Presidents should never encourage education

[Moby]

Does this idiot think America has forgotten where President Bush was on 9/11? Encouraging students to learn is not a bad thing unless you're a political pundit or profiting from them.

http://www.rpof.org/article.php?id=754
Tallahassee- Β Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer today released the following statement condemning President Obama's use of taxpayer dollars to indoctrinate America's children to his socialist agenda.

"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.

"Public schools can't teach children to speak out in support of the sanctity of human life or traditional marriage. President Obama and the Democrats wouldn't dream of allowing prayer in school. Christmas Parties are now Holiday Parties. But, the Democrats have no problem going against the majority of American people and usurping the rights of parents by sending Pied Piper Obama into the American classroom.

The Democrats have clearly lost the battle to maintain control of the message this summer, so now that school is back in session, President Obama has turned to American's children to spread his liberal lies, indoctrinating American's youngest children before they have a chance to decide for themselves."

Click here to learn more about President Obama's address


http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/academic/bts.html
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.

Since taking office, the President has repeatedly focused on education, even as the country faces two wars, the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression and major challenges on issues like energy and health care. 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.

This is the first time an American president has spoken directly to the nation's school children about persisting and succeeding in school. We encourage you to use this historic moment to help your students get focused and begin the school year strong. I encourage you, your teachers, and students to join me in watching the President deliver this address on Tuesday, September 8, 2009. It will be broadcast live on the White House website www.whitehouse.gov 12:00 noon eastern standard time.

In advance of this address, we would like to share the following resources: a menu of classroom activities for students in grades preK-6 and for students in grades 7-12. These are ideas developed by and for teachers to help engage students and stimulate discussion on the importance of education in their lives. We are also staging a student video contest on education. Details of the video contest will be available on our website www.ed.gov in the coming weeks.

On behalf of all Americans, I want to thank our educators who do society's most important work by preparing our children for work and for life. No other task is more critical to our economic future and our social progress. I look forward to working with you in the months and years ahead to continue improving the quality of public education we provide all of our children.

Sincerely,



Arne Duncan

[Bill Cosby]

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.

What happened to his communist speech writers??? This looks like a prepared republican speech if I ever saw one WTF???:banghead: :banghead:

How can anyone have an issue w/ a word of that???

[Smurf-Herder]

I think the main problem with this, which you didn't mention, was the lesson plans given to the schools based on Obama's address. The White House released a statement today, saying that the wording has been revised; and that students won't be asked to write an essay on how they can "help the President" specifically. A lot of people around the country thought it had a "Dear Leader" feel to it all.

[John Galt]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/200909...s/ynews_pl888_




Evidently, parents are aghast at the thought of the President directing an oration at the nation's youth...

Brainwashing? It's just a freekin speech!



From the piece:




On September 8, in what the Department of Education is touting as a "historic" speech, President Obama will be talking directly to students across the U.S., live on the White House website. But some parents and conservatives are blasting the president, calling the speech an excuse to brainwash American children.

Last month, in an interview with 11-year-old student reporter Damon Weaver, the president announced his big back-to-school plan:


"I'm going to be making a big speech to young people all across the country about the importance of education; about the importance of staying in school; how we want to improve our education system and why it’s so important for the country. So I hope everybody tunes in."



We don't have any problems letting our nation's kids get their moral compass from the Jerry Springers of the world. The President addressing the importance of education, is going to do some damage?

What's the worst that could happen? Kids will be brainwashed into staying in school?
Worse yet....perhaps they'll strive toward excellence?


Secretary of Education Arne Duncan sent a letter to the nation's principals, inviting schools to watch the speech and included suggested classroom activities. But Jim Greer, the chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, came out swinging against the planned speech. An excerpt from his statement:

Remember the word "Inviting".


Originally Posted by Jim Greer
"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."


Getting a little ahead of ourselves?

Ostracized? Is this guy crazy? Does he think there are emails instructing kids on proper catchphrases to yell during the ostracizing?

The speech has nothing to do w/other aspects of the President's inheritances. This isn't about healthcare. It's about other issues the President stressed during his campaign. For 3 years on these boards, I've been screaming about how the first step toward curing many of society's ills, begins with a different outlook toward education.






NBC spoke with Katie Gordon, a spokeswoman for the Florida Republican Party, who said the party's "beef" is with the accompanying lesson plans. The guide for pre-K through grade 6 suggests questions students think about during the speech, such as "What is the President trying to tell me? What is the President asking me to do?"


So? If you give them questions before the speech, they just might pay attention in order to find the answers. They might even take out their earbuds.





