Conservatives Blast Obama Childrens' Address

[budgie]

Well it looks like the media honeymoon is over. Even the front page of Yahoo is coming out with an mp.net style 'Obama takes a dump' story:


On September 8, in what the Department of Education is touting as a "historic" speech, President Obama will be talking directly to students across the U.S., live on the White House website. But some parents and conservatives are blasting the president, calling the speech an excuse to brainwash American children.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/20090903/pl_ynews/ynews_pl888_1

Personally I think the hysteria has gone overboard. Come on an online speech? Most kids will switch off after a few minutes - they're more interested in Facebook than politics. If anything it's stupid of the President's PR team to think he has that much star power.

Besides parents can always request their kids be left out if its a school broadcast or at home, turn off the tube. Or let their kids go back to looking at **** online. But 40 minutes with the President is hardly going to undo all the 'commie this' and 'fascist that' they learn at home.

[redvand]

Teachers are suppose to make the students watch the whole thing then the kids are suppose to discuss it. And it is aimed at kids younger than high school.

Many parents don't know about it. Schools are not sending notices about the speech.

Presidential speeches to Congress and such are given in advanced to the media and the other party. If Obama had sent out a copy of the speech, this might have been on non-event.

[Noons86]

All this controversey over a speech that's probably not much more than the usual "stay in school and study hard" with a little hope and change stuffed in.

[vryhpyammoadded]

LOL, all this fuss conjures up images of little Mowgli hypnotized up in the tree with Kaa the constrictor. Sterling Holloway singing Trust in me, just in me…slurp smack, smack, ummm, tasty children.

Then again, our politicians, remind me more of King Loui. What a great movie, what a silly government!

[dave81]

"I'm going to be making a big speech to young people all across the country about the importance of education; about the importance of staying in school; how we want to improve our education system and why it’s so important for the country. So I hope everybody tunes in."Brainwashing?

[JJC]

I'm worried for Obama. I don't think he will be able to cope with increasing levels of criticism for 4 years. The guy has used up a lot of air time with the public and now is starting to look like that reality tv show that no one wants to watch anymore. If I were his adviser, I'd tell him to avoid the cameras and excessive public speaking.

[Dominique]

Brainwashing?

Yep, you can't go educatin them youngins, as you'll put impure thoughts in there head. Get real people, every freaking sitting president does the same damn thing. They go to school, spout off of the importance of this, that, and the other. Then they shake a few hands, kiss some babies, and generally try to make it look like they give damn about education. He's not going to be beaming subliminal signals that guns are evil, and George Bush was the Anti-Christ into their brains. Get the phuck over it, and move the hell on. :roll:

[Soldat_Américain]

I don't see the problem here...stay in school, educate yourself. I find some of the most conservative people went and got their Ph. D.s from leftist leaning universities. And then vice versa but not as much as the former. If he truly cared which I don't see it happening. It would be to either get rid of or gut the Department of Education. And then definitely talk to governors about doing the same as the Federal and State governments increasing their hand in education has only increased the plight of the American Educational system.

[ronnieraygun]

yeppers, obama took a steaming hot dump today.

[XShipRider]

Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail of water. Jack fell down and broke his crown. Unfortunately Jack didn't have Obamacare so he's dead. Jill was pregnant with Jack's baby so she went to the elementary school nurse who directed her to an abortion clinic to "fix" the problem, but not before she made the yearbook section titled "Look At Me, I'm Pregnant and Proud!"

Thank you kids for listening to my message. Now go home and tell mom and dad to support my health care reform bill or you'll all end up like Jack and Jill.

Damn, I'm fresh out of tin foil too.

[CMNot]

...with a little hope and change stuffed in.
321321321
:)

[Atlantic Friend]

I'm worried for Obama. I don't think he will be able to cope with increasing levels of criticism for 4 years. The guy has used up a lot of air time with the public and now is starting to look like that reality tv show that no one wants to watch anymore. If I were his adviser, I'd tell him to avoid the cameras and excessive public speaking.

Maybe his opponents should take a page from that book as well. Lambasting his speech AFTER he has delivered it makes a lot more sense than doing so before. If the GOP had psychic powers, I'm pretty sure it'd have been apparent by now. p-)

[Atlantic Friend]

yeppers, obama took a steaming hot dump today.

But already Republican pundits claim former President Bush made bigger, harder turds. Is the "turdgate" the end of Obama's love story with America? Film at 11.

[budgie]

Sweeter smellin' too apparently.

[Telmar]

I'm worried for Obama. I don't think he will be able to cope with increasing levels of criticism for 4 years. The guy has used up a lot of air time with the public and now is starting to look like that reality tv show that no one wants to watch anymore. If I were his adviser, I'd tell him to avoid the cameras and excessive public speaking.

x2. When I saw Obama on CNN giving Americans instructions on how to protect yourself from the swine flu, I had the feeling that he is focusing too much on what he does best: communication.

At one point, I can imagine that Americans will be asking for results. Maybe later than with other presidents, but it will come. And IMO his overmediatization on all sorts of topics will hurt him very badly if they are not good.

[California Joe]

These retards need to calm the f*ck down.

[11 Bravo]

I don't see the problem here...

You don't ?. Let's see when George Bush ( the first Pres Bush ) did a similar school speech thing he was railed by the demoslobs as they accused this episode of being politics foisted upon children... you know propaganda as they defined it.
The shoe is on the other foot now and they don't like it. But the big difference here is Oblahma and his media elite are all about propaganda to the children since they can't hoodwink all their parents.

[JKD]

You don't ?. Let's see when George Bush ( the first Pres Bush ) did a similar school speech thing he was railed by the demoslobs as they accused this episode of being politics foisted upon children...

It's like that with all things partisan. It's okay as long as it's your team doing it, but when it's the other team doing the same thing it's bad.

Someday in the future a Republican president will address school children and the Republicans who didn't have a problem with Bush 41 doing it but are complaining about Obama today won't have any problem with it while the Dems who don't have any problem with Obama doing it now will complain.

[Universal_Soldier]

These retards need to calm the f*ck down.

X2..........

Right wing paranoia.

[Hollis]

Presidential speeches to Congress and such are given in advanced to the media and the other party. If Obama had sent out a copy of the speech, this might have been on non-event.


That may have been the wise thing to do. Teachers then can prepare a discussion of the speech, parents would know what is up, and we can go from there. I don't necessary say it is wrong for the President to address school age children, it may be a really good idea depending on topic and reason.

[khaz]

Bush 41 speech to school kids was non partisan.

Obama with all his how can you help the President achieve his goals and allegiance to him is a lil over the top.

[CG51]

Shoe is on another foot.

Libs taste own medicine.

Cry hate.

Hypocrisy.

[Universal_Soldier]

Teachers are suppose to make the students watch the whole thing then the kids are suppose to discuss it. And it is aimed at kids younger than high school.

Many parents don't know about it. Schools are not sending notices about the speech.

Presidential speeches to Congress and such are given in advanced to the media and the other party. If Obama had sent out a copy of the speech, this might have been on non-event.

How long in advance are speeches usually released? even they are released a day or so before, they are released usually to some members of congress not talking heads on TV. Sometimes the media only get hold of excerpts and publish them ( they get the full thing only hours to the speech).

Right wing nutts guys went bizzark more than a week before the speech. They didn't wait to see the speech before going crazy. Speeches are usually not done that early.

[Hollis]

How long in advance are speeches usually released? even they are released a day or so before, they are released usually to some members of congress not talking heads on TV. Sometimes the media only get hold of excerpts and publish them ( they get the full thing only hours to the speech).

Right wing nutts guys went bizzark more than a week before the speech. They didn't to see the speech before going crazy. Speeches are usually not done that early.


As bender point out it is Partisan Politics as usual, last year instead of Obama's name it would have been Bush's name. So far the only real change we got was Bush bashing has become Obama bashing.

[Laconian]

I just think he's wasting his breath (as would any President) speaking to folks younger than say 11-12 years old. Anything younger and their just watching another grown up on TV and they'll tune it out like they do sitting in church or school or when dad & mom are watching the news at home.

[California Joe]

You know what kids are going to take away from this?

-Gee, this was better than Math class, I hate Math.
-He didn't have horns like Dad said.
-His name is funny.
-He's right, I should study harder.
-He seems nice.
-I'm soooooooooo bored.
-I wish I was a Transformer.
-I hope we don't have to write a report on this for homework.
-Oh look, a squirrel with a fluffy tail.

Everyone needs to get a grip on reality.

[JKD]

I was 14 when Bush 41 did his thing and if my school watched it I have no memory of it whatsoever.

[Laconian]

You know what kids are going to take away from this?

-Gee, this was better than Math class, I hate Math.
-He didn't have horns like Dad said.
-His name is funny.
-He's right, I should study harder.
-He seems nice.
-I'm soooooooooo bored.
-I wish I was a Transformer.
-I hope we don't have to write a report on this for homework.
-Oh look, a squirrel with a fluffy tail.

Everyone needs to get a grip on reality.

Exactly. My 9-yr old thinks its cool because they won't be doing other school work. My 17-yr old is too busy worried senior pictures, and college applications and the latest sale at Delia's. They'll be texting all the way through it.

[Jobu]

Between the required assignment for students to write a paper on how they will help President Obama (I understand they may have backed down on this) and showing that celebrity "I pledge to be a servant to the President" video some schools are showing, I understand how some parents might be getting a bit creeped out.

Meanwhile unemployment is now 9.7%

Good thing he signed that trillion dollar "stimulus" bill back when unemployment was 7.2%, right?

[Noons86]

You know what kids are going to take away from this?

-Gee, this was better than Math class, I hate Math.
-He didn't have horns like Dad said.
-His name is funny.
-He's right, I should study harder.
-He seems nice.
-He sounds cool.
-He is right.
-I think I should do what he says
-Wow! Anyone who disagrees with him has to be a bad guy
-I will join his youth league
-I'll need to turn my parents in right away
-I'll become a muslim too
-All Hail Barack Obama!
-He is always right!

