Presidential Address to Schoolchildren

[Moksha]

Politics really is a game is it not? Hopefully in our heart of hearts we realize that this is rhetoric and not bearing false witness against those whom we wish to demonize for political reasons. Knowing that, all this hoopla is perhaps a way for conservatives to say, hey President Obama, you've landed on our hotel on Boardwalk and we're gonna make you pay.

:)

[bytor2112]

Typical conservative rhetoric.

Yes the truth is often referred to as conservative rhetoric.

[prisonchaplain]

I have heard the term "ham-fisted" being tossed around about it and I will admit that it isn't beyond the bounds of reason to see it that way. Perhaps more thought could have been put into the wording of it. But it just doesn't seem to warrant the firestorm that's been created over it, imo.

Oh the overreaction is because the Republicans thought they smelled blood. Turned out to be a grape juice stain...

Honestly, if it were Pres. Bush addressing my kids, I really don't see myself having a problem with it. Obviously it would depend on the message he gave, but even if it was something I totally disagree with, I'd still look at it as an opportunity to discuss the issues over the dinner table with my kids. I think that anything that makes kids think is a good thing. And everybody enjoys a good argument

Could our difference of perspective be in part because your children (I'm guessing) are older. My youngest is five and my oldest is nine. I believe the 9 and 7 years olds will see the speech. Like I said, no harm will come, and we may have something of a conversation about it. But when I hear "Obama's speaking to the kids," I envision that K-3 group.

[Just_A_Guy]

The audience reviews are coming in:

On September 8th, 2009, I watched President Obama give his speech. Some kids got a note from their parents and got to do fun stuff instead. I was very jealous.

[john doe]

It wasn't an essay, it was one of many suggested ideas in a study guide, written by the Education Dept., in which students could write a letter asking themselves how they could help the president. Big deal! Really, who cares. Any answer to such a question would inevitably entail staying in school and not doing drugs. That conservatives have raised such a ruckus over this is really, really silly.

Yep. All that ruckus over nothing. How many more times is conservative paranoia going to make mountains out of mole hills?

Yep, here you libs are making a huge deal out of a small change. It was changed to something better and you're still crying foul. How many of the libs are going to scream wolf every time they get caught with their hand in the cookie jar?

[HEthePrimate]

Okay, so the speech is over, and the sky hasn't fallen down. Anybody wanna do lunch?

HEP

[HEthePrimate]

Newt: 'Every child' should read speech - Yahoo! News

Never thought I'd say this, but I agree with Newt Gingrich on this.

Okay, so the speech is over, and the sky hasn't fallen down. Anybody wanna do lunch?

HEP

[bytor2112]

Okay, so the speech is over, and the sky hasn't fallen down. Anybody wanna do lunch?

HEP

Mexican?

[HEthePrimate]

Mexican?

With a nice, tall glass of refreshing horchata. Mmm, mmm! :)

[prisonchaplain]

Okay, so the speech is over, and the sky hasn't fallen down. Anybody wanna do lunch?

HEP

Is it free?

[HEthePrimate]

Is it free?

To quote a famous Mormon, "Work we must, but the lunch is free"!

[talisyn]

I called my daughter's school and let them know of my disappointment. Turns out they are busy getting notes to send home to parents before letting the kids watch the speech and we'll get them in a couple of days. I'm glad that they will show the speech, and a bit bewildered that the same procedure used for giving kids sex ed will be used for the US president. What a weird world we live in.

[Misshalfway]

I read what I think is the speech and all I have to say is ...what a load of hoopla over nothing.

[Barter_Town]

Yep, here you libs are making a huge deal out of a small change.

Last I checked it was the conservatives who objected to the wording and caused all the hubbub.

It was changed to something better and you're still crying foul.

Huh?

I was pointing out how unfounded and ridiculous all this brewhaha has been. Conservatives threw a preemptive fit over nothing and ended up looking foolish in the process. Don't blame me for the way you look now, you did it to yourselves.

