Obama speech to students

The Obama speech to students has become a very controversial topic as critics say, he’s just trying to indoctrinate them to his political beliefs. President Obama plans to give a speech to students on Tuesday, September 8, 2009. The Department of Education has issued instructional materials written by Obama’s staffs which makes it controversial.

In the September 8 Obama speech to students, he will encourage them to work hard, set goals for their education and take responsibility for their learning, according to the letter sent by Arne Duncan to principals. In a press release, Duncan said:

“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.”

But Republican party Chairman Jim Greer said in a press release:

“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.”

Some parents also say they will keep their children home from school as a boycott, especially in states like Utah, Kentucky and Texas. California school officials note materials used in schools must be vetted by local school boards, and these school districts may tape Obama’s speech and decide later whether to air it in classrooms.

Duncan however, said in his letter to the principals that viewing of the speech is encouraged, not mandatory. It’s the first time a president has ever given a speech addressed directly to students.

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{ 64 comments… read them below or add one }

lief jon lowe September 4, 2009 at 4:19 pm

Being raised in the conservative enviroments of Idaho and Utah and also puritanical by nature, I find it shocking that this should be an issue. The schools I went to we heard what the presidents had to say, discussed it, and made our own decisions, thought we were just students. For parents to tell their children that they aren’t mature or capable enough to forge the truth for themselves is an admittance of their misunderstanding or failure as parents, and for school districts to support their views is an indictment of the whole community to ignorance and denial of our elected officials. When I was a child that was called disrespect, not a virtue I’d like to be accused of.

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Sandi September 4, 2009 at 8:47 pm

Thank God. Someone with a brain. I agree with you lief jon lowe. I can’t understand why telling students to stay in school, work hard and plan for your future has anything to do with health care, banks and taxes.

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Peggy Stanley September 5, 2009 at 5:15 am

Do you not think our children today will grow up to be adults that will need health care, need banks to help them finance their dreams and the knowledge to foresee ways of cutting taxes in the future? Our children need to be educated to have open minds to look at the good and the bad in all of the three issues you have mentioned here. With open minds they can make better choices on policies for running the health care systems, rules and policies to keep banks honest and fair and none of this fine print to suck people into making a bad choice because they did not understand the fine print and took the word of a dishonest loan officer. Taxes is one thing we will all have to pay but are they on an equal basis for all income levels?
Maybe one child out of ever 1000 that hears this speech choses to purse one of these issues and makes a change that could make EVERYONES life BETTER.

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Meeche September 4, 2009 at 4:59 pm

Obama is trying to force his Health Care Plan down our throats and since that isn’t working, he’s going to the schools and forcing our kids to listen to his speech and then have to write a paper on it entitled “How I can help the Presidient” - this wouldn’t be so bad if we had a President who was for Americans instead of for all our foreign enemies and Muslims. This Presiident is more concerned about how we might be hurting the terrorists than what the terrorists are doing/killing Americans - There’s a saying “When you treat your enemies better than your friends, pretty soon you only have enemies” that is what is happening to America under this president who is surrounding himself with communists for his staff people. He has Muslims for his Medical advisors and now he just named two more Muslims to the State Department - he has no use for Americans or Christians. Remember - the Koran says for the Muslims to kill all infridels and Americans are infidels - anyone not a Muslim is an infidel. Wake up America. He’s resorting to our kids now - just like other socialist countries where they take the kids from the homes at ages 4 & 5 and put them in State run schools so they can be indoctrinated in socialism - is that his next step?

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mind September 5, 2009 at 2:44 am

I feel sorry that people really actually believe as you do. I will pray for you!

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Lashonda September 5, 2009 at 3:36 am

Paranoid much?

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Tired of Stupidity September 5, 2009 at 5:16 am

Wow, that was just an amazing speech that proves that you know nothing about our country. Our country was founded on foreigners. We have people that are U.S. Citizens born and raised that are not Christians, possibly because Christianity has killed more people than all the diseases put together. I have witnessed and put up with a lot of ignorance in my life, but disrespecting the office of the president for no more than racist roots is too far. I’m sorry your people lost the election “Billy Bob” but it’s time to hang up the white hood and put out the cross. We have a President that is for America not just White America. Move on. Unfortunately, you have the choice and the right to make your children stupid and racist. Good news for you and your hooded Klansmen: your children probably won’t be able to understand the speech anyway, because the words are too big for their simple little ingnorand homegrown minds.