Everyone needs to get a grip on reality.

Fixed it for ya.p-)

[Dominique]

Obama with all his how can you help the President achieve his goals and allegiance to him is a lil over the top.

How the hell do you know what he's going to say in a speech he hasn't given yet?

[Dominique]

Fixed it for ya.p-)

The idiocy of some of the posters here ceases to amaze me. :roll:

[Noons86]

^

It was a joke :cantbeli:

[Dominique]

^

It was a joke :cantbeli:

My apologies then, as we've had far to many idiots posting on these boards lately.

[Noons86]

Poe's Law is certainly in effect here.

[GregHJ]

This is complete bat-**** insanity. I have no problem with traditional conservatism, but these right-wing crazies are destroying what it means to be a conservative. I'll agree that the materials from the Department of Education should have been reviewed, but it's not like Obama is writing these himself, it's probably some staffer. You can't brainwash someone with any political ideology in just forty minutes. Besides, why would the President want to brainwash children, we have churches and parents for that.

The President has already said that the broadcast will not touch on policy, it's just going to the classic "stay in school" mantra.

[Mr Gently Benevolent]

You don't ?. Let's see when George Bush ( the first Pres Bush ) did a similar school speech thing he was railed by the demoslobs as they accused this episode of being politics foisted upon children... you know propaganda as they defined it.
The shoe is on the other foot now and they don't like it. But the big difference here is Oblahma and his media elite are all about propaganda to the children since they can't hoodwink all their parents.Ok I have been taking an interest in US politics since about 98 and I can't recall any real hooha over ex Pres Bush speaking to school kids (other than reading upside down) I Googled as well and not a line to be found. Come on here help me out post a link to the LibComIslamist outrage.

To be fair the response on this site is very muted compared to another US forum I am a member of, you would think it was snuff movie that the President was going appear in.

[CPLHUNTER]

You guys don't get it...it's not the speech that's the issue.

It's the content of the lesson plans. Those who have seen it at the education level had issues when they say study guides on how students can help promote the president, help him accomplish his goals and partisan stuff like that.

If I don't agree w/ Obama, I don't my kid bringing homework to me about how hhe/she can help Obama pass healthcare.

Put the shoe on the other foot and think - would it be ok if Bush guided and suggested education plans that got students to think about the best way to help Bush invade Iraq or find WMD?

Probably not

[California Joe]

Put the shoe on the other foot and think - would it be ok if Bush guided and suggested education plans that got students to think about the best way to help Bush invade Iraq or find WMD?

Well, I'm pretty sure some 5th graders must have planned the occupation part after the initial invasion...

[chauncy republicans]

Well, I'm pretty sure some 5th graders must have planned the occupation part after the initial invasion...
Not quite, 5th graders could have pulled it off much better.

SPQA

[chauncy republicans]

What is the President trying to tell me?
What is the president asking me to do?
What specific job is he asking me to do?
Are we able to do what President Obama is asking of us?http://www.ed.gov/teachers/how/lessons/prek-6.pdf

It's just a speech on staying in school my ass.

[California Joe]

http://www.ed.gov/teachers/how/lessons/prek-6.pdf

It's just a speech on staying in school my ass.

What is the President trying to tell me? That education is important.
What is the president asking me to do? Stay in school.
What specific job is he asking me to do? Be the best student I can be.
Are we able to do what President Obama is asking of us? Yes, if we study hard and try.

What is the President trying to tell me? That we are now part of a socialist world collective.
What is the president asking me to do? Stamp out conservatism and make fun of Sarah Palin whenever possible.
What specific job is he asking me to do? Report on my family if they violate the prime directive.
Are we able to do what President Obama is asking of us? We are with the might of our liberal faith.

Take your pick. Wingnuts, lock and load.

[chauncy republicans]

It's pretty funny you only put two groups, because if your not one you HAVE to be the other, right?

Either way, I don't need the President to say anything to my child.

[Dominique]

You guys don't get it...it's not the speech that's the issue.

It's the content of the lesson plans. Those who have seen it at the education level had issues when they say study guides on how students can help promote the president, help him accomplish his goals and partisan stuff like that.

If I don't agree w/ Obama, I don't my kid bringing homework to me about how hhe/she can help Obama pass healthcare.

Which lesson plans would those be? I somehow find it hard to believe that every school district in the USA is using the same one. And have you actually seen a lesson plan that does what you state? If so, which school districts are they being used in?


Put the shoe on the other foot and think - would it be ok if Bush guided and suggested education plans that got students to think about the best way to help Bush invade Iraq or find WMD?

Probably not

Actually if we'd done that, maybe someone would have pointed out a few of the flaws in the former administration's plans for running Iraq after the invasion. ;)

[Dominique]

Either way, I don't need the President to say anything to my child.

How silly of the President to want to address the nations school children. The nerve of him. :roll:

[chauncy republicans]

How silly of the President to want to address the nations school children. The nerve of him.
No I'm sorry, you probably meant the nerve of parents like me who wish to protect our children from people who habitually display blatant partisanship, how callous of us.

[Jobu]

MEANWHILE, unemployment has climbed to 9.7%


But don't pay attention to that. Here, chew on this "a few conservatives angry about Obama speech to school kids" crap instead.

Sheep.

[Dominique]

No I'm sorry, you probably meant the nerve of parents like me who wish to protect our children from people who habitually display blatant partisanship, how callous of us.

You mean like most of the members of congress, the political talking heads on TV, our former VP, our current Secretary of State, etc. etc. lets just hope none of them ever want to address a school your child attends, and if they do, I hope you to react in the same way.

[Dominique]

MEANWHILE, unemployment has climbed to 9.7%

And I'm pissed about that too.

[chauncy republicans]

You mean like most of the members of congress, the political talking heads on TV, our former VP, our current Secretary of State, etc. etc. lets just hope none of them ever want to address a school your child attends, and if they do, I hope you to react in the same way.
I indeed will, as I have an equal amount of disdain toward each of the arms of the party.

[Dominique]

I indeed will, as I have an equal amount of disdain toward each of the arms of the party.

Which party would that be?

[Mastermind]

I find it hysterical that today, with the news of "folks dissing the Bambi over his little school kid speech" and the latest news about the increasing jobless rate...Bambi is no longer available. I strongly suspect he is in the Lincoln bedroom, curled up on the 4-poster in a fetal position sucking his thumb.

Seems that, for today at least, the certifialbe "Genius" Biden is temporarily in charge of the USA.

That just makes me all warm and fuzzy inside.

[Winger]

Sounds like a a bunch of super-partisan latent-racist parents getting their panties all tied up.

How dare the President address the children of America? :roll:

[Soldat_Américain]

Obama with all his how can you help the President achieve his goals and allegiance to him is a lil over the top.

"And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country."-John F. Kennedy

Again I fail to see the problem.

[California Joe]

Oh my f*cking word. He's going to talk to the kids, they're going to retain 10% of it. Hopefully the part about doing well in school and you too can be President. Whatever happened to good manners? Listen to the President, respect the office, do your damned homework, get good grades. Jesus.

If your kid is sofaking weetodded that some guy on a screen can brainwash them in a half an hour you better keep them the hell away from the TV period. And my kid, and firearms, and knives, and nail clippers, and the neighbors cat, and your propane tank out back. He's not telling them to go out and become crack whores or get knocked up while their Mom is trying to be VP...

People bitching about this should be ashamed of themselves.

[Mastermind]

har...Joe, you always seem to know how to rain on an Obama Bash...!!!!

"God Dawm It"....as Chef's Dad would say... :-)

[Chulo]

Not the first time it has happend.. and not the first time people were pissed off

Flashback 1991: Gephardt Called Bush's Speech to Students 'Paid Political Advertising'



As Barack Obama prepares a nationwide broadcast to America's students next Tuesday, it has been revealed that Democrats complained in 1991 when then President George H. W. Bush broadcast a speech from a Northwest Washington junior high school.In fact, the House Majority leader at the time, **** Gephardt (D-Mo.), said "The Department of Education should not be producing paid political advertising for the president, it should be helping us to produce smarter students."
Such was reported (http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/74741197.html?dids=74741197:74741197&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Oct+3%2C+1991&author=Kenneth+J.+Cooper%3BEric+Pianin&pub=The+Washington+Post+%28pre-1997+Fulltext%29&edition=&startpage=a.14&desc=Funding+of+Bush+Speech+Draws+Fire%3B+Democrat+Calls+Education+Broadcast+Paid+Political+Advertising%27) by the Washington Post on October 3, 1991 (h/t KY3 Political Notebook (http://ky3.blogspot.com/2009/09/video-obama-school-speech-debate.html) via Chuck Todd):
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2009/09/03/flashback-1991-gephardt-called-bushs-speech-students-paid-political-a

[Geezah]

Sounds like a a bunch of super-partisan latent-racist parents getting their panties all tied up.

How dare the President address the children of America? :roll:

Rascist.....how?

Obama's white....so why would anyone be rascist?

[California Joe]

You know what Chulo, you're absolutely right. It was bullsh*t then and it is now.

This reminds me of those f*cktards that gave W sh*t because he didn't jump up in the middle of talking to the little kids on 9/11. I thought his behavior right then was Presidential. He didn't overreact, he didn't freak the f*ck out and scare little kids. He knew that contingency plans were being activated etc. He wrapped it up and then he went to work.

I swear people are acting like Satan wants to offer their kids 12 packs and ****.

[Universal_Soldier]

No I'm sorry, you probably meant the nerve of parents like me who wish to protect our children from people who habitually display blatant partisanship, how callous of us.

you don't sound to me like a middle of the road guy like u earlier alluded.

I think all this stuff is big time right wing paranoia!!!

[Laconian]

You know what Chulo, you're absolutely right. It was bullsh*t then and it is now.

