Friday, September 04, 2009

(Insert your own title because Jack wouldn't let me use mine)

He is our President! And hell yeah, we should let our children (no, require) our children to listen to our President tell them to work hard, stay in school, and yes, even give service! Even if (no, especially if) you didn't vote for him, you should send a message to your children that we still stand behind our leader. And so what, old George can do it, Reagan can do it, but put a black Democrat on the tv to do the same thing and people are outraged??? I am embarassed to read about how ignorant people won't shut up.
So, Pres Obama, please do tell my children to be contributing members of society on Tuesday, because we WILL be watching!

9 comments:

Bob and Joan said...

Jaime, RIGHT ON! We're proud of you for this. Thank you for being clear, concise, and correct. It shows your good education. Perhaps everyone forgot where President Bush was when the 9/11 attacks occured - IN A SCHOOL CLASSROOM. This is what presidents have always done and should do. Keep up the good work. (I still want to know what your title was) Dad

As a missionary I may not be so bold (then again I may) but this same thing has been on my mind. Actually for months I have been thinking that we have become a nation of whinners. Mom

Amy said...

People are incensed when any president of any political party makes an appearance in the public schools. I don't understand what all the hooplah is about. Promoting hard work and education is what I vote for.

Elizabeth said...

Yes, exactly!

Amber Walker said...

I read articles on both CNN and Fox. Here is the headline from Fox "Critics Decry Obama's 'Indoctrination' Plan for Students" Here is the headline from CNN "Many conservatives enraged over Obama school speech". The fox news article leans towards the "indoctrination" slant (surprise) and the CNN article leans towards the "it's a bunch of crazy conservatives" side (surprise). Both of these articles have heavy focus on what political rivals and supports have to say with a smattering from an angry parent or two and a neutral comment or so from public school administration. Neither article actually states how many parents are complaining about the speech or asking that their children be given an alternative activity. More than anything it's a sensational,controversy filled topic that generates news and fills the "destroy the opposition" mission on both sides. I think it's interesting that no home school or private schools were interviewed. Of the paltry parent comments reported it seemed parents had issue with what they see as an attempt push political agenda on children. I haven't read anyone objecting to the presidents address because he's black. It's possible, but again the articles provided so little documentation of how many parents are objecting and why I just really don't know. So based on the scant information available I would make the following conclusion: Most public school children will be watching the speech.
Parents, if truly partners in the educational process,should go to school administrators if they find course materials objectionable. Even if this is not the opinion of the school. Parents also have the option of discussing the speech at home. The President's speech will be available publicly. Personally, I'd watch the speech then have a family discussion at the dinner table. Parents have far more influence over kids than a sitting president. And while I don't think a political figure visiting classrooms or giving speeches to kids is evil I do think more often than not its politically motivated.

Brett said...

I have no issue that he wants to speak to school children, depending on what he wants to say. The thing that raised suspicion for me is the 'lesson plan' that was initially put out (since changed) that asked kids to write a letter to themself on what they can do to help President Obama. Could still be completely fine, sure, but I'd like to see, at that point, what he wants to say. Then, at the time, the White House said the speech would not be made available beforehand (also since changed). How does that not invite suspicion? Sure, bring up that Bush was in a classroom on 9/11, but make sure you also point out that he was READING A BOOK, not giving a speech. This could have all been avoided had they not used the words they did in the lesson plan and initially refused to publish the speech. Had 'W' done the same thing, the left would have been screaming the same way. So, publish the speech, then by all means, Mr. President, deliver it to the students. Just remember, sir, that you are the President, not the educator in chief. That title still belongs to me as the parent, and I will not surrender it.

Additionally, to claim that all people are against the speech because Obama is a black man is one of the more ridiculous claims being made. Not only is he half white (a fact often lost in the hooplah), but regardless of his skin color (black, white, purple, green), I would still vehemently oppose many of his policies because they have proven to NOT work in other countries. I've seen it with my own eyes what it can do.

Let's all, on both sides, get past the pointless babble and ridiculous arguing and keep to the facts. That alone would help the nation and keep the debate civil, as it should be.

Lauren in GA said...

What on earth is it that people fear that he is going to say? He is our President...he isn't going say something damaging to our children...

Lauren in GA said...

Your title made me laugh...I, of course, am curious as to what your original title was...

Beth Freestone said...

Wow, firestorm! I totally agree with you. I really don't understand why there is so much controversy. I had to take the President's Fitness Test in elementary school and I didn't like it but what can you do! I don't know why people are upset about the President telling kids to do the right thing. I am much more upset about the assembly pushing fund-raising that seems to turn kids into little selling soldiers for the fund-raising company (I know I need to get over it, not that big of a deal)!

One more thing. When people compare it to Hitler I just about die. Come on!!!!!

Jenny said...

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!