School districts deluged with phone calls from parents angry about Obama’s speech
posted at 9:16 pm on September 3, 2009 by Allahpundit
Rod Dreher heard about it anecdotally this morning, but what he calls the righty “crazybomb” has now exploded with full force:
Schools don’t have to show it. But districts across the country have been inundated with phone calls from parents and are struggling to address the controversy that broke out after Education Secretary Arne Duncan sent a letter to principals urging schools to watch.
Districts in states including Texas, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Virginia, Wisconsin have decided not to show the speech to students. Others are still thinking it over or are letting parents have their kids opt out…
“As far as I am concerned, this is not civics education — it gives the appearance of creating a cult of personality,” said Oklahoma state Sen. Steve Russell. “This is something you’d expect to see in North Korea or in Saddam Hussein’s Iraq.”…
PTA council president Cara Mendelsohn said Obama is “cutting out the parent” by speaking to kids during school hours.
“Why can’t a parent be watching this with their kid in the evening?” Mendelsohn said. “Because that’s what makes a powerful statement, when a parent is sitting there saying, ‘This is what I dream for you. This is what I want you to achieve.’”
Presumptive answer to her question: Because far fewer kids (and parents) are going to want to watch in the evening. People get grumpy when an Obama speech on something important preempts the primetime schedule; does she really believe they’re going to turn off “CSI” to watch The One drone on about education? I think kids can handle 20 minutes alone with him. Besides, if the boss is right that the real threat here will be teachers using this as a pretext for more politicized lessons going forward, what does it matter if the kids watch Obama or not? It’s what comes later that’s the concern.
More from Politico:
“The gist is, ‘I want to see what the president has to say before you expose it to my child.’ Another said, ‘This is Marxist propaganda.’ They are very hostile,” said Patricia O’Neill, a Democrat who is vice president of the Montgomery County School Board, in a district that borders Washington, D.C. “I think it’s disturbing that people don’t want to hear the president, but we live in a diverse society.”…
Six districts contacted by POLITICO all said they would leave it to local school superintendents, principals and teachers whether to show the speech – but all said they would provide alternative activities for students whose parents didn’t want them to see the broadcast…
Obama isn’t the first president to be criticized this way. O’Neill recalled President George H. W. Bush made televised address to students in October 1991 as campaign season was heating up. A handful of Democrats denounced Bush’s address as pure politics. Bush asked students to “take control” of their education and to write him a letter about ways students could help him achieve his goals, strikingly similar to Obama’s messages.
Newsbusters remembered Bush’s address this morning — and also remembered that lefty darling Dick Gephardt was very concerned about it indeed (“The Department of Education should not be producing paid political advertising for the president”). Reagan did it too, according to Tapper, although it’s unclear in both cases how widely televised the speeches were. The most amazing thing about this story to me is Tapper’s assertion that the White House was “caught flat-footed” by the outcry, which is certainly true given how quickly they moved to revise the prep materials. Do they not watch Glenn Beck or listen to Limbaugh? Is Andrew Sullivan really their primary source for how grassroots conservatives view the administration? They’re entitled to have as much contempt as they like for righty suspicions about creeping authoritarianism as government expands, but those suspicions are a fact of political life. Seven months into The One’s term, only a moron would fail to anticipate the reaction at this point.
Blowback
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Thanks to Robert Browning.
BobMbx on September 4, 2009 at 12:11 AM
I assume you thought the same about Reagan and Bush 41 when they addressed classrooms?
jonknee on September 4, 2009 at 12:13 AM
There is a big difference between Mr. Rodgers addressing classrooms and the Hurdy Gurdy man doing it.
MB4 on September 4, 2009 at 12:16 AM
Hey Jocknee you’ll have to show me where either Reagan or Bush the elder had a politically allied state official lean confidential data on a inopportune questioner to the blogosphere and news media….
“change”…..
some President’s can be trusted with our kids and some comport themselves like Michael Jackson breaking out the Jesus Juice.
sven10077 on September 4, 2009 at 12:20 AM
You with your Hotair blogin’
And you skeptics always contemplatin’
How my coronation you’d like to start rearrangin’
When that’s not what you really should do
When heaven has found you
Can’t you see
That it’s all wrapped up in the Messiah that’s Me
So follow Me
Come on, children
Follow Me
I’m Obama the Piper
And I’ll show you where Hope and Change is at
Come on, children
Can’t you see
I’m Obama the Piper
Trust in Me
Children
Don’t be worried about your parents payin’ big bucks to help Me move and grove
Hey, children
What do you think I’m tryin’ to prove
It ain’t true
That My Michelle would like to punch and rob your parents and you
It’s just in your mind
And that’s all that’s trickin’ you
So behind all My celebrities step in line
Come on, children
Rat on your evil racist parents for Me
Come on, children
Trust in My Teleprompter and my Candy and Me
Come on, children
Can’t you see
Come on, children
Follow Me
MB4 on September 4, 2009 at 12:22 AM
Yeah, but Reagan and Bush 41 didn’t bypass congress and appoint a self-professed communist and 9/11 Truther to their cabinets…with $30 billion discretionary spending at their disposal…maybe, perhaps, not the kind of guy who should be lecturing school age children about responsibility, eh?
