Posted on 09/05/2009 12:01:23 AM PDT by John Semmens
Amidst widespread concern among parents that the Presidents address to school children this coming week is an attempt at indoctrination, the Presidents Press Secretary, Robert Gibbs, derided them as silly.
The President is all about the future, Gibbs said. Its imperative that he reach young minds before they are calcified by the ideas of their parents. The speech and accompanying lesson plan are aimed at avoiding this calcification and energizing the momentum for change in the upcoming generation.
Critics contend that their concern isnt over the speech itself. President Bush addressed school children in 1991. Its the accompanying lesson plan that has raised eyebrows. One of the exercises in the lesson plan asks students to make a list of things they can do to serve President Obama.
Gibbs defended the personalization in the lesson plan. Kids cant be expected to grasp an abstract concept like serving the nation, Gibbs argued. Asking them to serve the President puts the ideas into a framework they can understand. Its like a parent asking a child to help with household chores. The child trusts the parent to have his best interests at heart and has faith that the parent will look out for him. Conveying the message that the President is the father of the American family is an analogy that will help facilitate the needed compliance on the part of the students.
The Press Secretary countered the observation that this sort of personality cult resembles that used by tyrants. Why should we leave this powerful tool to the sole use of the worlds bad guys? Gibbs asked. Doesnt it make sense to build a strong sense of loyalty toward the leader of the free world in our own children?
In related news, ABC News journalist and former Democratic Party apparatchik, George Stephanopoulos urged President Obama to use this address to intimidate his opponents. The Presidents enemies must be made to understand that opposition will have consequences they wont like.
read more...
http://azconserv1.wordpress.com/
Yeah, I remember my momma telling me to machine-gun those pro-Reagan b*st*rds next door, or I wouldn't get any supper! Those were the days!!!
I’m not sure that it takes real brains to make good propaganda, but a talent for mixing lies with the truth.
Remember this - Kids sing about Obama
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.