And The Children Shall Lead
Jonathan Krohn is the 14 year old author of "Define Conservatism." He made quite an impression recently when he spoke at CPAC. You can see that speech here. He's been making the media rounds-- Fox News, G. Gordon Liddy and the like. He's glad-handed most of the movers and shakers in the conservative movement today such as Mike Huckabee and Sarah Palin to name just two. Surprisingly, all the attention doesn't seem to have gone to his head.
He recently took time out of busy schedule to talk to us. I was most impressed by his confidence and intelligence. He handles the media like an old pro, and not everybody can whip the election of 1832 and Transcendentalism out of thin air in a conversation. He says he doesn't want to be a politician, but I wouldn't be surprised if we are calling him "Mr. President" a couple of decades from now.
Jonathan Krohn is not the only wunderkind on the political scene these days. On the other side of the microphone is 10 year old journalist Shelby Fallin. Shelby reports for Scholastic Magazine and has interviewed politicos on both sides of the aisle. Here's a sampling of her body of work. Shelby spoke to us earlier this year.
Comments
We could fuss all day long about which side "trotted out" their children at whichever convention for whatever motive... Blah, blah, blah... Yadda, yadda, yadda. It's got to be hard to be a teen-aged, unwed mother under the media magnifying glass, regardless of political affiliation. If Bristol had been the daughter of some high-profile liberal icon, no doubt she would be "trotted out" as the poster child of modern teen reality, lauded for her courage and showered with compassion.
But what does this have to do with Jonathan Krohn? I applaud the kid for knowing what he believes and why he believes it. Instead of presenting any kind of reasoned argument about why his ideas and ideals are wrong, or even acknowledging him in any rational way, you choose to trash talk another individual. As proof of what? How do you want me to compare this apple and this orange?
Do you mean that since Sara Palin is conservative and Jonathan Krohn is conservative and since you evidently disapprove of the way Sara Palin is raising her daughter that it is somehow a reflection on Jonathan and his parents? Or do you simply think that all conservatives are hypocritical, manipulative, exploiters of their children? That's a mighty broad brush. Aren't liberals supposed to be champions of tolerance and diversity of opinion?
What a wonderful example you are setting.
The Republicans have been successful at selling black and white/non-nuanced commentary for decades now so I guess I should not be surprised that they have turned to an age group which is known for its ability to understand and communicate complex ideas...the preteen.
Sorry, couldn't resist the sarcasm.
No matter how bright this kid is (and I am DEEPLY skeptical of this), no 13 year old can understand nuanced thought...the plain fact is the child is simply reciting simple comments he has heard from the ideologues who dominate the airwaves and parroting them back. It's hard to say what the greatest tragedy here is...the adults who are stroking his ego and pretending that he is brilliant simply because they have run out of gimmicks ("the woman who hunts"..."the plumber who knows how to put Democrats on the defensive"..."the young Indian-American who did it on his own" etc.)...or the adults who actually lap up what this child is spewing.
His world view is stunningly narrow and parochial and so it is easy for him to lambast anything and everything which requires nuance. A parrot could do just as well, frankly.
Gavage - This term specifically refers to force-feeding of young ducks or geese in order to fatten their livers in the production of foie gras.
What term do you use to describe the force feeding of a young man in order to get him to regurgitate "prefabricated right wing schtick?"
Of course, if the kid was spouting off dogma from the left you would probably be heaping praise on the "enlightened" little prodigy.
You are certainly quick to discount those who disagree with you and toss out generalities and stereotypes about a class of people you don't like. Why do you feel the need to marginalize people who think differently than you do? Do you feel threatened by the ideas they represent? Is there no room in your world view for those with differing opinions?
I am not only offended by your smug, superior attitude, but the terms by which you categorize and marginalize other people--"the woman who hunts"..."the plumber who knows how to put Democrats on the defensive"..."the young Indian-American who did it on his own" (Descriptions I've never heard a Republican, conservative or moderate use.) Basically, anybody who doesn't share your point of view simply isn't worthy of being regarded as an individual.
And as for parroting talking points, where did you get yours, the Huffington Post? Do you have to actually log on to get them, or do they just e-mail you your opinions on a daily basis?
And why are you here anyway? I didn't email you this article. I didn't invite you for debate. I'm not on your blog trying to force my views down your throat, or pointing out that it is a violation of the Vox terms of service to impersonate someone else or post copyrighted material, Madonna.
Anyway, thanks for stopping by. I appreciate your interest and thank you for sharing your opinion. I believe in freedom of speech and a diversity of opinions. That's why I left your comments up and responded to them, rather than just deleting them because I don't agree with you. But this blog is about lots of stuff, not just politics, and I have no intention of letting it degenerate into shrill partisan sniping. Why don't we agree to disagree and move on to another topic or just shake hands and part ways with no hard feelings?