Obama's back-to-school lesson plans

Note to free-speech hating, freedom hating, children hating Jim Greer.

There will be nothing regarding any policy issues in this speech.

The speech is "directly to the nation's schoolchildren about persisting and succeeding in school".

So, apparently, Jim Greer does not think it is a good thing for the president to encourage American kids to succeed in school.

But, then again, why would he. Like most conservative republicans, they want to continue to indoctrinate children with fear and hate. Can't let children be educated and learn to think for themselves. Keep them dumb so they vote republican.

The children will be asked to wear brown shirts to school that day.

They will stand during the speech and in a new interpretation of the Constitution, hands will be held straight out and slightly raised instead of the old place-it-on-your-heart stereotype.

The stupidity of those who would refuse our President the chance to address our students, is not only ridiculous, it is typical Republican/Libertarian gobble-dee-gook !! We can have the moronic Bush&Cheney champion war, with lies and distortions and not a peep from these good christian Americans, but let President Obama address the student's concerns and the ridiculous Right tries to portray President Obama as Stalin's twin brother. Can the Republican/Libertarian fringe sink to any lower depths !!? Oh, I know they can and before we settle our national healthcare crisis, I am sure they will. That's like money in a CEO's treasure chest !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOE. NOW.

So, its "indoctrinating" to have students listen to the president talk about succeeding in school but it was not indoctrination for past presidents to tell kids 1) not to do drugs (complete with commercial propaganda about it cooking your brains), 2) beng gay will give you aids, 3) to write letters to afghan children to tell them to get their parents to change afghan policy, 4) we have to do away with rap music because it is evil, 5) we have to hate various countries, etc.

Socialist or not (and in my opinion no), it is important for our children to be educated. The higher-ups should allow the President to speak. Also, kids won't listen to a Presidential speech anyway!

I cannot believe that anyone would object to a motivational speech to children given by our President about the importance of education. As a former teacher in a large urban area, I would welcome any such message and with the popularity of Obama among the young, what a perfect opportunity. I find it sad that the opposition party would take the opportunity to divide the country. The strength of Obama lies in his abillity to unify. Stop confusing the kids.

Proof that the right-wing has an irrational, pathological hatred for President Obama. Pathetic.

This "controversy" is absolutely ridiculous. If Obama were to sneeze, the right-wingers would accuse him of spreading socialism germs. And the media would cover it as if it were a legitimate story.

Maybe Obama can read "My Pet Goat" & sit there with a deer caught in headlights look when he's told the US is under attack. That set a wonderful example for students everywhere.

Our president can say whatever he wants to our school children. His reported speech sounds positive. However, its the after speech lesson plan that has us concerned. The already leftist teachers and leftist school administrators in our district, will continue the socialist agenda, much as they did when they held "mock" elections at the school last November. Our child was openly ridiculed for not supporting BO Plenty. That is exactly why my child will NOT be permitted to "participate" in the socialism indoctrination session on Tuesday.

I don't think it is indoctrination but I do think it is egotisical to think all students want or should hear his speech. How boring is that?

"The One's" approval numbers are even falling in his home state of Illinois.

Community organizer voted president = FAIL

The children will be asked to wear brown shirts to school that day.

They will stand during the speech and in a new interpretation of the Constitution, hands will be held straight out and slightly raised instead of the old place-it-on-your-heart stereotype.

Posted by: Greg | September 4, 2009 8:22 AM

Another Glenn Beck follower. Yes Obama's "Secret Negro Army".in the making. Wrapped in a flag, these faux patriots tear away daily at the American fabric. I'm not sure when these republican whacko's are more dangerous...when they are out of power or in power.

If W had wanted to do this and the far left protested, all the far right nuts would be screaming about their lack of patriotism. Get over yourselves!

He is the President. Repubs are sounding a lot like the people from the South that do not want to say the pledge. You lost the election. Spend your time finding somebody people want to vote for. Idiots.

The stupidity of the the Republican/Libertarian fringe is so predictable. They object to President Obama addressing our students, but not a peep from them when Bush&Cheney lied and distorted the truth, concerning the bloodbath in Iraq. What great christians, the Bush&Cheeny fringe are !!?
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The already leftist teachers and leftist school administrators in our district, will continue the socialist agenda, much as they did when they held "mock" elections at the school last November.
Posted by: joe | September 4, 2009 8:49 AM

Have you ever heard such paranoid garbage as this? Leftists....everywhere......ewwwwww. They're in my house...they're under my bed....oh no!!!!!!!! The McCarthy style attacks are a sham and ashame. These are the same addresses to students that have been done by all past presidents, but the parnoid, emotion driven right is willing to destroy America in the name of..........America. Oh No..my kid will be subject to a different view than mine...oh no.......how dare we teach our kids about democracy.........they should only learn how important democracy is by attacking another country to install it.

The only thing 'pathetic' here is that people are taking everything Obama says and putting in it in this rosy light. Lets crack open our history books boys and girls and turn to the Chapter called the THIRD REICH. Because you know what? This is exactly how it started then. Limiting the right to protest, trying to ban radio shows that dont agree with the president, BROADCASTING SPEECHES TO IMPRESSIONABLE CHILDREN and the people following him doing everything he says they should do.... THAT is pathetic. And you can tel me thats paranoid thinking all you want. But in ten years I'm going to try really hard to refrain rom saying 'I told you so'....

Okay Children can you say Indoctrination? Because that is exactly what is in mind here. Why is it that Obama would say anything like this if it wasn't intended to make himself out to be the messiah to these innocent minds? It sounds exactly like speeches given in Germany in 1939 to school children. I’m serious. Look it up.

Hum - the same people who don't want the kids to hear the speech are the same ones who would have school led prayer.

that is spooky.

Disrespectful to the office of the Presidency, bad example for children, using children for their own agenda: the party of family values.

Posted by: deena | September 4, 2009 9:18 AM

Limiting the right to protest? Are you for real? You have more whacko's than ever preaching hate and fear than in any other time outside of McCarthyism. You have Beck calling a sitting president a racist, running "Secret Negro Army" .......don't confuse paranoid with patriotism. By all means....let's not subject those poor Impressionable children to democracy and to think for themselves. Democracy is only a word used to nation build, not actually govern. Objecting to students listening to America's president sends a message to our "impressionable" children much worse than what your paranoia driven dribble claims.

Isn't free speech great.... reading all these comments that people have about this issue, and you just need to thank the founding father's for it. They wrote the constitution to give all American's the right to speak their mind. They also gave them the right to bear arms, protection against quarting soldier's, illegal search and seizure's, abolished slavery and many other's. What we (American Citizen's) need to do is to make sure that we choose our leader's carefully and make our voice's heard when we think they are leading this country in the wrong direction, i.e. The Liberal/Democratic's with the Bush/Chaney years and now the GOP with the Obama/Biden year's. Rock on America and thank you Veteran's and today's Soldier for keeping America safe.

Yes deena, we WOULD like to impress the children with the importance of working hard in school. Thats the point.

GOSH, I HAD NO IDEA—I was scarred for life and didn’t even know it. All those exhortations from Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon and Ford to work hard, stay in school, were perverting my mind and ruining my life and my parents didn’t even know enough to protect me from such exploitation.

STAY IN SCHOOL, don’t smoke, learn to read, get in shape, all those terrible politically motivated atrocities committed by those supposed great Presidents! Why I remember even seeing films of President Nixon introducing the President’s Fitness Council to us fidgeting, too-cool-for-school teenagers…guess our disdain was right on after all!

ARE YOU SERIOUS? Leave it to right-wing-nuts to manufacture evil and outrage in the most innocent of places. Off-the-deep-end conservative extremists are wrong; it is THEIR mock outrage that is ‘politics at its worst.’

AH, THE GOOD OLD DAYS…when respecting your President was patriotic. Now days I guess the quaint notion of supporting the President only applies when your party is in power and disrespect and media fire-bombing are perfectly acceptable when your party isn’t.

