Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Random cheerful thoughts on receipt of hate mail
Thought the first:
I had a visit some time back from someone whose ideas about childrearing are profoundly different from my own. She had a four-year-old and a not-quite-one-year-old. The baby was sleeping when they arrived; as soon as he awoke, his older brother ran to him with a look of eager glee on his face and proceeded to wallop him repeatedly on the face and head.
The mother restrained him, eventually, without reproach. Later, she was standing with the baby near where the older brother was sitting. Since he was in reach, and since he'd been taught that's what siblings do, the baby reached over and clouted the brother on the head. It was a good strong blow; you could hear it across the room.
The older brother was shocked. He was startled by the pain; more than that, he was righteously outraged. "HE HIT ME!" he shrieked.
I relate this story because I'm analyzing an infuriated email I received regarding the straight-to-DVD article of the current issue. The older brother's behavior reminded me of something I learned while attending public school: there's no one more indignant than a bully who just got taken down a notch. A bully will call upon the powers that be and report his injuries with a completely straight face. Because when he gets hit, it's bullying. And bullying is wrong.
Thought the second:
A line from the "Peacemaker" track on the latest Green Day album:
"You thought I was a write-off. You'd better think again."
Thought the third:
Don't bother trying not to wake it. This dragon never sleeps. And your armor conducts heat beautifully. If you don't admire the fire, stay away from the cave.
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3 comments:
"there's no one more indignant than a bully who just got taken down a notch. A bully will call upon the powers that be and report his injuries with a completely straight face. Because when he gets hit, it's bullying. And bullying is wrong."
I love how you speak the truth with no apologies!
And, in all instances, if people can't handle/don't like the truth, then they need to go out there and change it. Bravo!
As for the straight to DVD article... I'm sure I'm not the only one who thought it was fantabulous.
I get tired of the ignorance that runs rampant (about homeschooling and many other issues). There is absolutely nothing wrong with pointing out such ignorance, calling people on their bull, and letting us know that it (both ignorance and bull) are out there!
Do I smell a sequel? :-)
Thank you so much, Wendy!
Pearls, as much as I enjoyed tormenting someone who so thoroughly deserved it, my work on this particular subject is probably done.
I did get a kick out of the letter he sent me, though. The man called his article "The Case Against Homeschooling" and doesn't understand why people think he's against homeschooling (no, really). He called homeschooling parents self-aggrandizing society-phobes, and is angry about the insults he's had to endure from homeschoolers. He rejects our ability to teach our own children, and is shocked that he's had people questioning his credentials and qualifications.
Believe me, I could go on; but it's not worth another article. It's just a good time with friends at this point.
Oh, did I mention I'm an unethical journalist? He did.
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