Posted on 09/03/2009 10:24:07 AM PDT by CMoran325
I've got to side with the libs on this one -- but only to a point.
When I heard that the President was going to address school children next Tuesday, my first thought was "Ok, he can impart some wisdom about the value of education." This is something I have talked about before -- how I think BO can have a real impact on a certain sector of students who might otherwise throw away the opportunities available to them.
After all, Presidents Reagan and Bush 41 also addressed school children, albeit without any "Menu of Classroom Activities" distributed by the Dept of Ed. And whereas I'm sure there would have been a lot of eye-rolling and snarky comments -- I highly doubt that any liberals would have pulled their kids out of class if W. had made an address. (Yeah, yeah -- the schools are already so liberal, what would they be worried about?)
After hearing more about this speech and the accompanying materials, and how schools are handling the event, I have to say I have my reservations -- but I believe the reaction by some conservatives is short-sighted.
Some have talked about taking their children out of school that day or having their children "opt-out" of listening to the speech. Yeah, that's one way to go about it -- and there are times when I think that is totally appropriate --but in this case, what does it really accomplish? You teach your child that if they disagree with our President that they should just tune him out. Meanwhile, their classmates who stay have no one to balance the conversation afterward.
I think the better approach is to first look over the materials provided by the Dept of Ed and know what you find objectionable. (Apparently, the officials there have already removed one of the more questionable activities that conservatives raised objections to in the past few days.)
Second, contact your school and find out whether or not they will even be participating -- many are not as it is the first day of school, and they feel it will be hectic enough. Then find out exactly how they will handle the event. Will all students be watching? Will all teachers be following the "Menu" afterward? How much time is being devoted to these activities?
If you don't like the responses, ask if you can sit in the back of your child's class -- don't take no for an answer. You have every right to be there. If you can't be there yourself, find another parent who can. If you don't know another parent who would do this -- you should. Identifying like-minded parents can be crucial to ensuring that your children retain your family's values.
If you were not able to take the opportunity to meet your child's teacher -- do so as soon as you can. Feel them out as to where they stand -- look around the classroom. You can get a real sense of what your child will be exposed to under his or her tutelage.
But most importantly, you need to sit down with your children and talk through exactly what you object to regarding the President and what he espouses. It may be hard for little ones to absorb it enough to be able to speak up at school in the presence of such overwhelming adulation -- but you can teach them to keep their ears open and pay attention so they can tell you what was said in the classroom.
You can then go over it all again, and instill in them a sense of discernment, not just abject opposition. And if what they report to you about their class seems to go outside the realm of what is appropriate, then you can make a call to the school to voice your concerns.
I have a feeling the address will be available on-line afterward, and we can then go over it with our children. I'm willing to bet that there will be very little to worry about within the speech itself. It is the discussions afterward in the classrooms that may be problematic, so you have to hope that you prepared your child sufficiently.
Yeah, I know -- closing the barn door. Unringing the bell. Closing Pandora's box. Whichever. It screams out as another validation for school choice. But until that happens -- for those of us who have very limited options for private schooling -- vigilance is the way to go, not simply abstention.
We all need to be plugged into our child's education. Take the steps today.
P>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqcPA1ysSbw
At least we got some warning about this speech. Apparently some school children were shown the above video without parents' knowledge. While it has some good ideas in it, there are some that are way off base -- and the whole presentation seems a little... indoctrinating. On the off-chance that one of my kids' teachers will show this to them, I sat them down to watch it and discussed it.
A great video with quotes from the information given to teachers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dO_OO36sRVg&feature=related
This is very scary!
Please watch this. This is the best explanation of the purpose and effect of the Hitler Youth. THIS IS WHAT OBAMA IS STARTING ON SEPT. 8TH.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spX1zHMOpGw
This is where we are heading:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6WkkLk2p3M
In the song, replace Hitler with Obama.
I was in school during the Reagan years and I don’t recall the school showing us his address to students. Nor do I recall being asked to write essays about how I could help President Reagan...
From:
NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
Good morning:
It isn't clear how much warning was given to local school boards, but it seems the US Department of Education is promoting a speech on September 8 from President Obama along with specific recommendations for student activities following the speech.
As a taxpayer in the District, and as a parent of former students of our excellent school system, I am curious if the school district will be participating in this historic and unprecedented event.
