Principal Obama

Who cares? It's public school - the vast majority of the students are going to be asleep, high or sexting.

Sexting! My GF told me last week that's all her man type does anymore.........truly made me LOL!

are you saying this is your suspicion? if so, what is your basis? the fact that he isn't a US citizen and is a Muslim and Socialist would follow that line of thinking. I am pretty sure you don't go for that angle. I am curious though. How many people are really disturbed by this? I cannot imagine keeping my child home from school but I wonder if parents will be so upset as to really do this?

someone made the point earlier that if bush was making speeches like this to schoolchildren the far left would probably be reacting the same way. i'd say that observation is pretty spot on. i just find it kind of funny how the same silly arguements are being made, the difference being the parties have just changed sides.

perhaps you should read my post once. obama enjoys popularity among the youth of america. his message is one of inclusion, not division.

Every president is popular with some people. The youth are becoming just as disenchanted with him as everyone else. At this pace, you might be his only supporter within a year or so. :funn:

Some of this has been said, but do read it and note what Greer wrote :roll::roll:


In a recent interview with student reporter, Damon Weaver, President Obama announced that on September 8 -- the first day of school for many children across America -- he will deliver a national address directly to students on the importance of education. The President will challenge students to work hard, set educational goals, and take responsibility for their learning. He will also call for a shared responsibility and commitment on the part of students, parents and educators to ensure that every child in every school receives the best education possible so they can compete in the global economy for good jobs and live rewarding and productive lives as American citizens.
The letter goes on to say this is the first ever presidential address of this nature, provides the website to watch said address, and further offers teacher a "menu of activities" developed by schoolteachers to "stimulate discussion on the importance of education." It further offers preliminary details on some sort of student video contest. It's all pretty basic stuff: "The President believes that education is a critical part of building a new foundation for the American economy. Educated people are more active civically and better informed on issues affecting their lives, their families and their futures."

And with that,Florida GOP chairman Jim Greer was off and running, penning a letter of his own! An insane one!
He goes on to complain about "holiday parties" and prayer in school, and he refers to the President as "Pied Piper Obama." Meanwhile, I'm trying to imagine how a brief speech of routine paeans to the importance of education is going to pull off inculcating the nation's schoolchildren on the virtues of state-run auto companies, and the like. It seems to me that three days after this speech is given, most everyone is going to forget about it, the children fastest of all.


Florida, which geographically dangles from the nation's underbelly like a spent prophylactic, harbors its share of fringey GOP folks. Over in the 15th District, residents have the honor of being represented by Bill Posey, the godfather of the Congressional birthers and the primary sponsor for the so-called "Birther bill." Stephen Colbert made great fun of Posey earlier this year about it, and it made the Congressman all kinds of sad! :funn:

Anyway, tune in next week to see if Barack Obama pulls off this audacious plan to turn America into a Communist nation by means of a single, generic address to a nation of jittery, Ritalin-sotted schoolchildren.


Gidget

AHHHHH I am so happy to be on the winning side. I agree with KKBG that I would be complaining about Bush giving a speech to all kids.

I would like to promise that when the next Republican is in office and wants to give a speecch to schoolkids, I will not complain.

He or she can be free to indoctrinate kids to skipping science class, praying for an education, pledging allegiance to not burning flags, going out to spend to help the economy, warning of the dangers of being a congressional page, abstaining from intercourse unless homosexual since they are going to hell anyway, etc....

Some of this has been said, but do read it and note what Greer wrote :roll::roll:


In a recent interview with student reporter, Damon Weaver, President Obama announced that on September 8 -- the first day of school for many children across America -- he will deliver a national address directly to students on the importance of education. The President will challenge students to work hard, set educational goals, and take responsibility for their learning. He will also call for a shared responsibility and commitment on the part of students, parents and educators to ensure that every child in every school receives the best education possible so they can compete in the global economy for good jobs and live rewarding and productive lives as American citizens.
The letter goes on to say this is the first ever presidential address of this nature, provides the website to watch said address, and further offers teacher a "menu of activities" developed by schoolteachers to "stimulate discussion on the importance of education." It further offers preliminary details on some sort of student video contest. It's all pretty basic stuff: "The President believes that education is a critical part of building a new foundation for the American economy. Educated people are more active civically and better informed on issues affecting their lives, their families and their futures."

And with that,Florida GOP chairman Jim Greer was off and running, penning a letter of his own! An insane one!

