WH deletes line about schoolkids helping Obama from speech prep materials
posted at 8:24 pm on September 2, 2009 by Allahpundit
I’m guessing this won’t lead to any changes of heart among those fearful enough of Hopenchange brainwashing to pull their kid out of school next Thursday, but it does take a key talking point away from them.
As one of the preparatory materials for teachers provided by the Department of Education, students had been asked to, “Write letters to themselves about what they can do to help the president. “
Today, after Republicans accused the White House of trying to indoctrinate school children with liberal propaganda the White House and the Department of Education changed the section to now read, “Write letters to themselves about how they can achieve their short‐term and long‐term education goals.”
“We changed it to clarify the language so the intent is clear,” said White House Spokesman Tommy Vietor…
“As the father of four children, I am absolutely appalled that taxpayer dollars are being used to spread President Obama’s socialist ideology,” Jim Greer, Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida said, “The idea that school children across our nation will be forced to watch the President justify his plans for government-run health care, banks, and automobile companies, increasing taxes on those who create jobs, and racking up more debt than any other President, is not only infuriating, but goes against beliefs of the majority of Americans, while bypassing American parents through an invasive abuse of power.”
The Department of Education though did not “force” – as Greer claims – schools to do anything. Schools districts across the country have the option to choose if they show the President’s address to their students…
“The goal of the speech and the lesson plans is to challenge students to work hard in school, to not drop out and to meet short-term goals like behaving in class, doing their homework and goals that parents and teachers alike can agree are noble,” a White House spokesman tells ABC News, “This isn’t a policy speech. This is a speech designed to encourage kids to stay in school.”
In defense of The One’s critics , this isn’t the first time Team Barry has “inartfully” phrased something in a way that suggests an agenda vastly more ambitious than they claim to have. Remember during the transition when his website insisted that national service would be “required” of students before an outcry led them to delete it? Or the terms of use on the Cash for Clunkers website that seemed to imply dealers would be ceding control over their computers to the feds? Obama’s administration seems not to understand just how deep the suspicion about liberals’ statist aims runs on the right (and increasingly in the center) or else they’d police their rhetoric more closely for little mishaps like this.
And needless to say, swearing a personal oath of service to Obama isn’t as unthinkable as it might seem. Skip ahead to 3:55 of this left-wing classic and watch Demi follow the Leader.
Blowback
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I pledge to this year figure more time from the computer to the bathroom trip and save my wife some extra work.
Jeff from WI on September 3, 2009 at 10:17 AM
The juice isn’t in the controversial “talking point” itself.
Like the endless number of previous (and surely future) backtracks, scrubbings, and down-the-memory-hole statements that tended to inadvertantly expose B.O.’s true heart, the juice here is in the effort to take it away once it’s been put out there.
Like “the cover-up is always worse than the crime” axiom, the takeaway is always more telling than the item itself.
If it’s true, why remove it?
If it’s accurate, why try to pretend it was never said?
The excuse that one “misspoke” is always a lie. “Trick or trout” is misspeaking; “sharing the wealth” is an explicit statement of one’s motivational philosophy.
As is encouraging children to ask themselves what they can do to “help” B.O.
It feels unsettling and creepy (regardless of any elected official of any party that might say it) because it is… unsettling and creepy.
Dion on September 3, 2009 at 10:21 AM
The major media reporting is falling short. Here is the original language:
That’s an Obama White House recommendation! So much for “letters to themselves”.
It’s much more chilling than the media reports might lead readers to believe.
Anil Petra on September 3, 2009 at 10:30 AM
COP OUT.
News Review
Classes may show Presidential Address
Posted Date: 9/2/2009
President Barack Obama announced that on Sept. 8 he will deliver a national address directly to students on the importance of education. The President will challenge students to work hard, set educational goals and take responsibility for their learning. He will also call for a shared responsibility and commitment on the part of students, parents and educators to ensure that every child receives the best education possible so they can compete in the global economy for good jobs and live rewarding and productive lives as American citizens. It is not required that schools show the address, however, Round Rock ISD is treating this like any other national news event, such as an election or shuttle launch, and allowing individual teachers to determine if their class will view the speech if it aligns to the curriculum and is timely. Any parent who objects to their child viewing the Presidential Address can request that they be excused from the activity by contacting their child’s teacher or campus.
Home | About RRISD | Students/Parents | Schools | Academics | Student Services
1311 Round Rock Avenue | Round Rock, TX 78681 | Phone: 512.464.5000
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Col.John Wm. Reed on September 3, 2009 at 10:30 AM
I disagree 100% that this takes away “a key talking point”.
This unprecedented politicizing our our public schools is outrageous. And we know it, just as we know the Liberals would have burned those schools to the ground before they would let a republican President address their children. No President, no stranger, no one, has a right to speak to my child unless I give them permission to do so.
