Obama's Back to School message: "Study hard, set goals, get ahead"- Page 3

[Unknown User]

Posted: 9/4/09 at 11:58am

In my very Republican neck-of-the-woods, one district has announced that they WILL NOT be showing it to their children. Another district has said that it will be optional, with parents (or children, apparently) able to "opt out" of it. One local writer remarked that since his son was the "Chairman of the McCain mock campaign" at his middle school, he'd "of course" be skipping it. And while I am long out of school, I know local schools showed kids Bush's speeches following 9/11, usually as part of social studies classes. I can not imagine there was as much as a murmur. I was in high school during the Iran Hostage crisis and remember the school broadcasting the audio of one of Jimmy Carter's speeches over the school PA- perhaps after the failed rescue attempt? I can recall much ridicule of the president at the time, but no one even considered it was harmful to hear his address- even though he was up for reelection at the time.
Updated On: 9/4/09 at 11:58 AM

[Unknown User]

Posted: 9/4/09 at 1:01pm

Another district heard from: "We realize that some parents or students may not be comfortable watching a speech from the President should it be shown. As has been a long-standing procedure at District #, parents or students may opt to utilize an alternative education experience."

I am calling to ask why EXACTLY someone would not be comfortable watching the president urge kids to stay in school and study hard.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 9/4/09 at 1:03pm

I wonder if people students in England can opt out to watch the Queen speak? Just curious.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 9/4/09 at 1:11pm

Chris Stigall, Kansas City talk show host:

"...I wouldn't let my next-door-neighbor talk to my kid alone; I'm sure as hell not letting Barack Obama talk to him alone."

THIS is the frightening mindset that we're up against. The demonization of the President of the United States for daring to encourage personal responsiblility in education. To underscore the value of goals. Ambition. Achievement. That is threatening.

And of course, let's be clear here. These are outraged calls from disenfranchised white people.

Where's the recognition that in many urban areas, minority students have a 50% dropout rate. Where are these "ordinary white people" on the subject of education as a solution to problems?

What about the extraordinary value of this accomplished American success story addressing those children? Those sometimes hopeless kids who don't have an Obama or Sotomayor mom or dad?

They have decided that education itself is a threat. Along with a self-made black man with intellectual heft and power.

I fear for our President, I fear for us all.

Updated On: 9/4/09 at 01:11 PM

[bethnor]

Posted: 9/4/09 at 1:21pm

this is why i don't get the "liberals would do the exact same thing" argument.

in all my years of being brainwashed by the reagan administration, what i don't remember is any bally-hoo and hoopla about it.

[blueroses]

Posted: 9/4/09 at 1:22pm

"I am calling to ask why EXACTLY someone would not be comfortable watching the president urge kids to stay in school and study hard."

Seriously, right? WTF is the big deal? What parent wouldn't want their child hearing such a positive message?

[jasonf]

Posted: 9/4/09 at 2:32pm

My district handed us a flier during the opening days of school about the speech saying that since we have a half day we won't be in school then, but they're going to try to tape it so we can show it later.

Of course, I live in liberal NJ.

And honestly, had Bush (who didn't have the "cred" to give a speech about staying in school and studying hard) tried to give a similar speech, I don't think ANYONE would have said boo.

But Bush was too busy putting into place NCLB which effectively is the exact opposite of Obama's intended message...

[uncageg]

Posted: 9/4/09 at 3:08pm

"I am calling to ask why EXACTLY someone would not be comfortable watching the president urge kids to stay in school and study hard."

Sums it all up. My thoughts exactly.

[madbrian]

Posted: 9/4/09 at 4:06pm

Tim Pawlenty, often a voice of reason within the GOP, seems to be using this 'issue' to make points with the lunatic fringe.
T-Paw

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 9/4/09 at 4:39pm

I am calling to ask why EXACTLY someone would not be comfortable watching the president urge kids to stay in school and study hard.

They're worried the kids will become smart enough to figure out that their parents are wrong.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 9/4/09 at 5:07pm

Really, when it comes down to it in the end, the outrage is ridiculous, and the people outraged over those people who are outraged are equally ridiculous.

[blueroses]

Posted: 9/4/09 at 5:17pm

Studying is for the elite!

[Unknown User]

Posted: 9/4/09 at 6:30pm

Pawlenty has crossed over to the dark side.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 9/7/09 at 12:41pm

Text to Obama's commie-socialist-Nazi brainwashing speech:

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/09/07/obama-speech-to-school-children-you-make-your-own-future/

Updated On: 9/7/09 at 12:41 PM

[PalJoey]

Posted: 9/7/09 at 12:44pm

"...The story of America isn?t about people who quit when things got tough...."

Sarah Palin's head just exploded.

[StockardFan]

Posted: 9/7/09 at 1:19pm

I couldn't believe how many of the people I hung out with in Virginia this weekend were vehemently opposed to this. WTF?

[blueroses]

Posted: 9/7/09 at 1:32pm

Stockard, did they say why?

[StockardFan]

Posted: 9/7/09 at 1:38pm

Well I was at a college reunion so alot of the weekend is fuzzy. But basically they are all in Virginia and conservative as crap. I can't believe they are my friends, but what can I say. I love 'em anyway.

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 9/7/09 at 1:49pm

One of my ultra-conservative friends has been railing about this on her Facebook. I pointed out that there actually is a precedent for this type of speech (set by Reagan and Bush Sr.) and that the topic was merely a "stay in school" message.

This was her reply:
"I would also disagree with a Republican president doing the same thing as I agree with Josh politics should stay out of the classroom. I did not have children in school during the HW Bush and Regan administrations so that is not applicable. It is far more important for Matt and I and our extended family to be telling our children to stay in school, work hard, and go to college. I do not need the president (or any government official) taking any time out of the school day to repeat a message my child is already getting at home. I would not tell another parent they should not allow their child to watch because I respect the fact that it is a personal decision and I don't think it's too much to ask for that same respect."

Nevermind that she doesn't have kids in school now either. Her oldest is 4. They don't even go to daycare. She's a stay-at-home mom.

Updated On: 9/7/09 at 01:49 PM

[StockardFan]

Posted: 9/7/09 at 1:54pm

I don't know, but that made me laugh Colleen!

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 9/7/09 at 1:56pm

Did you call her out on that?

There is NOTHING political in that speech. NOTHING. It's nothing more than supportive and if anyone says that it?s wrong, THEY have a HUGE personal problem.

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 9/7/09 at 2:00pm

I didn't even bother. There were SO many ways to go on that reply but I've known her since I was 14 and she has always been a stubborn witch. It doesn't matter if I try and tell her the sky is blue, she'll argue just for the sake of being argumentative.

[Marianne2]

Posted: 9/7/09 at 2:03pm

This whole thing has gotten out of control and dumb. Whatever happened to just respecting the president on school grounds? I do remember writing a letter or drawing a picture or something for George HW Bush at school in first grade, and we got a little booklet thing back, and we were all excited about it. Nobody's parent called and complained.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 9/7/09 at 2:08pm

Perhaps Darwinism will finally take its toll on those who would rather believe than think.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 9/7/09 at 2:20pm

Actually, except for the references to Twitter and Facebook, that speech could have been lifted straight from a script for an episode or Father Knows Best or The Donna Reed Show.