This reminds me of those f*cktards that gave W sh*t because he didn't jump up in the middle of talking to the little kids on 9/11. I thought his behavior right then was Presidential. He didn't overreact, he didn't freak the f*ck out and scare little kids. He knew that contingency plans were being activated etc. He wrapped it up and then he went to work.

I swear people are acting like Satan wants to offer their kids 12 packs and ****.

x2. If they hand out 12-packs and ****, my kid is going to have to pay the house tax...

[California Joe]

x2. If they hand out 12-packs and ****, my kid is going to have to pay the house tax...

And they both better be quality and Dad better get his cut...

[Laconian]

The house always gets paid...

[California Joe]

Spoken like a good fella...hey wait a minute...:)

[EatenByRats]

You know if you encourage black kids to start reading and work hard in schools, they'll be less likely to want to entertain us white folks with their dancing, music, and doin' that shuffle thing when they make touchdowns.

After they start reading, they'll want the vote, and next thing you know they'll be after our chunky trailer trash women.

This Obama character is gonna be trouble.

[pascalywood]

You know if you encourage black kids to start reading and work hard in schools, they'll be less likely to want to entertain us white folks with their dancing, music, and doin' that shuffle thing when they make touchdowns.

After they start reading, they'll want the vote, and next thing you know they'll be after our chunky trailer trash women.

This Obama character is gonna be trouble.

lol what?.......

[Noons86]

Here's some indoctrination for you:

I remember every October around Columbus Day, from first grade through eighth, they would tell us that before Columbus sailed to America, everyone thought the world was flat and that he was a pioneer for the spherical earth. Well, that wasn't anywhere near the truth, and I turned out just fine.

Were the schools involved in a propaganda campaign to make medieval, Catholic Europe seem backwards and demented? No. They just went with conventional wisdom and didn't bother to look things up.

So yeah, your kids are going to get misinformation in school. There's probably no malicious intent or "hidden agenda." Its usually nothing to get hysterical about. And they'll turn out fine.

[Mastermind]

Well, during the campaign, my little niece, 6th grade, was ordered as class assignment to wite a 200 word essay on why Obama was the best candidate...That freaked me out. Last Spring, her teachers ordered her again to write an essay on Why Obama is such a great president....

Family was hugely pissed. What doest this kind of politics have to do with class? We were not the only families cranked over the NEA propaganda bullsht. Loads of people refused to let their kids participate...those kids were given "D" grade rather than a fail to head off any massive school board portest...We protested anyway. Did no good...all the school board are flaming libs and acually two of them Praised the teachers...yes..teacher with an s...come to find out, all the teachers were doing it in all the classes.

Now if this is not indoctrination...what is?

How would folks on the other side feel if it were essays praising guns and their use...or worse..what if Teachers were having kids write about what a wonderful Prez GW was?

Either way...it has no business in public class any more than some song and dance about religion or ***. And, neither does Obambi and his little "Propaganda Test" after the speech.

So far, all my family, nieces and nephews ( still have 3 and 6 in school), their parents are keeping them home on that day as a matter of protest. They tell me plenty of others are doing the same. When the kids get old enough to make up their own minds...that's all their own business...but, not in grade levels below 17 years old.

Oh, yeah...she also had to write an essay (was asked to...we refused to let her and protested) on famous gay people in history. What the hell does that have to do with school and kids for crying out loud? They had the gall to include by name examples, like, Elanor Roosevelt and Amelia Erhart.

[Chulo]

Well, during the campaign, my little niece, 6th grade, was ordered as class assignment to wite a 200 word essay on why Obama was the best candidate...That freaked me out. Last Spring, her teachers ordered her again to write an essay on Why Obama is such a great president....

Family was hugely pissed. What doest this kind of politics have to do with class? We were not the only families cranked over the NEA propaganda bullsht. Loads of people refused to let their kids participate...those kids were given "D" grade rather than a fail to head off any massive school board portest...We protested anyway. Did no good...all the school board are flaming libs and acually two of them Praised the teachers...yes..teacher with an s...come to find out, all the teachers were doing it in all the classes.

Now if this is not indoctrination...what is?

How would folks on the other side feel if it were essays praising guns and their use...or worse..what if Teachers were having kids write about what a wonderful Prez GW was?

Either way...it has no business in public class any more than some song and dance about religion or ***. And, neither does Obambi and his little "Propaganda Test" after the speech.

So far, all my family, nieces and nephews ( still have 3 and 6 in school), their parents are keeping them home on that day as a matter of protest. They tell me plenty of others are doing the same. When the kids get old enough to make up their own minds...that's all their own business...but, not in grade levels below 17 years old.

Oh, yeah...she also had to write an essay (was asked to...we refused to let her and protested) on famous gay people in history. What the hell does that have to do with school and kids for crying out loud? They had the gall to include by name examples, like, Elanor Roosevelt and Amelia Erhart.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHyX-VhTPRk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08BAfKCfu74

[SoSo]

I think we need a "fairness doctrine" not for the broadcast media, but for academia.

[Toolhead]

oh god he's gonna eat our kids through the TV screen.

[Noons86]

Well, during the campaign, my little niece, 6th grade, was ordered as class assignment to wite a 200 word essay on why Obama was the best candidate...That freaked me out. Last Spring, her teachers ordered her again to write an essay on Why Obama is such a great president....

Family was hugely pissed. What doest this kind of politics have to do with class? We were not the only families cranked over the NEA propaganda bullsht. Loads of people refused to let their kids participate...those kids were given "D" grade rather than a fail to head off any massive school board portest...We protested anyway. Did no good...all the school board are flaming libs and acually two of them Praised the teachers...yes..teacher with an s...come to find out, all the teachers were doing it in all the classes.

Now if this is not indoctrination...what is?

How would folks on the other side feel if it were essays praising guns and their use...or worse..what if Teachers were having kids write about what a wonderful Prez GW was?

Either way...it has no business in public class any more than some song and dance about religion or ***. And, neither does Obambi and his little "Propaganda Test" after the speech.

So far, all my family, nieces and nephews ( still have 3 and 6 in school), their parents are keeping them home on that day as a matter of protest. They tell me plenty of others are doing the same. When the kids get old enough to make up their own minds...that's all their own business...but, not in grade levels below 17 years old.

Oh, yeah...she also had to write an essay (was asked to...we refused to let her and protested) on famous gay people in history. What the hell does that have to do with school and kids for crying out loud? They had the gall to include by name examples, like, Elanor Roosevelt and Amelia Erhart.


Well if that is the case, then those teachers were certainly stepping over the line. There's no reason for any of that. And famous gay people? They're going on rumors with those two names, which not only pisses people off about the whole gay thing, but more importantly, they're obviously not teaching kids important research skills. Skills like looking up facts rather than word of mouth, and discerning appropriate sources. What next? Intelligent design in science class?

[Kit]

Oh, yeah...she also had to write an essay (was asked to...we refused to let her and protested) on famous gay people in history. What the hell does that have to do with school and kids for crying out loud? They had the gall to include by name examples, like, Elanor Roosevelt and Amelia Erhart.

Just an aside:

I've heard of Elanor Roosevelt being bi******. There's some evidence for that. But Amelia Earhart? That's just stretching it. There is little to no evidence that she was lesbian. Just because she was a early-20th century feminist didn't make her attracted to women. It really vexes me when some scholars label historical figures gay, when it's irrelevant or simply untrue.

[Dominique]

Well, during the campaign, my little niece, 6th grade, was ordered as class assignment to wite a 200 word essay on why Obama was the best candidate...That freaked me out. Last Spring, her teachers ordered her again to write an essay on Why Obama is such a great president....

Family was hugely pissed. What doest this kind of politics have to do with class? We were not the only families cranked over the NEA propaganda bullsht. Loads of people refused to let their kids participate...those kids were given "D" grade rather than a fail to head off any massive school board portest...We protested anyway. Did no good...all the school board are flaming libs and acually two of them Praised the teachers...yes..teacher with an s...come to find out, all the teachers were doing it in all the classes.

Now if this is not indoctrination...what is?

How would folks on the other side feel if it were essays praising guns and their use...or worse..what if Teachers were having kids write about what a wonderful Prez GW was?

Either way...it has no business in public class any more than some song and dance about religion or ***. And, neither does Obambi and his little "Propaganda Test" after the speech.

So far, all my family, nieces and nephews ( still have 3 and 6 in school), their parents are keeping them home on that day as a matter of protest. They tell me plenty of others are doing the same. When the kids get old enough to make up their own minds...that's all their own business...but, not in grade levels below 17 years old.

Oh, yeah...she also had to write an essay (was asked to...we refused to let her and protested) on famous gay people in history. What the hell does that have to do with school and kids for crying out loud? They had the gall to include by name examples, like, Elanor Roosevelt and Amelia Erhart.

MM, it sounds like this particular teacher, or teachers, crossed the line, and has begun to insert his/her personal views into the classroom, and that's wrong. I'd be interested in knowing exactly where this was taking place, as I don't believe politics has a place in the classroom. Teachers are there to explain to them how the system is supposed to work, not they should be thinking.

[chauncy republicans]

What next? Intelligent design in science class?
When you consider the litany of unproven/untestable, and unlikely theories already taught in school, why the hell not? It's not as if students learn anything in the classroom anymore.

[chauncy republicans]

MM, it sounds like this particular teacher, or teachers, crossed the line, and has begun to insert his/her personal views into the classroom, and that's wrong.
Dom this is happening all over the place, most good Americans don't alert the media, or grab a soapbox and a lawyer, but if you talk amongst many of the parents, where I live in particular, you'll hear this kind of garbage has been going on quite regularly. My Daughter was required to do several worksheets on how Obama plans to save America, fortunately she had a reasonable teacher who gave her alternative assignments. I didn't have enough presence of mind at the time to question who's idea the worksheets were though. I have been given permission to sit with her class when the speech is aired and will hope that my concerns are just paranoia, but after connecting all of the dots over the past year and a half it doesn't seem likely.

