"If you were a bigot, would you know it? Would you care?"

[genius]

This is a great article about bigotry, governmental child abuse and what is wrong with our voting system. Natasha makes a very compelling case for giving children the right to vote and discusses what kind of candidates children would support if they got that right. Kucinich would be doing a lot better if kids were voting. She also has some interesting comments about Dubya, Ashcroft, Trent Lott and Tom Delay. The Republicans better hope children never get the vote.

http://debateusa.com/featured/hull_richter.htm

Bigotry in the Constitution -
Should age requirements be eliminated?
by Natasha H. (age 12)

If you were a bigot, would you know it? Would you care?

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart began composing when he was five years old. This writer’s brother Alexandar designed and built two working models of flying cars at the age of seven. Joan of Arc started hearing voices when she was thirteen. John Quincy Adams was the secretary to the minister to Russia when he was fourteen. The fictional characters of Romeo and Juliet were dead by 15. Kids are born ready to reach out and learn and conquer the world. Yet an adult generation, afraid of competition, forces them into schools where they are often told to stop learning and stop being curious and learn to act like children rather than adults.

...

But there is one kind of bigotry that people often take pride in promoting. That is bigotry based upon age. This has been used against the elderly by doctors and hospitals who too often openly malpractice when the patient is elderly. It is also used by those uncaring individuals who would just as soon terminate the ability of senior citizens in urban areas to work, obtain supplies (including food and medicines), go to church, visit friends and receive medical care from the doctor of their choice by eliminating the right of these senior citizens to drive. Individuals between the ages of 16 and 65 are in far more accidents than senior citizens and yet when a 25-year old person is in an accident, no one points out the age and questions whether 25 year olds should lose their right to drive.


...

Last year, this writer’s brother interviewed a great many children for an article for The Link newspaper called “Real American Heroes.” <2> What he found was that children were very well informed about the current administration, about Iraq, about depleted uranium, about the lack of a connection between 9/11 and Iraq and about the consequences of war. Children were willing to walk out of schools to protest the war because they were so well informed and capable of making intelligent decisions regarding matters of international importance. Apparently the American-Hindu educational system is starting to break down. How many adults, when surveyed, are able to answer questions intelligently about Saddam Hussein and 9/11? Who would be a better voter – a child who knows about what is going on in America and the world or an adult with no idea of anything political besides what’s for dinner?

...

[genius]

1. I saw Natasha and her brother on the news last night.

They were at the rally in Brentwood for Kevin Cooper.

[Constitution]

2. Good job Natasha

Kids like you definitely should be able to vote.

[genius]

3. From the lack of comments, I guess everyone agrees kids should get to vote

Personally I suspect kids like the one who wrote the article would be much better voters than most adults.

[He loved Big Brother]

38. I don't.

[genius]

52. I noticed that the people on the Dean campaign did not seem to like kids.

That was one of the hundreds of reasons I left the campaign. Some of them were talking about how kids did not matter as they cannot vote. So why don't we give kids the vote so they'll matter to people like those working on the Dean campaign?

[Sam Lowry]

4. This doesn't pass the smell test

Children are "very well informed about the current administration, about Iraq, about depleted uranium, about the lack of a connection between 9/11 and Iraq and about the consequences of war."

This is utter horsheshit, as is the contention that the author of this article is 12 years old.

Depleted uranium? Come on.

[corporatewhore]

5. well actually when i was senior we just formed a peace and social justice

club and we discussed topics such as theese with the freshmen and they seemed to understand it too

[Sam Lowry]

8. High schoolers

are a different story. I was 15 my freshman year of high school. That's a far cry from 12, the alleged age of the author of this piece.

Don't make me laugh.

12 year olds, as a group, are not the politically astute whiz-kids that "Genius" would have us believe they are.

I also wonder why "Genuis" is a frequent booster of the ludicrous scribblings of this preternaturally talented toddler.

[genius]

10. She's been Kucinich's top campaigner in the Southern California area

And everyone here is grateful for the contribution she's made to the campaign.

[Sam Lowry]

12. Top Campaigner, eh?

Any credible news source would surely have noticed the tireless efforts of such an intellectually endowed youngster.

The link, please.

[Sam Lowry]

20. No link?

No shit!

[goodhue]

50. http://www.wewantkucinich.com/endorsements/natasha.htm

http://www.wewantkucinich.com/endorsements/natasha.htm

[corporatewhore]

14. didnt see age twelve alls i wanted to do was humiliate my fundie teacher

somehow :evilgrin:

[genius]

6. The little girl who wrote it was one of the top speakers in the peace

movement last year. She spoke at a lot of rallies. Maybe you ought to ask yourself the questions that start off her article. That article she referred to was done by Alex, another kid peace activist. There are a lot of them. Personally, I would trust their votes more than yours. But better watch out. They might decide our generation isn't worthy of the vote.

[Sam Lowry]

7. I call "bullshit"

If "Natasha" was one of the "top speakers in the peace movement last year," then there ought to be some video of it available.

The link, please.

[genius]

9. I know Ralph Cole did some videos of her last year.

I don't know if these are on any website. Ralph Cole videotapes a lot of major speakers when they come to town.

[Sam Lowry]

11. Who the bloody hell is Ralph Cole?

[genius]

13. Come to a major event in L.A. sometime. He'll be there doing the

official video. Ask anyone at KPFK in L.A. about him. He's video-taped a lot of their events.

[Sam Lowry]

16. The Link.

Please.

[genius]

18. Why don't you ask KPFK for their link or if the video guy has his own link

I like to see their events but I don't work for KPFK.

[goodhue]

48. your wrong

she is a real kucitizen in so cal who is well known due to her written work

[Constitution]

54. Here's the paragraph you're putting down. It looks pretty good.

It also makes the point that age doesn't mean more knowledge.

"Last year, this writer’s brother interviewed a great many children for an article for The Link newspaper called “Real American Heroes.” <2> What he found was that children were very well informed about the current administration, about Iraq, about depleted uranium, about the lack of a connection between 9/11 and Iraq and about the consequences of war. Children were willing to walk out of schools to protest the war because they were so well informed and capable of making intelligent decisions regarding matters of international importance. Apparently the American-Hindu educational system is starting to break down. How many adults, when surveyed, are able to answer questions intelligently about Saddam Hussein and 9/11? Who would be a better voter – a child who knows about what is going on in America and the world or an adult with no idea of anything political besides what’s for dinner? "

[REP]

15. Natasha's Mommy Should Let Her Do Her Own Homework

This little essay stands as an example why children shouldn't vote.

[Albert Einstein]

44. Natasha does her own work. Adults take advice from her.

Natasha is one of the most active participants in the Democratic Party. It is well known that she talked a Bush supporter who belonged to the NRA into voting for Gore in 2000 and was one of the most active campaigners for Al Gore.

I've seen Natasha argue against Bush and no Bush supporter has a chance. She could probably go one on one with him in a debate. There's a story about how one of her aunts married a Republican and became a Bush supporter. Natasha dared to tell the aunt about Bush's AWOL status and was told that she was not allowed to speak against Bush in the aunt's house. Apparently, Natasha refused to be told what not to say and she left the aunt's house and has no intention of ever going back.

Tasha is an incredible speaker and she regularly speaks without notes. At one Santa Ana peace rally, she amazed the crowd by standing up and giving the most eloquent speech off the top of her head to the crowd. It was the most talked about speech of the day and was even broadcast on one of the local news stations.

Those who are attacking Natasha owe her a huge apology for their blind and ignorant attacks. Perhaps the Democratic Underground ought to check the party affiliation of the attackers.

[goodhue]

49. well put

the attacks are ill-informed and bespeak ill of the posters

[genius]

17. Post an article from a child and bigots come out of the woodwork

Some of the posts above prove Natasha's point about how bigotted some people are and also why kids would make much better voters - apparently much better voters than some of the people in DU. Bigotry is always sad to watch. There is a lot to be said for an open mind. We should criticize the Republicans for bigotry unless we are willing to rid ourselves of it.

