No Obama address at my school
When I first read the news that Obama was planning on addressing the students of the nation, I smelled a rat. And I quickly e-mailed the principal of my child’s school to ask if our (private Catholic elementary) school would be participating. On her response that she had not yet made a decision I asked that she notify me “when she does”. And I made the suggestion that she offer the address as an opt-in event, allowing parents to decide. By the end of the second day – Thursday – no decision had been made, which created quite an uproar as there was no school on Friday or Monday.
On Friday morning, the principal sent out an email regarding the pick-up/drop-off policy and added at the bottom that the address would not be shown. So YEAH! We won one. A small but much needed victory for those of us trying to push back against the Obama administration’s politicization of, well, everything. All was so right with the world, I spent the day at the beach.
And then this AM, I wake up to find the following in my in-box, partially redacted, of course, to maintain anonymity -
Dear []:
We understand that the President’s address to the school children at noon next Tuesday is causing a national debate amongst parents, teachers and school administrators. Our understanding is that his message will be a positive one encouraging students to learn, to work hard and that it will convey the fact hat the education they are receiving at school is crucial to their professional and personal futures. As someone who has dedicated his life to research and education I fully support this message.
We understand that there has been a vocal group of parents, centered around [GOPMOM], who claim that this will be a political speech and that they don’t want their children to have to hear it. As a principal you are in an uncomfortable situation. The [] Public school system has decided to leave it up to the teachers if their class will view the speech. Different schools are deciding to handle this situation differently and it is probably impossible to satisfy everyone.
Since the speech is transmitted online, and as you say is a “parental choice”, we [] are hoping that [school] will provide individual students who want to see and hear the President’s address live an opportunity to do so. In other words, we request that our children [] be excused from class for the duration of the address and that the school provide a viewing opportunity for them.
I am not sure how this can be best arranged technically, but I would suggest that at least one machine in the computer laboratory be setup for the speech. The speech will be streamed live at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/live/ and will also be shown on TV at C-SPAN.
Additional information is available at the following website:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/My-Education-My-Future/
The nature of this speech is not political and concerns us all, especially our children. Indeed, if our country is to remain intellectually vibrant and economically strong, education and learning have to remain center stage.
This is our 7th year at [school] and we cherish the quality of the education our children have been able to receive, the Christian values they are learning, the incredible dedication of the teachers and staff at [] and the care and respect that members of the community have shown to each other. We are concerned that the increased politicization that has taken place over the last two years is threatening the openness and tolerance of our learning community. We would be happy to engage in a constructive dialogue about these issues should you and [Pastor] feel that this either necessary or simply constructive.
Thank you for considering our request to make a viewing opportunity available to [] and other children who may also want to listen to the President’s message.
With kind regards and respectful admiration for your wonderful leadership of the school.
I have emailed this parent who felt it necessary to not only involve the parish Pastor in confronting the principal on the decision she made, but also blame me and invited him to discuss this further but he has neglected to reply. What is wrong with these people? I have no say in what the school decides. If you’re unhappy with the decision, leave me out of it. Maybe you should have emailed or called the school to express your support – or were you just assuming that this would fly? No way, no how. We send our kids to private school to protect them from this kind of BS. And the principal was 100% correct in deciding that this address has nothing to do with the curriculum of our school. Frankly, we don’t have the staff or resources to show this to the entire school. I can’t imagine how they’ll even manage to show it to the ones who want to see it. The whole stupid thing is available on disc for sale anyway.
And unless you have a pre-released copy of the text, I’d like to know how you can assume the address will not be political. The entire premise is political. I completely understand that because you agree wholeheartedly that the children of the nation should unite to support Obama, you’re all for this. But I disagree. The children of the nation should be children – and simply ignore, as we did, the droning and whining of the face that is on the TV every other minute. Try this litmus test – read through the lesson plans and substitute in the name George Bush wherever it says Obama. Would you let your kid participate in that? No? I didn’t think so. So now you know why this is a bad idea. How about instead of hassling our principal (while somehow simultaneously kissing up to her), you spend some time considering how such a brilliant administration has once again managed a blunder of such magnitude. Smartest administration ever, huh?
