Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

SKIP DAY Sept. 8 (Drudge Headline)
Politico ^ | 9/2/09 | NIA-MALIKA HENDERSON

Posted on 09/02/2009 4:09:16 PM PDT by counterpunch

Right blasts Obama speech to students

President Barack Obama's plans for a televised back-to-school address to students next week are drawing fire from some conservatives, who say he's just trying to indoctrinate them to his political beliefs.

In the Sept. 8 speech, Obama will challenge students to work hard, set goals for their education and take responsibility for their learning, Education Secretary Arne Duncan said in a letter to principals.

The Education Department is encouraging teachers to create lesson plans around the speech, using materials provided on the department website, that urge students to learn about Obama and other presidents.

"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," Duncan said in a press release.

But already, some conservatives are crying foul. The chairman of the Florida Republican Party is condemning Obama's speech as an attempt to "indoctrinate America's children to his socialist agenda."

"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," Chairman Jim Greer said in a press release.

Added conservative talk show host Tammy Bruce, in a Twitter feed: "Make September 8 Parentally Approved Skip Day. You are your child's moral tutor, not that shady lawyer from Chicago." And conservative author Michelle Malkin said the lesson plans have a "heavy activist bent."

Texas school districts are discussing whether the president's speech will be shown-some districts are leaving it up to individual teachers with an opt out parents who don't want their children to view the speech, according to the Houston Chronicle.

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


TOPICS: Breaking News; Front Page News; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: arth; backtoschool; bho44; bhoeducation; obamaschooladdress
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 141-148 next last
To: counterpunch
In his letter to principals, Duncan said viewing of the speech is encouraged, not mandatory.

Whoa! WTF does that mean, NOT mandatory!? Why or how could anyone think this could remotely be a "mandatory" thing in the first place?

These people are so arrogant it's beyond belief! I encouraged my daughter who is a senior, and son who is a junior to walk out of class if they show this! If one teacher say one damn word about them doing this if they choose, there is going to be a storm in this little town of biblical proportions!

21 posted on 09/02/2009 4:36:31 PM PDT by sirchtruth (Gravity Of The Situation...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 444Flyer

Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.

22 posted on 09/02/2009 4:36:49 PM PDT by hattend (Sarah Palin's mob minion - Mob Name: Hatman the Hitman)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: counterpunch

23 posted on 09/02/2009 4:37:19 PM PDT by paulycy (Screw the RACErs.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: counterpunch

Guess my son is getting an extra day of vacation.


24 posted on 09/02/2009 4:41:27 PM PDT by SirAllen (Atheist: someone who believes that nothing made everything)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Freddd

I read somewhere that Obama’s speech to children will be given the 8th of September, but it will be aired again on Sept. 9, but I don’t know if that is a fact.


25 posted on 09/02/2009 4:41:49 PM PDT by NorwegianViking (Organizing for America)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Typical_Whitey; Sparkles

The republicans always give a rebuttal after every Obama speech. Who’s speaking to our kids after this one? Sarah?

What? No one? What’s up with that?


26 posted on 09/02/2009 4:42:11 PM PDT by tazman3
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: hattend
"Hello?!" Mr. Axelrod??? Something "Fishy" is afoot!!"

Let's just call it "National Art Appreciation Day".


27 posted on 09/02/2009 4:42:23 PM PDT by 444Flyer (Never give up, never give out, never give in.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: 444Flyer

;-)


28 posted on 09/02/2009 4:44:23 PM PDT by hattend (Sarah Palin's mob minion - Mob Name: Hatman the Hitman)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: counterpunch

National break the Teacher Unions Day. Why do we even need Unions anymore? The Government already mandates more BS than is needed to protect employee’s from unfair labor practices. Hell it is like a big giant Union everywhere. What are they good for?


29 posted on 09/02/2009 4:44:37 PM PDT by screaminsunshine (!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: sirchtruth
These people are so arrogant it's beyond belief! I encouraged my daughter who is a senior, and son who is a junior to walk out of class if they show this! If one teacher say one damn word about them doing this if they choose, there is going to be a storm in this little town of biblical proportions!

Good for you. There is an immense opportunity here to teach children about the real meaning of liberty, the words "the republic for which it stands", and good old drawing a line in the sand.

There is a good chance that those that walk out, or are held back by parents will be questioned in a "respectful" way in front of classes by liberal educators. Please prepare your kids for this. Something along the lines of "I understand that the President wanted us to make a pledge to him when he is the one who should be making pledges to us, the people for whom he works" should serve well.

30 posted on 09/02/2009 4:46:30 PM PDT by lovesdogs
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: counterpunch
drawing fire from some conservatives, who say he's just trying to indoctrinate them to his political beliefs.

Well, duh! Why else would he be speaking to them?

31 posted on 09/02/2009 4:48:08 PM PDT by GSWarrior
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: counterpunch

Coming from someone too irresponsible to pay their traffic fines from 30 years ago unill he was on his way to the White House...here's to you Hussien!


32 posted on 09/02/2009 4:48:46 PM PDT by RasterMaster (The only way to open a LIEberal mind is with a brick!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: hattend

33 posted on 09/02/2009 4:49:05 PM PDT by wally_bert (It's sheer elegance in its simplicity! - The Middleman)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: screaminsunshine

If there was ever a “keep you child home” day, this would be it!

As to the teachers unions - can’t think of anything worse for the education of our children than the control by and the politicizing of these supposedly teachers of the young.

Home schooling and private schools are the only way out - and the government keeps up their efforts to destroy those options.


34 posted on 09/02/2009 4:49:12 PM PDT by Deagle
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: counterpunch

Obama is also going to be on every Viacom Channel from 8-8:30 pm on 9/8 doing a show titled “Get Schooled” — I just saw the ad for this on Nickelodeon this morning.


35 posted on 09/02/2009 4:51:03 PM PDT by SilvieWaldorfMD (Airlines can take their $15-per-checked-bag surcharge and shove it!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: lovesdogs

Those you might walk out should have a copy of the version where they were going to have to write a letter about how they would help Obama ..or at least that is what the Dept. of Ed. suggested.


36 posted on 09/02/2009 4:52:14 PM PDT by RummyChick
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: SilvieWaldorfMD

Are you sure it’s not titled “Get Screwed”?


37 posted on 09/02/2009 4:52:38 PM PDT by counterpunch (In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem. Government is the problem.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: counterpunch

It might very well be! Hahahaha!


38 posted on 09/02/2009 4:53:50 PM PDT by SilvieWaldorfMD (Airlines can take their $15-per-checked-bag surcharge and shove it!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]

To: RummyChick

39 posted on 09/02/2009 4:55:25 PM PDT by 444Flyer (Never give up, never give out, never give in.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: ClaudiusI

Bump!


40 posted on 09/02/2009 4:57:15 PM PDT by GVnana (Sarah for America)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 141-148 next last

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson