Obama's address to students

[BabyBre]

Our principal says it's up to each individual teacher to decide to tune in or not, as well as what to teach or not.

 

My dc won't be watching this live, if at all, and won't watch it without me present. This is something I'm insisting on previewing and calling the shots on. I really feel this boldly crosses the line, hugely violating the parent-child relationship. I can't trust this administration not to make this a politically motivated address, but we'll see. The suggested lesson plans themselves suggest the motivation behind it.

 

Here's the US DOE website where you can view the suggested lesson plans and activities surrounding the president's address and watch it live on Tuesday, September 8 at 12:00 pm EDT.

www.ed.gov

 

How are other parents feeling about this and how are your schools handling it?

[hsmamainva]

I live in Virginia and, for most school districts in the state, Tuesday is the first day of school, so many school districts will not be airing the speech. There is just too much going on, on the 1st day of school, to organize the viewing of a speech.

 

They have said that they will make it available to students at a later date, but haven't been more specific than that.

 

I only have one child in the public school system, and she has autism. She's not likely to attend any sort of 'assembly'...nor is she likely to focus on any speech. Unless it was a speech given by Dora the Explorer, it's not going to grab my dd's attention! ;)

[Melinda in VT]

I am not concerned about this at all.

 

Our schools have not yet decided how they are handling it. The elementary school is leaving it up to the teachers. The middle school is doing "something" but they don't know what yet and the students might not get to see the entire speech.

 

If the kids don't see it at school, we'll probably watch it as a family.

[lionfamily1999]

Breann, thanks for the link. As was already mentioned, Tuesday is the first day of school. Out here, they aren't even mentioning it, but then 9/11 they actually shut down a lot of communication inside the schools to protect the kids from what was going on. IOW, our ps system tends to take the ignore it and let the parents deal with it approach.

[EmilyK]

I don't know what's going to happen since school hasn't started yet, but I'd be fine with it. I kept my kids home to watch the Inauguration (early in the am here), but many classrooms watched it.

 

We are Obama fans, but I think it is great to watch historic moments even if we aren't a fan of a certain administration. I'm not sure if this will qualify as historic, but we will probably watch some of it later on even if we don't see it live.

 

If any president (or other public figure) can get kids excited about learning, I'm in favor.

[thescrappyhomeschooler]

I don't think it has been made an issue in our school district, but I think most people here voted for Obama and would not have any problems with it. I've never heard any politician make any speech that was not in some way politically motivated. I don't intend to shield my children from politics, so if they show it at school, I'm okay with it. If I don't agree with something being said, I can discuss it in an age appropriate manner with my kids.

Edited September 4, 2009 by thescrappyhomeschooler

[Guest kitkat]

if it is available at home we'll be watching it. i have no problem with my son listening to a man he admires talk about the importance of education. while i think some of the extension activities were poorly worded, perhaps, i think they have changed some of that in response to people complaining.

[cougarmom4]

I think it's great that the text of his speech will be online so parents can read it ahead of time. My kids' school will be showing it, but will also provide different educational activities in a different room for those whose parents prefer they do not view it. I'm glad they are being sensitive to parents who might oppose.

 

I agree that I think it's not so much that President Obama is speaking to students that is the issue...it was the poorly worded, slightly concerning lesson plan that has gotten parents worried about the intent. It looks like the lesson plan has changed and I'm anticipating the speech itself will be watered down a little from the original plan.

[Loupelou]

I think it's great that the text of his speech will be online so parents can read it ahead of time. ... I'm glad they are being sensitive to parents who might oppose.

 

I agree that I think it's not so much that President Obama is speaking to students that is the issue...it was the poorly worded, slightly concerning lesson plan that has gotten parents worried about the intent. It looks like the lesson plan has changed and I'm anticipating the speech itself will be watered down a little from the original plan.

:iagree: although I did not see the aforementioned original lesson plan.

 

While we are not Obama "fans", my children and I watched the inauguration and other events with great reverence for our nation and the hurdles that we have managed to climb over, keeping in mind that there are still many more.:001_smile:

[OrganicAnn]

When GW Bush did the same type of thing - speech to students. I don't remember all this fuss. I've avoided reading too much about it. These topics get too hot.

[Ferdie]

My ds is in a charter school and they are not watching the speech because they are doing standardized testing that day. I wouldn't have any problems with my dh watching though.

[BabyBre]

When GW Bush did the same type of thing - speech to students. I don't remember all this fuss. I've avoided reading too much about it. These topics get too hot.

 

 

Bush, Reagan, and every other president who gave a speech on education never tried to bypass the parents by delivering it with the intention of it being aired in the classroom when parents aren't present.

 

I encourage fans to consider it with the shoe on the other foot. Imagine a president you fundamentally disagree with and feel has destructive intentions (not trying to heat things up, just trying to drive home a point) were to address your child at a time when you are expected to be absent.

 

I almost can't believe I'm saying this, but more than any other thing this administration has done to this point, I feel this crosses a line. Don't mess with my parental authoritai!

[Haiku]

I encourage fans to consider it with the shoe on the other foot. Imagine a president you fundamentally disagree with and feel has destructive intentions (not trying to heat things up, just trying to drive home a point) were to address your child at a time when you are expected to be absent.

