hard to get them in. Ne State Senator White committed to coming (yeah). He's the democratic challenger to Terry.
I called around to help the teacher get more officials in. Our local mayor, Jim Suttle, said yes. NE Appelate judge said yes. NE Gov or Lt GOV has said yes. I haven't heard yet from our two Senators. An official from the Federal Reserve Bank also said yes! My son's teacher was very happy.
Thanks to everyone's comments. I read them all. I really appreciate those who had a different pov taking time to respond and some of them helped look at this differently. Not us against them, just all of us in the boat together!
Happy Weekend Everybody!
Peace
Original diary:
My son is 18 and a registered democrat. On the way to school this morning, he said he needed me to sign a permission slip to hear Congressman Lee Terry speak today. Of course, I gagged, and asked if he wanted to attend. He said it's for extra credit and I agreed. But then I told him that I have heard this man lie and not to listen to a word he says. I said, "You know what would be a good question to ask him? Ask him do you think it would be a good idea to make politicians to tell the truth?" My son looked at me with surprise. I said, "Politicians are not required to tell the truth, in fact they often do not." Then I told him of the lies that this man has told and how he ginned up our seniors. My son said he might ask that question but I let him off the hook because I didn't want him to get embarassed. We talked a little more and I dropped him off, but I warned him again "do not believe a word he says." I said I wanted to hear all about it when I pick him up today.
Do you all remember when the GOP has having a shit fit over the President talking to students shortly after he became prez? If I recall correctly, my son's school allowed student to view it, but I cannot remember if it was during or after school. I searched the internet, local paper, and the school district's web site, but I couln't locate any documentation.
I don't want to embarass my son. You know how teenagers can be. Here's what I did: I emailed his teacher inquiring what Mr.Terry would be speaking about and who else does he have plan to address his class. I tried not to reveal that I am a democrat. Hopefully he will be having one of the few d we have.