I know, I know, two posts today! I’m thinking if I post again today, you’ll let me off the hook for Monday, right? It IS a holiday, even if it’s one that I have no idea what it means! Really, though, this is a current issue, and not one that everyone cares about. If you don’t, skip it, and enjoy some football down below!
If you follow politics (or listen to any of a number of talk show hosts), you probably have heard the controversy of Obama’s speech tomorrow to school children. To be honest, I’m quite surprised at the outrage over this matter.
This is what the White House is saying about it:
“The President has spoken often about the responsibility parents have for their children and their education, but in this message he’ll urge students to take personal responsibility for their own education, to set goals, and to not only stay in school but make the most of it.”
While a speech admonishing parents that it is their responsibility to educate their children is probably more in order, I think this is something that children and teens in particular need to hear. From what we know thus far, I don’t see/hear anything political about it (though a transcript will be released Monday, and I might join the detractors then based on what I read).
My surprise really comes from the response’s quickness to jump on this as a problem. I see nothing inherently wrong with the president addressing an encouraging, challenging message to students. He’s not doing it behind parents’ backs…he’s releasing a transcript prior to so that parents can choose to talk to their children about it or have them exempted from the speech. He appears not to be foisting his partisan agenda on the students, unless challenging oneself and taking advantage of educational opportunities is considered a political viewpoint.
On this issue, Vicki and I had a bit of a Twitter discussion, as followed. I’m sorry if at times it’s not quite sequential as most conversations of this sort often aren’t. In the interest of full disclosure, Vicki and I share many of the same political view points.
Ronnica: Yeah, Rep. want more dropouts. (?) RT @La_Shawn Hadn’t realized Obama’s gov’t school speech was so controversial…http://tinyurl.com/mn436y
Vicki: Concerned parents don’t want more drop outs. We don’t want the invasiveness of Socialism either, that’s why he scares us.
Ronnica: I agree with concerns about prez, but not this address yet. Once we see the transcript Monday, then we can judge.
Ronnica: Basically, I don’t think Obama is the enemy. *shock*
Vicki: Why would that be a shock?
Ronnica: It just seems that so much of what comes out of other conservatives mouths is vilification of those who they don’t agree with.
Vicki: You’re right but why is that not acceptible if what we have found out seems villainous to us? When can we speak our minds without reproof? We’re no louder or more obnoxious than those on the left vilifying what they don’t agree with.
Ronnica: I have no problem w/ppl saying, well, anything. I just think that the enemy is Satan and sin (and Dems aren’t the only sinners).
Vicki: To me his ideals go against my ideas of Christianity, of life, of liberty and of pursuit of happiness. I will speak against that.
Ronnica: I just find it surprising that some conservatives don’t even want their children to hear Obama, period.
Ronnica: Totally, I will/do, too. But I don’t disagree with everything he says, and he’s still the president, regardless.
Ronnica: And I guess I get more frustrated with ppl on “my” side acting like this than those I disagree with.
Vicki: I will let my daughter here him when I am there to guide and “interpret”. Kids @ school don’t have that. And it’s more than that. It’s a political/social message saying we understand where you’re coming from and we’re not going to sit idly by. (sorry for spelling errors, I’m dealing w/ many things…kids…at once) :)
Ronnica: That’s def. a big plus w/homeschooling (parents need to be more involved in their child’s ed when it’s not the prez speaking).
Ronnica: LOL kids: isn’t that what this is about? I’ll have more to say when transcript is released. Might blog this conv, if that’s ok.
Vicki: Yes, he’s the president and we are to respect that office, but I’m fine with being angry and honest. And protective.
Vicki: I know this is God’s will. My hope is that it’s bringing us closer to His Kingdom.
So, what do you think? If you’re a parent, will you let your children watch this broadcast? Are you going to read the transcript and then decide? Will you discuss this with your children/youth?
