Ok. From that, I'm fine with it. However his message could be interpreted differently by the teacher. (not to worried about that though)
I suspect it will be about pushing volunteerism and community service with some nice scare talk about health care in amongst how important an education is. I hope I'm wrong, but I really don't put it past him to try and get kids to go home and nag their parents about Obamacare hoping that will work.
Yeah it's nothing to get in a tizzy about. Well, except for one thing... So the President (a man who has nationalized companies, demagogued private citizens, tried to remake health insurance, made veiled commentary on forced national service, and lately use the NEA for propaganda purposes, etc) is going to address my child in an "unprecedented event" and he can't even be bothered to tell me (a parent) what the hell he's going to say? I have to read about it in a vaguely worded memo to teachers?
Sure - critically At least in theory and if it's not critically then it is equally worthy of skepticism (and yes I KNOW teachers with agendas indoctrinate kids to their pet causes willingly and/or unconsciously). Speeches given by historical presidents in a historical or literary sense can be viewed through the lens of hindisight and and context reconciled with the speaker's actions - no such lens will exist for this speech. All that said, it is NOT, in theory a bad thing for the president to speak to students. It IS however inflammatory and unnecessary to do so without pre-releasing to parents the contents of the speech. Every time the president gives a televised address - any president - the text is released to the press before he actually speaks, so there is plenty of precedent.
I remember when I was a student whenever there was anything that was not in the study plan it had to be approved by the parent before the kid could participate. What happened to that?
I see the point of wanting Obama to prerelease the speech. That is what should happen. Without that I can understand why parents would be concerned.
I suspect the man is just so self-absorbed and narcissistic (and politically naive) that it didn't really occur to him that offering lesson plans with subjects like "write letters to themselves about what they can do to help the president." and "discuss what 'the president wants us to do.'" would come across as at all ominous or Orwellian. But there you go. That's what you get when you elect an amateur to the most powerful office in the world. But hey, thank God we sabotaged Palin. If anything had happened to McCain, we'd still have someone with more tact and political acumen than our current President. (In other news, Senator McCain is still in perfect health today.)
Yes...this part I find less than palatable: Gotta teach them young that Government must be obeyed. Those questions are too leading, IMO.
Maybe it's just me, but I see it the other way. I see it as an attempt to get children interested in their government, to know what they do, how they work. I think we can all agree that ignoring what our government does has led us to this point. God knows our generation's understanding of civics is pathetic. I think it's a good idea. If we want to make the government work for us and do what we want it to do, we have to play an active role in it. Just standing by the sidelines and bitching after something happens solves nothing. J.
You're right. Only a sheep would tell you to pay attention to what the government says and does, and wants you to exercise your right to hold them accountable. Woo. Great political acumen you have there. J.
Some people can't distinguish between listening to your elected officials, believing your elected officials, and trusting your elected officials. You've got to remember that these are just simple teabaggers. These are people of the FOX News channel. The common clay of the Republican Party. You know - morons.
Why is it important that we listen to the President and other elected officials, like the mayor, senators, members of congress, or the governor? So I know if they are the right person to be in that position. If s/he is saying something I don't like, I know I need to vote for someone else next time. Why is what they say important? So I know if they are the right person to be in that position. If s/he is saying something I don't like, I know I need to vote for someone else next time. What is the President asking me to do? I don't know. But, if he's asking me to do something that I don't feel is correct, I need to voice my opinion so that my Representative understands that if s/he doesn't vote the way I want him/her to on that particular issue, s/he will not get my vote when s/he comes up for re-election. What specific job is he asking me to do? Why is he asking me to do anything? Is he asking anything of anyone else? Teachers? Principals? Parents? The American people? Not so much "is he asking", but "what". and it better not be something I don't want him to be asking. This is why it's important for people to listen to the president. Most people are not going to change their mind about the president regardless of what he says. People who like him, will agree with him no matter what he says; and the people who dislike him will disagree with him no matter what he says. So, really, the answer to any of those questions is "Who the fuck cares?"
It doesn't say that listening was mandated, or even strongly encouraged, or that teachers were sent “Recommended Study Materials”. And last time I looked Bush the Elder never called for mandatory 'National Service' for Littleflow.
Relax...I doubt Obama's speech will have any effect on the recent changes to the public school curriculum in Texas.
Most Texas schools are choosing not to allow this to disrupt existing lesson plans and are not going to be showing the speech.
Hmmmm. I'm noting that not too many of those here who actually have children in school are actually supportive of this. I'm also noting that those who do support this generally don't have kids.
I have kids. One's in school. But, like flow said earlier, he can't remember what happened at lunchtime, I doubt he'll be able to even give me a synopsis of what the president said.
He's gonna talk about sex and naughty things probably. He's gonna use a lot of cuss words and go to split screen with gruesome images and gratuitous violence. A hooded man will torture a cow. Kittens will die, horribly and painfully. Cities will burn. Teddy bears will be publicly executed - by a Republican! It'll be awful! Won't somebody think of the children?