It will be interesting to see what comes of this. I’m not expecting to hear from the principal personally on this. And I don’t think her decision was unpopular so whether or not she finds a way to accommodate these two kids makes no difference. Based on emails, phone calls and unscientific playground polling though, at least 20 other families contacted the school making clear their negative opinions of the administration’s lesson plans and the President’s interruption of the school day. I believe Mr. and Mrs. X are in the minority. In fact, I can only think of one other family in our school who might be as upset about this - but after keying my car last winter during an unhinged fit, she would do best to keep quiet.
This has been quite a week. As I’ve been telling my friends, I’m not particularly upset by this. I stand firmly on one side of the line in the sand. And I always want to know which side of that line people are on – now more than ever before. I remain 100% sure in my belief that no good will come of this address, that this is blatant pandering to our kids and that politics do not belong in our classrooms – a rule the Left only wants applied to the Right. I’m also 100% positive that the Left should sit down and shut up on this one – it was their abhorrent behavior over the last eight years that destroyed any honor or respect that still surrounded the office of the Presidency (especially after Bill “I did not have sexual relations with that woman” Clinton). And based on Obama’s performance in the office, it’s just a job any thug could do. If the Left wants to restore honor and dignity to the office of the President, so that all will feel obligated to hear his words, put someone honorable and dignified in there.
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I advised my local public district (Superintendent and School Bd Chair) that I would hold them personally responsible if this was shown to other than 11 and 12th grade classes (which might thus contain possible voters in 2010)and then only in appropriate context in history or social studies classes.
Nothing better illustrates the political tone deafness and inexperience of the current National administration than this proposed “address.”
I called my Superintendent’s office (I still pay the taxes even if I don’t send my kid to their schools) and was met with confusion. So, I called the four schools in the district and all confirmed that it would only be shown in grades 3 and above, if the teacher thought it could be applied to their already established curriculum. And it probably won’t be shown on Tuesday but recorded and maybe shown at a later date.
This is really all that was ever needed. Put a video message out there and if anyone wants to see it they can watch it. You’d think he’d learn from the abysmal ratings all his speeches now get that we’re just not interested in anything he says.
US Presidents should never be allowed to talk to children.
Forget Presidents, Ann. Try any adult that is not part of the curriculum. And even then, we as parents, always have the right to decline to participate. Allan Erickson at American Daughter raised a very interesting point about how the Ed dept has gone over the heads of superintendents and elected school boards to determine curriculum and provide a guest speaker.
I assist in the process of finding enrichment programs for my kids school and last January I brought in an actress who presents aspects of the American Revolution. (If you’ve been to Boston, you will be familiar with the Freedom Trail guides.) She had to write up a curriculum for three distinct age groups that had to be approved by our principal and Pastor. And these were merely 40 minute interactive presentations. No such consideration from this administration.
I’m so curious to hear what happens around the country tomorrow. I read where schools are not letting parents attend where they’ve asked to be allowed in. In our district, the consensus is that teachers may or may not show the video at a later date, when it applies to curriculum – if it applies. But the issue is not the video – it’s the accompanying lesson plan and the arrogance of this administration that they could simply usurp the power and resources of every school in the nation for what they are calling a harmless, inspirational address. That’s just crazy, banana republic, dictator crap.
Whaa?? Perhaps you were not aware that both George HW Bush AND Ronald Reagan both gave addresses live to students in classrooms. These were broadcast and considered part of history-just like the shuttle takeoffs and the walk on the moon.
What in Heaven’s name is so scary about Barack Obama?? Is it that he is Black? A Liberal? A…OMG….Democrat? At least be honest. He was, after all, elected by a majority of the American voters-fair and square. Perhaps (ok, so definitely) you didn’t vote for him, but he is our President, for better or worse. What message are you sending your children by censoring his rather reasonable, and (”ANNOY A LIBERAL-WORK HARD, BE SUCCESSFUL”-thanks GOPMOM) useful message? You, admittedly, have the right to refuse to allow your children the opportunity to hear it. Other families, however, should also have the right to make that decision. That pesky First Amendment! Of course, private schools are another matter. Public Schools have had to suffer No Child Left Behind; we most certainly can sit through this.