AUINSC on September 4, 2009 at 12:24 AM
Obama Youth
MB4 on September 4, 2009 at 12:29 AM
You got it. Good for you.
BobMbx on September 4, 2009 at 12:29 AM
My school district will allow our child to opt out of this “speech”, I will be doing just that.
Zaire67 on September 4, 2009 at 12:33 AM
Triumph of the Will’s re-imagining….Mendacity of the Um
sven10077 on September 4, 2009 at 12:35 AM
I was on yahoo a while ago and the picture of Mr. Obama accompanying this story was so funny. It should be in the dictionary next to the word arrogant.
Cindy Munford on September 4, 2009 at 12:54 AM
So, the Peoples’ “Republic” of Montgomery County, Maryland is feeling the pressure. So, my neighbor Michelle (the boss) and I have something to smile about.
BottomLine5 on September 4, 2009 at 12:56 AM
Yes, none of them are smart. If the administration loses the unquestioning adulation of the MSM, then they’re toast.
blink on September 4, 2009 at 12:56 AM
I have long defended freedom of speech of pundits, even though I don’t personally respect many of their pieces, whether right or left.
But this is ridiculous. Perhaps, there needs to be some national discussion about the speech concepts. If people are going to rabble-rouse to the point society is fraying, then it’s dangerous.
Did you guys read about the bitten finger incident? Hello. I said these Townhalls were a violent event waiting to happen.
I was right.
Now, people are involving their kids?
This is going too far.
AnninCA on September 4, 2009 at 12:57 AM
He is the President of the United States. Good gravy.
AnninCA on September 4, 2009 at 12:59 AM
The president is trying to involve their kids. Parents are just pushing “back”.
hawkdriver on September 4, 2009 at 1:00 AM
Yeah, and it was done by an Obama supporter…did you mention that?
AUINSC on September 4, 2009 at 1:00 AM
So was George Bush.
hawkdriver on September 4, 2009 at 1:01 AM
Yeah, except for one detail.
It was a pro-ObamaCare idiot who bit off someone’s finger.
Something tells me he wasn’t carrying a gun, either.
MadisonConservative on September 4, 2009 at 1:02 AM
I posted on a progressive blog the same as here. Knock off the partisanship. The fact is, it’s gotten crazy. The kooks are running the show.
AnninCA on September 4, 2009 at 1:05 AM
Ann is in classic form. If Conservatives do anything it’s all ours. If a liberal does something it a general phenomena that she warned of.
Hey Ann, liberals are animals, act like animal and I refuse to let them treat me like one.
hawkdriver on September 4, 2009 at 1:06 AM
Well, the day we fail to teach our children to respect the President of the United States is the day that the shame falls right at the feet of parents in this country.
And that absolutely includes George Bush.
AnninCA on September 4, 2009 at 1:06 AM
How’s life?
Cindy Munford on September 4, 2009 at 1:07 AM
I’m not nearly as conservative as many here, and I’d never describe anyone that way.
What is wrong with you?
Seriously. This is not OK. We should be able to seriously disagree, even hollar at one another. But this type of attitude is divisive, bad for the country, and not right.
AnninCA on September 4, 2009 at 1:08 AM
Your sense of self import is embarrassing. Bet you wish you had a “delete comment” option.
Mommypundit on September 4, 2009 at 1:09 AM
Yeah…you voted for Obama…not us. Your fault.
AUINSC on September 4, 2009 at 1:09 AM
EXCUSE ME???
Every one of your media mouthpieces has been screaming about “right wing violence” and the danger of lawfully carrying firearms at these rallies. Yet, so far, the violence has been from the left. Own up to the hypocrisy.
MadisonConservative on September 4, 2009 at 1:09 AM
You knock off the liberal apologies. So we should should all simmer down stop protesting and concede to health care reform because your guy bit a finger off?
hawkdriver on September 4, 2009 at 1:10 AM
BTW, I say exactly the same on the progressive blog. There are some posters here who know this to be true.
It’s not right on their side, either.
