Let Obama speak to kids: He is proof of education’s power
With nearly four out of 10 Georgia students dropping out of high school, I wish everyone would talk to them about the value of an education, the bus driver, the cable guy, the lunchroom lady.
And certainly, the president of the United States whose own story is vivid testimony to the power of education to transform lives and history.
President Barack Obama will speak to students nationwide Tuesday, the first day of school in many parts of the country. (Not here, of course, where we went back three weeks ago.)
“During this special address, the president will speak directly to the nation’s children and youth about persisting and succeeding in school. The president will challenge students to work hard, set educational goals, and take responsibility for their learning,” said a statement from the U.S. Department of Education.
How could anyone fault that message?
And given the history of presidents talking to students — can anyone forget that President Bush was reading “The Pet Goat” with schoolchildren when the horror of 9/11 was unfolding — why is this speech under siege in the media?
It’s not clear yet to me whether the controversy extends beyond TV and radio talk show hosts, who are extolling parents to keep their kids home on Tuesday to protect them from indoctrination. Most of the gasping for air over the Obama speech is coming from people paid to hyperventilate for the cameras.
Syndicated columnist Michelle Malkin — who lost me when she warned parents of the dark side of Pokemon cards — said, ‘‘We know that the left has always used kids in public schools as guinea pigs and as junior lobbyists for their social liberal agenda.” Former Atlanta radio host and Fox commentator Sean Hannity said, “It seems very close to indoctrination.”
Just seems like a pep talk to me. What do you think?
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131 comments Add your comment
Resolve
September 4th, 2009
10:29 am
Malkin and Hannity are prostitutes for the right. They will say or do whatever to keep their pay checks flowing. I believe this more than ever especially when Ronald Reagan and George Bush Sr. also spoke to students in a back to school address without these distractions. The election is OVER!!!!! Our PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES wants to encourage the students of the country.
Carole
September 4th, 2009
10:40 am
There is a vast difference between reading a storybook to a group of children at a school and doing a live televised address to every school in the nation WITH a Dept. of Education provided “lesson plan.”
This is a waste of class time and school resources at a time when our schools are already woefully short of both. If Obama wants to improve education he should focus on providing better pay and incentives to attract qualified and dedicated teachers not a cult-of-personality agenda in which we ask school children what they can to do to “help the President.”
Seen it all
September 4th, 2009
10:43 am
I think that it’s honorable for the president to give a word of encouragement to our young people. It’s a shame people are trying to ruin the event because of politics. Whether or not you like the guy or not, he’s still president of the United States. All United States presidents make speeches and appearances. The idea of a president’s speech being shown to schoolchildren is not unheard of. Obama’s a rather inspiring speaker anyway. You have to give him that.
Ernest
September 4th, 2009
10:47 am
Gotta give our local talking head Neal Boortz credit. He acknowledged that if this is a message that encourages students to do well and take advantage of opportunities presented to them, it will be a good worthwhile. Let’s wait and either read what will be posted or listen to the speech before passing judgment as to whether it was appropriate.
RCD
September 4th, 2009
10:51 am
Every kids should watch this address. They may actually learn something from the president of the United States. There is no more respect in this country (probably because he is our first black president). This was not an issue when G.W. Bush gave a speech several years ago – why is it a problem now? What has changed? The only thing that has changed is the president. It is sad that parents and school administration are pressing their views on our kids. I am sure the kids would love to watch it.
Gregory
September 4th, 2009
10:52 am
The president’s message is an important one. Americans must face up to the fact that way to many children don’t complete high school. America used to be a country of innovators and producers. Now we are a country of arrogance and consumers, and finding it difficult to understand. If this country is going to turn this around, and assume a leadership position in the world, we must educate our young people. They will need to contribute to the work force, and assist in developing the economy of this country’s future.
old teach
September 4th, 2009
10:56 am
I could be mistaken, but I seem to remember that Ronald Reagan’s tete-a-tete with school children was heavy on his big tax cut agenda. Tempest in a Teapot here!
