Presidential Address to Schoolchildren

[Elphaba]

Homie is just pimpin his brand. Nothing more nothing less. I'd be surprised if our district even acknowledges this crap. If they do my kids will get early release and we will go to the shooting range for some good instruction in the fine art of marksmanship.

Who are you going to kill?

Elphaba

[jadams_4040]

If the President of the US was to speak to children wow that would be an abomination for sure! Lets not let children have the chance to have a president take the time to address them and to encourage them. Yep it must be the antichrist trying to convert our children to evil.

You know if he was as evil as some people think he has to be the antichrist for sure. No doubt a pediphile as well. Abusing the office of president this way to speak to children. So incredibly evil.

On a serious note one thing this whole furor has done is make the Obama haters look really incredibly stupid and over the top fanatic.

Obama might not be the greatest thing since cream cheese but with all the rhetoric it is is pretty much impossible to tell.

Once again Thanks! i was going to say something very similar, but yu pretty much summed it up; This ridiculas stuff is coming from the extreme right wing trouble makers and right wing talk; and its absolutely crazy; for crying out loud, hes the president of the united states of america; everything i was taught as a child was to respect the president. not to "dis" respect; what are these people teaching there kids? to hate and disrepect the president of the united states? {crazy stuff indeed!}.

[prisonchaplain]

OK, nobody's said it yet (least not on the first page), so I will...doesn't this seem kinda...Communist. The Great Leader will now address his adoring school children, who are all united in being overjoyed at the glorious honor of hearing directly from The One.

Yes...it's an exaggeration...but this is unprecedented. I'm thinking if Bush tried to pull this off, civil libertarians would have shouted from the roof tops. But we ignorant red-staters should be quiet and appreciate that The One has taken time from his messianic responsiblities to enlighten our children.

Nah...it's probably not dangerous. Just kinda creepy.

[prisonchaplain]

Once again Thanks! i was going to say something very similar, but yu pretty much summed it up; This ridiculas stuff is coming from the extreme right wing trouble makers and right wing talk; and its absolutely crazy; for crying out loud, hes the president of the united states of america; everything i was taught as a child was to respect the president. not to "dis" respect; what are these people teaching there kids? to hate and disrepect the president of the united states? {crazy stuff indeed!}.

It is a time-honored tradition in the United States for us to ridicule our political leaders. We believe in "loyal opposition." When Bush was president, liberals understood this all too well. Now that they have the juice, we get this pious finger wagging. :::sigh:::

[Maxel]

I thought other presidents had done this kind of address to the children of the nation before?

The biggest problem that we can fairly discern has been solved (the question of 'how can I help President Obama?' on the worksheets), IMO. Gonna have to wait and see what he actually says before I can pass judgment. If he sticks to talking about goals- that's great, more power to him.

[prisonchaplain]

Maxel, I don't recall the President ever doing this for school children...not on a national scale. In my 45 years I don't recall ever getting a letter from school about such a thing...as I did this week for my elementary school girls. Like I said...not really dangerous...just eerie.

[annewandering]

Disagreeing is not wrong. In fact our country requires a certain amount of disagreement doesn't it?

It seems to me there is a difference between disagreeing and criticizing. Disagreeing seems to me to be more open to working with a person to come to an agreement. Criticizing is just talking. Disagreeing implies an idea is the topic. Criticizing could be not liking the first ladies black and red dress. There is a lot of judgmentalism in criticizing.

[Elphaba]

Can someone point to specific passages of the current instructional supplements to the speech that they find objectionable?

The Republican Party of Florida released a statement "condemning President Obama's use of taxpayer dollars to indoctrinate America’s children to his socialist agenda."

In a news release, Republican Party Chairman Jim Greer said:

As the father of four children, I am absolutely appalled that taxpayer dollars are being used to spread President Obama's socialist ideology.

The idea that schoolchildren across our nation will be forced to watch the president justify his plans for government-run health care, banks, and automobile companies, increasing taxes on those who create jobs, and racking up more debt than any other president, is not only infuriating, but goes against beliefs of the majority of Americans, while bypassing American parents through an invasive abuse of power.

The website Politico asked Mr. Greer for “evidence that Obama intended to discuss health care, banks, automobile companies or taxes with the nation's schoolchildren." According to Politico: "They couldn't point us to anything.”