 

 

If President Bush had wanted to address my schooled child during school hours and encourage her to set educational goals and stay in school, I would have been all for it. I fundamentally disagreed with the direction he took our country and think many of his values are diametrically opposed to mine, but good grief ... one presidential speech, even if I didn't agree with what he said, doesn't undermine my influence on my kids. I think some people are so biased against Obama that nothing he would ever contemplate doing would ever be taken at face value. Some people will always seek to ascribe evil intent to everything he does. If Obama were to tell kids to be kind to puppies and babies and old people, there are those who would scream that he is trying to brainwash and indoctrinate children.

 

I think this whole ridiculous flap is much ado about nothing, and I think a lot of people are going to end up looking very silly after the speech.

 

I find it sad? strange? I don't know what [ETA: I do know what: indicative of their ability to be led around by alarmist loudmouths] that people are so paranoid about Obama that they feel the need to hide their kids from his encouragement to pursue academic excellence.

 

Tara

[funschooler5]

If President Bush had wanted to address my schooled child during school hours and encourage her to set educational goals and stay in school, I would have been all for it. I fundamentally disagreed with the direction he took our country and think many of his values are diametrically opposed to mine, but good grief ... one presidential speech, even if I didn't agree with what he said, doesn't undermine my influence on my kids. I think some people are so biased against Obama that nothing he would ever contemplate doing would ever be taken at face value. Some people will always seek to ascribe evil intent to everything he does. If Obama were to tell kids to be kind to puppies and babies and old people, there are those who would scream that he is trying to brainwash and indoctrinate children.

 

I think this whole ridiculous flap is much ado about nothing, and I think a lot of people are going to end up looking very silly after the speech.

 

I find it sad? strange? I don't know what [ETA: I do know what: indicative of their ability to be led around by alarmist loudmouths] that people are so paranoid about Obama that they feel the need to hide their kids from his encouragement to pursue academic excellence.

 

Tara

 

:iagree::iagree::iagree:

 

 

I seriously can't believe this is even an issue. I'm middle of the road politically and I wouldn't have a problem with ANY president giving a speech to school kids about education.

 

What do people think he's going to say in this speech? Can someone who is against this please explain this to me? What exactly are you afraid of?

[Patricia in WA]

If President Bush had wanted to address my schooled child during school hours and encourage her to set educational goals and stay in school, I would have been all for it. I fundamentally disagreed with the direction he took our country and think many of his values are diametrically opposed to mine, but good grief ... one presidential speech, even if I didn't agree with what he said, doesn't undermine my influence on my kids.

 

:iagree::iagree:

I find it sad? strange? I don't know what [ETA: I do know what: indicative of their ability to be led around by alarmist loudmouths] that people are so paranoid about Obama that they feel the need to hide their kids from his encouragement to pursue academic excellence.

 

Tara

 

:iagree::iagree::iagree::iagree::iagree::iagree:

 

I couldn't agree with you more!!!!!

[amsunshine]

I encourage fans to consider it with the shoe on the other foot. Imagine a president you fundamentally disagree with and feel has destructive intentions (not trying to heat things up, just trying to drive home a point) were to address your child at a time when you are expected to be absent.

 

I'm trying to imagine what would be wrong with this, especially when the text of the speech is to be released the day before so that parents can review it. Unless the text encourages something other than achieving educational goals, I just can't see anything wrong with it, whether it would be Bush or Obama delivering the message.

[NoPlaceLikeHome]

If President Bush had wanted to address my schooled child during school hours and encourage her to set educational goals and stay in school, I would have been all for it. I fundamentally disagreed with the direction he took our country and think many of his values are diametrically opposed to mine, but good grief ... one presidential speech, even if I didn't agree with what he said, doesn't undermine my influence on my kids. I think some people are so biased against Obama that nothing he would ever contemplate doing would ever be taken at face value. Some people will always seek to ascribe evil intent to everything he does. If Obama were to tell kids to be kind to puppies and babies and old people, there are those who would scream that he is trying to brainwash and indoctrinate children.

 

I think this whole ridiculous flap is much ado about nothing, and I think a lot of people are going to end up looking very silly after the speech.

 

I find it sad? strange? I don't know what [ETA: I do know what: indicative of their ability to be led around by alarmist loudmouths] that people are so paranoid about Obama that they feel the need to hide their kids from his encouragement to pursue academic excellence.

 

Tara

:iagree::iagree: wholeheartedly:) I would not hesitate to let my ds see President Obama or any other President for that matter.

[kewb]

Bush, Reagan, and every other president who gave a speech on education never tried to bypass the parents by delivering it with the intention of it being aired in the classroom when parents aren't present.

 

 

All my life in public school I heard every one of the Presidents speeches. Either in an assembly or aired over the PA system. This is nothing new.

 

If you don't agree with the President discuss it with your children. If you do agree with the President discuss it with your children. One speech is not going to destroy your family unit or turn your child into a mindless socialist drone. The hoopla over this speech is ridiculous. It is a whole lot of buzz about nothing.

[cougarmom4]

Actually, I think that the speech itself has been toned down...and so it will be a whole lotta hoopla over nothing now after all of us conservatives got wind of that lesson plan. I can almost guarantee it will be a safe speech now.

 

The problem, in my mind, is not so much about President Obama wanting to speak to the children...the problem is that the whole reverential, worshipful attitude in the lesson plan presented by the Dept of Educ freaked some people out. And at the same time, in our area, as a preface to the speech, some principal showed the youtube video of people pledging to be a servant to President Obama. Combine these two things, both of which may not have been the intent of Obama, and you have a lot of conservatives unsure of what the intent of this speech is...and concerned about what direction all of this is headed.