Bobby Iwabucci
September 4th, 2009
10:58 am
Liberals have destroyed the institution of education over the last few decades and have enslaved the poor in ignorance and failure. Michelle Malkin isn’t the only parent to correctly speak out against the liberal brainwashing of students in our public schools, and she won’t be the last.
jim d
September 4th, 2009
11:01 am
my only problem is the scripted lesson plan–scrap it and let the man speak–even the children will figure him out
Mom of Three
September 4th, 2009
11:02 am
I think you are missing the point of the outrage. Yes, maybe there are kids who need the message because their parents do not participate in their children’s education. But most parents are involved and spread this message at home. Did you read the before, during, after, and extension activities for the speech and the recommendation that teachers incorporate activities around his speech in their lesson plans? That is what the outrage is about, not with the message. The outrage is about an elected official taking time out of instructional time. Check out the US Department of Education’s web-site and the document for Menu of Classroom Activities, President Obama’s Address to Students Across America.
Rosie
September 4th, 2009
11:06 am
I don’t think this would be such an issue if the White House would just provide the address ahead of time so everyone could hear what he has to say. Why keep it such a big secret unless it really is a political ploy? I do take issue w/the White House providing lesson plan ideas to go along this speech. We don’t have time in the school day for fluff. Stick to the facts.
redhat
September 4th, 2009
11:11 am
Why just kids? In you workplace, you will watch an obama message. You will be asked to submit a written pledge about how you can help obama. You will later be held to account if you are not fulfilling your pledge. Okay?
Stop Socialism
September 4th, 2009
11:12 am
History will repeat itself if people don’t stop and pay attention. The classroom should never be used as a political stage for any message. Have you bothered to read the follow up questions, which distinctly talk about how kids can support the President. This method to begin to talk to school children is well documented by Socialist, Communist and even was a first step by Hitler. People have good reason to be concerned about this action by our President who should be focused on getting this country back on track and remember that he works for us we do not work for him.
JOHN L
September 4th, 2009
11:20 am
Has anybody stopped and thought about WHY the people are against this guy speaking to our children. He is not like any president WE have had. Socialism 101-start with the kids and build from the ground up.
jim d
September 4th, 2009
11:20 am
I agree–STOP SOCIALISM———-CLOSE ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS!!!
Reality
September 4th, 2009
11:21 am
Who in their right mind would deny a child (or anyone) an opportunity to listen to the President (any President)? You don’t have to agree with what is said, with their policies, with their skin color, with their religon, or whatever – that isn’t the point.
The point is that listening to a President of the US is historic and will be a lasting memory for their life. It is a learning opportunity. I can remember a number of speachs given by Carter, Reagon, Ford, etc. Did I agree with all of them? Heck no! But, I am very glad that I listened to them.
An informed citizen about all issues from all sides is the best citizen.
Maureen Downey
September 4th, 2009
11:23 am
I have read the lesson plans and still see no problem. I cannot tell you how many letters to the president I wrote in school, and that was a Catholic school. I understand that some people don’t like the president, but as John McCain himself said in November:
“I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering our next president our good will and earnest effort to find ways to come together, to find the necessary compromises, to bridge our differences, and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better country than we inherited.”
Dunwoody Mom
September 4th, 2009
11:24 am
Mom of three, you are contradicting yourself. First you complain that the speech is taking away from instructional time, then you point people to a website that has instructional activities to go along with the speech. The speech itself will be available to perusal on Monday. Why don’t you want and see what it is all about before you bash it.
As someone said earlier, Ronald Reagan used his speech to advocate for his tax-cut program. Can’t get much more political than that.
Cere
September 4th, 2009
11:27 am
I think Obama will give a very positive, uplifting speech and will inspire many young people to think about what they can do to take advantage of their education. He’s very good at this. He has the power to really change young people’s expectations.
If you would like to read the letter Arne Duncan sent to principals about the speech go to
http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/academic/bts.html
You can also download the class activities to view for yourself.
If you would like to watch a live video stream of the speech (which is now scheduled for NOON on Tuesday) go to
http://www.whitehouse.gov/live/
Or watch it live on CSPAN
And yes, President George H.W. Bush spoke to students in 1991, counseling them to stay away from drugs. The U.S. Department of Education broadcast the speech live. President Ronald Reagan also addressed high school students in a televised speech. Afterwards, Reagan took questions from students.
