Are you feeling conflicted about this report of Melania getting booed by middle school and high school students?

Surely a boody call.

Some people love the fact that there is an opioid crises in this country, especially among high school students, and resent that some are abusing their position of political power and influence to do something about it, so she deserves to be booed. I’m sure the students were there under duress.

I saw a documentary once about the public schools in Baltimore. Absolute shitholes. Unbelievable mess. I wouldn’t use the students there as an example of how to behave towards anyone.

The reality is that she does not give a rat’s rectum about the opioid crisis.
One of her only claims to fame was wearing a “I don’t care” jacket when visiting children incarcerated in concentration camps.
So when someone like this shows up to an event with the clear purpose of mere publicity, booeing her is an entirely appropriate thing to do.
So am I conflicted? No. Not one iota.

Booing is not hate speech. Someone who tries to co-opt an audience that has no choice on attending for something that is utter bullshit deserves to be booed.

I second that booing is not hate speech.

As a mother and a teacher I am uncomfortable with kids behaving so rudely.

But on the other hand, I am glad for any chance to drag the Rumps out of their golden tower in the sky to face the reality of how the majority of us feel. I am uncomfortable with children being the ones to do it.
But I was glad Jr. got booed out of his own book signing.

I think it’s horrible.

@jca2 I think Trump said something about Baltimore being a mess or a shithole, I don’t remember exactly, and people went all nuts that he said something like that. When he says that about Baltimore or some other countries that really are crime ridden, uncivilized, places, I don’t see why people are so up in arms. Well, I do if he says it for public consumption, but if it’s in what would be a private meeting I think it’s fine. I don’t know exactly when and where he said it all. I only say that because he’s president, and he should always be watching his P’s and Q’s when communicating with the public (which he doesn’t) but if the average person says Baltimore has some serious problems, well, that’s just a fact.

You don’t understand why people get up in arms when the president of the United States calls their homes and communities “Shit holes” @JLeslie? Seriously? You don’t understand?

You’re changing the narrative … again. Hoping we have forgotten.

No such statement was ever made about Baltimore.

There has been a lot of exposure about how the democrat leadership, comfortably bastioned in wealthy outlying equestrian suburbs, has neglected the needs of the poor. This rat-infested hellhole has been under the leadership of Trump-hating democrats.

BTW the “shi hole” comment was allegedly made about 3rd and 4th world countries. I don’t think anyone actually at that meeting ever verified that the word “shithole” was actually used. But I wouldn’t doubt it. It was mostly the media buzzword of the week

@Dutchess_III As I said, the president shouldn’t be saying it in a public forum, especially not using that language, but recognizing that an area has serious problems is not a terrible thing. Since Trump started running for President my biggest fear and worry was that he would say things that offend people, and worse offend leaders who can start wars. Trump has proven me right unfortunately, he is downright scary, let alone offensive.

I’m saying the uproar and backlash to the other extreme is a little too far also. I think it’s on target to criticize the president for talking that way in public. We could even argue that with how everything can be easily recorded today the president should never say it, but to say everything is so wonderful in crime ridden communities where there is extreme poverty and too many people suffer or live u safely is disingenuous. We need to make these places better.

Let’s see what this article tells us.
1. Melania Trump is using her FLOTUS role to try raise awareness for the opioid crisis in this country and what can be done about it.
2. Middle and high school students boo her for her efforts

Now, what can be inferred from those two facts:
1. Melania Trump cares enough to put forth effort
2. The students are rude with zero respect for anyone
3. These students weren’t born with this disrespect, it was an effect of their upbringing. Whether this was from their family life or their friends is a matter of debate. But this amount of disrespect shows they have little, if any, self respect.

What other facts play could play into this?
1. Baltimore is roughly 2x the national average for opioid related deaths. This indicates it is likely that opioid usage is 2x the national average as well
2. 92% of the children in Baltimore schools are minorities. Maybe they were booing her because they are racists.

