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My Page: Jerry Brady

Guest Opinion: Children Chant

When second- and third-graders chanted "Assassinate Obama" on a Madison School District bus recently, district spokeswoman Janet Goodliffe explained that most of the children didn't understand what the words mean. According to The Associated Press, she attributed the chant to the community's being "highly conservative" and overwhelmingly for John McCain.

I admire Janet Goodliffe as a preschool education leader. But as a teacher, she offered tortured excuses instead of capitalizing on a great teaching opportunity.

This is not an isolated incident. As a former teacher and Idaho Falls school volunteer, Luella Hendrickson, wrote on this page Thursday, after the election, children in her daughter's elementary class condemned Obama for being a Muslim, not being a U.S. citizen, selling out to the Arabs, taking away our guns, etc.

Anyone with ears to hear know these children were parroting their parents. Children get the drift from home: The new president is radical, dangerous and not to be trusted.

How terribly sad. [more]

Inside the DNC with Jerry Brady

Attending the convention with my wife, Rickie, adds to the experience, I’ll tell you that. For one thing, it means dancing in the aisles at all times possible.

But to see it through her eyes, at least a little, is to trace a personal history entwined with Democratic conventions, political history and the role of women in America.

Last night as we listened to Sen. Hillary Clinton deliver that pitch-perfect speech, Rickie began to cry. She was completely surprised. Overwhelmed. I asked her why. [more]

Inside the DNC with Jerry Brady

How long does Camelot last?

At least one more night.

By now you’ll likely have read reviews of Ted Kennedy’s electrifying appearance at the convention last night or have seen it on television. For me, it was a moment of personal significance and emotion. [more]

Inside the DNC with Jerry Brady

For delegates, this convention is an embarrassment of riches.

First comes a blue bag stuffed with promotional giveaway stuff from those who want to bend delegates minds: a pedometer from something called AstraZeneca; ten dollars off my next FedEx shipment; numerous pens, keychains and candies; a box of macaroni and cheese adorned with a donkey holding a “Democrats in 2008!” sign and fitness juice.

And my favorite, a soft plastic replica of a lump of coal from Peabody Coal, the famous strip-miner and subject of a folk song about the company carrying away West Virginia. Advertising for “clean coal” is everywhere here. Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer will be pleased when he arrives to address the convention. [more]

The DNC Blog

Idaho gave Barack Obama the largest margin of victory of any caucus or primaries—80 percent. From Obama himself to numerous national media, Idaho was credited as the quintessential example of how he outsmarted his opponents and swept to victory: organize in every state and bear down on the caucuses.

Idaho provided Obama with a larger margin of victory than Ohio or Pennsylvania gave Hillary Clinton.

Is that why the Idaho delegation was seated right below and to the left of the podium? Well, if so, that distinction is no more. [more]