Welcome to the Double Sided States of America

Despite deep down knowing better, I am surprised at the immediate, negative reaction to Pres. Obama's decision about Gen. Stanley McChrystal. All I keep reading from conservative bloggers is "What about his freedom of speech?".

To which I think - WHAT?

Are you seriously defending this man? Aren't you the same base of conservatives who wanted the Dixie Chicks kicked out of our country or worse for one small comment that was made about their disapproval of Pres. Bush's actions?

So, let's compare. An entertainer, with no governmental ties whatsoever, speaks her mind and gets accused of being Unamerican because we need to display a united front at all times. However, a high ranking official speaks out against the President and rightfully loses his position (after all, he's not showing respect and a united front is he) but now his Freedom of Speech rights have been violated.

Somehow, it appears we have expressed ourselves in another double standard. It's kind of like conservatives loving to spend money on an unwinnable war but not to rebuild our own economy. Never mind that some of our economic mess was caused by their greed and lower standards in loaning and trading. That is irrelevant.

It is nice to see that entertainers are held to higher standards than our men and women risking their lives for our country. Entertainers - support our country no matter what policies you don't believe in. Military Officials - please criticize the current President because you are fighting a war started by our previous President, where most errors were made.

This worries me for the type of environment our children are growing up in. I wonder how history will remember these times.

Little Ears Are Really Listening

Well, I've learned a valuable kid lesson. Even when you think they are rolling their eyes and sighing heavily, they might still be listening.

My daughter, C., has a friend, Q. C & Q have very similar, pushy type personalities. There have been times they've had conflicts. After which, I've talked to C about how she handled things and things that both have done that were not the friendliest.

I'll admit that my talks probably leaned more on what Q did than C, although I have pointed out faults of both of them. Apparently this week, Q and C were fighting at school so my darling daughter felt it necessary to tell Q that she wasn't my favorite among C's friends.

Well, of course Q was upset! I never meant C to use anything I said in a fight amongst themselves. With the above mentioned eye rolling and sighing I never knew she was taking it to heart at all.

Now, I have immense feelings of guilt. Lesson learned. Now, I have to figure out how to make it better. I hope Q's parents believe that I am sorry for Q being upset. I have told them what I told C and how it probably got misinterpreted. And I've talked to C about how you don't repeat things Mama said, especially not in a way to hurt someone's feelings.

Oh the webs we weave…