The message that the President intends to give (see the transcript) is one that many of our nation’s youth need to hear. Perhaps (and I imagine they do) your children already have encouragement, hope for the future, and goals for education; but MANY, MANY public school students do not. Isn’t this what conservatives complain about?? Here’s a chance to allow those potential leeches on the welfare system to get a good talking to. (tongue in cheek)
Seriously, we each have the right to decide what our children see and hear. I respect this. My family has been blessed-and I try and teach my children the value of service, gratitude, and generosity in many ways. In my opinion, listening to this message cannot undo the work I’ve done-only affirm it. If you have a different perspective, fine. Please don’t limit my child’s opportunities to hear the message so that yours can be sheltered from it.
akaz
Hmmm, lets see. The most polarizing partisan President ever has his Secretary of Education send notice to school principals across the nation telling them when POTUS will address the nation’s “schoochildren” and they should refer to the accompanying lesson plans whilst participating in this unprecedented event. And you have no issue with that because you just love the guy. Fine. That is your prerogative, just as it is mine to protest the participation of my child and my private parochial school. (My school is not participating by the way. Responsible parents FTW.) Parents are the decision makers, followed by elected school boards and superintendents. The Secretary and the Prez attempted a complete usurpation of the power of parents across the nation and all the MSM and Libs can whine about is that we don’t want our children indoctrinated? Nice dodge but those of us who are paying attention fully understand that it is that usurpation of power and the ridiculous lesson plans that are the issue here. This is the missing link. No other President who has addressed the nation’s children – a voluntary event, I might add – has had the arrogance and stupidity to provide a ‘read about my magnificent but still unverified life story’ and/or ‘write about how you can help POTUS instruction’.
Obama and his cronies completely overstepped on this one and they are the ones who should be lambasted for their mistake. I’m sure they sat around a table in the WH congratulating each other on this brilliant idea – because they always show such excellent judgement. You know full well that if W had made such a poor move, heads on the Left would have exploded. And you also know that it is guaranteed this speech was rewritten – otherwise the admin would have publicly released it as soon as the controversy began. I’d give my eye teeth to see the original. Anyone with any intellectual honesty would recognize this. I did not make the decision to not show this in any school anywhere – the administration that you obviously trust with your child did. Complain to them, not me. The address will be available online to watch when your children return home from school. Or you could buy (!?!) it – maybe help pay of all our debts.
I am opposed to everything Obama does based on his world view, his politics and his sociopathic belief that government exists to punish some and reward others based on their standing in the eyes of the power holders.
If you are so opposed to President Obama world views, politics and his sociapathic beliefs then why don’t you go to another country where everything is to your liking. Humans make mistakes. But all those people out there who think they are the best are the ones that have skeletons hiding in their closets (past and present). So go find someone who is completely clean in family, mind and body for the next election.
We did seriously consider leaving the country last fall because my husband has started a new company (he is British and with his passport there are a lot of options). We are looking to move to a small business friendly state – which is not Massachusetts. But judging by the polls and this past weekend’s 912 March, there are more Americans partial to our belief system than Obama’s.
So really it’s just a matter of continuing to resist Obama’s destructive policies for a just few more months, electing responsible and responsive representatives in 2010 and then waiting for 2012. I can deal with that.
Obama’s ship has sailed and his back-up (ACORN) is sunk. With the same disbelief that I watched the lying crap bag get “elected”, I am watching his downfall. Only a Democrat could fail so completely so quickly.
How did that work for Alec Baldwin? Wait, instead of leaving when Bush took office, he stuck around… and so did his career.
I find it amazing that you all have such great opinions against the president(a parent of 2 school aged girls)of the United States. You write that he has no place in your schools,You feel like he is forcing his agenda into the minds of your children, well answer these question.
What is your childs’ teachers name,are they married, how many children do they have, what is their opinion of children?
What social, religious, political,and educational agendas/beliefs are they teaching your children (of which you may not have a clue of) every day.
What is their background? (I bet you trust the schools to do all the work for you right.)
