Assuming there’s SOMETHING you can agree with Bush about, why not try to emphasize that to your children? And you can remind them that, even if you absolutely disagree with Bush about everything, that he is, after all, just trying to do what he thinks is right, like basically all people. Incidently, I come from a very Republican family (I would call myself a moderate Republican), and since seeing Bush speak last November in our town my much-younger brother (age has become quite the little conservative. (I think the only issue he actually understood was “high taxes = bad.”) Unfortunately there are some in my family whose favorite conversation is “George W. Bush is the idiotic Antichrist who drinks human blood.” Needless to say family gatherings can get awkward.God bless.

That sunglasses smiley is supposed to be the number 8 with a ) after it.

Age and position are excuses for people who can’t get respect any other way. Why doesn’t Bush have to EARN our respect the way everybody else has to?

Yes Joey, that is helpful and we did say, “Hey, look kids, President Bush is now thinking more seriously about the environment, and that’s great.” It is clearly important to teach children not to just ridicule and malign in the manner of Jon Stewart and other noted critics out there. A theme of mine in this blog lately has been that it’s never enough to just reject the rejected, the shadow, or the other side. Thanks for posting.

His speach is purely republican. I don’t see how kids can understand both sides when only one is speaking. As for health care,it only helps a very small bit,if you are already sick. But most hard labor people still don’t make enough to pay for such things to begin with. And still, inflation will just keep rising,as it always has from years ago. As far as war,your suppose to finish one before you start another one yourself.It is now a very mixed up bag.

I’m from Australia, and have to admit I seriously despise the current president’ behaviour for many things he has instigated to take freedoms and choice away from Americans and people of other nations, as well as his twisted viewpoint and refusal to admit his (and others in his government’s) mistakes. I feel the reason he is now coming forward with half hearted apologies over wrongdoing, is only because he is getting to the pointy end of the stick with a view to the election campaigns and he is scared of losing for once. Although, he can always pull the lies and cheating scams to win as he reportedly previously has in Florida et al. I saw a small part of his state of the Union address on TV, and I did know know whether to laugh or cry. His comments to the idea that America can no longer rely on finding oil to sustain it offshore, and must now look into more sustainable energy methods within your own country, almost saw me throw up all over my carpert. My anger quicly rose high as my thoughts were, “why didn’t you admit that BEFORE you sent troops into Iraq to die over your desire to take everything for you need from wherever you can get it, regardless of the cost?” (I personally never agreed with the Invasion of Iraq and cannot see any benefit from it at all. In fact I think it has just made the whole World more volatile). Honestly, I am surprised that nobody has attempted to assassinate him yet. Or is it just the compassionate, thinking people who have been good for your country who are murdered? As for his plans to seek the sustainable supports, at the very least, and for whatever reason I hope this does happen and that it means more of your unemployed can find employment in industries working to provide these new resources. Even if he is doing it for alterior motives, still something good will hopefully emerge, IF and when he gets to it and instigates what needs to be done to actually find these alternatives. The best thing you can teach your kids about life and about politicians, is never to lose sight of the fact that “there but for the grace of God go I”. In other words, they and we, should not lose sight of the fact that we are all the same. Circumstances are different sure, but we are all equal and all deserve the best life we can get, with a little help if we have fallen on hard times. Most people could probably make a good go of being in high office, if they had the money, education and resources that the politicians all seem to have. I personally have no animosity to the general American public nor towards any of the troops or people caught up in their jobs defending America or other countries. I wish Angel Blessings to all, (Yes, EVEN the President). Shauna

Shauna, I agree with a lot of what you said! I’m also from Australia, but I didn’t see the speech, so I can’t really comment. I think it’s important however to teach kids about politics, and to help them understand their government and how it works.

Just a comment on the Rudolf Steiner-induced tv guilt — since he died in 1925 any views assigned to him about tv are extrapolation. Your own use of tv with your children is an act of wakefulness, which I think he would applaud. It’s warehousing our kids in front of the tv (pc’s, videogames) because we are so time-stressed, that we ought to be more concerned about.