How many of the libs are going to scream wolf every time they get caught with their hand in the cookie jar?

Can you explain what you mean by "caught with their hand in the cookie jar"? Considering the fact that the Education Dept. did nothing wrong, I hardly see how they were "caught with their hand in the cookie jar." You are attacking your own straw man here, I'm afraid.

[Barter_Town]

Yes the truth is often referred to as conservative rhetoric.

Typical conservative arrogance.

[bytor2112]

Typical conservative arrogance.

Typical liberal emotional outburst.

[bytor2112]

I was pointing out how unfounded and ridiculous all this brewhaha has been. Conservatives threw a preemptive fit over nothing and ended up looking foolish in the process. Don't blame me for the way you look now, you did it to yourselves.

Apparently your wrong since even President Obama agreed with those who were upset and made the change.

Edited September 10, 2009 by bytor2112

[MrsAri]

I called my daughter's school and let them know of my disappointment. Turns out they are busy getting notes to send home to parents before letting the kids watch the speech and we'll get them in a couple of days. I'm glad that they will show the speech, and a bit bewildered that the same procedure used for giving kids sex ed will be used for the US president. What a weird world we live in.

Obama endorses sex education for 5 yr old children...kindergarten age. Obama also reversed the Mexico City Policy. We, the American taxpayer, must fund worldwide abortion on demand for population control purposes. As he has no regard for the sanctity of human life, I oppose him influencing my children/grandchildren.

[prisonchaplain]

Barter Town is not guilty of liberal excess folks. I confess. I am. After all, it was I that requested the free lunch (ref. post 141)!

[Barter_Town]

Typical liberal emotional outburst.

LOL.. No emotion needed to point out the obvious.

And if there is anything we've learned over the last few months, whether it's "death panels", or disrupting town hall meetings, or "you lie!", or removing children from school over a presidential address, it's that conservatives are more than capable of irrational emotional outbursts.

Edited September 13, 2009 by Barter_Town

[Barter_Town]

Apparently your wrong since even President Obama agreed with those who were upset and made the change.

Throwing the whining conservatives a bone by rewording a phrase does not = bestowing legitimacy on their silly concerns.

[bytor2112]

LOL.. No emotion needed to point out the obvious.

And if there is anything we've learned over the last few months, whether it's "death panels", or disrupting town hall meetings, or "you lie!", or removing children from school over a presidential address, it's that conservatives are more than capable of irrational emotional outbursts.

I am guessing you felt the same way in 1991 when the Democratic congress held hearing after Bush spoke to students?????? And certainly you were just as appalled when GW Bush was booed by during his addresses to Congress?

[bytor2112]

Throwing the whining conservatives a bone by rewording a phrase does not = bestowing legitimacy on their silly concerns.

Rewording a phrase....try deleting some phrases. I will grant that Obama probably had nothing to do with any of this initially....but I think HE rightly understood that this was controversial and had it removed.

With his approval rating dipping to 42%......I wouldn't be so sure that it was whining conservatives. His coalition of independents that he created has turned against him 2-1 and I read that Chicago....hardly a bastion of conservative thought was not welcoming the Presidents kiddy talk either.

[Barter_Town]

I am guessing you felt the same way in 1991 when the Democratic congress held hearing after Bush spoke to students?????? And certainly you were just as appalled when GW Bush was booed by during his addresses to Congress?

I didn't feel the same way then because at least the Democratic congress had the common sense to criticize him AFTER he addressed the students, unlike conservatives who criticized Obama BEFORE they'd even heard the speech. Big difference.

And there's likewise a big difference between being "booed", and being accused of being a liar.

[Barter_Town]

Rewording a phrase....try deleting some phrases.

Please provide evidence to support your assertion.

I read that Chicago....hardly a bastion of conservative thought was not welcoming the Presidents kiddy talk either.

Where did you read that? Can you provide a link?

FYI there are plenty of conservatives in Chicago. And what'll you bet the only people complaining about it in Chicago were conservatives. I'd put money on it.