President Obama to speak again to schoolchildren. No sign yet of any irrational outcry, but the week is young.
President Obama will give his second annual school speech Tuesday at a Philly magnet school.
One thing about the controversy over the burning of the Quran by the Florida minister is that it’s taken the national focus off the news that President Obama will give his second education speech on Tuesday. (By the way, the bonfire is off, so the heat may now be put on the president.)
Last year, Obama’s televised speech about the importance of education became a political flash point. Many schools either did not show the special address or gave students the option of not watching. Some local parents kept their children at home because they did not want them to listen to the president of the United States talk about staying in school and working hard — which was the entire focus of the speech. There were no hidden political messages, no covert efforts to get kids to demand national health care or vote Democratic.
There doesn’t seem to be a similar outcry this year to the news that Obama will deliver a speech Tuesday at the Philadelphia Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School
Or folks just haven’t heard the announcement yet.
The hostility last year toward the Obama school address was nuts. As a reporter, I have covered all sorts of speakers at schools, including candidates for office, members of Congress, pop stars and British royalty. No parents pulled their child out of school for fear of wild pro monarchy rhetoric.
We ought to be delighted that the president is making time again to talk about the importance of education in changing lives and expanding opportunities. I don’t think kids can hear that message enough.
Do you?
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136 comments Add your comment
Mary
September 9th, 2010
6:47 pm
I can’t wait to see if the “biased” media specialist at my school gives this any attention the second go around. We had to force the issue to get her to set up the tvs to show the speech in the classrooms. Seems like she has plenty of time to promote other stuff, but not the President of the United States.
TopPublicSchoolCorruption
September 9th, 2010
7:05 pm
Atlanta…
depends on what side of the city you are on…and what position you take on the fence. Maureen,
the topics seem to be dancing around education issues in general. No real meat and potatoes to sink your teeth into.
Ole Guy
September 9th, 2010
7:06 pm
Mary, I don’t see where there is, or Should be, a problem with the ostensibly biased media specialist. She/he should have no decision-based authority on issues of National concern and their being made available to the student body for educational consumption. She/he (should) simply do as she/he is directed by the principal. Now if the principal’s bias presents a potential roadblock to televising that for which she/he is not in agreement, then, quite possibly, that principal does not belong in education.
Don’t let the minions push you around.
Proud Black Man
September 9th, 2010
7:28 pm
Expecting the usual assortment of bigots, tea (insert the name that cannot be mentioned), and cuckolded rethuglicans to weigh in with their proverbially 2 cents worth.
catlady
September 9th, 2010
7:39 pm
Just wait. The crazies and bigots have not heard yet. There will be massive howling and slobbering by the obstructionists (who are, according to them, not racist–they just don’t like THAT black man!)
President Obama to speak again to schoolchildren. No sign yet of any … – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)
September 9th, 2010
7:39 pm
[...] President Obama to speak again to schoolchildren. No sign yet of any …Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Last year, Obama's televised speech about the importance of education became a political flash point. Many schools either did not show the special address …Obama to deliver second annual Back-to-School speech TuesdayBoston GlobeObama to go to Philly for a back-to-school speechThe Associated PressIrving ISD won't show President Obama's speech live to all students (and …Dallas Morning News (blog)Naples Daily News -KYW Newsradio -Grand Junction Sentinelall 86 news articles » [...]
V for Vendetta
September 9th, 2010
7:41 pm
PBM,
Don’t bet on it. They’re still all glassy eyed and slack-jawed from the Glenn Beck rally.
teacher & parent
September 9th, 2010
7:41 pm
@ Ole Guy
September 9th, 2010
7:06 pm
“Now if the principal’s bias presents a potential roadblock to televising that for which she/he is not in agreement, then, quite possibly, that principal does not belong in education.”
Hey Ole Guy,
You are so wise!
sissyuga
September 9th, 2010
7:51 pm
I watched his speech last year. What a travesty to encourage young minds to work hard and persevere. Goodness knows they aren’t hearing it at home. I had to grow up listening to Nancy Reagan to “Just Say No.” Yeah, like that had real substance behind it.
bootney farnsworth
September 9th, 2010
8:01 pm
no irrational shilling for Obama yet… no wait, that’s incorrect.
Maureen came out sliming.
why not do what you seem to be calling for and hold your smarmy ineuendeo ’til AFTER something happens?
I understand you’re a blogger and have a severe left of center bias, but at least TRY to give the impression you have some level of journalistic training and standards
bootney farnsworth
September 9th, 2010
8:04 pm
@ catlady
has it ever occured to you many of us don’t give a rats butt what color, religion, or sexual orientation Obama is?
that we might object to what he stands for, and would have the same
distaste for him regardless?
is this concept really so hard for you to wrap your head around?
bootney farnsworth
September 9th, 2010
8:05 pm
@ V
so what about that rally offended you so?
specifically.
bootney farnsworth
September 9th, 2010
8:06 pm
oh, and for the record:
I got no problem with Obama, or any president, telling kids to study hard and stay in school. in fact, I’d like to see more of it.
Proud Black Man
September 9th, 2010
8:55 pm
Bingo!
Mid GA Teacher
September 9th, 2010
8:57 pm
This is a no brainer. I don’t see how anybody could possible think this is a bad thing. Hate the president if you will, I don’t care much for his political policies, but the speech he gave last year had zero political idealism in it. It was all about the students and taking responsiblity. It was great.
Parent
September 9th, 2010
9:00 pm
bootney farnsworth? – Right on – I didn’t vote for President Obama, but I do respect him as our President. I tell my school aged children to listen to him, he’s a great man. Yeah, study hard Obama did and look he’s now your President! How is this a problem for anyone?
Ole principal
September 9th, 2010
9:44 pm
Ole guy
Just a quick point. Many times principals don’t make those calls. The Superintendents or other central office staff do. In many systems principals don’t have the power and control many on these blogs think they do.
oldtimer
September 9th, 2010
10:35 pm
Uck…not again..
ScienceTeacher671
September 9th, 2010
10:40 pm
Last year we were furloughed so we didn’t have to worry about it. Don’t know what the PTB will decide to do this year. If even a few kids in each school would take the words about studying and working harder to heart, it would be a good thing.
