The dreaded Obama speech...speech!

OK. I've kept my mouth shut on this long enough. Most everyone knows my political views, so I don't need to preface that. The reason I don't think the president should be allowed to speak in schools, whether he be a democrat or republican, is because politics should not be allowed in schools, plain and simple.

I am actually FOR his speech, but to have it in a setting where parents are not involved is the damaging factor in my head. I have a ton of teacher friends, on both side of the political fence, and I respect the hell out of all of them, but I don't think that they should be the ones fielding questions from the children because there will be a slant based on their personal opinions. Whether I agree with them or not.

I raise my children to believe what they wish and figure out their views on their own. I don't believe in forcing a particular religion, or politics, or whatever into their impressionable little minds. My oldest child DOES attend a catholic school, but that is her mother's decision, and for the record, I wasn't crazy about it even when we were together. My two year old knows who the president is, and I'm very proud of that. Whenever he comes on TV, I get greeted with a loud "OBAMA" shout. I don't discourage her, or say, "Don't say that, because I think he is a socialist moron." I foster the knowledge with a big, "That's right, you're so smart." and she toddles away, happy for the compliment and that she IS, in fact, so smart.

Now back to my point...I should be the one to field questions from my child. They are bound to want to know what the big deal is about this speech, and it should be up to me to explain why people feel the way they do, and not have it blamed on parental idiots, or the school system, or that Obama is the greatest thing since sliced bread.

They are bound to question, why is he telling me to stay in school and do this and that...and I should be the one to answer that your mother and I want the best for you and that we will foster your dreams of college and whatever dream you want to chase, but some of your classmates will not be around on graduation day because of teen pregnancy, or work, or death, or whatever.

I think that if I cannot be involved, then Mr. Obama should allow equal time from the opposition, just like there is for State of the Union adresses, etc. I would say this even if a republican president was trying to pull this stunt. Children should hear from both sides and draw their own opinions. There is absolutly nothing wrong with the president talking to the kids, but on the other side there is nothing wrong with Obama swallowing his ego for a moment and make this a nonpartisan speech and maybe even have a high ranking republican with him on the speech. Maybe even, dare I say it...Ex-president Bush, or *GASP* Sarah Plain! Although, John McCain would be a better choice. What a beautiful image to our kids that two men who absolutely hated each other during the elections, and that parents and educators had strong emotions for, on way or the other, can put aside their differences, both personally and politically, to make a pitch to them about the advantages of getting a good education.

So am I for or against this whole thing...as stated before I am "for" the speech, I think it can do a lot of good and get some much needed dialogue going between parents and their children, but I am "against" it because the school system, Washington DC and more specifically the Obama White House, does not parent my children. And niether should shape the views and morals of what we believe in our household. I know that's the exception and not the rule, as too many parents want the school to raise their kids, and always look to Washington for a bail out, or solution. I am not that person.

So in conclusion, Mr. Obama, I did not vote for you, I do support your speech, but your decision to undermine my authority as a parent by putting your words and face into their classrooms is unacceptable. Make a six o'clock speech next time and I will plop my family in front of the TV and listen to whatever you have to say. That's a promise.

Maybe Police Work Isn't for Me...

This afternoon, I went to the Richmond City Police Department to take the test to be a Police Officer. I didn't pass the fitness test again....

Its a 50/50 feeling for me. Fifty percent of me is let down, Fifty percent of me is happy that I did what I was able to do. Let me explain the test and then where it all fell apart...

I was ushered into the Gym and given an address to remember to recite back to the trainer at the end of the test. Now, I am an actor after all so that was no big deal, and to my credit I did remember it all the way through to the miserable end. So with that in my head I set out on the first "leg" of the test, a 200 yard run...up and back 6 times. Pass.

Next, without a break mind you was 20 steps on an aerobic stepper. Pass.

Without a break again, hit the deck and give me 15 push ups mister!!! Pass.

Roll over and give me 15 sit ups. Pass.

20 more aerobic steps, please. Yes, ma'am. Pass.

Drop and do 15 more pushup's. Sure. Pass.

Now on your back again for 15 more sit ups. 1...2...3...4...5...6...uh-oh...7...8.......9.....10...can't breathe.....heart beating out of chest.....11.....body says, "Thanks for playing, you're done."

All I had to do was crank out 4 more sit-ups and run another 6 up and back and then recite the stupid address, which was 510 North 9th Street, by the way!

But no!!!! Years of smoking and eating the wrong stuff and a complete lack of exercise was my destiny on this day, and it killed me boys and girls. I thought I was going to be sick on the way home from the physical exertion, and also the disappointment. But I kept telling myself to buck up, you just did a 200 yard run, 40 steps, 30 push-ups, and 20 something situps in 5 plus minutes. At least you are not a TOTAL out of shape slob. And most of the population couldn't even do that...so cheer up. However, maybe Police work isn't for you....

This is the second Police test I've taken, the second I've failed, and I assure you dear reader, that there will not be another. I have so much respect for the men and women who protect and serve us, but I guess I'm stuck playing a cop on stage for the rest of my life, which isn't a bad thing at all!