It’s become so toxic that I really think the far-left and the far-right need to be put into a room, let them bite each other’s fingers off, and the rest of us will get on with real life.
It’s just too absurd.
In political terms?
Man, are BOTH sides leaving moderates, whether conservative or liberal, in a state of disgust.
AnninCA on September 4, 2009 at 1:11 AM
HD Randy in Cali thinks that you swing the axe at your leg because it hurts….
cause and effect escape “her”….
sven10077 on September 4, 2009 at 1:11 AM
Absolutely not. I could see where this was headed.
And it’s arrived, right on time.
AnninCA on September 4, 2009 at 1:12 AM
got ya….
“hey you Kos kidz you bit off the evil wingnuts’ fingers you’re both to blame”….
yeah…
“yeah”
sven10077 on September 4, 2009 at 1:12 AM
Zelyaya logic 101….I tried to get a second term in direct contravention of the Constitution so give me back power and shut up….
sven10077 on September 4, 2009 at 1:13 AM
All he had to do was post the speech at the same time the announcement was made. I mean, for God’s sake, the man doesn’t break wind without a teleprompter so the speech is obviously written down. But noooooooo….
Its crystal clear to me that Obama and his friends are nowhere near as smart as they think they are. They changed what could have been a positive speech to schoolchildren into a high voltage backlash.
OBAMA – Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory!
gordo on September 4, 2009 at 1:14 AM
Oh and HD I answered with regards to “going to prison for ironing your shirt too cheaply”
sven10077 on September 4, 2009 at 1:14 AM
not only is my daughter being subjected to this speech, but in her 8th grade literature class today she had to read (out of her literature book) 15 pages of Barack Obama’s Dreams of My Father.. and THEN she had to read his 2004 DNC speech, Out of Many, One….. Not only is this s-called literature in her text book (publishers McDougal-Littell) but its on page 832, yet the teacher found it necessary to read this bull the first week of school! And the book includes pics of Obama giving his speec with tons of adoring “fans” holding up Obama signs! Unbelievable.
I read on line that McDougal (the publisher) was a big campaign donor for Obama. Am I surprised??!
ivorygirl on September 4, 2009 at 1:15 AM
I’ll be looking forward to you quoting yourself saying “I expect the left to commit violence at the town hall meetings.”
MadisonConservative on September 4, 2009 at 1:15 AM
Hey Ann,
Just go get stoned and watch re-runs of “Welcome back, Kotter”.
Maybe, just maybe, if Obama had not allowed Holder to let the Black Panthers go, the rule of law and civility would not be at risk. But, it is not to be.
How many Black Panthers and wannabe’s got the message that threatening voters at polls with sticks doesn’t cost anything? In fact, the President and the AG have endorsed it as acceptable behavior.
Do you, Ann? Or, to prevent any violence at the next election maybe the violent, white conservatives should stay home and not antagonize the BPs into violent behavior.
You suck.
BobMbx on September 4, 2009 at 1:16 AM
I’m divisive? Me? Your people hire thugs to go to these things as paid concerned citizens and are the ones doing the viloence and I’m divisive? Geez, if I were a betting man, I’d put money on you being a paid astroturfer yourself.
hawkdriver on September 4, 2009 at 1:17 AM
not only is my daughter being subjected to this speech, but in her 8th grade literature class today she had to read (out of her literature book) 15 pages of Barack Obama’s Dreams of My Father.. and THEN she had to read his 2004 DNC speech, Out of Many, One….. Not only is this s-called literature in her text book (publishers McDougal-Littell) but its on page 832, yet the teacher found it necessary to read this bull the first week of school! And the book includes pics of Obama giving his speec with tons of adoring “fans” holding up Obama signs! Unbelievable.
I read on line that McDougal (the publisher) was a big campaign donor for Obama. Am I surprised??!
ivorygirl on September 4, 2009 at 1:15 AM
AnninCA on September 4, 2009 at 1:17 AM
Yep, lefty indoctrination is now the norm…must fight that as well. Of course, the teachers doing this are all in Obama’s pocket to begin with. School vouchers are the only way out.
AUINSC on September 4, 2009 at 1:17 AM
If a conservative tried this
Ohh my lord the ACLU would be suing by now..
The news media would be hanging the conservative american in effigy..
but if its a liberal pro communist anti – american tin pot dictator well thats ok then..
NOT to me it isnt..
we have had ENOUGH OF THESE DAMNED DEMOCRAPS
veteranoutrage on September 4, 2009 at 1:18 AM
Randy and Larry are paid Axelturfing MOBYs unless I miss my guess….
sven10077 on September 4, 2009 at 1:18 AM
But enough about the contents of your skull.
