Furor over US Presidential Talk in Schools

[BeccaAnn]

I'm curious what everyone might think about the US President televising a talk aimed at students next week.

Here's a link to Yahoo!'s announcement of the speech from yesterday: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/200909.../ynews_pl888_3

Here's a link to NPR story done today over it. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...47&ft=1&f=1003

IMO, I think parents and politicians are making a big fuss over nothing. So, the presidents wants to talk directly to the students about staying in school. This doesn't mean he is trying to brainwash students to his way of thinking. Maybe he thinks that students are too busy doing other things at night: work, sports, homework, sleeping, etc. and the best time to reach the students is when they are at school.
I think it is sad that one school can't show it because of lack of money.

[Laz116]

Originally Posted by BeccaAnn

I'm curious what everyone might think about the US President televising a talk aimed at students next week.

Here's a link to Yahoo!'s announcement of the speech from yesterday: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/200909.../ynews_pl888_3

Here's a link to NPR story done today over it. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...47&ft=1&f=1003

IMO, I think parents and politicians are making a big fuss over nothing. So, the presidents wants to talk directly to the students about staying in school. This doesn't mean he is trying to brainwash students to his way of thinking. Maybe he thinks that students are too busy doing other things at night: work, sports, homework, sleeping, etc. and the best time to reach the students is when they are at school.
I think it is sad that one school can't show it because of lack of money.

How dare he tell the kids that education is important. That is just blatant brainwash.

[vivaldirules]

This is really disturbing. Of course, school districts should decide whether to include Obama's speech in their students' day. But to hear politicians and pundits criticize the speech as an attempt at subterfuge, brainwashing, and spreading a socialist ideology is outrageous and uncalled for. It's just another example of the irrational political rancor in the U.S. which has become amazingly intense the past few years. I wonder how much longer before the violence begins.

[Laz116]

Originally Posted by vivaldirules

This is really disturbing. Of course, school districts should decide whether to include Obama's speech in their students' day. But to hear politicians and pundits criticize the speech as an attempt at subterfuge, brainwashing, and spreading a socialist ideology is outrageous and uncalled for. It's just another example of the irrational political rancor in the U.S. which has become amazingly intense the past few years. I wonder how much longer before the violence begins.

I totally agree. Although I don't really understand why there should be an outburst of violence. Sure, there is always the random loon. But in general I have difficulty seeing what Obama has done that calls for upset emotions or even violence.

To me he seems like an idealist in words but a pragmatist in actions. But maybe I'm underestimating the anti-Obama sentiment?

[PennyPie]

I was totally struck openmouthed aghast at the thought. That there should be 'parent backlash' (as NPR put it) over the idea that the leader of our land, whom we elected, would speak to our children in a nationally broadcast speech directed specifically at them. That parents so distrust our highest elected official ...afraid of 'brainwashing'...RIDICULOUS!!! (IMHO) Well, at least the brainwashing is being conducted under adult supervision -their teacher- with whom they can discuss it with afterwards as a class. (OK...I know...the parents probably don't trust the teachers either)
See, to me, this is just another example. Disrespect. A friend & I were talking the other day...'this younger generation'. When we were young, we would NEVER even think of 'sassing' any adult....Parent, teacher, neighbor, ANY adult. Just not done -period.

Now, adults not only tolerate 'sass' from children, many are afraid of youngsters.

Well, the disrespect we are showing for our President is certainly just another example we are showing to our children ...that it's OK to sass our elders ...to 'dis' anyone you feel like.

Regardless of your political leanings, it is NOT alright to 'dis' your president.

Political protest, freedom of speech, our rights as free people, blah, blah, blah, yeah, you have every right as Americans, blah, blah.... But, the action still sends a message of disrespect to those youngsters. I'm not political in any sense, and really don't care much about what goes on in Washington.

But I'm just talking about the common courtesy and proper decorum that at one time was the way people lived their lives...children included. It coarsens us all. It saddens me.

BTW..I'm 55, grew up in the 60's, did all the wild child things.

[HansTWN]

And to paint Obama as a socialist, lol! In Europe he would be considered to be on the far right!

[nomesque]

*chuckle* Man, all we (Aus) seem to hear from the US lately (news-wise) are paranoid rants. There're some sane people over there, right? Y'all seem pretty quiet atm

[HarryT]

It does seems a slightly odd thing to get worked up about. Surely the head of state of a country is "allowed" to talk to the people of that country if he wishes to do so?

[Greg Anos]

Originally Posted by HarryT

It does seems a slightly odd thing to get worked up about. Surely the head of state of a country is "allowed" to talk to the people of that country if he wishes to do so?

Certainly he does. However, does he have the right to demand that a group of people (in this case children) be forced to listen? That's a much more slippery slope.

As to the subterfuge claim, I'll like to ask all the following question.

If Ronald Reagan asked to do the same thing in 1983, would you be saying the same thing as you are saying now?

[Greg Anos]

Originally Posted by vivaldirules

This is really disturbing. Of course, school districts should decide whether to include Obama's speech in their students' day. But to hear politicians and pundits criticize the speech as an attempt at subterfuge, brainwashing, and spreading a socialist ideology is outrageous and uncalled for. It's just another example of the irrational political rancor in the U.S. which has become amazingly intense the past few years. I wonder how much longer before the violence begins.

1993?

[vivaldirules]

Demand??? And of course it would not have been wrong for past presidents (which happened, though I don't particularly recall) to do something similar. This is exactly the kind of ridiculousness I do not understand and cannot tolerate listening to.

