Question: Now that the White House has released the text of today's back-to-school speech, do you feel differently about it? Will you let your kid watch it? Is it as bad as you thought it would be, or were you never really interested in it in the first place because your mind was already made up.
Though one of the most vocal critics will now let his children watch Barack Obama's back-to-school speech today, Jim Greer is spinning it as we predicted he would. He believes the White House changed the speech:
Mr. Greer has no evidence that the White House had a different speech last week than the one they posted yesterday. He has no copy of any "indoctrination" speech. His belief that he did is not sustainable, certainly not in a court of law. He'd be thrown out of a court of law. But this isn't a courtroom; it's television. He's not talking to a jury that will carefully vet all the facts; he's talkling to a TV audience. More to the point, it's the choir, and he's preaching to it. The choir doesn't care if it's accurate or logical; it only cares if the messenger feeds the choir's addiction: Tell me what I believe. To choirs like that, affirmation is far more important than information. They care about strength in numbers, not accuracy of data. It's what John Harwoord probably meant when he said:
I've been watching politics for a long time and this is, this one is really over the top. What it shows you is there are a lot of cynical people who try to fan controversy and let's face it, in a country of three hundred million people there are a lot of stupid people too.
Harwood covered politics for the Wall Street Journal for 15 years (and now does likewise for CNBC).
Mr. Greer could have saved everyone a lot of trouble with a phone call to the White House, requesting a copy of the speech to calm his concerns. Did he do that? Why not? That's an important question no one is asking.
Notice at 2:25 of the first video, Jim Greer says:
The president is very aggressive and very vocal on what he believe government's role is. Government should be involved in solving all of our challenges; government should be involved in all of our lives in every aspect. There's no doubt that this president is a great communicator.
Now listen to what Obama said to the NAACP last month:
"Government programs alone won't get our children to the promised land."
In another interview, Jim Greer repeats his meme (at 5:27): "President Obama has a vision for America, which is government in our lives for every aspect. That's not the vision that I and many parents across this country want..."
"Government programs alone won't get our children to the promised land."
Interesting for Mr. Greer to concede that the president is a good communicator. Maybe what's required are better listeners.
Comments
Jim Greer is damaging the Republican Party. He is the #1 most reported person because he has the potential of causing the most damage to the Republican Party.
Look at the eagle behind Obama at the NAASCP video and then look here and see the resemblance to these eagles.
images.google.com/images?hl=en&source=hp&q=nazi%20eagles&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi
No one is displaying the work sheet that is / was to follow the speech. It contained the assignment to write a paper on what you will do to help the president. (After watching the "I pledge" video) Also the probing - What three words do you think are the most important of the presidents speech. (so they can really make it count next time they get a shot at our kids) Now I will wait for someone to call me a racist as that is the official automated response to any alternate point of view...
Yep, I have no major issue with the POTUS speech now. I didn't like it before the text was released, not so much because of fear over indoctrinating content; it was more about the potential usurption of my parental rights and being in the dark about what my kids will be hearing. He still manages to throw in some content I don't like;
"... you quit on school – you’re not just quitting on yourself, you’re quitting on your country. "
But I never like such statements regardless of who says it. To a libertarian, the concept of citizens "owing" allegiance or having personal responsibility to the state is not liberty. But just like in all things my children learn at school, they and I will be able to discuss it at home. With the text released, I can guide my children accordingly.
Murph
Meanwhile Greer is engaged in a political witch hunt which violates every value of the Republican PArty and actively purging outspoken reformers within his own party organization, including removing elected officials from office all over Florida.
Greer should take the beam out of his own eye before trying to get the splinter out of Obama's eye.
blogcritics.org/politics/article/republican-party-of-florida-purges-outspoken/
Dave
BS Zone says: Look at the eagle behind Obama at the NAASCP video and then look here and see the resemblance to these eagles.
Look at the Kool-Aide you're drinking. Jeez, you must be a real doofus.
I read the speech and I liked it. I feel like people are so afraid of change because their is a black face on it. I have not heard this president say anything negative that is bad for children. Writing a letter to help the president isn't about anything negative. If you put that in the context of the speech the kids are going to write things like I can help the president by staying in school and working hard to be a good American, etc. I think people are reading way, WAY too much into this. People need to stop for a minute, take a deep breath and really look at what is going on around them. The GOP is using subtle racism, fear and anxiety to scare people OUT of helping themselves. Remember, if you don't get health care, it isn't going to stop Obama or any government official from having theirs. Read between the lines people! The GOP is messing with your heads and you are letting them. Obama is on the side of the masses and THAT IS YOU!!!!!!!!!!! "We the people" need to change.
"... you quit on school – you’re not just quitting on yourself, you’re quitting on your country. "
But I never like such statements regardless of who says it. To a libertarian, the concept of citizens "owing" allegiance or having personal responsibility to the state is not liberty.
