|
Post by speedergurl68 on Sept 4, 2009 6:20:11 GMT -4
|
|
|
Post by RobMoore on Sept 4, 2009 7:08:46 GMT -4
Did the Czar of Propaganda come up with that one?
Brainwashing the next generation of voters.
|
|
|
Post by falgar25 on Sept 4, 2009 8:29:48 GMT -4
I think it's great that the President is taking time to talk to the kids. I'm not going to prejudge the message based on what the talking heads are saying.
Whoever it was that came up with the idea of "how you can help the President", *that* guy/person/group is the problem.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2009 9:01:37 GMT -4
As long as it doesn't have a political slant, I don't have a problem with it. The idea of a message personally directed to school students, while in the school setting seems like a good idea.
How often does the opportunity come up for young people to have a message directed to them from the president concerning their future?
I say, let them see it. Parents can later discuss it, get their kids view of it and debate it if needed around the dinner table in a family setting.
|
|
|
Post by funnel101 on Sept 4, 2009 11:53:50 GMT -4
I second what mj says, even if it does have a political slant. I think it's good for kids to be exposed to politics, so they have time to develop their own ideas, instead of just parroting what their parents say. I think this will encourage kids to start thinking about politics earlier than maybe they would have and, hopefully, get them talking about it.
|
|
|
Post by falgar25 on Sept 7, 2009 19:26:30 GMT -4
|
|
|
Post by funnel101 on Sept 7, 2009 19:43:57 GMT -4
Looks good to me.
|
|
|
Post by dej on Sept 7, 2009 22:04:08 GMT -4
Whle Obama has done very little I support, this speech is one item I don't have a problem with. Much of the problem was once again the result of ineptitude on the part of his staff, starting with his Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan.
For one thing, I would expect a Secretary of Education to be able to portray it in an honest and accurate fashion. In his original letter to school principals on Aug. 26th, he said Obama's speech will be "the first time an American president has spoken directly to the nation's school children about persisting and succeeding in school." Either he has no regard for the truth, or is too lazy to have done even the most basic research of the presidential history.
In 1991, George Bush made a similar speech to school children, and predictably, it was greeted with similar partisan sniping. A few quotes from the Washington Post in 1991:
"The Department of Education should not be producing paid political advertising for the president, it should be helping us to produce smarter students," House Majority Leader Richard A. Gephardt (D-Mo.) said. "And the president should be doing more about education than saying, 'Lights, camera, action.' "
Rep. Patricia Schroeder (D-Colo.), chairwoman of the Select Committee on Children, Youth and Families, said it was outrageous for the White House to "start using precious dollars for campaigns" when "we are struggling for every silly dime we can get" for education programs.
Rep. Martin Frost (D-Tex.) said that if Bush feels obliged to use government funds to hire outside consultants "to make him look good," then he should fire some of the public relations experts on the White House payroll. "Then the president might be more sympathetic to unemployment benefits," Frost said, referring to Bush's threat to veto legislation to extend benefits.
In addition, two House committees in Congress also demanded that the Department of Education explain it's use of funds in committee hearings.
While it is very unlikely the Democratics will hold any hearings this time, (I have better odds of hitting the Mega Millions tomorrow) even the most basic understanding of what happened in the past would have enabled Obama's people to be better prepared for the inevitable complaints, and certainly should have caused them to be a little more prudent in the wording of the intial releases and suggested classroom activities. But all of that would have required some small level of competence.
|
|
|
Post by outlaw on Sept 7, 2009 22:09:17 GMT -4
|
|
|
Post by falgar25 on Sept 8, 2009 2:30:38 GMT -4
|
|
|
Post by AquaHolic on Sept 8, 2009 7:13:59 GMT -4
I think this speech issue has been blown out of proportion. No one is going to brain wash my child. He is perfectly capable of making up his own mind if he agrees with something or not. And he won't have any problems telling you his opinion...because that is how we have raised him. He is 10 years old...IF the president whom I did NOT vote for... nor do I care for... can help inspire ONE child to stay in school... so I don't have to support him or her with my taxes...more power to him. I do however agree that the parents should have the opportunity to listen to the speech before their child hears it if that is their wishes. I'm sure the speech won't be any worse then what you hear on Sponge Bob Square Pants.
|
|
|
Post by einebierbitte on Sept 8, 2009 8:10:57 GMT -4
much ado about nothing if you ask me. Blame the media for making more of it than what it is or was..
Every president has addressed the nations school students at one time or another.... Reagon, Bush Sr, Clinton, Jr...and now the current president...
and don't forget where Jr was on 9/11 (reading to a group of students at a school)....
Like I said to my air force spouse friends who are all in a tither about this is look, it's kids....they aren't going to remember or care about the speech 5 minutes after it happens.... so what's the big deal....
|
|
|
Post by Frank on Sept 8, 2009 8:58:58 GMT -4
I personally like the message to the kids. There are a lot of minority kids that need encouragement to stay in school, do well, etc. Hopefully, they will see Obama as a minority that has done well, and can follow his lead rather than the thug/rapper/drug dealer role model so many kids embrace. As long as I didn't hear "Republicans are a$$holes" or "G.D. the United States", I'm OK with it.
|
|