Jim Treacher on September 4, 2009 at 1:19 AM
Your daughter’s current text book already has the writings of Barak Obama in it? That’s disturbing. It would appear that the promotion of his presidency has been in the works longer than I had thought.
Cindy Munford on September 4, 2009 at 1:20 AM
that ain’t “good” gravy then Jim…
sven10077 on September 4, 2009 at 1:20 AM
No, I was horrified enough by the behavior in the caucuses and the lack of appropriate response that I left the Democratic Party after over 30 years. And let me tell you, I was a straight-ticket voter. Losing me mattered. Not in a real sense, of course. I’m just one voter. But I know if I was appalled, then a lot of people were appalled.
Sure enough, Dem rolls have shrunk, too. Not as severely as GOP, but enough to change politics in this country. There are more Independents, like me, now than ever before.
I’m guessing that many are just like me. Some of lean liberal. Some of us lean conservative. But we’re done to partisanship.
We’re disgusted with all of them.
AnninCA on September 4, 2009 at 1:21 AM
Just so I’m clear, could you start a running list of the “hyper partisan” hackery on both sides? What is it that you object to? What makes acceptable debate? And, is there not any place in your mind for absolutism? Or, is it just all just gray slushy matter?
I’m serious about the list. What is acceptable/unacceptable in your opinion. You have definite ideas about this, so be specific.
Mommypundit on September 4, 2009 at 1:21 AM
Really? Then why do you keep defending Obama’s radical partisanship?
AUINSC on September 4, 2009 at 1:22 AM
So sue!
ACLU often defends conservatives, too.
Principles are principles.
AnninCA on September 4, 2009 at 1:22 AM
I had typed “gray slushy matter” but thought that to be unkind.
Mommypundit on September 4, 2009 at 1:22 AM
So you believe in absolutes?
Mommypundit on September 4, 2009 at 1:23 AM
yup because the House GOP has been just as “divisive” as Barry “let me put on my Mao shoes” Soetoro and friends….
“oh wait”….
sven10077 on September 4, 2009 at 1:24 AM
Watched Michael Radford’s Ninteen-Eighty-Four (1984) the other night via Netflix and noticed how the children of the Outer Party members all dressed in clean spotless uniforms were quick to point out thought criminals amongst the adults. There is a scene where Winston meets his neighbor, Parsons, in the Ministry of Love prison cell:
Parsons: Keep away from me, Smith. I’m an agent of Goldstein. I didn’t know it myself. Thoughtcrime is so insidious. It just creeps up on you. My daughter found it out. Very proud of her. Very grateful I’ve been discovered before it’s too late. They won’t shoot me, will they, Smith?
eigafan on September 4, 2009 at 1:24 AM
Do you have any idea what the percentages are?
AUINSC on September 4, 2009 at 1:24 AM
Yup I can’t tell you how many tiems the American Communist Liberals Union has backed up Republicans on 2d amendment issues…..the main reason being I can’t figure out how to count backwards past “zero”
sven10077 on September 4, 2009 at 1:25 AM
“well that’s different”….
“he is being unfairly judged by what his fans and underlings do…”
(as opposed to George W.(personally destroyed the NOLA levees) Bush
sven10077 on September 4, 2009 at 1:27 AM
I don’t mind that adults get on-line and call names. The Left did it to Bush. They trashed him. They have done exactly what I thought. They discredited themselves in the process. I’ve been seeing that for 3-5 years.
I don’t even mind that pundits make hay over small stuff. It’s about like 7th grade out there, these days, with those folks. “nanner, nanner, this or that one wasn’t completely consistent. Must be lying!”
or, if you prefer, “nanner, nanner, so-and-so took a donation, must be a paid political hack!”
(I defended Palin, whom I really find way too conservative for my own politics, over and over against this type of junk. I don’t regret it either. On the progressive blog? They think I’m a Palinite. That’s because they are too stupid to see that I’m talking about principles and fairness. Whatever.)
But involving children to the point that they are told to stay home because the President of the United States is dangerous to listen to?
That’s simply going too far. That’s kook-land, to me.
When did we stop having the ability to talk to our kids sensibly?
“Oh, you were asked to support the President or he advised you to study and stay in school for the good of the Country? What did you think?”
Frankly, I grew up in the South. The best teacher in elementary school was a huge Civil War buff. I didn’t grow up thinking slavery was terrific or that prejudice that was around me was OK.
When did people get this crazy?
AnninCA on September 4, 2009 at 1:29 AM
But you are an obvious kook, so it all evens out, no?