That's only true of anarchist libertarians, a notion that's ludicrous on its face, and hypocritical in your case, since your allegiance to country only goes so far as it benefits your selfish interests. A true libertarian wouldn't be sending his kids to public school? A true libertarian wouldn't live anyplace where there is government? Why do you live here?
Murph says: "...not so much because of fear over indoctrinating content; it was more about the potential usurption of my parental rights and being in the dark about what my kids will be hearing..."
I'll ask again what no one has answered: Why would any parent anywhere believe that any president or any teacher has more influence over their children than they, the parent do? You mean the president can make a child do something in 15 minutes that a parent can't make a child do despite a lifetime's worth of parenting? No one has yet answered my question, and largely, I think it's because people complaining don't want to concede that they have nothing to worry about. They'd rather have yet another reason to be mad at someone they don't like.
OrlandoTeaParty says: "Jim Greer is damaging the Republican Party. He is the #1 most reported person because he has the potential of causing the most damage to the Republican Party."
I hope this isn't some misguided attempt to blame the media for something. If the guy is such a threat to the GOP, why isn't the GOP telling him to shut the hell up? Go blame them, not the media.
Carmela says: "...I read the speech and I liked it. I feel like people are so afraid of change because their is a black face on it. I have not heard this president say anything negative that is bad for children. Writing a letter to help the president isn't about anything negative..."
Race is a component for some, but not for everyone opposed to the president. The country is changing and people simply don't like change, especially those who long for the days of what's euphemistically called "Ozzie & Harriet." Those days are over. What's next is not what was and those who liked what was are terrified. That's really all it comes down to. We went through tremendous social and structural changes when we went from an agrarian society to an industrial one; we're moveing from an industrial society to something else. Older power structures will be the big losers. They're lashing out in desperation, but they will lose. It WILL get uglier before it gets better.
Anyone watch the first video and catch President Bush telling kids to write him a letter telling how they can help? No screaming and yelling talk show hosts then, no foaming at the mouth from anyone then. So what's changed since then to make people behave so primitively?
@BS Zone: You're totally right! That's definitely a NAZI eagle behind Obama. He obviously is a Nazi. I actually didn't know that there was such as thing as a black Nazi, but thanks for pointing this out for me so i can regret voting for Obama last year. Now i feel like a tool of the Socialist Nazi Indoctrinators.
yellow shark says: "...Now i feel like a tool..."
You're totally right: You ARE a tool. Better move out of the country before we invade Poland!
Wow Jerry, relax. First, I believe what I believe, so it isn’t only true of anarchists no matter how much you want it to be. I am not an anarchist, I believe in limited constitutional government. I send my kids to school because I love them and desire a good education for them, one that I can't provide, (I am a single father, must work to eat and pay taxes so I can’t home school). I just want the federal criteria to go away. As it stands, I choose to live in an area with high school taxes because the school is fantastic and my kids are worth it. I also chose to serve in the military, and you’re welcome for that. Libertarian views are widely scattered; from anarchists to the more liberal minded Cato Institute. Politics is never black and white. My personal views favor strong local government with strict limits on any federal power. Your presumptions are way off.
Murph
Hey Bruce, I don’t think anyone in the world has more influence over my children than I. The only issue I had, (let me repeat), The only issue I had, was that myself, nor my elected representative on the School Board hadn’t been able to review it. Now we have; all is right and well with the world. All curriculum and / or activities at school are to be reviewed, at least where I live that’s the law. That’s all, no big deal, just wanted it done right. I never bought into the indoctrination thing and was never in fear, although I did think he might talk more about my children’s “duty to serve”, a thought I contend is bogus. It’s a choice, a choice I made when I was younger, not a duty. My son already talks about joining the military, and I encourage him to learn all he can. I will support whatever decision he makes.
P.S I like Obama, just not his politics.
Murph
yellow shark says: "...Now i feel like a tool..."
You're totally right: You ARE a tool. Better move out of the country before we invade Poland!
Murph says: "I don’t think anyone in the world has more influence over my children than I."
That's where it begins and ends, in my judgment. I used to teach college. I understand the teaching process intrinsically. My sense is that many of the people bitching are the same ones always talking about the importance of parent involvement in education and then using school as a baby sitter. School curriculums are guidelines, not dictates. Teachers have flexibility. Asking kids to write the president letters on how they can help him is not asking kids to say, "I want universal health care." Teachers won't ask kids to write that (or they'll be in hot water if they do). The outrage over the prez was bogus. No president would ever say anything to children that was politically damaging, even if he wanted to (and this one doesn't).
I'm not big on indentured servitude, but I do think gratitude and appreciation is lacking in some of us, particularly among libertarians.
Geesh, if only people would get THIS upset with the school lunch menu. Or the out of balance ratio of learning to physical activity (kids need to move more to learn). Or the fact that many teachers are teaching kids to memorize to keep up their test scores instead of for actual retention or critical thinking skills (not the teachers' fault, rather the system's).