[cougarmom4]

I'm trying to imagine what would be wrong with this, especially when the text of the speech is to be released the day before so that parents can review it. Unless the text encourages something other than achieving educational goals, I just can't see anything wrong with it, whether it would be Bush or Obama delivering the message.

 

But the 'hoopla' began before it was announced that the text would be available ahead of time...having it released so parents can review it changes a lot and takes away most of the 'hoopla.' (I think I like the word hoopla...never used it much before, but it's wonderfully descriptive!):)

[Haiku]

I can almost guarantee it will be a safe speech now.

 

 

The speech was never intended to be anything other than a welcome-back-to-school, do-well-in-school speech. I am sure that the hysteria generated by the Obama-as-Socialist fanatics did not cause him to alter the speech in any way. I think it's a bit self-important to think that anyone's alarmism actually influenced the content of the speech.

 

Tara

Edited September 5, 2009 by TaraTheLiberator

[BabyBre]

If President Bush had wanted to address my schooled child during school hours and encourage her to set educational goals and stay in school, I would have been all for it. I fundamentally disagreed with the direction he took our country and think many of his values are diametrically opposed to mine, but good grief ... one presidential speech, even if I didn't agree with what he said, doesn't undermine my influence on my kids. I think some people are so biased against Obama that nothing he would ever contemplate doing would ever be taken at face value. Some people will always seek to ascribe evil intent to everything he does. If Obama were to tell kids to be kind to puppies and babies and old people, there are those who would scream that he is trying to brainwash and indoctrinate children.

 

I think this whole ridiculous flap is much ado about nothing, and I think a lot of people are going to end up looking very silly after the speech.

 

I find it sad? strange? I don't know what [ETA: I do know what: indicative of their ability to be led around by alarmist loudmouths] that people are so paranoid about Obama that they feel the need to hide their kids from his encouragement to pursue academic excellence.

 

Tara

 

OK, well, I said I wasn't trying to heat things up but I guess maybe it just can't be helped in politics. Here's my attempt at a civil retort.

 

To this, then, it must be fair to say that you're being lead around by the president (who is simply the spokesman for a much larger movement). Don't forget that this is allegedly a government by the people, not the president. If you're not alarmed by what he's doing to the country and who he's got advising him in the White House, you must either be in favor of his socialist agenda, still have your head in the sand, or it's possible some are ignorant.

 

I don't think he is an evil man, but I do think the White House revealed themselves and their intentions in their original lesson plan. Now that they realize the typical language of D.C. that they used is out of touch with much of America, they've changed it to be more subtle. I expect the goal, nonetheless, is to gain the support of young people for the president, and what better way to do that than by bypassing their parents. He's hip and cool and very popular and it takes an informed adult or a very keen youth to understand why his agenda should not be supported by a people who value their remaining liberties.

 

If Obama wants to encourage kids to set educational goals and stay in school, great. Maybe that's exactly what he'll do with no underlying message. I sincerely hope it is, but my kids get that encouragement from home, as they should, and don't need this president to reinforce anything. Yes, I want the federal government to stay the h*ll away from my kids. That's just one reason I would have them all home full-time if I could.

 

My ds16, by the way, is looking forward to watching the speech at his high school and discussing it with his classmates and teachers, which I encourage. He's been taught to view everything with a critical eye, make his own assessments, and not be afraid to have his own opinions. However, I've seen too much from this administration to trust them in speaking to my young, impressionable children when they think I'm not there. I'll be previewing the speech at the very least and then decide on its value to my little ones.

 

And you'll never convince me that protecting my children is silly.

[Guest MaryMomof3]

First, I will probably watch the speech with my 14 year old and my 20 year old (college starts Wednesday).

What I find strange is that the State Superintendent felt the need to email all the school board and administrators in Ohio that the speech was optional. It's a free country! Of course it's optional!

[BabyBre]

I am sure that the hysteria generated by the Obama-as-Socialist fanatics did not cause him to alter the speech in any way. I think it's a bit self-important to think that anyone's alarmism actually influenced the content of the speech.

 

Tara

 

Really not trying to pick on you, Tara, but you keep sending me little red flags. ;)

 

I don't think there's any question anymore as to whether or not there are socialist intentions in the White House. Is that still under debate? The administration has been shamelessly outright with their intentions. I think the question now is whether we take this course. I am in the process of teaching my kids why we should not and I want to prevent the Obama-as-Messiah fanatics from teaching them otherwise as much as possible.

 

I find it interesting to have this debate with someone who seems to be so wholly accepting of the notion that most of the country agrees with Obama's agenda. If that were the case, health care would have flown through weeks ago. If he's smart (and he is) he learned from the reaction to the lesson plan, among other things, that his oposition does have weight and should not be discounted. If they do "tone back" the speech (and I also believe they will), it will be a good strategic move. If they don't, it will be bold and arrogant. No president should alienate large portions of the population more than necessary.

[Jumping In Puddles]

Bush, Reagan, and every other president who gave a speech on education never tried to bypass the parents by delivering it with the intention of it being aired in the classroom when parents aren't present.

 

 

 

That's not true. President Ronald Reagan gave a speech to school children during school in 1988. He slipped some politics in there (nuclear weapons and taxes) and President George HW Bush in 1991 did the same (work hard, stay in school).