How nice of all the libs to show up. Originally, the plan was for the current WH occupant to discuss his plans as well as encouraging students. The Dept. of Education (one day maybe we can really do kids a favor and abolish this mess) sent out instructions for the kids to write about how they could help the prez. They backed off when a large portion of the public (we aren't all libs and don't want libs dictating what we should do) expressed negative feelings about his plans. He is the president and if he wants to encourage our students, that's a good thing, but let him keep his socialist messages for the voting fools that put him in office. They like to think everything will be free.

As usual, Obama overthought it. Instead of simply talking to kids about the importance of education (and by the way, Boston, NYC, and LA would be among the districts who will NOT be in school yet on that day!), no, it had to be "historic" and "unprecedented," despite 2 earlier presidents having done this.

SO they muddied the waters with all the lesson plans (personally, the over the top part was about "notable quotes" from past Obama speeches -- get over yourself already), and that's where the plan has gone awry.

The same thing happen when Bush did it. I think its just dumb, Obama is just going to tell them school is good and the like. What is wrong with that?

Wow. Wait, wasn't president Bush talking to kids when the 9/11 attacks happened. You remember, when he sat there and had no idea what to do so he just read children's books?

If president Obama wanted to read children's books to the kids would that be ok, or would he be reading secretly socialist books that brainwash our kids into thinking that everyone has a right to health care and that the earth is worth saving?

This is the most ridiculous debate I have ever heard. This is the PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES we are talking about, people. What in the world is civics class FOR if not to teach respect for that high office? I am sure in the last eight years there must have been a State of the Union or similar speech televised at my daughter's school. Would I have objected, in the context of school and learning how our government works, to her hearing from a man who could barely pronounce his own name? Absolutely not. That's what "parental damage control" is for. Furthermore, as I understand it, this is far from a "State of the Union" speech, but a speech specifically welcoming school children. Again, I repeat, whether or not you voted for him, Barack Obama is the PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES. What kind of lesson is it to teach our children that we should ignore the highest elected official in the land? This is a TEACHING MOMENT, people. This is a perfect opportunity for parents to discuss the speech at home. It's going to be on youtube, parents. Watch it yourself. Then discuss it at home. Are your children SO impressionable that something they might watch on TV has a greater impact on them than you, their parent? That's not saying much for you as a parent. By calling in these complaints and exempting your child from watching the President's speech, you are teaching a) disrespect for the highest office in the land; b) if you don't want to do something, mommy and daddy will rescue you; and c) we don't want you to be exposed to anyone whose opinions are different from ours. My next-door neighbor has some extreme religious beliefs that are very different from mine. Is my daughter banned from that house? Certainly not. It becomes an opportunity for open discussion of varying points of view. Smarten up, people, and give your children the credit they deserve. And while you're at it, try working on a few parenting skills.

After allowing himself to sit for twenty years listening to his preacher spew racist, America hating venom, after his irresponsible choices of advisors (the latest being Van Jones) and after this 'education minded' president removed the school choice of low-income families in DC. I don't know if we can trust this clown to talk to our school ages children without adult supervision.

Obama, please stop giving in to these idiots.

Deena - to quote Barney Frank "what planet do you live on?" NOTHING you mention has happened! Please look at the world around you and develop some critical thinking skills. I am sure you are an otherwise decent person but Limbaugh and company are playing you and others like you for FOOLS. They are exploiting your legitimate concerns solely to make themselves rich. They don't care about you nor do they believe half of what they say.

This just in. Obama's draft:
"Work hard. Stay in school. Go to college. And through a complex strategy of trade agreements, immigration policy, corporate taxes, regulations, take-overs, and bail-outs...by the time you're my age your job will be taken by someone from/in another country.
Unless you do what Michelle and I have done; work for the government. We're hiring. And we've got pensions."
How's that sound to you?

10% unemployment announced this morning...the highest since Jimma Carter left President Reagan a broken country 26 years ago.
Nope...my kid won't be in school on Tuesday to hear this socialist and his propaganda.

Paulo

All I can say is� these people are insane. They're nothing but haters and fear mongers.

Hate is alive and well in America . It has manifested itself in the right wing fear mongering republican party . Let them keep their kids at home where they can practice drawing swastikas on the walls.

Lets crack open our history books boys and girls and turn to the Chapter called the THIRD REICH. Because you know what? This is exactly how it started then.
Posted by: deena | September 4, 2009 9:18 AM

Hey, deena, let's crack open our dictionary and review the definition of "Godwin's Law." You guys are pathetic. I would have thought you wouldn't have resorted to it till after about a year of his term. Losers.

"Indoctrination?" Check out the movie "Jesus Camp."

I think part of it's the oversaturated image and iconography by Obama. A school video with Obama in the revolutionary 'Che' poster? This government of idoltry is quite scary.

Obama needs to pull back his hollywood exposure and actually complete something. We just left an official campaign season and now we have these huge, transformative federal initiatives that we have been/ and are being politicked non-stopped with...

I doubt many bothered by the school speech would be if there was a release of the prepared text and it indeed resembled a "be cool, stay in school" message without the "what can you do for the President" programming (considered politicking) in the follow up lesson plan. And he's doing this the same week as a nationally televised speech on healthcare...Too much, too soon...

But many of us are rather churlish about this because we've been beat down by the incessant hosannas to this man but also the messianic branding: "the One"; "the Ones we've been waiting for"; speeches abroad as candidate; "bring down the seas"; "RESET"; "Inherited this mess"... ad nauseam; US Government signage with O's at every federally supported construction site...etc. etc. etc...

Does this look like ordinary school message to be shown to the kids? This is social indocrination - what next, handing out 'Mihne Kompf'?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqcPA1ysSbw

"New spirit in community participation?" Does Obama think he is the only one who helped his community? I pay property taxes for a crappy school system I will not use. I volunteer to help my fellow AMERICAN make America better for them, not for the president. Of course, the media never asked the questioned anything about the messiah and his tax cheats before he was elected.

Posted by: deena | September 4, 2009 9:18 AM

Oh yeah, just like Nazi Germany. It all started with that speech where Hitler told kids to stay in school!

Would like to see the Tribune make the actual lesson plan and questions along with requests for brown clothing (if that's true why brown ? some sort of racist connotaion ?is he reaching out more to brown children then white children ? if so why ?).
If in fact they're requesting for what amounts to a uniform and holding hands in a specific way -that is very very disturbing like it or not that's exactly what the nazis did. What if a child were to refuse to where the uniform or hold hands in a specific way ?

Like the parent above who mentioned his child was ridiculed during November's school election ceremonies.

Maybe George Bush could have explained to the children the importance of EXECTUTIVE PRIVILEGE and where to find it in the constitution..

Obama might consider explaining why he refuses to cut back on governmnet spending, Why the people in the private sector should sacrifice their economic well-bieng while the people in government maintain better benefits, pension plans, and get cost of living increases.

Why is his government going to spend 1.5 trillion dollars more than it is bringing in at the expense of their future earnings and ability to succeed in the world economy ?

Maybe he could explain about pay to play politics and how the nation's corruption is destroying their future.

If in fact there was a request for brown clothing and a specific way to hold hands - maybe he could explain that too.

It's amazing to see how the Radical Republican Right will stop at nothing to attack the President of the United States. Their entire campaign has been one big lie after another -- they just make things up (like "death panels") and keep repeating it again and again until gullible people think it's true because they've heard it so many times.

That's the strategy of fascism -- exactly the tactics of the Na*zis during their rise to power and beyond. The news media didn't have the guts to challenge them in Germany -- and all too much of the news media in the U.S. has played along by repeating the big lies and failing to debunk them.

The Republican Party has been waging a nonstop smear campaign against Barack Obama for 3 years. They'll attack anything he does or says -- just for the sake of attacking him. They've made it abundantly clear they are intent on sabotaging his presidency and will stop at nothing. This hub bub over a speech to school children on the importance of studying hard and staying in school is unbelievable. On the other hand, the Radical Republican Right had no objection to President Bush making fun of students who did well in school and denigrating good scholarship. A scarlet "H" for hypocrite should worn on the forehead of every phony who is trying to keep school children from seeing the President's speech.