[Name removed]

19. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[corporatewhore]

22. I dont think its bigotry but wesley crusher syndrome

[tobius]

34. hey genius

a very smart 12 yr old is not an argument for abolishing the "unenlightened" age requirements.

[Albert Einstein]

21. At least Natasha is not a bigot and she's smarter than most posters here.

I bet they couldn't write the article Natasha wrote and they're all jealous. It's sort of like - Asians can't drive, Mexicans are car thieves and children can't write. If you listen to the people here, all Asians should lose their licenses, all Mexicans should be put in jail and no child needs a pen. I thought Democrats were supposed to be better than that. I guess I was wrong - unless there are some anti-kid Republicans here posing as Democrats.

[Name removed]

23. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

25. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[corporatewhore]

27. as a teenager i say you are blowing this way outta porpotion just watch

wesley crusher on star trek TNG

[Sam Lowry]

28. F*** that...

I never watched Star Trek. What's this reference.

Listen, I'm basically joking around here, but this Natasha H bullshit hasta end!

[corporatewhore]

30. basically he was wiz kid who saved the day all the time it was so hoakyand

all of us trek geeks found him annoying because there was no way a teenager could do the things he did

[Sam Lowry]

31. Played by Wil Wheaton?

Perhaps? Welll, anyway, I make this solemn pledge this night:

I will oppose any attempts to raise "Natasha H" up in the minds of the good people of DU. She is a pox, a fraud, and "Genius" is responsible!

I suspect perversion.

[corporatewhore]

32. yes he did any way it does seem like her mother "helped" her but

it really doesnt matter too much

[Sam Lowry]

24. Not to mention

Alexander H. built two flying cars at age seven? Get this tyke a Nobel Prize? Where the fuck were the Swedes when this shit happened?

Gimme a goddamned break!

[Constitution]

42. Don't you wish you could have done this?

Did you notice that Natasha mentioned that Alex was skipped a grade within the G.A.T.E. program and his teachers felt he was still too smart. Were you in the G.A.T.E. program? Do you even know what it is? Looking at these jealous attacks on a 12 year old and on a seven year old, it seems that perhaps there should be some intelligence requirements adults should pass in order to vote. Hey maybe, they'll have to give the kids the vote just to have some voters with intelligence.

[Mairead]

26. Answer: No, and no.

No bigot ever realises their condition, and so they can never care.

[tobius]

29. What in tarnartion is

going on in here? People who may not want toddlers voting for County Sheriff are bigots?

[NashVegas]

33. What's Going On Is

This is the second time in a couple of weeks that someone's tried to pass off what many think is a scam and a half.

[tobius]

35. I say roll with

it. Catchy new campaign slogan-

[Albert Einstein]

46. Probably a lot of Republican infiltrators who don't like Democratic kids

Many of the posting here are disrespectful to children, to the Democratic Party and to the Democratic Underground. If I were undecided about party affiliation, I would look at the article and say "Great job by a bright young girl." Then I would look at the postings and ask "Do all Democrats hate kids or just the Democrats here?" Some of the people here should be ashamed of themselves for their dislike of children and their bigotry and perhaps for their impersonation of Democrats. I have serious doubts that we would see this many attacks on children from actual Democrats.

[Sam Lowry]

36. Shitfire

[Albert Einstein]

45. Watch your language. Eleven attacks on kids on one thread

This could be a record. That's a lot of attacks on a little girl.

[chyjo]

37. to call it bigotry

seems like something of a stretch.

[genius]

39. When I was eleven I had to turn in a term-style paper each week in school

It had to be on a different country each week and required footnotes, sources directly from the country researched, etc. The average length was about 5000 words. It was required where I went to school if I wanted a A in history. The teacher set up a system where the number of papers we turned in determined our history grade if they were up to quality. What is sad is that schools have gone downhill since I attended school. Instead of encouraging kids, adults try to keep them down - like some of the people here at the Democratic Underground. I'm glad Natasha has excelled above that. I have no doubt that kids like Natasha would make much better voters than extremely prejudiced adults with closed minds who don't even know that they are bigots.