As the father of four children, I am absolutely appalled that taxpayer dollars are being used to spread President Obama's socialist ideology. The idea that school children across our nation will be forced to watch the President justify his plans for government-run health care, banks, and automobile companies, increasing taxes on those who create jobs, and racking up more debt than any other President, is not only infuriating, but goes against beliefs of the majority of Americans, while bypassing American parents through an invasive abuse of power.


While I support educating our children to respect both the office of the American President and the value of community service, I do not support using our children as tools to spread liberal propaganda. The address scheduled for September 8, 2009, does not allow for healthy debate on the President's agenda, but rather obligates the youngest children in our public school system to agree with our President's initiatives or be ostracized by their teachers and classmates.
​

He goes on to complain about "holiday parties" and prayer in school, and he refers to the President as "Pied Piper Obama." Meanwhile, I'm trying to imagine how a brief speech of routine paeans to the importance of education is going to pull off inculcating the nation's schoolchildren on the virtues of state-run auto companies, and the like. It seems to me that three days after this speech is given, most everyone is going to forget about it, the children fastest of all.


Florida, which geographically dangles from the nation's underbelly like a spent prophylactic, harbors its share of fringey GOP folks. Over in the 15th District, residents have the honor of being represented by Bill Posey, the godfather of the Congressional birthers and the primary sponsor for the so-called "Birther bill." Stephen Colbert made great fun of Posey earlier this year about it, and it made the Congressman all kinds of sad! :funn:

Anyway, tune in next week to see if Barack Obama pulls off this audacious plan to turn America into a Communist nation by means of a single, generic address to a nation of jittery, Ritalin-sotted schoolchildren.


Gidget

you are on a ROLL gidget!

someone made the point earlier that if bush was making speeches like this to schoolchildren the far left would probably be reacting the same way. i'd say that observation is pretty spot on. i just find it kind of funny how the same silly arguements are being made, the difference being the parties have just changed sides.

totally agree with you 30AShopper. one other point you may want to consider...

Obama is going to address the nation's schoolchildren? One good fart joke and the Democrats control Congress for 60 years.
badbanana

WH withdraws call for students to 'help' Obama - Washington Times
President Obama's plan to inspire the nation's schoolchildren with a video address next week erupted into controversy Wednesday, forcing the White House to pull out its eraser and rewrite a government recommendation that teachers nationwide assign students a paper on how to "help the president."
Presidential aides acknowledged the White House helped the U.S. Education Department craft the proposal, which immediately was met by fierce criticism from Republicans and conservative organizations who accused Mr. Obama of trying to politicize the education system.
White House aides said the language was an honest misunderstanding in what was supposed to be a inspirational, pro-education message to America's youths.
Among the activities the government initially suggested for prekindergarten to sixth-grade students: that they " write letters to themselves about what they can do to help the president."
Another task recommended for students immediately after listening to the speech: to engage in a discussion about what "the president wants us to do."
The novel curriculum plan brought sharp criticism from conservatives, including some who complained that classrooms were being used to spread political propaganda.
In response, the White House last night confirmed they were revising the lesson plan that was distributed last week by the U.S. Department of Education.
"We're clarifying that language," White House spokesman Tommy Vietor said.
By Wednesday evening, the sentence asking children to think about how they can "help the president" had been replaced.
The rewritten line said students should "write letters to themselves about how they can achieve their short-term and long-term education goals.
These would be collected and redistributed at an appropriate later date by the teacher to make students accountable to their goals."
Mr. Vietor said the reaction to the lesson plan may not have been so strong had the curriculum been circulated after people heard the speech, which he said does not mention any political issues and does not stray from a clear message encouraging children to excel and stay in school.
The speech is "about the value of education and the importance of staying in school as part of his effort to dramatically cut the dropout rate. It's not a policy speech," Mr. Vietor said.
But the revisions did not appear in time to head off the rapid-fire reaction that spread all day on conservative-oriented talk radio and Web sites. Critics of the president argued that some of the messages included in the " menu of classroom activities" strayed dangerously close to politicizing the classroom.
"While I support educating our children to respect both the office of the American president and the value of community service, I do not support using our children as tools to spread liberal propaganda," said Jim Greer, chairman of the Florida Republican Party.
The conservative radio host Dana Loesch even urged parents to keep their children home on Tuesday, the day Mr. Obama's speech is schedule to air.
Not everyone was outraged by the president's decision to send a videotaped message to America's schoolchildren something President George H.W. Bush did 18 years ago, though without the accompanying homework.
"I can't think of anything less partisan than this," said Mo Elleithee, a Democratic strategist. "It's admirable that President Obama would challenge our schoolchildren to do their best, and it's the kind of message that most level-headed Americans can easily get behind."
Mr. Elleithee called the moral outrage " beyond silly" and said it was " the kind of hyper-partisanship that people so soundly rejected last November."
Longtime political analyst Norman Ornstein said he viewed the strong reaction to Mr. Obama's speech as a sign of the coarsening of American politics.
"The fact that a standard issue speech by a president, with a good, common sense, even conservative message about education, school, hard work and perseverance, is being hit hard by the right tells us how dysfunctional our politics are, how shrill the discourse is getting from the president's foes, and how some people are blinded from common sense by their visceral hatred for Obama and his side of the aisle," Mr. Orenstein said.
The idea of adding a lesson plan to the package of materials being sent to schoolteachers was hatched during meetings between the White House and officials from the Department of Education.
The lessons themselves were developed by educators, White House officials said. But some of the assignments, they later conceded, may appear to be inartfully worded without also knowing the context of the speech.
"Does the speech make you want to do anything?" is one suggested question for the discussion. " Are we able to do what the president is asking of us?"
The packet of activities was sent out electronically with an Aug. 26 electronic letter from U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan. Mr. Duncan encourages school administrators to air the presidential broadcast, which was timed to coincide with the start of school for most of the country.
"The president will challenge students to work hard, set educational goals, and take responsibility for their learning," Mr. Duncan says in his letter.
Of the activities, Mr. Duncan added: "These are ideas developed by and for teachers to help engage students and stimulate discussion on the importance of education in their lives."

