826 National is an incredible non-profit dedicated to improving writing and other skills among children ages to six to eighteen. A few days after the election of Barack Obama, 826 centers in seven cities asked children to offer advice to the new president. The result was the deservedly celebrated book Thanks And Have Fun Running The Country.
As you might imagine, this book is a major tour de cute. One 9-year-old in Los Angles opines that if he were president, he “would help all nations, even Hawaii.” A Seattle 7-year-old suggests that President Obama “turn on the heater, so it won’t be cold.” In short: awwwww.
You can imagine my surprise, then, when I came across the following suggestion from a Boston 12-year-old: “Dear, Barack Obama, … You should also build cameras all around our city to find out who is breaking the law, and also in movie theatres so we can tell who is making illegal copies.”
Wait, what??? Did the DOJ and RIAA have a child together? The rest of this writer’s suggestions are eminently reasonable—more power efficient cars, less smoking, and the like. Still, it’s not often that you see a 12-year-old proponent of ubiquitous surveillance!
"1. Fly to the White House in a helicopter. 2. Walk in. 3. Wipe feet. 4. Walk to the Oval Office. 5. Sit down in a chair. 6. Put hand sanitizer on hands. 7. Enjoy moment. 8. Get up. 9. Get in car. 10. Go to the dog pound." by a Chandler Browne, age 12, Chicago
I think this book could be an interesting read.
What a nice idea and everybody knows, children tell the truth.
I hadn't heard of that book before. It sounds like a great read. I know that there is a lot of great wisdom in the mouths of the youngest of our young people.
I am going to check it out.
That's nice to hear that children also gave their views to obama about their views about country. I think these type of kids will be the next president in future.
I particularly enjoy the view of the lad in Boston to put security cameras all over the city to enforce criminal law. It would also definitely help out with car accident law hit and runs and hold more people responsible for their actions, particularly in Miami where I am from.
Just a thought. Cheers all.
opinions of young children are usually more objective and natural. Sometimes adults or old people do not think more clear and healthy
826 National has done wonders for literacy rates across the country, hats off to them.
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