Sure, first day of classes in Chicago with teachers under pressure to get organized, get students assigned, set lesson plans...and have to take valuable time out to hear Obama tell them how valuable school is. And here, I thought that was the message to be given by teachers and parents.

deena.
whose administration are you talking about? Bush 1? Bush 2? Nixon?
stop leaning so far to one side, you'll fall over and have to depend on private health care to fix you - you do have a job, right?
you weren't afraid when government listened to your phone calls or read your e-mails but you're afraid of a speech?

"encourage American kids to succeed in school" - I would have no issue with this, the interesting part is how the WH is changing the intent, posted on their website, to now being just a speech of encouragement. Funny how when this administration gets called out there is never an issue but the message and intent always gets changed ... wait until we do see a Healthcare BILL it should hit the floor in the morning and be voted on an hour or two later ...

My first year in the ministry, the principal of Funston School in Chicago knocked on my door in early September asking me to help her get the neighborhood kids to come back to school. I bet she would have loved to have the President helping her with that task!

" The already leftist teachers and leftist school administrators in our district, will continue the socialist agenda"

Uh, Joe - if you object to socialism so much, then maybe you should withdraw your kids from the "public" school. While you're at it, don't drive on the "public" roads, don't listen to radio over the "public" airwaves, don't pick up your mail, don't use federal disaster relief the next time a tornado or hurricane hits. Don't keep your money in a bank that has FDIC - you know, the federal insurance program that guarantees you won't lose your deposit if the bank fails?

The people complaining the most about socialism, have never actually lived under it. My parents grew up in India in the Fifties and Sixties, which was a real socialist country - and an economic basketcase. Real socialism should be resisted, but basically the people yelling 'Socialist" would like to yell something more unpleasant, but can't.

Lefties, get over yourselves and deal with it. Half this country hates Obama just as half this country hated W. That's just the way it is, the way it's always been and the way it will continue to be.

I have informed my son's school that I will picking up my son prior to the Marxist tyrant's "speech" and dropping him off after the "classroom activities" are finished. If I needed a hack Chicago crook to speak to my children all I would have to do is take him to City Hall. SLIPPERY SLOPE, LIBERALS! If liberals didn't abort all their children, they'd be concerned with Dear Leader.

Don Fitzgerald, please view the "Nolan Chart" so you may understand the difference between libertarians and Republicans. thanks.

The right wing has finally cracked. What do these people smoke or inject? The president is going to be recruiting little socialists for his socialist agenda? This is really funny stuff. Kids love Obama since he is a lot more accessible and non-threatening (unlike the irrational, psychotic fears of their too tightly wound right wing terrorist parents) than the buffoon who was in office for the past 8 years of despair.

Deena,
Get back on the meds. Even though the voices in your head may tell you your right to protest has been limited, it really hasn't been. You may be confusing people either laughing at you or being disgusted with you ignorance as being a "limiting of your right to protest", but it's not.
And which radio shows have been banned lately? Oh that's right, none.
As far as respecting the President and actually listening to and thinking about what he says...all I have to say is if ignorance is bliss, you must be the happiest person on earth.
As far as the Third Reich reference goes....have we had a violent "crystal nacht" uprising. We have had gun toting protesters outside town hall meetings. Were they Nazis? And last time I checked we weren't doing much about annexiing Canada or Mexico, just Iraq. Were we Nazis when we invaded their country and basically destabilized it and took over? Are you calling GWB a Nazi? Have we limited civil rights and and taken away privacy rights like the Nazis did. Not under this administration but.....well let's not get into that right now.
Grow a brain and try to use it.
Sell your paranoia somewhere else.
Best Regards

The far right is out to get Obama on anything he does and to divide this Country.Time to shine a light on these extremists.There is a related post at http://iamsoannoyed.com/?page_id=588

Uh, Deena?
"Limiting the right to protest" - kinda like the previous President, when only those who would take loyalty oaths were allowed to participate in "public" forums? And those who showed up wearing "unacceptable slogans" on their t-shirts were arrested?
"trying to ban radio shows that don't agree with the president" - kinda like during the 2002-2008 years, when various personalities on Fox tried organize a boycott of Air America because, in their words, it "wasn't patriotic, and was spreading terrorist lies?"
"BROADCASTING SPEECHES TO IMPRESSIONABLE CHILDREN" - like reading My Pet Goat to schoolchildren? Like Presidents Eisenhower and Nixon and Carter making appearances at schools?
"the people following him doing everything he says they should do" - you mean, just like the Republicans during the George W. Bush years?

Seriously, get a grip. You're funny.

Here's an idea: Why not expose children to all messages? Why not allow the President to speak, and then the next day allow the leader of the Republican Party to speak to them? Why not start a debate on what it means to have freedoms, and have choices, and have two sides that respect each other's positions and thoughts? Why not look for solutions rather than scream about percieved problems.

deena,

Please give me some examples of when this President has tried to limit the right to protest or ban right wing radio. If my history is correct, the types of protests at the recent HC town halls would never have happened 4 years ago because the town halls were invitation only, and any protesters who made past the Secret Service was wisked away very quickly. If radio shows were being banned, then Rush, Savage, Bill O, etal, would have been locked up and never heard from again.

If Jim Greer's children can get so easily "Librulized" from a speech by the President of the United States, then he's not doing his job as a parent.

I find nothing about the speech itself offensive. It is the follow-up material provided by the Dept of Education that was troubling. "Write letters on how to help the President?" I would think the goal of education is to HELP THE STUDENTS.

And I doubt his message will be, "you can help me if you don't use drugs, help the police find criminals and don't have babies without getting married.".

However, what I find truly offensive it that a man who has never been in Public Schools and has tolerated 60% drop out rates in the community he organized, and would not even send his own kinds to that public schools system, would have anything to say about how great it all is.

Hey, Republicans, why don't you just have a national "skip year" or "skip decade"? Please, just take your kids out of school completely so my kids don't have to be exposed to the trash you've brainwashed your kids with. Thanks.

If Jim Greer's children can be so easily "Librulized" by a speech from the President of the United States, he's not doing his job as a parent. What is wrong with people? I've never seen this kind of insanity . . . our Country is doomed if we continue down these paths of such extremist stances and visceral hate on BOTH sides.

I'm very happy to see that the schools are giving the parents the nod to have their kids "opt out". We had our kids "opt out" of many things we thought were questionable during their years in school. That's a parents right. Here's a thought....how about if your kids need a motivational speech, they get it from the people that brought them into this world: Their parents! Turn off the TV and teach your own kids!!

@deena -

It's paranoid thinking. I look forward to hearing from you in ten years.

Parents should be roll model for their kids and motivate them to succeed in school not the presidents.

How much longer will the people with some modicum of common sense, and an ability to think and rationalize, stand by and allow this hate mongering by the radical right to go on. We are in a sad state, when the likes of Rush "Scumbaugh", Glen " Drecch", and the rest of the boot licking lackeys for corporate America, can stir up such vitriol and lunacy against common sense. It may be time for another civil war, to cleanse the nation of the miscreants who wish to impede at all costs, any proposal that threatens their exhorbitant profits, and their "Facist " agenda.
Now we have these lunatics, putting fear into the parents of our children, the the President of this country would try to indoctrinate them into some sort of " Communist Agenda".
We are in a very sad state, when the people of this nation are so dumbed down, self indulgent, and complacent, that they allow pundits, and hacks to do their thinking for them. We will soon be a third rate country if we continue down the road we are on. The Romans never saw their demise coming. If we continue to allow these greedy corporations to buy off our politicians to further their agenda we have no hope of reversing our deterioratrion. They shroud their intents by waving the patriotic flag, all the while shoving the mast up our collective behinds.
It's time for the hard working people of this country to stand up, and say enough is enough. Maybe things have to be torn down, in order to be made right.

