What's your thoughts on Pres. Obama speech to students?

[Tomcat0403]

From Fox News

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/09/03/parents-object-obamas-national-address-students/

Regine Gordon doesn't want her 6-year-old son to hear from President Obama next week.

Gordon, of Tampa, Fla., is among a growing number of parents across the country who are troubled by the president's plan to address elementary, middle and high school students in an online and televised speech Tuesday.

"It's a form of indoctrination, and I think, really, it's indicative of the culture that the Obama administration is trying to create," Gordon told FOXNews.com on Thursday. "It's very socialistic."

After writing letters to her congressmen and school officials, Gordon said her son, David, will be allowed to participate in an alternative activity at Gorrie Elementary School during Obama's address, which comes on the first day of school for many children.

"I'm waiting to hear from his teacher, but I have told them to go ahead and I'd like [David] to go do something else," Gordon said. "It's kind of like going through the children to get to their parents. Children are very vulnerable and excited. I mean, this is the president. I think it's an underhanded tactic and indicative of the way things are being done."

But some parents won't be allowed to "opt-out" their kids everywhere. At least one school district, Tempe Elementary School District No. 3 in Arizona, is not permitting parents to pull their children out of class during Obama's speech.

"I have directed principals to have students and teachers view the president's message on Tuesday," Superintendent of Schools Dr. Arthur Tate Jr. said in a statement Thursday. "In some cases, where technology will not permit access to the White House Web site, DVDs will be provided to classes on subsequent days. I am not permitting parents to opt out students from viewing the president's message, since this is a purely educational event."

The White House said Wednesday that the president's address is intended to be an inspirational, pro-education message to all students at the beginning of the school year. But critics objected to the language of one of the lesson plans, for students in pre-kindergarten through grade 6, which suggested that students "write letters to themselves about what they can do to help the president." Another assignment for students after hearing the speech was to discuss what "the president wants us to do."

The suggestion about writing letters has since been changed to: "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."

White House spokesman Tommy Vietor said the changes to the language are intended to make the lesson plans clearer. He added that the speech the president's speech will not be a policy speech, but is intended to encourage kids to work hard and commit to school.

But that hasn't assuaged concerns of Michelle Moore of St. Louis, who says she's considering keeping her two daughters out of the classroom at Lindberg High School when Obama begins to speak.

"I have to sign permission slips for my kids to watch R-rated movies in school," Moore said, explaining that she felt parents were being blindsided by the president's address. "It was simply presented, 'Hey, we're going to do this, this is when it's going to air and you're going to show it to your kids.'"

Moore suggested that the speech be issued as a DVD to students so they can view it with their parents at home, adding that the first day of classes for many students will be a harried affair.

"That's their first day," she said. "I would think they have plenty of other things to do."

The idea of having Obama speak directly to children without so much as a permission slip being sent home just "makes you feel a little funny," said Beth Milledge of Winterset, Iowa. She said she plans on going to school with her 8-year-old son to watch the address with him.

"I want to know how it's being presented," she said. "I'm all for my child having respect for the president, but why wouldn't he show us the speech first and then go from there?"

Dana Loesch, spokeswoman for the Nationwide Tea Party Coalition, has started a campaign to ask schools to provide an alternative to the speech for parents who do not wish their children to experience a presidential address in school. Loesch has urged parents to contact schools directly to find out if the "partisan presentation" will air in their child's classroom.

"It went straight from the Department of Education right to the principals," Loesch told FOX News. "There's a lot of parents who have spoken to me [and] they've talked to their principals, and it kind of 'weirded' them out a little because this is also the first that protocol has been skipped."

Several school districts contacted by FOXNews.com, including those in Milwaukee and St. Louis, said individual teachers will decide whether to air the address in their classrooms.

"We're allowing teachers to decide," an Austin, Texas, school official told FOXNews.com. "But most of the kids will be at lunch. It's not going to be a big issue here."

In Austin, school district officials say a speech by any sitting president is worthy of "Americans' time, attention and consideration," according to a statement by the Austin Independent School District (AISD) to FOXNews.com. Teachers who believe the address will be beneficial to their students will allow viewing in the classroom.

"It is AISD's expectation that viewing of this Web address will vary by campus and by classroom," the statement continued. "Parents will be advised by their campus principals to alert the school if they have a specific desire to have their child included in, or removed from, the viewing of the president's remarks."

Parents in Milwaukee will have the option to remove their children by "simply informing the school of their preference," spokeswoman Roseann St. Aubin said.

Virginia Department of Education spokesman Charles Pyle told the Associated Press that a number of school divisions asked the agency for guidance this week after parents concerned with the address contacted local officials.

The department says it's up to districts to determine whether a school or class views the address, and teachers who choose to incorporate the president's speech into their lessons are also free to develop their own classroom activities, the Associated Press reports.

Other districts, including those in New York City and Boston, won't even have classes that day. Officials at the Philadelphia School District declined comment.

National Parent Teacher Association President Chuck Saylors told FOXNews.com the presidential speech is something that should have happened years ago.

"Regardless of who is in the White House, when the president of the United States wants to give the students a beginning-of-the-year, do-your-best type of presentation, it should be supported," he said. "[but] if parents want their children to opt-out, they're certainly in their rights to do that."