How was your childs’ teacher raised?
What about the other staff in the school or in the cafateria.
How much do you know about these so called educators that you trust your children with for at least 6 to 7 hours a day?
What relationship does your child have with their teacher?
What values are the teacher installing in your child?
Speakers give motivational speeches at schools all of the time. Do you get a background check on these people before they give speeches at your childrens’ schools?
Do you get a copy of the speeches so that you could agree or disagree with them?
The school principals are not appointed by the parents, so what is their background?(wheres your copy) what is she/he telling your children every day at the beginning and end of school?
Do you get a copy of every speech every morning?
Did your childs bus drives give you a background check on him/her.
What is he/she saying to or teaching your child while on that bus ride to and from school.
If the same people were baby setters or people that work in a poisition for you where they would be in your house around your children, then you would(hopefully)ask these questions about the same people that you blindly allow and intrust your young children with 5 days a week.
I figure if your the type of parent that want to shelter your child from other people agendas(like you claim) shouldn’t you know these questions.
You know more about obama than you know about any educator at your childs school. So I prone to beleive that its because of the color of his skin.
If the color of his skin was the same as yours would you have a problem then. prolly not! and that’s sad.
Remember you show God how to judge you by how you judge others.
[SHANE = HMMMM = BANNED]
Regarding you questions about my child’s teachers, I can’t answer all you questions but seeing as she goes to a Catholic school where the curriculum is very tight, I’m much more confident she’s getting an education that aligns with my values than if she was in a public school. And I am very close to our principal in terms of what is happening at school, and by whom. And I am friendly with the teachers, staff, etc. All of that is possible because there are only 20 people I need to know – not like at an autonomous public school.
I would go on but you have chose to allude that rather than simply being opposed to Obama and his abhorrent politics, I must be opposed to him simply because he is black. And then you deign to preach to me about God? You are a ridiculous excuse for a human being – unless you’re a cat who knows how to type. Are you? Do a little more reading here and you’ll see that the color of skin does not affect my politics but it is what Obama’s politics are all about. You’re calling the wrong pot black.
look Gopmom the speech is about education. #1 the address is to public schools and you have made it very clear that you have your children in a private prolly all white religious school. #2 You write that you dont like Obama “based on his world view, his politics and his sociopathic belief that government exists to punish some and reward others based on their standing in the eyes of the power holders.” It’s clear that this is what you thought and still think the government is for. To punish other for not being the same color as You and to reward you for being WHITE.(wow thats hateful)
Because stupid people like you think that a brown skinned president means that all black people are going to come up and all white peole are going to be in poverty. America is a country with more than just black and white people. You are a conservative. but the only thing that people like you want to conserve is segregation, hate, and the twisted thought that your better that everyone and thing else because of the color of your skin. You should stop hiding behind religion because God is not on your hateful side. God is a God of love and you are a spirit of hate and you use every other lie that you could think of so that you wont say that you hate the man just because of his skin color. You think you skin color make you better than someone else. Your a vain spirit that think far to highly of yourself. I shouldn’t have to tell you this but because your blinded by your own hatred. This financial hell that America is going through was started by Bush and because of Bush. You may send your child to a religious school but your a carnal minded person and a lieing spirit. Thats why you dont like anything people who are non white and the reality is that this is not really about obama. This is about the fact that there’s a Black in the WHITE HOUSE and you being a negative spirit will continue to hate because thats what you were created to do. If there were no black people on earth(wouldn’t you like that) then you would hate another group of people and another, and another, and so on. So stop hiding behind a lie. You think your going to heaven but realize this. There are other creations in heaven and hate is not allowed. God is love and loves to love and the devil is hate and loves to hate. I would accept your blog if you were honestly telling the truth but you hide behind your lies. and a lie is still a lie even if its a little white one.
PS I Dont hate anyone so I’ll pray for you, obama and all people of all colors
[SHANE = HMMMM = BANNED]
You are ridiculous. Please don’t pray for me. I can’t imagine how offensive your prayers might be seeing as how your world view is so skewed. Try Depakote, Janine.
