Obama spoke. Nobody died.
I sat with J.J. Carroll’s 4th grade class at Fernbank Elementary, a DeKalb County school, to watch the president’s speech at noon today. The remark by President Obama that elicited the most notable response from the 9-year-olds was this one early in the speech: “I bet some of you were wishing it was still summer.” They were in full agreement with the president on that point.
The speech was inspiring, well delivered and narrowly focused on education. (Before the speech began, Carroll asked the children if they thought the speech would be about health care or cash for clunkers. I was impressed that her class knew enough about current events for one boy to comment, “It should be about health care because we need it.”)
The strictly educational message from the president was something that could benefit all children. (I have to thank Fernbank principal Jason Marshall for allowing me to come last minute to his school after a technology problem at my children’s school meant they could not watch the speech live. They are watching a tape of it shortly.)
I still question the motivation and logic of critics of the speech.
I talked to many media colleagues about the rancor toward the Obama school address and none of us could remember anything similar when we covered members of Congress or senators speaking to school groups. National political candidates have even spoken to local high schools with none of these accusations of indoctrination or political posturing. Indeed, some rock groups have gone into schools without objection.
I even covered British royalty talking to U.S. school kids once, and no parent pulled their child out for fear of wild colonization rhetoric. I have covered school groups coming out to greet and hear presidents and senators with nary a single peep of dissent from anyone.
And I would be delighted for my children to have the opportunity to listen to a U.S. president, both out of respect for the office and because the president is our elected leader.
A woman called me earlier this week to insist that the president’s speech be followed by one from an opponent so there would be balanced views. I asked her if she worked, and she replied that she had worked most recently as a cashier for a Home Depot.
Would Home Depot CEO Frank Blake – the legitimate leader of the company – be expected to follow up a speech to his employees, some of whom may not like him or his policies, with an equal time by Lowes CEO Robert Niblock?
Isn’t this getting crazy?
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385 comments Add your comment
Dunwoody Mom
September 8th, 2009
1:31 pm
I have to say that this whole nonsense over the speech was not our country’s finest moment. Quite frankly, it’s embarassing. We hold our country up as some moral beacon for the rest of the world and yet a portion, albiet a small one, wants to keep their children from watching a back-to-school speech by our President. I’m sadder for this experience.
cobbteach
September 8th, 2009
1:37 pm
I second Dunwoody Mom. Shame on the political alarmists who raised this ruckus. Respect, people. It’s about respect.
B Williams
September 8th, 2009
1:53 pm
President George H.W. Bush gave an address to schools nationwide in 1991, from a junior high school in Washington, D.C. News reports from the time said the White House hoped that the address would be shown at schools nationwide, and Bush began his remarks by saying he was talking to “millions” of students “in classrooms all across the country.”
You can read Bush’s complete remarks via the Web site of his presidential library. Here’s an excerpt:
“When it comes to your own education, what I’m saying is take control. Don’t say school is boring and blame it on your teachers. Make your teachers work hard. Tell them you want a first-class education. Tell them that you’re here to learn. Block out the kids who think it’s not cool to be smart. I can’t understand for the life of me what’s so great about being stupid. …
“If you don’t work hard, who gets hurt? If you cheat, who pays the price? If you cut corners, if you hunt for the easy A, who comes up short? Easy answer to that one: You do. You’re in control, but you are not alone. People want you to succeed. They want to help you succeed.”
The presidential library noted that the president spoke at 12:15 p.m. and that his remarks were “broadcast live by the Cable News Network, the Public Broadcasting System, the Mutual Broadcasting System, and the NBC radio network.”
You may have guessed this already, but news reports from the time indicate that Democrats criticized Bush for giving the speech.
“The Department of Education should not be producing paid political advertising for the president, it should be helping us to produce smarter students,” said Rep. Richard Gephardt, then the Democratic majority leader in the House of Representatives.”And the president should be doing more about education than saying, ‘Lights, camera, action.’”
