Obama's Speech to our Children on Tuesday!

i know a few schools around me are not taking part of the speech

Hmmm..I don't like Obama...but as a teacher, I am hoping this is simply an innocent attempt to motivate kids educationally....Every child should be encouraged to think critically...because every day is open season between media, teachers, and others they encounter...it is critical that students are able to discern fact versus fiction as well as form their own opinions....It is optional in our school...if I decide for sure to show it in my classroom...kids will be given an option to go somewhere else without any kind of penalty..etc.....We shall see...but I am actually reserving judgement THIS TIME...and that isn't usually the case with myself and President Obama!

That's what I hoped but I don't trust him.

You don't trust him?

So you haven't been able to "indoctrinate" this child in your care, but Obama's speech will totally turn this girl into what? Someone who might disagree with your point of view?

Get over yourself. You don't own that child's mind. For her to develop critical thinking skills, she would have to be able to hear all sides of an issue or all points of view. You sound a bit upset that she already doesn't take your word as gospel.

It's up to the PARENTS to instil value of education, not the POTUS! Does he think we are all stupid and that there's not an ulterior motive? Classroom assignments too? JUST KEEP YOUR CHILD HOME! That is less fuss and then your child will not have to deal with what happens at school. What if their teacher makes fun of their not listening? It could even be subtle, like the message coming their way.

So much for "United We Stand"

Do you have a link to this speech? I can't imagine what could be so awful in an Obama view that children should be shielded.

I'd like to know about the speech too. I think I heard something about it this morning but I wasn't paying attention. Maybe a short explanation would help me.

It's the total package - the idea he wants to be their "savior" and lead them. It's the mandatory classwork that goes along with it.
Oh, just like the Patriot Act - and dozens of other bills - sounds harmless on the surfact...

"the total package", uh-huh. I guess we know what that means.

I am glad that my "kids" are 25 and 27 and can think for themselves and are not easily impressed!

Never heard about it.

What age group is targeted? I think it's amazing that schools would ban it. Were there notes sent out to give permission for the kids to watch?
I think that elementary is to young to sit through any speech.
I don't have school age kids, so I don't know what this school is doing.
Just out of curiousity, I would want to see it for myself.

political speeches bore me to death. They don't answer anything, just gives us the run around.

Apparently some people are afraid Obama is so powerful that listening to one of his speeches will result in their children being indoctrinated for life!. Sounds to me like they, not his supporters, are the ones investing him with superhuman powers.

Wow - Talk about paranoia! He's going to welcome the kids back to school & talk to them about staying in school, etc. Indoctrination? Hah!

No, Jim, he's going to tell kids to reach into mommy's purse and send the green paper to Uncle Milty.

I am so sick of this guy, I'd like one day where we don't have to see him up there pontificating, day in, and day out about how America needs fixing - Bleh! Bla bla bla bla bla!

He has to talk to the kids, because the adults are sick of him already, and don't believe a word he says, by now, Right or Left. . . . .

If you're a teacher (which I SERIOUSLY doubt), I'm intensely grateful that you have no access to my grandson.

You're comment doesn't make sense, Dummy! If I am teacher.? DuH! Dummy

And you still claim to be a teacher? You shouldn't be anywhere near children or impressionable adults.

LOL

Oh no Sandy, she is retired. Heck, she must have been a strange teacher though, because she cant even make up her mind if her daughter is in school or she pulled her out. (she forgets her daughters age sometimes also)

and she must be a great teacher...her daughter and her use to spell the same words wrong....but I am the nut.

I hope that means there was never a daughter around. Many of us were horrified to think she really humiliated that girl in public.

Who knows...but she "deleted" her daughters account the moment I brought it to others attention.

(people keep forgetting that old posts and comments can be read)

No one was even speaking of her child...we were commenting on Carol herself. She use to be a teacher she claims, from a college professor to teens....she keeps changing her mind on when she taught, when she retired, that she still works...and so on and so forth.
I have a mentally disabled child, who graduated with honors and with a college credit to his name...and is now thinking of joining the military.

Carol says her daughter is super smart, then the next day her daughter ha the intelligence of a 3-4 yr old. So sorry, we have a problem with her and lies we keep catching, it isn't just one person catching lies it is quite a few people.

The speech will be released monday, the day before he delivers it. Read it first, then make your decision. Do not let fear mongering make your decision. Also give your children enough credit to make up their own minds. The example being set know is one of paranoia and I think more harm is being done to the country then his speech will.

If after hearing the speech, explain to your children why you disagree or agree. Don't play Chicken Little.