This stupid fish has leaped miles over the line on this one – his arrogance is stunning. It’s such a PR disaster, they’ll probably make it a quarterly occurrence. And I’m thrilled – because everyday more and more people are waking up to it.
gopmom on September 3, 2009 at 10:32 AM
But, what about separation of church and state?
Johan Klaus on September 3, 2009 at 10:33 AM
Bozo needs to pull the plug on the whole idea.
dogsoldier on September 3, 2009 at 10:36 AM
I disagree. I believe the Obama Administration so deeply believes in the correctness of saying “help the President” that it just does not register as controversial in any way.
Napolitano suffered the same physchosis when she released a study that accused military veterans of being potential threats to the government. Again, to her it was not controversial; it was simply a fact. She was taken aback not by the implications of the statement, but by the push back from those who disagreed with her.
Another example of the “self-expose” is back during the Bush Administration during the Amnesty kerfuffle. Thousands of young Latinos took to the streets demonstrating their allegiance to and love of the US by waving the flag of Mexico. When the dichotomy of this was pointed out, they started waving the American flag. They exposed their true beliefs by waving the Mexican flag until they learned it had the opposite effect. Then they switched the flags. But not their beliefs.
Same applies here. The leadership in the DOEd simply did not recognize the implications of “kiddies helping the President”, because they deeply believe the “kiddies are required to help the President”. Now that it has been pointed out (exposed), we get a clarification of the “real intent”. That’s BS. The clarification is a completely different subject than the original statement.
Again, this “clarification” is brought to you by people smarter than you.
BobMbx on September 3, 2009 at 10:39 AM
Obama plans to test his Communist mind machine on that day. Keep your kids home or lose them forever. Better dead than red!
Decider on September 3, 2009 at 10:43 AM
I’m wondering if the kids will have an opportunity to “Axe” some questions of this great Communist, Muslim, Kenyan, Racist, Lying Lea-Duh!
Marco on September 3, 2009 at 10:48 AM
Why do I get the feeling that my daughter’s 4th grade class will look like this in Tuesday… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtGrp5MbzAI&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Frositatheprolesnastylittlebloggingproblem%2Ewordpress%2Ecom%2F2009%2F09%2F01%2Fdear%2Dms%2Dfisher%2Ddawes%2Dplease%2Dexcuse%2Dmy%2Ddaughter%2Dlulu%2Dfr&feature=player_embedded#t=44
It is almost a shame she won’t be there to see it, as I have the day off work and we are going fishing in the morning, then lunch, then Obi’s speech broadcast on C-SPAN so I can explain which parts the President is absolutely right about (trying your best in school, working hard,etc.) and which parts he is full of crap on (Global warming, health care, and any other BS liberal agenda he tries to sneek in). My daughter is so excited for the 8th now. Lake Erie perch here we come.
kriscoleman on September 3, 2009 at 10:53 AM
Doesn’t Obama have more important things to do, anyway?
What exactly is the point of all of this?
No need to answer me. I think I already know the answers.
bridgetown on September 3, 2009 at 10:53 AM
forgive the off topoic post but
Olympia snowejob needs to be stopped !
Call her office and say you are from Maine and represent a group of seniors against obamacare. It doesn’t matter if you don’t live in Maine. Find a zip code and town name off the net and call her now. Or say you are a moderate dem who voted for her, and you are against obamacare or any public option. We need to burn her local Maine offices as well as Washington. Call her now before she caves to the libs. Call her now!!!!
texaninfidel on September 3, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Why don’t you just use the N-word? Why hide behind words like “Muslim” and “Communist”? Be proud of what you are.
Decider on September 3, 2009 at 10:56 AM
My husband spoke to our principal at the open house last night. They had just heard of it the day before and will be having a staff meeting today to talk about it. Anyone who thinks this is innocuous isn’t reading the teachers’ supporting materials.
It’s not just being able to take your kid out of this video web thing, it’s finding out what the teacher would be asking him to do after the fact, each day. Are you accountable? What Would Barack Obama Do? What are your service goals? To which my six year old would just stare at his teacher, I’m sure. “Take notes”…do they even know how long it takes a first-grader to write down a single word?
My principal is accountable to the school board and the district, not to Arne Duncan and the Department of Education. Their role is to hold money over the districts’ proverbial heads to get them to reach goals. There isn’t one nickel in it for them to show the president trying to get them to be “of service”.
Today I will ask my principal if an “outside speaker” form was submitted in the requisite 8 day advance timeframe, and if they intend to give all parents the five-day notification period required by the district. I’ll use their own bureaucracy against them.
winoceros on September 3, 2009 at 10:58 AM
Decider…why so reductionist?