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Lovey September 5, 2009 at 2:01 pm

It just amazes that people can be so critical of a man who is trying to make this country a better country. Afterall, Bush put this country to war, lied throught his entire campaign, stole the first election, hired an entire staff of corrupt politicians, maintained a C throughout college, has a cocaine addiction and two drunken daughters, the entire 8 years in office did not improve this country in any shape or form, does not have control of the english language, muttled through speech after speech and these same silly americans allowed their children to listen to this person (a term I use rather loosely).

People grow up! Yes, he is a Black man, yes he is educated and charming. However, his heart is in the right place! Get over your racist views and ideals and focus on the issues. Is it a crime to want children to be educated? Bush never addressed any children who REALLY wanted to listen!

Belgium has a better school system then this country! Academically, this countries educational system is horrible and not just for urban youth! We have more white trash now then ever before! Leave the president alone and let him do his job! He is americas worst nightmare! An educated, attractive black man, who also happens to be the president! America ain’t what she used to be and if you continue to harp on issues that are unimportant america will continue to go down hill and eventually become a third world country. Grow up!

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Pat September 5, 2009 at 3:13 pm

this person sounds so out of reality it is a shame why don’t they stop to think instead of swallowing all the radio garbage as gospel when has America sunk so low as to show such disrespect for the president Parents are teaching their children to accept what is said as gospel instead of talking things out and explaining why don’t they wait to see what he has to say first

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out of kentucky September 4, 2009 at 10:19 pm

I have to agree. I live in Kentucky and am unfortunately one of the few here with an open mind. The school our son goes to has decided to let the parents view the video before their children can see it. Any parent who does not want their child to view the video can send in a note. Since when has it been acceptable to censor the president? He is our leader and is due respect. They only thing that makes me more aggravated is when they call him Mr. Obama and not President Obama

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Marie September 5, 2009 at 11:36 pm

“They only thing that makes me more aggravated is when they call him Mr. Obama and not President Obama”

Were you just as aggravated when President Bush was call Mr. Bush for the last 8 years? It seems that there was alot of disrespect to our last leader and those complaining now weren’t complaining then.

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HErbert September 4, 2009 at 11:18 pm

For a student to have the President of the United States of America come in and give a largely inspirational speech will be something that those kids will remember for the rest of their lives. Sometimes I wonder if being critical and getting back in power is more of a motivator for Republicans than the well being fellow Americans.

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snowdiamond September 5, 2009 at 12:01 am

I don’t know why all the controversy. Politicians are making this speech an political issue. As a former BIA High School Student, we respect our President no matter what was handed down to us American Indian Tribes.

As a Parent of School age Children, I just want my Children to do good and graduate from High School and Higher Education Schools. I think not that President Obama will tell my children to adhere to his policies or speeches. No I don’t think it as a government getting bigger, it is already big.

Education is a tool for all of our children to take advantage of and live a life that will be productive after they graduate. I don’t think Presidents speech should be the crux of getting even with a democratic administration and see it fail.

I haven’t read the speech because it says it will be made on September 8, but some of it I have seen and it is encouraging our students to take advantage of productive life and contribute favorably to our well being of our democratic government after graduating from educational institutions. Per se.

