You know, kids really do say the darnedest things, and my nephew Cole is no exception. Whether giving french fries to Jesus, or composing love songs for his latest crush, the kid never disappoints.
It is no secret I was genetically disposed (and, well trained I might add) to become one of the country’s staunchest liberals. I actually proclaimed an International Holiday after the mid-term elections last November. So, this story might not be so out of character for Cole, or our politically left-minded family of yellow-dog democrats. (For those of you who don’t know, a “yellow dog democrat” is someone who would rather vote for an “old yellar dog” than a republican. Most of my life I thought my dad invented this term until Michelle busted my bubble by telling me she learned it in college.)
It has become somewhat the norm for Cole to provoke his “NeNe”, (my mom, his grandmother) when he is agitated. No, he doesn’t call her ugly names or tell her “yore mama” jokes, he simply says, “NeNe…you LOVE George Bush!!” That is usually enough to boil her blood. If it doesn’t, he adds, “You voted for George Bush!!”
Well, this last go, my mother took the opportunity to teach Cole about political term limits. “You know, Cole, George Bush can only be president for eight years, so we will get a new president soon.”
The next day, the perpetual teacher quizzed her student to make sure he retained the new information.
Mom: “Can George Bush be elected president again?”
Cole: “No, ma’am.”
Mom smiles proudly (or so I am told).
Mom: “And why not, Cole?”
Cole: “Cause nobody’d vote for him!”
Ahhhh…my little yellow pup…won’t he grow up to make us proud?
Would you still like me if I’m a good old republican…can we still be friends? I say yes! I love reading your blog. Your post gave me a good laugh, very cute.
That is just too cute! Kids are so cute and honest…gotta love em!!
Great story!!!!
RIGHT ON, GIRL!
That’s cute! It sounds like he’s been listening in on and figuring out grown-up conversations.
Your nephew is so cute!
I wonder why all expats appear to be liberal. Do they live abroad because they hate the US? Apologists for the USA? This is the greatest country God gave man, and you all are just so negative.
Well anonymous, I wonder why you view” liberal” and not voting for the Bush administration as negative. Isn’t there a two party system in the US any longer? I’m not an expat and I think there are many good things about the US, but using words like “the greatest country God gave man” seems rather thoughtless to me.
“and you all are just so negative.”
What’s so “negative” in telling someone that their nephew is cute?
Nadine – Of course we’ll still be friends – just don’t send me any anti-Clinton emails, ok? 😉
Thanks, Louise, J, and Guila.
Meredith – Cole has been “listening in” for years – it is a blessing and a curse!
Anonymous – Show yourself when you say these things! Ha, I am just joking, of course. Although I don’t really know how to respond. I certainly don’t think someone would move to another country because they aren’t happy with the current president, and I don’t think it has to do with not loving our native countries. But, is it harder on us, as expats, when our native country does something that affects those in our new country – dang right! Do I feel guilty about some of these things? Sure! But, as far as most of us being liberals, I can’t comment…I was ‘yellow’ in the states, too – that has nothing to do with being here! 🙂
Thanks for the discussion.