How much longer will the people with some modicum of common sense, and an ability to think and rationalize, stand by and allow this hate mongering by the radical right to go on. We are in a sad state, when the likes of Rush "Scumbaugh", Glen " Drecch", and the rest of the boot licking lackeys for corporate America, can stir up such vitriol and lunacy against common sense. It may be time for another civil war, to cleanse the nation of the miscreants who wish to impede at all costs, any proposal that threatens their exhorbitant profits, and their "Facist " agenda.
Now we have these lunatics, putting fear into the parents of our children, the the President of this country would try to indoctrinate them into some sort of " Communist Agenda".
We are in a very sad state, when the people of this nation are so dumbed down, self indulgent, and complacent, that they allow pundits, and hacks to do their thinking for them. We will soon be a third rate country if we continue down the road we are on. The Romans never saw their demise coming. If we continue to allow these greedy corporations to buy off our politicians to further their agenda we have no hope of reversing our deterioratrion. They shroud their intents by waving the patriotic flag, all the while shoving the mast up our collective behinds.
It's time for the hard working people of this country to stand up, and say enough is enough. Maybe things have to be torn down, in order to be made right.

Is Obama going to tell the kids that if they follow his advice, do well in school and become successful, they will have to pay more and more of that income they earned by working hard in taxes compared to those that don't.

Just one more reason I'm glad I don't have my kids in public school.

All hail the Beloved Leader, Chairman Maobama!

I think many posters are missing the point. It is not the fact that the President wants to address our children in a PSA format. I am sure he will give an encouraging, non-political speech. It is the mere fact that his administration is sending lesson and activity plans that are directed at him and not his educational message (which is why changes have been made). It is an opportunity for over-zealous teachers to "preach" and not teach-especially to young, impressionable minds. It is not his speech that has me concerned, it is the before and after "lessons" that are raising the red flags.

President Obama can do nothing good in the eyes of the hate-filled, racist right of this country. The people criticizing the President for wanting to encourage students to study hard and stay focused in school are the same ones who believe dinosaurs and humans roamed the planet together. The ignorance of many on the right is appalling. Calling the president a "socialist" (or all the other "-ist" words you may have heard, but clearly do not comprehend) just amplifies this ignorance. The President wants to emphasize the importance of a good education; something many people seem to lack. The right and the Republicans are a disgrace! Thank you, President Obama, for stressing the importance of a solid education!

There is nothing inherently wrong with Obama speaking to school children nationally. Other presidents have. Nor do I think he will overtly politicize his comments. But it does have the smell of a PR move about it as if it would make a nice, warm, fuzzy distraction from Obama's problems like the health care issue. In other words, the timing is suspicious just as in other instances he has made a trip abroad or given a "major" speech whenever he has had some controversy to deal with.

How dare the president try to tell kids to study hard, what kind of evil message is that?

Oh right, one that the rediculous right would agree with if they would just tone down the lunacy and listen for once.

I am so sick of people reducing the impact of the HOLOCAUST and NAZISM. You dirtbags spit on all those who suffered from REAL oppression and brutality.

Let's teach our children to fear the American presidents. Brilliant!

Obama has never ordered me or anyone to march anyone or group into a concentration camp or a gas chamber so YES, I would rather wear a BROWN SHIRT than march in WHITE SHEETS like the Republican Party.

Deena, try breaking the Prozacs in half from now on. Seriously, you equate a presdential address to the Nazis?

Since when was anything banned? Glenn Beck and the other nut jobs can still broadcast their bile and hate.

Yet you take over the top offense that our president will address kids and tell them to study hard, even though most other recent presdients have addressed kids at one time or another. Did you hide under the bed then, or just go back into your padded cell?

When are Republicans -- of which I'm one -- going to realize that criticizing every single thing this administration does or says at full volume only deafens reasonable-minded people when we voice complaints about truly important issues? It's crying wolf and it belittles legitimate debate. There are plenty of real issues to criticize the Obama White House about, but this isn't one of them. Just like the screechers at the health-care town hall meetings, this type of over-reaction demeans our ability to effectively fight the important battles.

amazing how dumb some people are. let's keep our kid dumb....don't ever let them hear motivational speeches. a national skip day? so, it must be better for them to stay home and watch jerry springer.

I would like to know why everone is so angry that the President of the US wants children to stay in school and work hard. Is that "pathetic" and "socialist"?

Any parent who tells their children not to listen to the speech is a) leading them to believe the message of staying in school isn't important and b) discouraging them from working with people in spite of their differences.

Also, anyone who compares Obama is Hitler is an absolute nut job. To compare Hitler's torturing and killing millions of Jews to Obama being president is an insult to everyone in America, particularly the Jews that were persecuted. To actually believe the comparrison is viable you have to have be completely devoid of all rational thought.

Obama hasn't banned people from talking negatively about him, people who are equally as radical on the opposite side as you are have told people not to listen and caused sponsors to drop those shows. No one has limited anyone's right to protest...you must not see all the excessive protests going on. Obama has done nothing but encourage spirited debate...however he IS against violent protests by either side and too many people have gotten so heated over the debate that rather than listen to both sides and intelligently discuss anything, they result to throwing punches because people on both sides are too stupid to understand the details behind the plan. They get frustrated because no one can agree to disagree, and then they get violent.

Also, everyone who thinks they are "winning" because Obama's approval numbers are dropping...any idiot should have known they would drop. They started out excessively high because people had unrealistic expectations. When He couldn't magically fix the world in a month, the numbers dropped to about average. It's nothing negative about Obama, it's just another example of people on both sides being naive about how politics and government works.

So I'm basically saying that 90% of the people in this country (on both sides of every debate) are babbling morons because they aren't smart enough to realize when they don't understand something. I don't understand politics and healthcare reform...which is why I'm not president. It is Obama's job to take care of that just as it would have been McCain's job if he had won. He'd probably do things differently, but neither person would turn this country into the raging hellhole you al lseem to think it will.

This could be could be, in Sheeps clothing to take over the kids to march for Obam like Hitler did.

Now that Glenn Beck has actually succeeded in influencing the dialogue about the content of the education delivered to our children, who needs teachers anymore?? Let's just set up a room in our homes the children can sit for 5-6 hours a day and just watch/listen to Beck and eat hot pockets?? Good plan...

Since my brain has been turned off also because it's too hard to be involved in our childrens' up-bringing I guess it's ok if I go to that town hall meeting this weekend and protest all new ideas about my health care over the next twenty years..

The dumbing down of the population is overwhelming...

I absolutely cannot believe the ridiculous Republican response to the President talking to children about the IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION!!! That's it people, get off your "socialistic rhetoric" soapboxes! It seems as if you're all cloaking your racism to be viewed as "opposition" to anything and everything that our President proposes to better this nation. Not socialism, not "Nazi-ism," you people have absolutely lost your minds! Grow up! Get over your racist bigoted narrow minds and take a step into the future. Like Barney Frank said, talking to you is like talking to my dining room table.

"This is exactly how it started then. Limiting the right to protest, trying to ban radio shows that dont agree with the president, BROADCASTING SPEECHES TO IMPRESSIONABLE CHILDREN"

You are a low-life disgrace. A typical fear-mongering ditto-head. Last I checked, Limbaugh, O'Reilly, Hannity, Beck, etc. are doing just fine. Noone is limiting any speech.

As for the protests. A person carrying a gun to a protest, clearly meant to intimidate left-leaning participants is o.k. But a few taunts from the left towards the right is not? Who has a trouble with free speech?

As for the education broadcast to "impressionable children", Reagan and Bush 41 did it also. And this speech, like previous presidents, will only be to encourage chidlren to take their education seriously, and with responsibility. It will NOT be about any specific public issue.

But, again, your hypocrisy is glaring. it was O.K. for Reagan and Bush 41 to speak to children, but not Obama.

Hitler Youth circa 2009 versus 1939. Americans are finally starting to wake up and beginning to understand what this radical president is all about.

I guess it's a case of "Ask not what Obama can do for you- ask what YOU can do for Obama." I'm surprised there wasn't an assignment in the handouts to write "Our glorious leader is the grooviest!" 100 times and mail them in to serve.gov. This is a waste of classroom time and is incredibly arrogant on the administration's part.

I"The Department of Education should not be producing paid political advertising for the president, it should be helping us to produce smarter students."

Republicans talking about Obama?

No.