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COLEEN10 September 5, 2009 at 12:19 am

MY CHILDREN WILL NOT BE THERE, NOR WILL MY GRANDCHILDREN. IT IS NOT MY OPINION THAT MY KIDS CAN’T DISCERN FOR THEMSELVES WHAT IS RIGHT OR WRONG, IT IS THE FACT THAT OBAMA IS SO FAR LEFT IN HIS POLITICS THAT IT IS WASTE OF TIME FOR MY CHILDREN TO LISTEN TO HIM. OBAMA HAS SURROUNDED HIMSELF WITH AVOWED COMMUNISTS AND I HAVE NO INTEREST IN ANYTHING HE SAYS, HIS LIPS ARE MOVING HE IS LYING FOR POLITICAL GAIN. RESPECT IS EARNED AND HE WILL NEVER EARN MINE UNLESS HE SUDDENLY SWINGS AND STARTS DOING THOSE THINGS WHICH BUILD AND NOT TEAR DOWN AMERICA. THE ADS THAT ARE BEING RUN IN UTAH WHICH BEGIN WITH “I PLEDGE TO BE A SERVANT TO MY PRESIDENT” ARE NOT RUN FOR THE ADULTS, IT IS TO INDOCTRINATE CHILDREN. WE TELL OUR KIDS NOT TO GO WITH STRANGERS AND IF THEY TRY TO FORCE THEM TO SCREAM AND YELL AND DO WHAT EVER IS NECESSARY TO GET AWAY. WELL OBAMA IS THE STRANGER AND THE DANGER HERE AND WE ALL NEED TO START SCREAMING, YELLING AND DO WHAT IS NECESSARY TO THROW OFF THESE ENEMIES. WE PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG AND CONSTITUTION AND ARE ADMONISHED TO DEFEND OUR COUNTRY AGAINST “ALL ENEMIES, FOREIGN OR DOMESTIC” AND THAT IS WHAT I INTEND TO DO.

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Tired of Stupidity September 5, 2009 at 5:45 am

Hey Coleen, what time is the Klan meeting? You better get going wouldn’t want your following to miss out on all your fun banter about SCREAMING AND YELLING. Oh yeah, tell the Grand Wizard that our President is American, and your children should listen to the President because he’s not a bigit.

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Marie September 6, 2009 at 1:00 am

What did the poster say that lead you to accuse them of being racist? One can oppose President Obama’s policies without caring about his heritage.

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Leslie R Wilsom September 5, 2009 at 10:27 am

Would you object if it was Bush who was speaking to your children…Aftrer getting us into a war, based on all lies. Your children and grandchildren may som day be dying because of Bush’s administrations lies….No proof of mass weapon… Just to get more money………..

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Lovey September 5, 2009 at 2:05 pm

Your ignorance is showing, where you this critical when it came to Bush? After all, you was a horrible speaker, oh but he is white. Grow up!

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Lovey September 5, 2009 at 2:08 pm

Oh did you finish high school?

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Marie September 6, 2009 at 12:56 am

Could you explain why in the world you would comment “oh but he is white” to the poster’s comments? I am really having trouble following your point.

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Pat September 5, 2009 at 3:21 pm

my goodness you sound like a raving fanatic why don’t you stop and listen to yourself is it so wrong for your children to hear the President give them a speech about staying in school and doing the best you can In my day we would have been thrilled to have the President take time to talk to us. We sat around the radio and listened to the President with his fireside chats. Grow up and wake up this is America and everyone is entitled to freedom of speech as long as it is not hateful and harmful to others

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Marie September 5, 2009 at 11:49 pm

The concern of many isn’t necessarily the fact the President is speaking to schoolchildren. It’s that the Whitehouse has provided the study materials and is therefore leading and directing the discussiong before, during and after it. That takes away from the “open discussion” as the teacher leads the children through the government provided curriculumn.

That was not done when you sat around the radio with your family.

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anniegirl September 5, 2009 at 12:35 am

Have any of you seen the I Pledge video? These ‘movie stars’ and athletes are pledging to serve Barack Hussein Obama, and urge you to, as well. This is part of what is to be shown in our schools. The president’s job is to work for us, not the other way around. Get a clue people. Do some research.

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Pat September 5, 2009 at 3:28 pm

His name is PRESIDENT OBAMA give him the respect he deserves as President of the country You haven’t even given him a chance

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gerald September 5, 2009 at 1:19 am

Has anyone ever heard of adolph hitler and his youth program

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GlenAH September 5, 2009 at 4:07 am

If you study the years of the 30’s through World War II, you will see an alarming correlation to what is happening to our country right now. Exactly as Hitler came to power and led his people. Adolf’s youth program is exactly what Barack HUSSEIN wants for himself. Study history people! It does repeat itself. Unfortunately, it is happening in our very own USA. It will soon be the “United Socialist States of America”. Very scary.

