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View Full Version : 14-yr old girl learns - and teaches - about liberal "tolerance"



Little-Acorn
11-13-2008, 02:41 PM
Looks like an 8th-grader learned the hard way, what most of us have known for many years about how "tolerant" the liberals are toward those who disagree with them... and how easily even her friends can turn into such "tolerant" liberals.

And this from what she probably thought were "ordinary" people in her junior high school.

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http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/elections/sfl-chi1113tolerance-test,0,6396541.story

Tolerance fails T-shirt test

By John Kass, Chicago Tribune Columnist
12:12 PM EST, November 13, 2008

As the media keeps gushing on about how America has finally adopted tolerance as the great virtue, and that we're all united now, let's consider the Brave Catherine Vogt Experiment.

Catherine Vogt, 14, is an Illinois 8th grader, the daughter of a liberal mom and a conservative dad. She wanted to conduct an experiment in political tolerance and diversity of opinion at her school in the liberal suburb of Oak Park.

She noticed that fellow students at Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School overwhelmingly supported Barack Obama for president. His campaign kept preaching "inclusion," and she decided to see how included she could be.

So just before the election, Catherine consulted with her history teacher, then bravely wore a unique T-shirt to school and recorded the comments of teachers and students in her journal. The T-shirt bore the simple yet quite subversive words drawn with a red marker:

"McCain Girl."

"I was just really curious how they'd react to something that different, because a lot of people at my school wore Obama shirts and they are big Obama supporters," Catherine told us. "I just really wanted to see what their reaction would be."

Immediately, Catherine learned she was stupid for wearing a shirt with Republican John McCain's name. Not merely stupid. Very stupid.

"People were upset. But they started saying things, calling me very stupid, telling me my shirt was stupid and I shouldn't be wearing it," Catherine said.

Then it got worse.

"One person told me to go die. It was a lot of dying. A lot of comments about how I should be killed," Catherine said, of the tolerance in Oak Park.

But students weren't the only ones surprised that she wore a shirt supporting McCain.

"In one class, I had one teacher say she will not judge me for my choice, but that she was surprised that I supported McCain," Catherine said.

If Catherine was shocked by such passive-aggressive threats from instructors, just wait until she goes to college.

"Later, that teacher found out about the experiment and said she was embarrassed because she knew I was writing down what she said," Catherine said.

One student suggested that she be put up on a cross for her political beliefs.

"He said, 'You should be crucifixed.' It was kind of funny because, I was like, don't you mean 'crucified?' " Catherine said.

Other entries in her notebook involved suggestions by classmates that she be "burned with her shirt on" for "being a filthy-rich Republican."

Some said that because she supported McCain, by extension she supported a plan by deranged skinheads to kill Obama before the election. And I thought such politicized logic was confined to American newsrooms. Yet Catherine refused to argue with her peers. She didn't want to jeopardize her experiment.

"I couldn't show people really what it was for. I really kind of wanted to laugh because they had no idea what I was doing," she said.

Only a few times did anyone say anything remotely positive about her McCain shirt. One girl pulled her aside in a corner, out of earshot of other students, and whispered, "I really like your shirt."

That's when you know America is truly supportive of diversity of opinion, when children must whisper for fear of being ostracized, heckled and crucifixed.

The next day, in part 2 of The Brave Catherine Vogt Experiment, she wore another T-shirt, this one with "Obama Girl" written in blue. And an amazing thing happened.

Catherine wasn't very stupid anymore. She grew brains.

"People liked my shirt. They said things like my brain had come back, and I had put the right shirt on today," Catherine said.

Some students accused her of playing both sides.

"A lot of people liked it. But some people told me I was a flip-flopper," she said. "They said, 'You can't make up your mind. You can't wear a McCain shirt one day and an Obama shirt the next day.' "

But she sure did, and she turned her journal into a report for her history teacher, earning Catherine extra credit. We asked the teacher, Norma Cassin-Pountney, whether it was ironic that Catherine would be subject to such intolerance from pro-Obama supporters in a community that prides itself on its liberal outlook.

"That's what we discussed," Cassin-Pountney said about the debate in the classroom when the experiment was revealed. "I said, here you are, promoting this person [Obama] that believes we are all equal and included, and look what you've done? The students were kind of like, 'Oh, yeah.' I think they got it."

Catherine never told us which candidate she would have voted for if she weren't an 8th grader. But she said she learned what it was like to be in the minority.

"Just being on the outside, how it felt, it was not fun at all," she said.

Don't ever feel as if you must conform, Catherine. Being on the outside isn't so bad. Trust me.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2008-11/43336620.jpg

namvet
11-13-2008, 03:32 PM
more child abuse.

No1tovote4
11-13-2008, 03:38 PM
Is it worse to be crucified or crucifixed? I'm confused.

avatar4321
11-13-2008, 05:58 PM
I hope she remembers the lesson. People dont change as they get older. they are juts as mean and abusive

crin63
11-13-2008, 06:19 PM
Isn't tolerance such a beautiful thing.