Marco is clearly making an ideological statement about Obama’s target audience which are the urban poor, the proletariat, if you will, and infering that Obama’s background shapes his modus operandi.
And that he’s a big fat liar.
winoceros on September 3, 2009 at 11:04 AM
Marco knows what he is. He should be proud of it.
Decider on September 3, 2009 at 11:08 AM
I pledge,
To use plastic bags to discourage pulp and paper mills from spewing awful waste into the environment and to bolster our own plastics industry
To strike down intolerant ignorant leftard talking points wherever I may find them
To be a servant to no man as I am a citizen-sovereign
To be a better man by actually doing something tangible rather than talking about it on YouTube videos
To never again enable laziness, failure, alcoholism, drug abuse and socialism by refusing to give money to beggars in traffic at intersections
To make America a stronger nation by fighting anti-patriot klepto-plutocrats like Ted Kennedy, Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama
Did I miss any?
epluribusunum on September 3, 2009 at 11:14 AM
All right, Decider. I’ll bite :)
Do you think teachers should encourage or discourage the word “ask” said as “axe”?
But I see your point.
winoceros on September 3, 2009 at 11:21 AM
Yes. But your task is impossible, as is taking a roll call in China. You’ll never finish, because by the time you get to the end of the list, the next generation has already been born and are in line….
We get new pledge material everyday here in Libtardia.
BobMbx on September 3, 2009 at 11:24 AM
You be axing hims an inappropriate question.
BobMbx on September 3, 2009 at 11:25 AM
We’ll just leave that for your democrap congress people:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FE_jGD5nZ6U
lovingmyUSA on September 3, 2009 at 11:27 AM
Good question! No child who is not yet in 9th grade can vote in 2012, yet Obama has teaching materials aimed at kids in K thru 5. Is he trying to indoctrinate enough kids to become Obamabots, then demand that Congress repeal the 22nd Amendment so Obama can run again and become the next FDR, after Obama has cut Medicare and let the elderly die of preventable diseases?
Young children can be very impressionable. I was 7 years old when JFK was assassinated, and thought that he was a great President at the time, with the man-on-the-moon plan. Only later, I read in history books about the Bay of Pigs, the nearly-disastrous summit with Krushchev, and all the women parading through “Camelot” while Jackie was on vacation. Even so, JFK still had patriotism, which Obama completely lacks.
How many 7-year-olds now will think Obama is SOOOOOO wonderful, and work their tender little hearts out for him, and never have the benefit of politically-incorrect reality-based history books in public schools to set the record straight when they get to high school? Most high-school American history courses don’t even cover anything after World War II, or in some cases, Vietnam.
Steve Z on September 3, 2009 at 11:35 AM
I agree with GOPMom above – this doesn’t “take away a talking point” – THIS ISN’T A “TALKING POINT” in the first damn place!! This is about access to our kids’ minds, and anyone who “trusts” NEA establishment teachers under this or any other administration to not attempt indoctrination, speech or no speech, is a fool.
Parents with k-6 kids – you really should go to the school on 9/8, get a visitor pass to your kid’s classroom, and document what the teachers do with this event. There are BOUND to be endless examples of indoctrination, browbeating and even intimidation to get students to offer “correct” responses to the DOE-supplied curriculum. Conceal a Flip cam, voice recorder, whatever – and ACT like a lib, all “excited” about the event. Libs are stupid, and will reveal everything. Your digital documentation could provide all we need to start putting an end to this.
I did this at a K-6 school when my kids were were in 2nd&4th grades, on another matter. Let’s just say my efforts really paid off and woke a lot of people up.
Above all, INNOCULATE your kids against liberalism – every day, bring up “global warming”, all the green crap or any other liberal meme, and make your kids understand it’s all bullsh!t, and let them know there’s a deliberate effort by teachers to indoctrinate them. Tell them what to look for and listen for, and then repeat it to you when they get home, so you can teach them to spot the lies. You’ll be SHOCKED at how much crap they are bombarded with in every school subject, but use this to teach them. I did this every day with my boys, ad nauseum till I got the “eyerolls” from them, but they are now both staunch conservative voters in their early 20’s.
Fishoutofwater on September 3, 2009 at 11:37 AM
OK Here’s the appropriate N-word for Obama; NARCISSIST as in the APA defination of a mental illness! In the vernacular; NUTJOB will do!
Marco on September 3, 2009 at 11:37 AM
Damn! I see what I missed when I had to go to work!
lovingmyUSA on September 3, 2009 at 11:37 AM
Like I’ve said, Allah, it’s not the actual words that are the problem, it’s the grooming of these children for more and deeper indoctrination. Chip by chip, the wall between individual and state is crumbling.