The entire transcript of Reagan’s address and Q&A can be found here -
http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/speeches/1988/111488c.htm
However, I would say that involving a “lesson plan” for all U.S. teachers to teach is where it gets a little dicey. Depending on the voracity of the teacher – and especially if you are not an Obama supporter – you may wish to monitor exactly what your child’s teacher is saying to students, as there have been cases of very intense political support for Obama captured on videos such as this one by a (Russian?) film crew, in NC where a teacher almost reduced a student whose father was in the military in Iraq to tears saying that John McCain would keep her dad there for 100 years — Isolated yes – but it happens. Both ways.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDEAYgm0Dv8&feature=player_embedded
Maureen Downey
September 4th, 2009
11:29 am
Thanks Cere, Your organizational skills are awesome to behold. I need a lesson.
Maureen
Hypocrisy abound
September 4th, 2009
11:31 am
I guess we knew it already, but so many of so-called “conservatives” are just plain hypocrites. Mom of Three, what’s wrong with suggesting and recommending some learning activities? There is no requirement that any teacher actually use them, is there?
Gregory
September 4th, 2009
11:33 am
This Hitler comparison is just crazy. Anyone who mentions this needs to go back to school and study history. There is no merit to this argument. As for others who express a brainwashing agenda, this is equally silly. If you’re child can be brainwashed by a speech, then maybe it’s hereditary. Stop listening to this nonsense. Be smart. Your child’s mind should be stronger than to be brainwashed by one day’s speech and lesson. Learning requires multiple issues addressed with multiple views. How else do you expect anyone to become analytical and able to understand and make educated decisions. This is a speech from the president, as smart, or a smarter more accomplished person than anyone posting on this blog. Maybe some of you should put aside your partisan, prejudice and listen more often.
carly
September 4th, 2009
11:33 am
The far right is out to get Obama on anything he does and to divide this Country.Time to shine a light on these extremists.There is a related post at http://iamsoannoyed.com/?page_id=588
Dunwoody Mom
September 4th, 2009
11:33 am
You have to look suspiciously at people that will judge this before they even know what it is about or the content of the speech. This country has an astounding drop-out rate and it’s comforting to see that the POTUS sees this and wants to take time out of his schedule to address our children. Instead of rushing to judgement over a speech and making this a political debate just makes me want to shake my head.
This is a man who knows what a good education brought to him. This is a man whose single mother made sure he had the best education – at all levels. I find his story inspiring and I did not even vote for the man.
ScaredToDeath
September 4th, 2009
11:35 am
Imagine a society where the children idolize the president so much that they would be willing to turn their parents in for commiting crimes. Sounds nice, right? But what if it became a crime to disagree with the president? What if it was a crime to not participate in certain government funded programs? Imagine a society with children so brainwashed that they would turn in loving parents for “Crimes against the president.” Quite frightening.
Cere
September 4th, 2009
11:36 am
I do like the words Reagan used to close his speech to high school students – words that are perhaps even more powerful today and words that support Obama’s plans to speak to our children — we’re all in this great experiment together and Obama is our current leader and deserves our respect. Obama loves this country and is one of our best examples of its ability to make dreams come true.
“I just want to tell you one little added thing about our country, and then I leave. This, again, is a letter I received not too long ago from a man, who wrote and told me this: He said, “You can go to France to live in France, but you cannot become a Frenchman. You can go to live in Germany or Japan; you cannot become a German or a Japanese, or a Turk, or Greece a Greek. But the one place in the world,” he said, “where anyone from any corner of the world can come: America — come to live and become an American.” And no other country has that but ours. This continent, I’ve always believed, must have been put here for a purpose, between the two great oceans, because it had to be found by people who were dissatisfied with the lack of freedom or religious persecution or whatever in their own countries and came and melded together in this great melting pot and created the United States of America.”
Bigdawg
September 4th, 2009
11:39 am
Where were all the neo-cons during W’s eight years of bragging about being a C student? Oh, that’s right…they were home-schooling their kids about how the earth is only 6,000 years old and how dinosaurs walked with man (Sarah Palin believes that!). Anyone who would object to a Harvard-educated president extolling the virtues of education to our nation’s children is nothing but a bigot who can’t get over the fact that the majority of Americans elected a person of color to the highest office in our land! Neo-cons, there’s a NASCAR race in Atlanta this weekend, please go there and stand in the middle of the track!