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Lovey September 5, 2009 at 2:06 pm

You are the white, poor trash this country does not need. Did you finish high school?

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Marie September 5, 2009 at 11:51 pm

Why do you have to resort to name calling to try to prove some point? That is high school behaviour regardless if you finished or not.

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Pat September 5, 2009 at 3:26 pm

Have you heard of Joe McCarthy in the fifties with his lies and attacks on innocent people This is America not Germany

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JC Garcia September 5, 2009 at 1:33 am

If you raised your children well, then why wouldnt you trust them to make their own decisions on what our elected president has to say? For crying out loud, the man wants to inspire our youth to become better people than we have obviously become. And before we judge OUR PRESIDENT on what he may or may not say, why don’t we allow him the First Amendment right of actually saying it; instead of assuming the worst and fouling our own values with presumed hatred and unfairness. We are heading down a familiar road… and it’s a very dark one indeed. As it stands now, nothing President Obama does will appease those who have already judged and senetenced his every action. I find it untolerbably ironic that those who judge, are the same who believe and preach that there is only one true Judge and that we should be loving one another despite our differences. Practice what you preach folks…

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Frank September 5, 2009 at 7:52 am

Let’s stop and look at your first sentance, if you raised your children right… this is being broadcast to kids through 6th grade, I don’t think I’m done raising my child by the age of 5, I don’t think my children wouldn’t question what the President of the United States says, after all, in their minds isn’t he the leader of our country? Children do not have the insight to ask questions about situations they do not understand. Children expect their parents to protect them from harm. Children should not be told to follow their President just because he’s the President. Children don’t understand there are different sides to just about every issue facing this country today, and unfortunately they will not hear any other opinion except Obama’s. This is not about staying in school, this is the begining of indoctrination into Obama’s belief system. If Mr. Obama wants to talk to someone why not the American ADULTS, who do have questions, who want specific answers, who can understand that it’s ok not to believe what someone tells you just because it’s coming from the President. It’s ok to challenge the “popular” belief, that’s what made this country so great. With the staggering debt, hostle response to anyone who challenges Obama’s veiws as being simple minded, or anti-american, or worse, why would any child even dare ask “why?” Mr. President you work for us, that’s what our children need to understand, it’s a democracy, you are all public servents, it’s not the public that’s supposed to be YOUR servents.

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mike September 5, 2009 at 12:24 pm

it is not have you raised your kids correctly or not, you have to remember that the mind of a teenager has not finished developing yet. let’s see the government has been able to rack you the highest national deat ever and the unempoyment is higher than ever. now don’t start yelling yet at bush and the republicans because the democrates have controlled the house for at least the past 8 years, they had the right to vote, nothing would have past if the democrates had not voted for it and if they say i didn’t vote for it then they were not there, or they are lying. mister garcia. obama has been able to take possetion ot walstreet, the banks, auto industery, and trying to take over mine and yours insurance for health. if he keeps it up we are going to get the same directions as the russa in case of a nuclear attack. go dig a hole in the ground large enough to lay down in. cover yourself with a blanket and wait. you can see this one coming, he is asking them to bury themselves. go ahead and read karl marks sciencetific socalism. i am almost finished with my work towards my doctoriet degree. please don’t take my word study it will help you to understand what is coming through the back door. are you aware that martin l. king had his doctorite taken away for pledurism, the reverin jessie jackson got kicked out of collage. and now the situation we are in it is getting ugly. obama is not my president nor my cheif of state. he has never had to decide on his own if he would have to fight for his nation would he do it? it seems that once he started living with his grand parents he began to get that golden spoon in his mouth. he was not born on this countries soil. mackan was not but he was born on u.s. soil and fought for his country. i really don’t belive he would. well there i said it i am now happy

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Pat September 5, 2009 at 3:24 pm

Amen well said at least you are willing to make your own decision not swallowing all the filth being thrown around

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Janet September 5, 2009 at 1:43 am

Those of you who agree with the President are obviously uneducated. You have possibly come from one of those “schools” that hands out diplomas to kids who just show up! You obviously have an enormous lack of understanding about the foundation of this country, wold history, and current world issues. Or you could even be one of the millions of college kids fresh out of your parents homes thinking you are going to buy into this “change!” Change… yep, you have “short CHANGED” those who have made great sacrifices for this country. Congratulations, and look at the mess you have all caused our country.