A spokesman said the party was particularly concerned about the study questions the department had provided. "The goal of these materials is to tell students why they should support President Obama in his overall agenda," said Katie Gordon.

"If the former administration had done something like this, the media would be handling this a lot differently," she added.

As a matter of fact, a former president did do something like this, and the uproar was so predictable.

Rewind to 1991, and the same political distractions were at play when then President George H.W. Bush addressed the nation's students in a televised speech during school hours. He said:

'I can't understand for the life of me what's so great about being stupid.“ He told students to ''block out the kids who think it's not cool to be smart'' and ''work harder, learn more.''

Of course the political opponents, the Democrats, had to whine about President Bush's speech. Richard Gephardt, the then Democratic majority leader of the House of Representatives said:

The Department of Education should not be producing paid political advertising for the president, it should be helping us to produce smarter students.

Predictably, Republicans were incensed that the Democrats would accuse the president of ulterior motives. Republican Newt Gingrich defended Bush's speech when he said:

Why is it political for the president of the United States to discuss education? . . . . It was done at a nonpolitical site and was beamed to a nonpolitical audience. . . . They wanted to reach the maximum audience with the maximum effect to improve education.

I just got a whiplash typing all of that.

This partisan bloviating is exasperating. It’s pre-scripted party-line rhetoric that is written only to gouge its opponents while playing to its fringe base that thinks these stultifying words are measured and reasonable.

The fact is, both parties do, and say, exactly the same thing, every time a non-issue comes up that can distract everyone from the real issues, and it’s petulant and pathetic.

Our children are incredibly fortunate to have a president who will talk to them about "the importance of persisting and succeeding in school." From the very beginning he has emphasized how important it is we focus on our children's education to prepare them for the future. They should be taught to respect his office, not blow it up.

Elphaba

[miztrniceguy]

my wife wants my daughter to wear a "Dagney Taggert in training" shirt that day.

[Maxel]

If President Obama sticks to the basics of goal-making and keeping, more power to him- judging by the website JAG linked, that's the planned gist of what he's saying.

However, I will stand by the idea that the wording of the original question ('How will I help the president?') is creepy and inappropriate. I can see how the intention would be for children to think that graduating from school would be helping the president- but then that crosses some lines I'm uncomfortable crossing.

[annewandering]

We should help the president. It's our job to help him. We don't have to agree with him but we do have to help him do his job. How we help is up to us. If he is doing something we think he should do different then we should help him to see our point of view and listen to see if he just might have a better idea than we do.

Whats the alternative?

[prisonchaplain]

I pretty much agree with Elpha too. Further, the first Bush was a moderate, who was often more criticized by his own party's right-wing than by Democrats. And yet, Bush's opponents didn't like it then. Yes, in the grand scheme, this is a non-issue. Still...creepy and eerie, imho.

[Elphaba]

I know I am now the one bloviating, but I need to comment about the curriculum President Obama provided the teachers to follow.

I used to develop curriculum, and it is an intensive and arduous task. When I look at the optional curriculum provided, I see a thorough treatment developed by talented people who know what they’re doing.

The activity suggestions are varied and engaging, giving the teacher a lot of different ideas s/he can adapt and implement within the existing classroom limitations.

The optional materials are age-appropriate, and challenging enough to be interesting as well as motivating, which keeps the student on task.

The objectives are clearly defined, yet flexible enough to adapt to the teacher’s existing format.

I guarantee that the majority of teachers who plan on using these materials are grateful to have such a creative and comprehensive package, especially because they can use it immediately with very little planning/development on their part. This frees the them up to actually engage the students in a successful learning experience, rather than scurrying around distracted, trying to keep up.

I think many people are missing the point that the president purposely chose to provide as much material as possible to enhance the learning experience. That demonstrates dedication to the event's success, which should, ultimately, be a very special, and memorable, occasion.

Elphaba　

[Moksha]

I'm thinking if Bush tried to pull this off, civil libertarians would have shouted from the roof tops.

It is my understanding that Republicans backed off school talks not wanting to have a recurrence of that incident with Vice President Dan Quail and the potato. A such a repeat would have been virtually assured if his handlers had let Bush anywhere near a school.