Obama speech to students under radar this year – Houston Chronicle
September 9th, 2010
10:50 pm
[...] speech TuesdayBoston GlobeObama to go to Philly for a back-to-school speechThe Associated PressPresident Obama to speak again to schoolchildren. No sign yet of any …Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Dallas Morning News (blog) -Naples Daily News -KYW [...]
Concened Henry County Parent
September 9th, 2010
11:30 pm
I don’t think you will hear a lot of outcry over Obama’s speech like you did last year. We “crazy, obstructionist, glassy eyed, slack jawed bigots” and our children pretty much now ignore whatever Obama has to say. We will take our country back on Nov. 2nd. Obama will be effectively neutered – can’t wait!
Ole Guy
September 9th, 2010
11:45 pm
Ole Principal, thanks for the clarification. I realize the education arena, like many fields of endeavor, is wrought with political correctness superimposing the mantra of simply doing what’s right. However, like a wise man in my checkered past once said, “If you’re not pissing someone off, you’re not doing your job”.
As a junior officer, I pissed many people off, but, at the same time, I gained the respect of those, both junior and senior to me, as well as my peers. Did I have to “fly through some rough political air” as a result of my “occasional” bucking of the brass? Absolutely, but one value has always been my guidon…I RUN MY UNIT THE WAY I RUN MY UNIT!
I realize principals, as “unit commanders”, must both report to, and work well with many people. However (and my time in education was both long ago and quite brief), I feel that much of the disfunctionalism which seems to permeat the educational fabric is due, in no small part, to pure unadulterated FEAR. I completely understand the desire to maintain “calm seas”, particularly within the operational storms which seem to be de rigueur in the current educational atmosphere.
I completely understand that principals often do not wield the power and influence which many believe otherwise. Perhaps that may lie behind many of the problems within the educational camp.
Many complain about the fallacy of Washington bureaucrats issuing decisions regarding state issues. Perhaps the same fallacy is created when central office/superintendent level personnel insist on doing principals’ thinking and issuing principals’ decisions.
Obama speech under radar – Houston Chronicle
September 9th, 2010
11:58 pm
[...] speech TuesdayBoston GlobeObama to go to Philly for a back-to-school speechThe Associated PressPresident Obama to speak again to schoolchildren. No sign yet of any …Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Dallas Morning News (blog) -Philadelphia [...]
Kathy
September 10th, 2010
1:13 am
As a conservative parent of 3 little girls who works hard to make sure that I know the messages that are being put forward to my children I ask for a short review of history. I DID call my daughter’s school to find out if they would be playing the speech to all of the students. When I called it was because the only information that I had about the speech was the worksheet that teachers were given to add classroom discussion to the speech. That particular worksheet really had little to do with work hard, stay in school. It looked more like an activity designed to create a new generation of “community organizers” working to bring some sort of social improvement to or communities by the work that they do. In principle I don’t disagree with this message either, but I was concerned about the perspective from which this would be taught. Once further information was released, I had no issue with the speech, as it was a simple back to school “pep talk” from our nation’s leader. As this year’s speech approaches, I am only concerned about the possible politicizing of this message as it occurs so close to mid term elections. Should my daughter’s school choose to play it live, or on a taped delay (as they did last year) I am okay with it, however I will be watching it from home just as they are in order to facilitate conversations about whatever is presented.
Michelle
September 10th, 2010
2:25 am
@Concerned Henry County Parent…
Dream on. You probably dont even vote.
Obama to give back-to-school speech Friday at Masterman – Philadelphia Inquirer
September 10th, 2010
3:13 am
[...] speech TuesdayBoston GlobeObama to go to Philly for a back-to-school speechThe Associated PressAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -Dallas Morning News (blog) -Naples Daily Newsall 91 news [...]
Vince
September 10th, 2010
6:45 am
Gosh! I agree with everything Bootney had to say!
Dr NO
September 10th, 2010
7:25 am
Obama has nothing of any worth or value to add to any situation. He needs to sit down, shut up and wait to be thrown out of office.
One term for sure.
Dr NO
September 10th, 2010
7:26 am
Perhaps Obama and TI can make the rounds together lecturing about behavior they mamas, God and the usual tripe.
Old School
September 10th, 2010
8:04 am
My petty peeve with this president’s televised speeches is that, while the speech is advertised to be directed at school children across the US, he never looks directly at the camera as though he is addressing ALL school children. He looks to the right and to the left but never directly at the camera. It’s the same for all his speeches. I realize he’s reading from the teleprompters and doing a fine job of that, but think about it. . . don’t you feel left out? Former President Clinton may not have been a sterling example of a president but the man knew how to deliver a speech that felt like it was all inclusive (in my opinion).
I’ve always looked at the eyes of the speaker before me- whether live or televised. I guess it helps me establish whether I can trust that person or not. Watching any Obama speech is a little like being being referred to in third person when I’m standing right there.
See? I told you it was petty because it’s about delivery instead of content.
BlackGirl
September 10th, 2010
8:20 am
Maybe if we all ignore Dr. NO he’ll shut up and go away!
AJinCobb
September 10th, 2010
8:36 am
@Concerned Henry County Parent,
“We will take our country back on Nov. 2nd.”
Take it back? Did it go somewhere?
It’s also the country of every person who voted for President Obama – which was a majority. Nobody “took” anything from you. It’s just democracy in action.
Dr NO
September 10th, 2010
8:40 am
The Ayetollah Obama cant look into the camera because everything he says is a lie and he knows it. Add to that the fact that he probably keeps losing his place on his teleprompter and you have a terrible speech.
Dont get me wrong he is a great speaker, however, everything he says is a lie, wrong or just plain stupid. The Imam Obama doesnt talk to people he talks at them or down to them.
Oblunder talking to school children…what a joke. If my children were of school age I would in no way allow them to watch this circus clown, this carnival barker, this game show host spouting his double talk and non-sense.
The only good thing about OBumbler is he keeps stepping from cow patty to the next, will soon be ousted from office then hopefully vanish like a fart in the wind.
Dr NO
September 10th, 2010
8:42 am
The only thing more comical than The Ayetoolah Obama is that silly Joe Biden. What a couple of worms.