I am thankful the school our children attend has decided not to show the media circus at all!

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Tired of Stupidity September 6, 2009 at 8:07 am

By the way, you had have numerous grammatical and spelling errors. On a brighter note, you are a dumb ass.

The mess was caused the second you conservative, gun toting, inbred, racist, oil guzzling, environment killers managed to elect your village idiot to two consecutive terms as head retard. We are just now trying to get through Bush’s first term disasters. Let’s try not to put down the the most educated and intelligent President we’ve had since Clinton. He just wants to let the students know that they need to work hard in order to keep up in a global economy. I know with all your high school education that wasn’t just handed to you that you should be able to gather that little concept. So, you must just be a racist. Way to go, Janet, be an ispiration to all the other people that didn’t have to change their last name when they got married.

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mike September 5, 2009 at 1:49 am

the elections are over. when is the president going to stay home and get something done. he will already taken three vactions, and has so many freqent flyer miles its crazy. i haven’t been able to go on a vacation in years. i am on social securaty disability. i was a school teacher and the sur13’s or surx3 the largest mexican gang, in the salt lake county. my doctors are great. but the drug companys need to be regulated. my medican has cost me 180,000 dollars and this does not count for the medican that could counter aganst those drugs. we had to pay over 4,000 dollars for one medican alone. having been a teacher, i never had any problems with the kids. a young student won’t understand and will not hear anything after 15 minutes. the older students will want to sleep. this is not in the cericulum, and the teachers don’t have to let the students see the speach. so i ask you is the election over and the students don’t care.

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Cherry September 5, 2009 at 1:52 am

All of my children are middle aged but my grandchildren and great grandchildren will not be going to school on this day. I read above that the president is only incouraging our students to strive for higher education and that is laudable but that is not all he is doing. He is trying to indoctrinate our children to serve his agenda’s and to socialize our country through our children. Our children will have to fill out a form and tell why they should support him and his ideals and this is just wrong. This should not be an issue of democrats or republicans but of americans standing tall and united together against communism and terrany. I say do not bring politics into our childrens classrooms. I may be old but I am not stupid and I lived as a child through what happened in germany and heard the talk around the table and the adults about what happened and have researched it as an adult and we just couldn’t believe that one race of people could do such a thing to another and in that was our mistake. Please red blooded americans it is time to stand together for our country as one people again so that we may save our traditions and our values.

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COLEEN10 September 5, 2009 at 2:08 am

HITLER WANTED TO INSPIRE THEM TOO

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Alan Campbell September 5, 2009 at 2:09 am

If you won’t let my children listen to GOD in school, what makes you think I am going to allow this idiot to speak to them without my supervision! If you want to address our children and attempt to sway their minds in any manner, do it in front of me, on prime time TV, and allow me to decide what they should be lied to about! I can’t believe that our nation has come to this. By that I mean that I do not want the President of the United States talking to my children at all, about anything!

Thank You

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Tired of Stupidity September 6, 2009 at 7:57 am

Are you allowed to talk to them without supervision, because you’re an idiot.

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Alan Campbell September 11, 2009 at 6:29 am

Hey Tired and Stupid,
From the looks of all of your responses, you are obviously one of those who just can seem to accept those who do not believe in this president. Such is life. I don’t believe in this president and neither do many others.

I want to believe that your president truly has this country’s best interest at heart, but at times it would appear that this is not the case. In fact, everything that this man has done and said thus far has been purely politically motivated with a seriously dangerous trend toward Socialism. I suggest you take a nap and perhaps attend some continuing education classes. This could help the tired and stupid bit.

