Children used in politics

[Blitzkommando]

I find the use of children in politics thoroughly disgusting on so many levels. But I find it especially disgusting when they are paraded around in uniforms to sing praises to the Great Leader. Normally that kind of shit doesn't happen in this country. Because, you know, we aren't fascists or communists that need to instill a god-complex into our leaders so that our children are less likely to grow up fighting their leaders.

That is true, until I saw this.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TW9b0xr06qA"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TW9b0xr06qA

That short video of smiling children scared me more than any video has ever scared me. I was really at a loss of words to describe how not only disgusting, but how disturbing it was to see children paraded in uniforms singing of glories of their parent's chosen leader. This should never be done, ever, for anyone. Exploiting children for a political cause is so morally reprehensible that I am disgusted that people would even consider doing this.

[KodiaX987]

It's the sort of stuff that's forged in history class - when you are young, you're told that your country is the greatest thing since sliced bread and that everyone who worked towards building it is nothing short of a demigod.

So in my case, this means that Jacques Cartier, Maisonneuve and John A. MacDonald are all badass mofos and any disrespect to them equates to having a deathwish. In some other countries, it's elevated to "not actively showing respect, AKA you snooze you lose."

[Solstis]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3e4PlOIrBxw

Not as fancy, but the same sort of thing.

Both terrifying examples, I think.

Okay, I watched all of Blitz's video.

Those parents are jerks.

[Adriano]

This does take the whole 'kiss the baby, and shake the kids hands' thing to an entirely different level.
Though I'd be lying if I said these videos didn't make me laugh, cause they made me uncomfortable, I feel bad for these kids, and I thought stage moms were bad.

[Split]

GOBAMA, I'd be singing for him if I was there lol, we need him desparately, and these kids and their parents volunteered to do this for the campaign sooooooo I think you're reading into this a little too much (granted it is a bit over the top)

[McLaughlin]

Hey. J Mac was a pimp.

[Blitzkommando]

All persons under the age of 18 should have no part in politics. Period. Using children to promote a political agenda harkens back to the Hitlerjugend (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitler_Youth) and other such politically motivated children's groups.

The parents could easily have done the video themselves without involving their children, who likely can't even vote for the next decade. But, I suppose, that would just show them as being as batshit insane as they really are. Writing songs about a candidate with this level, to messianic levels is frightening. I may support a candidate, I might even wear a hat or a shirt, but the idea of writing a song to praise a politician is hardly anything I would consider normal. As I said, it harkens back to the propaganda of the totalitarian states of the 20th Century where things like this were done to keep the peoples' eyes off of the person and elevate them to near god-like status. It's that level of devotion to something like this that frightens me. And the exploitation of children to move it forward is even more disturbing.

[Solstis]

All persons under the age of 18 should have no part in politics. Period. Using children to promote a political agenda harkens back to the Hitlerjugend (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitler_Youth) and other such politically motivated children's groups.

The parents could easily have done the video themselves without involving their children, who likely can't even vote for the next decade. But, I suppose, that would just show them as being as batshit insane as they really are. Writing songs about a candidate with this level, to messianic levels is frightening. I may support a candidate, I might even wear a hat or a shirt, but the idea of writing a song to praise a politician is hardly anything I would consider normal. As I said, it harkens back to the propaganda of the totalitarian states of the 20th Century where things like this were done to keep the peoples' eyes off of the person and elevate them to near god-like status. It's that level of devotion to something like this that frightens me. And the exploitation of children to move it forward is even more disturbing.

The disturbing bit is how common it is. Reminds me of the pictures I've seen from the Westboro Church folks. Pre-teens wearing "God Hates Fags" shirts, smiling without even understanding the context.

I do like Obama, but I really am disgusted with his fans sometimes. Same with McCain/Palin, but I dislike the rabid fanbase AND the politicians.

[Dangerous55]

What upsets me are the parents and people who cry at that stuff and think it is "beautiful". It also upsets me how anyone thinks either of these candidates will do a lick of good.

[thematesV2]

it all depends on whether they do anything they say they will. we all know by now that for politicians double speak is the standard. I hope obama does what he is saying, but if he doesn't, it won't be any different from the other guys.

I think there is a hope for our situation, but at the same time, I won't be surprised if we elect any of the two main candidates and we get a snake..


I'm voting for obama, because I want to see someone other than an old white rich man in office.... not saying that obama isn't rich, he is much better off than most of this country, but he's not an old white man...

in case anyone is wondering, i'm white too..

but yes, children in politics is cheating, everyone knows people love kids, and kids are one of the most sacred things to parents, so using kids is taking the easy way out.

[HUnewearl_Meira]

I'm voting for obama, because I want to see someone other than an old white rich man in office.... not saying that obama isn't rich, he is much better off than most of this country, but he's not an old white man...

I'd like to point out that Barrack Obama is every bit as white as he is black.

Never vote for a person for the sake of their race or gender. These are the wrong qualities upon which to make this sort of a decision. You're trying to choose a leader, not cast an actor.

[Outrider]

I'd like to point out that Barrack Obama is every bit as white as he is black.

Never vote for a person for the sake of their race or gender. These are the wrong qualities upon which to make this sort of a decision. You're trying to choose a leader, not cast an actor.

I mean, that's an entire other issue. The general public perceives him as black despite the fact that he is of a mixed ethnicity. This has to do with the way people in our country perceive race and ethnic background due to some deep-seeded aspects of our culture, but uh, yeah - what he said.

[thematesV2]

let me quote myself from your quote


Quote:
Originally Posted by thematesV2
I'm voting for obama, because I want to see someone other than an old white rich man in office.... not saying that obama isn't rich, he is much better off than most of this country, but he's not an old white man...


where in that quote did I say I was voting for Obama because he is Black... I did not say that. I said I was voting for him because he wasn't a old rich white guy... which is what we have had for the rest of our history as a country.. sure people can say that Race is a card that should never be played in politics..... and sometimes I agree. but other times I violently dissagree. because if we should never look at race as a quality, then no-one would have had slaves, no one would have been pissed about Rosa Parks. I have grown up my whole life seeing my environment through lower class eyes. in those eyes I see mainly african american people... also in my eyes I see suburbs and beautiful neighborhoods with money, and who lives in those neighborhoods? white people with money...

I don't know, it seems racist to say this. it seems racist to say that white people get better loan intrest, have less liquer stores and casinos, and have more money protecting them than other races in the US. and they are not the majority of the community by that much. soon they will be a minority in america. but I see those things as truths.

I'm saying that until our country doesn't have such a huge split in race and economy, Race WILL be an issue, even if it's not violent or aggressive. And I'm saying that although people like to think race doesn't play an issue in the run for president, I say it does, and it will if he wins. because we will have broken one of the chains on America since it's founding.

I don't care if you guys think i'm racist. I'm not, I'm just a white guy who doesn't buy into the white flight, white hype or whatever. and I know thats not a big deal. there are lots of people on both sides of the fence about these issues, so by all means, speak your minds.

(edit) I think that came across as claiming that you are calling me a racist, which I'm not claiming that at all. I sometimes feel prejudiced because so many people of white color overt their eyes to the inequality.