See: http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/academic/bts.html
Please let me know if it is the direction of our local school board, or the District's administration, to have our teachers and students participate in this event. Please let me know what criteria was used in any decision-making process (to do it or not do it), and what curriculum will be deleted on the day of the event and/or making room in the school day for follow-up assignments (cards, posters, etc) as outlined by the Dept of Education. Did the school board vote or discuss this event? Were there staff meetings or teacher meetings to give direction regarding this event?
It is truly unclear as to the underlying reasons for this speech and series of activities. It is particularly disturbing that the first iteration of this program had to be retracted and then reissued since there were indications of some form of indoctrination versus a truly worthwhile learning experience with NO political overtones. I'm not sure if the second iteration is free of politics.
Sincerely,
NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
RESPONSE:++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Hello Mr. NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN,
Our district had not received prior notice of the Presidential speech. The administration believe it is important to continue with our regularly scheduled instructional program and not disrupt the day to view the speech.
Thank you for your interest and support of the NNNNNNNNN School District.
Sincerely,
NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
I believe the Reagan address was about drugs, and of course, teachers didn’t want you to help Reagan...
But I really feel the need to disavow comparisons to Hitler. I’m not naive enough that I don’t acknowledge some vague similarities to some tactics — but I think Hitler is just too strong a comparison.
Considering what he did later, comparisons are a disservice to those who suffered and died in his wrath.
I think a more accurate and contemporary comparison would be to Kim Jong-Il maybe?
AGH! I forgot to mention in the blog post how this was just presented without any type of input or consultation from local school districts — I’m editing NOW!
Ah yes, another "Ignore the camel's nose under the tent", followed later by "Why am I suffocating in this massive pile of camel dung?" approach to life.
Wow, all this great advice like: "Now, you must not expect the school to do what you want, you must drop everything and go to the classroom, and sit in the classroom, or get someone to sit in the classroom, oh yea and demand to sit in the classroom, and then .... yadda, yadda, yadda.
How about contacting the Principal of the school, and your School Board member, and telling them calmly and forcefully that if they show this propaganda to your children, you will never vote for another school funding issue, you will work diligently to expose them as the leftists they are, and you will work diligently to get a conservative elected at the next school board election to replace them.
Leftists love, and wield, power ruthlessly, and laugh at every wussy attempt to "reason" with them. They will smile at you and spout whatever platitudes will make you go away so that they can get on with their plans.
They only respond, if at all, to threats to their power, and if they are too arrogant to respond, take them out of their positions of power at the next opportunity.
I would recommend taking them out at the next opportunity anyway, if you get even a whiff that they would have implemented leftist plans if not forced to stop.
will they play the video of the Hilter Youth cheering in youth ralies.
If anything this can be used to show what scum Obama and the Obamacrats are.
(I say September 8 is listen to talk radio day. Rush and Beck will be far more productive than Obama)
Awwwww how nice- the liberals think it would be so nice if we listend to a liberal...
If the was Bush their heads would be exploding and they would be calling for impeachment.
| What IN THE HELL does THIS have to do with "educational goals" when talking to high school kids -- who will be also be VOTERS in just a few years?! Here are some questions (with commentary) www.ed.gov/teachers/how/lessons/7-12.docwww.ed.gov/teachers/how/lessons/7-12.doc on PAGE 2 After the Speech Guided Discussion: |
obozos “BS” didnt work on the adults, so now he going to try it on the children...........
You know, CF you could have made your point without being rude.
I will say that you have good points too — the next step, esp’ly if you do feel like they are being patronizing and nothing changes.
And I would agree that you actually should not wiat for big problems and work to get more conservatives into positions on your school board even if things seem ok, bec it can quickly change.
KNOW your schools and also KNOW your school board!
You're probably right about being a little harsh.
I'm probably just tired of seeing so many people pimping their blogs on FR and trying to "give advice" to conservatives, then closing with commands like "no heads in the sand, ...."
Tell you what, I'll work on my approach, if you'll work on stopping the blog pimping/advice to conservatives thingee, ok?
If you absolutely, positively HAVE to pimp your blog, at least get someone else to post about it (this at least gives the illusion that somebody else found it really interesting and just had to share it with FReepers).