And “your” is possessive. “You’re” is you are. Did you even go to school? Public?
P.S. To anyone else who might be unfortunate enough to read this – see the twisted mind, infected by Liberalism. See how they twist everything around and project all that they believe and feel onto you. And get you kids out of public school!
Thats all you can find (ooooh you really hurt my feeling) but anyway.Actually I went to a private school. We can go back and forth about miswritings all day kettle. The fact that you don’t want Obama to give an address in public schools (of whick your child doesn’t attend is a selfish hateful move) are you afraid that he is going to tell all those little gangbanging drug selling fornicating baby making blacks that there a better. He’s telling them to stay in school and get an education and that life may be tough but the way out of poverty is through a proper education.They may go home to no food,or lights,or some of the things that people like selfish evil “YOU” take for granted. But you dont’ want them to hear such a kind word (RIGHT). Stupid people like you think that the more black kids that get an education and hae an opportunity at a good job the harder it will be for their children to get one. Look silly dilly we are in a competing world and other countries are stepping up to the plate teaching all of their children or as many as they can. We are not in the times that your parents were in, we either compete as a nation or fall of as a nation. Some kids need encouragement and aren’t getting it. So this is for them not “YOU” and also in you comment you say that you know the 20 people you need to know. That’s a good example of how you lie your pathological. You lie to prove whatever point you want to prove. You should get medication for that. Oh and no I wont pray for you ,I will not to cast my pearls amoung swine Matthew 7:6.
To you, not people like you, but Y-O-U. Politics are all about skin color and you say that that’s what it’s about with him. Your ticked off that he recognizes that there are people of other ethnic backgrounds that live in this country, that could do the same Job as whites and Men. So you run around like a nutty butty attacking anything that President Obama does or says. Your the ones acting like the man is some kind of God. Well i guess my view is skewed.
I beleive that we live in a country where there are people form all backgrounds in one nation. My skewed view say appoint the right man for the job not just hte white man for the job. My skewed view was given to me by my white grandmother (oh but you didnt’t know that).
Look your a racist that’s clear and your hiding and lieing about your agenda and intention.. I guess you got the memo that say hide your racism by saying that you hate everything “HE” stands for. The fact that you’d rather throw out child like insults rather than answer the question or give a good reason why he shouldn’t do what bush did (on 9-11). I wont write on your blog anymore your a waist of time and space. and I’ve never thought that about anyone but you evil is pure and clear.
your such a puppet,Puppet. Satan should be proud of you
and there are also BLACKS IN THE Vatican!
[SHANE = HMMMM = BANNED]
If you go to a private school, your parents should demand their money back. They’re getting robbed.
And what are you – about 15 years old? Possibly 18?
Stay in (a different) school.
Forget Depakote, BTW. Go for Clozaril. And watch out for what’s in the water.
Unfortunately, GOP mom-I read the comments. They were poorly written and poorly spelled and threw out the ridiculous, redundant comment which suggests that people who are opposed to the policies of Obama are automatically racist. People wanted to investigate-or did investigate-Bush for giving a speech to schoolchildren in 1991. I don’t need Obama to give a speech to my child who does quite well in school. If Obama wishes to address schoolchildren I suggest that:
1.) He not have a Dept Of Education guide (which was then hastily revised) which says that students should strategize ways they can help Obama.
2.) The speech be targeted to students in failing school districts with high percentages of drop outs. Information on those districts should be readily available-perhaps from the Dept Of Education.
Better yet, why don’t we allow the teachers to actually teach something such as reading, history or math and not have a nanny state pep talk full of tired cliches from our dear leader?
Welcome Fenelon, I go back to my statements made in Spring 2008 – Obama should be a minister. Or a teacher in a pubic school. certainly not the Chief Executive of the most powerful corporation on the planet. Your points about what might have made the speech more palatable are spot on. My kid sill wouldn’t have seen it as that is my prerogative but whatever…
Sorry you had to read through all the ridiculous comments but thanks for recognizing what was occurring. For me, being called a racist is such a regular occurrence, I hardly bother to acknowledge it anymore. It’s when the moonbats throw out the God stuff combined with the racism/liar label that I get irritated. Entertaining at the same time, though. Come back and share you thoughts again.