Cere
September 4th, 2009
11:41 am
You’re welcome, Maureen. I think you have been able to raise the level of discussion on this blog. For the most part – this is a very thoughtful group of people able to discuss and disagree – with the same end goal in mind — better schools.
oldtimer
September 4th, 2009
11:41 am
It probably cannot hurt…but as always he will be preaching to the choir. The kids who do well sill listen those who don’t care won’t care what he says…..In all it will be a waste of time.
Maureen Downey
September 4th, 2009
11:42 am
ScaredtoDeath:
It is already a crime not to participate in some government programs, and I am not so sure that you would object to many of them:
For instance, government requires all of us to obtain driver’s licenses and pass driving exams before letting us loose on the road.
As a worker, I appreciate government programs on workplace hazards. And as an allergy sufferer, I really appreciate government programs banning smoking.
Which programs are scaring you?
clr
September 4th, 2009
11:43 am
President Bush also addressed school children on Oct 1st 1991 at Alice Deal Junior High School His remarks were broadcast live by the Cable News Network, the Public Broadcasting System, the Mutual Broadcasting System, and the NBC radio network. Here is the site. http://bushlibrary.tamu.edu/research/public_papers.php?id=3450&year=1991&month=10 Ronald Reagan took questions from high school students at the White House in 1986, and the question-and-answer session was broadcast nationally.”
Was that boycotted? No. Comments from Democrat polititians about the waste of money, but no one calling for a boycott like this one. Which makes me question why the Repulicans are calling for a boycott.
ScaredToDeath
September 4th, 2009
11:47 am
Maureen,
I appreciate your response, but if youo re-read my post you will see that I am speaking hypothetically. I am not speaking about programs that are already in place, I am speaking of hypothetical programs.
(For example, if the Obama healthcare plan is put into effect, what if it became a crime to not participate?)
Dunwoody Mom
September 4th, 2009
11:47 am
clr, it’s not all the Republicans calling for a boycott. It sounds like just the “normal suspects” who would denounce anything that Barack Obama is involved in. If Obama’s speech just causes one child to rethink the decision to drop out of school, it is well worth it.
Phyllis T. Albritton
September 4th, 2009
11:48 am
There is a precedent for presidents speaking to school students across the country. Both President Bush and President Reagan gave national speeches to students. Here are the websites:
http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/speeches/1986/51386d.html
http://www.nytimes.com/1989/09/13/us/bush-urges-youngsters-to-help-friends-on-drugs.html
I hope all reading this will share these sites with others.
Cere
September 4th, 2009
11:54 am
And followed with a quote from George HW Bush to students
“Let me leave you with a simple message: Every time you walk through that classroom door, make it your mission to get a good education. Don’t do it just because your parents, or even the President, tells you. Do it for yourselves. Do it for your future. And while you’re at it, help a little brother or sister to learn, or maybe even Mom or Dad. Let me know how you’re doing. Write me a letter — and I’m serious about this one — write me a letter about ways you can help us achieve our goals. I think you know the address.”
Now really – does anyone think Obama is going to say anything terribly different? He will touch on the very same points and hopefully – he will be heard – like someone pointed out before – some won’t listen because he’s African-American – but conversely – think of the millions who will listen – for that very same reason. And the many more who will listen because they are enlightened enough to realize that he is an American – and he is our president.
Heidi
September 4th, 2009
11:57 am
If we can’t have religion in public school, why are we having politics brought into our children’s classrooms? It is one thing to have our president come into a class and read a children’s book to a class in person…this is entirely different.
Ben
September 4th, 2009
11:58 am
Carol below must be insane. The level of fear on the right is absolutely remarkable. What the #%@! is wrong with people? This is the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES!!!!! What could be more appropriate in the school day than to watch a live speach from the president? Honestly, indoctrination? to what? getting a good education? Since when do the public schools, WHICH ARE A PART OF THE GOVERNMENT, have the right to sensor the President? Can any of you Republicans honestly say that you would have even paid any attention to this at all if Bush spoke to the students? I would fully support Bush or any President speaking to our students. And by by the way, where is our trust in our own childrens discernment? You all let your kids watch TV, play video games, go to movies, listen to music, surf the net, and you are afraid of the President speaking to them? Remember that this country overwhelmingly elected him, and that we are all Americans.