^^Racist? Give me a break.

Not conflicted, its tacky and typical.

Real people have addictions and die, or kill due to opioids. Its hella disrespectful to everyone fighting addiction to make it about the Trumps. The lack of emotional depth today is staggering.

Good for the kids.

Melania is married to a horrible person and she is trying to pass herself off as the Virgin Queen. Well, she is connected inextricably to the evil man in the White House and a fancy dress cannot get her out of that.

And Mr Trump had nothing but crap to say about Baltimore.

The way I see it, the kids told it like it is. They hissed at the hypocrisy of the Trumps and they hissed to give respect to their homes.

Melania’s visit was an insult to the people of Baltimore. They knew it, and reacted appropriately.

No. Why should I be conflicted? The Trump clan, Melanoma included, receive what they put out into the world. “As you have sown, so shall you reap” – I read something about this in a book once.

@Darth_Algar Does that mean that all these kids can expect to get booed and disrespected throughout their lives?

You know exactly what it means.

In other words, reaping what you sow only means conservatives to you. Liberals can do whatever they want and are golden. Got it.

@seawulf Yet only cons are constantly accused of legislating morality.

For me, I’m no fan of Trump but I feel like if the First Lady were to come to my daughter’s school, I would expect her to sit and listen and be respectful, as she would of anybody else.

@jca2 exactly. You don’t have to like the person or their message, but you don’t need to be rude. It is okay to disagree, but not to be disagreeable.

So if a Democratic president had called a rural state or city an opioid-addicted backward flyoverland and then visited it, it’d be unreasonable for people to feel negatively about that president or his wife?

I’m disappointed at the polarization in this country, but to act like the president is just an innocent victim of “hate” is crap. I’m not surprised by the reaction given the location and what was said about it by the president.

@seawulf575

Really, the obtuse act isn’t convincing.

@Darth_Algar
Really, the dodging act isn’t convincing.

@Demosthenes when did Trump call Baltimore an opioid-addicted backward flyoverland? I’ve never heard that one before. I tried to see if I missed it somewhere and can’t find any reference in even the most far-left outlets. I know he called it a disgusting rat and rodent infested mess…and he’s right. Even many of those living in those areas agree. But here’s the question: does that make it right for children to be disrespectful?

You missed the point of my comment. That was meant to be a parallel hypothetical: a similar type of a comment that a Democratic president could make about a different area. That should’ve been clear when I said “rural state”; that was part of the hypothetical. Obviously Baltimore is not “rural”.

I know, children being disrespectful is the worst thing imaginable; denigrating someone’s city is perfectly acceptable.

I’m not denying that it was rude; booing someone is always rude. I’m just saying I don’t care.

And apparently you missed the point of my response. What Trump said about Baltimore was accurate and many living there agreed with his assessment. So if a Democratic POTUS commented something similar about a rural area and it was equally accurate and many living there agreed, I don’t see what that would have anything to do at all with the FLOTUS coming in to address a health crisis. Or are you trying to say that if anyone ever says anything I might take offense at gives me the leeway to be rude to anyone I care to think of as being associated with that person? ‘Cause that really is what it is sounding like from most of the libbies on this site. Orange Man Bad so any action at all against him or anyone that might be associated with him is okay.

That’s ironic, given that an oft-cited reason that people voted for Trump was the sense that “liberal elites” and Democrats look down on them and their culture, their religion, where they live. If people feel that they are disrespected by the president and the government, it makes sense that they’re going to want nothing to do with that president. I’m saying that denigrating an area makes you potentially unwelcome there. It doesn’t matter that some people agreed; of course some people agreed; Baltimore isn’t a monolith anymore than any other place is. But it also makes sense that a lot of people would not welcome the presence of the first lady, given what her husband has said about their city. There’s no doubt that Baltimore has problems; Trump’s reference to those problems was dismissive and callous.

