Republicans in an uproar
Recently, President Barack Obama announced he will be giving a nationally televised speech Tuesday to the students of America. The talk will focus on the need for students to work hard and stay in school.
In most cases, this would sound like a great event. A sitting president speaking directly to the youth of America. However, there a some across the country who feel this is the White House’s grand scheme to enslave the minds of the youth. Some parents are talking about keeping their kids at home and Republican Sen. Steve Russell was quoted saying “This is something you’d expect to see in North Korea or in Saddam Hussein’s Iraq.”
Once again we have entered the silly season with remarks like that. I don’t care what anyone’s beliefs, political views or religion is, if they can lower the drop out rate and the make school cool again, I’m down to listen to whatever they have to say.
Obviously, Russell and his ilk are not.
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September 4th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Agreed. This sounds like just another excuse for right wingers to bash Obama.
No matter what party, I think the President is a great figure to talk with children about the importance of education.
September 9th, 2009 at 8:51 am
So no one else has an opinion on this?
September 9th, 2009 at 11:50 am
JB, I think the reason many readers are staying away from leaving an opinion on this topis is because it’s such a hot button issue. Most people I would imagine have their own thoughts on it, but may be scared to say what they truly feel.
September 9th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
I was upset to hear that my friend, who’s a 5th grade social studies teacher, decided not to have her students watch the televised presidential speech. I can understand why they did it after the uproar that the parents were in for having the kids watch the inauguration this spring. I mean many of the parents were up at the school complaining and several refused to let their kids come to school. They seemed to think, if we ignore it, then Obama isn’t president. When I was teaching the 4th graders about voting procedures and being informed voters the parents were telling the kids all kinds of things. I had one student tell me his reason for voting for McCain in our mock election was, “Obama is going to kill all the babies. So, I’m not voting for him.” Many of the people who had these views during the election still have these views and are going to complain about anything that Obama does, good or bad. Personally, I think that it’s important for our kids to see these kinds of addresses. If Obama can get more kids to stay in school and graduate that will benefit everyone.
September 10th, 2009 at 7:21 am
Laura, that is extremely sad to hear about your fourth grade student. That is one of the reasons teachers should embrace having the president speak to their students so he can clear up the rumors, misconceptions and stereotypes adults have saddled Obama with.