Several statewide parent teacher associations, including those in Georgia, Virginia, Tennessee and others, did not respond to requests for comment on how their members are advising teachers how to present the presidential address in class.

Gainell Rogers, president-elect of the Utah Parent Teacher Association, said she has "confidence in the decisions" of local school officials.

"We believe that decisions in the best interest of students are most effective when made at the local level," Rogers told FOXNews.com. "Each local school district will decide what is best for their students and patrons and those decisions will reflect input from parents."

If it really is a "do your best" speech i guess that's ok, but the Admin and the schools are really pushing this hard and again, if it were the other side of the spectrum and any other president would ask for it i do not believe that it would be taken seriously. Also, to force kids to watch it and include it in the lesson plans and things of that nature are way too extreme for me and it seems like something fishy is going on...again just my take...

thoughts?

[jarvismb]

more fear...

Yes! I got to say it first! Sweet!

[siggywiggy]

but did they force the children to listen - key factor - nothing should be forced when it comes to politics mixing with education.

no matter who is speaking.

[KruelHouse]

Aside from not sending out permission slips, I don't have a huge problem with it. That is, of course, as long as it's a "welcome back from summer, study hard, enjoy your classmates, open your mind, good luck" type of speech. Truth be told, I agree with the PTA rep who said that this sort of thing should have happened YEARS ago. As far as lesson plan integration is concerned, I also think that's a good idea. Aside from having students set measurable goals, it also serves as a good benchmark to see how their writing and vocabulary have progressed throughout the year. I can see (don't really understand) some parents being sore at the original wording of how the student can "help" the president, as opposed to the new verbiage. I wouldn't have a problem with it, but I'm not everybody.

I remember watching the "State of the Union" address many times in school, and being given the same assignment... "How can I be a better citizen and help the President change the nation." Granted, it was recorded, so parents saw it the night before... I can also remember having local politicians, even Gov. Doug Wilder come speak to us, and NO ONE knew what they were going to discuss prior to them taking the stage. I honestly don't see a great deal of harm in this exercise... If there is some sort of malfeasance, I do believe that any caring parent can undo that damage when their child returns home.

Edited September 4, 2009 by KruelHouse

[crf69]

Obamanomics

[Tomcat0403]

I am fine with it as long as it is just what it should be "welcome back...school is good for you." I just know that a lot of teachers...at least in worthington will take it way to far and start pushing their views on the kids like they did when i was there

[curby]

noone is going to tell me if my kid can watch it or not. i will not let my daughter watch it due to the fact i do not believe Obama's plans or actions. i'll keep her home on tuesday if i have too.

brainwashing... huh, not on my watch! lol

[Tomcat0403]

That's just the public system and you won't stop that. Sending your children to school is merely a formality. Real intelligence and education should always develop at home. School is just another tool to enhance growth. It is only what parents allow it to be. Stay involved and don't let the school 'indoctrinate' your children unless you want them to.

agreed...but the issue is that many parents suck these days and rely on schools to develop their kids. Hence the reason for the large growth of drugs in schools and fucked up kids in general...parents aren't part of kids lives anymore and dont pay attention to the sign that their kids are fooked up...drives me insane. Worthington was ok when I was there, but I always thought that they should search lockers routinely, never once was there a mass locker search, in which they would have found thousands of dollars in drugs...the reason behind this (and no exhageration) they did not want to find the drugs and have to admit or even have the public consider the district had a drug problem...

[KruelHouse]

That's just the public system and you won't stop that. Sending your children to school is merely a formality. Real intelligence and education should always develop at home. School is just another tool to enhance growth. It is only what parents allow it to be. Stay involved and don't let the school 'indoctrinate' your children unless you want them to.

QFT! And as far as not letting my child go there and watch it... For or against the views of the President/speech, I'd encourage my child to participate just so that he/she could see one side of the coin, and then I'd sit down with him/her that evening and discuss what was said, what my child, his/her classmates, and the teacher thought. Then I'd provide my input.

[RSVDon]

enjoy your classmates

I have a feeling that this is gonna get interesting. When I was in school we never saw any presidential announcement and I was perfectly fine with that. No one cared, especially at the high school level.

GW could barely read a child's book so him visiting schools was enough. Do I think this is really needed? No. Is any kid in the school going to care? No. It will be treated like every other educational video that's played, or basically ignored.

As for putting it into a lesson plan, whatever. Like anyone wants to do anything the first day back to school. And state proficiency tests do more than their job to enforce teachers to properly evaluate students' vocabulary and language usage. The OGT tests ruined our chances to ever delve too deep into any subject either. Teachers just skim through topics, make sure students know the basics and then have to run to the next subject to meet OGT criteria for the end of the year.

[Lost1888]

That's just the public system and you won't stop that. Sending your children to school is merely a formality. Real intelligence and education should always develop at home. School is just another tool to enhance growth. It is only what parents allow it to be. Stay involved and don't let the school 'indoctrinate' your children unless you want them to.