First of all, I completely applaud you for writing about topics that may be uncomfortable and convtroversial for many people. Secondly, I think it would be a mistake for parents NOT to allow their children (that are of an age of understanding) to watch/hear Obama’s speech….even if they disagree with it. In this world, I think it’s important to be exposed to the bad, or what a parent may consider bad, in a controlled environment (not that I”m saying Obama’s speech will be bad or that I disagree with it) so that they are able to discuss it with their child, talk about why it’s bad, and so that the child will not be unaware and maybe even blindsided by the bad when they leave the home.
I feel like, according to what I’ve read thus far, the speech is a good encouragement to students AND parents. I think Americans take for granted the access to education they have. Many other countries don’t have the educational advantages that we have in the U.S. And students in countries who do have good educational opportunities seem to understand how important it is and how priveleged they are to have such opportunities. Unfortunately, these days, many parents took their OWN education for granted and can’t instill very well the importance and value of it to their children.
As far as conservatives and liberals. I think the comment Ronnica made, “It just seems that so much of what comes out of other conservatives mouths is vilification of those who they don’t agree with” is very important. Conservatives and Liberals alike tend to villify one another…especially in the church. One person is wrong and the other is right. This is true for some basic doctrines of faith and laws of society, but I aside from that, I think there is a lot of leeway on what is correct and what is not.
Ok, sorry that was long. I’m off my soapbox now :-)
Here’s an article about what is concerning to some. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/09/02/critics-decry-obamas-lesson-plan-students/?loomia_ow=t0:s0:a16:g2:r3:c0.122010:b27517150:z0
That’s a long address. Hope it works!
I honestly do not understand what all the hoopla is about, so I am not going to say anything until I read/hear his speech. That said, I do believe that many people are over-reacting. I highly doubt it is going to turn out to be a brain-washing scene like out of the “Left Behind” books. I prefer to give him the benefit of the doubt and believe that he truly is just going to give a “Back-to-School…school is cool”…kind of speech.
So yeah, I would let Emma listen to it, and then discuss it at home later on.
This is a HOT TOPIC at our house. The school sent a letter and a permission slip for the kids to take part in watching the speech and the subsequent lesson (given per the teacher’s discression – I am more concerned with the phrase “Per the teacher’s discression”). I think that has MAJOR historical significance… the fact that a public school feels it necessary to get permission from the parents for kids to listen to a speech made by the President of the United States of America. Just WOW.
My kids will be attending. Yes, we will watch the video first, but we… OK, I made the decision that they should be allowed to watch it before I even knew that we could watch it first. I have also reminded the kids what values WE, their parents, have. I told them that they have to take the words of any man… ANY MAN… and weigh them against their own values. It really gave us the opportunity to TALK.
How can we ask them to form their own opinion if we shield them from what is said?
I’ll say it again, this is history being made. My kids were in on something historical.
Is it discretion? For the love of Pete, WHY can’t there be spellcheck in comments?
Elizabeth: Thanks. I really do like discussing these issues. For the most part, it’s usually an idea that’s the problem, not the person speaking it. Yet we make it all about the person and spew hate speech at them.
Vicki: I have heard the concerns with those lessons, but they’ve been addressed (well, mine anyway). Particularly the one about writing a letter about how they can help the president…I do believe they meant how they can help the president in his goal of getting more kids trying harder at school. Whatever the original intent, it’s been changed to “Write letters to themselves about how they can achieve their short‐term and long‐term education goals.” Other than that, I didn’t have a problem with the curriculum…it encourages students to think through school…it’s not just a place they have to go.
Jacki: I agree. I wonder if he knew what a hubbub this would create if he would have even done this?
Jennifer: I know, that blows my mind! If they were showing a speech by a terrorist, I would understand this reaction…maybe. I’m afraid that students are going to take away from this not the lesson to be learned about valuing their opportunities for education, but the fact that real grown-ups argue, yell, call names, about every issue.
Sounds like you’re handling this as you aught, as any parent should. Really, shouldn’t parents take this kind of concern about every book their child reads and every video they watch?
You should use Chrome…it has an automatic spellchecker, even in the comments!
I am having my daughter Opt out of the speech. Although I believe the speech will be innocuous and generic, my biggest problem was the follow up materials that the Department of Education put together for the teachers and kids to discuss afterwards.
Questions like: How does the President inspire you? What can you do to help the President? Why is it important to listen to the President?
