Presidential Address to Schoolchildren

[HEthePrimate]

I 'en't goin' to let no DIMOKRAT tawk to mah childrun!! He'll tek away their guns an' turn 'em all inta vegetarians! Ughh! A reg'lar little Obama Youth Corps!

HEP

[bytor2112]

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.

You may have had respect for the office when Bush was in office....but there were enough rabid, fanatical left wing liberals out there to off set any respect. I chuckle at these type of comments. President Obama is sinking fast.......it's his policies. Speaking to kids...I have no problem with the speech....his policies are a disaster.

Edited September 5, 2009 by bytor2112

[bytor2112]

I 'en't goin' to let no DIMOKRAT tawk to mah childrun!! He'll tek away their guns an' turn 'em all inta vegetarians! Ughh! A reg'lar little Obama Youth Corps!

HEP

That's the problem.....lefty's like you think that anyone that is conservative and doesn't worship at the feet of the D.C. elite that they must be ignorant hicks. That's ok...keep on thinking that....Obama and the Democrats will get there come uppance soon enough. At least, we don't whine about our lot in life and expect the government to steal from the successful to support the slackers.

Edited September 5, 2009 by bytor2112

[Jenamarie]

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.

My comments weren't addressed to you, they were addressed to the people, some of whom are in my own community, who insist upon PERMISSION SLIPS being required for kids being allowed to watch the President's speech. It isn't a sex-ed speech, or a speech on homosexuality or abortion. It's about education! It boggles my mind that there ARE people out there who feel his speech is in any way innapropriate for younger viewers.

[MrsAri]

When my children attended public school, the emphasis was on "kids' voting". Our family are Republicans, so naturally, we voted for Pres. Bush. I was appalled when my daughter stated that she was embarrased by the teacher/kids, as she was one of the very few who voted for our president. Of course, the big push at that time was for Clinton.

Incidentally, if my children attended public school at the present time, we would opt out of hearing Obama's speech.

Edited September 6, 2009 by GrandmaAri
I forgot somethin' lol

[prisonchaplain]

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".

Forgetting the partisan aspect, it's an absolutely legitimate viewpoint to believe that partisan office holders should not take school time to impart political speeches. Personally, my children will listen. But, I can understand and respect those who perceive this as politicizing school children. I guess I don't have the guts to question other children's parenting on matters of philosophy and politics.

[prisonchaplain]

I 'en't goin' to let no DIMOKRAT tawk to mah childrun!! He'll tek away their guns an' turn 'em all inta vegetarians! Ughh! A reg'lar little Obama Youth Corps!

HEP

I remember thinking it was funny to belittle my political opponents, engage in silly stereotyping, and pretend that I was so much wiser and more sophisticated. Of course, I was 17 and thought I knew it all. Funny how age brings a bit of humility and respect for ideological opponents.

[Jenamarie]

Forgetting the partisan aspect, it's an absolutely legitimate viewpoint to believe that partisan office holders should not take school time to impart political speeches. Personally, my children will listen. But, I can understand and respect those who perceive this as politicizing school children. I guess I don't have the guts to question other children's parenting on matters of philosophy and politics.

But what's political or partisan about setting educational goals?

And why shouldn't a President be allowed to address his constituancy, even the ones below voting age?

[prisonchaplain]

My comments weren't addressed to you, they were addressed to the people, some of whom are in my own community, who insist upon PERMISSION SLIPS being required for kids being allowed to watch the President's speech. It isn't a sex-ed speech, or a speech on homosexuality or abortion. It's about education! It boggles my mind that there ARE people out there who feel his speech is in any way innapropriate for younger viewers.

Let me unboggle your mind. It's a political speech, regardless of the topic. Republicans, and some thoughtful civil libertarians, find the head of the Democrat party organizing for classroom time to be spent listening to him speek to be a politicization of public education. There is no precedent for this. So, it's understandable to me that permission slips might be required. Who knows, maybe some districts are afraid of being sued?

[prisonchaplain]

But what's political or partisan about setting educational goals?

And why shouldn't a President be allowed to address his constituancy, even the ones below voting age?

Obama is the lead Democrat. He is political by definition. He can address his consituency on network TV...organizaing the use of public school classroom time for political speeches could easily be seen as over the top.

[Jenamarie]

Obama is the lead Democrat. He is political by definition. He can address his consituency on network TV...organizaing the use of public school classroom time for political speeches could easily be seen as over the top.

He's also the leader of our nation, whatever his party is.

[prisonchaplain]

I see both sides, Jenamarie. Why you cannot is beyond me. Personally, yes, I'll allow my kids to hear him. But, I can also understand why some find this unseemly.

