On Sept. 8, President Barack Obama plans to deliver a back-to-school speech to students. His national
address will reportedly concern the values of education and responsibility. AP photo/Charles Dharapak
Next Tuesday (Sept. 8), the day after the U.S. has celebrated the labors of its citizens with a national holiday, President Barack Obama plans to deliver a speech to America's schoolchildren.
By all reports, this national address is intended to deliver a message to these kids to stay in school, to study diligently, and to be kind and respectful to one another, their teachers and their parents -- basically, to be good, responsible citizens!
Now, it should be easy to extrapolate from this message another, underlying message: That earning an education, and that becoming a responsible young citizen, will ultimately give you choices in life -- which will help you become a responsible and productive adult citizen who contributes to the labors of society, thus making you less likely to need to rely on the welfare state for survival.
And you'd think that members of the Conservative party would be doing somersaults over our president bearing such a message.
But, N-O-O-O-O!!! Some have become so outraged over Obama's intentions to "indoctrinate America's children to his socialist agenda" by "using our children as tools to spread liberal propaganda" (these words were actually penned by Florida GOP leader Jim Greer!), that they have called for a ban or boycott on the speech in local schools.(So, there goes the basic American principle of free speech, right out the window!).
Now, I get that our country has become so divided, so filled with Obama haters, that anything he does is bound to attract a boatload of outrage and moral indignation.
But -- just for the sake of argument -- let's say that Obama does use this opportunity to try to brainwash all those little minds. Let's say his speech is loaded with messages about, oh, the importance of a national health-care plan, or the need for a more fairly distributed tax system. Then, haters, here's an idea for you: Why don't you use the opportunity to have a dialogue with your children about it? Why don't you use it as a way to put forth your own ideas and beliefs while allowing for the free exchange of ideas and opinions? You might even find that it will engage their minds in ways not previously explored. And, surprise! you might both learn something from the experience!
Bottom line: Obama's speech is a win-win situation for everyone, not something to be suspicious, fearful or outraged about!
Education Dept. letter that prompted the controversy
Comments
Tracy, way to have a voice and stand up for freedom of speech.
No You Can't
No My Kid.
It is illegal for educational materials to be supplied at the national level. Maybe this administration should learn that just because it was successful in breaking the law giving banks unrecoverable money and buying car companies, it must abide by the laws.
The President who transcends all races seems to have only associated with radicals bent on hatred of whites.
Obama just never caught on film spewing the same hatred.
Great %'s of whites voted for Obama, this is proof we have moved forward as a white nation... Now if these black leaders are ready to put their hatred of whites and their race cards, we can move forward as a whole nation.
Tracy - your points are very valid and that is the approach we are taking with our children. As parents (not as Republican's or Democrat's) we were a bit alarmed to find this all happening so quickly without simply being informed. Because there has been such a lack of information (up to this point) people were suspicious. As of Friday, the school administrators didn't even know what the speech would contain and stated they wouldn't have that information until Monday. Well, that doesn't do much good when it's a holiday and the kids will be watching it next day. I think a great thing for schools to do would be to cast it in a gymnasium and invite community members to squash out any misconceptions. With regard to free speech, it's a bit different in education. I don't think you'd want your student's teacher to attempt to influence your kids according to his/her personal beliefs (if it isn't in line with yours); same (or more) applies for the President.
It is without a doubt that American schools have not been able to get a good grip on other factors besides curriculum becasue of liabilities and such, it is time that we all collaboratively take a stance and work to be accountable... Obama simply wants to reiterate to kids (some have never even been told, unfortunately) what is expected of them... it should serve as an inspirational message to the kids... I have two kids who now attend public schools and I look forward to them receiving some additional motivation from our new accountable leader... Thanks for the article Tracy!
Many Americans are weary of having things they don't want forced on them anyway, i.e., stimulus packages, nationalization of private sector entities, e.g., car companies and banks, massive deficits etc. Many Americans are now faced with the prospect of an Obamacare healthplan that they don't want being forced on them as well, representing further intrusion of federal power into their liberties. Frustration has been building, and everyone today understands that Obama has a political problem; not only because of dropping poll numbers but because he has lost control of the health reform debate. People also understand that everything has a political component and are consequently assuming there is a political dimension to the President's school speech -- not an irrational assumption for the keen Obama observer.
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