She is seen as a fashion model and clearly not the best person to be a spokesperson for this group.
“Be the BEST” the motto represented , easier said by a person who married into money.

The disrespect was from Melania’s assumption that SHE is the Best to understand the Opioid crises affecting students ( children of Opioid adults are not expected to act normal).

If they really wanted to protest perhaps not showing up to the speech in the first place would show a ” your not welcome here” better?

Agreed. Melania Trump is using her position of power, prestige, and money, to fight the opioid crises—diametrically opposed to the drug and gang culture of the local area. That alone is disrespectful to the audience.

Best to get one of their own democrat leaders who is a little more into how they started it rather than someone from the outside.

@Demosthenes Again…go back and see what Trump was saying about Baltimore. He said it was a disgusting rat and rodent infested mess. He said Elijah Cummings had done nothing for all the time he was in Congress to help his own district and they deserved better. He isn’t denigrating the people, he is identifying that they have been left to fail by the elected reps that are supposed to help them. He wasn’t wrong about the conditions in the area…it is rat and rodent infested. He wasn’t wrong that Cummings did nothing for them.
His style is coarse, I’ll give you that, but his message is sound. And I’d be willing to bet if you asked these kids why they were so disrespectful, not a one of them would be able to articulate why other than Orange Man Bad.

@Inspired_2write Melania was a fashion model in her youth. She started modeling because her mother was a pattern maker for a maker of children’s clothes. She was not raised in wealth and took a road through life that afforded her a chance beyond what her parents could offer. I would suggest she brings an insight that these children could learn from.
You say she wasn’t the best choice for a speaker? Who would you suggest? Some crack-head? Some skinny girl that is wasting away from heroin addiction? That’s what we should offer these kids? Melania is the FLOTUS. That is a high honor in this country and brings with it a sense that their plight is a concern to the highest levels of our nation.
Here’s a thought…what harm did Melania showing up to help with this program actually do to the children? Why would they really need to be disrespectful or protest anything? The only obvious reason is the liberal media has been pushing Orange Man Bad for 3 years.

Just curious. Do people think Melanie went to talk to the students to please the Trump supporters. Like a tactic for maintaining the loyalty of their constituency?

@JLeslie I suspect she actually believes in the opioid crisis. She probably really wants to help. Is that so surprising?

@seawulf She should come here, we need it. And would appreciate it.

@seawulf575 Well, I wasn’t really aiming my question at you, but rather the people who think she should not have spoken at the school.

Personally, I do think the Trumps care about alcoholism and drug addiction. Trump has talked about it for as long as I can remember, I’m talking over 20 years. He has said forever he tells his kids to never drink or so drugs. That he has watched beautiful smart children of his peers totally screw up their lives or wind up dead, and of course he had alcoholism in his family.

I do think it’s possible they go to Baltimore for optics, but I don’t know for sure it’s that calculated. I think Trump is pretty smart about that sort of thing. It doesn’t change that I do think they care about the issue.

@seawulf575. Your president said this about one of one of his own cities.

@Dutchess_lll Scroll up a few and see @seawulf575 ‘s response to @Demosthenes

Elijah Cummings has ignored his district and failed to meet their needs. In the words of Trump, its a disgrace. Yet these same Democrats oppose and endlessly demonize the Republicans and agencies that try to make a difference.

@seawulf575

I case you genuinely are too thick to comprehend this (which I seriously doubt, disingenuousness is your gimmick), I spell this out for you -

Donald Trump and his family, his retired call-girl trophy wife included, offer up nothing but rudeness, vulgarity and disrespect to anyone and everyone who isn’t serving their interests at that moment. They and their worshipers can’t then demand respect and civility from others. It doesn’t work that way. “As you have sown, so shall you reap.”

Now if you still cannot comprehend this, or still want to play coy then I cannot help you, nor is there any point to further engagement with you on this.