Philosopher
September 10th, 2010
8:48 am
@AJinCobb: Well said! I am absolutely SICK of that phrase. NO ONE has taken America away from anyone and the fools who use and live by that phrase need to understand that we are ALL American citizens and we do NOT all agree with the crazed, radical right. In fact, I would fight to keep THEM from taking America away from me…if they could!
V for Vendetta
September 10th, 2010
9:11 am
bootney,
Perhaps it’s the fact that Beck is little more than a self-indulgent moron with a knowledge of history that is spurious at best, dangerously false at worst. He is a self-promotor in the highest regard, an alarmist to the nth degree, and a conservative Christian when it suits his purpose (i.e., when it increases his viewship). His rantings are eerily similar to early footage of another self-important extremist who used grandstanding and growing discontent with the government to win over the populous and secure his extremist party as unquestionable leaders.
Six million Jews died as a result.
Beck is indicative of everything that is wrong with America’s conservatives–just as Obama and Pelosi are examples of the opposite. Obama seeks to enslave our wallets in the name of socialism/communism. Beck, Limbaugh, Hannity, Palin, and the like seek to enslave our minds in the name of “faith.” Of course, this is great news if you agree with their narrow-minded moral viewpoints.
I don’t.
I prefer for people to think for themselves and keep what they earn. Way back around 250 years ago, there was a group of guys who thought the same.
Proud Black Man
September 10th, 2010
9:22 am
@ Dr NO
Have you always been a bigoted prick or has it only been since you were cuckolded and taken to the cleaners by Mrs. NO?
Lee
September 10th, 2010
9:51 am
Let me get this straight – time after time after time, I read on this blog where you teachers think that politicians ought to butt out of education. Now, you’re going gaga over a politician delivering a speech to school kids.
Makes sense to me….
Dr NO
September 10th, 2010
9:53 am
PBM…you already tried the cuckold line. Pretty limited in your thinking I see…typical with your kind. Then again gutter dwellers and lowest common denominators of society, like yourself usually are.
Dr NO
September 10th, 2010
9:56 am
Next thing ya know The Ayetoolah OBlunder will be speaking to “The Children” about Muslim holidays and expanding the curriculum to include Muslim studies such as…
Bomb Building 101
Aircraft Hijacking (The Basics)
Stoning (Expanded Arts)
Flogging 99 (Remedial)
And many of the other qualities he represents.
Lee
September 10th, 2010
9:57 am
@V, comparing Beck to Hitler? Wow, that’s a stretch.
Proud Black Man
September 10th, 2010
10:19 am
@ Dr NO
“typical with your kind.”
I would say more but I’m afraid the moderator wouldn’t allow it. Would you care to meet in person and discuss this. I would be more then willing to show you another stereotype that “my kind” is known for.
tell it
September 10th, 2010
10:22 am
@ Dr. No,
And you wonder why the world is in destruction. Your mind set perpuates….
Dr NO
September 10th, 2010
10:27 am
More of “you kind” of mentality I see and quite the revealing reply…very nice indeed!! Why dont you do something productive with your life like get a job or go rob the liqour store.
Dont dish it ya cant take it, buddy.
PS…maybe if you make an honest attempt you could string together two non-sensical sentences and become a rap star.
Dr NO
September 10th, 2010
10:38 am
Proud Black Man
September 10th, 2010
9:22 am
@ Dr NO
“Have you always been a bigoted prick or has it only been since you were cuckolded and taken to the cleaners by Mrs. NO?”
Ah yes, how refreshing. If one prefers not the policies and rhetoric of the current President and his adminstration they are immediately relegated to the racist dust bin OR thrashed a with some form of sexual deviant behavior.
Typcial of the Obama voter I would say. Kindve a retro point, nevertheless.
Maureen Downey
September 10th, 2010
10:38 am
To all, As I told Dr. Trotter yesterday, these dust-ups on the blog have to stop. They add nothing to the topics. I know some people like them; they are the online equivalent of the horrible accident that everyone slows down to see on the highway.
But my job is to keep traffic moving, so please end this “Mine is bigger than yours” stuff. I also think that too many postings from the same few people have a racist taint and they also need to go. They add nothing to the discussion and degrade the poster and the blog.
Maureen
Dr NO
September 10th, 2010
10:45 am
“Taint” LOL.
Obama to give back-to-school speech Tuesday at Masterman – Philadelphia Inquirer
September 10th, 2010
10:46 am
[...] speech TuesdayBoston GlobeObama to go to Philly for a back-to-school speechThe Associated PressAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -Dallas Morning News (blog) -Houston Press (blog)all 114 news [...]
Pavlov
September 10th, 2010
10:50 am
When the headline screams “irrational”, what do you expect?
Philosopher
September 10th, 2010
10:53 am
Itinfuriated me when it happened the last time that any school administrator or superintendant was allowed to take such a political position as to deny my child the right to hear the duly elected president of the United States of America speak about the importance of staying in school and doing well. Each and every one of them should have been publicly admonished for abuse of their position. As long as there has been television and radio, children have listened to their President speak…whether or not their parents liked the president du jour. Those school administrators who made the choices they did had NO excuse for doing it other than political pressure…if they can’t stand up to political pressure, or they use their administrative positions to further their political agends, they have no business running our schools!
Dr NO
September 10th, 2010
10:57 am
Phil. When I attended school, sometimes public sometime private, we never not once listened or watched any type of Presidential address. This being the case I dotn quite understand why your pot is boiling over.
Dr. John Trotter
September 10th, 2010
11:04 am
About time that you said something to our “friend” (posing as Science Teacher671, Dr NO, Lee, Proud Black Man, Catlady, et al., and having constant conversations with himself on this blog). I only get “nasty” with him when he thinks that with complete impunity that he can be nasty to anyone without them responding. Maureen, you have a mess on your hands. He is like a spoiled, little only child. He is used to getting his way. Yesterday and the night before, he stepped over the line and started blogging under “John Trotter.” I know that I am not the only “John Trotter” in the world, but I am the only true “John Trotter” who posts on your blog. I let him get by posting under “jt” or “Dr T,” but trolling under “John Trotter” and then speaking gibberish is a little much.