Patricia Schroeder, then a Democratic member of Congress from Colorado, said the speech showed “the arrogance of power,” and that the White House should not be “using precious dollars for campaigns” when “we are struggling for every silly dime we can get” for education.
Republicans, though, defended the right of the president to address students. “Why is it political for the president of the United States to discuss education?” asked Newt Gingrich, who was then the House Republican whip. “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.”
We also found that Ronald Reagan took questions from high school students at the White House in 1986, and the question-and-answer session was broadcast nationally.
Reagan urged the students to stay in school and say no to drugs, but he also discussed overtly political matters, such as national defense funding, nuclear disarmament and — in suprising policy detail — taxes. (Read Reagan’s complete remarks.)
“When we came into office, the top personal tax rate that the federal government could put on your income was 70 percent,” Reagan said in his opening remarks. “Now, you can understand, I think, that if you were getting up in those brackets — there were 14 different tax brackets, depending on the amount of money in each bracket you earned. And when you could look and say, ‘If I earn another dollar, I only get to keep 30 cents out of it,’ you can imagine the lack of incentive there. Well, we lowered it to 50 percent, and the economy really took off.”
Later in the session, a student asked Reagan what he considered his greatest achievement as president. Reagan said it was that the House and Senate had separately passed legislation cutting taxes, and he was looking forward to seeing the legislation finalized and become law.
source:
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2009/sep/03/arne-duncan/barack-obama-not-first-president-address-school-ch/
DDForsyth
September 8th, 2009
2:15 pm
Yes! This IS getting crazy. As you pointed out, presidents and many others have been addressing school children forever and I’ve never heard of parents “opting out” because they thought the speaker would “indoctrinate” their children. From Kennedy to Bush, I never heard a complaint. The few far right- wingers that started all this nonsense did such a good job of getting people to listen to them, it unfortunately shows just how ignorant and uneducated so many people are. But please remember, those doing the “hollering” are in the minority – even if it didn’t feel like it. No matter who you are or what you believe, that is simply a fact.
Jamesr1991
September 8th, 2009
2:16 pm
http://blog.southfultonliving.com
Open letter to Fulton County School Chief Dr. Cindy Loe
The bottom line is
September 8th, 2009
2:18 pm
that there are some white people who cannot accept that there is an African-American as commander in chief. Its impolite to use the “N” word today unlike 30 years ago so these “closet racists” are going to strike back at Obama any other way that they can.
Nolagirl
September 8th, 2009
2:24 pm
What happened to RESPECTING our president???!!!
I agree with Dunwoody Mom and cobbteach.
fred
September 8th, 2009
2:34 pm
It seems that whenever someone of a political mind other than our own, wishes to speak or act, we can find fault. This seems to be try for members of both parties. It is so much easier to find fault in those whom we are ideologically opposed to. We can disagree or cry foul when someone on “the other team” does something and applaud the same action if it comes from someone that we happen to agree with.Politics seems to have become a polarizing force in our society to the point that we are no longer listening to each other. We seem to have come to a point that if the “other side” says it we automatically denounce it. We have stopped thinking as individuals and started screaming as two opposing sides, afraid to admit that what what “they” are saying may make sense, or that what “we” are saying doesn’t. Politics does not need to be about only 2 sides, left & right, wrong & right, us vs. them, it can be and should be so much more. We seem to be too ingrained in the idea of a two party system that fosters constant rivalry, much of which is to keep those in office employed in Washington. Stand up for what you believe in and don’t be afraid to cross the aisle once in a while. Just my 2 cents worth.
KT
September 8th, 2009
2:36 pm
Not interested in anything Barak Hussain Obama has to say…
Oh and bottom line, save the race card. It’s gotten old.
Allyana
September 8th, 2009
2:36 pm
I think it’s good that the people who had something negative about this speech spoke up. Now we all know who the morons are.
Mel
September 8th, 2009
2:37 pm
He’s OUR President… Not the ENEMY! Republicans are fueled by HATE. Sad.
Chris
September 8th, 2009
2:40 pm
This is really embarrassing for our country.
Read Neal Boortz...