There was such an uproar about these questions that they have re-worded some of them. These were all about Obama and nothing about them and schooling.
The initial wording of these questions showed me the true intent of this administration. It may be a big rah rah stay in school speech. But this may just be the beginning. He may decide to do more speeches if we all roll over and play dead. Maybe at the end of the year it will be a push for government community service during the summer.
Who doesn’t want kids to stay in school. Of course the President wants that.
I think he should just do the speech and post it on Youtube and let them go watch it there. Not have it during the day when the parents are not present to watch with their children.
I’ll watch it with my daughter when she gets home.
♥ Joy
I saw you mentioned Chrom. I downloaded it, but could not figure out what to do with it.
It all depends on what is said. Would these same people make a fuss if Reagan did this? I doubt it. However, he needs to leave any and all politics out of anything he says. Encourage the kids to do their best, tell them that it takes dedication and hard work to succeed. Tell them that education is important and that they are responsible for how well they turn out… that their teachers can teach until they are blue in the face but if the student isn’t willing to work then there is no value in the teaching.
If he utters anything about health care, taxes, cash for clunkers etc then I will be livid.. but if he keeps it to encouraging the kids to learn and work hard to get ahead I’m all for it.
Hmmmmmmmm… now the shoe is on the other foot.
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2009/09/03/flashback-1991-gephardt-called-bushs-speech-students-paid-political-a
As a high school teacher in a high-needs district, I struggle daily with motivating my students to WANT to do well in school. These students admire Obama for reasons that I do not necessarily agree with, but I know that they will listen to him more than they will listen to me, a white woman from a different background. If he wants to talk to them about staying in school and the value of an education, I am all for that. Also, there are fewer and fewer voters between the ages of 18 and 30 in this country and whatever your feelings towards this man, he does encourage civic participation in a very undermotivated and underpoliticized segment of the population. In addition, whether you like the President or not, God commands that we give him respect as the leader of this country. He is in that office for a reason, and the venemous hatred that some people have for this man is not Christ-like.
I honestly don’t understand what the big deal is and had no idea that this was becoming a point of contention until my school emailed us to let us know. Lots of presidents have directly addressed students and it was no big deal. They talked about the same exact topic too….stay in school, be successful, etc. The only difference in this case is the man who is giving the speech, which frankly, seems a bit hypocritical.
Also, in regards to the commenter who stated that she objected to the questions that were given by her district, please understand that the questions were designed and issued by the district, not the government of the United States.
I have no objection to the president speaking to school children. He is in a position to encourage and motivate students, which is definitely needed.
However, I did have serious reservations about the original curriculum produced by the Department of Education. Although the intent may have been to ask how children can help the president encourage students to stay in school, that is not how the questions were worded. Several of them could be interpreted as how could children help the president accomplish HIS goals, not theirs. Questions like “why should we listen to the president” have an innocuous answer, i.e., “because he is our elected president and represents our entire country.” They could also have a more sinister interpretation: “because he knows best,” “because the people elected him to do what he wants,” etc. Children are impressionable, and many children could have thought that those questions meant they were supposed to believe and agree with everything the president says or does.
The Department of Education has backed off and revised the questions so I’m not so concerned. However, I would prefer that the students hear the speech and discuss it with their parents rather than write about it in class. That’s just a tad too close to being political for my tastes, and I would say the same thing regardless of who the president was.
Basically, the problem is this: People hate President Obama. It’s that simple. He orders the wrong kind of mustard, he likes the wrong dogs, and he has never done anything right in his entire life.
In 1991, President Bush gave a similar address to school kids. This was not a huge controversy. A few Democrats tried to make one, but it didn’t really fly. Sadly, this time it is flying — supported mostly by Christians. (Who can’t really fly, but I’m not going to bother fixing my metaphor.)
Christy, you can go to the Dept. of Education website. That is where the questions came from not our local district. Like I said they have reworded some of the questions since they first appeared.
Wickle: The speech President Bush gave was about being drug free.