PattyJ on September 3, 2009 at 11:40 AM
++
lovingmyUSA on September 3, 2009 at 11:40 AM
You’re a moron, and a racist moron at that. The only people “hiding” behind anything are you Obamabots, who distort word meanings, co-opt the language, and throw out the “race card” at every opposition to The Won.
I was born and raised in the 1950′s deep south, and I know what the N-word means. You’re nothing but an ignorant race-baiting troll, with only the most scant, glib awareness of what you are even talking about. Go study some real history before trying to discuss real issues with adults.
Fishoutofwater on September 3, 2009 at 11:48 AM
The speech is optional in my school district. Teachers only will show it if it is fitting in with their instructional plan and students will have the option to do another activity if they do not want to watch it.
I’m quite relieved that the DoE suggested item of reading Obama books before the speech has not been adopted by our schools.
Rockygold on September 3, 2009 at 11:48 AM
the lesson plans?
preparatory materials?
what in the heck is the fed gov doing preparing any school lesson material for local schools?
You can’t close an eye for a catnap with this bunch. They are relentless power grabbers
entagor on September 3, 2009 at 11:53 AM
Wow, did you blow the smoke off your finger?!!! Shot straight from the hip!
lovingmyUSA on September 3, 2009 at 11:58 AM
Oh the intent was quite clear, and that’s why you were forced to change it.
4shoes on September 3, 2009 at 12:00 PM
Wow, that “I Pledge” video is the most laughable piece of idiocy I’ve seen in a long, looong time.
As for Obama giving a speech to kids, as long as it doesn’t go far beyond basic civics, I have no problem with it.
I’m curious: To those who are up-in-arms about a president addressing school kids, what did you think when the Gipper did it?
http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/speeches/1988/111488c.htm
http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/speeches/1986/51386d.htm
He certainly didn’t shy away from politics in his remarks either, as you can see.
EarthToZoey on September 3, 2009 at 12:19 PM
Wow, that’s the scariest video I have ever seen & I own about 40 horror movies on DVD. When I was a kid the alien baby on V left me sleepless for about a week… That was worse.
saus on September 3, 2009 at 12:35 PM
So easy to just dismiss people as being racists, must be all you have left.
tessa on September 3, 2009 at 12:37 PM
If by “unprecedented” you mean “not since George Bush” was in office, you’d be correct.
Oh look. The schools are still standing.
bileduct on September 3, 2009 at 12:39 PM
That video is beyond despicable. Obama and his mindless sycophant Hollywoodies are out-of-control. They are crackpots and they need to stay away from our children.
sinsing on September 3, 2009 at 12:48 PM
We’ve burned enough strawmen here at HA to recognize another one.
Fighton03 on September 3, 2009 at 1:00 PM
I have no problem w/ Presidents doing photo ops at schools, or even giving speeches tinges with politics at schools (particularly at things like graduation). I think those kinds of things are pretty par for the course.
The thing that is creepy here is that O! seeks to give a speech to the entire nation of school kids at one time during the school day. It just seems like an attempt to raise his personal popularity among school kids – and perhaps an attempt to politicize them.
And, I’ll wait to see what his actual remarks are – but if this is a political speech to the entire school age population, it goes way beyond the normal politics at schools that all politicians do and starts moving toward trying to create an Obama youth movement.
Monkeytoe on September 3, 2009 at 1:10 PM
NEVER IN MY LIFETIME.
Have I seen an Administration pursuing so many policies that are “downright evil”.
These lying thugs will NEVER get hold of my kids.
ROADBLOCKS…..ROADBLOCKS…..WE MUST ERECT ROADBLOCKS for this thugocracy being built.
PappyD61 on September 3, 2009 at 1:15 PM
“President has talk with middle school students about education and goals – Bush to kids: Smart is cool” – Oct 2, 1991
…
The White House had urged teachers and principals beforehand to let their students tune in to the speech, carried live by the Cable News Network and public television.
So there we have George H. W. Bush indoctrinating middle school students, all facilitated by the liberal media. And the next day not a single headline about liberals rioting in the streets and burning down schools, unlike your fellow poster above would have us believe.
bileduct on September 3, 2009 at 1:17 PM
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, Dick 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 studentsThe Democratic critics accused Bush of turning government money for education to his own political use, namely, an ongoing effort to inoculate himself against their charges of inattention to domestic issues. The speech at Alice Deal Junior High School, broadcast live on radio and television, urged students to study hard, avoid drugs and turn in troublemakers.
The Department of Education should not be producing paid political advertising for the president, it should be helping us to produce smarter students,” House Majority Leader Richard A. Gephardt (D-Mo.) said. “And the president should be doing more about education than saying, ‘Lights, camera, action.’ ”
Two House committees demanded that the department explain the use of its funds for the speech, an explanation that Deputy Secretary David T. Kearns provided late in the day in a letter to Rep. William D. Ford (D-Mich.), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee. Education Secretary Lamar Alexander was out of town. [...]
