Posted on 09/03/2009 6:22:59 AM PDT by RaiderRose
A planned live address to school students by President Barack Obama next week is causing controversy for school districts as some parents object to what they see as partisan politics.
The issue, which became a hot-button topic on some radio talk shows this week, left school administrators scrambling to decide whether to allow students to watch the live broadcast...(snip)
Some administrators say they are reluctant to interrupt daily lesson plans and won’t show the address live...(snip) Others will allow campuses to access the speech during the broadcast but will also record it for teachers to show later.
Those opposing the speech say students should not be forced to listen to a presidential message.
"We’re hearing from parents and grandparents that are not very happy. They really feel like it is political indoctrination," said Stephanie Klick, Tarrant County Republican Party chairwoman...(snip)
Parent Steve Atwell said he believes the speech is an attempt at propaganda. He urged Keller trustees in a letter to cancel plans to show the speech or give equal time to "someone of an opposite moral and political viewpoint."
(snip)
"This preferential treatment for Obama does not reflect the values of the vast majority of KISD parents or taxpayers. Most, I believe, would prefer that Obama stay away from their children. . . . I strongly resent using my tax dollars to indoctrinate my children in the alleged virtues of statist political philosophy."
Tarrant County Democratic Party Chairman Steve Maxwell defended the president’s attempt to underscore the need for American children to succeed in school.
"I have tremendous disappointment that any parent would not let their children listen to a pro-education message, a message about how important it is to stay in school and get that degree," Maxwell said...
(Excerpt) Read more at star-telegram.com ...
The Dems may own the teachers’ unions, but they don’t own the schools.
Everyone should contact their local RNC chapter and see what they’re made of.
I remember that Bush '43 started out intending to be an 'education' president with the inspiration from Laura, a public school librarian. Indeed, he was at the Emma E. Booker Elementary School in Sarasota, Florida when 9/11 happened.
I wonder what Tarrant County Democratic Party Chairman Steve Maxwell's reaction would have been if Bush had proposed the exact same thing? Need I say that I would doubt his support?
I would hate to have to be constantly worrying what the next assault on my values, aimed at my children, would be, coming from their school.
how ‘bout everyone just saying,” Hey Barry, leave my kids alone ya douche bag.”
voice your outrage
Fox news reported that both Bush and Reagan spoke to schoolkids... I am not remembering that.
If zer0 wants our school children to know more about him and his policies have him release his college transcripts and thesis and other great writings of his college days . If he would the school age children will know more about him than the people who elected him .
Hasn’t the White House already sent out the “materials” that tell the teachers to ask “how they can help the President”? I know they’ve changed the language now but I think the propaganda is already in the school’s hands.
They spoke about “reading” and “drugs” ,,,,, not about what can you do for me ,,,,,,,, big difference don’t you think .
Our public schools are propaganda factories run by the left and their unions .They are Public Indoctrination Centers and our colleges are even worse .
I was told by our elem school that they have not yet decided about showing the speech but that “a letter will be sent home about it” this week.
Well, good, just as long as they don’t wait til the last minute or anything.
I too don't recall any 'live' direct address and as far as that is concerned I think that the technology did not exist especially for Reagan. Were there taped messages on generic topics like 'stay in school', 'stay off drugs' and the like, I would say OF COURSE there were.
However a planned talk to all students in all schools for all grades with lesson plans encouraged on how to 'help the President'? This is another tin-ear effort by an over-weaning over-the-top President that has never suffered prior compromise and setback. Combine this with the effort at the National Endowment for the Arts and a very chilling picture starts to emerge. Imagine this without the internet and talk radio but with the current liberal media? Would we be hearing about this in advance or would it just appear before us as a 'natural trend'?
Two names come to mind: Alan Keyes and Thomas Sowell.
I remember President Bush reading to a single classroom in Florida on 9/11, but not to every classroom in the country. He was chastised for doing that.
Niether will ours.
We got a different message from the school initially. The disctrict never called me back, but the website makes it clear.
We are also sending a note to opt-out of any related classroom curriculum as “our belief is that no political perspective should be influencing the children in school”.
In Keller ISD no less. (Hmmm wonder where he learned that)
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.