I put the diversionary blame really on Ding who wrote a guest post on Bitch Ph.D, she got me riled up. I wanted to write about the STEM educational movement that seeks to add science, technology, engineering and math and de-emphases or remove/reduce liberal arts and non-tactile education. Oh well, some other time.
Kathleen Parker wrote an opinion column in the Chicago Tribune and the column was syndicated to other publications about The Bubba Vote. This is an extract from her commentary:
"A full-blooded American" That's how 24-year-old Josh Fry of West Virginia described his preference for John McCain over Barack Obama. His feelings aren't racist, he explained. He would just be more comfortable with "someone who is a full-blooded American as president."
Whether Fry was referring to McCain's military service or Obama's Kenyan father isn't clear, but he may have hit upon something essential in this presidential race.
Full-bloodedness is an old coin that's gaining currency in the new American realm. Meaning: Politics may no longer be so much about race and gender as about heritage, core values, and made-in-America. Just as we once and still have a cultural divide in this country, we now have a patriot divide.
No, we have a seriously uninformed young man. I don't know where to begin with Kathleen's problems. Never mind, I got to get Bubba squared away first. I feel for him, He might have been one of the first group to graduate under No Child Left Behind. You know, teach to the test and not to cognition? Maybe, maybe not.
Dude, I can help on this one! Check it; you can't become President of the United States unless you are a born citizen. Really. It is in the U.S. Constitution, Article 2, Section 1. There are no exceptions. There is no quota or minority set asides.
There is also no DNA test to measure how American you are or if one person is more American than another. Yes, I'm telling you straight up they can nab you for paternity but there is no way to determine American citizenship via a blood test.
Over at Obsidian Wings:
If I wanted to get into bloodlines, I might note that Barack Obama's grandfather fought in Patton's army, or that he's related to Dick Cheney and Brad Pitt. But I don't. American values are not passed on by blood. They are not found in anyone's DNA. Barack Obama was born and raised here. He doesn't "have to study" American values
So if that was the thing bothering you then rest easy. You can now evaluate the candidates based on merit and not blood type. What else am I forgetting? Oh yeah. Now I know you are concerned about citizenship and the appearance on one person having more citizenship than the other.
Here is the thing Bubba, once you become a citizen you have the full rights and responsibilities of being a citizen. No more and no less. So Bubba, sweetie you can't be more of a citizen than I can be less of one no matter what Kathleen and the other people tell you.
It is written in the 14th amendment of that ole pesky Constitution that guarantees your right to guns and to practice your faith. So long as you respect my right not to have a gun, and not to practice your faith. I got my own. It is like grilling meat with barbecue sauce versus putting it on after you grill your meat.
Respect the differences and appreciate the similarities. Sara at Syndicate & Hague also wants you to know that:
If you think that people don’t deserve the same rights and privileges that you have because you’re afraid of a level playing field, you need to really think about what that means. It means you don’t think you’re good enough, it means you’re insecure about your position in the world, and it means you are petty and exploitative and just plain mean.
I can put my mind to ease knowing that you have now been informed of essential information you should have gotten in civic class except that you didn't because it was cut out with music, art and non-competition sports. So I want to leave you with a few Civics resources (this ain't got nothing to do with cars, just so you know)
For the little shavers you might have them check out Ben's Guide to U.S. Government where they can learn about Citizenship, the rights of citizens and the responsibilities of citizens.
If you home school or you are a teacher you can take advantage parts of the McCormick Tribune Interactive Freedom Museum where test out what you know versus the facts. You can also listen to podcasts about the topic.
There is a lengthy commentary by Thomas Lindsey at Inside Higher Ed that put a wee bit more thought into Becoming American and what colleges and universities can do to help..
I am a contributing editor at BlogHer and it is rough writing three separate post a week.
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