Great messages can be delivered in a number of ways. I for one feel there is currently an overwhelming liberal influence over the entire school system from preK through higher education. Lobbying to elementary school kids is out of bounds in my opinion...everyone is entitled to one, so just chill.

I see it more of a governmental influence, rather than left or right. The bottom 25% get most of the attention, at the expense of the top 25%, while the middle 50% are just doing their own thing.

from above article (posted by mtlinscomb)..

"The fact that a standard issue speech by a president, with a good, common sense, even conservative message about education, school, hard work and perseverance, is being hit hard by the right tells us how dysfunctional our politics are, how shrill the discourse is getting from the president's foes, and how some people are blinded from common sense by their visceral hatred for Obama and his side of the aisle," Mr. Orenstein said.

Mr. Vietor said the reaction to the lesson plan may not have been so strong had the curriculum been circulated after people heard the speech, which he said does not mention any political issues and does not stray from a clear message encouraging children to excel and stay in school.
The speech is "about the value of education and the importance of staying in school as part of his effort to dramatically cut the dropout rate. It's not a policy speech," Mr. Vietor said.

Longtime political analyst Norman Ornstein said he viewed the strong reaction to Mr. Obama's speech as a sign of the coarsening of American politics.
"The fact that a standard issue speech by a president, with a good, common sense, even conservative message about education, school, hard work and perseverance, is being hit hard by the right tells us how dysfunctional our politics are, how shrill the discourse is getting from the president's foes, and how some people are blinded from common sense by their visceral hatred for Obama and his side of the aisle," Mr. Orenstein said.

This is why I hate slow news weeks, because silly stuff like this ends up filling the gaps in the news cycle! What a waste of time and breath.

There is certainly nothing wrong with the President of the United States addressing school children and advising them on how important their education is. If he uses it to promote his personal agenda that is a different matter.
The fact is, we won't know what he has to say until it is said. Having said that, there is only one place a child should be "indoctrinated" and that is at home. The schools of this nation should be presenting students with facts, opinions of those facts but not brainwashing them to think one way or another. That is the parent's responsibility and should remain there.
I would love to see the Federal government totally out of our schools and their function and operation left up to the states and local school boards. The funding would never be sent to D.C. for re-distribution to the states and localities. We need "change" alright but not the kind that is coming down the pike.

I have no problems with the idea of "the President" speaking to our children. I do have my antennas up about what this president may say. I have emailed my school district to see if they are even going to have this at my daughters school. If so I will ask to be there while it is being viewed. If they will not allow that, then I will watch myself. I might even lkeep heer home and we would watch together. Then we will have a discussion about it that night like we always do. I will explain what was good and what was not good. I think that Bob is right in saying that some of our youth think that Obama is cool, BUT I know different. It is up to me and my wife to block the socialist agenda from my daughter by educating her. And believe me, we will. It is that simple.