AUINSC on September 4, 2009 at 1:33 AM
You’ll have to show me where any other President is OBVIOUSLY at least “willing to listen” to people whose ideology killed about 300 million people last century for “sound” economic, political, and legal advice.
The left would not have tolerated George W. Bush getting on the tv and having the NEA give out lesson plans along the lines Chairman mao tried to get through the cracks….
we won’t in reverse…
as my father said on election night when the math was near settled, “I plan to give Obama every chance the democrats gave Bush.”
“change”
sven10077 on September 4, 2009 at 1:35 AM
Well, the guy IS dangerous to listen to. All his promises came with expiration dates and you want parents to turn their impressionable children over to that shitbag liar? He convinced 50+ million morons to vote for him with his unicorns and rainbow vision for America. Now he wants to be left unfettered to speak to our kids with only a member of the NEA to “explain” what Ochimpy REALLY meant?
If you really expect parents to take that lying down you certainly are living in Crazy Town, USA.
csdeven on September 4, 2009 at 1:35 AM
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha your fourty years late people! Where were you on forced busing?!
sonnyspats1 on September 3, 2009 at 9:23 PM
Forty years ago, I was three years old. I wanted challenge forced busing, but I didn’t meet the minimum height requirement…
joejm65 on September 4, 2009 at 1:37 AM
On an adult level, I sure don’t think it’s wrong. Go ahead and bash. They handed it out to Bush, daily, and I have quite a few opinions about how this was the beginnings of anarchy, frankly. I will probably lose you with this next thought, but I’ll express it anyway.
I think the entire perspective about the presidency is changing in this country. Let’s leave that one aside.
But involving children?
That’s simply appalling to me. My son loved Mr. Rodgers. I sat through many a program, thinking, unbelievable.
But he responded to simple messages and a kind spirit.
Children should be left out of politics. The uproar over Obama’s message to children is absurd to me.
I do agree with the poster about how he “should have known better” to even allow a HINT of poltics in this. I think that’s his inexperience showing. More importantly, I think the reputation of Axelrod and Rahm is being revealed as way overblown. Anyone with a smidge of public relations commonsense should have seen this as a potential problem.
So to me? Adults should definitely call it. Criticize it as it is.
But involving the kids?
Please. That’s parenting ineptitude. And it’s turning your kids into a poster for your adult beliefs.
I’ll never agree that’s smart. Your children are NOT your possessions or your political mantra.
It’s wrong to treat them that way.
AnninCA on September 4, 2009 at 1:43 AM
Well, you just defended yourself. Awesome. What I was actually looking for were specific ideas/actions in a concise list to let us all in on what makes a good, moderate personality. You brought this up while assuming the protesters were violent (or on the brink of it) which indicates that you disagree with their ideas and/or tactics. Which is it? And, is it ever ok for an elected official to receive a sound verbal beating for not doing the job they were elected to do? I’m just trying to figure out what your barometer of civility is fixed on.
Mommypundit on September 4, 2009 at 1:43 AM
Anna, the entire debate is over OBAMA involving children in a partisan political dialog. If all O is going to talk about is staying in school or being kind to your pets or even national landmarks, fine. We’ve always had presidental statements and after-school specials, etc. But, if he talks green living, doing service for the president, getting parents to fill out a census, um, basically anything other than pets, no. 2 pencils and knowing American landmarks or functions of government (which, by the way, Obama struggles with) it’s a partisan move. I object.
Mommypundit on September 4, 2009 at 1:49 AM
Of course. Criticize him soundly for being “tone-deaf.”
But keep the kids out of it.
That’s probably as close to describing a moderate as I can conjure up.
These are adult conversations. My friend who teaches 5th grade actually teaches kids about government. Here was her story of the night at our weekly dinner.
She got a package from the State to teach. It involved a story about slavery. It was just an example used. Here’s the teacher’s problem.
Her kids don’t even know about slavery yet. That’s this year’s subject. LOL*
Seriously, in the 5th grade, they don’t even know about the Civil War, slavery, etc.
This is the real stuff of teaching. All this hubba-bubba over Obama?
It’s absurd.
AnninCA on September 4, 2009 at 1:49 AM
Yeah I mean this YouTube doesn’t show ANYTHING about why we conservatives may have a hard time with trusting teachers to show judgement and be non-partisan in the usage of our kids…..
Ogabe grabbed for the kids as political expression first and the education industry is inundated with Ogabe fans….
My son is MY son and his moral upbringing is MINE to foster and shepherd not some third rate Je$$e Jack$on clone and a bunch of latte sipping granola munching moonbat teachers who think The Fresh Prince of Billy Ayers should be the guiding moral force in millions of young lives.