God help US!

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mind September 5, 2009 at 2:55 am

It’s a shame when people are afraid to let their children be inspired to be better people. Since when do you all approve of everything that is taught and said to your children by their teachers and administration while they are in school? When something is broken it needs to be fixed and applaude our President for trying to bring change about to the broken areas in this county and that includes our educational system. Thank God, we finally we have a leader with a backbone. He’s not afraid to try new things to bring about change that we despirately need. THANK PRESIDENT OBAMA!

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Marie September 6, 2009 at 12:02 am

Again, the issue has little to do with the speech to inspire children. One would not object to any President doing that. The objection is the study materials being provided which instruct the teachers how to lead the children before, during and after the speech. Watching and talking about the speech as a class is one thing; having the Whitehouse provide the direction of the discussions is another.
Many who are very supportive of the efforts of Obama should try to put them in the place if roles were reversed. Would you have supported President Bush supplying every teacher in the country with the lesson plan to discuss his speech? Regardless of political offiliation, it leads to concern about the government’s influence and politicization of our school children. So if this set up does not concern you, it shouldn’t when the next President, if it is one who your are very opposed to, follows in President Obama’s footsteps.

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Tired of Stupidity September 6, 2009 at 10:20 pm

I would have allowed this no matter who the President is? My children are smart enough to make their own decisions. I am liberal on most issues, but I let my children weigh the options for themselves. They don’t always agree with my views, and they make valid points that I have to respect. I don’t agree with them, but I don’t ignore them either. That’s what seems to be going on here. Parents are pretending that if their children don’t hear and see the speech then it won’t happen. Well, I don’t think you give your children enough credit to discern for themselves. If theey’re not smart enough to make their own decision, then they are probably not smart enough to understand the speech in the first place. If I know anything about our President at all, it’s that he is intelligent and a parent that wants to motivate children to be better and work harder. If he starts discussing healthcare and bailouts with children, then they are going to zone out and ignore him anyway. This tactic of asking the kids how they can help the President, is a way of motivating them to make goals for their lives and their country. Much like JFK saying, “don’t ask what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”

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Jack Payne September 5, 2009 at 3:13 am

My god, after nine years we finally have a President who speaks English well, in complete sentences rather than gibberish. Let him speak!!!!!!!!!!

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Marie September 6, 2009 at 12:04 am

One could argue that he READS english well. His sentences are often gibberish when he’s not reading them.

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Louise September 5, 2009 at 3:20 am

I just do not understand the mentality of the right wing. I find that when we disagree with our President, it is a matter of disrespect and disgrace for the office that he was elected. I know and will proclaim that I am a liberal Democrat but NEVER hated and disrespected BUSH when he was in office. Bush was still the president and such, it was alright for him to visit and talk to
children in the classroom. Remember where Bush was at on 911???
OK now Obama wants to address the education of our children. Give it a rest and try to respect the President, he has to run again in 2012 and then we will know if he needs to leave or continue for another term. Obama was elected and deserves our respect just like Bush did
deserve my respect.

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Marie September 6, 2009 at 12:11 am

I’m with you, Louise. I do not support the direction President Obama is taking this nation but disrepecting the office of President is not acceptable.

I agree, I’m ok with the President addressing children as past presidents have done. The concern I have is that the Whitehouse has supplied the lesson plan for all teachers viewing his speech. For the Whitehouse to guide classroom discussion of the speech before, during and after is it viewed with children makes me wary. It concerns me that this is a direction that this and future President’s could continue to take. If it is completely accepted by the citizens of our nation for our political leaders to provide the teaching materials in our classrooms, I worry the direction our nation will take in the future.

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Abes September 5, 2009 at 3:32 am

Oh boy! Another Obama speech….we don’t get NEARLY enough of those!!

Rather than another speech, how about he actually do his job? Here’s a few ideas:

How about this president work on fixing the highest unemployment rate in 26 years?

How about he stop giving bailouts to corporate thieves and crooks to the tune of $1 trillion?