Hi, GopMom-
Please don’t suggest that Obama be a minister; I’m a minister. ;^) I’ve heard much better sermons than any of the speeches he’s given, and his associations with Rev. Wright turned my stomach. Besides, during the campaign, as you may know, his speeches were largely written by a 27 year old named Jon Favreaux. They weren’t even Obama’s own words although he may have tinkered a bit with them. Obama was a well packaged product. Even his logo looked like the Pepsi logo. Unfortunately, many people bought all the “hope” hype, not knowing his past asociations or his political background. I voted Democratic for 30 plus years. Then I read more about Obama than I had read on any other candiidate before, and I unapologetically pulled the lever for McCain. Now when I try to tell my liberal friends about some of the things that Congress and the Obama supporters are trying to get passed (such as shutdown of the internet in the case of national emergency) they say, “You listen to too much Rush or Fox News.” Funny; I don’t listen to either.
I enjoy your blog.
I don’t mean to offend. When I say Obama should be a minister, I don’t mean he’s fit for the vocation, I mean that his social agenda is more fitting being proscribed from a pulpit. Charity belongs at church. What I mean by this is that social justice and personal responsibility cannot be legislated, only provided by and within society. That’s why it’s “social” justice/”personal” responsibility not governmental or political justice/responsibility – two things which simply will never exist. No matter who wrote his material – I was aware of the 27 year old speechwriter, BTW – his messages about equality and prosperity for all are not overtly offensive. These are the goals of capitalism. It’s his method of delivering them that is so offensive. And his refusal to recognize that fairness is ultimately unattainable, that some simply will never advocate for themselves. (of course, we know he doesn’t really mean what he says – he’s just in this for the power.) But you are correct, I should not use that line anymore. It is demeaning to those who have chosen such an honorable vocation.
And don’t get me started on Wright and his abuse of his pulpit – absolutely disgraceful. Almost as disgraceful as sitting through that kind of hatred for decades. One guy being obnoxious is one thing – a whole congregation supporting him is nauseating.
“I enjoy your blog.”
Thank you – that makes two of us.
I know hmmm and can tell you that she is an intelligent person. I tell her all the time that she has very strong conservative views in many ways. She’s no racist and rarely uses the word. She was talking to me about the blog a few minutes ago and finds it hard to beleive that someone who sends their child to a religious school could be so blinded by race and not know it. Clearly you all didn’t get what she was doing by intentionally writing the letter the way she did.I guess that that private school education. She proofreads the documents at the office for everyone.
I will not give my opinion on the matter concerning the children because I don’t have any children. We, her and I, both agree that it is the choice of each parent to allow their child to view the speech or not, but you are saying that you don’t want anyone to choose but you. You should read your blog. You have the right to choose for your child but you don’t have the right to choose for other peoples children. By the way she graduated with honors and would help anyone, anytime. She’s also a self made millionair. If you are always hearing that your a racist, shouldn’t you consider the possibility that maybe you are. Hey that between you and your God.
[SHANE = HMMMM = BANNED]
Shane (?) If you care about hmmm as much as you seem to want to indicate, get her help. She has no grasp on reality. Seriously. Something is fundamentally wrong with her. How she could read through this blog and come to the conclusion that I am some sort of possessed racist demon indicates a break with the world.
Her ridiculous use of the racism argument also shows that she is obsessed with it. I could parade in front of her 500 close personal friends “of color” and it would not be sufficient to defend myself. (I don’t feel it necessary to defend myself, however. I know what is in my heart and mind.) But her inability to put forth a coherent sentence combined with her inability to “just let it go” truly indicates a mental disorder. I think when I mentioned anti-psychotics, I might have hit the nail on the head? Yes? No?
To be fair, Mom, as you have proudly pointed out a number of times, your parade of black friends would be about as visible to the naked eye as a conga line of future “death panel” victims.
I never said I had 500 friends “of color”. Whether I do or not has no bearing. The point is that no one can defend themselves against the charge of racism. Ironically because no one can ever truly prove someone is a racist.