I have read the Constitutional Job Description of “President” a few times and “national dad” was nowhere in there.
sven10077 on September 4, 2009 at 1:51 AM
His statement, “What can you do for your President?” THAT was the tone-deaf sentence.
Stupid PR. But here’s the real question for adults. How in the heck did this crud even get leaked?
I think, personally, this statement was tone-deaf because it appeals way too much to inner-city kids, it’s not generic enough.
That’s all.
AnninCA on September 4, 2009 at 1:52 AM
5th graders who don’t know about slavery….
well:
a) I don’t believe that but it is a damning indictment if true on the district’s part
b) I’ll bet they can give a dissertation on Global Warming….
sven10077 on September 4, 2009 at 1:55 AM
Oh please. Most of my teacher friends are terribly moderate-to-conservative.
About the only place they are liberal is on their union benefits. *haha
And frankly, that’s human.
AnninCA on September 4, 2009 at 1:56 AM
Well if precedent, the Constitution, the idea of parental rights, and non-partisanship have to be trampled so the chronic k-6 dropout rates can be reversed it is a small price to pay….
sven10077 on September 4, 2009 at 1:56 AM
Ignored the youtube as I knew you would….
no way you can defend it so it doesn’t exist….
and Anne Chairman Soetoro’s new clothes are radiant and very light….why they can hardly be seen at all.
sven10077 on September 4, 2009 at 1:57 AM
Best comment in a long time. You are on fire tonight.
hawkdriver on September 4, 2009 at 2:00 AM
Thanks HD…it is the sinus headache…brings clarity.
sven10077 on September 4, 2009 at 2:01 AM
You know, some of us may be overreacting to this, but it’s only because we are learning daily that we have underreacted far too many times to this President’s socialist policies and shameless self-promotion. He has no one but himself to blame for the fear.
rockmom on September 4, 2009 at 2:02 AM
Right around the 7th czar or so….give or take a fascist or communist.
The idea of the president speaking to school kids about the advantages of good education is one thing, but that’s not what the original intent was and everyone being honest about it knows this.
The liberals/progressives have been actively bending kids brains (at different speeds in different geographical areas) since the mid 60′s. Going through school in the 70′s I was aware enough of the world around me to notice the changes here in Michigan getting worse and worse, faster and faster. Now the schools in Michigan, at least in more urbanized areas, completely suck.
Now after knowing zero’s associations current and past, judging from his lies, obfuscations, mis-steps, fumbles, socialist and intrusive policies, how can one trust him with our most valuable possessions, our kids?
We don’t trust this shytcake around grandma’s ventilator plug now, we’re going to trust our kids to him? He back tracked from his original intent of the speech, so what? He can say “stay in school, be a success” to kids any day from the bully pulpit without being piped right into the schools. No way can we trust that he isn’t going to go off on a rant, we know he will, saying that HE is the ONE that will help kids to this and that, and they are ENTITLED to this and that, and HE will help them get it.
That’s just as bad as demanding the kids loyalty and impressing on them that he is their leader, not that he is an elected representative put there to do a job that by the way, he’s failing miserably at because HE is the one with the partisan problem.
I could go on and on, but I’d hope by now you get the point.
Spiritk9 on September 4, 2009 at 2:04 AM
I never plan to “knock off the partisanship” as long as this country is so proudly under attack by avowed Democrats!
The “partisan” 2-party system is an institution of what makes our democracy work!
And yes, the kooks–Obama being the Kook-in-Chief are running the show.
He’s the one that decided to “involve the kids.”
Jenfidel on September 4, 2009 at 2:07 AM
No-one can call themselves even “moderate” who greedily gobbles up the bennies of a union–a Socialist invention.
Given your posts and your likely choice of friends, they’re bound to be “moderate-to-Conservative” Marxists.
Jenfidel on September 4, 2009 at 2:11 AM
overheard in Red Square on July 4th 1972:
Brezhnev: Yuri I can’t believe you think we should liberalize our wage structure and bring back a form of the New Economic Plan….
Andropov: You damned right wingers are always holding back progress leonid…..!
sven10077 on September 4, 2009 at 2:14 AM
Not your call. That’s up to parents, who wonder things like, “Why exactly do you need to speak directly to my child?”
Though you’re certainly entitled to your opinion….
ThereGoesTheNeighborhood on September 4, 2009 at 2:16 AM
You don’t have a problem with Comrade Urkel being piped into ALL of our nation’s schools giving children orders that presumbly trump what their parents say.
Nor do you and your “friend” seem to have a problem with the State dictating curriculum, now, either (an even more frightening aspect we need to hear more about).
