Principal Obama

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Up-front confession here - I stole bits & pieces from some of your comments on this thread. (ones that articulated my thoughts better than I could!)

It seems our school district has buckled to the few, but loud, voices that do not want Obama's speech to be heard in our district's schools. So I wrote a letter of disappointment. Like someone here stated, a bad thing that can come from all of this is that parents will be talking about it at home as if it is something evil. Why can't we get beyond the divisiveness? I just don't get it!

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Satan- quit being paranoid.

You've got people afraid of Obama giving a speech to children. You've got the birthers and the deathers and somehow I'm the paranoid one?

You've got people afraid of Obama giving a speech to children. You've got the birthers and the deathers and somehow I'm the paranoid one?

Paranoid: maybe......Arrogant: definitely "End of discussion"

Only a liberal can unilaterally end a discussion.

I don't want my children to listen to any politician at this point... Nope, not even our President. They are all crooked in my opinion. Politicians may start off honest and with good intentions. That may be where Obama is at this point. but i think greed & power motivate our elected officials (yep,even Obama)...
nothing more, nothing less, and is the downfall of our country.

How many times will you kick yourself, after glorifying him, only to find out later.... ___________________ (insert scandal here) :roll:

Now i'm done.

Hippie parenting is not the topic of this thread. The topic is this:

Is is WRONG for the PRESIDENT of these UNITED States to say "Hey kids - school's back! Do you very best so that you'll go far. YOU CAN DO IT!"

I'm with you on the pharmaceuticals though ;-)

G

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Up-front confession here - I stole bits & pieces from some of your comments on this thread. (ones that articulated my thoughts better than I could!)

It seems our school district has buckled to the few, but loud, voices that do not want Obama's speech to be heard in our district's schools. So I wrote a letter of disappointment. Like someone here stated, a bad thing that can come from all of this is that parents will be talking about it at home as if it is something evil. Why can't we get beyond the divisiveness? I just don't get it!

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I'm with you on the disappointments.

frankly, I am appalled by many americans right now. when are they going to get over the fact that we have a new president of the United States of America. NO he isn't muslim but who cares. YES he is a US citizen of course! YES he is black and liberal - sowhat? NO liberal does not equal socialist. A President represents all people of all parties - he did not get elected President to serve his own interests. - President Obama will continue to work hard for real change. its past time to get over it. time to move forward as a country.

parents need to be thinking of this as a time to talk to children and use this golden opportunity to help their children think of success in school and life goals. instead, they are bitterly bickering - and over what? stupida!

I'm with you on the disappointments.

frankly, I am appalled by many americans right now. when are they going to get over the fact that we have a new president of the United States of America (united??) NO he isn't a muslim. YES he is a US citizen. YES he is black and liberal. NO liberal does not equal socialist. A President represents all people of all parties - not just his own interests. - especially President Obama who will continue to work hard for real change. its past time to get over it. time to move forward as a country.

well put!

well put!

I just hate this kind of controversey - especially when it involves children and education - my biggest concern of ALL. Educating students is just SO important. Having an opportunity to have some dialogue with the POTUS is awesome DUDE!!!! Parents need to trust their teachers. Trust their children. Their kids are very smart - they absolutely can learn and think and ask questions about education and how it effects their lives. This is not about politics. Is this how we are teaching our children to be?

I just hate this kind of controversey - especially when it involves children and education - my biggest concern of ALL. Educating students is just SO important. Having an opportunity to have some dialogue with the POTUS is awesome DUDE!!!! Parents need to trust their teachers. Trust their children. Their kids are very smart - they absolutely can learn and think and ask questions about education and how it effects their lives. This is not about politics.

My parents didn't vote for Kennedy, but every week when he would give a televised address, the whole family would sit down in front of the TV. I was very young, but I still remember looking forward to watching him and how sad I felt when my dad told me it would be no more.

I'm with you on the disappointments.

frankly, I am appalled by many americans right now. when are they going to get over the fact that we have a new president of the United States of America (united??) NO he isn't a muslim. YES he is a US citizen. YES he is black and liberal. NO liberal does not equal socialist. A President represents all people of all parties - not just his own interests. - especially President Obama who will continue to work hard for real change. its past time to get over it. time to move forward as a country.

parents need to be thinking of this as a time to talk to children and use this golden opportunity to help their children think of success in school and life goals. instead, they are bitterly bickering - and over what? stupida!