The plan for grades 7-12 includes a "guided discussion," with suggested topics: "What resonated with you from President Obama's speech? What is President Obama inspiring you to do?"


Our last President "brainwashed" us into believing that "Saddam was gonna git us", and now we're worried about a couple of simple comprehension questions?




The Cato Institute, a public-policy research foundation, issued a press release entitled "Hey Obama, Leave Those Kids Alone," criticizing the "troubling buzzwords" in the lesson plans:


"It's one thing for a president to encourage all kids to work hard and stay in school – that's a reasonable use of the bully pulpit. It's another thing entirely, however, to have the U.S. Department of Education send detailed instructions to public schools nationwide on how to glorify the president and the presidency, and push them to drive social change."



I hate to be the one to say it, but social change in this nation is long overdue.

So...we glorify Washington, Lincoln, and others, but not present day Presidents?

Ironic that the republicans were at fault for making a mockery of not only the office of the President, but the entire system of democracy. Now, they want all future Presidents to be "unglorious"? Or is it just the black ones?





Notice how the 9th grade student is eons ahead of the adult mother below.



Across the blogosphere, comments covered the spectrum, from critical to supportive, and from one student, a little anger:

"I sent my children to school to be educated NOT indoctrinated." — justamom

"The fact that people want to keep their kids from hearing the President of the United States encourage them to do well in school shows a true level of ignorance." — Firefey

"As an [sic] 9th grade student, I'd like to say that 1. I'm not sure why everyone is so scared that we'll all be brainwashed by the President ... 2. My school is one that is not allowing us to watch the speech, and quite frankly, I'm pissed." — Willbw
Any parent who doesn't "indoctrinate" their own kids about the importance of education, is doing a lousy job.




It's worth noting that schools are, encouraged, not required, to air the speech. The Houston Chronicle reports that one Dallas school district is leaving the decision to individual teachers. Susan Dacus, spokeswoman for the Wylie school district, says parents who don't want their children to see it can opt out.

Invited/Encouraged....sounds like a couple of dangerous words.

Parents who don't want their kids to see it, can keep them home to watch NASCAR reruns.



In an ironic twist, one Missouri school won't be airing the speech because of a lack of funding. Michelle Baumstark, spokeswoman for Columbia public schools, told the Columbia Daily Tribune, "We don’t have the funding or the equipment to support that type of broadcasting.”
Ironic indeed...the big bad dangerous speech that addresses the need for better funding of education, won't be seen due to improper funding.
__________________

[ROdger Right]

Yea I remember getting called out for an essay somehow connected to 911 and Bush with soemthing about he coulda did something or he was behind it. I think that was the 6th grade.
All I know it wasn't a touchy feely thing for the president and id hope kids havent gottin dumber.

[Bill Cosby]

I think the main problem with this, which you didn't mention, was the lesson plans given to the schools based on Obama's address. The White House released a statement today, saying that the wording has been revised; and that students won't be asked to write an essay on how they can "help the President" specifically. A lot of people around the country thought it had a "Dear Leader" feel to it all.

When you were in school did you ever have to do one of them on the Gettysburg address???? I did...

& that speech Kennedy gave about doing for your country...

I read something like that & I think..>>> if bush wrote this some would be pissed, if Obama wrote this some are gonna be pissed......

If they read all that & did not know most would not be upset in the least..

I think much of the suspicion arises because they perceive him as some kinda leftest & a leftest calling on patriotism & all that is not what leftest do...

So he must be up to something more/sinister.......... But in reality he is not a leftest, he is a centrist... If he is viewed (correctly) as a centrist this is pretty basic stuff here...

My 2 cents...

[Smurf-Herder]

When you were in school did you ever have to do one of them on the Gettysburg address???? I did...

& that speech Kennedy gave about doing for your country...

I read something like that & I think..>>> if bush wrote this some would be pissed, if Obama wrote this some are gonna be pissed......

If they read all that & did not know most would not be upset in the least..

I think much of the suspicion arises because they perceive him as some kinda leftest & a leftest calling on patriotism & all that is not what leftest do...

So he must be up to something more/sinister.......... But in reality he is not a leftest, he is a centrist... If he is viewed (correctly) as a centrist this is pretty basic stuff here...

My 2 cents...

Obama said to understand his policies we should take note of the people he surrounds himself with for advisors - when he was bragging during the campaign. Now that he's in, his Czars make him look more far left than when he was campaigning.

And the thing involving the "lessons" around the speech seem a bit self-glorifying to some people. Not only the "letter to themselves on how they can help the President" that students can write, but an essay on how "the President inspires them" and making posters of Obama quotes were suggested as part of the lesson plan. Like I said - it seems a bit self-glorifying. That's what really bothered people.