Thread unsubscribed.

[jinlo]

While I do not wish to upset anyone further, I do think it's important to understand some of the points of view here.

Yes, there are people that dislike the president so much they will find fault with everything he does. Such was also the case with Bush. Often the problem with a two party system and with shows like crossfire and the like is that certain people will decide that their party of choice is always right and the other is always wrong.

Nothing is wrong with the president making a message for school age children to tell them to study hard, stay in school and reach their full potential. It is a commendable message.

On the other side, the US Department of Education offered lesson plans for children which included writing letters to themselves on how they can help the president. The also asked older school age children to read other Obama speeches and to contemplate questions on how will Obama inspire us. This was not done well, and they even admitted as much when they changed the focus of the letters.

Now, the president can and should be commended on trying to reach children and give them a message to work hard. Parents, however, have every right to be concerned when there is additional material that goes beyond that message.

As always, there are two sides to every story and the truth can often be found somewhere in the middle.

[zelda_pinwheel]

it seems to me that any president addressing school children directly to encourage them to take their education seriously is a good thing and indicates laudable priorities on the part of that administration.

interestingly, there is a "related" link at the bottom of the npr article to an article called "Would you want your kid to watch or skip the president's address?" and one of the comments on that article says this (particularly relevant passage in bold, emphasis mine. sorry, the comment is rather long, but i thought it was interesting enough to post the whole thing) :

K. Phelps (her) wrote:
This is the letter I sent last night to the Plano, TX ISD:

Yesterday I read a headline that some schools were debating whether or not to air President Obama's speech to students next Tuesday. Amused at the ridiculousness of the notion, I read on to learn that my own children's school district would not be airing the speech, instead choosing to make it available for viewing on the child's own time if they so choose. I moved to Plano three years ago so that my children could take advantage of the prestigious Plano Independent School District. Sadly, this decision does not offer evidence to support PISD's reputation.

As a child I recall seeing countless videos of Nancy Reagan, often with President Reagan beside her, encouraging us to just say no to drugs. An administration later, my classmates and I sat through videos of President George H. W. Bush encouraging us to engage in physical fitness. When a President wanted to reach out to the American children they addressed us in the classroom and we listened. Throughout the day I have asked friends in other generations if they recalled hearing the President's speeches while in school. Each friend recalled a different instance of this, many from as far back as speeches by President Kennedy via radios in the classroom. These opportunities, though few and far in between, provided us civic lessons that could not be attained from a book. They allowed us to feel like we were part of the bigger process of government. They made us feel like we mattered, and that our country's leader cared about us. They instilled in us a respect for the political process and more importantly, a respect for the Office of President of the United States. It taught us that when the President speaks, as citizens it is our duty to listen. Disagreeing about what was said comes later, if a parent feels it is necessary.

What concerns me most about this decision is that it politicizes our children. I do not doubt this decision was made in an effort to avoid that. However, that is precisely what it does. Certainly you realize there is controversy over saying the Pledge of Allegiance in schools, particularly two words which were added in the 1950's. Yet, as a society the decision was made that the act was important. The benefits of teaching children the Pledge and to respect and take pride in their country outweighed the opinion of some extremists who want it eliminated. And for those families who have religious or other valid reasons for their child to abstain from saying the Pledge, alternatives are made. That is cooperation. That is respecting the individual child's needs while also fulfilling the generalized needs of the majority of students. Despite the heated debates, that seems rather simple, doesn't it? Why did such a logical solution slip away this time?

Instead, the loud, irrational voices of extremism have concerned some parents. Instead of responding with reason and allowing the children of concerned parents to have an alternate activity available, the decision has been made to not air this speech in the classroom at all. Our children are made pawns in the extremists' game of hysteria and propaganda. (Ironic since that is what many extremists say this speech is about.) That is disgusting. Our children deserve better than this message they are being sent. The PISD is saying through this decision that it is better to placate the few than to take a stand for what is right. That cowardice is more important than listening to a speech. That the Office of President of the United States is not important, nor is any message he or she may want to convey. This is not about party politics. It has always been considered that our children are above party politics and that is how it should stay!

I am begging you to rethink this decision and the message that you are sending. I am begging you to think about the precedent it sets, particularly compared to the invaluable lessons which arose from previous administrations reaching out to the children of the United States. The consequences of this decision are far more reaching than President Obama's administration. If the decision still stands, I will have to consider having my children stay home on September 8th, so that I can provide what their schools cannot. Rest assured as well that if this decision stands I will do everything in my power to ensure that our children never again fall prey to such kowtowing. I will become even more involved in the system which I love, including looking into legal outlets and unseating board members during the next election cycle. Our children deserve better than this nonsense.

[Sparrow]

I'd have more concerns about our kids being made to make a 'pledge of allegiance' every day, than I would about our prime minister boring them to tears.

[Greg Anos]

Originally Posted by zelda_pinwheel

it seems to me that any president addressing school children directly to encourage them to take their education seriously is a good thing and indicates laudable priorities on the part of that administration.

interestingly, there is a "related" link at the bottom of the npr article to an article called "Would you want your kid to watch or skip the president's address?" and one of the comments on that article says this (particularly relevant passage in bold, emphasis mine. sorry, the comment is rather long, but i thought it was interesting enough to post the whole thing) :

Gee. So that's where my tax dollars are going.....

(Ralph and Red pay Plano ISD school taxes.....)