What Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer Can Learn From a Kindergartener

I’ve got two problems with Arizona governor Jan Brewer. As a mother of three sons, Jan Brewer should be ashamed of her behavior during her recent so-called “tarmac tussle” with President Obama.  Gov. Brewer recently had a terse exchange with President Obama as he got off the plane for a visit to the state of Arizona. In the video airing on cable news networks, you see Brewer shaking her finger in President Obama’s face.

WTH???

First of all, even a kindergartener knows that putting your finger in someone’s face is rude. Somebody needs a time out. And my second first of all, is that’s the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. And even if you don’t like the man, you have to respect the office of the presidency. I don’t think she would have wagged her finger in George Bush’s face, because his Secret Service agents may have killed her on the spot for treason. Brewer later explained that Obama was being “thin-skinned” about comments she made about Obama in her book. Well, that’s a mature lesson for the young people, blame the other person for your bad behavior.  The proverbial, “he made me do it,” is soo grade school Brewer, I think we can do better.

And while you tried to wag your finger at the president, he was the actual adult in the matter. In control of his emotions and not getting his feelings hurt because somebody didn’t like what he wrote. Boo hoo.  I bet if one of the Governor's state troopers was caught wagging his finger in Brewer’s face, he’d be jobless in 60 seconds flat.

Secondly, I’m not sure why, when the President arrived on official business, the good Governor thought the first few moments of his arrival should be focused on HER BOOK—btw, I’m sure she’s using this opportunity to peddle more copies. Aren’t there bigger issues going on in that state? Is that how you welcome other dignitaries? By taking about your book? How selfish of you Brewer. 

Apparently, the controversy over Brewer's characterization of Obama dates back to an Oval Office meeting in 2010. At the time she had called it "very cordial," but in her book she wrote she felt Obama had been "condescending." In an interview in November, she also said she had "felt a little bit like I was being lectured to, and I was a little kid in a classroom, if you will, and he was this wise professor and I was this little kid, and this little kid knows what the problem is and I felt minimized to say the least."

Ummm, I won’t focus on your changed story and my previous comments about boosting your book sales, but if someone else makes you feel small, that could be a personal problem.  Nobody can make you feel anything negative unless you let them, Governor Brewer. I hope you’ve taught your sons this important life lesson. I tell my kids this all the time. If you’re still struggling with your personal power, you might consider a transformative course with Landmark Education. They’re awesome.

I’d also like to share something that helps me keep my self-esteem in check. It’s from one my fav comedians, Katt Williams, who tells women: “If you are not the sh*t to YOU, you cannot be the sh*t to anybody else.” Powerful stuff. So don’t worry what the man occupying the Oval Office thinks of your book, just be the sh*t to you (and the people who elected you)!

Even more sadly, Brewer also later said that she “felt threatened” by the President. Really? Threatened by a super skinny, intellectual black man serving as president of the United States? Nothing like the convenience of using the big, scary black man stereotype to excuse one's racism and lack of deference to the person holding the highest office in the land. But I’m not going there.

Lucky for Brewer, President Obama is a real gentleman. Too much of a gentleman if you ask me. But Gov, I wouldn’t take my chances trying that immature “finger in the face” move on another black man. Or anywhere in Brooklyn. Or in any kindergarten class. #justsayin

You can thank me later.