It's ridiculous with people acting as though Obama is to the left of somebody like Ralph Nader. :roll: What you say is true. Some on the right are all torn up over the fact that our new president doesn't fit their prescribed mold and they are in deep denial. The socialist label is just something to tag him with to justify their deeply rooted prejudices.

I'm with you on the disappointments.

frankly, I am appalled by many americans right now. when are they going to get over the fact that we have a new president of the United States of America (united??) NO he isn't a muslim. YES he is a US citizen. YES he is black and liberal. NO liberal does not equal socialist. A President represents all people of all parties - not just his own interests. - especially President Obama who will continue to work hard for real change. its past time to get over it. time to move forward as a country.

parents need to be thinking of this as a time to talk to children and use this golden opportunity to help their children think of success in school and life goals. instead, they are bitterly bickering - and over what? stupida!

Great post, Toots! Totally agree.

I have been thinking about how polarized we are right now and have been doing a bit of a post mortem in my mind- how did it become this way?

I think to a certain extent it started during GW's tenure after things in Iraq headed south. But I believe the main reason we are so f'd right now is because of the discourse during the last election.

I think when the McCain campaign sensed they were going to lose they tweaked the fear messaging. And while it didn't work as far as swaying the deciding vote- it made many people in this country truly see Obama as someone to be afraid of.

Now the guy can't take a crap without a vocal minority pointing out all of the socialist corn in it!

(Do us all a favor and no one put this in a sig line anywhere)

It's ridiculous with people acting as though Obama is to the left of somebody like Ralph Nader. :roll: What you say is true. Some on the right are all torn up over the fact that our new president doesn't fit their prescribed mold and they are in deep denial. The socialist label is just something to tag him with to justify their deeply rooted prejudices.

I am beginning to agree with you on this. unfortunately.

Great post, Toots! Totally agree.

I have been thinking about how polarized we are right now and have been doing a bit of a post mortem in my mind- how did it become this way?

I think to a certain extent it started during GW's tenure after things in Iraq headed south. But I believe the main reason we are so f'd right now is because of the discourse during the last election.

I think when the McCain campaign sensed they were going to lose they tweaked the fear messaging. And while it didn't work as far as swaying the deciding vote- it made many people in this country truly see Obama as someone to be afraid of.

Now the guy can't take a crap without a vocal minority pointing out all of the socialist corn in it!

(Do us all a favor and no one put this in a sig line anywhere)

omC!!! did you make that up?

omC!!! did you make that up?

Sadly, yep. That one's mine...

welcome to the thread Geo -
bring it on!
May all our children grow up to be somewhat like you!

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This entire thread is absolutely appalling!

What the hell is wrong with you people?

Thank you for so definitely demonstrating why our country is falling apart and why we cannot get anything done.

This entire thread is absolutely appalling!

What the hell is wrong with you people?

Thank you for so definitely demonstrating why our country is falling apart and why we cannot get anything done.

I think its great that people can say how they feel and what they think on this issue.. it is very interesting (though some have been big whiners and name callers - I just overlook those posts). the whole idea is to share your opinion. yes, there are some pretty big differences around here... whattayagonnado?

besides, geo's corn statement totally redeemed this thread, imo.

scooty - why don't you tell us what you think?

welcome to the thread Geo -
bring it on!
May all our children grow up to be somewhat like you!

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Nicely said- even I only want to be somewhat like me!

I was just watching the local NBC news. They aired the story about the "controversy" surrounding the president's speech to students. It ended with a release on the screen provided by many of the county school systems in the viewing area. While I did not catch which counties said this---

Several counties explicitly stated the following:

"Send a note to your child's teacher if you do not want them to watch the speech. Alternative activities will be made available."

WTF???

Edit: The news commentator ended the story with something along the lines of-

Check with your school's principal if your child's absence can be excused if they aren't attending because you do not want them to hear the speech.

I have been thinking about how polarized we are right now and have been doing a bit of a post mortem in my mind- how did it become this way?

I think to a certain extent it started during GW's tenure after things in Iraq headed south. But I believe the main reason we are so f'd right now is because of the discourse during the last election.

I think when the McCain campaign sensed they were going to lose they tweaked the fear messaging. And while it didn't work as far as swaying the deciding vote- it made many people in this country truly see Obama as someone to be afraid of.