What’s next?
A new Education Czar?
Maybe they’ll just fire all those teachers and have the Education Czar do all the teaching by TV hookup from Washington, D.C.!
Super!
All hail, Dear Leader!
Jenfidel on September 4, 2009 at 2:17 AM
Then why do you defend Ochimpy when he does it?
csdeven on September 4, 2009 at 2:23 AM
We’re living in Kook-land.
The Kook-in-Chief has declared war on our country.
Now, he’s after our children because he can see by the tea parties, town hall meetings and polls that his message is failing with adults of all political persuasions.
Speak for yourself.
As for the ability to “talk to our kids,” sensibly or not, that is not the President’s job!
You shouldn’t need the President’s advice to study and stay in school.
As for being asked to “support” him, that is totally partisan and has no place in a classroom of minors!
You’re so full of sh!t, you’re bound to have brown eyes!
My parents were both the grandchildren of men who fought in the Civil War ON THE SIDE OF THE SOUTH.
I had some wonderful teachers, but I didn’t need them to teach me that slavery and prejudice were wrong.
The only thing that NObama could teach them is that Affirmative Action is a bust–Look at him!
Jenfidel on September 4, 2009 at 2:28 AM
I happen to agree with MM on this. We need to wait and see what Ochimpy does and then hammer him if he tries to indoctrinate our youth with his Marxist garbage. BUT, I still support the right of parents to scream to the heavens before the fact. If Ochimpy lulls us to sleep with a bevy of the typical stay in school speeches, eventually he will sneak in his Marxist agenda and then we’ll have been to late.
It is shameless, immoral, and narcissistic the way Ochimpy presents himself as the Savior of America.
csdeven on September 4, 2009 at 2:32 AM
Ann,
Are you being deliberately obtuse? I am being serious. Is this a devil’s advocate scenario? In the day in which we live, the president addressing anyone is a political move — some agenda is in play. I would say that no matter who is in office — no speech is a throw away speech. Obama has decided to cut out parents and speak directly to children in an effort to sway them to his point of view, maybe smooth things over, show he’s not so bad or whatever. Socialism, to the uneducated mind, sounds “fair” and fairness is what children want (they want life to be easy and fair). It is undeniable that Obama has surrounded himself with extremists, you know those violent folks you disavow, socialists, and whackjobs (hello, Van).
The refusal to understand why parents might be upset about this is a refusal to acknowledge Obama’s past actions, his associations, his current actions, and how that has come together to define him as a man and president; it is also a denial of other dictators who have used similar tactics in recruiting youth to their side of an argument.
haikusrock on September 4, 2009 at 2:36 AM
This whole thread is comedy gold (thanks to Anninacan) but this post by Treacher almost ruptured my spleen.
BTW, IT WAS A FULL MOON TONITE. That brings out the lunatic trollthers in droves.
Geochelone on September 4, 2009 at 2:42 AM
Yes, children should be left out of politics, which is exactly why there is an uproar over NObama’s message to schoolchildren.
He hasn’t shown for one minute since his Immaculation that he is prepared to be anything other than a DEMOCRAT.
He’s unable to address all the nation’s children without pushing a partisan Leftist agenda.
Almost half of us (and our children) didn’t vote for him.
Why the news of his unprecedented televised partisan talk to our nation’s schoolchildren should be met with outrage should come as a surprise to no one.
The audacity of Hype, eh?
Why do you object when it’s the adults, in this case the parents, are criticizing this “as it is” and no more so than when it “involves the kids.”
Nope. That’s responsible parenting!
NObama is the one trying to turn our kids into posters for his adult beliefs.
I
I don’t think possessions is the right word; until they are of age, children are in the custody and charge of their parents.
At some point, there is a blending, union and congruency between family values and politics which is right and true.
Thus is has been in this country for many generations.
That being said, children are NOT the possessions nor the bearers of NObama’s political mantra and parents are absolutely right not to allow their children to pretend that they are, even for 20 minutes.
Furthermore, we all pay local (not federal) taxes to maintain our school districts and boards: NObama is violating the separation between the power of the states and the Federal Government by commandeering our locally-funded schools for his “teachable moment.”
It’s entirely inappropriate and wrong.
Jenfidel on September 4, 2009 at 2:45 AM
BuckeyeSam on September 3, 2009 at 11:57 PM
GOVERN LIKE AN AMERICAN AND GET OUT OF OUR LIVES, YOU FRICKING CONTROL FREAK
BuckeyeSam, you’re missing the point. Obama doesn’t know how to “govern like an American” and besides that has no desire to. Obama is a Marxist, a radical that answers to a “shadow party” comprised of George Soros, his 527 groups and various unions and Leftist groups.