September 8th, 2009
2:40 pm
…today – he sums up the whole fiasco very well!
Mom of Two
September 8th, 2009
2:40 pm
Thanks for showing up KT, you only go about proving this blog more dead on with your “Barak Hussain Obama” comment. Thanks for playing
JP
September 8th, 2009
2:42 pm
KT,
The race card in this situation will never be old because some people like you are still not embracing having a black president. I don’t care if President Obama discusses education or health care, people will have a problem with it simply because he is black. I bet anyone one million dollars no one would be making a big deal of this if Hilary Clinton were president.
By the way, excellent speech Mr. President.
He is THE President...
September 8th, 2009
2:42 pm
…not necessarily OUR president – there is a vast difference!
And there is no HATE involved, just real differences of opinion as to what his agenda really was until all the hoopla started.
And, yes, it is really embarrassing what the left will do to jump start the race issue, when that is a total non-factor nowadays.
Jennifer
September 8th, 2009
2:43 pm
So true Allyana.
I am curious — did anyone hear of a classroom in Gwinnett that aired the speech live ? Or was that just smoke and mirrors and the tape of the speech will be available for those kids who seek it out or for the masses after the one day vetting ?
csquared
September 8th, 2009
2:43 pm
Respect for the office of the Presidency seems to depend on which President is in office. Of course, I’d not seen anything like this level of vitriol from any opposition (PRE or POST SPEECH). Even remarks by Democratic legislators fell far short of the HATE speech from the right. Right thinking people, those who echo sentiments that embody personal responsibility, hard work and the importance of education, had to have cringed every time a legitimate discussion was taken over by the screamers. Like a child who wants attention, they embarassed everyone in the room. One can only hope that more moderate, if not respectful, behaviour will be seen in the future. Civilized discourse demands nothing less.
Ivory loves Ebony (BB)
September 8th, 2009
2:43 pm
I agree with all of you, especially the bottom line. This all boils down to race. Forsyth County did not even show the speech. Big surprise!
It’s a joke, this is our president at least he is my president and I’m glad to say I voted for him .I’m also glad to say my best friends are African American and have never been fake like some white people that claimed to be my friends. I’m also proud that the love of my life is African American, and if you can’t get over race then go join Bin Laden in a cave. This is the president, not a black man, not a demecrat, the president. Since when did we shelter our kids from the president?? I’m glad that Gwinnett Schools stepped up to the plate and showed the speech. My daughter will not be raised to be ignorant.
Nobody ask me if I wanted to hear Reagan in 85′ . He was our president, Obama can’t buy candy, take his wife out or enjoy a game without it making front page. Hell, his wife can’t even wear shorts!!
For those that think we’ve come a ong way don’t kid your self, we have a longer way to go. Now you hide in the shadows instead of yelling the Nword or using violence…
Please! Will we ever get over this race issue.. I think not!
tori
September 8th, 2009
2:44 pm
America should be glad that we have a President that truly cares about our youth. Unlike George Bush no child left behind slogan. Which was a bunch of bull crap.. Someone needs to address these kids , they are out of control. Most of the parents bitching about the speech are the same low lifes that dont sit down with there child and help them with the homework because they are too busy out running the streets and dating. People grow up. Our youth needed to hear that. Good job President Barack.
Vivian
September 8th, 2009
2:44 pm
What happen to respect for our Commander and Chief. President Obama’s speech was great. It was what the school chldren need to hear. Childen need to stay in school and study hard to be the best that they can be.
mg
September 8th, 2009
2:44 pm
I remember the Congressional Democrats calling for investigations when President Bush spoke to the children.
The people who protested President Obama’s address accomplished one thing – they made him change his tune about getting the children to pledge to help him take America into Socialism.
Those protests probably stopped the American version of the “Brown Shirts”.
Jim
September 8th, 2009
2:44 pm
You are all fooled if you think there is a difference in Democrats and Republicans. It’s all an illusion. Obama is supposed to be the great uniter…but he’s anything but. Divide and conquer is his M.O. This racist crap gets slung in anyone’s face that is “against” Obama’s plans….it is getting old and will backfire horribly.
