My Mobile Life

Yesterday, President George Bush thought he was going to a typical White House East Room photo op with this year's Presidential Scholars after which he planned to give a rah-rah speech in favor of the renewal of No Child Left Behind. Little did he know that the Scholars had a little surprise prepared for him. Prior to entering the room, they handed him a letter signed by 50 of their number asking that he treat the detainees in Guantanamo Bay humanely. The President was caught off guard, but he read the letter and guaranteed the young people that the United States does not mistreat its prisoners!

In a world where many adults think it's just fine to poke fun at teenagers or rake them over the coals for being stupid, lazy and mercenary, it feels good to report that those silly adults have got it all wrong. And now these teenagers have exercised their rights as Americans to personally address their President and ask questions that the adults surrounding Bush seem to sweep under the carpet.

In his remarks the President said "This is a program that honors high school seniors for exceptional academic and artistic achievements. Past winners have gone on to win the Pulitzer Prize, succeed at the highest levels of business, work here at the White House. This afternoon we honor a new class of promising young men and women. Your fellow scholars have pursued groundbreaking research, written scholarly papers, and performed at Carnegie Hall. Many of you have also reached out to those in need, and have given your time for causes greater than any individual need. And for that we thank you".

They also demonstrated that they have what it takes to speak the truth. Maybe President Bush could learn a lesson or two from them...