Just like the tolerant queers protesting, flipping people off, stomping on a little old ladies cross and screaming at her.

Liberals at their finest. I never expect anything less from them.

gabosaurus
11-13-2008, 06:36 PM
So the liberal media has succeeded in brainwashing the average 12-14 year old? What a victory for us!!

Little-Acorn
11-13-2008, 07:12 PM
So the liberal media has succeeded in brainwashing the average 12-14 year old? What a victory for us!!

The sad part is, gabby thinks she's making a joke by saying that.

Kathianne
11-13-2008, 07:19 PM
The sad part is, gabby thinks she's making a joke by saying that.

I would say it's more the neighborhood than the media. Oak Park is the first suburb west outside of Chicago. Very diverse-very rich and very middle and lower middle class, separated by I-290, a 6-8 lane highway, (The Ike). Bordered on the east by Austin, (national readers: this is 'The West Side of Chicago').

Heavily Democrat area, with the 'rich' being huge donors and the 'middle/lower middle class' being workers.

There is so much ironic humor in the tolerance message.

I'm still trying to imagine a murder with a crucifix. 'Crucifixed' as a verb? :eek:

Immanuel
11-13-2008, 07:29 PM
I hope she remembers the lesson. People dont change as they get older. they are juts as mean and abusive

I think you are wrong.

Most of us start out as intolerant liberals. Ever watch a baby cry? They are much like liberals. They cry because they are not getting what they want handed to them on a silver spoon or because little Johnny has the toy that they want. They cry because they are not getting their way.

But, eventually, they all tend to grow up. And when they grow up, they become more conservative. Many, if not most, begin to realize that other people are not going to give them everything they want and yes... as they do finally grow up they turn into those selfish, mean, greedy conservatives that won't give the baby candy because candy will rot the babies teeth!

Immie

Damn! I did it again... I'm going to get in trouble for this post... but I'm posting it anyway. :D

Kathianne
11-13-2008, 07:55 PM
I think you are wrong.

Most of us start out as intolerant liberals. Ever watch a baby cry? They are much like liberals. They cry because they are not getting what they want handed to them on a silver spoon or because little Johnny has the toy that they want. They cry because they are not getting their way.

But, eventually, they all tend to grow up. And when they grow up, they become more conservative. Many, if not most, begin to realize that other people are not going to give them everything they want and yes... as they do finally grow up they turn into those selfish, mean, greedy conservatives that won't give the baby candy because candy will rot the babies teeth!

Immie

Damn! I did it again... I'm going to get in trouble for this post... but I'm posting it anyway. :D

As you should! :slap: :laugh2: Truth is, real conservatives are like the 'good parent.' Wanting you to do the 'right thing' for the right reasons. Now, if you stray, especially while young, toleration rules. However, when it becomes over the top, meaning you have no sense of right or wrong, slap down.

It's not a matter of not wanting to help out the 'less fortunate', check out conservative groups helping those with psychological disorders, (in the past, mental issues), AIDS, Homelessness, Salvation Army, etc. Flipside, less tolerance for those claiming handouts for ARM loans, credit card debt, etc.

BTW, less tolerance also for Freddie/Fannie, AIG, credit card companies, auto makers/workers, etc.

namvet
11-13-2008, 07:58 PM
I think you are wrong.

Most of us start out as intolerant liberals. Ever watch a baby cry? They are much like liberals. They cry because they are not getting what they want handed to them on a silver spoon or because little Johnny has the toy that they want. They cry because they are not getting their way.

But, eventually, they all tend to grow up. And when they grow up, they become more conservative. Many, if not most, begin to realize that other people are not going to give them everything they want and yes... as they do finally grow up they turn into those selfish, mean, greedy conservatives that won't give the baby candy because candy will rot the babies teeth!

Immie

Damn! I did it again... I'm going to get in trouble for this post... but I'm posting it anyway. :D


Ever watch a baby cry? They are much like liberals

nough said !!!! :laugh2::lol:

avatar4321
11-13-2008, 09:22 PM
I think you are wrong.

Most of us start out as intolerant liberals. Ever watch a baby cry? They are much like liberals. They cry because they are not getting what they want handed to them on a silver spoon or because little Johnny has the toy that they want. They cry because they are not getting their way.

But, eventually, they all tend to grow up. And when they grow up, they become more conservative. Many, if not most, begin to realize that other people are not going to give them everything they want and yes... as they do finally grow up they turn into those selfish, mean, greedy conservatives that won't give the baby candy because candy will rot the babies teeth!

Immie

Damn! I did it again... I'm going to get in trouble for this post... but I'm posting it anyway. :D

I disagree. Some people grow up. Not all. Some dont learn from experience. Maybe im just alittle cynical because of the people i work with. But I just dont think its a natural change. I think it happens when you have good parents. and some people do learn from their experience. But the most powerful way to change someones heart comes from the Word of God.

Kathianne
11-13-2008, 09:45 PM
I disagree. Some people grow up. Not all. Some dont learn from experience. Maybe im just alittle cynical because of the people i work with. But I just dont think its a natural change. I think it happens when you have good parents. and some people do learn from their experience. But the most powerful way to change someones heart comes from the Word of God.