I know who this teacher is (and this is not a threat). I looked askance at his outrageous complaints, and now he is mad. I don’t have a glass jaw. I can take any open “hit” in the media, including your editorials against me in the editorial section, but the “hit” and “run” under the cloak of anonymity is beyond the pail. I wish that this blog required signing in and revealing your true identity.
Maureen, I am not mad at the fellow. I don’t hold grudges. People always say this about me, but they also say that “Trotter” will not walk away from a fight. This fellow is talented but he wastes so much of his creativity and energy with negative comments about race. He’s actually quite intelligent and resourceful, and it is a shame that his talents cannot be better used.
V for Vendetta
September 10th, 2010
11:09 am
Lee,
I don’t think so. Read the history books; Hitler started in much the same way.
Dr John
September 10th, 2010
11:14 am
“I been in the right place
But it must have been the wrong time
I’d have said the right thing
But I must have used the wrong line
I’d a took the right road
But I must have took a wrong turn
Would have made the right move
But I made it at the wrong time
I been on the right road
But I must have used the wrong car
My head was in a good place
And I wonder what it’s bad for”
V for Vendetta
September 10th, 2010
11:15 am
Also, in point of fact, he was preaching a similar doctrine about regaining the country’s glory and unifying through “faith.” It is also eerily similar to V For Vendetta’s fictional Norsefire regime whose motto was “Strength through Unity, Unity through Faith.”
Maureen Downey
September 10th, 2010
11:32 am
@Dr. Trotter, I have corresponded with some of the people you have listed outside of the blog and they are NOT the same person. Honestly.
Maureen
Dr. John Trotter
September 10th, 2010
11:39 am
Maureen, You are willingly naive. It is so easy to set up different email addresses. Supremely easy. It takes five minutes. You are being played…and I think willingly. This is one person. Only one, and I, quite frankly, think that you know this.
Warrior Woman
September 10th, 2010
11:39 am
@Maureen – Love the rewriting of history to ignore the change from the original planned content, including the classroom worksheet, to that final content – after changes brought about by the outcry – of last year’s Obama speech.
@Lee – Isn’t that stretch a typical left-wing tactic? Pretty much everyone the far left doesn’t like gets compared to Hitler at some point.
V for Vendetta
September 10th, 2010
11:48 am
Warrior Woman,
Surely you’ve been on this blog long enough to know that I am as opposed to the far left as I am to the far right.
Dr. John Trotter
September 10th, 2010
11:50 am
Maureen, Even one of my “cousins,” Rev. Jimmy Jack Bourbon, has his own email address. Write to him @ revjimmyjackbourbon@yahoo.com. He’ll hit you back, and you can then say that you “corresponded” with Rev. Bourbon and that he must be a real person. Yep, he’s real! He’s the Rev. Jimmy Jack Bourbon, Pastor of The Hosea Williams Memorial Church of World Peace & Reconciliation Beginning In Clayco. He’s as real as “V for Vendetta” and all of V’s “cousins” (Catlady being the matriarch of that clan). Now Earl of Ft. Liquordale is a “cousin” of mine too. We have a mutual “cousin” in Rev. Bourbon. Would like for Earl to “correspond” to you via email also? If so, I’ll give him a call down at the Condo and ask the Mrs. to tell him to call you as soon as he and Abe and Eli come back from Snook fishing off the bridge at Las Olas Boulevard and 14th Street. In the old days on the Clayton News/Daily blog, some people were writing in and claiming that “John Trotter is really Earl.” Imagine that! LOL.
MMMMMM
September 10th, 2010
11:54 am
Michelle
September 10th, 2010
2:25 am
@Concerned Henry County Parent…
Dream on. You probably dont even vote.
Michelle…….you’re gonna find out on November 2nd how many of “us” actually vote
oldtimer
September 10th, 2010
11:58 am
To many of you..This is boring….To Maureen…good article. I do believe the speech should be watched by parents and discussed at home. Unfortuately the children who need encouragement will not get family direction at home. And much of the discussion on here will not enlighten anyone….
An Adult
September 10th, 2010
12:38 pm
Most of the responses on this blog is simply adults behaving like school yard kids playing the dozens. For all the noise about what the President’s speech means, it is more troubling the example the adults are setting for our kids in this blog. I disliked President Bush and his policies, yet I would have had no objection to him giving a speech to children about the importance of education.
In the final analysis, such a speech by any President should only be reinforcement of what we as parents of all political persuasions should have instilled in our children. Kudos to the President for reinforcing the importance of education to all our children!
Chief Wiggum
September 10th, 2010
12:40 pm
This article started out with a particular slant, with the comment about “irrational outcry”. How about this, Maureen…just say “No sign of any outcry”, and ditch the word “irrational”. Leave it to the reader to decide the rationality of the outcry, okay?
I think folks were more concerned that last year that Obama was establishing a cult of personality. With his gaffes in the last year, folks are far less worried that he’ll use his bully pulpit for political purposes this time.
I have no idea who Dr Trotter’s enemies, real and imagined, are…but I do find it curious that “Proud Black Man” is allowed to do so many ad hominem attacks on other posters, and Maureen apparently lets them stand. He cries about racism, about bigots, calls people pr1cks, and loves to use the word “cuckold” about people he disagrees with, for reasons I do not know. Why is this allowed to stand, Maureen?
Maureen, there is a difference in a candidate addressing a school assembly, and a president doing a teleconference aimed at most or all of the school kids out there. No doubt, the topic actually presented last year by Obama was tame and acceptable, to stay in school and do their best. It’s hard to fault that. The concern was with the possible hand-outs and post-speech class discussions.
V for Vendetta
September 10th, 2010
12:48 pm
Chief Wiggum,
It IS irrational. And any handouts or discussions would be the teachers’ issue to find fault with, not the president’s. I don’t like Obama, but, at this point, we need to try ANYTHING to motivate students of all backgrounds.
Instruction Time
September 10th, 2010
1:03 pm
I lost about 45 minutes of instruction time on this speech last year. Real hard to catch up to where I was over the speech. Half of my kids slept through it. They could have cared less about Obama speaking than a man on the moon. And I teach at a minority-majority school.
Wait, we are still talking about this speech right?