Rep. Patricia Schroeder (D-Colo.), chairwoman of the Select Committee on Children, Youth and Families, said it was outrageous for the White House to “start using precious dollars for campaigns” when “we are struggling for every silly dime we can get” for education programs.
Rep. Martin Frost (D-Tex.) said that if Bush feels obliged to use government funds to hire outside consultants “to make him look good,” then he should fire some of the public relations experts on the White House payroll. “Then the president might be more sympathetic to unemployment benefits,” Frost said, referring to Bush’s threat to veto legislation to extend benefits.
Makes one wonder if today’s media, with the economy in what they’ve repeatedly called the worst recession since the Great Depression, will question Obama’s use of education funds for his upcoming speech.
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2009/09/03/flashback-1991-gephardt-called-bushs-speech-students-paid-political-a
lovingmyUSA on September 3, 2009 at 1:18 PM
Well, if there’s anything to look forward to from this, it didn’t work for Poppy.
bileduct on September 3, 2009 at 1:19 PM
Congratulations for recognising this supposedly non-existant event.
That said, what you’ve raised simply strengthens my own personal viewpoint – that both sides are hypocrites.
Thanks for helping me out with that.
bileduct on September 3, 2009 at 1:21 PM
Amazing how quickly we went from “unprecedented event” to “Democrats complaints when we did it!”
bileduct on September 3, 2009 at 1:22 PM
NOOO waiting , the states, governors, need to step in and assert States Rights since no school boards will be able to meet in time to go over a transcript.
Lesson plans should not be drafted by any national administration and enforced by their union cohorts.
Where is the fairness?
What if Palin wins in 2012 and decides to give a speech to the entire national school system on Abstinence, Christianity, Pro Life, Domestic enery Production, Harsh sentences for thugs at polling places, Reinterment for the released Guantaamo terrorists.
Jail sentences for tax dodging dem senate scum and Pinnochio administration officials?
In fact if Pinnochio is allowed this, then Sarah Palin should be allowed an hour rebuttal so’s the youngsetrs can see Democracy in action in at least 1/2 of their Television vacation.
dhunter on September 3, 2009 at 1:23 PM
If the states won’t assert States Rights then Parents had better assert parental rights and either be in the classroom for the TV time and lesson plans or keep the kids home listening to Rush, Glenn Beck, hannity, Levin all day. That would be an education that would be PRICELESS
dhunter on September 3, 2009 at 1:28 PM
These thieves aren’t even trying to hide it any more; They’re communists on a communism agenda.
Cybergeezer on September 3, 2009 at 1:28 PM
To me, this whole thing is about continuing to browbeat Americans with constant images of Barack Obama, everywhere we go, looking “presidential” and talking in soothing tones about “all the great things we can do together to change America and make it better for everyone.” They want him to be ubiquitous. Their idea is to get Americans invested in Barack Obama on an emotional level as “the good President”, so then they can turn on the support for any policy initiatives he wants. The contest then becomes not, “is this good for America”? but “are you for the good black President who wants to make America better, or are you a racist?” And, of course, this is easiest to do with the youngest among us.
This is all of a piece with the constant campaigning, the prime time TV addresses every two weeks, etc. It IS a cult of personality they are trying to build.
rockmom on September 3, 2009 at 1:30 PM
Stephen Colbert, is that you?
bileduct on September 3, 2009 at 1:30 PM
I’m sorry you are so confused. If we have to explain the difference between the two, I’m afraid you are incapable of understanding. We conservatives will not be rugs that libs can walk on any more. Bush was not trying to take over America–Obama has a specific agenda–and has already exhibited his egomania. NOT THE SAME THING!
lovingmyUSA on September 3, 2009 at 1:49 PM
bileduct–are you paying attention?
lovingmyUSA on September 3, 2009 at 1:52 PM
Shutting your kids off from an opposing viewpoint and stuffing them with only one side does not promote constructive, or objective thinking. Better to let them hear and discuss, and question–something our dear leader doesn’t want us to do…He just can’t understand why we wouldn’t want posters plastered all over the school with the important points of HIS speech….after all, it’s all about HIM!
lovingmyUSA on September 3, 2009 at 1:57 PM
Anyone listening to Mark Steyn on Rush today? A caller informed him, that this won’t only be applied to grades K-6. 7-12th grades will also be “participating. This man went to the website, and found some of the questions asked of the older kids, that will be asked, after Obama’s speech. He felt that since most of these kids will be voting in the next election, the questions were geared more toward a polling, or census type of venue. Which doesn’t shock me at all.
One of the questions asked, is to pick out the 3 most important words in Obama’s speech, in order of which word they thought was most important, and in that order.