[SeniorChief]

Why does the President need to brainwash, errrrrrr..... encourage children to study? Don't these kids have parents? That's their job, not some elite Socialists'.

[John Galt]

Why does the President need to brainwash, errrrrrr..... encourage children to study? Don't these kids have parents? That's their job, not some elite Socialists'.
And THAT is the problem with our nation today.

The parents aren't getting it done.

Let's not forget the elephant in the room...the inner city populations. If Obama was only addressing "his peeps" would everyone feel better about this speech?

The truth is, the word not only needs to get out, but it needs to be drilled into the heads of the majority of our nation's students.

The role models today, are the drug dealers, and the millionaire musicians/athletes.

Unfortunately, those few positions aren't easy to come by.


The Right is afraid that Obama will right the ship, and it will be decades before they get back into power.

[SeniorChief]

The Right is afraid that Obama will right the ship, and it will be decades before they get back into power.

Nah.

Personally, if I had school age children, I wouldn't want them being forced to listen to the brainwashing of a sitting Socialist.

[John Galt]

Nah.

Personally, if I had school age children, I wouldn't want them being forced to listen to the brainwashing of a sitting Socialist.
But you don't, which is why you can't see how silly your paranoia is.


I still haven't heard one realistic argument that shows how any harm could come from this speech.


Just the usual smoke/mirrors

[SeniorChief]

I still haven't heard one realistic argument that shows how any harm could come from this speech.



Read the front page of today's Hartford Courant. Great piece on this very topic.

[John Galt]

Read the front page of today's Hartford Courant. Great piece on this very topic.
I assume you could get me a link?

Thanks.

[SeniorChief]

I assume you could get me a link?

Thanks.

Here you are John - http://www.courant.com/news/education/hc-obama-speech-0904.artsep04,0,3843813.story

[John Galt]

Here you are John - http://www.courant.com/news/education/hc-obama-speech-0904.artsep04,0,3843813.story
Thanks....It is a good article.


Chris Healy, chairman of the Connecticut Republican Party, called Obama's speech "perfectly appropriate" and predicted that children would be excited to hear it.

It's refreshing to see that all republicans haven't joined the disruptive bandwagon that permeates the response to everything our President has proposed since his inauguration.

"I think people have got to relax," Healy said. "There is plenty to criticize the president on when he's speaking to adults. But he is a role model and a historic figure, no matter what you think of his policies. He's a smart person and he's a product of education himself."

Well there ya go...another who believes that it's OK for the President to be a role model....imagine that.

State Department of Education spokesman Tom Murphy said he has received some calls from concerned parents and from school districts uncertain about what to do. He told them that the speech would centered on education.


No doubt, the parents who listen to Rush/Hannity/Beck. These parents still haven't proven themselves capable of an original thought. I hope their children rise above the parent's shorcomings


"These are pretty supportable themes that we embrace," said Murphy. "We expect them to work hard and understand that learning is their responsibility, and that graduating is important. If we get a high profile person to say that, that's good for education."

Notice how those involved in education, can find merit in this upcoming event.

The accompanying lesson plan was devised by educators...not the President.

[Moby]

I think the main problem with this, which you didn't mention, was the lesson plans given to the schools based on Obama's address. The White House released a statement today, saying that the wording has been revised; and that students won't be asked to write an essay on how they can "help the President" specifically. A lot of people around the country thought it had a "Dear Leader" feel to it all.
If people complained when Bush did this then they have a right to complain now. However, Bush was allowed to do it. In fact on 9/11 the President was in a school speaking to children.

Support it when it's a republican and scream about it when it's a democrat. That's what is commonly known as "Elitism". Look it up.

[SeniorChief]

If people complained when Bush did this then they have a right to complain now. However, Bush was allowed to do it. In fact on 9/11 the President was in a school speaking to children.

Support it when it's a republican and scream about it when it's a democrat. That's what is commonly known as "Elitism". Look it up.

I wouldn't want my kids "addressed" by a known Socialist/Communist.
If you're OK with that, knock yourself out.

[Moby]

I wouldn't want my kids "addressed" by a known Socialist/Communist.
If you're OK with that, knock yourself out.
What eveidence do you have that he's a Communist or Socialist for that matter?

Why are you still here?

[Zebulon0351]

I wouldn't want my kids "addressed" by a known Socialist/Communist.
If you're OK with that, knock yourself out.

:lmao2: :lmao2: Weren't you taught that lesson a few days ago? Socialism and Communism are not synonymous of each other.