I was never worried about the speech. Lets give kids a little more credit than assuming that they will obey whatever Obama allegedly "tells them to do"; why would they start heeding adults now? The paranoia that exists among stupid people really shouldn't be making front page news. Listen to other people and you might learn something - God forbid! Or, you can respectfully disagree. There's a novel concept. Don't even get me started...oops, too late. :)
Ann says:No screaming and yelling talk show hosts then, no foaming at the mouth from anyone then.
Your ignorance is plain to see.
"when President George H.W. Bush delivered a similar speech on October 1, 1991, from Alice Deal Junior High School in Washington DC, the controversy was just beginning. Democrats, then the majority party in Congress, not only denounced Bush's speech -- they also ordered the General Accounting Office to investigate its production and later summoned top Bush administration officials to Capitol Hill for an extensive hearing on the issue."
"Democrats did not stop with words. Rep. William Ford, then chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, ordered the General Accounting Office to investigate the cost and legality of Bush's appearance. On October 17, 1991, Ford summoned then-Education Secretary Lamar Alexander and other top Bush administration officials to testify at a hearing devoted to the speech."
"Lets give kids a little more credit than assuming that they will obey whatever Obama allegedly 'tells them to do'; why would they start heeding adults now? The paranoia that exists among stupid people really shouldn't be making front page news."
Mom, it does because it sells. But I would ask, why aren't parents giving themselves more credit for being able to raise and influence their children. They're really worried about losing them to the president? Of course, not, but these are people who want to be paranoid, who want to have an enemy, and have found a very convenient one. Sadly, the energy is terribly misdirected, as you implied.
""As the chairman of the committee charged with the authorization and implementation of education programs, I am very much interested in the justification, rationale for giving the White House scarce education funds to produce a media event."
Unfortunately for Ford, the General Accounting Office concluded that the Bush administration had not acted improperly. "The speech itself and the use of the department's funds to support it, including the cost of the production contract, appear to be legal," the GAO wrote in a letter to Chairman Ford. "The speech also does not appear to have violated the restrictions on the use of appropriations for publicity and propaganda."
You people are funny as hell. You either are blind to the truth or just plain refuse to see it.
BS Zone says: "Ann says:No screaming and yelling talk show hosts then, no foaming at the mouth from anyone then. Your ignorance is plain to see."
As is your ignorance and hypocrisy. You mention politicians but no talk show hosts or foaming at the mouth parents or media types. Do you have any such evidence? Bring it or shut up.
Second, are you complaining that Democrats did this nearly 20 years ago? If you are, you should also be complaining that Republicans are doing it now to Obama. Which is it?
And why aren't you upset that HW Bush asked kids to write him a letter?
It's because you're a hypocrite. And ignorant. A water-carrying goon who takes out Glenn Beck's trash.
"I'm not big on indentured servitude, but I do think gratitude and appreciation is lacking in some of us, particularly among libertarians. "
Indentured servitude has no place in a free society, regardless of the "good outcomes" realized. Promoting and extolling the virtues of community service is fine, requirements is wrong. In this particular case, I found nothing wrong or hurtful, just a POTUS sharing a message. It might do some good, particularly with minority youth who may give more of an ear to Obama than they would to an out of touch GW. Libertarian views don't condemn service work. They condemn requirements. I think you're right that many libertarians end up ponding the podium and trying so hard to "make the point" that they fail to remain compassionate and find themselves kinda outside looking in. It makes it harder on the more realistic variety.
Murph
Greer commented that "As the father of four children, I am absolutely appalled that taxpayer dollars are being used to spread President Obama's socialist ideology." Does this manthin before he speaks? And if he actually believes what he said about the President pushing a "socialist ideology" on America's youth, why did he let his children watch and listen? He let them because he's a whore for sale, in trying to cover all angles he showed his hand and it's a looser, just like him. He should resign his position immediately for it was HIM who injected HIS politics into this non-issue. He has shown his biases and oh yes, his prejudices too - OUT Greer, OUT.
Murph says: "...I found nothing wrong or hurtful, just a POTUS sharing a message. It might do some good, particularly with minority youth who may give more of an ear to Obama than they would to an out of touch GW..."
Watch Obama's speech to the NAACP. That's precisely the message he delivered.
FYI: Most people think I'm liberal on social issues because I'm actually quite libertarian on social issues. You'd understand what I mean. Conservatives, who always say they want less government, do not.
Donna says: "Greer...Does this man think before he speaks? ..."
Greer, if you didn't know, has spoken to classrooms in a political capacity himself and is known to have told Hillary Clinton jokes to the kids. That said, I suspect he's more of a political opportunist looking to burnish his standing in the party. Just another ambitious politico who well sell his own mother --or kids-- down the river to climb the ladder. That's not a conservative thing; that's an a-hole thing, and both parties have their share of them.
Telling children to work hard and study. Not too use your socio-economic situation as an excuse. Yikes!!!! How subversive. Racism pure and simple.
Correct myself..."to" use not "too" use.
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