Children's Literature gets political
"There are a few things you need to know about my dad, and one of them is that if he is elected, he would make a great president. But to know what makes him great, you have to hear his story first."It seems a bit transparent, don't you think? McCain is not alone, Barack Obama is hip to the trend, though the new children's books about his life were not written by his daughter, the new children's books about his life aim to give young readers a picture of a benevolent Obama and his humble beginings. "Barack" written by Jonah Winter and "Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child Hope" written by Nikki Grimes, are books that glorify and lionize the presidential candidate. There is something a little creepy about the way these books treat Mr. Obama as if he were the next Messiah. You can read a couple of reviews here and here. There's no doubt that McCain and Obama want to reach everyone, but I have to wonder if children's literature is the appropriate medium for campaigning. Neither of these two men has become president yet, there is no historical relevance. As the writer in the New York Times stated:
"Let’s perform a brief thought experiment. Let’s imagine the same saucer-eyed prose being written about Michael Dukakis, John Kerry or Al Gore — or for that matter, either George Bush. Nope. Doesn’t quite translate."
found a stray cat and think it is pregnant ? please HELP ??!!!!
Thanks for the hacking, you little jerk. You're indicted.
Sunday, October 12th
11:14PM
Dear Diary,
Still furious over e-mail hacking. That littleâ??I can't even say it. Thought password completely secure, but apparently â??missalaska1984â? not as difficult to guess as would have expected. At least they didnâ??t find the e-mails to Levi that talked about that oneâ??
John walked in while I was in the middle of inscribing rage into diary. Confused for moment as John generally in bed by 8PM except for debate nights, but apparently sleep was disrupted by Secret Service-related nightmares. Asked what he would do in these circumstances. After 20 minute explanation of concept of ‘e-mail hacking,’ finally understood and said that once he’d been in a similar situation when “an unruly young person” asked if it was problem that he was “like, really old.” John got out of it by saying, “Thanks for the question, you little jerk. You’re drafted.” Briefly explored possibility of draft for David Kernell, but trust federal courts will take care of it.
Wanted to send e-card to Levi as congratulations for gettinâ?? married early and avoidinâ?? dangerous and pervertinâ?? college experience leadin' to depraved future life as Yahoo e-mail account hacker, but laptop has been confiscated due to new restrictions on Internet use.
Still have only New York Times to read.
Love yah!
Sarah
New speech with message of change will render crowd speechless
Monday, October 13th
1:22AM
Dear Diary,
Up late writing next inspirational speech. Reminded by speech writers that must be avoid being too inspirational and inadvertently inspiring mob violence. Have heard Secret Service not too happy about mob violence these days.
Finished first draft. Will bring crowd to knees, though not in creepy exorcism-type way like in YouTube video of priest and Palin. Speech is so brilliant that nearly cried while writing, so read aloud to Michelle in hopes of impressing her and making up for argument over behavior at last debate. Also inspired tears, though apparently was not because of beautiful eloquence of writing but because of imagined masses of alcohol-related deaths as listeners played drinking game with words “hope” and “change.” Made me take out almost all inspirational keywords.
But what we know—what we have seen—what we hope—is that America can change. That is the true changing genius of this hopeful nation. What we have already achieved through change and hope gives us more hope—the audacity to hope for change—for what we can hopefully change and must achieve tomorrow.
It requires all hopeful Americans to realize that your hopes and dreams do not have to come at the expense of my hopes and dreams; that investing in changing the health, welfare and education of black and brown and white children will ultimately and hopefully help all of America change and prosper.
I would not be running for president if I didn't believe with all the hope in my heart that this is exactly what the change that the vast majority of Americans want for this hopeful and changeable country. This union may never be perfect and may always need change, change spurred by hope, but generation after generation has shown that it can always be perfected through hope and change.
At least lack of change in polls good news. Still in lead!
Hopefully yours,
Barack