And don’t be so ridiculous. I have never “proudly” pointed out that I have no friends “of color”. I had suggested to someone else, when accused of racism, of course, that they felt I was negligent in not going out and seeking such friends.
I suppose if you would be so kind as to specifically define what a person of color is, I could more accurately submit my circle of friends for judgement. I don’t separate my friends into categories or calculate the ratio of color vs non-color friends. I just foster relationships with people I find to be honest and honorable, who mostly share my values and beliefs.
Hehe. I never accused you of being racist, did I?
I just said that it was pretty clear that there was little diversity in your social circle.
@shane/hmmm.
I know GOPMOM and I can tell you she is a very beautiful and intelligent women. I can also tell that your claims that anyone who opposed or even question this administration is a racist are childish and irrational.
By using the very ‘cliched’ response ‘You must be a racist’ you are simply proving to everyone how narrow minded YOU are. Obama’s policies are wrong for this country (RACIST). He achieved power by being a crook and a fraud (RACIST). He is not qualified for the role of POTUS (Racist).
If you want to attempt an have an intelligent conversation, one must start by abandoning Alinksky.
These ad hominem argument ploys are so passé …. get over it.
BTW, I will *not* stand for people impersonating other people or assuming multiple identities. That will get you banned….
Just a question to gopmom….have you ever attended public school? You have such a strong, hateful attitude towards it, and such a condescending attitude to those of us who have either attended public school or send our children to public school. Where does that come from?
I attended public school in Columbus, OH for half of my Kindergarten year. My mother pulled us and moved us to Catholic school because the teacher’s choice of punishment for 5 year olds that chatter in class what to stand on one foot for 15 minutes in the center of the room – time starting over anytime you put your other foot down or switched feet. Bad experience #1.
I attended public school sophomore year in HS. The private Catholic schools I had attended for the previous 8 years were far and away academically superior. I, being the precocious teen that I was, suggested to the Spanish teacher that she was mistaken about the conjugation of a verb and was promptly thrown out of class. She was wrong. I was respectful of asking my “question” and yet her response was that I was impertinent – although she did not use that word, it was not in her vocabulary.
I attended another public HS for grades 11 and 12, in a fairly affluent town and it was still ridiculously inadequate academically. And the standard for acceptable student behavior was appalling. I begged my mother to get me in to a Catholic school – I would have worked to pay for it. But it was not financially convenient.
My niece was sent to the principal’s office in Kindergarten for asking a classmate if she was going to write a letter to Santa. This was in our district in Ohio in 2002. Apparently, Chanukah Day was fine but absolutely no talk of Christmas.
My district here in MA is having difficulty teaching the basics in grades K-3 because of the influx of non-English speaking students. So, children are entering 4th grade ill prepared for what’s next.
My neighbor’s 5th grader came home from school hysterical that Boston would be under water in 20 years and Fenway would be gone. And he was tested on that material and had to answer on a test that this was true.
My point is not to demonize pubic schools or the parents who have no choice but to send their kids there. I sympathize with parents who have no choice. I have an issue with the bureaucracy and elected representatives who have sold their souls to the teacher’s union and kids are paying the price. The public education system in this nation sucks. Why does it cost 10-15K to educate a kid in a public school and only cost 5K in a Catholic school? Why are districts fighting so hard against charter schools and vouchers? Why can’t they just get the job done? It cant be all the parents’ fault, can it? There are some good districts – why only some?
I don’t hate public schools, I despise what they do and don’t do for children. I despise the one size fits all theory. I despise the belief that if a child does not tow the line, he/she must have some sort of deficiency. I despise that a teacher cannot be fired. I despise that teachers are unionized and answer to a union, not a superintendent or principal or parent. I despise that teachers politicize classrooms.
Put the power of educating children back in the hands of parents – like it is at my school. Instead, the Left keeps telling parents they will take care of everything. Well, look where 50 years of that has gotten us. Everyone keeps saying that the education system is broken. Look who has been running it. I want the same education (academically, as for religion, that’s your prerogative) for all kids in America that my kid is getting. And I contribute to my school each year so that scholarships and financial aid will be available. I am lucky. Why do you have to be lucky to be guaranteed a great education? Every American child should be receiving a great education – if only because that’s what is best for America.