How about he end these endless wars (that the Chinese are lending us the money for….at a healthy interest rate, for sure)?

How about he get realistic about our (in)ability to pay for a $1 trillion health care plan?

How about learning how to balance a checkbook (my grandmother could do this and she was an immigrant w/ a 4th grade education, yet Obama can’t seem to figure out the “spending vs/ income” part)?

How about he take a basic economics course so that he finally understands that if he keeps mortgaging our future, these kids he is going to tell to “study and work hard” will actually have something to study and work hard for?

I wonder if he’ll tell these children how much of OUR debt they are going to inherit….probably not…but, I sure hope he says “Hope and Change” and “Yes We Can” a few dozen times…he doesn’t say that nearly enough!!

Hey, Obama….pay for 2 wars, bailouts and universal health care WITHOUT mortgaging our children’s futures??

NO WE CAN’T….get a grip, you fraud.

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Harold Thomas September 5, 2009 at 4:06 am

I did not vote for Mr Obama. I do not share his beliefs in how government should work. He is the President! If he wants to address the students I see no problem with it. I work on the “fool me once , shame on me” premise. If he uses the forum to lobby for his programs, then the schools will be justified in not allowing any future speech to be shown. Bush senior addressed the students about drugs in 1991 and the Dems of that era said the same things about him. They were just as wrong as the naysayers today. Let the congregation say AMEN!

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Texbygrace September 5, 2009 at 4:49 am

It is written, You shall worship the Lord your God and serve HIM only.

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mike September 5, 2009 at 4:59 am

as a former teacher. the head start program does not work,there is no one to give children a renforcement. in high school where there is an a-b scedual math and seince do need a stroger base in as long as going to college.

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Dianne Dentice September 5, 2009 at 5:23 am

colleen10 - who exactly are these ‘avowed communists’ you refer to in your loud comment? you sound exactly like many of the white supremacists i have interviewed for the last four years as part of my research agenda. the one good thing i can say about them is that they admit who they are. i have long thought that extremist ideology is merging with mainstream thought and your post substantiates my theory.

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Marie September 6, 2009 at 12:28 am

I assume the poster was referring to Van Jones, the president’s “Green Czar”, since Jones referred to himself as a communist. Bing him if you want to know more.

Here’s how the East Bay Express described the “Green Jobs Czar’s” background:

Jones had planned to move to Washington, DC, and had already landed a job and an apartment there. But in jail, he said, “I met all these young radical people of color — I mean really radical, communists and anarchists. And it was, like, ‘This is what I need to be a part of.’” Although he already had a plane ticket, he decided to stay in San Francisco. “I spent the next ten years of my life working with a lot of those people I met in jail, trying to be a revolutionary.” In the months that followed, he let go of any lingering thoughts that he might fit in with the status quo. “I was a rowdy nationalist on April 28th, and then the verdicts came down on April 29th,” he said. “By August, I was a communist.”

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M Moore September 5, 2009 at 6:20 am

JC Garcia–

We are raising our children well, as I’m sure many of the parents of the Hitler Youth did as well.

We are also teaching our children to only judge the President on what he says and does–unfortunately, he’s not doing much to earn their respect!

We don’t feel the President respects us as parents or a tax payors either.

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Satnarine September 5, 2009 at 7:34 am

I am absolutely amazed that there are intelligent people who think that a speech by our President to our children is going to brain wash them. This has never happened with another President before.

May God help us, because it is obvious that prejudice is still alive in this country. How could anyone with any brain even think that their child does not have enough sense to be able to determine right from wrong, unless their parents have already brainwashed them to think that anything coming from a person of color is tainted.

Come on people, wise up. The President is an intelligent man who understands that his role is to help our children understand that they need to stay in school and become responsible citizens. Shame on anyone who choose to keep their kids home and shame on all the districts who choose to not broadcast the speech. Be open-minded people, things have changed for the better.