[California Joe]

I think you're taking the right approach chauncy. See it for yourself and discuss it with your child.

Hell, there have always been teachers with overzealous intentions.

My daughter's 3rd grade teacher told them during the Bush/Gore election that Al Gore was evil because he believed in killing babies through abortion. My wife went batsh*t. Bad enough that she was talking politics in that manner, but to start talking about abortions to kids that don't even understand what *** is was seriously warped. The principal agreed.

[chauncy republicans]

I think everybody can agree that issues of morality and political persuasion should be left out of a child's academic curriculum. With such a diverse country there's a lot of differing opinions concerning morality, to be on the safe side it should always be taught through example, by the parents. The test scores for our country's students are humiliating, especially considering all of the bright young talent our country has, it seems to me there are a lot better things to do than politically polarize them.

After the last decade I don't trust our nation's politicians as far a I can spit, so when one of them wants to address our children I'm naturally apprehensive. I'll be the first to come on here and eat my words if I'm wrong though.

[Laconian]

I agree chauncy, with the resources we have available in this country, almost every community/jr college should be like an ivy league school in terms of quality of education. But we have pissed a lot away on programs that do little to educate.

FWIW, the XO has stated she will watch the speech with my 4th grader. My HSer is thinking she gets to blow it off because it's during her lunch period.

[chauncy republicans]

I have a 4th grader too.
Her teacher thinks I'm part of some kind of 5th column, so I would really rather not attend.

[Skutatos]

MM, it sounds like this particular teacher, or teachers, crossed the line, and has begun to insert his/her personal views into the classroom, and that's wrong. I'd be interested in knowing exactly where this was taking place, as I don't believe politics has a place in the classroom. Teachers are there to explain to them how the system is supposed to work, not they should be thinking.

It is everywhere, especially highschool and college. Both my brother and sister have had to do homework on why obama is so awesome. My brother had to sit through "Bowling for columbine" in history class and then write an essay on how bad guns were and then the idiot teacher went on to tell them that gun ownership caused the civil war WTF!?

When you get to college its on a whole other level. Just outright and shameless indoctrination.

[Geezah]

It is everywhere, especially highschool and college. Both my brother and sister have had to do homework on why obama is so awesome. My brother had to sit through "Bowling for columbine" in history class and then write an essay on how bad guns were and then the idiot teacher went on to tell them that gun ownership caused the civil war WTF!?

When you get to college its on a whole other level. Just outright and shameless indoctrination.

I'm fearful I will be at my kids schools on a regualr basis because of sh!te like that. Really sucks that there are some teachers that no longer want to teach, but rather pass on their thoughts and ideas as though it's Gospel.

[Corrupt]

Why do we not see this kinda madness in the UK?
No offence, but it seems to be massively out of proportion. Obviously being British its I dont understand fully, but I dont recall any outrage at our politicians visiting schools, talking to kids or talking about controversial issues one way or the other (or allowing them in the curriculam)

[SoSo]

Why do we not see this kinda madness in the UK?
No offence, but it seems to be massively out of proportion. Obviously being British its I dont understand fully, but I dont recall any outrage at our politicians visiting schools, talking to kids or talking about controversial issues one way or the other (or allowing them in the curriculam)

I've never been to the UK, and I know nothing about the schools there. Do nearly all of your teachers belong to the same political party? Do they present balanced and fair instruction in the classroom regarding controversial issues, or ideological harangues? I hope your kids get a better education than ours do here.

[brainplay]

Hmmm, well its been hashed enough. But can someone tell me why the lesson plan decided to make the kids beholden to Pres. Obama instead of keeping it a politically neutral plan? Why didn't they go with something like the revised plan in the first place?

[Geezah]

I've never been to the UK, and I know nothing about the schools there. Do nearly all of your teachers belong to the same political party? Do they present balanced and fair instruction in the classroom regarding controversial issues, or ideological harangues? I hope your kids get a better education than ours do here.

I remember one of my teachers telling me that even when we were outside school they were in charge of us. I thought like #%ck you are, that's my old mans job.
I don't recall any of the teachers when I was at school being overly liberal.

[Noons86]

I remember one of my teachers telling me that even when we were outside school they were in charge of us. I thought like #%ck you are, that's my old mans job.
I don't recall any of the teachers when I was at school being overly liberal.


That teacher had to have been begging you guys not to take him seriously.

[Geezah]

That teacher had to have been begging you guys not to take him seriously.

He was a **** a doodle do, I only had him in the morning in our home room for the register to be taken, so luckily I didn't have to deal with him other than the 15mins in the morning and again in the afternon.

[gaz]

I've never been to the UK, and I know nothing about the schools there. Do nearly all of your teachers belong to the same political party? Do they present balanced and fair instruction in the classroom regarding controversial issues, or ideological harangues? I hope your kids get a better education than ours do here.

As a Brit I have no idea what political party my teachers were members of, it simply never came up in class. To be honest, I don't recall any teacher ever really trying to impart a personal political view on us.

[Zook]

I'm a high school teacher (History and English) and let me tell you that 99% of Teachers never try to teach their students with a partisan or political bias. If you have a high ability class political discussions do come up all the time however, but in this case you facilitate discussion and debate rather than impose your personal viewpoint on others.

Personally I think this is blown out of proportion, what would surprise many is that the history syllabuses that are written for the schools are the things that are dangerous because the politicians are always meddling with them so that children are taught what they believe to be the 'correct' view of history. In my eyes this is the most dangerous thing in regards to indoctrination.

[Mastermind]

I'm a high school teacher (History and English) and let me tell you that 99% of Teachers never try to teach their students with a partisan or political bias. If you have a high ability class political discussions do come up all the time however, but in this case you facilitate discussion and debate rather than impose your personal viewpoint on others.

Personally I think this is blown out of proportion, what would surprise many is that the history syllabuses that are written for the schools are the things that are dangerous because the politicians are always meddling with them so that children are taught what they believe to be the 'correct' view of history. In my eyes this is the most dangerous thing in regards to indoctrination.

That is only part of the problem...the other is that teachers unions (at least the two big ones) are completely and practically subversively pro Democrat toeing the party line no matter what. So that heightens the liberal bias perceived by the public. That and countless personal stories of teachers dumping their bias down the throat of the kids.

[budgie]

Between the required assignment for students to write a paper on how they will help President Obama (I understand they may have backed down on this) and showing that celebrity "I pledge to be a servant to the President" video some schools are showing, I understand how some parents might be getting a bit creeped out.

Meanwhile unemployment is now 9.7%

Good thing he signed that trillion dollar "stimulus" bill back when unemployment was 7.2%, right?


What's so evil about an assignment on how to help the President? It's just an early education in civics. Kids can be encouraged to think about how to help the president improve their country, school or district regardless of his party affiliation or that of their parents. We had assignments in school about how to help the government or what we think they could do to improve things for us and it didn't matter who the PM was at the time. It's apolitical.

[ronnieraygun]

What's so evil about an assignment on how to help the President? It's just an early education in civics. Kids can be encouraged to think about how to help the president improve their country, school or district regardless of his party affiliation or that of their parents. We had assignments in school about how to help the government or what we think they could do to improve things for us and it didn't matter who the PM was at the time. It's apolitical.

I would like to think so, but at the risk of defending some of the more rabid among us, the US has a long tradition of skepticism toward the executive branch. I had a poli sci minor and I remember the prof saying in the intro class that kids love presidents where their parents are obviously much more inclined toward skepticism. I remember thinking what a nice man that Mr. Carter was while my pops was filling out the year's income taxes. Man, did I get an earful. Understand that all skepticism aside, the presidency can be branded. The theme of people serving (not in the military sense) their country as we're seeing it now in this administration is a rehashed Kennedyesque brand. I hate to back up some of the AM radio listeners, but yeah, no one gives a crap about the latest communique when mom and dad are getting their asses handed to them and even the rich ones have to make some serious lifestyle adjustments.

[Corrupt]

I've never been to the UK, and I know nothing about the schools there. Do nearly all of your teachers belong to the same political party? Do they present balanced and fair instruction in the classroom regarding controversial issues, or ideological harangues? I hope your kids get a better education than ours do here.

They vote whatever way they want it has nothing really to do with what they teach. Occasionally in some subjects (normally Politics and history or things like that) we'd get sidetracked and have a bit of a political discussion or debate where they'd have a few interesting points, but it was just a discussion and quite informative (on both sides) rather than them trying to brainwash us.

Theres a viewpoint in the UK of the kids are either not bothered and not listening, or if they are interested, then have probably made up their minds already based on other factors and will weigh up any new information before deciding what to think

[Zook]

That is only part of the problem...the other is that teachers unions (at least the two big ones) are completely and practically subversively pro Democrat toeing the party line no matter what. So that heightens the liberal bias perceived by the public. That and countless personal stories of teachers dumping their bias down the throat of the kids.

Teachers Unions are there to protect the conditions and jobs of the schools and teachers, they do great work and anyone who is suspicious of Teachers Unions has never really been in one. Teachers and Unions vote left because that's the party which will best protect and promote their interests, but you also have to understand that we have to fight any political party all the time regardless of who is in power just to keep school funding and good conditions for Teachers and Schools as there is always some ignorant politician trying to implement bad policy due to the fact they have never taught a day in their lives and have no idea about education whatsoever.


In regards to the stories of Teaching liberal bias, those people are idiots and it is only 1% of the population. These people obviously should be reprimanded, but the issue is blown out of proportion. There is no liberal conspiracy in schools and 99% of Teachers try hard to make their student independently minded and critical thinkers, not lemmings who toe the party line.

[11 Bravo]

Teachers Unions are there to protect the conditions and jobs of the schools and .

So the whole lot of teachers unions fight changes that make them accountable on many levels , as well any changes which force them actually work where they avoid such , and how they rubberstamp offending biased curricula... and yeah I'm not trusting of same.
So according to you they vote left because that's the best route for them ... selfish hogwash !.