I do not hate President Obama. I respect him as our President. I admire him and all his accomplishments. He has a true love for his wife and family and is a great role model in that regard. But I will not stand by and be called a hater. I do have a problem with his view of the direction of our country. Quite a few of the things he is proposing for our country will fundamentally change it. His idea of government run health care. I agree we need to see changes in that area, but not that drastic. Cap and Trade, late term abortion, huge deficits, high taxes and many other issues are what worries me.
I don’t understand this mentality that belives everyone that disagrees with Obama’s policies are Hater. That is a lie that is being promoted by the media. Let’s think for ourselves. Hillary Clinton had a similar stance as Obama’s in some of these cases. If she were our President I would be saying and doing the same things.
i don’t think the issue is necessarily the speech (though a rep. would NEVER be allowed to do such a thing) it’s more of the after the speech part that is worrisome. like create a banner of obama or how can we help obama. it’s intrusive and seems slightly like trying to “win” the children.
Here’s an article that makes some good points about why parents should be concerned: http://townhall.com/columnists/KenKlukowski/2009/09/05/controlling_childrens_minds
I think people need to get a grip.
I am most saddened that this is being done through school and not in the home. The breakdown of the home and family, parents abdicating their God-given responsibility (whether they see it that way or not) to the schools and the government…why is a president doing what we as families should be doing? That is what is more concerning to me.
The majority of the president’s decisions and actions so far have terrified me. And I’m further terrified that so many other Americans are just accepting these decisions without questioning the long-term value and consequences of such.
And I’m really terrified about the label that comes with not loving every single move this man makes — labels like ‘racist’ and ‘hater’.
I would have the same concerns and fears about these decisions by anybody in that position – no matter their political affiliation, color of skin, family make-up, or age. It is truly offensive that the ‘racist’ label is thrown about for simply disagreeing with someone.
I see so many people praising and lauding these stupid decisions in such a way that it brings to mind the way so many people in the past were persuaded to do very wrong and horrible things to other people – because their minds were slowly and carefully turned by obeying and following a wrongful leader.
I don’t have children, but what I don’t like about this live presentation to the school children is… okay, we do this once, he releases a transcript prior to the event – everything goes okay. The he wants to do it a second time… same thing… uneventful. Again, and again – and now it’s derigeur. Slowly, he eases into a message of not just listening to, but following the president… serving… the president. And those who listened at first, grow accoustomed to his message – and as it starts to adulterate, they don’t notice. Until the message is strong and forceful and impossible to ignore. Until we find young people blindly doing what they’re told – even though years before anyone would have found these actions deplorable… but because the whole country is indoctrinated, no one is wise enough to stand up and declare the autrocity.
Sound familiar?
Okay – some people are going to say that I’m nuts. But remember, Obama has always been connected to people and organizations with deplorable ethics… and he hid behind the excuse of not realizing the message of the people he saw as advisors until the impact of those choices were mete out on the campaign trail. Only then did he disconnect from them.
And what does that tell you? That he doesn’t know right from wrong? Or that he will follow wrong until his popularity is at risk?
This man rides a cult of personality – and Americans who cannot see that – terrify me.
I leave you with this thought to ponder from Jen at Conversion Diary:
“If were a 31-year-old woman with three little kids in a busy house in Germany 1941, would I have fully understood the evil that surrounded me? As a woman living in 2008 I can see the horror that was going on there, but at the time there were some awfully sleek lies being told about the situation; it would have been really, really convenient to let myself be persuaded by the lies and just make the nasty little problem go away by telling myself that it wasn’t really a problem at all?”
Read the whole post here: http://www.conversiondiary.com/2008/11/how-would-you-know.html
sorry for the long post
I think the Rush Limbaugh-heads are sunk in a morass of their own making. First they try to scare the seniors over health care, then they send the crazies out to raise hell at town meetings and now they’re back to trying to besmirch Obama. The sign of a group of idiots who have no real agenda. So, do you want me to tell you what I really think? I’d watch the speech myself, but my classroom TV doesn’t work…the result of the economic policies of the previous idiot who resided at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. in DC…
Why do you assume that we are Rush Limbaugh-heads? Need I remind you that the majority of Americans are still conservative. That doesn’t mean we all listen to Rush Limbaugh and are brain washed. Your statement insinuates that I cannot think for myself. I do NOT listen to Rush and yet I still came up with my beliefs and opinions, all on my own. Should I call you, and all liberals, KOS heads? Carville heads? CNN heads?
