Check out a young Alexander's predictions for Stephen

[defrauding]

More importantly, the poem lacks scansion.

[Kate]

I think that some kids go through a fascination with death and violence. It isn't that the child isn't empathatic but that they are trying to take power over something that frightens them.

Some conservatives discuss Muslims as though they are inhuman monsters bent on destroying any white Christian they come across. Such discussions would terrify most kids. The poem might be the boy's way to take power over his fears. His invincible brother-in-law will protect the world, just like he would like to do

Most parents would sit the boy down and help him understand why he feels so afraid. They wouldn't post the poem online. The fact that they did post it probably means that they don't see Muslims as human and might even be feeding into the boy's fears.

Very astute--thanks for posting this, hadn't seen it that way but I think there's a lot in what you say.

[YPestis]

I'm more appalled that they would post it on the family blog, like it's something to be proud of. I don't even think soldiers should revel in killing of others. They should see it as a duty and a necessity of last resort. It's also appalling the family thinks of the enemy in terms of religious affiliation. I guess that's why they homeschool--so their son won't realize that there are Muslims who are citizens, born and bred, some may be their physicians, teachers and soldiers. I wonder if the kid's head would explode if he realized that perhaps some of Steven's superiors is Muslim? Or female!?! (Hm...which is worse? A female commander? Or a Muslim one? It must be an ethical dilemma for fundies...)

[Guest Anonymous]

I'm more appalled that they would post it on the family blog, like it's something to be proud of. I don't even think soldiers should revel in killing of others. They should see it as a duty and a necessity of last resort. It's also appalling the family thinks of the enemy in terms of religious affiliation. I guess that's why they homeschool--so their son won't realize that there are Muslims who are citizens, born and bred, some may be their physicians, teachers and soldiers. I wonder if the kid's head would explode if he realized that perhaps some of Steven's superiors is Muslim? Or female!?! (Hm...which is worse? A female commander? Or a Muslim one? It must be an ethical dilemma for fundies...)

What would really spin their heads would be a female, gay Muslim commanding officer.

[Lillybee]

Poor boy doesn't even know that the Muslim Iraqi and Afgan armies are fighting on our side.

[marysue]

That is so disgusting. If my son had writen this, I would have a very long, serious discussion with him and I would never, NEVER post it on the internet like a proud mommy.

[ems]

That poem....just ew. Ew Ew Ew.

Very interesting, yet disturbing, insight into the "worldview" of the Alexander family.

Was this the same sibling of Meredith's who defended slavery/the Confederacy, or something along those lines?

[ems]

:shock:

Okay, I totally get that a child would write that, but an adult posted it to their freaking blog for anyone with an internet connection to read. I can't blame the kid for growing up in a bigoted family, but I damn sure blame his parents for teaching him that's okay. It's not cute to write a poem about killing people because they don't practice the same religion that you do. I'm aghast.

This.

[ems]

I was also curious about the line where Stephen's progeny had "expanded eighteenfold" (or whatever it said). Does that mean no birth control for Meredith? And why does young Sullivan know about that plan, anyway?

Another thing about the poem that I thought was weird (besides the disgusting blow up the Muslims sentiment) was the way it sounded like Stephen was just slaving away as a lawyer and then judge, oblivious to the goings-on of his huuuuuge family until he retired..

[flojo]

I'm also going to be posting in the comments. This is horrific.

AND - these are the sort of statements that can give the small, minority of people who do engage in violent fundamentalism in the Middle East fuel for their fire.

Words fail me. I cannot believe a responsible family would ever post something like this.

[formergothardite]

I bet they will pull it without posting any of the comments. Or just not post any of the negative comments at all.

[emmiedahl]

The Afghanis and Iraqis are on our side. We are fighting their occupiers. Dude.

This is scary. I don't think that this will fuel terrorism (anyone who feel this is a reason to hate and kill Americans already hates and wants to kill Americans) but the kid certainly needs a good talking-to.

[debrand]

This is the comment that I left. Hopefully, it will get through. I think that I was polite

Hello. It sounds as if this young man really admires, Stephen. How sweet. Hopefully, his parents have pointed out to him that not all Muslims are our enemies. Some Muslims are soldiers in the United States military who will fight alongside Stephen. They love their country just like Stephen does.

[Guest Anonymous]

Is this the same child that is writing a science fiction novel that is promised to be free of pornography? :shock:

I think these people have all their ideas so arse-backwards that they have no idea how they are perceived by the outside world.

[duplessis3]

I don't recall any other politician's black sheep relatives glorying in killing people of another religion. Shit, Billy was an alcoholic, and so what that some relatives of Obama's are illegal aliens - none of them are saying Yippie! Kill all the members of group X!

Scary stuff - wonder if Stephen will make them take down that lovely post or just distance himself from them. (That All Hail The Confederacy thing might bite him in the ass too.)

[debrand]

What is the blog address of the brother?

[Black Aliss]

Is this the same kid who scowled about having to visit the Lincoln Memorial when Meredith and Stephen took him to Washington DC? IIRC, he (the kid, not Stephen) didn't think much of Lincoln because he was all for the Confederacy.

[anniebgood]

Is this the same kid who scowled about having to visit the Lincoln Memorial when Meredith and Stephen took him to Washington DC? IIRC, he (the kid, not Stephen) didn't think much of Lincoln because he was all for the Confederacy.

Yeah that's the one and I initially commented that his behavior was poor. Lincoln was a president and should be afforded that respect. The pithy response was well he loves civil war history. I responded to them and said then give him a book that deals with both sides. This whole family is off it's rocker. I can't imagine what kind of home schooling he's getting with Momma. She can barely function without Meredith.

[SquirrelySquirrel]

This child's next homeschooling assignment needs to be getting acquainted with Greg Mortenson's writings.

[FemaleScientist]

That's a terrible poem, for a 12 year old no less....

[demgirl]

Steven, I hope you weren't banking on a political career on a national stage.

[JesusFightClub]

This is the comment that I left. Hopefully, it will get through. I think that I was polite

That is excellent, debrand. I hope they post that and more importantly, they listen.

[Vex]

That is horrible. How would he feel if a little muslim kid wrote a heartless poem, hoping that HIS brother-in-law blew up Stephen and all his men?

I stand by my belief that Sullivan is a creeper in the making. Yes, he is the one who promised (at age eleven) that his sci-fi novel would be pornography free.

I know I should probably feel bad for Meredith and Stephen being torn apart by war so soon after getting married and having a baby, but they knew he could be called to fight at any time and planned to have a baby straight away.

Knowing the way the Alexanders work, I guess they are so secure in their belief they are doing what God wants that the possibility Stephen might die and leave their child without a father doesn't even occur to them. On the outside, anyway. I'm sure that her siblings and parents are convinced that is the case, but even if Meredith never let on in front of everyone she's smart enough to know the truth.

[formergothardite]

Well they only posted comments praising the poem. Great way to be a light on the hill for Jesus, teach your kids to hate and kill everyone not like you.

[longskirts]

They posted one comment that mentioned not all Muslims are our enemies. They responded saying they agree and they have some Muslim friends. But now it looks like that comment and their response have been taken down.