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Freedom Fighter September 5, 2009 at 10:41 am

As for Me and my family will never follow “obama the dictator want a be so called prez.” I spit on him and all his stupid blind followers. You are all brain washed. Your freedom will soon be gone and you don’t even care. Man, you sheep are so stupid. Wake up fools and stop drinking obama kool aid. It is so sad that so many americans can be so blind and stupid at the same time. I have no respect for this crook you call your prez. They can take my life but they will never take my freedom! Long live America and God bless America! Let the revolution begin! The sooner the better! Lets take our country back who’s with me?

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destro September 5, 2009 at 11:49 am

apparently there are many, many, many ignorant people living amongst us. the world does not revolve around america and christians. you are so outraged to have the president of the united states tell your kids to do well and be a better citizen. why? why aren’t you this passionate when you allow your children to listen to the music that they do or watch any reality tv show? look at the state of america, the views and ways of the past hasn’t gotten us to a better place why continue on?

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Marie September 6, 2009 at 12:36 am

Again, many are not outraged about him speaking to the children of the country. What people object to is the Whitehouse providing the curriculum of the classroom discussion of the speech. This curriculum is for children K - 12.
I do object to policital leaders of any party stepping into the nation’s schools and handing out the lesson plan regarding their speech.

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interesting September 5, 2009 at 1:46 pm

I think it is great for the President of this great USA to use technology and to address the students as a whole at one time!! Great use of resourses…… HOWEVER…I do not agree with the Department of Education to impose the “course outline” to our school systems with little preperation for our School Administrations. Granted the outline was sent around August 25th and they sat on this topic for this long….. and as a parent to be “hit” or to fingure this out over a holiday weekend >>>>>hummm Labor Day… sounds a bit planned for a “Labor Party”…..and I have to contact the school Tuesday morning…? Since you planned this months in advance…how about the same consideration… Concerned Parent…

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Marie September 6, 2009 at 12:41 am

Have to agree with you. We were sent a message from our child’s first grader yesterday afternoon. The Jr. High did not notify parents directly, but posted a message on their message board.

I am hoping to read the speech on Monday… I read it would be published then? Then I can make a better choice for my 3 children. However, I am more concerned about the motives and class discussion by their teacher, that has more influence over them than the President does, than the actual speech.

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Laur September 5, 2009 at 1:46 pm

Amazing, the people that are going to keep their children home can’t even keep them from video games, junk food, sexting, having sex, and babies at a young age, getting into mom and dad’s medicine cabinet to get high, drinking, and smoking, tattoos, syber bullying other children and much more, but they are terrified that President Obama is going to indoctrinate their children? That is the dumbest thing I ever heard in my life. Or is it racism? Hmmm! I Just wonder.

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Marie September 6, 2009 at 12:53 am

Oh brother! The racist accusation is getting quite old. Objecting to the President’s policies and decisions has nothing to do with his skin color. Why would you ever suggest that it does?

As far as the other points you have made. I am a concerned parent and we do limit video games and junk food. My kids don’t have cell phones and are supervised and informed to prevent sex and babies. My children are not getting high, drinking or smoking. They won’t be getting tattoos while living under my roof, don’t have opportunities to cyber bully, etc.

Perhaps those of us who are educationing, supervising and preventing our children from the “evils” you listed are precisely the ones concerned about the influences a policial party has with the education of our children. (ie. not opposed to the President’s speech but the President’s lesson plan). Sorry, we do love our kids are feel it is our job to parent and guide them.

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Stanley September 8, 2009 at 11:09 pm

I don’t think all Americans should get comprehensive health care..who cares if all citizens of the Scandinavian countries do and are happy with their health care!..Its Socialized medicine any way! Who cares that these countries have the highest standard of living in the world..I don’t care if my country, the richest country in the world cannot take care of its citizen’s health. I don’t care about poor and struggling Americans..I got mine..they need to get theirs..Obama wants to make this country a socialist country..I hope no one touches my social security, medicare or medicaid (hypocrisy) I hate Obama! Honey, what time are we leaving for church? (the mind of a conservative..goes to church too!)..go figure! Its sick and getting sicker out there folks and there are a lot of people that think like I’ve demonstrated above…they are called conservatives and talk about their party being the party of VALUES! Puleeeeeeeze!

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