My son actually cried over PBS threat

[Bad Thoughts]

I'm not trying to be cute. I left my computer on to Daily Kos, where there was stuff about cutting off funding to PBS and Sesame Street. My son took over the computer (probably to get a game in), but read what was written and became very upset. I'm surprised at how emotional this was: I guess I've become immune to years of Republican threats. To my son, though, it was very real.

[Brigid]

1. How old is he?

[murielm99]

2. How old is he?

My kids used to be very attached to the Sesame Street characters.

I remember my oldest daughter coming into the kitchen and crying, when "The Stupid Man," (Reagan) was on TV instead of Sesame Street. He had preempted her show for a news conference. We called Reagan The Stupid Man when our daughter was small, because there was plenty of time for her to learn bad language. She did not need to start when she was four years old.

[renate]

4. that's cute!

Not just because it's Reagan... I'd think it was cute it if were a Democrat, too, because it must just seem so completely WRONG to a small child for one of their favorite programs to be pre-empted for something boring.

[Bad Thoughts]

6. He's 6 1/2

He's not much of a Sesame Street kid, but he loves Curios George and Dinosaur Train. Indeed, he reacted specifically to the overall threat, saying, "Don't take PBS!"

ETA: my son hugged the TV while Obama was speaking in 2008.

[Jennicut]

9. Aww, the hugging part. My 8 year old loves the President

and wants Romney to lose. I let her come to her own conclusions based on pure personality. She does not like Mittens.
Her sister, my 7 year old, likes Angelina Ballerina.

[ailsagirl]

3. I was just thinking that the PBS thing is yet ANOTHER gaffe from Rmoney

I'm sorry to hear your son is upset-- let's make sure nothing happens to PBS!!!

I didn't realize that Sesame Street was so popular (I don't have kids) and now I'm seeing it trending everywhere. Glad that struck a nerve.

Perhaps this is the final straw for him?

[Indpndnt]

5. It is hugely popular and very beloved by many.

As soon as the words left Willard's mouth, I couldn't stop smiling. He put a face on his threat of doing away with PBS. An adorable, Muppet face. This isn't going away.

Young voters today grew up with Sesame Street. People in their 40s did, too! And everyone in between. Those folks have kids that love Sesame Street. It's personal to a lot of people. Protestors in Big Bird costumes are showing up at Willard's rallies with signs asking Willard to spare Sesame Street.

[ailsagirl]

8. This is great!!

[Bad Thoughts]

7. I was taken aback by his reaction

Like I said in another response, he isn't into Sesame Street, but likes other PBS programs. Kids his age really like learning things--there's only so much Spongebob they can watch--and they are curious about the world. PBS is one way that they can learn without having to work at it (reading or being at school). (Of course, my son reads very well, which is how he figured it out.)

[ailsagirl]

10. I love PBS

Boy, did he ever put his foot in his mouth over this!!

[anneboleyn]

11. Yes, the Big Bird meme is everywhere. This thread reminds me what a jerk Romney is for

saying something so creepy in the first place.

[Tcbys]

12. I love PBS. Anyone remember watching Mister Rodgers back in the day?