I guess your private education neglected to teach you that.

[Marika]

I wouldn't want my kids "addressed" by a known Socialist/Communist.
If you're OK with that, knock yourself out.

Maybe if enough loonies make him a non person, caricatures could be drawn of him and brought to school for children to learn the dangers of what a black man might do to ..oh wait, that was in the 40's in another country...oops.

[Moby]

Read the front page of today's Hartford Courant. Great piece on this very topic.
Why do all the nuts always need someone else to express their thoughts? Can't you form your own opinions?

[John Galt]

Why do all the nuts always need someone else to express their thoughts? Can't you form your own opinions?
Surprisingly, the article doesn't support his position

[Smurf-Herder]

Another problem with this is, curriculum is to be decided locally, by county school departments. Some people are concerned this is the foot in the door for a nationalized school curriculum.

Check out the activities coming from Washington. Controlling what children learn from Washington can lead to controlling how an entire generation views the world, by whatever administration is in control at the time.

http://www.ed.gov/index.jhtml

[SeniorChief]

Why do all the nuts always need someone else to express their thoughts? Can't you form your own opinions?

Why do nuts (you) simply cut and paste articles in this forum ?

[doctordog]

Why do all the nuts always need someone else to express their thoughts? Can't you form your own opinions?

My exact thought the first time I saw your signature line.:thumbsup:

[Smurf-Herder]

My exact thought the first time I saw your signature line.:thumbsup:

Now that you mention that, Moby must already know all about Mark Lloyd.

[MintJulep]

Does this idiot think America has forgotten where President Bush was on 9/11? Encouraging students to learn is not a bad thing unless you're a political pundit or profiting from them.

http://www.rpof.org/article.php?id=754


http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/academic/bts.html

Oh? What is that smell? Smells like hypocrisy. :D

September 03, 2009

Flashback 1991: Dems Rip George Bush's Speech to Students as "Paid Political Advertising"....



Washington Post October 3, 1991 (http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/74741197.html?dids=74741197:74741197&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Oct+3%2C+1991&author=Kenneth+J.+Cooper%3BEric+Pianin&pub=The+Washington+Post+%28pre-1997+Fulltext%29&edition=&startpage=a.14&desc=Funding+of+Bush+Speech+Draws+Fire%3B+Democrat +Calls+Education+Broadcast+Paid+Political+Advertis ing%27):House Democrats criticized President Bush yesterday for using Education Department funds to produce and broadcast a speech that he made Tuesday at a Northwest Washington junior high school. The Democratic critics accused Bush of turning government money for education to his own political use, namely, an ongoing effort to inoculate himself against their charges of inattention to domestic issues. The speech at Alice Deal Junior High School, broadcast live on radio and television, urged students to study hard, avoid drugs and turn in troublemakers.

"The Department of Education should not be producing paid political advertising for the president, it should be helping us to produce smarter students," House Majority Leader Richard A. Gephardt (D-Mo.) said. "And the president should be doing more about education than saying, 'Lights, camera, action.' "

Two House committees demanded that the department explain the use of its funds for the speech, an explanation that Deputy Secretary David T. Kearns provided late in the day in a letter to Rep. William D. Ford (D-Mich.), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee. Education Secretary Lamar Alexander was out of town.

http://www.weaselzippers.net/blog/2009/09/flashback-1991-dems-rip-george-bushs-speech-to-students-as-paid-political-advertising.html (http://www.weaselzippers.net/blog/2009/09/flashback-1991-dems-rip-george-bushs-speech-to-students-as-paid-political-advertising.html)

[John Galt]

Another problem with this is, curriculum is to be decided locally, by county school departments. Some people are concerned this is the foot in the door for a nationalized school curriculum.

Check out the activities coming from Washington. Controlling what children learn from Washington can lead to controlling how an entire generation views the world, by whatever administration is in control at the time.

http://www.ed.gov/index.jhtml
There you go again with "foot in the door". Why assume the worst?

The federal govt. now has a say in curriculum, but only to states that accept fed. funding. Some states opt to refuse fed. money, and have more say over their schools.


Unfortunately, it leaves the burden on the shoulders of the property owners. One of the biggest problems w/school funding, is the fact that the money should come from state income taxes, not just property taxes. In that way, the poorer areas will get more money than they do now.

[doctordog]

Now that you mention that, Moby must already know all about Mark Lloyd.

It is quite funny how he is really every thing he is critical of.:D

[Smurf-Herder]

There you go again with "foot in the door". Why assume the worst?