? Why is it important that we listen to the President and other elected officials, like the mayor, senators, members of congress, or the governor? Why is what they say important?:scratch:

Who cares??? Obama is a proven master of seizing "teachable moments." Like when the President of the United States of America holds a Q&A on national television and claims, without knowing all the facts, "the Cambridge Police acted stupidly." When a third grader calls someone stupid without knowing all the facts, they can learn how a beer at the Whitehouse Garden can gloss over the complete ignorance of such judgemental words and also allow for no apologies to ever be made.


YouTube - Obama: Police Acted 'stupidly' in Scholar Arrest

Who better to teach personal responsibility to America's youth??

and remember where the ignore button is

With all due respect, though I realize it was said humorously, the ignore button is never the answer, IMO. I don't even know where it is.

Back in the day,as a first grade teacher, my teammates and I went to church every year before school began and listened to singing and inspiration, along with demands to wear pantyhose. Will Mr. Obama be talking about pantyhose...will he be singing? I hope so.

from mtlinscomb post - WH withdraws call for students to 'help' Obama - Washington Times
"I can't think of anything less partisan than this," said Mo Elleithee, a Democratic strategist. "It's admirable that President Obama would challenge our schoolchildren to do their best, and it's the kind of message that most level-headed Americans can easily get behind."
Mr. Elleithee called the moral outrage " beyond silly" and said it was " the kind of hyper-partisanship that people so soundly rejected last November."
Longtime political analyst Norman Ornstein said he viewed the strong reaction to Mr. Obama's speech as a sign of the coarsening of American politics.
"The fact that a standard issue speech by a president, with a good, common sense, even conservative message about education, school, hard work and perseverance, is being hit hard by the right tells us how dysfunctional our politics are, how shrill the discourse is getting from the president's foes, and how some people are blinded from common sense by their visceral hatred for Obama and his side of the aisle," Mr. Orenstein said




I'm all for a President taking a leadership role in education. Striving to improve education, retention rates, and sparking the desire of students to serve their communities would be something we all should desire. A president can use their position to be a catalyst in some of these things.
If Obama were to propagandize or try to indoctrinate, then of course we should be concerned. I have no reason to believe that that will happen in his speech. I believe he wants the best for our country's children and to be able to encourage them through education. There is nothing sinister!

.

Parents upset over 'leftist propaganda' video

Parents upset over 'leftist propaganda' video - Salt Lake Tribune

Education ? Principal apologizes for showing 'I Pledge' to students.
By Lisa Schencker
The Salt Lake Tribune

Updated: 09/02/2009 10:07:30 AM MDT

A school principal has apologized for showing a video at an assembly that a politically conservative group leader is calling "radical, leftist propaganda."
Children at Eagle Bay Elementary School in Farmington were shown a short video called "I pledge" on Aug. 28. The video opens with an image of President Barack Obama and part of a speech in which he says, "Let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other." The video then features celebrities making pledges about how they will help the president and the world -- and that's where some say the problem lies.
Many pledges, such as supporting local food banks, smiling more, and caring for the elderly are noncontroversial. But other pledges, such as "to never give anyone the finger when I'm driving again," "to sell my obnoxious car and buy a hybrid" and to advance stem cell research cross the line, some say.

"Showing the video in a public school is completely inappropriate," said Jennifer Cieslewicz, whose daughter is a first-grader at the school. "I don't believe a video such as this that promotes certain values should be shown to elementary students, especially without parents being aware. "
Chris Williams, Davis School District spokesman, said school principal Ofelia Wade and school PTA leaders decided to show the video as part of an assembly about the school's theme for the year, service. He said the PTA board chose the video and Wade did not see it before it was shown in the assembly.
"It got to a point where she turned to her assistant and said, 'Oops, I wish I would have seen this before. I don't think I would have shown it,' " Williams said. He said Wade could see how some adults might find the video political.
"She acknowledges she was wrong and apologizes for it and says she's sorry," Williams said. Attempts to reach school PTA leaders Tuesday evening were unsuccessful.