I’m telling my kids to choose words like “the” “that” “a” “of” LMAO If the teacher wants to get on them, I’ll be more than happy to let them know, that I do NOT appreciate this school using any of the kids in this propagandish crap! My kids can learn how the election process works. They can learn American History, they can learn why their vote is important. But by God they will not be subjected to this crap from a fascist, who’s hell bent on controlling their minds, and lives.
capejasmine on September 3, 2009 at 1:58 PM
WILL Teachers DEMAND respect for Obama? What if a kid acts up? or says he doesn’t like Obama?
Will they call him a ‘RACIST’?
Will he be punished?
What if kids are talking or laughing during the speech? Will they be told to be quiet?
What if kids DON’T WANT to do the ‘lesson’?
ExTex on September 3, 2009 at 2:07 PM
it’s an attempt to lay the groundwork for a modern day cultural revolution. it’s already un-officially begun in the universities. that is a fact. i remember a political science class where the professor’s premise was that reagan didn’t defeat the soviets, but a political science model on dis-affected citizenry was.
anyway, i digress…
but with obama wanting to directly appeal to the nations youth and how they can serve HIS agenda blah blah blah smacks of mao and his cultural revolution.
when will we start seeing high school students in “national service” wearing green peasant cloths, green cap with red star?
photoboy74 on September 3, 2009 at 2:26 PM
Yes, it reminds me of lefty idiots telling me that George Bush’s televised speeches and “manipulation” of the National Alert System were geared towards creating an environment of fear that was more conducive to policy change favouring the GOP.
Comparisons to the Third Reich will inevitably follow…
bileduct on September 3, 2009 at 2:33 PM
Ooh! Ooh! Can I guess?
Invading the middle east?
bileduct on September 3, 2009 at 2:36 PM
Okay, so the nuance is “off” the inartful use of the malleable “misspoke”.
How Bout “Just thinking out loud………… in print”?
Does that work?
DSchoen on September 3, 2009 at 2:47 PM
well Pock-ee-stan anyway….
sven10077 on September 3, 2009 at 2:54 PM
Gee, that video is sure a bunch of nice sentiments. Hope that all works out for those folks. Too bad they never had the mind to act decent before Obama became president.
But really, human nature will always out. Might want to check back with “Mr. Pledge to the Funk” in a year to see how those old folks are doing.
Rather, we should consider to not swearing an oath at all, “either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool.” Or to swear by our heads, for “you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”
And certainly not by one’s president. So the best pledge? To not make any pledges and just do what’s right without announcing it with clanging gongs, else it turn to evil.
Or in this case, just stupid and political.
Maybe that’s the same thing…
somewhatconcerned on September 3, 2009 at 2:56 PM
Don’t think HW produced a lesson plan though. Just a might bit different.
Fighton03 on September 3, 2009 at 3:17 PM
All the sentiments are nice, except when they get to pledging service to dear leader. There is a reason our oath of office and oath of service are to the constitution. Ignorance of that is dangerous.
Fighton03 on September 3, 2009 at 3:22 PM
I called and e-mailed my city’s school board today. Just got back a response….
The district website will be updated within the next hour to indicate that we are not showing the speech. The showing of the speech and its related activities will be left up to individual families at home.
Thank you for sharing your concerns.
Sincerely,
Bill Porter
William Porter
Director of K-8 Education of Mentor Schools
I guess I wasn’t the only one who complained.
kriscoleman on September 3, 2009 at 3:28 PM
erm, he’s the President. Didn’t you complain he looked unpresidential when he was photographed in shirtsleeves.
pathetic.
Grow Fins on September 3, 2009 at 3:54 PM
Good point. And I do get behind oaths of office and oaths to military service as a principal. It shows a duty and accountability to something higher as an elected official or service member – appealing to (what used to be seen as) God-ordained conduct.
And say what you want about the Pledge of Allegiance. I could go either way on if that’s just symbolic or representative of something more. But folks want to take the God out of that one too. So whaddya gonna do?
somewhatconcerned on September 3, 2009 at 4:03 PM
bileduct on September 3, 2009 at 1:21 PM
There’s no room in this mob-riddled political system for even-handed centrists like us, doll.
And I use ‘centrist’ in the political sense only, not necessarily ideological — because you *should* be able to balance being as philosophically far to the Right or Left as you want and still be able to *reason*. But for most people today, it’s less about intellectual integrity and all about political blood sport, plain and simple.
EarthToZoey on September 3, 2009 at 4:10 PM
I’ve always been a little hinky about pledging to the ‘Flag’, but it is followed up with “and to the republic for which it stands”, so it tends to clarify a bit.
To be honest, the God thing is immaterial to me. The pledge is not to God, nor any religion so congress has “made no law”.
