Can we please lay off Malia and Sasha? And I mean you, DUers!

[pnwmom]

Let's not try to turn them into our trophy family. Let's not watch every step they take and judge them for whether they meet our idealistic views or not. Their lives have been and will be challenged enough! Don't expect them to be perfect role models for the entire country.

And right now: please don't criticize the Obamas for whatever choice they make with regard to the girls' school. Chances are, it won't be a public school. But what should matter is how good the school will be for these girls -- not how good Obama would look if he sent them instead to public school.

Same goes for their puppy. It's not so easy getting a young puppy from the humane society, unless you like pit bulls. And one of these girls has an allergy. Let this family be like other families, free to get whatever dog they choose -- without the whole country second-guessing them.

Bottom line: Malia and Sasha are human beings, not symbols, not trophies. Let's give them all the privacy and all the room they need in which to grow. They've already got two great parents. They don't need 100 million more.

[vanderBeth]

1. Thank You

Some of these people on here are stalker-ish. :scared:

[redstate_democrat]

26. lol

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. Malia?

[grantcart]

3. Her name is Malia

[pnwmom]

4. Thanks! n/t

[eleny]

5. It's a tall order

I certainly agree with you. But their dad is the leader of the free world. Try and live a normal life with that glow over where you live.

[Bicoastal]

8. They're a tall family.

[eleny]

10. Jeez, you try to make a serious point and ... well...

:spank:


:hi:

[ecstatic]

20. Malia will probably be taller than me soon

Is she over 5ft yet? :rofl:

[ecstatic]

6. Does that mean no pictures?

:shrug:

[pnwmom]

12. No, I couldn't live without pictures. I love their smiles.

And I want those smiles to continue being REAL.

Which means their parents should continue to make decisions based on what is best for those two girls, rather than what is best for Obama's political image (or what would best please the voters.)

[Atman]

7. Oh ferchrissake...

:eyes:

Everything this family does is going to be news of some sort. Face it. Accept it. Rejoice in it.

The Obama's seem like very well grounded people, and I'm sure as parents they will look out for the well being of their daughters, as any parents would.

Don't stress over this. All will be fine.

.

[pnwmom]

9. Yes they will be news. But we can support them, rather than criticize them. nt

[eleny]

14. I haven't seen criticism here yet

And I'd be suspicious of people who start any shit. Choice of school is also a security issue.

[pnwmom]

17. There are many people here who have already been questioning

the Obamas' choice of schools and puppies, and pushing for the politically correct choice (public school and a rescue dog). These people aren't criticizing Obama yet because he hasn't made a decision yet.

[Waiting For Everyman]

32. That nitpicking criticism thing is absurd in general.

And lots of people today do it constantly, about everything. Not just here, I know some in real life. But they never seem to get around to critiquing their own lives (which need a lot of work!).

Newsflash: There is no value in negativity for its own sake. Pointing out (supposed) faults is not a "contribution" to anything. It's just dumb armchair quarterbacking - any idiot can do that.

[Starlight]

39. I haven't seen any criticism.

[Peregrine Took]

30. RIght - hey, it comes with the territory. They are in the public eye and

nothing can change that.

[pnwmom]

34. We CAN change OUR part in it. n/t

[Curtland1015]

11. Yeah we don't have to. Though that's not going to work so much...

With the rest of America. Face it, they are a photogenic family with a lot of celebrity. They'll be treated the same as the Kennedys, or Charles and Di's family. Perhaps not fair to them, but nothing we do or don't do is going to stop it.

[pnwmom]

15. But we don't have to join in with criticism. We can support their parents'

decision to do what is best in every case for Malia and Sasha -- rather than what might LOOK best, from the voters' point of view.

[tigereye]

13. nicely said.

don't people have other things to think about? :shrug:

[politicasista]

16. Proud K&R

:kick:

[undeterred]

18. "It's not so easy getting a young puppy from the humane society, unless you like pit bulls."

Huh? Where did you get this? There are all kinds of puppies at the Humane Society.

[AzNick]

21. They also put pitbulls to sleep by the dozen... literally

And not only because they are trained to fight, many are just big puppies, but people are scared of them.

Often their owners abandon them, or lose their house, or go to prison, and they end up in the system, where they are usually put to sleep.

The only poor creatures they put to sleep more than pits are kittens and stray cats.

My wife with the big heart has rescued and fostered dozens of animals, including cats and pit puppies.

[undeterred]

23. Black labrador retrievers are in large supply too.

[pnwmom]

28. I've read that that breed has been eliminated as a choice, because of the girl's

allergy problem.

But in my area there are still a lot more pit bulls, though yes, there are some black labs. Large black dogs in general, I understand, are in low demand.

[pnwmom]

27. Something tells me that the Obamas will not be choosing a pit bull puppy

for their daughters.

It's just a feeling I have.

;)

[Vektor]

43. Amen, and thank you.

My pit bull rescued from the pound has turned out to be the most gentle, loving animal you could imagine.

Which is why I have been partial to this breed my entire life - they are absolutely wonderful. Never had a bad experience with one, and I've been around them all my life.

Thanks to you and your wife for providing a long overdue voice of reason.

[pnwmom]

24. Not in my area. Almost all of the dogs are older (six months is considered

a "baby"). Among actual puppies, pit bull types predominate, and there are very few non-shedders. (We looked for six months before finally giving up and buying a healthy, 9 week old poodle-mix.)

There are rescue groups for "re-homed" dogs, but those dogs often come with behavioral issues due to the problems that sent them into rescue.

All I'm saying is that one of those girls already fell in love with a particular kind of dog. I think it's a shame if the parents get some other dog just to please the voters.

[undeterred]

19. "It's not so easy getting a young puppy from the humane society, unless you like pit bulls."

Huh? Where did you get this? There are all kinds of puppies at the Humane Society.

[PretzelWarrior]

22. exactly. I would send my daughter to a private school in the same situation

totally understandable. chill out, people.

[pnwmom]

25. I remember seeing pictures of Amy Carter at her new inner city school.

I hope she liked it there -- but it bothered me to see her being used as a symbol that way.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

29. its been 2 days. eventually (i mean in like 2 months) we will be bored

as we often are

[curse of greyface]

31. I think Private school would be appropriate. I have a hard time believing

anyone could object to the Obama's giving their daughters the best education possible.

[Patiod]

37. I hope they consider Friends school

but I'm prejudiced. Did right by Chelsea - I'm just sayin'

Whatever works for the family

[pnwmom]

41. I would think it's on their list, since the S.S. is familiar with it and it's

a good school.

[crossroads]

33. Good point! Thanks...

[seabeyond]

35. having heard the shit in two days, i dont know that i could send them to private even. tutor

in wh maybe. lol. but there is no way i would send the girls to public.

my interest isnt in the family or the girls. we hired obama for a job.... that is all i want from him.

[lady raven]

36. Is it OK for me to admit that my 8 year old has a HUGE crush on Sasha?

[pnwmom]

40. Sure! So do I! And on her sister . . . They're both adorable. n/t

[stillcool]

38. that was cute...

they don't need a hundred million more..:rofl: I must have missed those threads. The Obama's seem to be really taking a hit here at DU. I wonder why so many seemed to want to elect the guy, just the other day?

[Vektor]

42. Pit bulls are great dogs.

I got one from the Humane Society seven years ago, and she is an absolute dream, and the sweetest thing ever.
Let's not discriminate against any living thing, whether it be based on skin color, or breed. Because it's all the same type of ignorance - a belief in inaccurate stereotypes and bad press.