Fairfax High School to host McCain Rally Tomorrow

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This site is driving me nuts these days. Why are people so angry??? I know we all have different beliefs, but the hate and anger that has been displayed here since Palin was chosen as McCain's running mate is astonishing. And I bet Obama would be able to have a rally there as well even with a Republican mayor. The press would be t

THANK YOU! Finally, someone puts it into words. What is wrong with everyone? Such hateful talk like she is the anti-christ or something. I personally like both of the candidates and their running mates. To me it's a win-win. I see alot of things to admire about the Obama campaign and alot of things to admire about the McCain campaign. The deal breaker for me will be what their economic promises sound like. And frankly, I can't believe that economics could make people so bitter and mean.

There SHOULD be things that get you riled up. Who is in charge of our country should be one of them. The laws that govern our actions, our bodies, our children, and our land should be another. And this particular thread has nothing to do with Palin. It's not bitter or mean to be truly and honestly afraid of what will transpire if McCain and Palin are elected. It's not bitter or mean to be opposed to someone who is against abortion even in cases of rape. It's not bitter or mean to be opposed to someone who will keep our sons and daughters in Iraq for the next 100 years. And it's not bitter or mean to be opposed to someone who seeks only to assist the wealthy. Expressing these thoughts isn't bitter or mean - it's AMERICAN.


I am the 14:00 poster. I am not a huge Palin supporter by any means, but the way this board has gone off on her in the last couple of weeks is crazy. I agree with you that people need to get "riled up" about certain things that are important to them and this country. But the way people are going about it on this site - calling people losers and pathetic is uncalled for. We all live in this country and presumably we all want the best for ourselves, our children, and our country. But people are going to have different ideas about what that is, and of course there will be disagreements. I just wish people could go about discussing things in a more constructive way by listening to what everyone has to say and then responding thoughtfully without insulting someone or calling names. I guess I just feel like all the anger is really unhealthy - be passionate about what you believe in, but don't try to make other people feel bad if they believe something different than what you do.


Why is it crazy? This is a national contest to elect the 2 top officials in our country. They appoint cabinet members and supreme court justices. They make policy. They can veto legislation. These are all very important matters to me. I don't think I've ever in my life called someone a loser, and certainly do not try and make anyone feel bad for any reason. But it's ok to be passionate about things that matter - even if that involves getting angry. In my opinion, people getting angry has accomplished a tremendous amount in our country's history. Why are women so afraid of it?

PP, I was not specifically referring to you. You have good points and go about stating them in a passionate, yet reasonable way. My main objection is how nasty other people have been to each other on this board lately. I know politics is a touchy subject and one that many people (especially around here) are very serious about, but I don't think that in order to express your opinion you need to be vicious and nasty to someone who thinks differently. It just makes people mad and upset and doesn't really accomplish anything. And if someone really wants others to understand and accept their beliefs they need to talk about and explain them in a rational way - not by bullying or insulting others. So, that is my main beef. I agree that this election is important and being angry at the govt is fine. But there is a difference between getting angry at the govt and its policies and fighting against that and getting angry at someone and being nasty to them just because they don't think exactly the way you do. In doing the latter, I don't think anyone accomplishes anything except raising their own blood pressure!

[Anonymous]

Did the good tax paying people of the Commonwealth get all frazzled when Biden spoke at GMU and Obama at Robinson HS? - Both public schools funded by tax $

How is this any difference?...except McCain is a Rep.(?)

Do you feel threatened?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did the good tax paying people of the Commonwealth get all frazzled when Biden spoke at GMU and Obama at Robinson HS? - Both public schools funded by tax $

How is this any difference?...except McCain is a Rep.(?)

Do you feel threatened?

The difference is not party. It is that only one violated the county's own established rules. And quite frankly the notion of having a political rally at a school -- during the school day, as a "learning opportunity" for kids, is inappropriate no matter which party it is. I would have opposed it for either party. You are trying to compare apples and oranges to prove your point that people are biased against Republicans. And you are using snark to cover for your illogic.

[Anonymous]

Did previous poster not listen to pp before that? There has been precident from both parties on this type of thing. Bottom line the liberals are all riled up in a way we wouldn't have seen if this was about Obama.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did previous poster not listen to pp before that? There has been precident from both parties on this type of thing. Bottom line the liberals are all riled up in a way we wouldn't have seen if this was about Obama.

I believe it is my post, at 23:35 that you are responding to. And yes I read the previous poster (22:57) to which I responded. That post mentioned Biden ar GMU -- that is a university without a policy. The post also mentioned Obama at Robinson. That is a Fairfax County School under the same rule, so it is closer. However, the RObinson event occurred over the summer when classes were not in session. Therefore it did not violate the county's rule, which says political events cannot be held during school hours. I never mentioned my party affiliation because it is not relevant to my point of view -- I would have opposed the rally no matter which candidate appeared. I am not aware of any relevant precedent (i.e., Fairfax County, during school hours). If you have some to share instead of your broad statements, feel free to enlighten.

[Anonymous]

I would love to have either candidate come to my children's school. I'd love them to see the protesters, hear the speeches, and decide for themselves what they think. If the candidate is introduced in a neutral fashion, it would be a terrific learning experience. Perhaps the school could host a follow-up event at which the candidates' statements were debated.

[Anonymous]

I agree with PP. I would have loved to have either party's candidates come to our high school during school hours. The energy of the campaigns, the people around the candidates, the sheer organization required to wrangle these people in and out of venues is fascinating.

We live down the street from Fairfax High School but are zoned to Centreville High School, and my son was so JEALOUS that Fairfax was getting the candidates!

I'm just grateful that they are able to arouse interest in the process with the younger generation. I just don't understand you people at all. You all sound so hidebound and unexciting harping on little policy snippets instead of enjoying the "happening" that this election is.

[Anonymous]

Hillary Clinton spoke at Arlington County's Wash and Lee last February. I don't recall if school was in session, but I didn't blink an eye that she was speaking at a public high school. On the nightly news there are almost daily accounts of a politician stumping at a school.

In order for candidates to reach out to voters, to meet 'real' people or that 'town hall' feel, sometimes high schools (auditoriums/gymnasiums) are the only places where you can accomodate a large volume of people.

Anyway, I don't care that McCain had a forum at Ffx HS as long as Obama gets to speak somewhere close by as well - to get 'equal' time.

[Anonymous]

Change of venue folks - and lots more publicity for McCain-Palin as a result...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/09/09/ST2008090902432.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Both parties' candidates have rallies at schools all the time. It's common.

This is false. There is a policy - as it is a PUBLIC school - that political rallies shall only be held while school is not in session. Please provide examples of other times when they violated their own policy.

Is this only applicable in FFx County? or is it statewide?

If it is statewide, then be prepared to be outraged again....Obama is down in Norfolk today giving a speech at - gasp - a high school.