This is Democrat Dick Gephardt, then-House Majority leader, speaking in 1991 of a broadcast by then-president George H. W. Bush.

And President Bush, unlike Obama, didn't try and appeal to students to help him.
I would hope everyone, Left and Right, would oppose such open indoctrination of schoolkids.

The real reason parents don't want their kids to hear Obama? Because then they'll know their parents are idiots for dissing him.

I thought the conservatives demanded that we respect The President -

Oh, wait, that's when the president is someone they like, when it is someone they dislike then all bets are off...

What happened to the concept of respecting the office, even if you don't agree with the office holder...

Or is that too much to ask...

Deena, you and like minds are the ones who are PARANOID! These statements, and like statements, proves just how ignorant and bigoted some Americans are that they'll make up so much bullsh*t just because they can't stand that an African American has been elected President--that's what the bottom line is, but you people just don't have the guts to say it, so you make up all kinds of crap and call it oppposition. Sad state of affairs that the party of "NO" has resorted to the same old tactics, you people are so dangerous to all humankind, it's mind-boggling. Don't you know how absolutely STUPID and HATEFUL you sound? Christians my ass!!!!

Why do conservatives hate education?

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in the US 14% of the adult population is at the "below basic" level for prose literacy; 12% are at the "below basic" level for document literacy; and 22% are at that level for quantitative literacy.

In 2008, more than four million students across the country entered the ninth grade. Over the next four years, a third of these students will drop out before attaining a diploma; another third will graduate without having gained the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in work or postsecondary education
http://www.all4ed.org/files/Econ2008.pdf

I suppose the Republicans would rather maintain this educational travesty than have the Obama administration attempt to correct this problem!

The only thing 'pathetic' here is that people are taking everything Obama says and putting in it in this rosy light. Lets crack open our history books boys and girls and turn to the Chapter called the THIRD REICH. Because you know what? This is exactly how it started then. Limiting the right to protest, trying to ban radio shows that dont agree with the president, BROADCASTING SPEECHES TO IMPRESSIONABLE CHILDREN and the people following him doing everything he says they should do.... THAT is pathetic. And you can tel me thats paranoid thinking all you want. But in ten years I'm going to try really hard to refrain rom saying 'I told you so'....

Posted by: deena | September 4, 2009 9:18 AM

Deena, how exactly has your right to protest been limited in ANY way whatsoever? Please provide proof.

Deena, what shows have been banned because they don't agree with the President? Please provide proof.

Deena, do you recall people citing President Bush's tapping into our phones without warrant, collecting information on us without warrant, holding people without trial and torturing them freely, his "you're either with us or against us" policies being taken to extreme, all being indications that he and his were operating as Hitler and the Third-Reich Nazis would have done? Do you recall anybody mentioning that the Republicans' failure to stop Bush while they had the chance would spill over into other administrations, whether Republican or Democrat? Do you recall the reaction all of that got from the right? Has anything Obama has done caused ANY reduction in ANY of YOUR rights, personally (oh, and -- by the way -- please provide proof)? Do you see ANY reason why you should be exempted from the same kind of treatment as was given during the Bush Administration to people who said the same things?

And somehow, Deena, I'm willing to bet NOW that however hard you "try" to refrain from saying "I told you so" you're going to lose the battle.

Deena, have a perfectly LOVELY weekend. You DON'T need to provide proof for that.

The question is, what is the Presidents true motive in wanting to give this speech to school children only?
Since there is no trust in Obama's administration, I don't trust his motive. So no he shouldn't give this speech, I wouldn't subject my children to his own agenda, for self-serving reasons.

I think it's silly as well, just like I thought the democrats were silly in 2001 when they were protesting Bush. There's politics on both sides. You know that if Obama were a Republican, the Democrats would be protesting this. It's all a mess and we the people need to get rid of all Republicans and Democrats and start over with multiple parties.

Here's something the Right Wing lunatics planning to boycott President Obama's stay-in-school speech ought to have considered before getting all Wingnutty about it: on the eve of the 1992 presidential campaign -- October 1, 1991, to be exact -- President George H. W. Bush pitched his education plan in a speech broadcast live to school classrooms nationwide.
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http://www.dailykostv.com/w/002099/

As you can see, although Bush's speech did contain some inspirational rhetoric, significant portions of it were focused promoting his own education plan.

If they actually had a brain inside of their thick skulls, a Republican conspiracy theorist might even claim Bush’s goal was to influence parents in the upcoming election by "indoctrinating" their children.

Real Americans sure are a high-strung lot.

The nonsensical right accuse Obama of being Nazi like, while their own talking heads defend Adolph Hitler.

http://buchanan.org/blog/did-hitler-want-war-2068

It's too bad that the simple minded sheep like Denna can't understand the extent to which they are being played.

Republicans are so annoying. Way to teach your children to not trust our president of the united states. But you can trust a priest who molests children huh? Keep going to church idiots....

The funniest thing about this is, you didn't hear a peep from these Right Wing nutjobs when President HW Bush delivered a 15 minute speech to the nation's classrooms on the importance of avoiding drugs. You didn't see any of them blowing a gasket when teachers were supplied with guides to help student's interpret President Reagan's Challenger Speech. And you certainly didn't see Democrats pulling their kids out of school over either of those events.

Unless these Right Wing gooper cretins don't want their kids to be encouraged to study hard, there's only one reason for them to have their children play hooky: an irrational fear of learning.

Their fake outrage over this speech is being fueled by lunatics like Drudge and Malkin and even the Republican Party itself, each of whom represent the Right Wing playbook of crazy behind the absolutely crazies in their party. They've completely lost their minds. Insane to the core.

Maybe if they spent more time in school instead of skipping it, they'd learn how to spell words like: "oligarChy."
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_lgTIZ22jE
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I would like to know the percentage of those opposed to "Socialism" who can actually define "Socialism". Social Security, farm subsidies, Medicare, Medicaid, etc. are all "socialist" programs that exist today and have for many decades. You may hate some of these programs but I'd bet you currently rely on others.

If you are so scared of government intrusion in your life, did you pay attention when the Bush administration decided it wanted to be able to wiretap your house whenever it wanted, pushed hard for the right to know every book you checked out from the library, and decided that even American citizens could be shipped abroad and held indefinitely without charges, based on suspicion alone?

If you are freaking out about spending, have you considered the massive spending and debt racked up under Republican control of all branches of government from 2001-2007?

Or, if you're one of those "tea party" anti-taxers, have you ever looked back and noticed the top marginal income tax rate under previous Republican presidents? 91% top rate under Eisenhower, 70% under Nixon, 50% under Reagan. And yet you scream bloody murder because Obama proposes to increase it from 35% to 39% (around the same as it was during the economic prosperity of the 1990s).
So, the question to ask yourself in the mirror if you are kicking and screaming about the "threat" of Obama is whether you are ignorant, crazy, or racist. Maybe all three?

How long did it take the right wing lunatic fringe to go from: "if you criticize the President you are a traitor" to "school children should not trust the President" ??

A little over two months - Nov 4, 2008 to Jan 20, 2009.

The Republican party is nothing more than a hypocritcal pile of corporate enabling scum.

So rightwing nut jobs, by keeping your kids at home on this day I guess proves you want your kids stupid and unpatriotic. Sure, let them fall behind in school and not teach them while you may not like who is in power, you should have the ability to hear them out.

Nice job there, but what do you expect!

OK, it's official. Satan is a Republican

Wanna know why the White House is asking students to write letters about how to help the president?

It's because we elected a know-nothing "community organizer" who is now so disorganized, that he's begging OUR KIDS for advice!

Hey Bill R - whatdya think of this speech:
PRESIDENT REAGAN: Well, thank you very much. Please, be seated. You know, this is a real treat for me, having you here, and to have in a little while the chance to answer some of your questions. Let me also offer a special hello to those of you who are watching on C-Span, or the Instructional Television Network. Thank you for inviting us into your home or your school today ...

And that is a vision that goes beyond economics and politics, it's also a moral vision, grounded in the reverence and faith of those who believe that with God's help, they could create a free and democratic nation ...