[Jenamarie]

I see both sides, Jenamarie. Why you cannot is beyond me. Personally, yes, I'll allow my kids to hear him. But, I can also understand why some find this unseemly.

I'm thinking back to my school days when classtime being interrupted for "political events" was fairly regular. I watched both Clinton's innaugurations, as well as GW Bush's first innauguration IN SCHOOL (during math class, during marching band practice, and during P.E. respectively). No permission slip needed (and we didn't watch just the swearing in; we watched the speeches, AND the prayers!).

My parents are school teachers, and they watched GW Bush's address to the nation in reguards to 9/11 during school hours as well. (They teach Kindergarten and 1st grade) No permission slip required, and no parental complaints, from my memory of hearing my parents discuss it.

I don't recall any of those events coloring my future political ideals. I just thought it was cool to listen to the President. It helped me to gain respect for the office, and instilled a bit of pride for my country.

In P.E. one year our teacher had us work towards achieving the Presidential goals for health (I can't remember if it was Clinton that established that?). It lasted the entire school year, so I doubt there were any parental complaints (and while, yes, I was living in California, I was living in Central California, which is VERY Red)

While the President IS a politician, that doesn't mean his every action of every day is a political action. Nor does it mean he does things ONLY for political gain. He might actually *gasp* care about the country, and the people he is elected to serve, and want to do something good for them. You know, SERVE them a bit.

[annewandering]

Some of us as we grow older do see that fanaticism is going to destroy this country. It's made a good start already.

I don't know if it is the fault of the electorate or the politicians or the media but its probably all working together happily making our government a joke.

When we can't trust a president to talk to our kids what does that tell us? Be honest in knowing if it was a conservative president the very same thing would happen.

[HEthePrimate]

Obama is the lead Democrat. He is political by definition. He can address his consituency on network TV...organizaing the use of public school classroom time for political speeches could easily be seen as over the top.

So, Obama is only allowed to ever speak to "his constituency", by which I suppose you mean Democrats. Well, it seems to me that the American people as a whole are his constituency, much as I would expect representatives of my state to represent the interests of my state, and not just partisan interests.

In any case, if he were giving a partisan political speech to the schoolchildren, I can see why parents would have a problem with it. But who said he's going to do that (Other than rabble rousers like Limbaugh and Beck?)?

HEP

[HEthePrimate]

[Edited by HEP because I shouldn't have said it in the first place. ]

Edited September 6, 2009 by HEthePrimate

[Barter_Town]

I don't get why people are so up in arms over this. It's just embarrassing. It makes them look really bad. I would think the president asking for input from our youth is a GOOD thing.

It's just wierd to me how this has been spun into some kind of draconian plan to brainwash and indoctrinate children. That's not the intent at all and anyone with half a brain could see that. All this hubub over nothing! People acting like lemmings running off the cliff into the sea are getting all riled up over their own paranoia. Maybe I'm too "radical" or whatever but I think anything that encourages kids to think for themselves and be involved in civics is a GOOD thing. "What you can you do to help the president" is the most harmless, innocuous question. "Help" is the key word here people! Heaven forbid we let our children have time for introspection! Anyone who wants to censor and shield their children from something as harmless as that is the REAL dictator.. think about it..

[Moksha]

Obama is the lead Democrat. He is political by definition. He can address his constituency on network TV...organizing the use of public school classroom time for political speeches could easily be seen as over the top.

So if either you or President Monson were to address a similar group of school kids, it would by definition be over the top because both of you represent religion and therefore whatever you had to say would be proselytizing or evangelizing? Would you feel you were being cast into some stereotypical mold in which you were not credited as having enough versatility to impart wisdom outside of church?

:)

[talisyn]

Obama is the lead Democrat. He is political by definition. He can address his consituency on network TV...organizaing the use of public school classroom time for political speeches could easily be seen as over the top.

President Obama is also a dad with 2 daughters he obviously adores. He has also had an upbringing and yes, his community activism, that has shown him the value of education. It may be that his speech Tuesday is not for any of us, but for those children who will be inspired to stay in school and take a good look at maybe running for an elected office, especially those who never even thought they could. Think of this...Pres. Obama did not come from a rich family, he did not come from a well-connected family. But he became president of the most powerful country on earth. If he did it, then so can more than a few children that will listen to him speak next Tuesday.

[HEthePrimate]

Ok, I made a post last night in response to Prison Chaplain, and I'm afraid to read the responses I've undoubtedly received, and deserve, and haven't. But I do want to apologize to PC. I'm sorry, Prison Chaplain, for what I said, and I also apologize to conservatives in general for belittling them the way I did.