Was that too harsh (rude) of me to say?
Are you an official moderator for Free Republic? I don’t understand why you felt the need to call me out like that.
No one is forcing you or anyone else to read my posts — people are *free* to choose which things they read. I’m simply giving an opinion, maybe offering a different approach — I may not have a lot of regular readers, but some people like what I have to say, and some of them are here on FR.
I know that there is a certain sector out there who considers someone putting their own stuff on there as “pimping” — that it should be done sparingly with “VANITY” in front of it. We can only imagine how many people use fake names or get friends to post their articles. (At least I’m up front about it.)
If that’s the way you feel, fine — don’t read my stuff. But I think there are many others who don’t care and might agree with me when I say that I find your attitude elitist and boorish.
You don’t need any advice? Great — glad to hear it. Silly me — I operate under the assumption that there is a range of opinions that is acceptable here on FR, and that a lot of folks are open to and appreciate hearing how others deal with the liberal onslaught. I know I do.
And very often *that’s* what happens when I post my blog entries — just like this one — it’s starts a discussion that encourages others to share their “advice.” I think it’s better for us to stick together — not to coddle but to encourage and gently correct if need be.
But then hard-asses like you have to come along...
Nope, I'm sure not a moderator for FR. I'm just another member, like you, who has an opinion, like you, and who makes comments on this discussion forum.
No one is forcing you or anyone else to read my posts — people are *free* to choose which things they read. I’m simply giving an opinion, maybe offering a different approach — I may not have a lot of regular readers, but some people like what I have to say, and some of them are here on FR.
Yes, that's pretty much the situation on a discussion forum, you have your opinion, and I have mine.
BTW, If you ever feel that I am attacking you personally, you are free to hit the abuse button and let a moderator know about it.
If they feel that I am violating the forum rules, I'm sure that I will hear from them.
In the meantime, if you post it, you must suffer the slings and arrows that may result from it. Just as I, or any other FR member must suffer the slings and arrows of anyone who doesn't agree with a comment made about an article posted.
It goes with the territory, has been that way for as long as I can remember, and I hope it remains that way on FR.
I know that there is a certain sector out there who considers someone putting their own stuff on there as “pimping” — that it should be done sparingly with “VANITY” in front of it. We can only imagine how many people use fake names or get friends to post their articles. (At least I’m up front about it.)
Well, I don't know if there's a "certain sector" or not, but I will agree that the issue is raised periodically. I have not gone back and checked whether you flagged your posting with a Vanity tag, but I assume that you're aware that there are forum members who ask people not to post their vanities as well (maybe another certain sector?)
If that’s the way you feel, fine — don’t read my stuff. But I think there are many others who don’t care and might agree with me when I say that I find your attitude elitist and boorish.
Well, I try to never say never, so, if you post it, I may read it, and ..... I may comment on it because .... FR is a discussion board.
FR has a wide array of participants, and so I'm sure you're right about some agreeing with you. Ain't freedom grand?
You don’t need any advice? Great — glad to hear it. Silly me — I operate under the assumption that there is a range of opinions that is acceptable here on FR, and that a lot of folks are open to and appreciate hearing how others deal with the liberal onslaught. I know I do.
Well, since I've confirmed to you that I'm not a moderator, or the King of FR, (well I actually didn't confirm that, but let me do so now), and since you're article hasn't disappeared, it would appear that you're safe in continuing to post, regardless of my comments.
What you will never be "safe" from however, is my or anyone else's comments, if you post here.
And very often *that’s* what happens when I post my blog entries — just like this one — it’s starts a discussion that encourages others to share their “advice.” I think it’s better for us to stick together — not to coddle but to encourage and gently correct if need be.
Hey, I promise to be more gentle and encouraging in the future, ok. And I promise not to coddle. Don't take it personally, it was your approach that I was blasting away at. If I hurt your feelings in any of our previous exchanges, I apologize. (I'm still not a supporter of blog-pimping though, LOL).
But then hard-asses like you have to come along...
LOL, I'm really a pussycat. But if you don't believe me, just write me off as "that hard-assed rude dude", and press on.
Have a good weekend, and yes, conservative should always stick together, even if we poke each other in the eye occasionally.
Now that was more “fair and balanced” — I appreciate it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.