Well put!

I understand you don't care for the current President and that is so much your right but I agree that I think you are giving him too much power by believing that just having him give a speech to children will indoctrinate them against their own parents beliefs. But I mean really shouldn't we be encouraging children to think on their own and no matter how much they may not respect one's opinon at least respecting them as a person?

I mean really what is the big deal?

I haven't heard the speech!

No one has heard the speech. He didin't give it yet.

Carol "Chicken Little" thinks that critical thinking is just that, critical. Unfortunately this is another of her delusions.

I think we've all heard the speech a hundred times by now!

Our school district will not be showing it to the kids because it will cross over into lunch period for some of the kids (the kindergartners at our school have lunch at 10:30 and since each grade level has lunch at it's own time, the lunch period extends until 1:00)... So anyway, they published a statement that they were not going to break up the kids' normal routine for the speech, but would post a video of it on the district's website so the parents can watch it WITH their kids if they wanted to.

Did I mention I LOVE our school district? They love to keep us parents involved from the get go and take every opportunity they can to support our authority to decide whether or not our children participate in various activities. They are pro-parents and I LOVE that!

Heidi, that sounds like a reasonable alternative. I'm all for breaking up routine though, but at least they are willing to make it available.

"the kindergartners at our school have lunch at 10:30"

Anybody remember the hell Al Gore went through for suggesting students ate lunch this early?

No, I don't remember that. It does seem early, but I like that the lunch times are by grade only so my 5 year old doesn't have to worry about being in the cafeteria with 5th graders. That's a big age gap for someone just starting school! Anyway, my son eats breakfast at 6:45, so he is hungry for lunch that early! They also get an afternoon snack at 1:30 to tied them over until school lets out... Anyway...

being that the subject has to do with kiddos...I find the personal attacks a little childish and a whole lot funny.

gee I hope a thumb doesnt get bit off here

:::eats popcorn...watches::::

Can I have some? Hides hands ~

Why is everyone afraid that their children are being motivated to become educated? Is there a problem with being smart ... or do we want to stay stupid?

There sure as hell IS a lot to be fixed in this country. Take a look around. The high school drop out rates are sky high. Do you applaud that? Don't want you kids to be educated and you are afraid that Obama is "indoctrinating" our kids. Well, sounds more like you guys are indoctrinating your own kids. Sure, keep them out of school. That's the answer. Don't teach them to think -- critically, independently, or at all. Just teach them to think YOUR thoughts and hold them back from thinking THEIR OWN thoughts. THAT's something where the country can count on become just a bunch of little robots who squirt back their parents answers for questions they are asked ... the very foundation to build a generation of morons. Good God, go for it. CONTROL your child's thoughts. CONTROL their exposure to integrative thought. AND BECOME your child's very worst enemy by killing your child's ability to THINK FOR THEMSELVES. Shun them from education and run from the words of perhaps the first intelligent president we have seen in our lifetime. What are you afraid of -- intelligence???

Ditto, Sue.

A motivational speech by the President Of The United States could be productive and have a historical aspect by its' very nature. The parents should be given the opportunity to make the call here. Viewing the presentation with their child or children is another option.

I believe this is a wonderful thing, and I am appalled that people like Carol are so afraid that a Black President might be an object of admiration for their children.

If kids can not be with President to hear a speech , What next ??? Kids watch out do not listen to anyone because they may brain wash you ....do not listen to Teachers or police , Judges, they may have something up their sleeve..that I do not want you to know about...
Isn't that a form of abuse keep knowledge away from kids. You can only be taught what I say not what you need to know.

Linda
It is the Presdient ....if Bush can tap everyones phone, and that is a no no.
But Obama passes by State Board Of Education is a NO NO . Its good for one not for the other.

I agree with Carol about the questionable purpose and intent of this. Parents are in charge of their child's education, and should be offered first right of refusal on anything that might be considered creeping propagandizing...or speeches/material they fear would overstep the boundaries of federal government at their child's school.

It is my understanding that it is the lesson plans and questions that follow, which the children are given, and asked to respond to, which is seen as a call for a worshipful rather than critical approach.

One of the strong voices against it is PTA council president Cara Mendelsohn who said Obama is "cutting out the parent by speaking to kids during school hours. Why can't a parent be watching this with their kid in the evening?" Mendelsohn said. "Because that's what makes a powerful statement, when a parent is sitting there saying, 'This is what I dream for you. This is what I want you to achieve.'"

