And now there's this video, made at Sand Hill Elementary School in Asheville, North Carolina (one of my most very favorite places that I've lived, incidentally)...
What the heck is going on here?
Actually, that's a very rhetorical question. Because I do know what's going on here. I've watched it build and grow for the past seventeen years, at least. It's not just a cult of one person. It's a cult of executive power: worshiping the President of the United States as if he were the living seat of divine government. I saw the warning signs during the Clinton era and was utterly appalled at how too many Christians were eager to imbue the same qualities onto George W. Bush. What's going on now with Barack Obama is only the dismal tide of the times.
That said: I still can't recall anything quite this disturbing before in American history. That a outright cult of personality is developing around the President.
This is very wrong in the worst way. I don't know of any other way to put it.
Thanks to Matt Mittan for the heads-up.
This is being blown completely out of proportion by Rush and his crowd. (And Rush didn't even get the dates right!) The children were participating in a program honoring SEVERAL presidents, and current President Obama was just one of them. Even Matt brought this up when he mentioned it today, after playing Rush's diatribe.
ReplyDeleteJessica, I didn't know that, and admittedly that *does* put things into some new context. But I still have a problem with *any* song of praise for ANY President. In my mind the greatest President of the modern era was Ronald Reagan... and I would have a HUGE problem with anyone making little kids sing a song about him.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Reagan would have liked that either...
Chris, the program in question was in February, and in honor of President's day, if I'm not mistaken. (Not in September, as Rush claimed, but then Rush is well known for using half truths to suit his on purposes.) And I don't know about you, but I remember that songs and music were often used to help us remember facts and history in elementary school. There was a reason Schoolhouse Rock was created, after all. (Although one of my favorite songs concerning presidents is a little different: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RA9zxUXnNY)
ReplyDeleteSorry about that link, this one is much better!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vvy0wRLD5s8