Ivory loves Ebony (BB)
September 8th, 2009
2:45 pm
KT, save the race card!!! Please…. I mean really??? Thanks to white folks or people like you we’ll always have the race card. And nope.. I’m white ..
Greg Wright
September 8th, 2009
2:46 pm
The Obama administration made one crucial error in judgment by releasing the “Discussion Guide” without releasing the accompanying text of the speech. Certain questions in the Discussion Guide appeared on the surface to be somewhat political … especially since no one knew the content of the speech itself. After reading the text of the President’s speech, I am convinced that the controversy was much ado about nothing. While one might quibble with a few specific words, the overall theme of the speech is to promote personal responsibility, hard work, good study habits, and initiative. Why wouldn’t we ALL support that for our students?
I think Newt Gingrich and other Republicans from the George H.W. Bush era were correct in saying that the President has the right (and perhaps even the obligation) to speak to students. I hope that today’s Republican leadership will begin to take that same opinion.
YEAH C'Mon
September 8th, 2009
2:47 pm
When is going to speak to all the Drug dealing, Gang banging, unemployment using THUGS and tell them the are embarrassing HIM and The RACE. Go to the real root of the problem. Look in our jail system and tell me the % of illegal aliens and blacks using our free handouts and food stamps. I’m tired of hearing about how people do not like him because he is black! I dislike him because he is an idiot and an embarrassment to our great country which Black, White, Green and Yellow people died to give us FREEDOM not Socialism.
Hoorah Mr. President
September 8th, 2009
2:48 pm
This is a plain and simple fact: No one and I mean no one is better qualified to speak to our children about what getting a good education can do for you like our President. I am so very proud of him and his thought to even take on yet another challenge to something positive and inspiring for our young people. Remember how we as parents feel about our children, what makes us think the President feels any differently about his children? He is a father and he was a father before he was the President and thus, I cannot imagine anything he would say to our children would be any different than what he says to his own children.
This has been the MOST ridiculous argument about our President to date. I, for one, hope we have seen the last of the most uneducated of our citizens in protest of our President. It is one thing to disagree with his policies. I don’t agree with everything he has said or done but I respect the fact that he is the one in charge of this great Nation of ours. It is time for the non-sense to end. He is the 44th President of these U.S. of America and sad to say, if you’d don’t like it, feel free to leave at any time.
Dave
September 8th, 2009
2:48 pm
The speech gave me the opportunity to discuss with my daughter the importance of education and goal-setting. We even set some goals for her. It also provided a chance to talk a little about civics and how our government operates. Overall, I liked the message. I told her that there are some that do need help and advice and that it was a good thing for the President to offer encouragement. We talked about how education provides choices and how that can relate to your income and lifestyle later in life. In a very basic way, we talked about education, career, income, and how taxes on income are used for roads, bridges, schools, teachers,-and the salaries of our public officials. I wanted her to know that our elected offcials deserve our respect as leaders and that we can admire their accomplishments but have differences of opinion on how things should be done. Importantly, they work for us, the American people, and if the majority likes the job they doing, they’ll be re-elected. If not, they’re effectively fired. I was glad to have the opportunity to talk about it.
ATLQG
September 8th, 2009
2:49 pm
KT… I am interested in knowing why you are not interested in ANYTHING that the President of the United States of America has to say? Are you saying that it is impossible for you to agree with any views he may have, EVER?
I know many people are saying the race card is old, but a statement like this is why so many people lean on the race card. Simply because to paint a picture that is so broad, without any substanative reasoning does not seem logical.
I had my issues with G.W. but the fact still remained that he was the President of this country and the leader of the free world. That position deserves more respect that I think you and others that write him off regardless of what the issues are.