Yeah, that's it. (sarcasm off)

Yeah, that's it. (sarcasm off)

Why not leave the sarcasm off a bit longer and articulate why you believe Obama is feared.

I advanced my theory. Let's hear yours. I'll spare you the when you're done.



EDIT: Do you really believe folks who voted for McCain would have thought Obama is a socialist (or that socialism is inherently bad even if he was) if Joe the Plumber, Sarah Palin and Fox didn't teach them this new word last October???

I was just watching the local NBC news. They aired the story about the "controversy" surrounding the president's speech to students. It ended with a release on the screen provided by many of the county school systems in the viewing area. While I did not catch which counties said this---

Several counties explicitly stated the following:

"Send a note to your child's teacher if you do not want them to watch the speech. Alternative activities will be made available."

WTF???

Edit: The news commentator ended the story with something along the lines of-

Check with your school's principal if your child's absence can be excused if they aren't attending because you do not want them to hear the speech.

I know. its really out of hand.

Why not leave the sarcasm off a bit longer and articulate why you believe Obama is feared.

I advanced my theory. Let's hear yours. I'll spare you the when you're done.



EDIT: Do you really believe all these nuts would have thought Obama is a socialist if Joe the Plumber, Sarah Palin and Fox didn't teach them this new word???

I was only referring to your theory about when this hyper-partisanship began. It was there long before the last election. Just as one example, think about the un-lovely behavior towards former President Bush when he was leaving the inauguration of President Obama.

I meant no offence by the "sarcasm off" comment. I just didn't want to be misunderstood.

Also, yes people would still have thought President Obama is a socialist. It isn't a new word nor a new idea. Many conservatives have always considered liberals to be socialist. Just like many liberals have always considered conservatives greedy, heartless, and selfish.

I was only referring to your theory about when this hyper-partisanship began. It was there long before the last election. Just as one example, think about the un-lovely behavior towards former President Bush when he was leaving the inauguration of President Obama.

I already said it was there to some degree during GW's tenure. Remember- I am not advancing a theory as to why we have disagreement between 2 politcial parties and their ideologies. I am advancing a theory as to why we are so polarized and in particular- why Obama is FEARED...

Also, yes people would still have thought President Obama is a socialist. It isn't a new word nor a new idea. Many conservatives have always considered liberals to be socialist. Just like many liberals have always considered conservatives greedy, heartless, and selfish.

Some people- yes. But nothing that would have made it into the mainstream. Heck- my grandmother is saying it. She NEVER would have used that word. There was a handyman handing out business cards at Home Depot yesterday wearing a "Fed up with Socialism" teeshirt. Of course the word and its concept existed. But not for the vast majority who throw it around these days. It was mostly only heard in polysci and history classes.

Consider this-
Clinton tried to pass healthcare reform. He lost. Can you recall socialism being any part of argument used by his opposition? I honestly can't. I suspect that's because no one taught people like my grandmother to use this word to scare and rally others against his ideas. It wasn't in the GOP playbook or they didn't need to break it out.

Schools to Big Brother Barack: Stay Out!

By Tim Padgett / Miami Friday, Sep. 04, 2009


President Obama appears at a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House.
Jim Watson / AFP / Getty




When Barack Obama won Florida last November — the first Democrat to take the Sunshine State since FDR — many saw it as a sign of centrist GOP Governor Charlie Crist's moderating influence. But lately, Florida's disgruntled Republicans aren't looking very moderate. This week, in fact, the peninsula's GOP registered arguably the loudest outcry over the education speech President Obama plans to deliver to U.S. primary and secondary students via webcast and C-Span next Tuesday. In perhaps the most over-the-top performance, state Republican Chairman Jim Greer called it an attempt to use "our children to spread liberal propaganda" and "President Obama's socialist ideology." (what a maroon! G)



Thanks in large part to the Administration's ham-handed advance work, the strident conservative anger that erupted this summer over health-care reform has shifted from town halls to school halls. On the surface, Obama's intentions for Tuesday seem nothing more threatening than a presidential pep talk about taking education seriously. But some ill-advised prep material from the Education Department — like suggestions that teachers have students write letters on "how to help the President" and recommendations that those pupils read his books — has left the door ajar (and that's all it seems to take these days) for Republican charges that Obama "wants to indoctrinate our kids," as Clara Dean, GOP chairwoman of Florida's Collier County, puts it.