Dr NO
September 10th, 2010
1:10 pm
Obama would be the last thing to motivate anyone let alone a group of 4th grade students. I wonder if “Phil” had as much difficulty with “the children” being unable to view Bush addressing this or that.
Hmmm…
Hamster
September 10th, 2010
1:22 pm
Well in San Antonio, Texas parents received a letter stating the fact that the school will be showing the speech in school to the children. The letter goes on to say that if you do not want to have your child view the speech to state that in a written note and he or she will be taken to a location in the school where the speech will not be shown.
WTH! This is the President of the United States of America for goodness sake. What is he going to say “Hey kids smoke crack”. This is wrong on so many levels….why is it even offered as an option? I can’t recall any other issue other than sex ed that something like this has been done.
Also it is very divisive in my opinion. What are the children that stay going to say or think. Why do I have to watch this? Why do they get to leave? He must be saying something bad if people are leaving. You can’t truly learn unless you pull information, thoughts and opinions from all available sources and it’s even better if you hear it for yourself.
This is a prime opportunity to teach a lesson in Civics/Government showing how people living in a Democracy can listen to one another have different views/opinions and still be respectful. This is disrespect most foul. Let the children practice their listening skills. Get their thoughts on what they heard how it applies in their reality. They may surprise you. Don’t play politics with our kids education.
Dr NO
September 10th, 2010
1:39 pm
LOL @ Hamster. Its Obama and his policies that are divisive. If I had school age children I would have them not view this farce…then again perhaps having them view it would be a better idea. A perfect object lesson for incompetence and ineffectives at its zenith.
Disrespectful? Hmmmm, kinda stretching it there eh? I wonder how many of these so-called liberals/democrats would allow their children to view a President Bush speech? I can almost guarantee the left would be shrieking at their loudest but for Obama, the Emporer, the Messiah, the Grand PooBah, all must bow and worship…Laughable at best.
2 more years of Obama and his TomFoolery and he is G O N E…GONE!
Dr NO
September 10th, 2010
1:43 pm
PS…”Don’t play politics with our kids education.” Good point!! You may want to tell that to our current crop of educators as they are the guilty party.
When my son was school aged I had to de-program him nightly. Had to wipe clean the slate from all the hogwash with which the “curriculum” was feeding him. Teach him some reasoning skills, teach him to question these chowderheads to ask WHY?
Lee
September 10th, 2010
1:52 pm
“….our “friend” (posing as Science Teacher671, Dr NO, Lee, Proud Black Man, Catlady, et al., ”
Really Trotter? And all this time, I was thinking you, PBM, Earl of Liquordale, and a few others were one in the same.
Geesh. Get over yourself.
Hamster
September 10th, 2010
1:57 pm
@ Dr. No. My oldest daughter is now in her second year of college and throughout he life I encouraged her to listen to any and all sides of any argument or view and come to your own conclusions. Needless to say see listened to many a Bush speech and without any prodding from me came to the conclusion that 43 was not the sharpest knife in the drawer. Like I stated they can surprise you….LOL.
I do not label myself so-called liberal/democrat and time will tell on Obama’s legacy good or bad. I for one am not happy with the job so far and would give him a C maybe C- grade. As far as “a perfect object lesson for incompetence and ineffectives at its zenith” well we don’t have far to look for prime example…the above mentioned 43 as you so appropriately stated…THAT was laughable at best…tragic at its worst.
Hamster
September 10th, 2010
2:00 pm
“When my son was school aged I had to de-program him nightly”
Dr No…That’s called parenting. That’s your job/responsibility and if more people would do it regardless of political view the world would be a better place.
Dr NO
September 10th, 2010
2:06 pm
Hamster
September 10th, 2010
2:00 pm
On that we can agree!
Proud Black Man
September 10th, 2010
2:11 pm
@ Dr John Trotter
“About time that you said something to our “friend” (posing as Science Teacher671, Dr NO, Lee, Proud Black Man, Catlady, et al., and having constant conversations with himself on this blog).”
Can’t speak for everyone else but PBM isn’t a sock puppet or suffering from multiple personality syndrome. But while we are being catty weren’t you asked, fired, to leave a school district before your contract was up?
Booklover
September 10th, 2010
2:19 pm
Back when Booklover was a youngun during the Reagan and Bush I years, I remember watching the president on TV during the school day quite frequently. (’Course I also remember the Challenger explosion, when my first grade teacher quickly turned off the TV set and sent us out for recess.) Nobody pitched a hissy fit about students watching the Gipper or ol’ GHW Bush.
Frankly, I think the uproar about Obama, in this particular case, was partisan AND racially motivated…and I say this as a white girl with, unfortunately, lots of Republican relatives. Fair is fair. He’s the president. He has an important message. I had to listen to GHW Bush, even when I was of an age to know how a grocery scanner worked, and I listened respectfully because he was the president, even when I thought he was wrong.
This same lack of respect for authority is evidenced by the way in which our society treats teachers.
Dr NO
September 10th, 2010
2:29 pm
“weren’t you asked, fired, to leave a school district before your contract was up?”
LOL!!
Proud Black Man
September 10th, 2010
2:36 pm
LOL! indeed Dr NO. I will be parked out front of the King Center tomorrow at 6:00PM sharp. I drive a red 2010 Challenger. Looking forward to our conversation…
Dr NO
September 10th, 2010
2:44 pm
Well enjoy your Saturday at the King Center perhaps you might learn something about Anti-Violence or save yourself the trouble and pickup a book on the life of Ghandi.
You do know how to read, correct?
PS…you shouldnt broadcast your whereabouts. The cops maybe looking for that stolen vehicle and I know its your cousins or your mama car but possession is 9/10ths of the law. I look forward to seeing you on COPS.
Warrior Woman
September 10th, 2010
3:38 pm
@V – yes, I know you like poking at the extremists on both ends of the spectrum. And there’s sport in that.
But beyond your comments on this blog earlier, it does seem that everyone the far left dislikes gets labeled as Hitler or a Nazi. I’d like to see a little more creativity if we insist on calling names.
Brian
September 10th, 2010
4:07 pm
He might as well talk to school children, by looking at the polls all us adults quit listening some time ago.