[Dominique]

A couple of quick questions, for all of you that were up in arms over this speech, did any of you watch it? And if so, did you find any of the material objectionable? if so, what was it.

[Winger]

A couple of quick questions, for all of you that were up in arms over this speech, did any of you watch it? And if so, did you find any of the material objectionable? if so, what was it.

The speech was very anti-climatic & uneventful with all the talk and debate beforehand.

He'll need a lot of help on his address tonight. Something tells me that one will be just as anti-climatic and uneventful.

[CMNot]

I've never been to the UK, and I know nothing about the schools there. Do nearly all of your teachers belong to the same political party? Do they present balanced and fair instruction in the classroom regarding controversial issues, or ideological harangues? I hope your kids get a better education than ours do here.

It is worth bearing in mind that in Britain (and Europe as a general rule), you see nothing like the partisan split in politics seen in the US. There is a far greater tendency to vote on manifesto pledges (despite being the same old regurgitated lies) as opposed to along party lines. With a large number of parties participating there are also plenty of places to place votes.

I'd also argue that by the time children reach voting age in the UK most have already developed a strong antipathy to politics and Government in general, and relate in very little way to political agendas. As witnessed by consecutive runs of woeful turnouts and voter apathy in 'youth' age groups i.e. 16-24.

[Chulo]

A couple of quick questions, for all of you that were up in arms over this speech, did any of you watch it? And if so, did you find any of the material objectionable? if so, what was it.
I think the question should be more about what they changed from the initial proposed plan in light of the drama they were receiving.

[Zoomie]

Teachers Unions are there to protect the conditions and jobs of the schools and teachers, they do great work and anyone who is suspicious of Teachers Unions has never really been in one.
So these people aren't in one?


Teachers demand to be heard by union after layoffs

by Margy Lynch KATU News and KATU.com Staff
Originally printed at http://www.katu.com/news/local/55536367.html
A group of teachers in the North Clackamas School District took the initiative Thursday, amid losing their jobs because of budget cuts, by gathering signatures in an effort to have their voices heard by their union.
The teachers, who gathered outside their union office, said they want a response from the union and put their demands in writing in the form of a petition.
Those speaking out said it shouldn't have reached this point, and they would have accepted the district's offer, favoring a wage freeze to save jobs.
“We took a poll in the spring and they got our opinion and the majority said wage freeze,” said Monica Whiteley, who was laid off. “So I would like them to look at the poll or honor it and have us look at the memo of understanding that is out there.”
They said they feel the union hasn't been listening or communicating.
“I have felt like my voice has not been heard. I wasn’t asked was I OK with losing my job,” said Jenny Klassen, another laid off teacher.
And they said the timing couldn't be worse.
“Our last paycheck came a couple days a go,” said Whiteley. “So, you know, it would be nice to figure this out in the spring, so you had two paychecks to figure this out and not a week and a mortgage to pay.”
Teachers said the cuts could mean 45 kids in some classrooms, which could mean squeezing in an additional 17 desks into a classroom.
Union leaders said they had no choice. They have to do what is best for the students and all of their membership, they said.
“You could probably talk with others of our members and get additional opinions. That would probably help,” said Pat Thayer of the North Clackamas Education Association.
But teachers said they hope the union will at least consider the opinion of those losing their jobs.

“If we end up voting and it doesn't work and we end up being laid off as a result of voting that's a different thing,” said Beth Barakat who was also laid off.
Negotiations started again Thursday at 11 a.m., but there was still no agreement. When the union was asked whether they would take a poll or vote, they said they would have to wait and see.
Source (http://www.katu.com/news/local/55536367.html)






Teachers and Unions vote left because that's the party which will best protect and promote their interests, but you also have to understand that we have to fight any political party all the time regardless of who is in power just to keep school funding and good conditions for Teachers and Schools as there is always some ignorant politician trying to implement bad policy due to the fact they have never taught a day in their lives and have no idea about education whatsoever.
Wow. Have you ever been to a teachers' union meeting in your life? Your ignorance is astounding, as it's not who best protect and promote their interests, it's who'll best line the fat cat's interests at the top. Case in point being - the union leaders and teacher's board chairpeople in Miami get paid about 7 times, if not more than the average teacher does - for a part time job. Yup, sounds like they've got their best interests in mind!


In regards to the stories of Teaching liberal bias, those people are idiots and it is only 1% of the population. These people obviously should be reprimanded, but the issue is blown out of proportion. There is no liberal conspiracy in schools and 99% of Teachers try hard to make their student independently minded and critical thinkers, not lemmings who toe the party line.
When was the last time you've been to a college?

[Laconian]

My kid's school didn't even show it...

[BearInBunnySuit]

At my kids' school, it was left up to the individual teachers to decide whether the students should listen to Obama's speech. Both of my kids' teachers opted against it which I thought was interesting since I live in SF Bay Area which is viewed as a Obama-stronghold. In any case, I read over the speech and did not see any subliminal messages to indoctrinate our kids. But I wonder whether the speech would lead to a generation of kids, particularly black students, who were inspired to work hard in school and make a difference much like JFK's speech did with their grandparents' generation.

Here's the full text of the speech given yesterday.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-in-a-National-Address-to-Americas-Schoolchildren/