Fighton03 on September 3, 2009 at 4:14 PM
The real shame here is that everybody, both supporter and critics, believe in their hearts that the President of the United States would (or should) use this speech to pitch a political agenda to school children.
Has the office been debased that much in a mere 7 months ?
J_Crater on September 3, 2009 at 4:41 PM
Sweet!!!
Obama’s Back To School Speech Banned
Rochester Community Schools To Only Offer Broadcast To High School
POSTED: Thursday, September 3, 2009
UPDATED: 3:38 pm EDT September 3, 2009
AP
ROCHESTER, Mich. — The Rochester Community Schools will not be broadcasting President Barack Obama’s back-to-school address to elementary and middle school students on Sept. 8.
http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/20709461/detail.html
suburbanite on September 3, 2009 at 4:57 PM
1. Children should not be subjected to politics. They are innocent. Young ones should not care who is president before they make friends at school, before they even study government.
2. Children don’t have 60-minute attention spans.
3. A 2 minute pep talk to pay attention to teachers, do homework, wash hands and play nice is the only thing any authority figure should address to children.
4. Obama is pushing himself too far into the psyche of children. It’s unhealthy of Obama to do so, and inappropriate to allow him to do.
5. This has no precedence and is more divisive manipulation, and a further attempt to coerce submission from students of all ages to Obama’s agenda and bully tactics. It is also a matter that will end up on student records, whom to favor, whom to target for hardship based upon IDEA.
Fifth graders don’t know about any of America’s wars, have no idea what World War II was, let alone WWI. Their parents don’t want them to know about war, and don’t care to teach them about the Constitution. But these same parents demand that all children must know who Obama is, and join in his worship-fest at school, perpetuating their hate Bush story as Obama will redeem us if we but serve him.
“I ask so little. Just let me rule you, and you can have everything that you want.”
maverick muse on September 3, 2009 at 5:05 PM
“Bush asked you to stand, all Obama requires is you to bow.”
sven10077 on September 3, 2009 at 5:07 PM
Welcome to 1984 Big Brother all over the place.
To me, this whole thing is about continuing to browbeat Americans with constant images of Barack Obama, everywhere we go, looking “presidential” and talking in soothing tones about “all the great things we can do together to change America and make it better for everyone.” They want him to be ubiquitous. Their idea is to get Americans invested in Barack Obama on an emotional level as “the good President”, so then they can turn on the support for any policy initiatives he wants. The contest then becomes not, “is this good for America”? but “are you for the good black President who wants to make America better, or are you a racist?” And, of course, this is easiest to do with the youngest among us.
This is all of a piece with the constant campaigning, the prime time TV addresses every two weeks, etc. It IS a cult of personality they are trying to build.
Col.John Wm. Reed on September 3, 2009 at 5:15 PM
The pushback is a lot bigger than they expected….I ain’t taking victory in thwarting the Chairman Maoization of the US Presidency but I am about 30 times more hopeful than a year ago….
JugEars ain’t got the bulge to be Big Brother.
sven10077 on September 3, 2009 at 5:24 PM
It’s rare we hear from Dickinson ISD, but the small Galveston County school district sent us a press release today with its take on President Obama’s Sept. 8 address to schoolchildren (earlier blog post). The district’s statement is one of the most hardline I’ve come across so far:
Dickinson ISD teachers and other staff will not present the live address to students on Tuesday. If parents wish for their children to view the speech, we believe the appropriate thing to do would be for parents to record the speech, view it and discuss it at home with their children. .,.,
Col.John Wm. Reed on September 3, 2009 at 5:30 PM
Thank you for that…
lovingmyUSA on September 3, 2009 at 5:33 PM
we’re all in this together….I was zooming through my DVR flicks and found the one redeeming moment from Rocky 6….
imagined Mickey as Reagan….
Mickey Loves You…
sven10077 on September 3, 2009 at 5:36 PM
My grandson’s principal stopped me today when I was picking up my grandchildren, and asked me if I was the one that called about the President speaking nationally. He said he has only heard from one other parent and that only the upper grades will view the program, ONLY if the teachers can fit it into their plans. So I will be in my grandson’s classroom next Tuesday. It will not be shown to the lower elementary grades…
lovingmyUSA on September 3, 2009 at 5:40 PM
Kiddies gather around, let BO tell you how to be good little socialist. Once upon a time………
la.rt.wngr on September 3, 2009 at 5:41 PM
I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all…..
Ozprey on September 3, 2009 at 5:43 PM
As a practical matter this one hour of propaganda x several million students = several million man hours (child hours) wasted that could have been spent learning Math, English, Science, or American History. Do thy still teach those things or is it all about touchy, feely, social work? What possible community organizing should be expected of children? I guess only Obama knows!
