A planned live address to school students by President Barack Obama next week is causing controversy for school districts as some parents object to what they see as partisan politics.And what, might you ask, does this "homework" that accompanies the speech and indoctrinates the kids entail? Here, don't trust the talk radio buffoons, have a look for yourself.
The issue, which became a hot-button topic on some radio talk shows this week, left school administrators scrambling to decide whether to allow students to watch the live broadcast, scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday.
Some administrators say they are reluctant to interrupt daily lesson plans and won’t show the address live, opting instead to provide an online link to the speech. Others will allow campuses to access the speech during the broadcast but will also record it for teachers to show later.
Those opposing the speech say students should not be forced to listen to a presidential message.
"We’re hearing from parents and grandparents that are not very happy. They really feel like it is political indoctrination," said Stephanie Klick, Tarrant County Republican Party chairwoman. "People don’t like this. I have heard from some families that are planning to keep their kids home."
Parent Steve Atwell said he believes the speech is an attempt at propaganda. He urged Keller trustees in a letter to cancel plans to show the speech or give equal time to "someone of an opposite moral and political viewpoint."
"Many of my neighbors and friends believe that current district policy may be pro-leftist," Atwell wrote.
"This preferential treatment for Obama does not reflect the values of the vast majority of KISD parents or taxpayers. Most, I believe, would prefer that Obama stay away from their children. . . . I strongly resent using my tax dollars to indoctrinate my children in the alleged virtues of statist political philosophy."
Tarrant County Democratic Party Chairman Steve Maxwell defended the president’s attempt to underscore the need for American children to succeed in school.
"I have tremendous disappointment that any parent would not let their children listen to a pro-education message, a message about how important it is to stay in school and get that degree," Maxwell said.
Obama will challenge American students to work hard, set educational goals and take responsibility for their educational success, according to a letter sent last week to school principals by Education Secretary Arne Duncan.
"He will also call for a shared responsibility and commitment on the part of students, parents and educators to ensure that every child in every school 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," Duncan wrote.
The letter encourages teachers to use the speech as a classroom tool, asking students to discuss such things as "Are we able to do what President Obama is asking of us?" and "What is President Obama inspiring you to do?"
In Texas, individual school districts and campuses can decide whether to allow students access to the speech, said DeEtta Culbertson, a Texas Education Agency spokeswoman. "It’s a federal deal," she said. "There is nothing from us saying they have to, they can’t or should. It’s all strictly local control."
Keller parents who do not want their children to watch the speech can opt out by notifying the campus.
Mansfield school district campuses and its central office received phone calls Wednesday morning from parents asking what the district planned in regard to Obama’s address, said Richie Escovedo, district spokesman.
Officials posted a statement on its Web site to combat rumors and make sure parents had accurate information, he said. The posting quotes the U.S. Department of Education’s news release about the nature of Obama’s message. It also provides links to the classroom activities federal officials are offering teachers.
If you don't have the time to read the link, and would rather prattle on and on about something you read on PajamasMedia, do us all a favor:
Seemingly 3-4 times each week, we have such an incident as this, clearly cooked up from the right wing blogosphere, Fox News, and talk radio. Seriously, there's absolutely nothing in those classroom materials that's even remotely controversial, let alone "propaganda" that's going to "indoctrinate" children into the cult of Obamaism. What do these fools think is gonna happen? Is The ObamaCast going to have guest appearances by William Ayers, Rebb'n Wright, Barry Bonds, Ludacris, and Mike Vick? Really? Kids will probably find more objectionable material on an episode of SpongeBob SquarePants. And seriously, how sh*tty are your parenting skills if watching a 20 minute video of a man your kids don't even know is enough to brainwash them into becoming
My recollection might be hazy, but I seem to recall (HotAirBalogger, please back me up) watching President Regan give tape recorded "stay in school, don't do drugs, don't be a liberal wussy" messages in my school all the time. It sure as hell didn't make me wanna take one for the Gipper. And my parents sure as hell didn't take me out of school for an entire day as a misguided act of protest. I suggest we call CPS on any parent so brazenly stoopid enough to make their kid miss a full day of school simply because they're misinformed, and still angry about January 20th.
Get. Over. It. Folks. Do ya'll not realize the man is still half-white?
How 20 minutes of a surely bland, "stay in school, don't do drugs, please recycle aluminum cans" message from Obama is going to hypnotize a whole new generation of American schoolkids and make them demand socialist ObamaCare is beyond me.
Folks, I'm sorry, but as I've said before: The election of Obama is the absolute worst thing to happen to race relations in 2 generations!!!
Some folks prefer their racism out in the open, and fully exposed. Personally, I'd rather live in blissful ignorance about folks until they prove me otherwise. It's just much better for your blood pressure that way.
Question: Is this "he's coming for your precious children" tactic represent a whole new low for those with Obama Derangement Syndrome? What could possibly be worse? Could we go any lower? Do you also remember watching Presidential speeches in school?
Obama's planned address to students creates stir in D-FW schools [Star Telegram]
Keep your kid home from school for Obama’s speech [HotAir]
Obama’s Speech to Children Is an ‘Unprecedented’ Abuse of Power [WashingtonIndependent]