THE PRESIDENT: Hello, everybody! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, everybody. All right, everybody go ahead and have a seat. How is everybody doing today? (Applause.) How about Tim Spicer? (Applause.) I am here with students at Wakefield High School in Arlington, Virginia. And we've got students tuning in from all across America, from kindergarten through 12th grade. And I am just so glad that all could join us today. And I want to thank Wakefield for being such an outstanding host. Give yourselves a big round of applause. (Applause.)
I know that for many of you, today is the first day of school. And for those of you in kindergarten, or starting middle or high school, it's your first day in a new school, so it's understandable if you're a little nervous. I imagine there are some seniors out there who are feeling pretty good right now -- (applause) -- with just one more year to go. And no matter what grade you're in, some of you are probably wishing it were still summer and you could've stayed in bed just a little bit longer this morning.
I know that feeling. When I was young, my family lived overseas. I lived in Indonesia for a few years. And my mother, she didn't have the money to send me where all the American kids went to school, but she thought it was important for me to keep up with an American education. So she decided to teach me extra lessons herself, Monday through Friday. But because she had to go to work, the only time she could do it was at 4:30 in the morning.
Now, as you might imagine, I wasn't too happy about getting up that early. And a lot of times, I'd fall asleep right there at the kitchen table. But whenever I'd complain, my mother would just give me one of those looks and she'd say, "This is no picnic for me either, buster." (Laughter.)
So I know that some of you are still adjusting to being back at school. But I'm here today because I have something important to discuss with you. I'm here because I want to talk with you about your education and what's expected of all of you in this new school year.
Now, I've given a lot of speeches about education. And I've talked about responsibility a lot.
I've talked about teachers' responsibility for inspiring students and pushing you to learn.
I've talked about your parents' responsibility for making sure you stay on track, and you get your homework done, and don't spend every waking hour in front of the TV or with the Xbox.
I've talked a lot about your government's responsibility for setting high standards, and supporting teachers and principals, and turning around schools that aren't working, where students aren't getting the opportunities that they deserve.
But at the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents, the best schools in the world -- and none of it will make a difference, none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities, unless you show up to those schools, unless you pay attention to those teachers, unless you listen to your parents and grandparents and other adults and put in the hard work it takes to succeed. That's what I want to focus on today: the responsibility each of you has for your education.
I want to start with the responsibility you have to yourself. Every single one of you has something that you're good at. Every single one of you has something to offer. And you have a responsibility to yourself to discover what that is. That's the opportunity an education can provide.
Maybe you could be a great writer -- maybe even good enough to write a book or articles in a newspaper -- but you might not know it until you write that English paper -- that English class paper that's assigned to you. Maybe you could be an innovator or an inventor -- maybe even good enough to come up with the next iPhone or the new medicine or vaccine -- but you might not know it until you do your project for your science class. Maybe you could be a mayor or a senator or a Supreme Court justice -- but you might not know that until you join student government or the debate team.
And no matter what you want to do with your life, I guarantee that you'll need an education to do it. You want to be a doctor, or a teacher, or a police officer? You want to be a nurse or an architect, a lawyer or a member of our military? You're going to need a good education for every single one of those careers. You cannot drop out of school and just drop into a good job. You've got to train for it and work for it and learn for it.
And this isn't just important for your own life and your own future. What you make of your education will decide nothing less than the future of this country. The future of America depends on you. What you're learning in school today will determine whether we as a nation can meet our greatest challenges in the future.
You'll need the knowledge and problem-solving skills you learn in science and math to cure diseases like cancer and AIDS, and to develop new energy technologies and protect our environment. You'll need the insights and critical-thinking skills you gain in history and social studies to fight poverty and homelessness, crime and discrimination, and make our nation more fair and more free. You'll need the creativity and ingenuity you develop in all your classes to build new companies that will create new jobs and boost our economy.
We need every single one of you to develop your talents and your skills and your intellect so you can help us old folks solve our most difficult problems. If you don't do that -- if you quit on school -- you're not just quitting on yourself, you're quitting on your country.
Now, I know it's not always easy to do well in school. I know a lot of you have challenges in your lives right now that can make it hard to focus on your schoolwork.
I get it. I know what it's like. My father left my family when I was two years old, and I was raised by a single mom who had to work and who struggled at times to pay the bills and wasn't always able to give us the things that other kids had. There were times when I missed having a father in my life. There were times when I was lonely and I felt like I didn't fit in.
So I wasn't always as focused as I should have been on school, and I did some things I'm not proud of, and I got in more trouble than I should have. And my life could have easily taken a turn for the worse.
But I was -- I was lucky. I got a lot of second chances, and I had the opportunity to go to college and law school and follow my dreams. My wife, our First Lady Michelle Obama, she has a similar story. Neither of her parents had gone to college, and they didn't have a lot of money. But they worked hard, and she worked hard, so that she could go to the best schools in this country.
Some of you might not have those advantages. Maybe you don't have adults in your life who give you the support that you need. Maybe someone in your family has lost their job and there's not enough money to go around. Maybe you live in a neighborhood where you don't feel safe, or have friends who are pressuring you to do things you know aren't right.
But at the end of the day, the circumstances of your life -- what you look like, where you come from, how much money you have, what you've got going on at home -- none of that is an excuse for neglecting your homework or having a bad attitude in school. That's no excuse for talking back to your teacher, or cutting class, or dropping out of school. There is no excuse for not trying.
Where you are right now doesn't have to determine where you'll end up. No one's written your destiny for you, because here in America, you write your own destiny. You make your own future.
That's what young people like you are doing every day, all across America.
Young people like Jazmin Perez, from Roma, Texas. Jazmin didn't speak English when she first started school. Neither of her parents had gone to college. But she worked hard, earned good grades, and got a scholarship to Brown University -- is now in graduate school, studying public health, on her way to becoming Dr. Jazmin Perez.
I'm thinking about Andoni Schultz, from Los Altos, California, who's fought brain cancer since he was three. He's had to endure all sorts of treatments and surgeries, one of which affected his memory, so it took him much longer -- hundreds of extra hours -- to do his schoolwork. But he never fell behind. He's headed to college this fall.
And then there's Shantell Steve, from my hometown of Chicago, Illinois. Even when bouncing from foster home to foster home in the toughest neighborhoods in the city, she managed to get a job at a local health care center, start a program to keep young people out of gangs, and she's on track to graduate high school with honors and go on to college.
And Jazmin, Andoni, and Shantell aren't any different from any of you. They face challenges in their lives just like you do. In some cases they've got it a lot worse off than many of you. But they refused to give up. They chose to take responsibility for their lives, for their education, and set goals for themselves. And I expect all of you to do the same.
That's why today I'm calling on each of you to set your own goals for your education -- and do everything you can to meet them. Your goal can be something as simple as doing all your homework, paying attention in class, or spending some time each day reading a book. Maybe you'll decide to get involved in an extracurricular activity, or volunteer in your community. Maybe you'll decide to stand up for kids who are being teased or bullied because of who they are or how they look, because you believe, like I do, that all young people deserve a safe environment to study and learn. Maybe you'll decide to take better care of yourself so you can be more ready to learn. And along those lines, by the way, I hope all of you are washing your hands a lot, and that you stay home from school when you don't feel well, so we can keep people from getting the flu this fall and winter.
But whatever you resolve to do, I want you to commit to it. I want you to really work at it.
I know that sometimes you get that sense from TV that you can be rich and successful without any hard work -- that your ticket to success is through rapping or basketball or being a reality TV star. Chances are you're not going to be any of those things.
The truth is, being successful is hard. You won't love every subject that you study. You won't click with every teacher that you have. Not every homework assignment will seem completely relevant to your life right at this minute. And you won't necessarily succeed at everything the first time you try.
That's okay. Some of the most successful people in the world are the ones who've had the most failures. J.K. Rowling's -- who wrote Harry Potter -- her first Harry Potter book was rejected 12 times before it was finally published. Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team. He lost hundreds of games and missed thousands of shots during his career. But he once said, "I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that's why I succeed."
These people succeeded because they understood that you can't let your failures define you -- you have to let your failures teach you. You have to let them show you what to do differently the next time. So if you get into trouble, that doesn't mean you're a troublemaker, it means you need to try harder to act right. If you get a bad grade, that doesn't mean you're stupid, it just means you need to spend more time studying.
No one's born being good at all things. You become good at things through hard work. You're not a varsity athlete the first time you play a new sport. You don't hit every note the first time you sing a song. You've got to practice. The same principle applies to your schoolwork. You might have to do a math problem a few times before you get it right. You might have to read something a few times before you understand it. You definitely have to do a few drafts of a paper before it's good enough to hand in.
Don't be afraid to ask questions. Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. I do that every day. Asking for help isn't a sign of weakness, it's a sign of strength because it shows you have the courage to admit when you don't know something, and that then allows you to learn something new. So find an adult that you trust -- a parent, a grandparent or teacher, a coach or a counselor -- and ask them to help you stay on track to meet your goals.
And even when you're struggling, even when you're discouraged, and you feel like other people have given up on you, don't ever give up on yourself, because when you give up on yourself, you give up on your country.
The story of America isn't about people who quit when things got tough. It's about people who kept going, who tried harder, who loved their country too much to do anything less than their best.
It's the story of students who sat where you sit 250 years ago, and went on to wage a revolution and they founded this nation. Young people. Students who sat where you sit 75 years ago who overcame a Depression and won a world war; who fought for civil rights and put a man on the moon. Students who sat where you sit 20 years ago who founded Google and Twitter and Facebook and changed the way we communicate with each other.
So today, I want to ask all of you, what's your contribution going to be? What problems are you going to solve? What discoveries will you make? What will a President who comes here in 20 or 50 or 100 years say about what all of you did for this country?
Now, your families, your teachers, and I are doing everything we can to make sure you have the education you need to answer these questions. I'm working hard to fix up your classrooms and get you the books and the equipment and the computers you need to learn. But you've got to do your part, too. So I expect all of you to get serious this year. I expect you to put your best effort into everything you do. I expect great things from each of you. So don't let us down. Don't let your family down or your country down. Most of all, don't let yourself down. Make us all proud.
Thank you very much, everybody. God bless you. God bless America. Thank you. (Applause.)

[Dominique]

I think the question should be more about what they changed from the initial proposed plan in light of the drama they were receiving.

What is it you think they took out?

[Mastermind]

How Benign. Now, don't all those folks who raised hell over the original content (as it was leaked from the WH, with the little "test" after the speach and the cry for students to "Help the President achieve his goals (ie, the Bambi care Bill)"...feel silly?

After all, as Gibbs pointed out, it is the silly season. Silly old voters ...how dare them try to tell us elected people what to do...they're just being silly to think we would pay any attention to them....


Hahhahahhahhhh!!!

[Zook]

So these people aren't in one?

Wow. Have you ever been to a teachers' union meeting in your life? Your ignorance is astounding, as it's not who best protect and promote their interests, it's who'll best line the fat cat's interests at the top. Case in point being - the union leaders and teacher's board chairpeople in Miami get paid about 7 times, if not more than the average teacher does - for a part time job. Yup, sounds like they've got their best interests in mind!


When was the last time you've been to a college?

I am a Teacher and a proud member of my states Teachers Union. It's obvious you have no idea about what its like to be in a Teachers Union, or have ever been a member of one. I think I know a lot more about Teaching issues than you do and you are letting your right wing political bias (which means hatred of unions) cloud your views. Both students and teachers are lucky that the Teachers unions protect their conditions and best interests from politicians and ideologues who would only do even more harm to education.

[Zook]

So the whole lot of teachers unions fight changes that make them accountable on many levels , as well any changes which force them actually work where they avoid such , and how they rubberstamp offending biased curricula... and yeah I'm not trusting of same.
So according to you they vote left because that's the best route for them ... selfish hogwash !.

Once again you don't understand the issues and characterize Teachers as lazy people who don't want to do work or implement policy which improves the education of students.

My whole life is dedicated to Teaching, and Teachers who are dedicated live and breathe the profession. Even when I hop in bed I can't go to sleep without thinking about how I am going to improve on my next lesson or help a student, and my holidays are spent marking and planning units and lessons.

9 out of 10 Teachers are exactly like me, and if you don't think we would fight positive changes to schools and education which means better conditions for students and teachers you are foolish.

[Mastermind]

Text books were vastly liberalized to reflect political correctness...Teachers stood idly by.

Test standards were greatly lowered to "help minorities" (how insulting)...teachers stood idly by.

Liberal ****** education was introduced, advocating "family planning" ie, abortion...teachers stood idly by.

Draconian drug abuse education using just insane threats, false information and intimidation against students was introduced int he schools...teachers stood idly by.

The gay agenda was allowed to infiltrate schools, even down to the elementary level...teachers stood idly by.

The liberal socialist agenda was forced on students, and liberal teachers threaten more conservative kids with reduced grades...teachers stand idly by.

Relativistic thinking has been allowed to invade classrooms...making kids accept Stalinist and anti-capitialist ideas ...teachers stand idly by.

Honestly, the list is practically endless...

It is the Alinsky concept that once the left controls the education system, the rest will be easy...raise up a bunch of little commies into big commies and you will easily rule the land....all while the lovely teachers stand idly by or gladly help the process along.

Yeah...teachers have been just the siants we have all needed...so long as we keep our eyes closed and our mouths shut!

[Derbedeu]

Text books were vastly liberalized to reflect political correctness...Teachers stood idly by.

Test standards were greatly lowered to "help minorities" (how insulting)...teachers stood idly by.

Liberal ****** education was introduced, advocating "family planning" ie, abortion...teachers stood idly by.

Draconian drug abuse education using just insane threats, false information and intimidation against students was introduced int he schools...teachers stood idly by.

The gay agenda was allowed to infiltrate schools, even down to the elementary level...teachers stood idly by.

The liberal socialist agenda was forced on students, and liberal teachers threaten more conservative kids with reduced grades...teachers stand idly by.

Relativistic thinking has been allowed to invade classrooms...making kids accept Stalinist and anti-capitialist ideas ...teachers stand idly by.

Honestly, the list is practically endless...

It is the Alinsky concept that once the left controls the education system, the rest will be easy...raise up a bunch of little commies into big commies and you will easily rule the land....all while the lovely teachers stand idly by or gladly help the process along.

Yeah...teachers have been just the siants we have all needed...so long as we keep our eyes closed and our mouths shut!

The gay agenda? What agenda would that be? Advocating abortion? In my health class they advocated using protection and safe *** in general (while always stressing that abstinence was the only 100% method of avoiding STDs and pregnancies), not once did they ever advocate abortion. Accept Stalinist ideas?! Are you serious? Draconian drug abuse education using false information and intimidation? Like what? that smoking is bad for you? Is that somehow false information?

