On Tuesday, the Leader of our great Country wants to address our Nation’s future, and people are outraged! And the thing is, I don’t understand why?
The “President will challenge students to work hard, set educational goals, and take responsibility for their learning.”
Well, gee, that sounds threatening!
For the record, I am a Republican. I don’t generally share political views here because I’m not really a good political debater and I think everyone is entitled to their own opinions. I’m not about to change anybody’s mind about anything. And even as a member of the “other party,” I don’t see any threat in Obama addressing my child.
Mr. Obama is my President. He is my child’s President. I LOVE that he wants to address my child and hopefully, maybe it will inspire my son. I have a Kindergartner for goodness sakes, I don’t think he’s going to become a hard core Democrat with one speech!
Where is the harm in this? Why are people so upset?
“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.” (Gordon is the mother of a 6yo son in Florida)
WTH?
Some people are saying they don’t like that the “government” (e-gads!) sent along “suggested activities” (that were developed by teachers) for discussion after the speech.
Apparently, questions like “who is the President?” and “what is the President trying to tell me?” are crazy taboo subjects that will turn our children into socialist robots.
I thought that was called “education.”
Now my kindergarten age child probably won’t be effected much by this one way or the other, but even if I had an older, high school student, I would want them to watch. I would hope that my child would have a mind of his own enough to form his own opinions. It could lead to a great discussion of your own political views and those of your child. This is the first time a President has addressed our Nations students like this, it’s historic.
Does someone want to enlighten me as to why this educational opportunity and historic event is being shunned? Because I really don’t understand.
Welcome to OhRheally?, My name is Rhea and I share stories of life raising 3 sons, my experiences as a (recently retired) 
Great post, Rhea.
I do NOT understand either. If you disagree with the President, tell your child your opinion. How will he learn to think for himself or defend his beliefs if never given the opportunity?
Whether you agree with the President or voted for him, he is THE President of the United States and he deserves respect.
Oh good. I’m glad you think it’s a “great post.” Since I never talk politics I didn’t want to sound like an idiot. lol I’m also glad that I’m not the only one that doesn’t understand.
I couldn’t read the whole outrage link, it irritates me. People look for anything and everything to get their panties in a bunch over. These are children for goodness sakes, and this is THEIR President…how in the world is one little speech going to hurt them?
Don’t they?? People always need to complain about something. It’s crazy.
Oh – There will always be someone upset about something.
As a former teacher I wonder if these parents know what their children are actually watching at school. I would much rather my child listen to the speech from Obama than another showing of Finding Nemo (you know, Marine Biology) or The Fast and The Furious (Auto shop, of course). Yes, my child had both of those experiences.
NO!? Really? Wow. I think this is a huge teaching/learning opportunity. You are right, much better than Nemo.
Thank you for writing this! Teaching our children to respect authority and have patriotism for our country are values that the right hold dear, I am confused how keeping the children from seeing a message from the President of the United States is patriotic or respecting the authority of the office. He is our President! Have some respect people!!!
I also think it’s very unpatriotic the way some are carrying on.
I didn’t vote for Obama, but didn’t he win by a lot? What happened to all his supporters??
I’m a supporter and I’m just going on with my normal life not all-consumed with politics. I’m just letting him do his job.
I don’t really know a lot about it either, just because I don’t have kids that age, but this is what one of my friends wrote in an email about it, “Apparently there are supposed to be packets included to guide the kids through activities which the White House insists are all about setting short-term & long-term educational goals for themselves. But some of the wording in their lesson plans has already had to be changed because many people voiced concern that he is trying to indoctrinate the children.”
I think what scares most people is they are afraid he will try to talk politics to the students, instead of just encouraging them to work hard in their education. I think most people would feel more comfortable if they were allowed to see it first, and then they could know what was being said.
If the speech does indeed talk about the importance of education and encourage kids to stay in school and work hard, then I’m all for it.
I replied to you at momdot, but will here, too. I don’t think a pre-screening would be unreasonable for parents. Or a draft made public so parents could read it ahead of time.
My school district posted links to the “lesson plans” that were given them, I liked to the K-6 one above.
Everything is so heated right now that its a little scary. Did you see CNN this morning? This post was nice to see.
Lucy
I did not see CNN. My kids monopolize Noggin and Nick Jr in the mornings so I don’t hardly even watch the news.
What were they saying?
I force toy time so I can watch the news. I hear ya on the monopolize thing:)
This morning they were showing the protests against Obama and this TV thing. They were also protesting the health care reform. I dont mind protesting but it just seems like it could become violent and any moment. There were Obama supporters at the protests and they were showing people in each others faces arguing.
The non supporters are saying that Obama is going to bankrupt the country and such. I cant keep up with all the Obama pos and neg that is happening on a daily basis. Your post was nice because I think we all just need to hear some positive things right now. I dont know enough to give an opinion on Obama. I see a lot of pos and neg so I dont know what to think.
Lucy
I am surprised every time I see how *angry* some people are.
I agree with what’s been said here. And for the record, it’s not unprecedented and will be available for parents to read. A quote from a CNN article:
“White House officials noted that Obama’s speech, which will be available for anyone to view on the Web on Monday, is not unprecedented. President George H.W. Bush delivered a nationally televised speech to students from a Washington D.C., school in the fall of 1991, encouraging them to say no to drugs and work hard.
In November 1988, President Ronald Reagan delivered more politically charged remarks that were made available to students nationwide. Among other things, Reagan called taxes “such a penalty on people that there’s no incentive for them to prosper … because they have to give so much to the government.”
I personally think there is a lot of fear based on misinformation. I would have a big problem with a president from any party giving a speech to students concerning policy, but I haven’t seen a single thing to convince me that’s what is going on.
Thank you for posting this Rhea! I just don’t get it either. There is a school district in my state who has officially “banned” it and will not be letting the students watch it. Why? Because parents are concerned that Obama is trying to “sway our youth”. Give me a break.
I agree, there is a unneeded fuss over this. Although, I wonder what he is going to say in the speech, but I am not going to watch it. I disagree with almost everything he says and with his current big healthcare crap among everything else… I don’t feel the need for Obama to try to “inspire” my child. I am not going to raise a big fuss over it… just not go out of my way to have Colton watch it.
I already mentioned that I’m not a Democrat, so I don’t really agree with most of his policy either. But I also don’t hate the guy and I don’t think he’s going to try and “brainwash” my kids.
I am SO glad to find another who feels like I do! I am also totally puzzled as to what the problem is. I am loving your perspective as a Republican, because I think that people assume it is about left and right. It isn’t about that, though. Great post!
I don’t watch TV a lot these days, so I am embarrassed to say I found out about this speech through people complaining on Facebook.
Personally, I think if I knew up front what he was going to talk about, and that the school planned to show, it’s not a big deal. Most schools we have attended will inform you as a parent, and sometimes even require a signed permission slip letting your child watch a televised event or movie. I received a message from our school saying they were going to record the speech and make it available on the website for parents to view.
I know people in my old state that were not going to send their kids to school on that day! What? I don’t get it either!