Sometimes even with good parents, the kids take a different route. Sometimes the 'kids' are right, in spite of the parents. Can go either way.

AlbumAddict
11-13-2008, 10:08 PM
People dont change as they get older.

This is my mantra! That and "everyone lies"...lol

AlbumAddict
11-13-2008, 10:11 PM
I would say it's more the neighborhood than the media.

Heavily Democrat area, with the 'rich' being huge donors and the 'middle/lower middle class' being workers.

I have to disagree. My daughter is in 5th grade and they did a LOT on the election and the issues in her Social Studies class. She felt very intimidated for supporting Palin and we leave in a strongly republican county and city. Go figure.

AlbumAddict
11-13-2008, 10:15 PM
I think you are wrong.

Most of us start out as intolerant liberals. Ever watch a baby cry? They are much like liberals. They cry because they are not getting what they want handed to them on a silver spoon or because little Johnny has the toy that they want. They cry because they are not getting their way.

But, eventually, they all tend to grow up. And when they grow up, they become more conservative. Many, if not most, begin to realize that other people are not going to give them everything they want and yes... as they do finally grow up they turn into those selfish, mean, greedy conservatives that won't give the baby candy because candy will rot the babies teeth!

Immie

My daughter was born conservative I guess! She didn't cry like that, even as a baby. And then, as she got older, we taught her to share and that the world doesn't revolve around her, and she was okay with it. Never threw fits or anything. Well, she threw terrible tantrums when I had to put her in her carseat....I think she saw me as big government making her wear a safety harness that made her uncomfortable! :wink2:

Kathianne
11-13-2008, 10:17 PM
I have to disagree. My daughter is in 5th grade and they did a LOT on the election and the issues in her Social Studies class. She felt very intimidated for supporting Palin and we leave in a strongly republican county and city. Go figure.

Haven't a clue to what happened, though it seems locale.
My school is in DuPage County, expected and did go R.

AlbumAddict
11-13-2008, 10:27 PM
I do want to say that I was really impressed with the kids at my school (I work there). I designed a computer program and the 3rd-5th graders came down during the Social Studies classes to vote. Logical or not, all of the kids talking about their vote had a reason and it wasn't "My mom likes him" or "he's black". I almost want to right a book of the things they said because they cracked me up. Child views of adult conversations obviously, but at least they were giving it THOUGHT...it gives me hope for the future. If we can inspire our children with a love and passion for government, maybe there is hope...

A couple of my faves:

One kid walked into the "booth" chanting "O-ba-ma, O-ba-ma", but sat there for almost a minute deciding who to vote for.

Another child said he hoped Obama won because then school would be easier. I asked him what he meant and he said that Obama was gonna get rid of the FCAT (standardized test here)

Two kids were talking and one said "[another student] said that Obama is going to blow up the US" The other kid replied "that doesn't even make sense...he lives here."

According to another child, Obama is going to kill all the babies and make it so women can never have children again and then there will only be dinosaurs left.

One of the first kids to vote sat down and quickly asked "which one's the white guy?" Un oh....

Immanuel
11-14-2008, 07:51 AM
I disagree. Some people grow up. Not all. Some dont learn from experience. Maybe im just alittle cynical because of the people i work with. But I just dont think its a natural change. I think it happens when you have good parents. and some people do learn from their experience. But the most powerful way to change someones heart comes from the Word of God.

Well, I did say, "Many, if not most,".

Immie

Little-Acorn
11-14-2008, 11:45 AM
I have to disagree. My daughter is in 5th grade and they did a LOT on the election and the issues in her Social Studies class. She felt very intimidated for supporting Palin and we leave in a strongly republican county and city. Go figure.

The socialists have been concentrating on infiltrating the schools for decades now. They have always known that the way to spread their agenda, was by persuading younger people who (a) haven't enough education and experience to know what socialism does to a country, and (b) will still be around long after the present grown-ups are dead and gone.

Pretty effective tactics, you gotta admit. And your daughter is now their principal target.

AlbumAddict
11-15-2008, 08:42 AM
The socialists have been concentrating on infiltrating the schools for decades now. They have always known that the way to spread their agenda, was by persuading younger people who (a) haven't enough education and experience to know what socialism does to a country, and (b) will still be around long after the present grown-ups are dead and gone.

Pretty effective tactics, you gotta admit. And your daughter is now their principal target.

Wow. Pretty strong statements for someone who knows nothing about my daughter's school. Our school system is only 4 years old and I'm fairly certain there is no infiltration yet from political activitists of any kind. I was mostly making the point that our city/county political climate wasn't really reflected in our school. I think the reason is that our city is a majority of retirees that are more conservative, but the kids in school are obviously from younger families which tend to be more liberal. That's all.

Her "intimidation" (if you want to call it that) was simply from being in the minority. Not from anything like what the 14 year old experienced in the article, so my second point would simply be that when your in the minority on any issue, that alone can feel a little intimidating...you sort of start off on the defensive.