BTW, the concern would not have come from civil libertarians but rather from civil librarians.

:)

[Bini]

Personally, I am not concerned by Obama's upcoming speech on education. Our elementary school will be broadcasting it for all grades. However, teachers did send out forms for parents to sign, stating whether or not they want their child to participate in this. So it's still in the parents' control to accept or decline this opportunity. Children that will not be participating will be in a designated classroom doing something else. No big deal.

[Dravin]

BTW, the concern would not have come from civil libertarians but rather from civil librarians.

:)

Naw, its the uncivil librarians that would cause a ruckus, the civil ones would be too polite to do something like that.

[Jenamarie]

I'm just saddened that there are children who's parents will deny them the opportunity to hear a sitting president speak to THEM. By all means, let's protect our children from a inspirational speach on doing well in school! THAT'S the part that I find "creepy".

[talisyn]

Pres. Obama's speech to kids on Tuesday is why I voted for the man. This is a person who cares about people and wants them to succeed. He has ideas that he thinks will help. They may not be Republican ideas, but he's the president so he gets to say them

[Just_A_Guy]

It is my understanding that Republicans backed off school talks not wanting to have a recurrence of that incident with Vice President Dan Quail and the potato.

Oh, the irony . . . (it's "Quayle").

A such a repeat would have been virtually assured if his handlers had let Bush anywhere near a school.

You've been slacking off on your Michael Moore viewership. Where was President Bush the morning of 9/11?

[slhecker]

It is my understanding that Republicans backed off school talks not wanting to have a recurrence of that incident with Vice President Dan Quail and the potato. A such a repeat would have been virtually assured if his handlers had let Bush anywhere near a school.

BTW, the concern would not have come from civil libertarians but rather from civil librarians.

:)

Guys I'm going to expose my age here so bear with me; when I was in school 'potato(e) and tomato(e) could be spelled with or without the 'e'. by the by I to am from Indiana.

[john doe]

Yeah, the thing they failed to point out is that either spelling of the plural of potato is acceptable.

The thing that kills me about this is that the libs are so mad about this. If Bush's handlers had put out 'study guides' asking the students to write essays about how they could help Pres. Bush, the left would have had a cow. Now the libs responsible are saying they 'miswrote' the original suggestions. I call B.S. on that one. They knew what they were doing. I have no problem with Obama speaking to kids amd encouraging them to study and do well in school, but it needs to be done in a non-partisan way, and that is something the Obama administration has not been able to bring itself to do.

[Mahone]

I call B.S. on that one

You call what?

[ADoyle90815]

Even though I disagreed with the previous President, I had complete respect for the Office, and it would be nice if the fanatical conservatives did the same. I know people on this board do respect the office, so that doesn't apply here, so sorry for any offense. As for his speech, my local schools start Wednesday, with teachers going back on Tuesday. I don't know if they'll show the speech on Wednesday, but by then, I'm sure most parents would have heard what was said. My mom who is a middle school English teacher, hasn't said if her school will show the speech the following day, so I have no idea. Obama is talking about children studying and more importantly, staying in school, which is something even Republicans would have no issues about.

As far as Presidents addressing children directly in speeches, I remember Regan mentioning children in his speech after the Challenger blew up. That was because those of us who were in elementary school on that day, watched the disaster in our classrooms as it happened.

Edited September 5, 2009 by ADoyle90815

[bytor2112]

I'm just saddened that there are children who's parents will deny them the opportunity to hear a sitting president speak to THEM. By all means, let's protect our children from a inspirational speach on doing well in school! THAT'S the part that I find "creepy".

Oh please......there is not a day that goes by that Obama is not on TV. Children and adults are bombarded by him. I have no problem with him speaking to kids....as OTHER presidents have, but honestly, most kids could care less.

[bytor2112]

Pres. Obama's speech to kids on Tuesday is why I voted for the man. This is a person who cares about people and wants them to succeed. He has ideas that he thinks will help. They may not be Republican ideas, but he's the president so he gets to say them

I too think he cares about people......I thought President Bush was a very warm, caring person as well......and President Clinton as well.....and come to think of it President Bush I....oh, and President Reagan too. That being said, it is his IDEAS that I voted against. Why? Because they are a disaster for our country.