I still disagree with some of what you say, but that can be done in a civil manner.

HEP

[prisonchaplain]

So, Obama is only allowed to ever speak to "his constituency", by which I suppose you mean Democrats.

Maybe you think this, since you said it. I never did.

It's great when politicians cross aisles to speak with opponents. When Republicans speak at NAACP conventions, and Democrats speak at NRA ones, we all benefit.

On the other hand, when the President organizes for his speech to become a public school lesson, with teachers organized to encourage elementary school children to figure out ways to support the President's agenda, is it really so shocking for us "loyal opponents," to raise eyebrows and express concern? Just because we lost the election does not mean we are to sit down, be silent, and let the Great Leader gather our children around his throne.

Well, it seems to me that the American people as a whole are his constituency, much as I would expect representatives of my state to represent the interests of my state, and not just partisan interests.

In any case, if he were giving a partisan political speech to the schoolchildren, I can see why parents would have a problem with it. But who said he's going to do that (Other than rabble rousers like Limbaugh and Beck?)?

HEP

If he were going to address something like a Columbine tragedy, or some other clearly public-school related incident, I could perhaps see your point. But this out-of-the-blue, gather-the-kids-around-Obama event, again complete with public school organized support...you really can't see the obvious concern???

If you want to play this political, and just dismiss any dissent as an axis of right-wing Rush-Glenn-Bush (everything is Bush's fault, right) evil, then go ahead. Just be aware that in so doing you will become the mirror image of what you criticize.

In the future, should it be a youngish conservative Republican seating the kids on his lap, we'll eagerly anticipate your silent approval.

Edited September 6, 2009 by prisonchaplain

[prisonchaplain]

I don't get why people are so up in arms over this. It's just embarrassing. It makes them look really bad. I would think the president asking for input from our youth is a GOOD thing.

It's just wierd to me how this has been spun into some kind of draconian plan to brainwash and indoctrinate children. That's not the intent at all and anyone with half a brain could see that. All this hubub over nothing! People acting like lemmings running off the cliff into the sea are getting all riled up over their own paranoia. Maybe I'm too "radical" or whatever but I think anything that encourages kids to think for themselves and be involved in civics is a GOOD thing. "What you can you do to help the president" is the most harmless, innocuous question. "Help" is the key word here people! Heaven forbid we let our children have time for introspection! Anyone who wants to censor and shield their children from something as harmless as that is the REAL dictator.. think about it..

Absent a war or a Columbine-like tragedy, the key word here is not HELP, but that it is President Obama whom the children are being asked to help--him and his agenda--his Democratic agenda. And btw, it's amazing how quickly this has turned into a dish the opposition approach. How dare we question the Great Leader. We must be lemmings, foolish, embarrassing, paranoid, radical...WOW...I remember when, in a democracy, loyal opposition was seen as an essential of free people.

[prisonchaplain]

So if either you or President Monson were to address a similar group of school kids, it would by definition be over the top because both of you represent religion and therefore whatever you had to say would be proselytizing or evangelizing? Would you feel you were being cast into some stereotypical mold in which you were not credited as having enough versatility to impart wisdom outside of church?

:)

If Romney had been elected, and he had President Monson speak directly to public school children, with classroom lessons organized, urging to children to find ways to help President Monson--yeah I could imagine quite a stir being created, LEFT and RIGHT. Me? I'm just a prison chaplain...no major issues likely. If John Ashcroft had arranged for Thomas Trask (then General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God) to do something like this, yes, again, there would have been an uproar. In fact, probably much more so than with Obama.

[boyando]

Maybe the President is just going too tell all these children about the evils of smoking..........

[annewandering]

President Obama is also a dad with 2 daughters he obviously adores. He has also had an upbringing and yes, his community activism, that has shown him the value of education. It may be that his speech Tuesday is not for any of us, but for those children who will be inspired to stay in school and take a good look at maybe running for an elected office, especially those who never even thought they could. Think of this...Pres. Obama did not come from a rich family, he did not come from a well-connected family. But he became president of the most powerful country on earth. If he did it, then so can more than a few children that will listen to him speak next Tuesday.

I completely agree, talisyn!

So how many of these kids does Obama figure will vote for him in the next election? Or is he planning on running for president until they get old enough to vote?

Or does he figure the kids will convert their parents to his viewpoint? I seriously always took my political directions from my children when they were kids.

In fact I dont ask my kids now who I should vote from and they are all adults.

So exactly how does Obama plan to use these kids?

Edited September 6, 2009 by john doe
fixed quote function