Ben
Okpulot Taha
September 4th, 2009
12:02 pm
Maureen Downey comments, “He [Obama] is proof of education’s power.”
Oh come on, Obama is certainly not amongst the brightest colors in the crayon box. You only need to look to this mess he is making of his presidency and look to this mess he making of our nation to realize the boy is educationally challenged; the boy is about as smart as a bucket of rocks.
Maureen Downey continues, “I wish everyone would talk to them about the value of an education, the bus driver, the cable guy, the lunchroom lady.”
I cannot decide if you are labeling the bus driver, the cable guy and the lunchroom lady as failures of education or as successes of education. My presumption is you are looking down upon our hard working salt-of-the-earth, our carpenters, electricians, welders, mechanics, looking down upon all those without whom our nation would collapse.
Maureen Downey adds, “How could anyone fault that message?”
Clearly you are not in touch with reality. There are millions of mothers, fathers, parents, all across America who are objecting to this political ploy on the part of Obama. This is not a “how could” question rather a “how many” question. Rather obvious you are dismissing those millions of Americans who are uncomfortable with Obama as ignorant gits. Rather arrogant of you, yes?
Americans are uncomfortable with Obama because of his clear Marxist leaning socialist stance, because of his being a racist, because of his surrounding himself with radicals, extremists and communists. Obama serves as an icon of antipathy to our traditional American way of life.
Those since modified “lesson plans” of his are all about a “Dear Leader” philosophy, all about Obama. What can youth do to support Obama? What can youth do to effect this socialist philosophy of Obama? This school speech of Obama is entry level political indoctrination.
Maureen Downey, you should change your logo from “Get Schooled” to “Get Socialism”.
Okpulot Taha
Choctaw Nation
Puma Politics
Dunwoody Mom
September 4th, 2009
12:03 pm
Heidi, what makes you think his speech is about politics? DId you have a problem with Ronald Reagan and George Bush speaking to students?
Gaelic Gal
September 4th, 2009
12:03 pm
The real reason parents don’t want their kids to hear Obama? Because then they’ll know their parents are idiots for dissing him
clr
September 4th, 2009
12:05 pm
“As far as I am concerned, this is not civics education — it gives the appearance of creating a cult of personality,” said Oklahoma state Sen. Steve Russell. “This is something you’d expect to see in North Korea or Saddam Hussein’s Iraq.”
Even the chairman of a state Republican Party, Jim Greer in Florida, has joined the fray, warning that Obama is trying to “indoctrinate America’s children to his socialist agenda.”
The idea that school children 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,” Greer said Sept. 1 in a statement on the party’s Web site. This is what it says on the web site.
RPOF Press Release – September 01, 2009
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Tallahassee- Â Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer today released the following statement condemning President Obama’s use of taxpayer dollars to indoctrinate America’s children to his socialist agenda.
“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 school children 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.
“While I support educating our children to respect both the office of the American President and the value of community service, I do not support using our children as tools to spread liberal propaganda. The address scheduled for September 8, 2009, does not allow for healthy debate on the President’s agenda, but rather obligates the youngest children in our public school system to agree with our President’s initiatives or be ostracized by their teachers and classmates.
“Public schools can’t teach children to speak out in support of the sanctity of human life or traditional marriage. President Obama and the Democrats wouldn’t dream of allowing prayer in school. Christmas Parties are now Holiday Parties. But, the Democrats have no problem going against the majority of American people and usurping the rights of parents by sending Pied Piper Obama into the American classroom.
http://www.rpof.org/article.php?id=754
that is basically calling for a boycott without saying the word.
The Democrats have clearly lost the battle to maintain control of the message this summer, so now that school is back in session, President Obama has turned to American’s children to spread his liberal lies, indoctrinating American’s youngest children before they have a chance to decide for themselves.”
HSR0601
September 4th, 2009
12:09 pm
Little affection for children and young adults is seen as roots of this great recession :
1. Too few parents know about CHIP program.
2. They are more worried about the Afghanistan war than future energy.
3. Of young adults ages 19 to 29, 13.2 million, or 29 percent, lacked coverage in 2007.
current generation is to build a bridge for generations to come, and it will be great for both, too. By converting Incredible waste in health care system into funding for the uninsured young adults, both generations are better off after all, otherwise, Medicare and Medicaid system are also facing insolvency.