Ivory loves Ebony (BB)
September 8th, 2009
2:49 pm
This is our president.. He is my president at least and I’m glad I voted for him. Nobody asked me in kindergarten if I had a choice to listen to well, Reagan, well, taxes, well Nancy.. Please! He was our president. I’m tired of his race being the issue, you racist have gotten better with your silent techniques but we haven’t came as far as people think. I’m married to a wonderful AA woman and my best friends are AA so I’m very aware of things in this country and it’s embarrassing. The media tries to spin everything on this man! He’s wife can’t even wear shorts! Please God forgive these people…
Trinity
September 8th, 2009
2:50 pm
It is really sad the level of IGNORANCE our country is facing on a daily basis. Even if you disagree with President Barack Obama’s views you should still respect the Office of the President of the United States. The speech did not preach an agenda or saying anything negative. The entire uproar was just plain nonsense, blatant ignorance, and hate. I am ashamed at how our country looks as a whole because of these hate-filled people that will do anything to stop progress.
Glenda
September 8th, 2009
2:51 pm
The race card is not and has not “gotten old!” I have all my life respected the office of the President and the man who held the position. Now, have they all done things to help me? No, but the respect remains. The murmuring and complaining has everything to do with race. People need to think for themselves and not jump on the bandwagon with others. The remarks by President Obama were inspiring, so were remarks to children by former Presidents. The attacks on President Obama will never stop because some people have hearts of stones not flesh.
TED KENNEDY
September 8th, 2009
2:51 pm
HEY MEL, EXPLAIN THE F THE PRESIDENT BUMPER STICKERS BY YOUR DEMOCRATS! ISN’T THAT FUELED HATE?
Ivory loves Ebony (BB)
September 8th, 2009
2:52 pm
Big props to Gwinnett Schools for showing the sppech, in the hell hole I grew up in Forsyth County they did not show the speech. Tried to spin it that teachers could review it and put it in thier lesson plans! My butt.. We know what that meant, I can’t believe Sean H was telling people to keep thier kids home. I didn’t realize Hilter was giving a speech. This is all raceist based, if you don’t think so get help now! You people need to join Bin Laden in a cave..
Ivory loves Ebony (BB)
September 8th, 2009
2:53 pm
F Bush, he tried to destroy this country.. I can’t beleive he made it to the seat… It’s not hate it’s common sense…
Go Jackets!
shaquanza
September 8th, 2009
2:54 pm
yall a bunch of honkys!
MtnDawg
September 8th, 2009
2:54 pm
I am embarrassed at the ignorance of certain citizens in our nation. I am angry at those in positions of power who consistently use fear to manipulate our ignorant citizens.
Knowledge is power. I hope we can pass on knowledge to the next generation–not fear.
Mel
September 8th, 2009
2:55 pm
To so called “TED KENNEDY”, I suggest you pray to remove the HATE from your spirit. Hopefully you don’t have any kids to ruin. If so, I’ll pray for them.
Lynn
September 8th, 2009
2:55 pm
Kt and he is our President. This is Hate maybe not by race but because of ignorance. The KKK’s members were notorious for making racial hatred speeches because they had a lack of education ( Never had a KKK member who graduated from an IVY league school. Hate is caused by fear of the unknown. Which in this case is Barack Obama speaking to children. Again its hate either way you put it. The race card- The GOP should be ashamed of themselves- they killed both Kennedys (for being N lovers), Martin Luther King (He was just to bright and powerful) and a host of other intelligent people who could of made a difference in this world. Hate is also being taught to our children. Tell me one good reason children shouldnt have been allowed to listen to a two time Ivy league graduate who used Education to get where he is today. He didnt use Daddy’s name, the skull and Bones, etc. When you can come up with one good reason let me know.
V for Vendetta
September 8th, 2009
2:55 pm
Maureen, this topic is old. Let’s move on . . . .
jim d
September 8th, 2009
2:55 pm
Mo,
No one has died—–YET.
Sadly, with all this hate talk I’d be afraid to bet one way or the other that it wouldn’t happen.
nietha
September 8th, 2009
2:57 pm
I think all the negativity was and is a sad commentary on the real state of our nation. Whether you like the person or not, I was taught that you always respect the position. As a country that lags behind ALL other developed nations in education but first in crime, hatred and other social ills, we should embrace every opportunity to provide encouragement to our children. What a sad example the country set for them and what embeded concepts about those who are different have been birthed into a new generation….sad..sad..