Proud Black Man
September 10th, 2010
4:11 pm
@ Brian
“He might as well talk to school children, by looking at the polls all us adults quit listening some time ago.”
Not everyone. Just you tea (insert the name that cannot be mentioned)
@ Dr NO
Coward
Brian
September 10th, 2010
4:17 pm
PBM,
Just say Bah Bah like the rest of the sheep.
trying hard to be patient
September 10th, 2010
5:35 pm
Our County is on Fall Break next week when the speech is suppose to be televised. That’s okay with me. During the speech last year, which was shown during lunch, our students did not watch it like the Principal wanted them to, they just talked(screamed) louder than they normally do at lunch. The Principal was NOT happy with that outcome, so she made all the classes that had been at lunch at the time of the speech watch it again after lunch in their classrooms. The teachers were NOT happy because it took them away from recess and specials that were scheduled for that time. Kids these days are so rude, disrespectful, and inconsiderate that it is not fun anymore. If my own two kids were in school now there would be a lawsuit from us claiming that they are not learning because of all the disruptions of bad behaving students. When a teacher has to take time out of class to TRY to discipline students constantly it is horrible for the students who actually want to learn.
bank walker
September 10th, 2010
6:14 pm
I would hope nobody will let their children listen to this joke of a community planner, I meant President. He and his cronies have done enough damage to this country, and are trying to make us into an African country, from which he is from, and you know what Africa is like. Schools are already to liberal and need to stray from the failing idiots that run it…..the U.S. government. Private schools are the future!
Proud Black Man
September 10th, 2010
6:24 pm
“I would hope nobody will let their children listen to this joke of a community planner, I meant President.”
Typical tea (insert the name that cannot be mentioned) nonsense.
@ trying hard to be patient
“If my own two kids were in school now there would be a lawsuit from us claiming that they are not learning because of all the disruptions of bad behaving students.”
Well thank goodness that your “precious” spawn isn’t in school! Nitwit.
trying hard to be patient
September 10th, 2010
7:20 pm
@Proud Black Man – My “precious” spawn (isn’t – *aren’t* – because I typed two kids) in school now, but, did attend a GA public school and at the time they did attend, schools were much better than they are now. Quit calling people names!! It is probably your children who I dislike being around.
@Maureen – PLEASE ban Proud Black Man from this blog. He is childish for calling people names.
Proud Black Man
September 10th, 2010
9:01 pm
My such a delicate sister. But of course none of the racial epithets bother you do they bigot?
Fred
September 10th, 2010
11:35 pm
Nice column Maureen. I think you hit the high points very well. I agree with everything you wrote (and as you know I don’t always). I thought the garbage last year with parents pulling their kids out of school because the President spoke to them a sad state of affairs.
About the other stuff: How sad. As a fat white redneck, I am happy that my President will talk to our children. I’m glad his wife takes such an active role in promoting health so kids won’t grow up to be fat like me. The color of their skin has NOTHING to do with the stances they have taken. I don’t agree with everything my President has done, but then I didn’t agree with everything my last President did…… or the one before him………. or the one before him……… on so on. But they are STILL my President(s) and I support them in every positive action they take.
Why does everything have to go down to race?
Oh, I remember Catlady from Lt. Steve’s blog. I don’t agree with her all the time either, but if I knew her I’d be proud to call her my friend from what she has written. And I don’t agree with HER most of the time either lol.
Fred
September 10th, 2010
11:36 pm
Redundant last sentence. Sorry.
Fred
September 10th, 2010
11:45 pm
V for Vendetta
September 10th, 2010
9:11 am
++++++++++++++
Very well put.
Fred
September 10th, 2010
11:56 pm
Chief Wiggum
September 10th, 2010
12:40 pm
This article started out with a particular slant, with the comment about “irrational outcry”. How about this, Maureen…just say “No sign of any outcry”, and ditch the word “irrational”. Leave it to the reader to decide the rationality of the outcry, okay?
++++++++++++++
Chief Wigham, I stand corrected. Personally I found the outcry to be irrational but that doesn’t mean it was. I am all for objectivity in reporting and am ashamed I didn’t see the blatant slant in the article.
I still agree with everything Maureen said though. Take out the phrase that was slanted and I daresay you do as well.
Fred
September 11th, 2010
12:01 am
Instruction Time
September 10th, 2010
1:03 pm
I lost about 45 minutes of instruction time on this speech last year. Real hard to catch up to where I was over the speech. Half of my kids slept through it. They could have cared less about Obama speaking than a man on the moon. And I teach at a minority-majority school.
++++++++++++++
Thank God I sacrifice and send my child to Woodward. My (then) second grader watched the speech and then had a spirited classroom discussion about it. She related it to us when she got home.
But then she had a TEACHER not a baby sitter like you apparently are Instruction Time. YOU are a waste of my tax money and should be fired if you are for real.
Fred
September 11th, 2010
12:08 am
@Proud Black (racist) Man: You have a few good ideas, but on the whole, you are a racist ass.
Proud Black Man
September 11th, 2010
7:28 am
@ Fred
You have no good ideas and are a cuckolded sycophant.
“Why does everything have to go down to race?”
I don’t know ask Bilbo, Varner, Watson, Wallace, Felton, Russell, Eastland, Helms, Maddox, Wilson, and the list goes on and on. Naive reprobate…
trying hard to be patient
September 11th, 2010
9:18 am
Thank you Fred!! Proud Black Man – how do you know Fred is a cuckolded sycophant? Wow! Your ignorance is showing – you call everyone that. Why do you think I’m white? I’m NOT!! I would call you a name here, but, I won’t sink to your pettiness! I am not a bigot, I just dislike some of the disruptive students I see everyday.
Retired Educator
September 11th, 2010
10:07 am
The absolute dumbest phrase of late is “We will take our country back.” It reeks of ignorance, stupidity, and a bland willingness to hear and repeat with no understanding.
Philosopher
September 11th, 2010
1:13 pm
@Warrior Woman: while I rarely agree with “V”, I feel coompelled to correct your input.”V” did not call anyone Hitler, She compared the the language, behaviors, and tendency of the sheeple to follow same individual in the same manner, to Hitler and the machanisms he used to brainwash the majority. No name-calling occurred…can’t say the same for some of the foul-mouthed ones running rampant in here, though!