Oklahoma State Senator Steve Russel said, "As far as I am concerned, this is not civics education — it gives the appearance of creating a cult of personality."

It is regretful that Obama and company did not give adequate advance notice about the speech and it's content to local school districts and superintendents on what Obama would be talking about and give them a "heads up," and an agenda to present to parents...first. Like all things Obama, it is spur of the moment and covert.

Responsible parents want to know what type of outside material and individuals their children are exposed to during school hours.

ABC news reported that some were displeased if taxpayer dollars were being used "To spread Obama's socialist ideology."

I know I would be upset if I suspected any individual or group was attempting to force any type of politics on my children at school. Whatever happened to "School" being the place where kids learn to read, write, multiply, divide...for starters ?

MSNBC said this morning that apparently what set off right wingnuts was that the study guide for the broadcast has a question that goes something like "What can I do to help the President?"

Maybe not the best choice of words, but when mixed with paranoia, they become the beginning of indoctrinating the Hitler Youth Corps. Get a life!

How the devil did they all find out about already if they weren't "in the loop"?
Since when is the President of the United States PG-13!?

Our school district hasn't said a thing about it yet. I am not opposed to my kids watching it but I will talk to them about it and ask them what they think, what they agreed with and/or disagreed with and how it made them feel. Then I will talk to them about my points of view on it. I will encourage them to think freely whether they agree with the president, or me, or anybody, or not. I try to teach them to keep and open mind and view all sides of an argument or debate instead of just accepting something as the way it is and has to be.

It's unbelievable the furor this is causing. Bush Sr. did this same thing in 1991. A black president tries to continue a responsible example and it excites a frightened blowback.

EVERY President should do this! The last one couldn't but that was for obvious reasons.

Only White Republican people can do this !! Guy don't you know the laws of America ??lol

:::smacks forehead::: How did I not see that?

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/9/3/776393/-Another-wingnut-meme-goes-down-the-drain

Can I tie your shoes for you, too?

:::Let's see what she comes up with to deny this happened:::

Hmmm this is really kind of sad , because when my son went to school and they had something they wanted to show the kids... parents can go and see it too. Why can you not take your little butt off the chair and go down to the school and see it with your kids then you can talk about it after.????
That would be to hard on some of the lazy parents would it not????

Janet W. Sep 7, 2009, 5:26pm EDT
Hmmm this is really kind of sad , because when my son went to school and they had something they wanted to show the kids... parents can go and see it too. Why can you not take your little butt off the chair and go down to the school and see it with your kids then you can talk about it after.????

Because it was in 1991

This is just nuts! Why don't most parents with so much concern ask to be there for the showing? I did, and my my daughter's school said I was more than welcome as long as I don't cause a scene. If I have objections, I can speak to the principal or talk to the teacher about addressing the class on misinformation.
I don't plan on making a schoolroom into my private soapbox for Obama. Neither should any opposition.
Me, I can't wait for Tuesday.

I would not want my child to listen to a man that was a member of Rev. wright's church for 20 years.

See, this is what happens when Republicans screw up so badly that the American people don't even trust them with a veto-equipped minority in the Senate, let alone the White House: conservatives far and wide play politics with the silliest things, scream from their keyboards and AM radio towers ridiculous exaggerations about the most benign things. Coverage for optional end-of-life care consultation... don't be fooled America, those dang LIB'ruls are gonna force Grandma before a death panel to determine whether she should be executed! The President of the United States providing non-partisan encouragement to public school students at the beginning of their school year... don't be fooled America, it's the first step in those LIB'ruls nefarious plot to create an army of Obama Youth.

I have to wonder whether most of the supposedly educated people who spout this crap actually hold these concerns, or if they're so desperate to destroy the President that they're just hurling any rusty tool they find in the shed hoping something will make him bleed.

Siggghhhhh.

No, President Obama seems to be a Train Wreck. He's on autopilot. No need to be desperate to destroy my friend.

I don't think there is any thing wrong with the President talking to the school children. As long as he just tells them to stay in school. To follow their dreams. To live by the constitution. As long as he does not ask them to follow his ideas. and follow him down the road he want's to take this country.

I remember meeting Carter. I didn't know what party he was, didn't care. He gave a 15 minute speech and then we got to shake his hand. We all did it and thought it was "cool: we got to meet a President.
I met Reagan also for a brief moment, and shook his hand...and still do't know what his party was.

Kids don't care what the political viewpoints are, they get to see and maybe shake the Presidents hand...how many adults can say they did this?

now that the feared speech is over... does anyone feel a little silly? good lord! some people are so paranoid!