There were a couple of items in the news today-one of which was discussed in-depth on Tanner\'s show this morning. Both stories should bang home a message-not only to the parents involved, but all of us parents who are not. That message consists of just two words: be better.
First off, in Michigan, Daniel Lee Cleland told the judge about to sentence him Monday for theft that his 6-year-old son had recently given him some advice for staying out of trouble: "Daddy, stop stealing." And the judge thought those were some words to live by. So she ordered that Cleland must have the words "Daddy, don\'t steal" written or taped on his arm or hand for the next seven months. The trade-off is that Cleland won\'t have to spend the next seven months in jail. Clelend\'s had at least six previous felony convictions, but the judge said this was his last chance.
Here\'s some common sense-I hope: if you\'re a crook and a father, be better. If your child is the one who has to remind you to be better, you need to be better. If you\'re a mother, other family member, or law enforcement official who allows this child to be in the custody of this "father", be better.
And here\'s the one Tanner covered. An 11-year-old in Aurora, Colorado, says his first amendment rights are being trampled after he was suspended for wearing a homemade shirt that reads "Obama is a terrorist\'s best friend." The fifth grader wore it on a day when students were asked to wear red, white and blue to show their patriotism. The boy\'s father Dann Dalton describes himself as a "proud conservative" who has taken part in some controversial anti-abortion protests. Dalton says the school made a major mistake by suspending his son for wearing the shirt. "It\'s the public school system," Dalton says. "Let\'s be honest, it\'s full of liberal loons." According to the boy\'s father, the school district told the student, Daxx Dalton, that he had the choice of changing his shirt, turning his shirt inside out or being suspended. Daxx chose suspension. Daxx says the school\'s taking away his right to free speech.
I might be wrong here, but I doubt it. This story isn\'t about a 5th grader complaining about his rights being violated, it\'s about a very politically active parent using his child as a conduit for his own agenda. Be better. Now again, I could be wrong. This very well may be the first amazingly, politically astute 5th grader-EVER. If he is, I apologize. If he\'s not, Dad, be better. If YOU have a problem with a candidate and YOU want to express it however YOU wish, that\'s YOUR right and YOUR prerogative. However, if the most adult and intelligent way you can think to draw attention to your cause is to use your child, be better. One day, doesn\'t all the mudslinging have to stop on both sides? Don\'t we all want that? Is this the best way you think to be moving toward this goal? Really? Be better.
And before you finish typing your angry email regarding this, keep in mind. I\'m a conservative. Obama and I are about as far apart philosophically as two people can be. That\'s not the issue here. I\'m just trying to be better.
If we as parents don\'t constantly strive to be better-in all ways-as examples for our kids, is it right for us to say we want them, much less expect them to be better themselves?
And that\'s something you can hang your hat on.
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