Proud Black Man
September 11th, 2010
6:05 pm
@ trying hard to be patient
I could care less who you are.
Concened Henry County Parent
September 11th, 2010
6:52 pm
It seems that the “side” that continuously calls people hateful names is the “side” that can’t make a reasoned argument using facts and logic. The “side” that’s been in charge since Jan. 1, 2008 is the “side” that’s just about brought this country to its knees. Beginning Nov. 2, 2010, our “side” will begin to take this country back – back from the “side” that’s working very hard to “fundamentally transform America.” We’re done listening to Obama and his “side.” And yes, you better believe I vote!
trying hard to be patient
September 11th, 2010
7:14 pm
@ Proud Black Man – You must care who I am since you called me a delicate sister AND a bigot!
Happy Teacher
September 11th, 2010
7:43 pm
It is so terrible that this kind of hateful extremism rages on 9/11. Glad to see that the terrorists so completely accomplished everything they wanted to do, and so much more, with our full cooperation…
ScienceTeacher671
September 12th, 2010
8:45 am
Dr. John Trotter
September 10th, 2010
11:04 am
ROFL! Some of us don’t have the time you appear to have to create and maintain multiple blog identities. Nice try, though.
Proud Black Man
September 12th, 2010
12:56 pm
@ Concened Henry County Parent
We too also vote. Peddle your fear-mongering tea-bag philosophy elsewhere bigot. No one that I know is scared or worried about threats from the rethuglicans.
Dr NO
September 12th, 2010
2:15 pm
LOL…Violence, the last vestige of a desparate man…especially a so-called Proud Black Man…LOL.
Sad sad sad.
On the more important note. Ayetoolah Obama is a worthless idiot. Great campaigner in chief. The only good thing about his presidency is watching it implode. AHH HAHAAHAHHAAHAHAHAHA~~~
Dr NO
September 12th, 2010
2:16 pm
Once again the Republicans must clean up the mess made by the mindless idiot democrats…..
Proud Black Man
September 12th, 2010
4:43 pm
@ Dr NO
“Once again the Republicans must clean up the mess made by the mindless idiot democrats…..”
Spoken like a true tea (insert the name that cannot be mentioned.) I know that you deeply miss those “true” rethugs like Larry “wide stance” Craig but thats how it goes in politics. I am SO looking forward to mid-terms to prove a FOOL like you wrong. Btw the democrats are still cleaning up 8 years of puppet master Cheney’s mess. Later reprobate.
Dr NO
September 12th, 2010
6:49 pm
Cuckold, Larry Craig, Voilence…somehow your stance on things carrys with it no surprise…Meaning you are typical. Perhaps if you were to show up at Sunday Morning worship services not blind drunk from the night before you may just learn something…doubtful but maybe.
AAAHHHHHH HAHAHAAA!!
PS…The Dems had their chance and made a huge mess SO they are gonna lose so just learn to live with it.
Live it, learn it Love it!!
Dr NO
September 12th, 2010
6:51 pm
And one more thing
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AAAAAHHHH HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAAHAHAAAA!!
Proud Black Man
September 12th, 2010
8:09 pm
@ Dr NO
You sure have been frisky ever since you got back from that NAMBLA convention!
Dr NO
September 13th, 2010
7:21 am
Just more of the same I see. So how did your interview go for that King Center Custodial Arts positiion work out for ya?
Obama’s 2010 Back to School Speech « Blue Cotton Memory
September 13th, 2010
2:31 pm
[...] http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/2010/09/09/president-obama-to-speak-again-to-schoolchildren-n... [...]
Proud Black Man
September 13th, 2010
4:27 pm
Typical bourgeois rant. Has your sister replaced her partial yet?
Janet Y
September 13th, 2010
11:22 pm
Well first off there is no stink about it, because they did not tell us until the last min. The speech is tomorrow and they didnt say a thing about it until tonight. The middle school called on the phone at 6 pm the elementary schools sent a paper home. Pretty funny that it was at the last min this time. My children will not be listening too it. He has nothing to say that every public school kid in America needs to hear. They should be learning important stuff like History that they are trying to take out of public schools.
Educator for Life
September 14th, 2010
9:00 am
Maureen,
Maybe you need to see if the AJC can hire someone to preview the blog entries prior to them being posted. Like my grandmother said, they had it better in the past than we do because the racist people were very open about their racism. Now, it is so hidden and people use blogs to express themselves. I do hate reading some of the pathetic stuff, but I can’t stop reading the blogs themselves. If Obama were not multi-racial, he would be treated with more respect. The US is still reeling from the past 8 years and somehow, it is Obama’s fault. The republicans disagree with him just because of how he looks, even if what he does it good for the country. To all the racists, go ahead and wear it with pride and let others know publicly. Apparently, you do not believe in a Higher Being because no one is better than any other.
Dr NO
September 14th, 2010
9:23 am
“even if what he does it good for the country.”
But what he does and has done isnt good for the Country. Therefore, your comments is racist and ignorant.
Educator for Life
September 14th, 2010
9:24 am
Dr. No and Proud Black Man, are you all serious? I cannot believe both of you think that you are better than one another. When it is all said and done, both of you are racist. Please exchange e-mails and continue your rants on there. I am a black man and happy about it. I voted for Obama and will support him, though I do not support EVERY decision he makes. When Bush was the President, never did I hear any open disrespect from Congress towards him like I do now. We really need to get rid of political parties because if Obama was Republican, he would still be treated badly. Color has no ignorance, but ignorance can come in any color. Only God can judge, but excuse me for saying this, but both of you are ignorant.
Educator for Life
September 14th, 2010
9:27 am
Dr. NO, the position we are in is not because of the current term. Everything we are going through is a result of the past 10 or so years. Now, a new President comes in and tries to fix things, but some of these things will never be fixed, plain and simple. History has proven that a new coach will not change a losing team in one year. There is a rebuilding process. Unfortunately, we will never rebuild.
Dr NO
September 14th, 2010
9:29 am
“never did I hear any open disrespect from Congress towards him like I do now.”