 

You probably don't remember that because there was no 24 hour news and blogs and internet making a big deal out of pretty much anything.

Edited September 5, 2009 by Jumping In Puddles
added link to Reagan's speech

[Shawna in Texas]

OK, well, I said I wasn't trying to heat things up but I guess maybe it just can't be helped in politics. Here's my attempt at a civil retort.

 

To this, then, it must be fair to say that you're being lead around by the president (who is simply the spokesman for a much larger movement). Don't forget that this is allegedly a government by the people, not the president. If you're not alarmed by what he's doing to the country and who he's got advising him in the White House, you must either be in favor of his socialist agenda, still have your head in the sand, or it's possible some are ignorant.

 

I don't think he is an evil man, but I do think the White House revealed themselves and their intentions in their original lesson plan. Now that they realize the typical language of D.C. that they used is out of touch with much of America, they've changed it to be more subtle. I expect the goal, nonetheless, is to gain the support of young people for the president, and what better way to do that than by bypassing their parents. He's hip and cool and very popular and it takes an informed adult or a very keen youth to understand why his agenda should not be supported by a people who value their remaining liberties.

 

If Obama wants to encourage kids to set educational goals and stay in school, great. Maybe that's exactly what he'll do with no underlying message. I sincerely hope it is, but my kids get that encouragement from home, as they should, and don't need this president to reinforce anything. Yes, I want the federal government to stay the h*ll away from my kids. That's just one reason I would have them all home full-time if I could.

 

My ds16, by the way, is looking forward to watching the speech at his high school and discussing it with his classmates and teachers, which I encourage. He's been taught to view everything with a critical eye, make his own assessments, and not be afraid to have his own opinions. However, I've seen too much from this administration to trust them in speaking to my young, impressionable children when they think I'm not there. I'll be previewing the speech at the very least and then decide on its value to my little ones.

 

And you'll never convince me that protecting my children is silly.

 

I really really should stay out if this.

 

It would have to be a hardcore brainwashing session to get school children brainwashed enough to share all their toys with others, and to pledge allegiance to a president who is is going to replaced eventually (possibly by a republican who can in turn brainwash them when they're a little older). Because it's the little kids right? Most kids, middle school and up are pretty apathetic and unless they are really into politics, they will be able to see through the brainwashing and tell those friends who actually care. The ones who are versed in their parent's politics aren't going to swayed by any sort of socialist message. Heavy subliminal messages and bribery would have to be involved

 

Anyway, that's not as snarky as it reads.

 

And yes, some of us enjoy and support social programs. I'm in favor of public schools simply because that's where most of our country's children go. Not fearing socialism isn't ignorant.

 

But, I really think his message is just normal 'exceed and be involved' blah, blah, blah; stuff that would have bored the crap out of me in school. I realize it's not his job, but honestly if President Bush would have encouraged school children, I really don't think it would have caused such an issue. And I had real issues with his presidency. I never censored any of his speeches around here and I had an impressionable child at home. I also disagreed with most everything that came out of his mouth.

 

I see it as a pretty cool thing for these children that he gets to address.

 

Protecting your children isn't silly. I think treating this thing as something that they need protection from is strange.

[Jumping In Puddles]

Here, you can watch President Reagan's address to school children. :)

 

I can't find President Bush's video but there is a gov't link to the transcript.

 

Thank you, Ms. Mostoller, and thanks for allowing me to visit your classroom to talk to you and all these students, and millions more in classrooms all across the country.

 

You know, long before I became President I was a parent. I remember the times that my kids came up with a really tough question or a difficult decision. I tried my best never to shut them down with a quick ``no.'' I would simply say those three magic words that made that problem disappear: ``Ask your Mother.'' [Laughter]

 

Let me tell you why I've made the trip up from the White House to Alice Deal Junior High. I'm not here to teach a lesson. You already have a very good teacher. I'm not here to tell you what to do or what to think. Maybe you're accustomed to adults talking about you and at you; well, today, I'm here to talk to you and challenge you. Education matters, and what you do today, and what you don't do can change your future.

 

... click link for more

Edited September 6, 2009 by Jumping In Puddles

[amsunshine]

But the 'hoopla' began before it was announced that the text would be available ahead of time...having it released so parents can review it changes a lot and takes away most of the 'hoopla.' (I think I like the word hoopla...never used it much before, but it's wonderfully descriptive!):)

 

I honestly don't know when the "hoopla" to which you are referring began, so I can't address that. However, it is beside the point. The "hoopla" on these boards appears to continue, despite the fact that the text will be available prior to the actual speech. There is still some apparent concern that the President is trying to do something sinister. That's what I have a hard time understanding.

[Haiku]

I find it interesting to have this debate with someone who seems to be so wholly accepting of the notion that most of the country agrees with Obama's agenda.

 

[Edited because I realize I misunderstood: I do not wholly accept the notion that most of the country agrees with Obama. You are making your own assumptions about that. I don't think anyone could live in this country and not know that Obama's presidency is extremely contentious.] All I have said is that the hysteria about a back-to-school speech is overblown and a false fire is being fanned by people who choose it pick the tiniest of nits about a few words.

 

Tara

Edited September 6, 2009 by TaraTheLiberator

[cougarmom4]

But how did you know that this speech is just going to be normal 'do good at school' blah, blah, blah stuff? That's the issue.