Williams said Wade plans to send a letter home to parents Wednesday about the issue.
Gayle Ruzicka, president of conservative Utah Eagle Forum, said the video was blatantly political. She said other offensive pledges included, "I pledge to be of service to Barack Obama," "I pledge allegiance to the funk, to the united funk of funkadelica," and pledges to not use plastic grocery bags and not flush the toilet after urinating.
"It's very inappropriate to show a radical, leftist propaganda piece that political to children," Ruzicka said. "If parents want their children to learn about those things and do them in the home, wonderful, fine, but it's not the place of the school to show a one-sided propaganda piece to children without parents knowing about it."
Cieslewicz said such values should be decided in the home, not at school.
"They shouldn't be troubling our youth with the woes of the world and making them feel like we're in slavery or they have to worry about how many times they flush the toilet or if they have a plastic water bottle," Cieslewicz said, referring to pledges in the video to "end slavery."
Ruzicka said she contacted local media about the video after receiving complaints from several parents. Ruzicka said she worried the video's messages would confuse children whose parents might choose to use plastic bags when shopping or who want their children to flush the toilet after every use. Also she said she didn't like a pledge "to be of service to Barack Obama" as he is here to serve Americans, not the other way around.
Ruzicka said she'd like to see the school district send a link to the video to all parents before an upcoming back-to-school night so they can voice their opinions and discuss it with their children. Williams said it's unlikely the district will send out a link, but parents are welcome to access the video on YouTube.

Parents upset over 'leftist propaganda' video

Parents upset over 'leftist propaganda' video - Salt Lake Tribune

Education ? Principal apologizes for showing 'I Pledge' to students.
By Lisa Schencker
The Salt Lake Tribune

Updated: 09/02/2009 10:07:30 AM MDT

A school principal has apologized for showing a video at an assembly that a politically conservative group leader is calling "radical, leftist propaganda."
Children at Eagle Bay Elementary School in Farmington were shown a short video called "I pledge" on Aug. 28. The video opens with an image of President Barack Obama and part of a speech in which he says, "Let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other." The video then features celebrities making pledges about how they will help the president and the world -- and that's where some say the problem lies.
.................she'd like to see the school district send a link to the video to all parents before an upcoming back-to-school night so they can voice their opinions and discuss it with their children. Williams said it's unlikely the district will send out a link, but parents are welcome to access the video on YouTube.

:roll:

TFT is right - very SLOW news day.

how can you be angry about what someone might say?

There is certainly nothing wrong with the President of the United States addressing school children and advising them on how important their education is. If he uses it to promote his personal agenda that is a different matter.
The fact is, we won't know what he has to say until it is said. Having said that, there is only one place a child should be "indoctrinated" and that is at home. The schools of this nation should be presenting students with facts, opinions of those facts but not brainwashing them to think one way or another. That is the parent's responsibility and should remain there.
I would love to see the Federal government totally out of our schools and their function and operation left up to the states and local school boards. The funding would never be sent to D.C. for re-distribution to the states and localities. We need "change" alright but not the kind that is coming down the pike.

so you're ok with kids not having to say the pledge of allegiance?

so you're ok with kids not having to say the pledge of allegiance?

There is a difference between indoctrination and loyalty and allegiance to your country. But then, I wouldn't expect you to understand the difference taking into consideration most of your posts.

how can you be angry about what someone might say?

Consider the content of his character. The man took his own young children to a racist R rated church until the day that it looked like his future career might be in jeopardy. Make this a white guy with the same background and:

A. He wouldn't be allowed anywhere near a school
B. He wouldn't be President
C. We wouldn't be on the brink of becoming the next Venezuela
D. Hillary wouldn't have broken her elbow beating the BHO replica punching bag she uses.
E. All of the Above

Consider the content of his character. The man took his own young children to a racist R rated church until the day that it looked like his future career might be in jeopardy. Make this a white guy with the same background and:

A. He wouldn't be allowed anywhere near a school
B. He wouldn't be President
C. We wouldn't be on the brink of becoming the next Venezuela
D. Hillary wouldn't have broken her elbow beating the BHO replica punching bag she uses.
E. All of the Above

If this post is a preview of Republican 2010 campaign talking points, the dems have nothing to worry about. WTF?? Do you have any dignity whatsoever??? Can't you just be a sad, silent, sore racist loser???

If this post is a preview of Republican 2010 campaign talking points, the dems have nothing to worry about. WTF?? Do you have any dignity whatsoever??? Can't you just be a sad, silent, sore racist loser???

Satan, I am encouraged you are going to eat those words.