So you were asleep at the wheel for 8 years…thats what you are saying?
Dr NO
September 14th, 2010
9:31 am
We will never rebuild with OBlunder in charge and thats a fact.
The Ayetoolah OBumbler has added more to the Natl Deficit than his predecessors combined. And what of this “Summer of Recovery? What happened to that? And what about the ODumbBell stimulus plan that would keep the unemployment numbers below 8%.
If you are an educator I feel much sympathy for your students who are being hoodwinked daily with this leftists propoganda and just Wrong thinking.
Educator for Life
September 14th, 2010
9:32 am
Dr. NO, reading is fundamental. I said IF what he does for the country is good, republicans still won’t agree to it. If Obama decided to give every taxpayer $1000, th republicans would not want him to give it. If he decided not to give every taxpayer $1000, the republicans would want him to give it. Also, when I say good for the country, it means for the greater good, not each individual. I don’t benefit from everything, but if it means an overall positive effect,them I am with it.
Dr NO
September 14th, 2010
9:35 am
Well what OBumbler does doesnt seem to really benefit anyone. Its all smoke and mirror with him. But thats ok. The Dems and Obama had their change and come Nov 2010 the Reps will take one if not both houses. Come Nov 2012 Obama is O-U-T OUT!!!
Hell even his most ardent supporters, the Hollywood elite, are turning on him.
Educator for Life
September 14th, 2010
9:37 am
Please, I do not belong to a party; I am not leftwing. It is childish for you to evern try to attack my ability to teach students. Simply come up to my college and sit in one of my mathematics classes and maybe you will learn how to interpret Statistics. Our National Deificit is not a year-to-year number. It is affected by the previous years. Only a statistically-ignorant person such as yourself will say that he has added more to the deficit tahn his predecessors combined. Hmmm, how did he do that? Please show me.
Dr NO
September 14th, 2010
9:42 am
“But as Heritage analyst Brian Riedl has pointed out, given that Obama has already helped quadruple the deficit with his stimulus package, pledging to halve it by 2013 is hardly ambitious. The Washington Post has a great graphic which helps put President Obama’s budget deficits in context of President Bush’s.
What’s driving Obama’s unprecedented massive deficits? Spending. Riedl details:
President Bush expanded the federal budget by a historic $700 billion through 2008. President Obama would add another $1 trillion.President Bush began a string of expensive financial bailouts. President Obama is accelerating that course.President Bush created a Medicare drug entitlement that will cost an estimated $800 billion in its first decade. President Obama has proposed a $634 billion down payment on a new government health care fund.President Bush increased federal education spending 58 percent faster than inflation. President Obama would double it.President Bush became the first President to spend 3 percent of GDP on federal antipoverty programs. President Obama has already increased this spending by 20 percent.President Bush tilted the income tax burden more toward upper-income taxpayers. President Obama would continue that trend.”
http:/sayanythingblog.com/entry/obamas_deficit_vs_bush_deficit/
Dr NO
September 14th, 2010
9:42 am
You may find the remainder yourself…good luck.
Educator for Life
September 14th, 2010
9:43 am
Since when did the Hollywood elite speak for everyone? They are not even affected by any decisions that Congress makes. So, they do need to go away. You keep mentioning republican, but the last 8 years was the reason we are in this mess. I am going to vote for the best (in my own judgment) person running for office. Parties cause people such as yourself to be blind. I guess you voted for Sonny and is happy with his term in office. I just hope a republican doesn’t tell you to harm yourself because I believe you would. I am not married to the democratic party.
Dr NO
September 14th, 2010
9:50 am
Yes, you’re welcome for the lessons and best of luck to those future statisticians of yours.
Educator for Life
September 14th, 2010
9:50 am
Check your sources. It is now fact that, when Obama walked into office, the deficit was at 1.3 trillion, not $700 million. You actually referenced a personal website made by a leftwing hater. This is too funny. Also, there was still 2.7 trillion in debt that hit the first month Obama was in office. So, the previous administration added 4 trillion. Next time, don’t send me to a bogus “Wikipedia” site where the information is not factual.
Proud Black Man
September 14th, 2010
9:50 am
@ Dr NO
His name is Obama.
Dr NO
September 14th, 2010
10:00 am
Sorry Ed…you are incorrect. OBumbler has added more to the deficit but we obviously are not gonna agree and that is fine.
On another note we now have “Hope” Soap circulating here at the office. LOL…too funny.
Best of luck to you and yours.
Educator for Life
September 14th, 2010
10:05 am
Best of luck to you too.
Proud Black Man
September 14th, 2010
10:40 am
Bush Deficit:
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1022-26.htm
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-500803_162-4486228-500803.html
http://alphajc.wordpress.com/2008/07/16/the-national-deficit-from-6-to-9-trillion-dollars-under-bush/
The list goes on but when did the rethuglicans let a little something like truth get in the way? To be fair and balanced here is a comparison of the Bush/Obama deficit compared:
http://blog.heritage.org/2009/03/24/bush-deficit-vs-obama-deficit-in-pictures/
Keep in mind that these numbers are from a far white, I mean right, organization. When discussing budgets we would do well to remember that quote by Samuel Clemons: “There are lies, damned lies, and statistics.” Obviously Dr Nads, I mean NO, never learned that.
OBAMA in 2012!!!
Dr NO
September 14th, 2010
12:17 pm
Chairman Obama is releasing a book. How special. Seems that is about the only thing he may be qualified for.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/09/14/obama.childrens.book/index.html
What a loser we have in the whitehouse. But thats ok as he will soon be receiving his eviction notice.
Proud Black Man
September 14th, 2010
1:30 pm
Just got through watching the speech with MY students and they ALL, black, white, Hispanic and Asian, enjoyed it. What did you do with your free time Dr NADS?
Parent
September 14th, 2010
2:04 pm
Good Speech. Great message for ALL students.
Dr NO
September 14th, 2010
3:06 pm
Parents please be sure to questions you children and teenagers regarding the speech today from the #1 goofball/failure. No doubt it was chock full of excuse making, blaming, lame information, brainwashing techniques and poison.
We must keep our children safe from this Manchurian Muslim until Nov 2012 when he is rightfully booted from the whitehouse.