Obama will be speaking to all the school children of America this week

[Henrietta23]

I have an acquaintance who is keeping her high school aged children home from school tomorrow. I confess, I don't get it! She's even already read the speech online. It would make more sense to me that she preview it with them and discuss anything she might disagree with. That being said she admitted she found it "essentially harmless" but is keeping her kids home to make a statement. Her initial argument was that the speech was going to be "crammed down their throats as gospel" and that the kids would be expected to pledge allegiance to President Obama. I had to leave that online conversation. I ignored the thread on BYC.
Here we got an automated call from the school stating that some classes would be watching it and if we wanted our children not to we would need to send in a note stating so. I don't work in the same school as DS, but I do work at another elementary school in the district who will be following the same plan I'm sure. I'll be interested to see what, if anything, happens.

 

[SKR8PN]

At the risk of being rude, I truly question the sanity of someone who deeply fears our president speaking to our children. I have to assume:

1. Their children are very gullible.

2. They believe President Obama has TREMDENDOUS POWER!!! Enough to brainwash children through a TV address.

3. They do not have very good communication with their children. Do you honestly believe that children only hear things that you absolutely believe 100%? Uh, I think that's what family dinners are for. You know, a chance to talk to your kids about what they think about life and explain to them what you think about life.

If you are that concerned about your children listening to crap, might I suggest throwing away your TV, not allowing them on a school bus, to pass a construction zone or listen to rap music, ever?

Wow. This really sets a new low.

Kids ARE gonna hear crap from every angle and in everything they do.
BUT..........
This president has really bad reputation already as a bully,one who likes to jam things down our throat without the chance to even READ it, and one who does not like to follow the rules when it comes to the political arena. One only has to look at the number of "czars" that he has for "advisers", NONE of which has been properly vetted by Congress(or even his own staff!) as way to "end run" the rules. One of them was already forced into early retirement because of his unchecked background and ideals.
Is THIS the type/style of president you want giving a pep talk to your children??

I am soooo glad I decided a looong time ago to NOT pro-create.

 

[Big Daddy]

Anyone posting on this thread should read the speech first. That way the speech can be criticized instead of the man giving it.

 

[Henrietta23]

I found the AP link to the text of the speech:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gDqQJuGAC0Xb5hUlwfuOZ-0hr5_gD9AIL5680

 

[reinbeau]

JFK said 'ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country'. If that was the words and terms used in Obama's address it would be fine. But the study guidelines say 'ask your students how they can help the President - and names him in a few places. That is what has everyone in an uproar. Should the President ask our students to strive for excellence? Of course he should. Should he ask them to strive for excellence as being defined by the current administration? That is the crux of the problem. I'm not here to argue the point, I'm just telling you what the point is.

I'm very thankful my children are grown - and have good, level heads on their shoulders.

 

[FarmerChick]

I have no problems with his speech.

The President is not brainwashing anyone. He is giving an "upbeat" educational speech and actually, (in the olden days) this would be viewed with praise!!! That the Pres. would take time to address the kids about education.

People are way paranoid these days.

The Pres. is not going to talk education budget plans, millions of dollars spent here or there, talk about party disagreements, or anything truly political.

It is for kids to know that the country cares about education.

Telling kids to "help the Pres." might mean writing letters about how he can help improve schools etc. etc.....gets the kids thinking they are part of this nation and do have a voice. it is not subversive by any means.

Anyone who won't let their kids listen to a small speech about staying in school and what good an education can be for the future truly has a problem to me.

 

[Big Daddy]

JFK said 'ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country'. If that was the words and terms used in Obama's address it would be fine. But the study guidelines say 'ask your students how they can help the President - and names him in a few places. That is what has everyone in an uproar. Should the President ask our students to strive for excellence? Of course he should. Should he ask them to strive for excellence as being defined by the current administration? That is the crux of the problem. I'm not here to argue the point, I'm just telling you what the point is.

I'm very thankful my children are grown - and have good, level heads on their shoulders.

That is not the exact wording. It is actually somewhat better than that. You should read it. If you did you would see that the uproar is over nothing. As for asking the students for ideas on how to help our great nation become a greater nation. Doesn't take a genius to figure out the benefit of that for the whole country. Somehow I doubt a guideline was included specifying parameters for what is an acceptable idea. I don't know what kind of job you have. I have worked for several large companies and they all gladly accepted ideas on improving procedures.

The crux of the problem seems to be that certain segments of our society believe that no matter what comes out of the mans mouth it is wrong. It's too bad for everybody concerned.

JMO

 

[reinbeau]

Why do you assume I didn't read it? I did - last week. It did sound to me just as I said in my post, if you interpret it differently, then that works for you.

I have friends who have children who have decided their children won't hear it - and others who will. It really isn't up to me to make up their minds for them.

 

[Woodland Woman]

It is the right of the parents to decide who will or will not have influence in the lives of their children.

I was a victim of public education and it took me years to overcome it.

 

[farmerlor]

I read the speech. I love the speech. He's telling children to take responsibility....good golly, call the police and arrest him for brainwashing!!! He told children to stay in school and that they can do anything with a good education.....oh no, what's next? Will he hand them LSD? Yes, he asked the children of America to write him and tell him what he could do better. Oh no, empowering children by telling them that the president of the United States wants to hear their views?????? This simply cannot be borne. We must ask this man to resign. Yes, I'm being sarcastic. I cannot believe how every time this man does something it's some big controversy or debate and I'm damn tired of it. Every president in my lifetime has addressed at least a small gathering or two of school children and we've never even questioned it, even when GW went to a school and babbled something incomprehensible about taxes to little kids.