But a great speech and it probably would have been more motivating if he was operating under such oppression!
lady kiki
September 8th, 2009
2:57 pm
There’s a lot of backlash over this speech and it goes to show you that people are so afraid of what they don’t know. After reading this speech there is nothing in there that could threaten the well being of our children in any way. Those people lashing out negatively have not taken the time to read this speech. Let’s not be ignorant like them. I’ve read it and will have my child read it out loud to me to make sure it’s understood and be prepared for any questions. A lot of what’s in this speech is what any sensible parent has already taught their child/children anyway.
Old School
September 8th, 2009
2:59 pm
Our students were given the option to not listen to the President. None of mine chose that option. I heard only one complaint: one student thought the President should have looked directly at the camera as well as to the right and left to make those who watch via television feel like he was speaking to them as well as to the Wakefield students.
Interesting observation.
Mary D
September 8th, 2009
2:59 pm
All of this mess about President Obama’s speech was based on the loudest speaking of the majority not wanting an African-American even if he is President to tell them about their children’s education.
It just lets us know that racism in American is just something that is inbred in some of the majority. Heaven help us all.
Republican Voter
September 8th, 2009
3:02 pm
I did not vote for President Obama. I will not vote for him in the next election. I disagree with a majority of everything done by his administration and many things done by the prior administration.
However, I have no issues with his speech. I think it was an excellent speech and I agree with almost all of the points in his speech. I have two children that watched it in school this afternoon and I have no problem with it.
I can foresee no time when I will “embrace” our current president. However, it has nothing to do with his race. While I believe in some issues on his agenda, I don’t agree with how he wants to handle them. It also seems the democrats are acting like their majority means that the American people don’t care about compromise and they are free to force their agenda down our throats.
As someone pointed out, the race card *does* get old. Racism is alive and well in the United States and Georgia. However, it isn’t a one-way street anymore. There is racism from every race and even white people are victims of it.
oldmac
September 8th, 2009
3:02 pm
I just wish they would release the speech he was going to give before word got out. I noted with much irony how this one was mostly about taking personal responsibility a theory sorely lacking in the Bama admin.
JB
Lynn
September 8th, 2009
3:02 pm
Yeah c’mon I know you are kidding. I would like to know when you are going to educate yourself about racism and its lasting effect on the AA and Hispanic Population. Second, if it wasn’t for Reagan and Bush all the so-called illegal citizens wouldn’t be here. By the way your an illegal alien just the same as anyone thats not Native American. Check some History while you are at it. Europeans stole from Natives in what is know Mexico and here. So please stop with ignorant references to people. An alien is something foreign and I don’t think people can be foreign to any land especially since god created it. Check your stats and facts. In addition the majority of people using the system comes from Corporate Welfare- Look at Madoff and Haliburton that is using the system and benefitting from me as a tax payer. If you want to get people off welfare then you should have voted for Clinton and a Democratic governor- Welfare to work gave everyone 2 years to get off of it. But the Republicans called it a socialist program. The unemployement rate, companies failing is because of Corporate welfare no Jo Smoe!!!!!!!!!!!!
Richard in Druid Hills
September 8th, 2009
3:02 pm
The attacks on the president are personal. They have nothing to do with what he is saying and to whom he is speaking. He achieved excellence in school. I doubt that we have ever had a President with better academic credentials. He should be praised for being a role model to those kids. President Bush often talked to school children and he was an academic dunce.
There is a group in the country that wants the president to fail no matter the expence to the country. In my view they are traitors
Ian
September 8th, 2009
3:02 pm
Dragging race into this discussion is way out of bounds. There are a number of comments before mine that are purely racist, i.e. “yall a bunch of honkys!”
I want no president interrupting the school day, either Mr. Obama, Mr. Bush before him, or, if my dreams were to come true and they won’t, a genuine Libertarian.