Because you see, the taxes can be such a penalty on people that there's no incentive for them to prosper and to earn more and so forth because they have to give so much to the government ...

There was talk about having a gun ban in California. It didn't go through. But I got a letter from a man in San Quentin Prison. And from the prison he wrote me the letter to tell me he was in there for burglary, he was a burglar. And he said, "I just want you to know that if that law goes through, here in San Quentin there will be celebrating throughout the day and night by all the burglars who are in prison."

Wow...we actually have people comparing President Obama to Adolph Hitler because the President wants to tell school children to work hard and succeed in school.

The hatred directed toward this President knows no bounds. I guess that those posters have joined Rush Limbaugh in working toward their goal of wanting the President to fail.

The only failure going on -- the failure to accept the results of an election.

My only problem with this upcoming speech is that I don't believe you can really give a meaningful speech to all levels of kids from K-12. Maybe he should just text it or email it to everyone. The outrgage from the right is way off target as usual. I wish the press would not waste our time with such drival.

My 2 cents

If his speech is about the importance of education, etc. wouldn't it be a good thing if it were delivered in the evening when children and parents can watch it together? Why did the original lesson plan suggested by the Dept. of Education suggest a task in which the children determine how they can help the President? Shouldn't we encourage all citizens to help the country not just the person holding the office of President?

I believe most people are skimming through parts of this story.

The people who object to the speech did not like the original plan which called for students to write a letter to themselves about how they could help the President achieve his goals.

I do find that political and therefore objectionable.

I think it would be great for Obama to speak to our children in schools, but not about how they can further his agenda.

He should be speaking to them about the importance of education, what it means to the future of this country.

Yes, there has been overreacting by some Republicans. However the Department of Education decided to change the focus of the speech and student exercise.

Evidently the protesters had a valid point.

This smacks of the same "tattle tale" request Obama made for citizens to report neighbors who were against his health plan.

Given that strategy and you honestly wonder why some believe Obama is Socialist?

Here's a hint to those of you comparing Obama to Hitler - this tactic labels you a nut - you may as well have "nutcase" tattooed on your forhead in neon day-glow. This is McCarthyism plain and simple. It also demonstrates the fact that you know zero about Weimar Germany and the rise of the Nazi party, or even Hitler himself. This also carries the insinuation that the Nazis were left leaning liberals when they were in fact rightist fascists. Sheesh!

My kids are happy as can be,
an extra day off school.
Obama is a liar! No earmarks, no lobbyists, campaign funding etc. etc. etc. - It'd probably be easier to list what he's told the truth about.
Obama should apologize to these kids that he's going to be dumping so much debt on.
No goverment in schools! It wasn't right when Bush did it (and remember the democrats complaining then but it's alright now that a democrat is doing it)
Most democrats are hypocrites and liars.
Do as I say, not as I do

The Dept. of Education (one day maybe we can really do kids a favor and abolish this mess)
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Posted by: TerryO | September 4,
2009 9:51 AM

Yes Terry lets abolish the Dept of Education and do the kids a favor. This way they can stay home and watch TV and become complete MORONS as you would like it so they would believe all that junk that comes out of your mouth!

What would you propose as a replacement? Church? Home schooling? Fox News?

Did you go to public school when growing up? Or were you one of the few priveledged kids who's parents had money to send you to private school?

One of the "educational" materials has the teachers asking what the president inspires you to do.....
I know what my kid will answer - buy a gun and vote republican!

How can adults in the world's best country and longest functioning democracy be so pitifully ill-informed?

I know that many people feel that reading, reasoning, and rational conversation are the work of the devil, but this thread gives evidence for a more dangerous type of "possession."

Limbaugh, Beck, Coulter and their ilk remind me of the leaders of the group that took over the world in NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD.

The President of the United States wants the children of this great country to be smart, to read, think, talk, listen, and write. What could be better than that?

Get yourselves in hand, folks!!
Seriously.

This is the opening volley of 'Iman' Hussein Obama's socialist engineering -- "The American Madrassa." His mission is to "indoctrinate" (brainwash) school children at their most impressionable stage and prepare them for a life of "social jihad" -- oh! and voting for leftists when they turn 18.

It should not be a one way street either way. It parents want to let their kids watch, fine. If not, fine. To sya they HAVE TO or DO NOT HAVE TO is what is wrong. I would want to be able to hear what he had to say, either before or with m kids.

Hey Gus...what is your point? As president of the United States, Reagan had every right to address c-span or students as he was PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES for crying out loud. So now it's patriotic to tell your children don't trust America's president? Are you that small minded that you actually believe he is going to give a 10 minute speech and zappo, turn all of America's children into little zombies? Do you have any idea how stupid this is? Stupid, absurd, ridiculous use any of these to descibe to a T your reaction to this issue. Bonkers!

So, when GW addressed children (as he did when President) there's not a word about it. But when Obama does the right is up in arms. What are you so frightened of? I wasn't a W supporter but I would never have said my children shouldn't listen. It just shows what a sad, messed up country we live in with people who are incredibly ignorant and biased.

Time to lock up all these treasonous parents.

(Remember? That's what disagreeing with the president is. How could we forget that after eight years of having it drilled in?)

"Let's teach our children to fear the American presidents. Brilliant!"

More precisely, Bill, let's teach children to recognize the danger of their overreaching, insatiably power-hungry federal government. That IS brilliant indeed.

"When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty. " -- Thomas Jefferson

Quippy wrote: "Why do conservatives hate education?"


Conservatives do not hate education. We hate indoctrination. The problem with education in America is its nearly universal absence in these United States. The public school system has been hijacked by incompetent liberals who are uneducated themselves within any normal definition of that concept, and have become blind leaders of the blind.

I know what my kid will answer - buy a gun and vote republican!

Posted by: moreofthesame | September 4, 2009 2:08 PM

Shucks....you must be real proud.

Fuhrer =

The word Führer is 'leader' or 'guide' in the German language, derived from the verb führen, a cognate of the Old English words faran ("to make one's way") and fær ("road", "journey") and the Modern English words derived from the older terms such as fare now mostly used in compounds such as wayfarer and sea-faring.

Führer was the unique title granted by Chancellor Hitler to himself, through the Enabling Law of March 23, 1933, which allowed Hitler the power to promulgate laws by decree without participation by the Reichstag (Parliament). As part of the process of Gleichschaltung, following the death of the last Reichspräsident of the Weimar Republic, Paul von Hindenburg, on August 2, 1934, Hitler designated himself as Führer and Chancellor. The new position, fully styled Führer und Reichskanzler (Leader and Chancellor of the (Third) Reich), unified the offices of State leader and Chancellor, formally making Hitler Germany's Head of State as well as Head of Government respectively; and, in practice, the Dictator of the Nazi Third Reich.[2]

Nazi Germany cultivated the Führerprinzip (leader principle), and Hitler was generally known as just der Führer ("the Leader"). One of the Nazis' most-repeated political slogans was Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Führer — "One People, One Empire, One Leader".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuhrer

*********************************************
One of the "educational" materials has the teachers asking what the president inspires you to do.....
I know what my kid will answer - buy a gun and vote republican!

Posted by: moreofthesame | September 4, 2009 2:08 PM
**********************************************
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Get lost Teresa,
If you were so confident in your Wingnutty opinions on here you wouldn't have to change your post name so often.

I've counted about four different post names that you've used on just this one posted article.

We get it that you hate Obama and the Dems, big deal. Maybe your Repug team should try winning an election every once in a while.

George W. Bush was killed and displaced more people than any dictator since Mao Tse-tung.

The dog that barks loudest gets heard.

Nazi Germany cultivated the Führerprinzip (leader principle), and Hitler was generally known as just der Führer ("the Leader"). One of the Nazis' most-repeated political slogans was Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Führer — "One People, One Empire, One Leader".

Posted by: MG | September 4, 2009 3:04 PM
**************************************************
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Wow, I've always wondered where Druggy Rush Limbaugh stole his hate radio act from, now I know!