 

Did you look at the original lesson plan? The questions were very leading and very much focused on Barack Obama--how inspiring he is, what a great example he is, setting goals of how we can help him. That caused red flags to go up in my mind...hmm...what is he trying to do? Since when is this all about him? Sure, it's great to have people encouraging our students to work hard & do their best...and asking them to reach out to others to make the world a better place. But man, I gotta tell ya, that's not what the lesson plan led me to believe his speech was going to be about.

[babysparkler]

Did you look at the original lesson plan? The questions were very leading and very much focused on Barack Obama--how inspiring he is, what a great example he is, setting goals of how we can help him. That caused red flags to go up in my mind...hmm...what is he trying to do? Since when is this all about him? Sure, it's great to have people encouraging our students to work hard & do their best...and asking them to reach out to others to make the world a better place. But man, I gotta tell ya, that's not what the lesson plan led me to believe his speech was going to be about.

 

Well said.

[Haiku]

how inspiring he is, what a great example he is, setting goals of how we can help him.

 

Yes, I read the lesson plans. They didn't seem red flaggy to me. They seemed pretty typical of public school lesson plans. I don't read into them this whole "cult of Obama" thing that people have worked up. I wouldn't have had it been Bush or Reagan, either. I absolutely want to help my president, no matter who he or she is or what his or her politics are. I want to help my president by being a good citizen, an informed citizen, an educated citizen. Besides, there is no reason to assume that "helping the President" means helping to advance his political agenda. What if the President were to say, "I would like your help, children, in encouraging your friends to set high educational goals and stay in school." In that case, writing a letter to themselves stating how they could help the President would be as innocuous as, "I could help the President by asking my friends to join me in a study circle so we can pass our math test." I guess that would be quite terrible, if doing well in school was a Socialist plot.

 

And I do think that Obama a good example of how someone who works hard and gets a good education can become anything he wants to be ... the man came from humble beginnings and, despite the fact that he is a black man in a country still struggling with racism, he is the President. Regardless of whether someone agrees with his politics, that's pretty inspiring. I think it would be absolutely appropriate for him to stand up in front of students and say, "I was not born rich but I worked hard for a good education and I achieved my dreams."

 

I find it interesting to have this debate with someone who seems to be so wholly accepting of the notion that most of the country agrees with Obama's agenda.

 

I realize I misread this before. I am not wholly accepting of the notion that most of the country agrees with Obama. I am aware that there is a lot of opposition. It's the paranoia about one speech suddenly turning our children into mindless socialist drones, the terror of trusting that the president of our country might merely want to encourage kids to do well in school, that I find overblown and hysterical. The White House spokespeople have repeatedly stated that this speech will be about Obama encouraging kids to set goals and do well in school. The utter lack of willingness to take this at face value indicates to me what I said before: that there are some people who will never allow for the idea that anything Obama does might have an ounce of pure intention in it.

 

And I don't care that this is Obama. I would be this dismayed if all the brouhaha (a term I prefer to hoopla) were over Bush. I don't know whether I can articulate this well or not, but to me, the problem is that people are willing to become so distracted over such a minor issue. Really, with everything going on in the world and this country, a speech to students about academic excellence is this huge of a threat? Really? That's what this country has come to?

 

ETA: If you disagree with Obama's politics, awesome! That's how this country should function, with give and take and actual dialogue. It's the absolute insistence that this address to students is simply a stealth attack to indoctrinate your children, the complete refusal to consider that the President may simply want to encourage students to do well in school, that I find to be a smokescreen to the real issues.

 

Tara

Edited September 6, 2009 by TaraTheLiberator

[LibraryLover]

Hey (is for horses lol)! This is a really thoughtful and well-written post. Thanks for that! You are not all Obama- gushing; you're thinking and articulating. No red herrings, no rhetoric...I like it. :grouphug:

 

Yes, I read the lesson plans. They didn't seem red flaggy to me. They seemed pretty typical of public school lesson plans. I don't read into them this whole "cult of Obama" thing that people have worked up. I wouldn't have had it been Bush or Reagan, either. I absolutely want to help my president, no matter who he or she is or what his or her politics are. I want to help my president by being a good citizen, an informed citizen, an educated citizen. Besides, there is no reason to assume that "helping the President" means helping to advance his political agenda. What if the President were to say, "I would like your help, children, in encouraging your friends to set high educational goals and stay in school." In that case, writing a letter to themselves stating how they could help the President would be as innocuous as, "I could help the President by asking my friends to join me in a study circle so we can pass our math test." I guess that would be quite terrible, if doing well in school was a Socialist plot.

 

And I do think that Obama a good example of how someone who works hard and gets a good education can become anything he wants to be ... the man came from humble beginnings and, despite the fact that he is a black man in a country still struggling with racism, he is the President. Regardless of whether someone agrees with his politics, that's pretty inspiring. I think it would be absolutely appropriate for him to stand up in front of students and say, "I was not born rich but I worked hard for a good education and I achieved my dreams."

 

 

 

I realize I misread this before. I am not wholly accepting of the notion that most of the country agrees with Obama. I am aware that there is a lot of opposition. It's the paranoia about one speech suddenly turning our children into mindless socialist drones, the terror of trusting that the president of our country might merely want to encourage kids to do well in school, that I find overblown and hysterical. The White House spokespeople have repeatedly stated that this speech will be about Obama encouraging kids to set goals and do well in school. The utter lack of willingness to take this at face value indicates to me what I said before: that there are some people who will never allow for the idea that anything Obama does might have an ounce of pure intention in it.

