Objections to President Obama's Talk to Students
Proof that Expanded Mental Health Care is Vital
If ever there was demonstrated an urgent need for affordable and universally available mental health facilities in the United States, the hysterical reaction to President Obama's plan to address school children on the virtues of study, dedication and hard work is such a demonstration.
It's not that presidents have never spoken inspirational words to school children before. Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, both Republicans of some note, gave back-to-school talks in 1988 and 1991, respectively. The world didn't come to an end, Democrats didn't protest and, indeed, felt that presidents had the gravitas to make the point that education and hard work were important. (Bill Clinton didn't follow the tradition and Bush the Younger would have been laughed out of the classroom if he stressed the importance of study.)
Of course, Mr. Obama is a well-known Muslim, foreign-born usurper, terrorist and all-around-bad guy, a black guy on top of all of this, uppity to a fault.
So, a small number of naïve and frightened parents, goaded by the Rabid Right scare mongers, have objected to the President of the United States talking to school children urging them to stay in school, not to drop out. He will be stressing the point that, with education and the ability to read and think, they will be more financially secure, able to understand current affairs and be in a better position to pick their leaders - Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, whatever.
And the schools have reacted in a number of ways. Some have agreed to have parents decide if little Johnny or Sally's little ears should be protected from the Satan on the Potomac; some have refused to allow the speech to be broadcast into their school; some have said that a complete civics education has to include an address by the President of the United States, whose office at the very least deserves respect.
The protesters are worried that, immediately following the address, the student bodies of every school will break out in song: Kum Ba Yah. Most of the kids will, more likely, text Twitter and write about next Saturday night's date.
To public school administrators, I ask whether every class topic, every civics lesson is put to a vote by the parents or can be an individual choice by each parent. To the fearful objectors, what on earth are you frightened about. Kids learn their parents' values and beliefs. As they grow older, they may accept them, reject them or pick and choose; this is part of becoming an adult. Don't teach them to be insecure, frightened cowering bigots. Don't teach them that they may delegate their thinking to demagogues on talk radio.
Published by Jim Stillman
Retired from Florida Department of Revenue after 25 years.and retired New York attorney. I am a liberal with regard to social responsibility and, likely, a Libertarian otherwise. View profile
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9 Comments
Post a Comment*encourages him to do his best always. Hmm guess I want to be raising a commie then?? Well, I am half Russian and feel we need better access to healthcare....
Its so sad. People on my local morning radio show were comparing Obama's speech to our kids, my kid, as similar to the Hitler youth movement....unreal.. I was lucky enough to get on the air and say my piece (or, I hope, the piece of all thinking Americans), and I felt better. But it frightens me to exist among these people, frankly...those who would so fear a "work hard, stay in school' pep talk from our president but don't have a problem with war crimes and dirty tactics of the previous admin. Whether you voted for Obama or not, have a bit of respect...and teach your kids the same. I'm an Atheist, but I don't tell my son not to say the pledge just because it has the word "god" in it. (though I did myself refuse in my youth...now I just leave those words out if I'm going to recite it). I expect my son to grow up with the ability to read between the lines on his own; I wouldn't rob him from a seven hour day packed with education to shelter him from a 19 minute speech that encourage
I so love seeing Liberals reminding us that Obama is black. We conservatives try to see what is on the inside of people. Let it go nobody except you guys honestly care what color Obama is. But beat us to death with being racists so we won't complain about his politics. It don't fly anymore.
Thank you for this... as for so many other great articles.
From the Washington Post 9/4/2009:
"Previous presidents have given national speeches in schools. In October 1991, President George H.W. Bush gave a nationally televised speech to students at Alice Deal Junior High School in the District, encouraging them to study hard and avoid drugs. At the time, House Democrats criticized the speech for having political motivations.
The line between politics and schools has always been closely watched by both parties, said Diane Ravitch, an education historian at New York University. "Anything that seems to advance the presidents' agenda would bring them the wrath of Congress."
She said that Obama's speech appears to have a positive "study hard" message but that the educational materials that accompany it might have crossed an "invisible line" for some."
Seems to me it is a little of "what goes around comes around".
I agree with Jeff re civics classes and more American history too.
Jim, I wrote a similar article, got lots of hits on it, over 2000 as of today, Every little bit of exposure helps. I think that we thinking Americans here on AC with common sense need to united and form our own writing group...to support and encourage the spread of commonsense thinking on AC. I see way too much of the other being displayed as most comments, etc. What say you?
Carol,as my parents used to say, "From your mouth to God's ears."
Jim, right on! This issue screams for the re-intorduction of civics classes...oh, and by the way - you nailed it as to why so many righties are so rabidly against it..
Jim, this has to be your best article yet! It needs more publicity. It seems under appreciated with this lone comment.