First of all, it's not just me. But as for myself, it's a question of trusting big government - especially when this administration has been pushing to change one thing after another without let-up, since the day Obama got into office. Appearing to want to control and micro-manage every single aspect of American life.

Remember, Hope & Change. The change doesn't involve any clearer transparency or honesty in government. The change involves fundamentally changing everything - to conform with the vision of Obama and his ilk.

[John Galt]

First of all, it's not just me. But as for myself, it's a question of trusting big government - especially when this administration has been pushing to change one thing after another without let-up, since the day Obama got into office. Appearing to want to control and micro-manage every single aspect of American life.

Remember, Hope & Change. The change doesn't involve any clearer transparency or honesty in government. The change involves fundamentally changing everything - to conform with the vision of Obama and his ilk.
In case you missed my post to Cosmicrocker earlier....I'm no fan of politicians.

They're all crooks, and I'm as angry as the rest of the nation.

However...there are a ton of things that need to be changed in this country...starting with campaign finance/lobbyists.


I prefer to root for this current group to succeed in fixing this mess. What irks me, is when I see people denouncing every effort made to improve our current situation...

These are unprecedented times. I simply can't see the good in "what if's", every time something is proposed. I didn't see any of this when they were shoving The Patriot Act down our throats.


How much worse could it possibly get than that?!

Try for once, to find something good about these propositions. Stop worrying about what "may" happen. That attitude is little more than obstructionism. It's the last thing we need now.



Don't worry....the checks/balances are still in place. Nobody is going to tell your kids what they have to believe.

[Smurf-Herder]

In case you missed my post to Cosmicrocker earlier....I'm no fan of politicians.

They're all crooks, and I'm as angry as the rest of the nation.

However...there are a ton of things that need to be changed in this country...starting with campaign finance/lobbyists.


I prefer to root for this current group to succeed in fixing this mess. What irks me, is when I see people denouncing every effort made to improve our current situation...

These are unprecedented times. I simply can't see the good in "what if's", every time something is proposed. I didn't see any of this when they were shoving The Patriot Act down our throats.


How much worse could it possibly get than that?!

Try for once, to find something good about these propositions. Stop worrying about what "may" happen. That attitude is little more than obstructionism. It's the last thing we need now.



Don't worry....the checks/balances are still in place. Nobody is going to tell your kids what they have to believe.

Don't worry, just give 'em a blank check, right? We shouldn't learn anything from the past. Just trust the new guy with everything, without question.

BTW, my daughter already distrusts Obama, even without any of my input. She's got a good head on her shoulders.

[Smurf-Herder]

Don't worry....the checks/balances are still in place.

BTW, the 35 Czars show that the checks and balances have been circumvented.

[John Galt]

Don't worry, just give 'em a blank check, right? We shouldn't learn anything from the past. Just trust the new guy with everything, without question.

BTW, my daughter already distrusts Obama, even without any of my input. She's got a good head on her shoulders.
I've only been here a few weeks...were you complaining about blank checks for the past 8 years?

App. what age is your daughter? Grade school, high school?

[John Galt]

BTW, the 35 Czars show that the checks and balances have been circumvented.
Can you expand on this?

[MintJulep]

BTW, my daughter already distrusts Obama, even without any of my input. She's got a good head on her shoulders.The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. :)

[Smurf-Herder]

Can you expand on this?

I think with all the discussion on this board concerning Czars in multiple threads, it's pretty self-explanatory.

[Smurf-Herder]

I've only been here a few weeks...were you complaining about blank checks for the past 8 years?

App. what age is your daughter? Grade school, high school?

On some spending and policies I did complain. But that was mostly on another board.

My daughter is 15; and already has plans on college.

[Smurf-Herder]

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. :)

I mentioned once during the campaign when I was driving her to school what I worried about concerning Obama. She said I was crazy. (She lives with my ex, btw) Then a few weeks ago, I had her and my ex in the car and I was talking to my ex about how things are now, with Obama. And my daughter said she and most of the kids she knows in school hate Obama, because he wants to be a dictator. I don't know what she heard or from whom, that made her change.

[Bill Cosby]

We shouldn't learn anything from the past. .

What is it we should'a learned???

Is our past our only guide??? Or can we learn from the successes & failures of others as well???

[Smurf-Herder]

What is it we should'a learned???

Is our past our only guide??? Or can we learn from the successes & failures of others as well???

On how we should not blindly trust elected officials, Bill. I'm sure we can agree on that much.

[Bill Cosby]

On how we should not blindly trust elected officials, Bill. I'm sure we can agree on that much.

100% :thumbsup:

I got trust issues I can relate.......... :D