What would you do?

[Just_A_Guy]

I wonder whether part of her issue isn't that he's immoral/dishonest per se, but that he "got away with it". In the minds of many, Clinton represents a turning point where Americans at large abandoned any true expectation that a sitting President exhibit some semblance of morality. I think both Obama and, to some extent, Bush, skated through on some issues because the bar of personal integrity had been so publicly lowered by Clinton.

I wouldn't go so far as she did; but I understand the thinking. My kid would at least add to his list of "fun facts", the fact that Clinton was the first US President to be disbarred.

[Lakumi]

I wonder whether part of her issue isn't that he's immoral/dishonest per se, but that he "got away with it". In the minds of many, Clinton represents a turning point where Americans at large abandoned any true expectation that a sitting President exhibit some semblance of morality. I think both Obama and, to some extent, Bush, skated through on some issues because the bar of personal integrity had been so publicly lowered by Clinton.

I wouldn't go so far as she did; but I understand the thinking. My kid would at least add to his list of "fun facts", the fact that Clinton was the first US President to be disbarred.

and his half brother was in Pumpkinhead 2

[Wingnut]

JAG, you may be right, but here's what I think her huge objection to it is. This friend is in her early 30's. In the thread on FB, she mentioned at least twice that she's not interested in politics, and isn't "politically savvy" at all. Being that she's the same age (roughly) that I am, I would guess that Clinton is the first president that she remembers knowing much about as a current event, rather than as a history lesson. She was in high school when his affair became public. She may remember Bush and Reagan, but only in that she learned in grade school that they were the president...nothing about them or what they were doing at a given time. But she likely has clear memories of watching news coverage, Leno monologues, and more, and all that even before social media. It made a big impact on her because it's the first thing she remembers learning about a sitting president, and it left a sour taste in her mouth.

That's all conjecture, based on timeline and my own experience with political awareness. But I think there might be something to it.

[dahlia]

Says the professor: The child should do the assignment. It won't be the last time he has to write about something contrary to his (or his parents') beliefs, religion, food preference, etc. Leave out the stuff no 1st grader should be reading/writing about anyway.

Says the person: I once worked in an organization that invited Clinton to one of our learning events. I would go to Silicon Valley and hang out for several days with the big names from the computer industry and a few hours with Clinton. I'd be with him during the event, so lots of time to talk, shake his hand, whatev.

My issue, as the widow of a combat veteran who served in Vietnam, was Clinton's famous line, "I loathe the military." I don't need anymore. Anyway, it caused me some real mental turmoil. My son said his father would never forgive me for being in the same room as Clinton, and neither would he. I begged off from the assignment and someone else went.

I still think the school child should write the paper (what the heck can 1st graders write anyway?). I almost choke when I have to do it, but I actually include Clinton and Gore in my info policy class because of the internet policies and initiatives that happened at that time. You can't ignore history - but you don't have to suck up to the people who made it, either.

[beefche]

Wingy, what was her response after this post? I'm curious.

Quote:

It doesn't offend me, I just don't get it. For one thing, how do you explain to him why he has to choose another person without telling him what you don't want him to know? For another, I just don't understand why he can't report on things like that Clinton was the 2nd youngest person elected to the office, he was left-handed, he played the saxophone, etc. And in two years, he'll probably be studying the Holocaust and may have to do a book report on Hitler. What then?

Clearly we have different parenting styles on an issue such as this, and that's fine. I'm just presenting a different view. I just honestly can't imagine a scenario where Jack would come across information about Monica Lewinsky in books that he'd find in the elementary school library. But then again, my oldest is only in kindergarten, and I haven't been in an elementary school library in a number of years.

[Wingnut]

Wingy, what was her response after this post? I'm curious.

Refer to the comment above yours. All I said was that there were better presidents and [son] was okay with that. It's not a big deal to him and I'm surprised it's such a big deal to you. I don't know why you care so much who my 1st grader does a report on.

The "comment above mine" was the one in which she said "sorry if that offends you."

Basically, this response was "I don't want to talk about it anymore, but I'm not going to let you get the last word on my parenting choices." Which I get, and I'm okay with it. I really was just trying to offer an alternate point of view.

I'm actually a little surprised at the response I've received in this thread, since I tend to be at odds with most participants of this forum on political and social issues. I thought there might be more people of the same opinion as my friend, wanting to protect and shield their child from such topics. I'm glad to discover that my thought process on this isn't quite as far out there as it apparently is among her friends and family.

[beefche]

I'm much more conservative than you and I can't stand Clinton for his immoral practices. But, history is history and I don't believe in completely isolating children from realities. So, as a first grader, he isn't likely to run across the hound-dog activities of a sitting president. As a 6th grader or older, then he is likely to run into alley cat antics. But, I would then look at that as an opportunity teach my child and reinforce lessons on morality, honor, and integrity.

Does my feelings on Clinton seem apparent in this post?

[Wingnut]

I very much agree with you in all aspects of that post, Beefche. You can't just ignore things (or people) because you don't like them.

I can sympathize with Dahlia having a good reason to despise the man that doesn't have anything to do with his pants (or lack thereof).

[carlimac]

My 5th grader has to do a report or find a fact about a different president every week and they report their findings to the class. I wonder what kind of discussion will ensue with all those 11 yr olds if someone reports the Lewinski fact on Clinton's week. Glad I'm not the teacher. My guess is that they'll skip Clinton since there aren't enough weeks of school to hit them all.

[applepansy]

I think I would let him do the report. I would use it as a teaching opportunity and insist he include all the bad with the little bit of good Clinton did. Ist grade isn't too early to learn about right and wrong.

[Quin]

JAG, you may be right, but here's what I think her huge objection to it is. This friend is in her early 30's. In the thread on FB, she mentioned at least twice that she's not interested in politics, and isn't "politically savvy" at all. Being that she's the same age (roughly) that I am, I would guess that Clinton is the first president that she remembers knowing much about as a current event, rather than as a history lesson. She was in high school when his affair became public. She may remember Bush and Reagan, but only in that she learned in grade school that they were the president...nothing about them or what they were doing at a given time. But she likely has clear memories of watching news coverage, Leno monologues, and more, and all that even before social media. It made a big impact on her because it's the first thing she remembers learning about a sitting president, and it left a sour taste in her mouth.

That's all conjecture, based on timeline and my own experience with political awareness. But I think there might be something to it.

^^^^^

This.

I bet you are sooooooo on the money, here.

All presidents (that I'm even passingly familiar with) have similar or even more strident objections.

But it's amazing how "history" gets a pass, while "current events" do not.

And how HARD it is when our current events BECOME history!!!

Q