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.
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!
Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.
Guess my son is getting an extra day of vacation.
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.
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?
;-)
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?
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.
Well, duh! Why else would he be speaking to them?
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!
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.
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.
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.
Are you sure it’s not titled “Get Screwed”?
It might very well be! Hahahaha!
Bump!
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