 

And I don't care that this is Obama. I would be this dismayed if all the brouhaha (a term I prefer to hoopla) were over Bush. I don't know whether I can articulate this well or not, but to me, the problem is that people are willing to become so distracted over such a minor issue. Really, with everything going on in the world and this country, a speech to students about academic excellence is this huge of a threat? Really? That's what this country has come to?

 

ETA: If you disagree with Obama's politics, awesome! That's how this country should function, with give and take and actual dialogue. It's the absolute insistence that this address to students is simply a stealth attack to indoctrinate your children, the complete refusal to consider that the President may simply want to encourage students to do well in school, that I find to be a smokescreen to the real issues.

 

Tara

[NoPlaceLikeHome]

Yes, I read the lesson plans. They didn't seem red flaggy to me. They seemed pretty typical of public school lesson plans. I don't read into them this whole "cult of Obama" thing that people have worked up. I wouldn't have had it been Bush or Reagan, either. I absolutely want to help my president, no matter who he or she is or what his or her politics are. I want to help my president by being a good citizen, an informed citizen, an educated citizen. Besides, there is no reason to assume that "helping the President" means helping to advance his political agenda. What if the President were to say, "I would like your help, children, in encouraging your friends to set high educational goals and stay in school." In that case, writing a letter to themselves stating how they could help the President would be as innocuous as, "I could help the President by asking my friends to join me in a study circle so we can pass our math test." I guess that would be quite terrible, if doing well in school was a Socialist plot.

 

And I do think that Obama a good example of how someone who works hard and gets a good education can become anything he wants to be ... the man came from humble beginnings and, despite the fact that he is a black man in a country still struggling with racism, he is the President. Regardless of whether someone agrees with his politics, that's pretty inspiring. I think it would be absolutely appropriate for him to stand up in front of students and say, "I was not born rich but I worked hard for a good education and I achieved my dreams."

 

 

 

I realize I misread this before. I am not wholly accepting of the notion that most of the country agrees with Obama. I am aware that there is a lot of opposition. It's the paranoia about one speech suddenly turning our children into mindless socialist drones, the terror of trusting that the president of our country might merely want to encourage kids to do well in school, that I find overblown and hysterical. The White House spokespeople have repeatedly stated that this speech will be about Obama encouraging kids to set goals and do well in school. The utter lack of willingness to take this at face value indicates to me what I said before: that there are some people who will never allow for the idea that anything Obama does might have an ounce of pure intention in it.

 

And I don't care that this is Obama. I would be this dismayed if all the brouhaha (a term I prefer to hoopla) were over Bush. I don't know whether I can articulate this well or not, but to me, the problem is that people are willing to become so distracted over such a minor issue. Really, with everything going on in the world and this country, a speech to students about academic excellence is this huge of a threat? Really? That's what this country has come to?

 

ETA: If you disagree with Obama's politics, awesome! That's how this country should function, with give and take and actual dialogue. It's the absolute insistence that this address to students is simply a stealth attack to indoctrinate your children, the complete refusal to consider that the President may simply want to encourage students to do well in school, that I find to be a smokescreen to the real issues.

 

Tara

 

Thanks for the thoughtful post:). I agree and wish we all could remember that we are fellow Americans who all love our country including President Obama.

[Harriet Vane]

Yes, I read the lesson plans. They didn't seem red flaggy to me. They seemed pretty typical of public school lesson plans. I don't read into them this whole "cult of Obama" thing that people have worked up. I wouldn't have had it been Bush or Reagan, either. I absolutely want to help my president, no matter who he or she is or what his or her politics are. I want to help my president by being a good citizen, an informed citizen, an educated citizen. Besides, there is no reason to assume that "helping the President" means helping to advance his political agenda. What if the President were to say, "I would like your help, children, in encouraging your friends to set high educational goals and stay in school." In that case, writing a letter to themselves stating how they could help the President would be as innocuous as, "I could help the President by asking my friends to join me in a study circle so we can pass our math test." I guess that would be quite terrible, if doing well in school was a Socialist plot.

 

And I do think that Obama a good example of how someone who works hard and gets a good education can become anything he wants to be ... the man came from humble beginnings and, despite the fact that he is a black man in a country still struggling with racism, he is the President. Regardless of whether someone agrees with his politics, that's pretty inspiring. I think it would be absolutely appropriate for him to stand up in front of students and say, "I was not born rich but I worked hard for a good education and I achieved my dreams."

 

 

 

I realize I misread this before. I am not wholly accepting of the notion that most of the country agrees with Obama. I am aware that there is a lot of opposition. It's the paranoia about one speech suddenly turning our children into mindless socialist drones, the terror of trusting that the president of our country might merely want to encourage kids to do well in school, that I find overblown and hysterical. The White House spokespeople have repeatedly stated that this speech will be about Obama encouraging kids to set goals and do well in school. The utter lack of willingness to take this at face value indicates to me what I said before: that there are some people who will never allow for the idea that anything Obama does might have an ounce of pure intention in it.

 

And I don't care that this is Obama. I would be this dismayed if all the brouhaha (a term I prefer to hoopla) were over Bush. I don't know whether I can articulate this well or not, but to me, the problem is that people are willing to become so distracted over such a minor issue. Really, with everything going on in the world and this country, a speech to students about academic excellence is this huge of a threat? Really? That's what this country has come to?

 

ETA: If you disagree with Obama's politics, awesome! That's how this country should function, with give and take and actual dialogue. It's the absolute insistence that this address to students is simply a stealth attack to indoctrinate your children, the complete refusal to consider that the President may simply want to encourage students to do well in school, that I find to be a smokescreen to the real issues.

 

Tara

 

:iagree: Well said. I did not vote for Obama and do not agree with many of his goals BUT I do not see a threat in his speech to students.

[aly9712]

I have no problems watching or letting my daughter (age 5) watch it. As a teacher, we are not allowed to show it live but can show it later and will excuse any child with a parent note. The students whether they watch it or not will have to write a reflective essay on their educational goals for this year, which is a very common back to school type excercise they take part in anyway.

I truly believe all the fuss about the speech is nothing but another ploy by many to divert the attention of citizens- so instead of focusing on healthcare or the war this week, we've all been hyped up over a "back to school" speech. It's a sad day when the man overwhelming elected to run the United States, is now being hailed as not being trusted to give a kids speech. Ridiculous.

[BabyBre]

That's not true. President Ronald Reagan gave a speech to school children during school in 1988. He slipped some politics in there (nuclear weapons and taxes) and President George HW Bush in 1991 did the same (work hard, stay in school).

 

You probably don't remember that because there was no 24 hour news and blogs and internet making a big deal out of pretty much anything.

 

 

I stand corrected. Thank you for the link to those speeches. I don't remember them because I wasn't a parent in those years and therefore wasn't observing through a parent's eyes (i.e. I didn't really care). I was also in junior high and high school in those years and these speeches were not shown in my classes.

 

I have to say, if I were a parent who thought the policies of Bush and Reagan were destructive to America, I would be just as upset at their addressing my kids while I'm expected to be absent. Bush's speech was far more along the lines of what I feel is appropriate in this type of address, and is what the DOE claims the Obama address will be about (stay in school, work hard, etc.). While I philosophically agree with most of the content of Reagan's speech, he addressed a lot of specific policies with the students, which is certainly something I don't want to see in the Obama address.

 

I think the issue comes down to trust in the government. I used to have trust, during the early years of the G.W. Bush administration, but then Bush folded on conservative principles. I was merely a disgruntled conservative until the current Congress passed Obama's stimulus plan without possibly having read the entire bill. This really opened my eyes to the corruption in government that common sense indicates is likely at every level and in every party to some extent. As I've become more observant locally, I've seen this with my own eyes at the city level.

 

Our founders were very untrusting of government. Our entire system is based on preventing any single facet of government from gaining too much power. Handing our trust over to elected officials opens the door for them to act freely, knowing they won't be largely questioned or challenged. We need to remain watchful and question the actions of those who represent us and those in power. It's when we don't that we become apathetic, complacent, and ignorant.

 

I'm the last check the government has to get through before they get to my kids, and here I see that attempting to be circumvented.

[BabyBre]

It's a sad day when the man overwhelming elected to run the United States, is now being hailed as not being trusted to give a kids speech.

 

:iagree: I couldn't agree more.

[BabyBre]

The text of the speech is now available on the White House website. http://www.whitehouse.gov/MediaResources/PreparedSchoolRemarks/

 

As the OP and one of the few in this thread who expressed concerns, here's my take on it. I think it's a great overall message, remaining fairly within the limits of what I would consider to be an appropriate address from a president to the nation's youth. I hope it has the effect it appears to intend - to motivate and inspire kids to succeed despite any odds.

 

My kids still won't watch it live, at least not without me present, and ideally I'd still prefer to preview the live broadcast. Dd's 3rd grade teacher has already decided not to air the speech in class, which leaves me available to go to ds's 2nd grade class if his teacher does decide to air it (I haven't heard from her yet), and supervise any lessons that she may teach around it. (I don't know if that sounds intrusive, but the address will be aired during my normal classroom volunteer time anyway.) Having just read the text of the speech, I haven't decided yet if I'll just be there to watch it live with ds, or keep him out of class and possibly watch it with both dc later.

 

Nonetheless, I'm extremely thankful the decision is still mine, and that I'm personally in a position to take advantage of whatever option I decide.

[Haiku]

I think it's a fantastic speech, and I think that kids need to hear from people outside their families that they do, in fact, have a responsibility to this country and that their actions affect not only them but other people, as well.

 

I wish all presidents would give speeches like this to kids. I hope Obama has set a precedent.

 

Tara

[WishboneDawn]

This whole speech thing has me thinking two things.

 

One, it makes it easy to decide which conservatives commentors (and I mean in the media - not here!) I should not pay attention too anymore by making it evident who has surrendered to hysteria and paranoia.

 

Two, Obama's message was fundamentally and intensely conservative. Hard work, taking responsibility for your own actions and making hard choices were the core messages of his speech and are truly old-fashioned, conservative views.

 

I'm learning more and more that I'm actually a conservative at heart. I'm also learning that a lot of modern "conservatives" in the media and politics are nothing of the sort.

[Stacia]

Two, Obama's message was fundamentally and intensely conservative. Hard work, taking responsibility for your own actions and making hard choices were the core messages of his speech and are truly old-fashioned, conservative views.

 

I don't think those values are essentially conservative -- they are shared by many, both liberal and conservative. I guess I'd term them ethical values.

 

And, yes, you're right that many have succumbed to the hype & paranoia over nothing more than a straightforward, brief, ethical message to young people in this country today.

