The “elephant in the room” bears a dangerous virus.  Our children are being exposed on TV.  For young minds, the message is twisted. Eavesdrop on 3rd grader’s P.T. and Ernst  below.

SCENE:  P.T. and Ernst outside grammar school at picnic table surrounded by kids. P.T. is  talking loudly and waving his arms.

P.T.:   That new girl who arrived today shouldn’t be in our school.

ERNST:  Why, P.T.?

P.T.:  She talks funny.  Did you see her Mom with that scarf all over her face. There’s something going on there. No other Mom does that.  Something’s not right.

ERNST:  I know all about the scarf thing.  I heard our teacher say it’s because she’s a Muslim. . . I think from Islam, but I don’t know where that is.

P.T.:  Not important. She’s different.  She’s dangerous.

ERNST:  Why, P.T.?

P.T.:  The guy on TV running for President says so.  He says Muslims are full of terrorists that kill people. He knows everything.

ERNST:  You’re making me scared.

P.T.:  Perfect.  That’s what the guy on TV does.  He makes people scared, so they’ll vote  for him. Tell everybody I can keep them safe from terrorists.

ERNST:  How, P.T.?  You’re in third grade. The kids are going to ask how; what should I say then?

P.T.:    Just tell them I have lots of money.  I know how to do everything.

ERNST:  Will that be good enough to keep them from asking more questions?

P.T.:  Sure.  The guy on TV does it all the time.  Works like a charm.

SCENE:  Everyone leaves the picnic table, laughing and clapping P.T. on the back as they head towards the schoolhouse.