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Sing for Changes Kids: How Long Did It Take You to Hit Stop?

Tue, 09/30/2008 - 11:00pm by CitizenSugar
312 Views - 38 comments

This video just made the wildfire rounds of the Internet, and the reviews. . . let's just say "scathing" would be a civil way of putting it. Featuring a group of grade school kids called "Sing for Change," (their YouTube page says, "Light, hope, courage and love shine through these non-voting children who believe that their very best contribution to the Obama campaign is to sing,") the video shows an original ditty sung by the kids.

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The DrudgeReport linked to the video with the headline "Obama Kids Sing for Dear Leader" a nod to North Korean propaganda. Wonkette was even less kind, and though Gawker called them "creepy kids" they added this visceral rant:

The thought that an actual Obama supporter would round up a few dozen kids in the name of producing such nauseating vacuous reverse propaganda is too depressing, so let's just assume this is the diabolical work of some NRA-funded 527.

The video brings up a host of questions to be sure: Is it okay to use kids in a political campaign? Is this propaganda? Is the video even watchable? The comments on the YouTube page point to a strong distaste for seeing kids put in this position. Does it make you want to hit "stop"?

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38 Comments Add a Comment

  • dreamsugar's picture
    dreamsugar
    1

    I'm sorry but I don't think it's wrong. It's kinda cute considering the the kid with the "Obama is a Terrorist" tee was "just" freedom of speech. (?) I think grown-ups need to lighten up -- as long as the parents are ok- I'm ok.

    9 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • kythera's picture
    kythera
    3

    I voted Other. I have not even watched the video. Rather, I am very dissapointed with Citizen Sugar for posting this video like this with a poll. Can you be even more obvious that you have a bias in this election?

    9 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • liliblu's picture
    liliblu
    4

    What's the big deal. The kids are cute. The parents are clearly Obama supporters. But so what? I doubt the kids will be scared for life by singing this song.

    9 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • javsmav's picture
    javsmav
    6

    I made it to the group singing. It's a little creepy. Even as an Obama supporter, I think it's inappropriate. I used to be one of these kids--only a brainwashed republican* and I don't think parents force their beliefs on their kids like this. Sure you should talk to your kids, teach them about politics, and even explain your own political views, but this is just too much.

    *please note that I am not calling all republicans brainwashed, I'm just saying that that's what I was. I basically grew up thinking that god was republican and if I wanted to be a good person, I would vote republican. That is the wrong way to teach your kids about politics.

    9 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • Jillness's picture
    Jillness
    7

    I guess I don't think it is that big of a deal. There were little kids watching the debate with me the other day, and they sat through the whole thing!

    As a child, I saw all kinds of politicians during the 18 months surrounding Presidential elections! They would read our kindergarten class books, they would come visit our schools, they would hold BBQs near my house. I remember meeting Lamar Alexander very clearly. Children have been a focus for Republicans and Democrats for decades.

    Of course they can't understand what the issues are now, but I think it is good to get children to think in a civic way before they actually have to vote. This leads to a greater curiosity and interest in the political system in general.

    I don't know how effective this will be, but I don't think it hurts anyone.

    9 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • hausfrau's picture
    hausfrau
    8

    javs I love your footnote! Smiling

    using kids in an election is wrong. they are too young to understand what is going on. children getting involved in a civic way should be about civil service, not about getting someone elected.

    its nothing but propaganda.

    9 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • hausfrau's picture
    hausfrau
    9

    however, it will be interesting to see how many of these kids come out when they are 18 against them being used in this video ala the 3am girl

    9 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • hausfrau's picture
    hausfrau
    11

    No need to write when you can make your feelings known through votes.

    9 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • Adrenalynn75's picture
    Adrenalynn75
    12

    I'm an Obama supporter and thought this was a bit creepy. I think it had more to do with the kids they used. Eye-wink But eh, you can't stop the Obama or McCain supporters for doing these types of things. I mean remember Obama girl? Thought she was creepy too in like a stalker way. Ah wells.

    9 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • Roarman's picture
    Roarman
    13

    Nice cupcake Haus. I would have to say I agree with those that kids should not be used in an election to promote one candidate or the other. You can talk about the process with your kids etc. but anything else is wrong.

    9 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • Jillness's picture
    Jillness
    15

    "you can't stop the Obama or McCain supporters for doing these types of things."

    I agree. IMO, it would have been more creepy if it was actually made by the campaign or something. Since it is just someone filming in their own house, it seems so much more homemade and harmless. There are lots of random weird videos that supporters of both candidates have put on Youtube. This just doesn't stand out to me as being that big of a deal.

    9 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • Great Sommelier's picture
    Great Sommelier
    16

    Love the new cupcake! Of course this is creepy. It is parents using their kids, just like the colorado shirt. This isn't a partisan issue. And citizen has never said she isn't conservative, just like liberty has never said she wasn't liberal. This is just them balancing out their posts. I think it is great. Each can be as down the line as they want.

    9 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • Jillness's picture
    Jillness
    17

    "And citizen has never said she isn't conservative, just like liberty has never said she wasn't liberal. This is just them balancing out their posts. I think it is great. Each can be as down the line as they want."