Do you realize how paranoid you sound?

[Zoomie]

I am a Teacher and a proud member of my states Teachers Union. It's obvious you have no idea about what its like to be in a Teachers Union, or have ever been a member of one. I think I know a lot more about Teaching issues than you do and you are letting your right wing political bias (which means hatred of unions) cloud your views. Both students and teachers are lucky that the Teachers unions protect their conditions and best interests from politicians and ideologues who would only do even more harm to education.
Okay, so between myself, who worked a few years in unionized school district, my dad and my uncles, we have around 75 years of combined teaching experience. I love how you immediately jump to the conclusion that I'm right wing and so is everyone else I know, and all that jazz, but yet totally ignore everything I've posted and just continue the unions are good mantra. Perhaps you should talk to my uncle, who could not wait to retire, because he had lost his love to teach because the union screwed him over as far as pay raises, they protected piss poor teachers who shouldn't even be in a classroom, and no, he's not a right wing person either.

[brainplay]

The gay agenda? What agenda would that be? Advocating abortion? In my health class they advocated using protection and safe *** in general (while always stressing that abstinence was the only 100% method of avoiding STDs and pregnancies), not once did they ever advocate abortion. Accept Stalinist ideas?! Are you serious? Draconian drug abuse education using false information and intimidation? Like what? that smoking is bad for you? Is that somehow false information?

Do you realize how paranoid you sound?

They tried the abortion thing in our *** ed classes waaay back in the day. Was met with uproar and policy was changed. Abstinence was not on the agenda as the thought process back then was "they're going to do it anyway". Not sure what they're allowing today although I hear the *** ed video it a bit better than the "psychadelic ballet to represent ***" video we had. rofl

What gets taught seems to vary from state to state.

Mother has spent over 20yrs teaching and now several years as an Assistant Principal. Her views on the union are not exactly that great. Luckily its not that strong in her district so some of the really bad teachers get canned pretty quick, no arbitration needed. Unions aren't known for pushing good policy either. Good for them but not necessarily for the students.

[Kaplanr]

Text books were vastly liberalized to reflect political correctness...Teachers stood idly by.

Test standards were greatly lowered to "help minorities" (how insulting)...teachers stood idly by.

Liberal ****** education was introduced, advocating "family planning" ie, abortion...teachers stood idly by.

Draconian drug abuse education using just insane threats, false information and intimidation against students was introduced int he schools...teachers stood idly by.

The gay agenda was allowed to infiltrate schools, even down to the elementary level...teachers stood idly by.

The liberal socialist agenda was forced on students, and liberal teachers threaten more conservative kids with reduced grades...teachers stand idly by.

Relativistic thinking has been allowed to invade classrooms...making kids accept Stalinist and anti-capitialist ideas ...teachers stand idly by.

Honestly, the list is practically endless...

It is the Alinsky concept that once the left controls the education system, the rest will be easy...raise up a bunch of little commies into big commies and you will easily rule the land....all while the lovely teachers stand idly by or gladly help the process along.

Yeah...teachers have been just the siants we have all needed...so long as we keep our eyes closed and our mouths shut!

Since education is locally controlled, not sure how all this happened. Not to mention the almost 50-50 split between Democratic and Republican voters nationally. Looks like the great conspiracy didn't exactly work out so well.

[XShipRider]

Teachers Unions are there to protect the conditions and jobs of the schools and teachers, they do great work and anyone who is suspicious of Teachers Unions has never really been in one. Teachers and Unions vote left because that's the party which will best protect and promote their interests, but you also have to understand that we have to fight any political party all the time regardless of who is in power just to keep school funding and good conditions for Teachers and Schools as there is always some ignorant politician trying to implement bad policy due to the fact they have never taught a day in their lives and have no idea about education whatsoever.


In regards to the stories of Teaching liberal bias, those people are idiots and it is only 1% of the population. These people obviously should be reprimanded, but the issue is blown out of proportion. There is no liberal conspiracy in schools and 99% of Teachers try hard to make their student independently minded and critical thinkers, not lemmings who toe the party line.

Agreed, unions are there to protect the teachers. Beyond that, they protect not student one. The students are not paying members of the union thus garner no benefit(s) from union initiatives.

The problem with your second paragraph is teachers cannot be "reprimanded" in many cases because of the union.

Unions are there to get the best deal for their respective members. I can't argue that aspect since I've never been in one, though I do agree with the premise. Unfortunately, I have witnessed, secondhand through family members, a union member keeping his job after 11 DUIs (delivery for the postal service, no less). Also witnessed union members getting high and drinking at lunch (GM employees). How do they get away with such things? Union protects their job at all costs and to the detriment of the other workers -- the good workers. Sad facts but please don't tell me these are isolated incidents.

People would wholly respect unions if they protected good workers and let the dirt bags get bounced. Just because you pay dues doesn't make you a good worker, or at least it shouldn't, but it does make you a good union member.

Politicians? Bought and paid for by whatever interest ponies up the best offer.

[Noons86]

Yeah, my *** ed class was pretty much what they described above. They also had posters all over the walls, some promoting condom use, others promoting abstinence. The best was a picture of a pair of closed legs saying "there's a simple way to prevent AIDS." I think the main message was "don't blame us if your condom fails."

[Geezah]

Since education is locally controlled, not sure how all this happened. Not to mention the almost 50-50 split between Democratic and Republican voters nationally. Looks like the great conspiracy didn't exactly work out so well.

Independents, they're the ones that influence the vote.

[chauncy republicans]

This thread is getting pretty far off-topic.

My Daughter's teacher decided not to air the speech, she said there's more important things for children to do in school, than listen to some stranger repeat the same things most parents already tell their children. Good Call.
That being said: the speech was indeed pretty benign, with the exception of these quotes:
I've talked a lot about your government's responsibility for setting high standards, and supporting teachers and principals, and turning around schools that aren't working, where students aren't getting the opportunities that they deserve.
If you don't do that -- if you quit on school -- you're not just quitting on yourself, you're quitting on your country.
The government has no legal authority to tamper with our state's schools, so basically he's trying to legitimize criminal activity perpetrated by the Executive branch. He also try's to push his little collectivist agenda with the latter quote.

It's not as bad as I thought it was going to be, but far from what I would want my child listening to. We live in a county of individuals where the Executive and other branches of government are subject to law.

[Corrupt]

The government has no legal authority to tamper with our state's schools,


Urm yeah they do?
Am not American, but as far as I'm aware the government is quite within its rights to tamper with state schools...
You know, funding them and being the government that sets curriculems etc

[Zoomie]

Urm yeah they do?
Am not American, but as far as I'm aware the government is quite within its rights to tamper with state schools...
You know, funding them and being the government that sets curriculems etc
Well then, I suggest you get more aware, as it's the states that raise the funds for the public schools through state and local taxes, not the federal government. If the federal government did set the curriculum for the public schools, please explain to me why do a lot of the states have their own comprehensive tests, instead of a standard one that they all have to administer?

[Hollis]

Normal partisan politics. Doesn't matter who addresses the students, the other side will cry unfair.

Obama is not the first president to have done so and have been criticized for it by the opposing political party.

[bd popeye]

Threads such as these and childish rants in the Todays pics threads is why I have severely curtailed my posting at mp.net.

And I did not vote for Pres. Obama.


Yep, you can't go educatin them youngins, as you'll put impure thoughts in there head. Get real people, every freaking sitting president does the same damn thing. They go to school, spout off of the importance of this, that, and the other. Then they shake a few hands, kiss some babies, and generally try to make it look like they give damn about education. He's not going to be beaming subliminal signals that guns are evil, and George Bush was the Anti-Christ into their brains. Get the phuck over it, and move the hell on.

and..


I don't see the problem here...stay in school, educate yourself. I find some of the most conservative people went and got their Ph. D.s from leftist leaning universities. And then vice versa but not as much as the former. If he truly cared which I don't see it happening. It would be to either get rid of or gut the Department of Education. And then definitely talk to governors about doing the same as the Federal and State governments increasing their hand in education has only increased the plight of the American Educational system.

Exactly^^^ x a balzillion.. I'm out.

[Kaplanr]

This thread is getting pretty far off-topic.

My Daughter's teacher decided not to air the speech, she said there's more important things for children to do in school, than listen to some stranger repeat the same things most parents already tell their children. Good Call.
That being said: the speech was indeed pretty benign, with the exception of these quotes:
The government has no legal authority to tamper with our state's schools, so basically he's trying to legitimize criminal activity perpetrated by the Executive branch. He also try's to push his little collectivist agenda with the latter quote.

It's not as bad as I thought it was going to be, but far from what I would want my child listening to. We live in a county of individuals where the Executive and other branches of government are subject to law.

C'mon. What is No Child Left Behind, as well as any number of federally available grants and subsidies (E-rate anyone?) If you take them, you answer to the piper. Don't want to, then it's the school (or district's) prerogative to tell DoE to buzz off. Reality is, many of our local districts are run poorly too with low or no expectations and strange ideas about curriculum.
Just because a majority want or believe in something, doesn't make it smart or right.

[Zoomie]

Normal partisan politics. Doesn't matter who addresses the students, the other side will cry unfair.

Obama is not the first president to have done so and have been criticized for it by the opposing political party.
And when the first Bush made a similar speech, the Democrats took it a step further to a senate inquiry or something of that level. But it's just more of the same partisan bantering.

[Corrupt]

Well then, I suggest you get more aware, as it's the states that raise the funds for the public schools through state and local taxes, not the federal government. If the federal government did set the curriculum for the public schools, please explain to me why do a lot of the states have their own comprehensive tests, instead of a standard one that they all have to administer?