I just wrote a book on that and deleted it because this shit pisses me off. +1 IP great summary of what I was just typing. Do your job as parents. If you don't have enough time to talk to your kids about stuff like this your not a parent. Your a failure! Re prioritize your time and take care of your kids not just with toys and being a friend but with discussion and parenting. Stop expecting people to do your duty for you.

[fusion]

Wow if you have a real problem with your kids listening or watching the president speak in school you might want to take a hard look at yourself as a parent.

[homer86]

He should offer all the kids in school an ice cream and pizza party because their the ones that will be paying for all his bail outs and green job ideas when they get out of school.

[Tomcat0403]

Wow if you have a real problem with your kids listening or watching the president speak in school you might want to take a hard look at yourself as a parent.

not that this President duped the entire nation or anything and is "leading" the country to a place where i do not want to be...

NTM that the fervor that people were drawn to him was bullshit in the way that I feel that people voted for him for things that are and will be too good to be true, all for the sake of "change" because things are soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo fucking terrible in this country....boo freaking hoo.

I am not saying that things cannot be better but jesus h christ, go live anywhere else in the world and take a good hard look at US and ask yourself, "what do i really have to complain about?"

these opinions are mine and not meant to offend personally, as always feel free to retort

[fusion]

He should offer all the kids in school an ice cream and pizza party because their the ones that will be paying for all his bail outs and green job ideas when they get out of school.

You want Obama to offer ice cream for Bush's bail outs?

[fusion]

not that this President duped the entire nation or anything and is "leading" the country to a place where i do not want to be...

NTM that the fervor that people were drawn to him was bullshit in the way that I feel that people voted for him for things that are and will be too good to be true, all for the sake of "change" because things are soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo fucking terrible in this country....boo freaking hoo.

I am not saying that things cannot be better but jesus h christ, go live anywhere else in the world and take a good hard look at US and ask yourself, "what do i really have to complain about?"

these opinions are mine and not meant to offend personally, as always feel free to retort

huh?

[Tomcat0403]

Clarification...If I had a kid I would at least sit down and talk to him afterwards, due to the fact that i feel that Pres. Obama has duped the entire nation; during the election, the first 100 days, and currently, into believing every word he says and i feel that he possibly...maybe...might be trying to create a following and setting up the next generation for him...

my evidence (IMO) is what was stated above

[fusion]

Clarification...If I had a kid I would at least sit down and talk to him afterwards, due to the fact that i feel that Pres. Obama has duped the entire nation; during the election, the first 100 days, and currently, into believing every word he says and i feel that he possibly...maybe...might be trying to create a following and setting up the next generation for him...

my evidence (IMO) is what was stated above

huh?

j/k

While talking with your children is a good thing, you didn't supply any evidence you merely provided a personal opinion backed by no verifiable sources that could be construed as facts.

It was nothing but

[Tomcat0403]

lulz....hence the reason why i put "my opinion" all over the posts....I have this horrid feeling that this country is going toward true socialism and i have a problem with it

[Disclaimer]

not that this President duped the entire nation or anything and is "leading" the country to a place where i do not want to be...

Lol, wut?

You must be talking about when Obama started a war with false information and sent thousands of OUR men and women overseas to sacrifice their lives. I'm just glad when Bush was president we were at least told the truth and no one died.

[fusion]

lulz....hence the reason why i put "my opinion" all over the posts....I have this horrid feeling that this country is going toward true socialism and i have a problem with it

Meh feelings are like assholes, sometimes people just get all butthurt over nothing... that didn't even make sense.

There hasn't been a single thing done or said that would lead us down the path of some complete socialist society.

[ChickOn2]

too bad for the poor kids who wont be getting Perfect Attendance this year, because their parents are keeping them out of school for something this petty.

W did the same thing when he first got elected. I remember, because my daughter was in second grade. The only difference was it was on a VCR tape, and not a live feed. She had to color a paper with the American flag and a picture of the president on it.

People need to calm the fuck down. It's just something presidents do.

[Tomcat0403]

careful how you put things...don't belittle the things they have done over there regardless of how it was started...

not that killing innocent men, women, and children with chemical and biological weapons is itself a reason to have that motherfu*ker hunted down and killed...too bad it took so damn long for us to have the balls to go in there and get his ass...it should have been done a long time ago...but i digress

[Tomcat0403]

Meh feelings are like assholes, sometimes people just get all butthurt over nothing... that didn't even make sense.

There hasn't been a single thing done or said that would lead us down the path of some complete socialist society.

bullshit....government run business, healthcare...really that's not leaning towards socialism at all

there should have been no bailout and the companies should have been allowed to falter or adapt

[CleaveTheGreat]

Worthington was ok when I was there, but I always thought that they should search lockers routinely, never once was there a mass locker search, in which they would have found thousands of dollars in drugs...the reason behind this (and no exhageration) they did not want to find the drugs and have to admit or even have the public consider the district had a drug problem...

When I was in high school we had drug dogs search the school once a month. But I never got caught cuz I left my hookers and blow at home.

But back on topic, I personally don't have a problem with Osama addressing students as long as it is entirely focused on education. But I can understand why parents who don't agree with or support him would want to pull their kids out of class and I think they should have the right to do that.