    I agree. At least the bias is known, instead of trying to pretend that they don't have opinions. I think the balance on this site is pretty nice. Gives me something to support and something to challenge my opinions.

    9 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • tink08's picture
    tink08
    18

    That is terrible! I am sick at how the Obama camp is using kids to promote their cause. It reminds me of the sick things the leader of North Korea does. He throws parades when foreign leaders visit to pretend his country is doing well, when in reality his people are dying. SICK!!! I sincerely hope the American people will wake up and vote for McCain.

    9 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • kpdunne4's picture
    kpdunne4
    19

    I know someone who works on the Obama campaign and they were not part of this at all. I'm not disgusted by the video, but rather I find it pretty interesting. The kids look like they might be in 5th or 6th grade. Although I started studying the US government when I was 11, I didn't really understand the voting process and party affiliation until I was much older. I know kids tend to reflect their parents' views, but I also think it's important for them to form their own opinions as well.

    9 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • dreamsugar's picture
    dreamsugar
    20

    [This is just them balancing out their posts. I think it is great. Each can be as down the line as they want.]

    Seems like someone has changed their tune from a couple of days ago. Eye-wink

    9 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • dreamsugar's picture
    dreamsugar
    22

    [That is terrible! I am sick at how the Obama camp is using kids to promote their cause.]

    I'm personally SICK of the double STANDARD. When the Colorado kid wore that shirt, Obama is a Terrorist BFF (which IS A BLATANT LIE) - EVERYONE cried FREEDOM of SPEECH.

    And now people are whining, Obama this and Obama campaign that. The Obama camp had NOTHING to do with this. Man what a freaken double standard. This is completely harmless and isn't spewing hateful ideas about McCain - unlike the Colorado kid. This is a peaceful demonstration.

    Good gravy!

    9 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • KathleenxCouture's picture
    KathleenxCouture
    23

    I think it's sad. Most of these kids don't really understand and fully grasp politics at all and usually base their understanding of politics on what their parents think. I think these children are being used.

    9 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • wadewifey3's picture
    wadewifey3
    24

    Ya their pitch was a little off, but the song was cute. I watched the whole thing.

    9 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • Great Sommelier's picture
    Great Sommelier
    25

    dream, there isn't a change at all. I said this was them balancing, meaning citizen is getting some in that aren't just human interest stories.

    9 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • verily's picture
    verily
    26

    I stopped when the group started signing. I find that so unbelievably cheesy on top of the already cheesy song.

    9 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • dreamsugar's picture
    dreamsugar
    27

    OK -- just a couple of days a go you were all "Where is Citizen" -- I'm glad you just realized that they are balancing stories. Good for you.

    9 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • outtajo's picture
    outtajo
    29

    I don't get why people get all upset when parents introduce their children to politics, or include them in political activities. My political beliefs are very much tied to my my values and beliefs, and I hope to pass my values and principles onto my children. Why don't people get upset over people indoctrinating their young children into religious structures before they can speak/think for themselves? Is it any different?

    9 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • Great Sommelier's picture
    Great Sommelier
    30

    I don't see where anyone has said that there was a difference. This, like religion is a personal choice. You shouldn't push your beliefs on your children. You educate them in the subject matter and let them decide for themselves what and who they want to be.

    9 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • RCLdesigngirl's picture
    RCLdesigngirl
    31

    Didn't the head of NBC round orchestrate this whole thing. I'm 100% positive he did.

    9 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • MrsJamesTKirk's picture
    MrsJamesTKirk
    34

    CREEPY! Honestly, I can see why Drudge used that title for it. It IS highly reminiscent of communist propaganda.

    For me, it's not just the parents making their kids do this that creeps me out--I mean, that's kind of to be expected...though I don't think it's right--it's more the song itself. *shudder* I can totally see them making little kids sing this crap in a country like North Korea.

    Also, I did sit through the whole thing, but NOT because it was cute. I found it fascinating and terrifying at the same time.

    9 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • snowbunny11's picture
    snowbunny11
    35

    This was creepy as hell to me, the hand gestures reminded me of Jesus camp...shudder...bad memories! MrsJamesTKirk--I sat through almost the whole thing too because I found it so fascinating and terrifying!

    I am pretty sure none of Tink's posts are ever based in reality. Sorry to call someone out, but it's usually like: "AHH! TERRORISTS! Vote for McCain! The only real man!! GOD BLESS AMERICA." They remind me of the youtube posts. I am so getting in trouble with citizen for this one, but...

    9 weeks 23 hours ago Report Comment
  • CaterpillarGirl's picture
    CaterpillarGirl
    37

    5 seconds if that. These kids dont understand what they are singing about, i think its creepy to use them.

    9 weeks 8 hours ago Report Comment
  • Lainetm's picture
    Lainetm
    38

    Brownshirts in training for our own American cult of personality.

    This was no amateur video, I heard there were 22 people on the camera crew.

    More deceptive marketing.

    And it's really icky to turn your kids into robots to parrot your politics. :shudder:

    9 weeks 5 hours ago Report Comment

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