We’re not trying to SCARE anyone. We’re trying to shed light on what we believe are lies. And if you’re going to call the passionate people who speak out at town hall meetings crazies, then what will you call the passionate people who throw paint on fur wearers? The people who set fire to car dealerships? We’re only practicing freedom of speech; we’re not delving into actually crazy, illegal actions.
These aren’t signs of idiots and that just shows that you have no better argument. We do have a real agenda: to keep America nonSocialist, to keep the ideals that we have cherished for generations, to keep America a free Republic following the lines of the Constitution. Don’t EVEN begin to say that we do not have an agenda. Do you deny our own opinions that we feel these ideals are slipping away?
And your tv really doesn’t work because of Bush and his policies? American classrooms receive the most amount of money per student in all the world and that cannot buy a tv? Sounds like an issue somewhere other than a presidential administration.
Your anger is based on the fact that you do not like the conservative viewpoint. And we, as conservatives, have not been this loud in voicing our displeasure in a long time. Of course that makes you angry. But the left has been loud and obnoxious for years. I’d say, get used to it, and find better arguments to plead your case.
I really don’t understand what the problem is. You pay through taxes for schooling, which means the government owns the school, which means they can decide anything they want. If the president wants to talk to children through the schooling the government is running, then you really shouldn’t have anything to say about it, if you do homeschool them or find another alternative to public schooling.
The speech transcript is now available:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/MediaResources/PreparedSchoolRemarks/
Joy: The lesson plans were changed, and are optional. I think that they encourage the students to think critically about the speech and the presidency, which should be encouraged.
Christy: Exactly. A good friend works in a school similar to yours, and I was saddened to hear that the principal decided not to show the speech because of too much parental pressure. Her students NEED to see this message, especially from someone many of them admire. My hope for them now is that the forbidden is too enticing and they’ll seek it out for themselves.
Lillie: I’m glad that the curriculum (where used) encourages the students to think critically through the issues. There’s no reason they can’t think through it at home AND at school (I definitely think it should be happening at home, and not just because it’s the president).
Cheryl: True, but then it’s not as likely to be seen by the students who most need to hear it: those with no/little parental support. Are you going to watch it with your girls?
TRS: I wouldn’t go so far as to say that the president’s actions have “terrified” me, but I haven’t been happy with most of what he’s done. This, however, I agree with. The argument you use against this is a false one: the slippery slope argument. I critically evaluated this speech and this situation. The next time (if there’s a next time), I’ll do the same. Again and again (if that were really true). I don’t believe that we’ll suddenly lose our critical reasoning skills 6 months from now or whatever.
Melissa: I’m curious why you think that President Bush broke your TV. I guess I haven’t read that story on your blog. Also, I believe that respect should be given to presidents, past and present. For that matter, I think all humans deserve respect and don’t deserve being called names.
Sean: LOCAL government runs/manages schools. They are separate entities than the federal government. We the people fund the government and control what they do. Every taxpayer, who has a child in public school or not, has the right to have an opinion and a say in how schools are run.
I see your point, Ronnica. But my point is still the same–that I am saddened by the fact that parents are abdicating their responsibilities. Parenting is not for cowards, and it is hard work. Parents in this country need to take back their authority!
I did not watch it today with my girls because we were enjoying a read-aloud over the lunch table (I was thinking it was airing at noon but I could be wrong). I can tell you if it was Mike Huckabee doing the same speech, I would not have made an extra effort to show it to my girls (just so you know for me it is not necessarily a political party issue). Because in our family, it is not important that the President thinks they need to stick with school for the long haul. Presidents will come and go, some will be okay and some will stink–nevertheless, our girls see living proof everyday of why education is important to them and why they should care about their own lives. If our kids were in public school and I knew that (the transcript I read) is what he was going to say, I would likely not object. However, I have the pleasure of brainwashing my own kids all day long (hahaha).