Ah fair enough, I stand corrected, I just (wrongly) assumed that the government would be implicated in such things like it is in the UK

[chauncy republicans]

C'mon. What is No Child Left Behind, as well as any number of federally available grants and subsidies (E-rate anyone?) If you take them, you answer to the piper. Don't want to, then it's the school (or district's) prerogative to tell DoE to buzz off. Reality is, many of our local districts are run poorly too with low or no expectations and strange ideas about curriculum.
Just because a majority want or believe in something, doesn't make it smart or right.
No that is not correct, just because somebody wishes the government to overstep it's legal authority does not mean it's acceptable. When the government oversteps it's legal authority the whole country is affected, not just the ones that accepted the initial hand outs and power grabs. Basically your say that it's ok for the government to break the laws of our nation, for the convenience of a few.

If a school district is too irresponsible to properly educate their children, so be it, it's their money and children. We are not a collective society.

Your absolutely right about the majority, which is why you just emphasize my point. We have laws by which our government is legally bound, despite what the majority wants.

[chauncy republicans]

Normal partisan politics. Doesn't matter who addresses the students, the other side will cry unfair.

Obama is not the first president to have done so and have been criticized for it by the opposing political party.
This goes way beyond that. You marginalize legitimate questions posed by a number of Americans, who after the last 8 years have seen our nations highest law get trampled on, and now realize that it must end with this administration before the trend continues upon a man like Caligula. It is not as nearly black and white you would like to believe.

[Mastermind]

To quote Derbedeu above...

"The gay agenda? What agenda would that be? Advocating abortion? In my health class they advocated using protection and safe *** in general (while always stressing that abstinence was the only 100% method of avoiding STDs and pregnancies), not once did they ever advocate abortion. Accept Stalinist ideas?! Are you serious? Draconian drug abuse education using false information and intimidation? Like what? that smoking is bad for you? Is that somehow false information?

Do you realize how paranoid you sound?"

Your not paranoid if everyone really is out to get you...keep that in mind.:)

Where I got this was from an activist group I once belonged to...called the Purple Heart Association. Our chapter took on a community project to examine the history text books of our local middle and high schools...at the request of a son (also teacher) of one of our members...that was way back there in 19 hundred and ...um...yeah...91

We were horrified at what we found. American history was completely re-written...it was to minimize the bad evil white men slave owners who founded the nation and to maximize the blacks who had done so much to help America go forward...like the peanut chemist, the black guy who invented an oiler for the rail roads...and some black slaves who improved the cotton gin...the inventor of the gin was never mentioned...(some evil capitalist white guy).

The books had all kinds of pages on Carrie Nation, Susan B. Anthony and other great activist women...very little on Grant, Jefferson, Adams...etc.

We were rather stunned to find in one world history text 44 pages devoted to Stalin, Lenin, the Great Soviets…all rather charming bits, too…and yet, only a few pages devoted to the Magna Carta, the American Revolution, and the rise of individual freedoms in England. Almost nothing about the American Civil War.

That kind of piqued our interest...and the project expanded. We found that there were posters being put up in the schools...very subtle at first...suggesting kid read certain books by certain authors...then the next month, the posters "Outed" the Authors....all supposedly gays.

The health education agenda had very dramatically changed, with people coming into the schools, down to the 7th grade level and giving talks to the kids...the girls got the inside info on who to contact if they became pregnant...and the parents did not even have to know...and abortion was on the plate of options discussed with the girls.

Kids were told who to contact if their parents did anything to them...like touched them...or spanked them...that caused a massive increase in parents being arrested...one of them was a very close friend of mine...he slapped his 14 year old daughter for coming home late on a date...she backed talked him and he slapped her...arrested, jailed, and lost his job and his home for attorney fees...in the end, all charges were dropped...too late...State said, “Oops…sorry!”

Well, the list goes on (not enough room here)...I was not making anything up...and if I am paranoid sounding, that's your fking problem. I know where my facts came from, I was there...I attended the panels, the community discussion. I did the interviews of teachers, parents and even School Supers, who told me personally, they were under orders...they had no choices in this....They would lose critical Federal Funding if they did not obey…it is social engineering...it is real, it is pervasive and it is in every public school in the USA and it is by way of our own Government!

[Noons86]

Well, I don't have the experience of being a parent, but I do have the experience of being a student in high school.

One of the most important things we were taught, in my view, was Historography - the way different generations view history. We would go over the historography of every era in US history. It helped to put this whole controversey in perspective, and showed how its not going away.

I remember that most of the focusing on black figures in American history (people like Harriet Tubman, the dude who invented peanut butter, etc.) was done every February in elementary school.

I remember world history class focused very heavily on the rennaissance and the enlightenment. Pretty standard stuff. Then again, what I call "pretty standard stuff" might just be some radical left-wing indoctrination. Who knows? How would I know if I've been indoctrinated?:(

The main objection that I would have is that I remember a lot of the myths about the middle ages were presented as common knowledge, while they were in fact just myths.

[skipperbob]

Hey Mastermind - it certainly sounds like your "activist group" went into their research with an open mind. I taught history in High School for many years and I ask you, what would you like to go back to - that the slaves were happy working for their kind masters, women were invisible and only belonged at home, only white men made contributions to society, that only white European men discovered the New World and that the people already there didn't count? That is the way the "facts" of history were taught for decades. Your bias comes out in every sentence - blacks made enormous contributions to our history in medicine, manufacturing, sciences - they just never got the credit for it. Each wave of immigrants that came to this country brought new ideas and talents that helped shape our society. Many of our founding fathers were slaveholders and the only way the Declaration of Independence was passed was because slavery had to be allowed to continue. In our land of the free, women couldn't even vote until the twentieth century and many were murdered for demonstrating for that right. The Civil Rights movement, the Cold War, were major events in our history - what, we shouldn't mention the evils of slavery and segregation, the communist movement, womens suffrage so students would try to understand what the great conflicts of our century were all about? The purpose of school is to get kids to think for themselves, to question and not just accept the old history that students were taught for decades. I have never told a kid to believe everything they read but to look for themselves from as many different angles as they could - question - think! Somehow science and thinking have become too "Liberal", unamerican. I am afraid that it is getting to the point in this country where it is impossible to be civil and listen to each other. Don't just accept the garbage that comes from talking heads on TV and radio - think, investigate and you will be amazed at what you can learn.

[vryhpyammoadded]

Mastermind, it’s good to see some people taking that level interest in their children’s education. It’s a rare thing these days.

My higher educational background netted degrees in history, philosophy and political science/public administration having gone through it all from a multitude of points of view. I’ve travelled the world, experienced many cultures, served in the military and had the displeasure of working local, state and federal government and the corporate lobby machine. I’ve successfully raised one kid that turned out pretty good (after significant time and effort deprogramming her of DOE conditioning)and am currently raising two more (multi cultural/racial). My friends, relatives range across the racial/cultural spectrum. Currently I am a contract employee with the DOE and I do catch ever living hell for my opinions and have to CYA every day working in a very hostile environment.

Yes, I am surrounded by a majority of Marxist collectivists conspiring to manipulate their view of utopia onto our children and can say I am fully qualified to make that judgment. My contract ends in a month and next I'm off to the DOD. Finally working with good, open minded, pragmatic, reasonable people again thank god!

Mastermind and people like him do have a point that the DOE/teachers union in general are near hysterical with this multiculturalism, apology, acceptance and other junk making our kids in fact more closed minded, less able to reason, more immature, afraid to make judgment calls, taking the lead, being seen as a mean, selfish person and ****e to fall under sway of demagogues. I’ve found the curriculum to exacerbate learned helplessness, create undisciplined minds without reasoning skills and generally gravitate the child towards a collectivist mentality seeking to be led like cattle rather than to take responsibility.

To be honest, not all schools are this abysmal, although, all the urban schools my first child suffered through before I moved out to the rural life were in fact this way or producing raging psychotics rebelling against everything because they were never taught the discipline and maturity to handle the big lie, the hypocrisy obvious to them that the government and most people exist to help themselves, not you.

I love the new rural school my next oldest kid has entered. They have a policy of offering the DOE/teachers union suggested junk but have instead their own curricula preapproved by the parents. They readily accept parental suggestions for alternative material and respect families first before regulation. The school is heavy on secularism but respects religion, focuses on the basics, reading, writing, math and sciences and is light on the Voodoo sciences. Hell, even spanking is allowed and the last gang that tried to form got the snot beat out of it and shipped off to a boot camp were some kid was beat to death.

I say bring back more local control to education, bust up the DOE and national teachers union into state and local run departments. Too much centralized federal power is killing this nation’s future!

[MaverickCowboy]

Hey Mastermind - it certainly sounds like your "activist group" went into their research with an open mind. I taught history in High School for many years and I ask you, what would you like to go back to - that the slaves were happy working for their kind masters, women were invisible and only belonged at home, only white men made contributions to society, that only white European men discovered the New World and that the people already there didn't count? That is the way the "facts" of history were taught for decades. Your bias comes out in every sentence - blacks made enormous contributions to our history in medicine, manufacturing, sciences - they just never got the credit for it. Each wave of immigrants that came to this country brought new ideas and talents that helped shape our society. Many of our founding fathers were slaveholders and the only way the Declaration of Independence was passed was because slavery had to be allowed to continue. In our land of the free, women couldn't even vote until the twentieth century and many were murdered for demonstrating for that right. The Civil Rights movement, the Cold War, were major events in our history - what, we shouldn't mention the evils of slavery and segregation, the communist movement, womens suffrage so students would try to understand what the great conflicts of our century were all about? The purpose of school is to get kids to think for themselves, to question and not just accept the old history that students were taught for decades. I have never told a kid to believe everything they read but to look for themselves from as many different angles as they could - question - think! Somehow science and thinking have become too "Liberal", unamerican. I am afraid that it is getting to the point in this country where it is impossible to be civil and listen to each other. Don't just accept the garbage that comes from talking heads on TV and radio - think, investigate and you will be amazed at what you can learn.




Hes not being biased, you are. I too have noticed what he is saying. stop being a pussy and twisting his words.