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

Skip to comments.

Kansas speech by Michelle Obama draws complaints
AP ^ | 19 APRIL 2014 | JOHN MILBURN

Posted on 04/19/2014 5:33:50 AM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — If expanding the guest list to include Michelle Obama at graduation for high school students in the Kansas capital city means fewer seats for friends and family, some students and their parents would prefer the first lady not attend.

A furor over what the Topeka school district considers an honor has erupted after plans were announced for Obama to address a combined graduation ceremony for five area high schools next month an 8,000-seat arena. For some, it was the prospect of a tight limit on the number of seats allotted to each graduate. For others, it was the notion that Obama's speech, tied to the 60th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education outlawing segregation in schools, would overshadow the student's big day.

"I'm a single mother who has raised him for 18 years by myself," said Tina Hernandez, parent of Topeka High School senior Dauby Knight. "I've told him education is the only way out. This is one of the biggest days of their lives. They've taken the glory and shine from the children and put on Mrs. Obama. She doesn't know our kids."

(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...


TOPICS: Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-51 next last

1 posted on 04/19/2014 5:33:50 AM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

Don’t you know? With the Obama’s EVERYTHING is about THEM...


2 posted on 04/19/2014 5:37:28 AM PDT by jsanders2001
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

I would never invite an Obama to any meaningful ceremony. It should be about the kids, and the guest speaker (if any, I’d rather see a valedictorian speak) should be an inspirational local role model, not an example of government dependence gone bad.


3 posted on 04/19/2014 5:39:40 AM PDT by Pollster1 ("Shall not be infringed" is unambiguous.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pollster1

It’s all about Mooch...


4 posted on 04/19/2014 5:40:21 AM PDT by Eric in the Ozarks (Rip it out by the roots.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

Maybe it’s just me, but there was something special about having graduation IN the school where I had spent my entire life as a teenager. Having a city ‘general assembly’ just doesn’t get it. Where is that ‘final goodby?’


5 posted on 04/19/2014 5:42:37 AM PDT by stars & stripes forever (Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Extremely Extreme Extremist
Obama's speech, tied to the 60th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education outlawing segregation in schools

It would be interesting to compare these graduates' literacy and numeracy to that of black high school graduates 60 years ago.

6 posted on 04/19/2014 5:43:44 AM PDT by Tax-chick (Entropy is high. Wear a hat! And carry an umbrella.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: stars & stripes forever

Most schools don’t have an indoor space big enough for all the graduates and guests.

My graduation was in the school football stadium, and there was no limit on attendance. In later years, it was decided that outdoor graduation was too hot (or rainy), and they started holding them in the city convention center. This required issuing limited numbers of tickets to each graduate for his family/guests.


7 posted on 04/19/2014 5:46:07 AM PDT by Tax-chick (Entropy is high. Wear a hat! And carry an umbrella.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Tax-chick

The Board of 501 school district dropped this on their high schools on Thursday afternoon. Mooch couldn’t draw a crowd of 100 here so this is a completely captive audience. Literally.
To say we’ll have a turnover at the next local election is an understatement.


8 posted on 04/19/2014 5:47:32 AM PDT by Kanzan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

“This is one of the biggest days of their lives. They’ve taken the glory and shine from the children and put on Mrs. Obama. She doesn’t know our kids.”


Obamas believe the world revolves around their sorry asses.


9 posted on 04/19/2014 5:48:06 AM PDT by boycott
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kanzan

I figured this was planned at a high level in the schools administration. No students and very few parents would agree, if asked.


10 posted on 04/19/2014 5:53:15 AM PDT by Tax-chick (Entropy is high. Wear a hat! And carry an umbrella.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Kanzan

Topeka West students had announced a petition at Change.org but it looks like their submission didn’t make the PC cut. Should be some choice comments at the cjonline.com site.
Also a one-sided office pool on whether she’ll get away with her real intention: a fundraiser for the SOL Kansas Democrats.


11 posted on 04/19/2014 5:56:39 AM PDT by Kanzan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: stars & stripes forever

There is that and each school has it’s own tradition. Apparently the bagpipes are played at one of these schools ceremonies and will be squeezed in with pieces from other ceremonies.

At my school we graduated at the church across the street. However, we got dressed and lined up in the school and there was a procession from the school to the church. It’s a BIG DEAL still today to participate in “the walk.”


12 posted on 04/19/2014 5:57:25 AM PDT by PrincessB (Drill Baby Drill.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

That is what Moochie needs - another platform to push her personal agenda.


13 posted on 04/19/2014 6:00:34 AM PDT by Slyfox (When progressives ignore moral parameters, they also lose the natural gift of common sense.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: All

Graduation exercises are a recognition of achievement, not a certification program. Parents are perfectly capable of gathering their chirren at a local church and holding a fabulous graduation honor program complete with valedictorian, local talent and great food. That would be meaningful, as opposed to some trumped up mega event that loses all uniqueness and personal recognition. I would hope those who are opposed to politicians capitalizing on their children’s achievement will take this step.


14 posted on 04/19/2014 6:17:48 AM PDT by Louis Foxwell (This is a wake up call. Join the Sultan Knish ping list.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

Outside of liberal Lawrence, Kansas is not Obama country.


15 posted on 04/19/2014 6:18:53 AM PDT by Huskrrrr
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

Domestic terrorists!


16 posted on 04/19/2014 6:20:12 AM PDT by Dr. Ursus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Extremely Extreme Extremist
First Lady Michelle 0bama waving red communist flags during her tax payer-funded trip to China. What would you like to say to the woman that is representing America?
17 posted on 04/19/2014 6:21:09 AM PDT by PLD
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tax-chick

Michelle could issue each student an Obama-phone (as a graduation present) and give a remote address from the comfort of the White House. Everyone would be happy.


18 posted on 04/19/2014 6:34:30 AM PDT by stars & stripes forever (Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Pollster1

I would invite Obama to speak at the opening of a outhouse. It only seems fitting since he is a expert.


19 posted on 04/19/2014 6:36:37 AM PDT by Yorlik803 ( Church/Caboose in 2016)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

All the students should show up wearing half a watermelon for a hat and a KFC T-shirt.

That would nullify the Mooch’s photo op, you would never see that on TV!


20 posted on 04/19/2014 6:37:47 AM PDT by Beagle8U (Unions are an Affirmative Action program for Slackers! .)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-51 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