I am having a hard time with folks that cannot believe parents would have the audacity to want to know who or what is influencing their kids each day…wondering what are they reading, hearing, etc. What is wrong (not directing this right at you) with a parent being responsible for their kids and making sure it is either A) something that aligns with what they value, or (B) just knowing what is said so they can talk about it with their own kids at home according to their own views? Wake up America…it is called being a *parent*.
I did have to laugh, however, at one of your previous comments because in all honesty I do not believe kids today are being taught to think critically, to think on their own, without someone else’s bias. Not across the board. But they are not called government schools for nothing. ;o)
And lest anyone think I am a terrible citizen of the US, I do teach my girls to respect the President and any other person in authority over them whether they personally respect, agree with, like, etc. him or not. That is a lesson that will serve them well through their whole lives (while they are under our roof, when they have a boss they cannot stand, when their husbands act like doofs–because we are all human and eventually do act that way)–no matter what, they are to show respect. That is just part of basic human decency…something that I think was severely lacking when George W. Bush was our President, and it continues with the current presidency. That is when I really started to see who had home training and who did not.
Cheryl: I do think that a charge to the parents is needed. If only it WAS Mike Huckabee that was doing the speech! I was curious…I don’t actually think that your daughters NEED to hear this lesson. I know what they’re hearing from their parents. I guess what intrigues me the most about this whole thing is that some parents are throwing a fit about this…I wonder if they pay this kind of attention to everything that there child sees/hears/reads? They should!
And no, kids by and large are not taught to think critically. But the questions that people were objecting to the most were along those lines.
Friend, you are so right! There are so many worse things going on in schools than President Obama giving an encouraging speech!
I have a few issues with it.
#1 it takes away from regular education time. I have a senior in a dual enrollement college class and don’t appreciate time taken away from those studies. That GPA will follow her all through college and I would like her to have all classes be focused on what I signed her up and PAID FOR!
#2 we, as parents, were NOT even informed that this speech would take place nor that there would be an opt out. If I hadn’t called to ask if they were showing it I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to make the choice with my child in regards to viewing it or not…. Read More
#3 The speech may be harmless but the “curriculum” surrounding it is not. That’s my opinion, and I respect that not everyone agrees with me.
#4 Even the white house changed some of the wording because it made their agenda too obvious.
#5 I teach by example and my children are fully aware that education is crucial and a life-long thing. I do not need someone that has values vastly different from my own teaching my children anything.
#6 It was a great day to spend with my kids discussing things we feel are important w/o biased teachers standing in the way.
#7 I don’t feel that my child will be treated fairly if he offers a differing opinion during the “activities” following the speech. This is a true issue from elementary school thorugh college classes.
#8 It was my personal “statement” if you will…that I disagreed with it and that my child will not be participating in school days that have non-curriculum based material offered, especially if I feel it isn’t harmless and if I wasn’t informed. Of course that only works if I stay on top of things and ask questions to make sure I stay aware of what is going on at the school.
Speaking of whether parents are this involved on all matters of their childs education…YES THEY SHOULD BE! I actually go to a LOT of trouble to send my kids, not to the closest public school, but to a charter school I felt shared my values and beliefs and would therefore not be teaching my children anything contrary to that. Their school did NOT show the speech and I only wish there was an elementary school like that for my younger ones!
My oldest transferred to a diff school so I kept her home yesterday.
Rhonda: Obviously, I think that it’s your right as a parent to decide to exclude your children from this (or any) activity. However, I think that there are so many things that go on in schools that aren’t curriculum-based, some good, some bad. I don’t understand why parents would be informed for this…it’s nothing personal, political, or obscene. And perhaps the White House changed the curriculum because it was poorly worded or that they realized their errors…people make mistakes!
Within 7-8 months of this adminstration we now have a government sponsored banking industry, government sponsored mortgage industry, government sponsored auto industry – and Obama wants to institute his government sponsored health care in just two weeks from now!!!! Rather than spend the better part of his administration determining the very best plan for healthcare for the American people he wants to just get ‘er done!
THAT. is. terrifying.
If all his decisions go at this similar warp speed – we’ll be high step marching by 2011.