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Posted on 09/02/2009 4:09:16 PM PDT by counterpunch
Right blasts Obama speech to students
President Barack Obama's plans for a televised back-to-school address to students next week are drawing fire from some conservatives, who say he's just trying to indoctrinate them to his political beliefs.
In the Sept. 8 speech, Obama will challenge students to work hard, set goals for their education and take responsibility for their learning, Education Secretary Arne Duncan said in a letter to principals.
The Education Department is encouraging teachers to create lesson plans around the speech, using materials provided on the department website, that urge students to learn about Obama and other presidents.
"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 said in a press release.
But already, some conservatives are crying foul. The chairman of the Florida Republican Party is condemning Obama's speech as an attempt to "indoctrinate America's children to his socialist agenda."
"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," Chairman Jim Greer said in a press release.
Added conservative talk show host Tammy Bruce, in a Twitter feed: "Make September 8 Parentally Approved Skip Day. You are your child's moral tutor, not that shady lawyer from Chicago." And conservative author Michelle Malkin said the lesson plans have a "heavy activist bent."
Texas school districts are discussing whether the president's speech will be shown-some districts are leaving it up to individual teachers with an opt out parents who don't want their children to view the speech, according to the Houston Chronicle.
In his letter to principals, Duncan said viewing of the speech is encouraged, not mandatory. It's the first time a president has ever given a speech addressed directly to students.
“I asked for the time it will begin so that I could pick my son up.”
That might not be enough. Apparently, teachers have been provided with follow-up lesson plans and discussion points (that may go on for days after?).
additional here.
I asked the headmaster of my kids school and they weren’t aware of the speech. So they asked the administrators and it came back “it is only for public schools”.
Ahhhh, the joy of writing a check for your kids education. I also get the joy of paying taxes for the hunk of doo public system but at least I know my kids are not part of this whole campaign.
I would have sent them to school regardless. My kids don’t have to have me around to know what to do and what to believe.
Our middle school open house was tonight and I spoke with my son’s principal. They will be taping the speech and after ‘review’ will consider playing it during the last period of the school day. The principal said according to the talking points bulletin it seemed to be only about education, thus the review.
Knowing the Ego in Chief 0bama is, he won’t be able to restrain himself, or this is just a mild start to get his foot in the door and deliver more partisan speeches to the children in the future.
At our school, any parent who wishes to have their child opt out is welcome to do so. We are opting out as are many others. Our area is very conservative and people are outraged as they learn of this indoctrination attempt by these commies.
As a side note, my son is watching a documentary on Hitler’s rise to power on History Channel as I type. Fitting.
“Love Tammy’s bluntness! She cracks me up.”
I never miss Tammy’s show, either live streaming, or podcast later. She’s the best!
“I would have sent them to school regardless. My kids don’t have to have me around to know what to do and what to believe.”
It’s not that we don’t trust our kids. People just feel as though they need to push back the system. Skipping is a way of protesting and letting our government know that they have crossed the line, and we’re not participating in the Obama pep rally.
I understand but I would rather have them in there because they are smart enough to argue the case.
We spent the summer discussing the Constitution and learning the Bill of Rights.
5th and 7th grade. In Colorado Springs, though, a lot of kids are conservative. Very conservative city for the most part.
;-)
they never called again
I hope you are not sending your kids that day and that you call the school and raise holy hell.
My kids watched that the other day. We lost the History channel for quite a while, and you should have seen the glee when it came back.
We are living in liberal la la land
“The Principle (sic) (a fat woman)...”
WTH?
Who cares how fat she is?? What does that matter??
Oh, and it is PrinciPAL.
It’s a great channel, isn’t it? My boys (hubby and 12 year old) watch it all of the time while I FReep.
History tends to repeat itself, and I like to keep tabs on our new Hitler in training. Lots of polite, yet scathing e-mails to the school district tonight.
It’s worse...far far worse...
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