Keep the kids home and let the schools feel the financial impact of not receiving payment for those absent. Those who think there is not a political motive behind this are the reason mothers eat their young. Sorry yours was not hungry.

are the same people that pushed for a moment of reflection (school prayer) in public schools the same ones who now say that this is disruptive to the school day? Obviously double standards when you don't agree with the person. I still don't understand why a message to stay in school and work hard has to be politicized.

This kind of typical nonsense is the reason why the Republican party is shrinking so fast.

If Republicans think they're going to start winning elections again by acting like petulant chidren everytime they lose one, they're sadly mistaken.

The speech to be delivered is not from a Democrat, it is Socialistic at best and Democrats would be well advised to distance themselves from it. Just because a self proclaimed Democrat is delivering it, Chicago is falling behind anything he says. Unfortunately it will be the Democrats undoing.

Another year and the nation will awaken to what is really happening here and Chicago Dem's will pay the price.

Go ahead and keep your kiddies at home you Republican nutjobs, no one is stoping you from performing your usual fake outrage performance art..

You can teach them about how the Earth is flat and how Jesus rode a dinosaur etc, so they can grow up to be a stone cold stupid Republican whackjob, just like you are.
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http://www.lies.com/wp/images/2008/10/dinosaur-palin.jpg
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Main Entry: ri·dic·u·lous
Pronunciation: \rə-ˈdi-kyə-ləs\
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin ridiculosus (from ridiculum jest, from neuter of ridiculus) or ridiculus, literally, laughable, from ridēre to laugh
Date: 1550
: arousing or deserving ridicule : absurd, preposterous

synonyms see laughable

— ri·dic·u·lous·ly adverb

— ri·dic·u·lous·ness noun

Where were all these Wingnut knuckle-draggers the last eight years of BushCo?

Oh that's right, they were clapping like trained seals while Bush and Cheney trashed our economy, committed war crimes and torture in our name and started a war (Iraq) base on lies.

2009 GOP motto: "Is our childrens learning?"
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGRYPYuFZLk
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AARGH! I can't take it any more. I would laugh, but about 30% of this country's citizens are nut jobs and their inordinate amount of influence, nutty as it may be, is very disconcerting.

The same people who are criticizing Obama, were against criticizing Bush because we were at war and told us it would be undermining his war effort which was against the wrong people. The last I heard, was we were still at war and Obama was trying to extract us from the wrong fight and was going after the actual people who attacked us. Before Democrats kept quiet, now Republicans lead the way in denoucing Obama on every front and then telling us that they can't speak out against, or oppose any thing the administration does! This is only one of the reasons I haven't voted Republican since 1980.

I think something like this happened during Roosevelt's third term. It was voluntary and the result of his efforts to help the country out of the 1929-1937 depression. Fireside chats were the link of hope. I sincerely hope O'Bama is not 'channeling' Franklin Roosevelt.

The only Nazis i see hear are the right-wingnuts, who want to keep the populace sick,scared and stupid, I have never seen such hate and ignorance in my life. Unlike the other president this guy is an actual scholar. what in the world do setting goals and studying have to do with a socialist agenda, you people who think like this are crazy and shouldn't be allowed out in public.

"The speech to be delivered is not from a Democrat, it is Socialistic at best and Democrats would be well advised to distance themselves from it. Just because a self proclaimed Democrat is delivering it, Chicago is falling behind anything he says. Unfortunately it will be the Democrats undoing."
Posted by: Secondary Educator

Your post produces side-splitting laughter if only because you've penned yourself "Secondary Educator" when you obviously have the IQ of a squid. Are you really stupid enough to accuse someone of being a socialist while your kids and those of your deranged ilk attend public schools off tax dollars??????? If you or the lunatics who think like you are true to principles, you'll stop draining our funds. Pull your kids out of public schools and put them in private. Otherwise, cease your imbecilic hypocrisy.

MG hits nail on head:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fxJhAju65fo/Sp-i4QdM68I/AAAAAAAAAF8/8FYLkQQys_4/s1600-h/bushboard.jpg

The whole point is, Obama tried to sneak in his little "lesson plan" and he didn't back down until the you-know -what hit the fan. Besides, how many speeches is the guy gonna give? It seems like every other week we hear how the President needs to give another important speech to the nation. I mean, Obama loves to hear himself talk. I guess one more isn't gonna hurt. In fact, considering how he's running the country, giving speeches appears to be about all he can do right. Hey, maybe he might inspire some poor, vocabulary challenged kid to improve his oratorical skills. Obama's speech could serve as a kind of Toastmasters for children. And, at the end, to give it a kind of Hollywood style flourish, one his supporters could bite off some guy's finger.

Let those who want to keep their kids home that day. That will show their kids just how ignorant their parents are. What a good object lesson.

The President should not be dictating lesson plans to our children's teachers and that is exactly what Barack Obama has attempted to do this week. This is not just a friendly pep talk for the kids. This is a contrived effort to force schools (due to their receipt of federal funding) to discuss the topics that the White House deems important at the moment. My children will be in school, but will opt out by going to the library - where their time will be better spent reading our Constitution.

Dear Deena,

You are totally paranoid. You are mindlessly repeating what you hear on Fox News. Obama is not indoctrinating anyone. Rush Limbaugh, Glen Beck, etc... they are the people who are spewing hate to have their drone followers chant their doctrine over and over... louder and louder at townhall meetings.

I didn't like Bush/Cheney, but I didn't run around in fear "oh, I must stock pile canned goods"... seriously... get therapy. Learn to think for yourself.

For kicks, write down all the Glen Beck's doom day prophesy speak and then keep your own scorecard... to see how much is really true. It's rubbish.

Death Panels - BOLD FACE LIE

And the drones drink it in.

My Republican/Fox News listening friends walk around chanting "I'm so afraid"... "I'm so afraid"... yep, that is how they want you to feel.

Turn off your tv! Live your life. These tv personalities are sucking the life out of you.

Those of us who no longer consider the Republican party something we'd associate ourselves with are not "in love" with Obama. We do not feel he is our mesiah... That too is Republican rhetoric. Lies, lies, fear, fear... is that really the way you choose to live your life?

My kids will be in class and feel pretty special that their President is encouraging them to study hard. I think it's terrific!

I can hardly wait for the day when the right wing conservatives wake up to find that they are being led around by the nose by people who wear sheets and pointy hats. How embarrassing for them .

I don't think it is indoctrination but I do think it is egotisical to think all students want or should hear his speech. How boring is that?

Posted by: Djinna | September 4, 2009 8:51 AM
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About as egotistical to believe people want to read what you think.

"The One's" approval numbers are even falling in his home state of Illinois.

Community organizer voted president = FAIL

Posted by: Frank | September 4, 2009 8:55 AM

Hey Frank, he's done a little more than that. Furthermore what is wrong with being a community organizer, more than you have ever done?

"LEFTIST ALERT" -- The following poster is using a unique strategy -- He claims to be a Republican but is in fact a "Trojan Horse" lefty. Conservatives be on the lookout for this blog-post strategy, probably conceived by some group like 'move-on.org'

"When are Republicans -- of which I'm one -- going to realize that criticizing every single thing this administration does or says at full volume only deafens reasonable-minded people when we voice complaints about truly important issues? It's crying wolf and it belittles legitimate debate. There are plenty of real issues to criticize the Obama White House about, but this isn't one of them. Just like the screechers at the health-care town hall meetings, this type of over-reaction demeans our ability to effectively fight the important battles."

Has anyone asked the kids what they think? While the parents and teachers find themselves bickering over the President, perhaps it might be wise actually ask those who the message is intended for.

My daughter wants to see the President's speech and I want her to.

I may not have agreed with every President we've had, but I have never once disrespected the office he held. It's a disgrace to see these parents scared of the President addressing their children. What a great way to spread intolerance and hate. Well done you.

At this time next year, there will be 15 of us to a house, and we'll be riding bicycles to the sweat shops to sew up footballs.

To the folks who did'nt like the nazi reference.

The nazis used uniforms and hand gestures to promote conformity. If Hitler had been resisted early on there never would have been a holocaust.

A speech - kids do good in school. bravo A-OK.

But wear brown, hold hands like this and a lesson plan concerning what you're going to do to help the president. That's an overt and contrived political demonstration of conformity aimed at children.