@seawulf575
Coming dressed to the nines will not give the impression that she understands from where most of these young adults stem from.
Example: I have an acquaintance who travels to Africa and improvised countries as a health care official….she went dressed to the nines walking about the poor.
She was disdained by the people who disliked her “Holier then thou” attitude….she was soon replaced by a more sensitive person who understood the implications of coming on too strong in a time where true compassion was needed.
That acquaintance was too DIRECT in her manor and appearance and no matter where she went she caused communication problems, it took her a few years to finally realize her error in judgement.
She one told me that to be respected one HAS to dress well and rich??????
Where did that get her? Fired.

@Darth_Algar Since you are really into dodging, I will spell it out for you. When you quote something like “As you have sown, so shall you reap”, you are basically saying that what goes around comes around. Or maybe you get your just desserts. Either way, you are saying that when someone does something wrong, it will come back to bite them. So now we come to your bias. EITHER you also mean the rudeness shown by the children will come back to them since that is what they sowed OR you are saying that only conservatives are ever held accountable for their bullshit. Which is it sonny?

@Inspired_2write Are you really comparing Baltimore to an impoverished (that’s the correct word you were looking for) African country? Are you trying to say that if someone in a high position ever wants to address problems of the poor they need to dress like a homeless person? Think that would help? Probably not…the people would see it as the disrespect it is. Sorry…I disagree entirely. The First Lady is a figure head at best. But she is taking her time and effort to help kick off a program that is supposed to help these children. And she is getting booed for it. That rudeness is not on her, it is on the children and the parents that taught them that was okay.

Sorry, Wulfie, but I’ve hit my quota of troll feeding for awhile. You’ll have to look to someone else for your continued sustenance.

Got it…you are cornered so you are running away. Typical. You do that frequently.

@seawulf575
You are putting words into my mouth that I did not say.
The example was an example of what an official did wrong. That was the only point.
I do not wish to argue, you can all you want but it will fall on deaf ears.
Thank you for your response as you are entitled to an opinion as anyone else here on this site is.
If your looking for a verbal fight, look elsewhere.

Well, he wasn’t talking to you @Inspired_2write. He was talking to @Darth_Algar.

@Dutchess_lll
@Inspired_2write Are you really comparing Baltimore to an impoverished (that’s the correct word you were looking for) African country? Are you trying to say that if someone in a high position ever wants to address problems of the poor they need to dress like a homeless person? Think that would help? Probably not…the people would see it as the disrespect it is. Sorry…I disagree entirely. The First Lady is a figure head at best. But she is taking her time and effort to help kick off a program that is supposed to help these children. And she is getting booed for it. That rudeness is not on her, it is on the children and the parents that taught them that was okay.

@seawulf575 “you are cornered so you are running away. Typical. You do that frequently.”

No, I simply recognize that it is not a productive use of time to continually engage with the willfully ignorant. I would not matter what anyone here posts, your only response is to say “no, you!”. Frankly, you’re worse than a bratty child with this shit.

@Inspired_2write I apologize if I sound like I am looking for a fight with you. I’m really not. I’m trying to understand why it should be wrong to dress appropriately for a public speaking engagement. I have seen a couple people on this thread comment that she was booed because she was dressed too nice. I’m trying to understand what those people (and you were just the one I addressed) think she should have done? Let’s put it in a different light. If Michelle Obama had shown up when she was FLOTUS dressed in the exact same clothes Melania wore, would she have gotten booed? Would she have been viewed as being too out of touch? If not, why not? She was raised with similar background to Melania but had the added benefit of having good schools she could attend.

@Darth_Algar and you are still dodging. Sorry, your credibility is gone.

Thus demonstrating my point…

@Inspired_2write…we didn’t. Trump did.

Nope. Not conflicted. Those are some smart kids.

True. You need someone like Maxine Waters, or some Democrat who has actually committed crimes or corruption, to be the spokesperson. The benefactors and philanthropists should stay out of it and remain unseen. The Baltimore children and youth need the delusion that the democrats care about them.