Rise of the KinderProps
Exploiting children for political ends is not something done by only one political party, but it's something I abhor. Today's example comes from the esteemed White House, which is not even trying to be subtle about it.
When President Obama engages in his latest bit of political theater today, he will be surrounded by KinderProps. Apparently there are adults in this world who have no problem allowing their own children to be exploited by politicians. Ugh.
And as part of the KinderProp Campaign, the White House gave the Associated Press letters from little kids pleading for gun control. Is that narrative clear enough for you? Here they are:
"It's a free country but I recommend there needs (to) be a limit with guns," Grant wrote in a letter dated Dec. 17. "Please don't let people own machine guns or other powerful guns like that."
In the days after the shooting, children around the country had the same idea as Grant. They put their feelings about the massacre on paper and sent those letters to a receptive White House.
"I am writing to ask you to STOP gun violence," wrote Tajeah, a 10-year-old from Georgia. "I am very sad about the children who lost their lives. So, I thought I would write to you to STOP gun violence."
Regardless of your views on whether the 2nd Amendment should be amended or repealed or what not, isn't this kind of exploitation of children ... bad for the children? And bad for the country?
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Comments:
Jan '11
Re: Rise of the KinderProps
They should also be there when Obama discusses his killer-drone strategy.
And the crawl underneath the screen today should read: "The President has already spent $40,000 from each of these children's future."
I mean, as long as it's for the children.
Oct '10
Re: Rise of the KinderProps
It worked for Hitler.
Oct '11
Re: Rise of the KinderProps
But Molly, wouldn't it be great if we all put aside our cold, jaded, facts and logic and took up a child-like, emotion-based ignorance?... I mean innocence! The government has has spent the last hundred years trying to turn us into their obedient, malleable, perpetual-juveniles and now they rely on children to make their legal briefs, the circle is complete.
Edited on January 16, 2013 at 4:22pmOct '10
Re: Rise of the KinderProps
Jesus said, "Come unto Me as little children." He asked for the uncomplicated acceptance by us as though we are children.
The small "g" gods of government impudently mimic that profound statement. What fools they are, and what fools we are if we do their bidding.
Edited on January 16, 2013 at 5:36pmFeb '12
Re: Rise of the KinderProps
It reveals a weakness in the President's argument for gun control if he has to rely on the reasoning of children.
It would be hilarious to see some letters from children written to Obama about budgeting. Although the reasoning there would be flawless: "I ran out of allowance so I stopped buying my friends candy, and then I didn't have any friends and I was sad. I think they just wanted the candy."
I recall a statement by Krauthammer. Once he said something along the lines of "if you want to nationalize something in Europe, you get up one day and say "were doing to nationalize this," if you want to nationalize something in the United States you say "Think of the children!"
Re: Rise of the KinderProps
Jordan Wiegand: It reveals a weakness in the President's argument for gun control if he has to rely on the reasoning of children.
It would be hilarious to see some letters from children written to Obama about budgeting. Although the reasoning there would be flawless: "I ran out of allowance so I stopped buying my friends candy, and then I didn't have any friends and I was sad. I think they just wanted the candy."
Actually, if these are such wunderkinds that we're going to take their advice on something like gun policy, I'm sure they have thoughts on what to do about the Obamacare disaster, our out-of-control federal spending crisis, and the rampant unemployment!
I mean, let's not waste this valuable resource of five-year-old policy geniuses. What else might they teach us?
Jun '11
Re: Rise of the KinderProps
Hiding behind kids does not always work out so well.
Disappointing movie... excellent book.
Apr '11
Re: Rise of the KinderProps
I wonder if this strategy is the least bit effective? Is anybody going to reverse themselves and support gun control because that's what some third-graders want? I know I'd be very embarrassed if I had voted for this guy.
Oct '10
Re: Rise of the KinderProps
Every druggie knows that mainlining gives the greatest high and the greatest danger. Mainlining kiddie emotion has the same effect on prog-lefties.
Dec '12
Re: Rise of the KinderProps
I cannot make a rational, coherent argument in favor of my policies.
So I will steal from National Lampoon and put a gun to a child’s head and demand you stop gun violence. You voted for me. I won.
Here I Stand ... There you go again.
Edited on January 16, 2013 at 5:55pmRe: Rise of the KinderProps
So the NRA put out an ad pointing out that Obama's children are protected at school by armed security. Obama responded by calling it "repugnant and cowardly."
So how in the h-e-double-hockey sticks is Obama going to surround himself with children now?
If it's repugnant and cowardly to note the fact that Obama's children are protected by armed security at their school, how do you use children in your own political theater?
I mean, I guess the way that you do it is by having the media get your back every step of the way, but still, it dilutes the "narrative," as they say.
Dec '12
Re: Rise of the KinderProps
Arm the children!
Feb '11
Re: Rise of the KinderProps
I love bringing my children to pro-life rallies/prayer vigils/marches, so maybe I am as guilty as the president?
Dec '12
Re: Rise of the KinderProps
Catechesis, yes. You give light to your children's path.
Indoctrination, no. Child abuse.
Jan '13
Re: Rise of the KinderProps
Apples and oranges, Mama Toad.
President Obama's theatrics represent all that is wrong with politics in our country. Unfortunately, too many in our nation fall for this. I can hear my in-laws already, "how can you possibly oppose gun-control? No one needs 10 bullets to kill a deer. No one needs a machine gun! Are you okay with more dead kindergarteners? How would you feel if it had been your kindergartener dead?"
Oct '11
Re: Rise of the KinderProps
He is not a serious man. He has never been able to negotiate serious facts, so he has to use emotional appeals. He demonizes the opposition and trots out sob stories to argue his positions. He is a lightweight. I'm not saying he isn't effective.
Aug '10
Re: Rise of the KinderProps
Naturally, the NYT thinks this kind of showmanship is totally fine:
You see, it's OK to exploit the children, because he's doing it... for the children!
They're not so hot on logistics either:
I believe the official term they're looking for is "gun free zone".
Incidentally, those four children on stage with President Obama were probably the safest children in the country for those few minutes. Not because the stage was declared a Gun Free Zone, but precisely because they were surrounded by attentive people with guns.
Apr '12
Re: Rise of the KinderProps
Children and animals will be used for political props. Candidates who are pro choice will have capaign posters made with them surrounded by chikdren. People impose their own assumptions onto the candidate. It is theatre abd Obama does it very well. republicans need to learn politics by impression as a picture does say a 1,000 words.