If you are reading any of this Natasha, don't let the attacks frighten you. All great kids scare the living daylights out of adults who don't feel as capable. I'm sure you will do great things when you grow up. Best of all, I'm sure that you won't despise other kids who are capable like you are. Keep up the good work. The part about Dennis was great. Perhaps the people who are attacking you are just Dean supporters who don't want it pointed out that their guy supported Biden-Lugar. It's always easer to come from prejudice than to discuss the issues. I notice that, like the debate, the issues you've discussed are not being attacked here - just your age.

[MAlibdem]

40. I agree to an extent

For example, taxing children. Like the parking "fee" at my school- $180 a year for a spot in a crappy parking lot, $150 a season to play a sport. Not tax deductible, while local taxes are...i hate the school committee in my town and the superintendent is the WORST.

[Constitution]

41. Natasha, don't let the a bunch of incapable adults get you down.

I wish DU could check the voter's reg records on the people posting here. These attacks aren't the kind of thing I would expect from Democrats. Is it okay to attack kids in this forum?

Ever hear the assassination tape? It's an expanded version of Abraham, Martin and John. On it, a little kid, perhaps 2 or 3, asks "What is biggery?" Obviously the little kid meant bigotry. Well, after reading the above posts, I'm sure that you know all too well what bigotry is.

Your article points out how cruelly the adults in society have treated kids. The socialization of schools can be fairly violent. You are right about how schools are not a place of learning. Your comparison of schools to prisons is all too true and it's frightening that so many adults don't care about what they do to their own children. If the people posting here are parents, feel sorry for their children. It seems as if some people on this board would have their kids wear diapers when they are 18.

Your support for the elderly in your article shows that you are a very caring girl. I bet your family and your whole community is very proud of you. The Kucinich campaign is lucky to have someone like you backing Dennis.

[rucky]

43. BARNEY FOR PRESIDENT!

[Padme Amidala]

47. Don't look at the message. Just attack the messenger.

I have noticed that whenever anyone gets angry at a message they attack the messenger. Attacking the message’s merit can be avoided by doing such. This explains why the Republicans do this. Its reasoning is if they were to attack the message they would have to disprove the message’s merits. If they attack the messenger the shift the focus away from what is actually going on.

Most interesting of all, this messenger happens to be a 12 year old girl. These people here have found nothing wrong with her so they decided to attack her age. They have used the age prejudice against her. They are doing this not only so that can they shift the focus to her, but also so that they can avoid people noticing that her message is brilliant.

Not to mention this Sam Lowry who has posted more than 10 attacks on these children. Apparently when someone really hates kids it takes more than one post to sum up all their hatred.

[goodhue]

51. Natasha of course is co-author of Tom & George cartoon

Here is the most recent . . .

http://mhull.rupa.com/TomNGeo68.pdf

[Constitution]

53. I like this paragraph about the candidates.

"So who would be the benefactors of the new voters? Judging from the recent student anti-war protests and walk-outs, a lot of these new voters would be supporting someone like Dennis Kucinich, the only candidate to have voted against the war. Wesley Clark, John Kerry and Howard Dean also expressed opposition to the war before it began even though both Dean and Kerry supported resolutions that were viewed by anti-war activists as opening the door to war. Since most kids don’t want to die in Iraq someday, they would also probably be supportive of candidates (Dennis Kucinich, John Kerry and John Edwards) who voted against the $87 billion for the occupation. Howard Dean’s support for staying in Iraq for years would probably not go over as well with the student anti-war protestors. More important to the day-to-day lives of children in America is the ability of their parents to work and to provide for their families and therefore candidates who are good on labor issues, such as Kucinich, Edwards and Kerry (all of whom have high labor ratings based on their voting records) and especially Kucinich, who wants to cancel NAFTA and withdraw from the WTO to bring jobs back to America, would impress them. Dennis Kucinich’s campaign is a popular one for kids to volunteer on in 2004 and his percentages would be a lot higher if the kids working on his campaign were allowed to vote. "