Marco on September 3, 2009 at 6:13 PM
“Though Shalt have no other gods Before Me”. Can we teach that in school? Fool?
kirkill on September 3, 2009 at 6:23 PM
obama to the schools–” I want all you kiddies to turn in to me the names and addresses of all those who disagee with me.”
rjoco1 on September 3, 2009 at 7:01 PM
“Some Children Moved to Tears as Obama, in Nationally Televised School Address, Reminds Students of Their Duty to Pay Back Massive Federal Debt” http://optoons.blogspot.com/2009/09/some-children-moved-to-tears-as-obama.html
Mervis Winter on September 3, 2009 at 7:10 PM
Sweet!!!
Obama’s Back To School Speech Banned
Rochester Community Schools To Only Offer Broadcast To High School
POSTED: Thursday, September 3, 2009
UPDATED: 3:38 pm EDT September 3, 2009
AP
ROCHESTER, Mich. — The Rochester Community Schools will not be broadcasting President Barack Obama’s back-to-school address to elementary and middle school students on Sept. 8.
http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/20709461/detail.html
suburbanite on September 3, 2009 at 4:57 PM
Hey Minnesota: I was taught that it takes 100 “attaboys” to overcome one “aw heck”… You have 99 more to go to make up for Al Franken… PRESS ON!
Khun Joe on September 3, 2009 at 11:32 PM
ALLCON, FYI,
Hitler Youth; Rearmament
Story RG-60.2451, Tape 64
Title: The Nazi Plan
Event Date:
Category: Documentary
Language: German
Place: Germany
Description: Reel 9, Part III: Preparation for wars of aggression, 1935-1939
02:18:51 Title: “Part III Preparation for Wars of Aggression 1935-1939″
Title: “1935 Von Schirach Urges Hitler Youth to Follow Principles of “Mein Kampf”" von Schirach addresses youth.
Title: “Goering Announces Rearmament of Germany March 1935″ Miscellaneous military scenes.
Source: National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), 238.1 R9
Copyright: Public Domain
Time Code: 02:18:51:22 – 02:25:17:03
Duration: 00:06:25
USHMM Format: Betacam SP; VHS
Director: E.R. Kellogg
Producer:
Cameraman:
Production Date: 1945?
Biography / History: “The Nazi Plan” was shown as evidence at the International Military Tribunal (IMT) in Nuremberg on December 11, 1945. It was compiled by Budd Schulberg and other military personnel, under the supervision of Navy Commander James Donovan. The compilers took pains to use only German source material, including official newsreels and other German films (1919-45). It was put together for the US Counsel for the Prosecution of Axis Criminality and the US Office of the Chief Counsel for War Crimes. The film was received in evidence as IMT exhibit USA-167. Summary from NARA story card (NARA source number 238.1): “On the activities and policies of the National Socialist Party in Germany, 1921-1944, particularly as reflected in the speeches of Adolf Hitler. Shows much of the pagentry associated with the speeches. Consists of four parts: Part I: The rise of the NSDAP, 1921-1933 (reels 1-2); Part II: Acquiring totalitarian control of Germany, 1933-1935 (reels 3-8); Part III: Preparation for wars of aggression, 1935-1939 (reels 9-16); and Part IV: Wars of aggression, 1939-1944 (reels 17-22).”
Accession Info: 1998.191.1 The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum purchased this from the National Archives and Records Administration in September 1998.
PE Monitor:
Notes: Rights: While this film is a production of the US government and is therefore in the public domain, it contains German newsreel footage, the rights to which are held by the German state archive (Bundesarchiv) through their agent, Transit Film. Researchers should exercise caution when using newsreel clips from this film, and consider clearing the rights with Transit, especially if broadcast in Europe.
Keywords: FILM
GAULEITER
GERMANY
GOERING, HERMANN
HITLER YOUTH
HITLER, ADOLF
MILITARY OFFICERS
MILITARY VEHICLES
NAZI OFFICIALS
NAZI PARTY
NUREMBERG (INTERNATIONAL MILITARY TRIBUNAL)
SCHIRACH, BALDUR VON
SPEECHES
WAR
WAR CRIMES COMMISSIONS
WAR CRIMINALS/WAR CRIMES TRIALS
WEAPONS/ARMS
“NAZI PLAN”
Audio: Yes
Color: No
Image Quality: Fair
Documents:
U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW, Washington, DC 20024-2126
Phone: 202-488-6104 Fax: 202-314-7820 E-mail: filmvideo@ushmm.org
Col.John Wm. Reed on September 4, 2009 at 7:46 AM
That WAS Eva Longoria-Parker on that video.
Tony,
Dude, I’m sorry. I didn’t know she was brain damaged.
GO SPURS GO!!!!
Blacksmith8 on September 4, 2009 at 10:57 AM
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