The public school systems in both Collier and next-door Lee counties, a conservative pocket in southwest Florida that includes Naples, announced Thursday that their students won't be seeing Obama's speech. In a statement, Collier County Schools Superintendent Dennis Thompson cited "the logistics of making a Webcast available during that time of the school day." But his office also acknowledged that he'd been hearing from the community and its fears about Big Brother Barack. "We tend to be very conservative here," says Dean. "This President is extremely liberal, and we worry that he's leading us to socialism." Thompson did say his school district will post the speech on its website after Obama delivers it. But Collier Democratic Chairman Steve Hemping says it's the Republicans who are using students for cynical political gain. "No one should ever turn communication between a President and young people about what you can aspire to in the future into an ugly us-against-them exercise," Hemping argues. "This is a lost opportunity, because [Obama] is a role model who raised himself from a poor, single-parent situation precisely through education."


School districts in at least half a dozen other states have made similar decisions not to air the President's talk. In one of those states, Minnesota, Republican Governor and possible 2012 presidential aspirant Tim Pawlenty called the speech "uninvited" and voiced concerns about its "content and motive." One school superintendent in Arizona, James Murlless, while calling Obama's education advocacy "well intended," said he preferred his students see it "in their own homes under the supervision of their parents." The Nationwide Tea Party Coalition, a fiscal watchdog group that has become a sort of clearinghouse for conservative grievances since the anti-health care reform movement began, has revved up a campaign called "Hall Pass On That," urging parents to have their kids excused from watching the speech. In Oklahoma, state Senator Steve Russell rivaled Florida's Greer for hyperbole, calling Obama's talk "something you'd expect to see in North Korea or in Saddam Hussein's Iraq."

Asked if the Collier school district would have made the same ruling about webcast "logistics" if Obama's Republican predecessor, George W. Bush, had proposed making a similar speech to U.S. students, a spokesman for Thompson told TIME, "exactly." But Dean called it "a moot question" because "I don't think President Bush would have ever done it. He understood that this sort of thing starts in the home." But when reminded that Bush's father, President George H.W. Bush, did broadcast a similar speech to the nation's pupils, Dean said, "That was different. It was, if I remember, largely a Say No to Drugs speech."

The White House has insisted that Obama's address won't dip into policy and is geared primarily toward reducing the nation's troubling dropout rate. White House Deputy Policy Director Heather Higginbottom told the Associated Press that "it's really unfortunate that politics has been brought into this. It's simply a plea to students to take their learning seriously. Find out what they're good at. Set goals." The irony of the backlash, in fact, is that much of Obama's education platform, especially its emphasis on personal responsibility over entitlement, dovetails with conservative tenets.

That point was often raised Thursday night further north on Florida's Gulf Coast in Tampa. There, as a result, the Hillsborough County School Board ruled at a meeting that it would allow the speech. Dean and other speech opponents insist the Administration has not given educators an advance look at it; but Hillsborough schools Superintendent Mary Ellen Elia announced that she and board members had indeed seen it and concluded that it conveys a healthy, non-partisan message. Said Democratic board member Doretha Edgecomb, "It's a message that a lot of presidents have given before." But some members complained nonetheless that they felt the Administration was pressuring schools to watch the speech.


That's not an objection anyone remembers Republicans making when both Bush I and Ronald Reagan delivered their direct-to-the-classroom talks in the 1980s and 90s. But if there is one conservative criticism that even liberals can relate to, it's that the speech seems part of this President's overexposure. "Every time you turn around, there he is, there he is, there he is," Dean groused. And lately at least, every time Obama turns around, he seems to give conservatives an opening to pounce on him. Which is why many Democrats as well as Republicans suggest it might be good to webcast a speech on learning to the White House as well. With reporting by Michael Peltier/Tallahassee
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FINALLY a voice of reason
"People should chill out a little -- they don't have to criticize [Mr. Obama] for everything he does," said Frank Luntz, a onetime strategist for Republican candidate

I do admire your desire and compassion for helping children succeed. If you want to start helping kids be more successful, here are a few ideas Obama could discuss:

- start keeping score in all levels of sports
- bring back the occasional spanking
- get rid of all the ritalin and bs mood swing drugs
- and please take their helmets off

Hippie parenting has lead to the wussification of America's youth.

Do you have children?