Tell me if this sounds ridiculous, really tell me if it does. For the last four days or so my emotional state has been teetering firmly on the edge. I know this sounds stupid, but i find myself constantly on the verge of tears.
Every time i turn on the news, open the paper or surf the net and come across anything related to Obama or the Inauguration i find my self welling up. Tonight i was watching a program on which they where discussing Dreams of My Father, in its new context of not just an autobiography but, as of Tuesday, an historical document of the upmost importance, i found myself shivering and not from the cold.
and then there is Bush. Each one of his lasts, the last press conference, the last speech and leaving, today, the White House for the last time, i have watched. However it was not the familiar rage and bile that welled up inside me despite the profoundly enraging contents of the press conference and the speech. Instead it was a melancholy. On each occasion, my mind would wander and linger on some of the darkest days of the last eight years. Some of which i know we all share, 9/11, the invasion of Iraq, Katrina to name three, and some where personal moments where the Bush era directly affected me or my family. And again i would feel tears welling up.
At this point i would tell myself to pull it together man, and possibly even slap myself across the face. But it wont stop. In fact it happened again this evening. The most innocent thing sent me close to the edge, and as always innocence and truth comes from the mouths of babes.
This is the news item that did it, its meant im sure to be a light hearted and comical, and it is. Its funny. The New York Times today featured a contributing op ed piece by a tutor who works at a non profit childrens after school homework help centre.
We asked our students — not just those in San Francisco, but ones in Ann Arbor, Mich.; Boston; Chicago; Los Angeles; New York; and Seattle — to offer their thoughts, hopes and advice to Mr. Obama in handwritten letters (many of which came with drawings). Here is the result of their work; some letters have been edited for space.
Of course the Kids are very forthright and know exactly what they want, mostly no homework and lots of play time put on the statue books. But reading them in the context of what is going to happened on Tuesday i found they had added meaning, especially some of them which i have highlighted.
Some of the funny ones:
Dear Sir Obama,
These are the first 10 things you should do as president:
- Make everyone read books.
- Don’t let teachers give kids hard homework.
- Make a law where kids only get one page of homework per week.
- Kids can go visit you whenever they want.
- Make volunteer tutors get paid.
- Let the tutors do all the thinking.
- Make universities free.
- Make students get extra credit for everything.
- Give teachers raises.
- If No. 4 is approved, let kids visit the Oval Office, but don’t make it boring.
— Mireya Perez, age 8, San Francisco
I particularly like point 6. and whole heartedly back point 5. Infact i think we may a future workers rights supporter in the making in Mireya.
Dear President/Mr. Obama,
The best thing about living in the White House would be running around like a maniac. The thing I would like least is the work.
— Holly Wong, age 9, San Francisco
I agree with Holy a child should want to do that if they where President. I would also point out to Holy that thats kinda what we had for the last eight years.
Dear President Obama,
Here is a list of the first 10 things you should do as president:
- Fly to the White House in a helicopter.
- Walk in.
- Wipe feet.
- Walk to the Oval Office.
- Sit down in a chair.
- Put hand-sanitizer on hands.
- Enjoy moment.
- Get up.
- Get in car.
- Go to the dog pound.
— Chandler Browne, age 12, Chicago
Chandler obviously well brought up as testified to by point 3. He also clearly knows the Bush legacy hence point 6, and clearly O better get this puppy quick smart or he will lose the kids.
I was laughing, but the next few once again caught me off guard and i found myself moved because behind the comedy value there is such honesty and innocence.
Dear President Obama,
If I were president, I would tell people to not talk too much. It wastes time. I’d also say to war: no more, no more, no more!
— Catherine Galvan, age 6, Chicago
a kossack in the making is Catherine.
I have grown up with a very liberal mom and a very conservative dad. Thank you for bringing my parents somewhat closer together. :) You are my idol Mr. Barack — I am partly African-American and I am very happy to see an African-American leading this country.
— Olivia Roper-Caldbeck, age 12, Seattle
Dear President Obama,
Could you help my family to get housecleaning jobs? I hope you will be a great president. If I were president, I would help all nations, even Hawaii. President Obama, I think you could help the world.
— Chad Timsing, age 9, Los Angeles
So do i young Chad, so do i.
like i said i know its ridiculous to be getting this emotional about small things, but it is sinking in slowly that we made it through, that maybe these kids will see a good future, that just maybe things will Change.
Tuesday can not come fast enough.
(there are some funny ones at the link i left out,go read them)