4. Two thirds of Americans don’t understand what the Obama administration and Democrats in Congress are proposing, according to a new CBS poll.
5. War-focusing allies are afraid of Science / Innovation as they atempted to derail measurable educational investing in Recovery Act.
clr
September 4th, 2009
12:09 pm
Dunwoody mom
read this
http://www.rpof.org/article.php?id=754
they may not have used the word boycott, but they ment it.
RUKidding
September 4th, 2009
12:12 pm
Left wing indoctrination is already part and parcel of much of government education and the recent Demi Moore led propaganda video is demonstrable evidence that Obama propaganda was already been infiltrating the classroom prior to Obama’s address.
What is a little more propagandizing by Obama? Socialism is here to stay and in socialism’s “long march through the institutions”, public education is the first point of socialist indoctrination. The left owns education is entitled use its property as it see’s fit to indoctrinate our children at will.
The original, albeit recanted, directive from the “PreK-6 Menu of Classroom Activities: President Obama’s Address to Students Across America”” produced by the U.S. Department of Education illustrates the left’s claim to ownership of education in its instructions that students should “Write letters to themselves about WHAT THEY CAN DO TO HELP THE PRESIDENT. These would be collected and redistributed at an appropriate later date by the teacher to make students accountable to their goals.”
True to their mission, this socialist administration is out to wreak change, beginning with pre-schoolers. Get used to it.
clr
September 4th, 2009
12:13 pm
People need to read this statement by a Repulican.
RPOF Press Release – September 01, 2009
Tallahassee- Â Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer today released the following statement condemning President Obama’s use of taxpayer dollars to indoctrinate America’s children to his socialist agenda.
“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 school children 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.
“While I support educating our children to respect both the office of the American President and the value of community service, I do not support using our children as tools to spread liberal propaganda. The address scheduled for September 8, 2009, does not allow for healthy debate on the President’s agenda, but rather obligates the youngest children in our public school system to agree with our President’s initiatives or be ostracized by their teachers and classmates.
“Public schools can’t teach children to speak out in support of the sanctity of human life or traditional marriage. President Obama and the Democrats wouldn’t dream of allowing prayer in school. Christmas Parties are now Holiday Parties. But, the Democrats have no problem going against the majority of American people and usurping the rights of parents by sending Pied Piper Obama into the American classroom.
The Democrats have clearly lost the battle to maintain control of the message this summer, so now that school is back in session, President Obama has turned to American’s children to spread his liberal lies, indoctrinating American’s youngest children before they have a chance to decide for themselves.”
bigdawg
September 4th, 2009
12:14 pm
Gaelic Gal…RIGHT ON, BABE!!
clr
September 4th, 2009
12:14 pm
RPOF Press Release – September 01, 2009
Tallahassee- Â Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer today released the following statement condemning President Obama’s use of taxpayer dollars to indoctrinate America’s children to his socialist agenda.
“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 school children 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.
“While I support educating our children to respect both the office of the American President and the value of community service, I do not support using our children as tools to spread liberal propaganda. The address scheduled for September 8, 2009, does not allow for healthy debate on the President’s agenda, but rather obligates the youngest children in our public school system to agree with our President’s initiatives or be ostracized by their teachers and classmates.
“Public schools can’t teach children to speak out in support of the sanctity of human life or traditional marriage. President Obama and the Democrats wouldn’t dream of allowing prayer in school. Christmas Parties are now Holiday Parties. But, the Democrats have no problem going against the majority of American people and usurping the rights of parents by sending Pied Piper Obama into the American classroom.
The Democrats have clearly lost the battle to maintain control of the message this summer, so now that school is back in session, President Obama has turned to American’s children to spread his liberal lies, indoctrinating American’s youngest children before they have a chance to decide for themselves.”
bigdawg
September 4th, 2009
12:16 pm
RUKidding, when you go to church on Sunday’s, do you pray to a rich, white god?
clr
September 4th, 2009
12:16 pm
sorry about the same messages, It is not showing up when I did it and thought it wasn’t up sorry.
DAVID
September 4th, 2009
12:19 pm
NO…NO…NO…no…no…no