[5ray2006]

If President Bush had wanted to address my schooled child during school hours and encourage her to set educational goals and stay in school, I would have been all for it. I fundamentally disagreed with the direction he took our country and think many of his values are diametrically opposed to mine, but good grief ... one presidential speech, even if I didn't agree with what he said, doesn't undermine my influence on my kids. I think some people are so biased against Obama that nothing he would ever contemplate doing would ever be taken at face value. Some people will always seek to ascribe evil intent to everything he does. If Obama were to tell kids to be kind to puppies and babies and old people, there are those who would scream that he is trying to brainwash and indoctrinate children.

 

I think this whole ridiculous flap is much ado about nothing, and I think a lot of people are going to end up looking very silly after the speech.

 

I find it sad? strange? I don't know what [ETA: I do know what: indicative of their ability to be led around by alarmist loudmouths] that people are so paranoid about Obama that they feel the need to hide their kids from his encouragement to pursue academic excellence.

 

Tara

 

:iagree::iagree::iagree:

[5ray2006]

Yes, I read the lesson plans. They didn't seem red flaggy to me. They seemed pretty typical of public school lesson plans. I don't read into them this whole "cult of Obama" thing that people have worked up. I wouldn't have had it been Bush or Reagan, either. I absolutely want to help my president, no matter who he or she is or what his or her politics are. I want to help my president by being a good citizen, an informed citizen, an educated citizen. Besides, there is no reason to assume that "helping the President" means helping to advance his political agenda. What if the President were to say, "I would like your help, children, in encouraging your friends to set high educational goals and stay in school." In that case, writing a letter to themselves stating how they could help the President would be as innocuous as, "I could help the President by asking my friends to join me in a study circle so we can pass our math test." I guess that would be quite terrible, if doing well in school was a Socialist plot.

 

And I do think that Obama a good example of how someone who works hard and gets a good education can become anything he wants to be ... the man came from humble beginnings and, despite the fact that he is a black man in a country still struggling with racism, he is the President. Regardless of whether someone agrees with his politics, that's pretty inspiring. I think it would be absolutely appropriate for him to stand up in front of students and say, "I was not born rich but I worked hard for a good education and I achieved my dreams."

 

 

 

I realize I misread this before. I am not wholly accepting of the notion that most of the country agrees with Obama. I am aware that there is a lot of opposition. It's the paranoia about one speech suddenly turning our children into mindless socialist drones, the terror of trusting that the president of our country might merely want to encourage kids to do well in school, that I find overblown and hysterical. The White House spokespeople have repeatedly stated that this speech will be about Obama encouraging kids to set goals and do well in school. The utter lack of willingness to take this at face value indicates to me what I said before: that there are some people who will never allow for the idea that anything Obama does might have an ounce of pure intention in it.

 

And I don't care that this is Obama. I would be this dismayed if all the brouhaha (a term I prefer to hoopla) were over Bush. I don't know whether I can articulate this well or not, but to me, the problem is that people are willing to become so distracted over such a minor issue. Really, with everything going on in the world and this country, a speech to students about academic excellence is this huge of a threat? Really? That's what this country has come to?

 

ETA: If you disagree with Obama's politics, awesome! That's how this country should function, with give and take and actual dialogue. It's the absolute insistence that this address to students is simply a stealth attack to indoctrinate your children, the complete refusal to consider that the President may simply want to encourage students to do well in school, that I find to be a smokescreen to the real issues.

 

Tara

 

:iagree::iagree::iagree:

[Sahmqui]

I think it's a fantastic speech, and I think that kids need to hear from people outside their families that they do, in fact, have a responsibility to this country and that their actions affect not only them but other people, as well.

 

I wish all presidents would give speeches like this to kids. I hope Obama has set a precedent.

 

Tara

 

:iagree::iagree::iagree:

 

 

Everyone made a "HOOPA LA" over this. Good grief! I personally believe that people who make a issue over these minor things that every president before has done (and no one said nothing when G.W. Bush did this) are just nick picking everything because it is OBAMA. If this was Al Gore or Joe Plumber, no one would even take the time to blog.

 

I've said my peace :001_smile:

[akmommy]

.

[Cammie]

To this, then, it must be fair to say that you're being lead around by the president (who is simply the spokesman for a much larger movement).

 

I found the above comment to be very interesting. The president (this or one you like) is NOT simply the spokesman for a much larger movement. He (or maybe oneday SHE) is the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. I fail to understand why that means to little to the conservatives. Is it that have 8 years of having everything their way they cannot simply accept that the rest of the country might like things to be different?

[BabyBre]

I found the above comment to be very interesting. The president (this or one you like) is NOT simply the spokesman for a much larger movement. He (or maybe oneday SHE) is the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. I fail to understand why that means to little to the conservatives. Is it that have 8 years of having everything their way they cannot simply accept that the rest of the country might like things to be different?

 

 

I'm not referring to THE president as the spokesman for a movement. I mean that THIS president is just that. He's not the leader of the movement to "transform America", he's just the one that's out in front all the time.

 

I'm surprised to hear people still claiming that the Bush years were some kind of conservative's dream. Bush paved the way for Obama's aggressive policies (NCLB, TARP, "abandoning free market principles", etc.) It's pretty insulting to people when you assert that they must have supported the same policies simply because they were introduced under a different president. Wrong is wrong.