And um - no thanks mr big government agent 0bama.

To me the man is a citizen of the country with no more right to tell my kid what to wear or do then anyone else.

Don't trust obummer.

This guy has it right.
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http://atlah.org/broadcast/ndnr09-04-09.html

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpRqkOofJDo&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fatlah.org%2Fbroadcast%2Fndnr09-04-09.html&feature=player_embedded

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I don't understand the double standard. If it's OK for Regan to give a politically ladened speech to student on national tv, what's wrong with Obama telling kids to stay in school?

On November 14, 1988, President Reagan addressed and took questions from students from four area middle schools in the Old Executive Office Building. The speech was broadcast live and rebroadcast by C-Span, and Instructional Television Network fed the program “to schools nationwide on three different days.”
In his speech to students and the question and answer session following Reagan

1. stressed the importance of low taxes and free trade.
2. stressed the importance of religion in our nation.
3 touted the economic achievements of his administration ,
4.put in a plug for the line item veto,
5. told the students that lowering taxes increases revenue
6. boasted of his administrations aid to Negro colleges
7. and told students that if guns were banned, burglars would be "celebrating forevermore"

Don't believe me?

Go ahead. You can read the entire Televised speech to the students here at the Ronald Regan Presidential Library archives.

http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/speeches/1988/111488c.htm

As a parent I have the right to edit what my child sees, reads, listenst to, as does every parent be they are liberal or conservative.
I find it ironic that the liberals, who 40 years ago were typically the hippys who were all about questioning the government, find fault with the conservatives doing the same thing. We, as Americans, have the right to say yes or no. We should not go blindy following one president because he is of the same party, we should still question "Is this the best thing?"
Should you be questioning the people and their views, or should you be questioning a government that is growing and growing while the private sector is shrinking....

"R Keane", could you please pull your head out of your ideology ??! President Obama is the last person that would be using our, and his, government against we, the people. You may have forgotten the complicity of some local governments, all over our nation, who silently watched, while many of our citizens were being abused, even murdered, because of their physical, or cultural, differences with the local power structure. Your suggestion of President Obama's sinister agenda, suggests to me, that you are either suffering from delusions, or hate. In either case, may I suggest that you seek help. Especially, if there are children involved. They should not be taught hate or distrust, by anyone, especially their parents.
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.

"I know what my kid will answer - buy a gun and vote republican!
Posted by: moreofthesame | September 4, 2009 2:08 PM"

And why not?
There's no mention of any age requirement in the 2nd. Arm them; We and the kids will all be safer.
(Elmer; Gee, do you think that's true?
Hortense; It must be, if he is saying it.)

For that matter; Don't the 2nd amendment guns have 1st amendment protection? Give the guns free speech!
(Elmer; Now I never thought of that.
Hortense; A true visionary.)

You libs are all the same.... critisizing and name calling of all who oppose you. Oh yeah, that sounds just like the presidents behavior. So, I guess you libs are just following your Master. Bow down libs, Bow down.

You obvioiusly don't question anything your Almighty has done so far, like adding trillions to the deficit and increasing unemployment. All you ever do is continue to place blame on Bush. But I guess that is what you libs do and teach your children to do. Dont take responsibility for your own actions, blame everyone else for your troubles, and call names to anyone with an opinion different from your own.

Which one of you is going to be the first in line to get your implant to show your complete allegiance to the Master? Or will you make your children go first!

As a parent I have the right to edit what my child sees, reads, listenst to, as does every parent be they are liberal or conservative.
I find it ironic that the liberals, who 40 years ago were typically the hippys who were all about questioning the government, find fault with the conservatives doing the same thing. We, as Americans, have the right to say yes or no. We should not go blindy following one president because he is of the same party, we should still question "Is this the best thing?"
Should you be questioning the people and their views, or should you be questioning a government that is growing and growing while the private sector is shrinking....

Posted by: Anne | September 5, 2009 10:34 AM

Good post, Anne. Unfortunately the liberal dems won't understand the common sense your post makes. They have fallen under the spell of their Master and are unable to see clearly or make their own decisions. They have bowed down to Obama and taken an oath to follow and support him in everything he does or says (which if you listen to his speeches are total gibberish), but nontheless, they are now sheep being led to the slaughter. Our only 'hope' is that we can get this imposter out of the WH before too much damage is done.

If Jim Greer's children can get so easily "Librulized" from a speech by the President of the United States, then he's not doing his job as a parent.

Posted by: Ed Norton | September 4, 2009 11:23 AM

i couldn't have said it better myself! If they think ONE speech will change their children for ever, then what HAVE they been teaching them?

I think you could use Reagan, Bush 1, and Obama's speech as a teachable moment. I sure hope the History teachers in my school use this to it's fullest potential.

To all the people posting uncivil and mean-spirited posts regarding those who have problems with the President's speech to school children on Tuesday, Sept. 8. It is NOT, i repeat, NOT, the speech. It is all the hype and lesson plans before and after the speech. The lesson plans do not seem to focus on the core message of the speech: stay in school and focus. The seem to focus on THE president and wonder and important he is and how awesome his previous messages and speeches have been. If the Dept of Education had done a better job of preparing real lesson plans instead of PR packets, then there would have been no fuss.

As usual, people are missing the point and being mean and nasty not on the issue but, instead, on those you have legitimate concerns about the issues.

I hope all of the illiterate mouth-breathing Wingnuts keep their kids home from school next week, it will keep us hard working tax payers from wasting more time and money on the offspring of the mental midgets who make up what's left of todays Republican party.

I grew up going to Catholic school. We had to wear a uniform every day. Does that mean my school was a socialist marxist Nazi teaching environment? Just askin.

I think that this has gotten out of hand, students should be able to listen to the President.

Lefties, get over yourselves and deal with it. Half this country hates Obama just as half this country hated W. That's just the way it is, the way it's always been and the way it will continue to be.

Posted by: Independent Mind | September 4, 2009 10:56 AM
QFT!
Thank you for the realistic post. If you replaced "Obama" with "W", and "conservative" / "right" with "liberal" / "left" its the same damn argument all over again.

My local school district will pre-screen the speech and make a decision after the speech, because you know, east coast schools dont have lunch at noon... I have already talked to my children about the speech, and we will discuss it after school if they do see it.

I think we should be applauding the president for taking the time to speak to school children and to encourage them to do well in school. I hope every parent who wants their children to do well in school will make sure that they see the Obama speech with their children. It is a shame that the Republican Party opposes good ideas just because they are connected to Obama. What has happened to their common sense?

After the President of the United States speaks to school children about the value of education, Republicans will make opposing comments extolling ignorance.

See:

http://notionscapital.wordpress.com/2009/09/04/obamas-dangerous-message-to-our-children/

Ok, maybe I'm missing something here, but my first impression of the article was "this must be a joke". I seriously do not see anything wrong with any President of ours making a speech telling our nations school children to study hard and set goals for the future.

laura,
Yeah, the whole Beck/Rush/Republican axis of evil is like one long Onion article.

WWW.PROREV.COM

Sam Smith, Progressive Review -

Someone in Obama Spin Central made a bad mistake: attempting to push a politicized lesson plan for elementary school kids to use following the president's speech to them on TV. It wasn't all that important in itself but symbolizes an apparent desire in some quarters to replace Muzak in our lives with the sound of all Obama all the time.

The lesson plan included such tacky political recommendations as having students "write letters to themselves about what they can do to help the president."

Elsewhere the lesson plan suggested sample questions including, "Is President Obama inspiring you to do anything?" and, "Is he challenging you to do anything?"

Once the plan was exposed (and the Review was about the only progressive journal to help in this), The White House quickly dumped some of the objectionable language. For example, the plan now suggests that students "write letters to themselves about how they can achieve their short-term and long-term education goals."

The spinmeisters pulled out a classic non-apology. Said one, "That was inartfully worded, and we corrected it."

But other Democrats were not content to correct and move on. Instead they tried to rewrite the script so that it was only about the president giving a speech. Nothing about the crummy lesson plan.