Their entire modus operandi is power and control and legislative and bureaucratic tyranny. Obama will not go gently or quietly into the night.
The forces of evil Alinsky and Cloward-Piven style will be fully arrayed against the right in 2010. We must expect a fight to the death.
technopeasant on September 4, 2009 at 2:47 AM
That vid sent chills up and down my spine when I first saw it.
Now in this propaganda war it has become another arrow in our quiver, nay, it is a freaking daisy cutter MOAB to blow this School “Overmind” speech out of the water.
The Liberal Overmind will not stop until we drain the swamp.
Geochelone on September 4, 2009 at 2:54 AM
Yep. Sure smells like Cloward-Piven to me.
Geochelone on September 4, 2009 at 2:57 AM
I happen to agree with MM on this. We need to wait and see what Ochimpy does and then hammer him if he tries to indoctrinate our youth with his Marxist garbage. BUT, I still support…
csdeven on September 4, 2009 at 2:32 AM
Things have a circumstantial component. Therefore, I disagree with MM (and you) on this.
Obama’s instruction will almost certainly amount to indoctrination because of the incubus surrounding him. I wrote about that earlier.
Even if he doesn’t ‘shamwow’ his philosophy or programs, it will inure to his benefit because his cheering section will post reviews of a resounding accomplishment in tutelage beyond the benchmarks of the early Greeks with their students.
In either case, we have a baroque spray of plaster hiding a man riddled with questionable abilities, misplaced loyalties and poisonous legislative objectives.
Now I can sleep.
IlikedAUH2O on September 4, 2009 at 3:03 AM
Geochelonw on September 4, 2009 at 2:57 AM
I am firmly convinced that Obama’s appearance before Congress is designed to lay the groundwork for the Democrats and the Far Left in the 2010 midterm election.
He will either declare martial law or declare war on the supposed right-wing domestic terrorists in the United States (tea party organizers). His goal to marginalize the conservative movement from moderates and independents and to also gradually develop the claim through the propaganda of the MSM that Sarah Palin is the leader of these domestic terrorists.
Not for one minute do I believe this speech is all about health care.
I do believe Obama and his merry men and woman consider 2010 as a fight to the death. I sure hope our side realizes that as well.
technopeasant on September 4, 2009 at 3:10 AM
Really? He asked them to “help him”? or to “stay in school”?
Phoenician on September 4, 2009 at 3:14 AM
Yanno, I’ve scanned the latter part of this thread, and AnnInCA reminds me a *lot* of an old favorite Lefty poster who used to lecture us here, named Honoria.
And yes, I was glad when Honoria finally got banned.
Ann, howzabout you stop lecturing us about your perfect vision of “fairness”, stop claiming to post on lefty/progressive blogs without links to your posts as proof, and generally stop pontificating and being an absolute full of yourself ass, generally???
If you have a political view, state it.
If you disagree with someone else’s view, state that too.
Argue your views on politics as much as you like, provided you can attempt to stitch together a logical argument or defense.
But for the love of God, Ann, stop telling everyone else how to act.
If you can’t, then please do us a favor and go do it somewhere else.
Wanderlust on September 4, 2009 at 3:16 AM
The tyranny of the 50% + 1 is what you are advocating here Ann.
chemman on September 4, 2009 at 3:22 AM
Jen, I’d go a step further.
Obambi has run roughshod over wide swaths of government, rushing headlong in a direction that scares the bejeezus out of a lot of people (including me) for where that direction is pointing: evisceration of the checks and balances that keep the Feds from having too much control over the country.
To put a fine point on it, what little doubt we might have had about Obamba’s goals on January 20 is long overcome by his actions since that day.
We don’t trust him. Period. Not as a man, as a politician, or as the President.
And we don’t want to expose our children to someone who we cannot trust.
AnnInCA is too busy lecturing us to get this simple fact.
Wanderlust on September 4, 2009 at 3:24 AM
Wanderlust on September 4, 2009 at 3:24 AM
If you cannot trust Obama with your children why would you trust him when he says he is not in favor of nationalized health care or the end of capitalism.
technopeasant on September 4, 2009 at 3:31 AM
Damn, I had forgotten about that. All the more reason to be worried about what educators and Obamba are up to, with regards to his plan to speak to kids.
Exactly. If Obama says the sky is blue, I look out of my window and check for myself. The only thing I believe about him personally is that he is a Chicago thug lefty who is hell-bent on remaking America in his socialist image. I hope he fails.
Wanderlust on September 4, 2009 at 3:38 AM
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