Don’t challenge me – look at who has been in charge and challenge them. Get the Federal gov out of education and return it to local jurisdiction and you will be amazed at what will happen.
And I’m sorry I can’t do more on this. I’m horrendously busy already with many battles – not to mention raising a child and caring for my family. But I am considering getting a Ma Ed because eventually I would like to be able to get into the system and improve it.
I’m laughing that you corrected a poster’s grammar. Best check your own. Perhaps you should purchase a MacMillan handbook.
Your grotesque skewing of President Obama’s speech *before* he made it is an appalling example for your children. How sad they have a wingnut for a mom.
I don’t think you have to be a grammatical scholar to know the difference between you’re and your. But if you sleep better believing you’re smarter than me, have at it.
And for the record, I did not object to the text of a speech I had never heard, I objected to the usurpation of power (once again) by the WH. If the speech, and I mean the real, original speech not the one Obama read off the tele-prompter a week later , was so innocuous, why did the WH not release it immediately? And why did they revise the offensive lesson plans if they weren’t offensive?
Again, if you have a beef with the justifiable controversy over the Precedent’s arrogance, take it up with his staff. They blew it big time on this one. It’s becoming a theme, isn’t it?
The reason it wasn’t released a week early is because they don’t finalize speeches a week early.
If the speech had not been written yet (or finalized or whatever you want to call it to convince yourself) how did they have a lesson plan to go along with it?
Wow. You really need to take a look at your critical thinking abilities if you believe they actually had him read the original speech. You’ve really bought in hard, haven’t you? Come on, ‘fess up. You actually work for the lying crap bag, don’t you?
FTR- as educators, we write lesson plans and design activities for a unit _all the time_ before we actually deliver the lessons. The activities don’t necessarily rely on the exact text of the delivery to be successful.
Work hard, do well in school, set goals, take responsibility for your actions and education. Hard to argue with that, even if you do hate the guy.
Also, under NCLB, any classroom activity or presentation must align with the state VSC goals, and have a measurable outcome and purpose. The “lesson plans” that accompany the President’s address are designed to meet that expectation.
Nice. Very classy. Do they teach that colorful use of the English language in Catholic school? If you ask me (and of course, you didn’t), it would do wonders for your position and reputation if you would phrase your criticisms with a little more panache, and less scatological reference. Just sayin’
Barack Obama is a lying crap bag – that’s all there is say. I routinely refer to him that way – it’s my call sign, as it were. It’s the most polite I can be. And ATG has been around long enough to know it. (Compared to the language in public schools, crap bag is mild.) And based on the nearly 2 million people marching yesterday, I’m not the only one that knows it.
Regarding the speech/lesson plan debacle – it was badly orchestrated. Since you’re so steeped in the system, surely you recognize the issue of jurisdiction. If the state was the first step, the letter should have gone to the state. And please sell your delusion that the suggestion “write a letter to the President about how you can help him” was appropriate. The question remaining is what were they doing with the hand we could not see while they were diverting so much attention. Or is the admin still just so dismissive (what march on Washington?) that they put all this out there knowing full well there would be controversy and simply did not care? Wow, they are uniters, aren’t they?
You know, I want the same things for all American that it seems you want – a great education, safety and security, peace and prosperity. I just see a different path to getting there – a path that requires the presence and participation of every citizen. I do not believe that Federal government, even under the tutelage of Barack Obama (especially under Barack Obama) can deliver this, ever. Our nation’s history shows us, as well as the history of western civilization, that no government can deliver what society must demand and provide for itself. Surely, as such a highly educated person, you know this.
A little off topic, but I’m curious…To be fair-seriously??? Is Sarah Palin more qualified? She may be a lovely person, and a God-fearin’ patriot-but do you honestly feel she would be able to run “the most powerful corporation on the planet” with a journalism degree hammered together from 5 colleges in 4 1/2 years? Really??? I’d love to have her over for pie and coffee, but I would not be comfortable with her running our country.
And, I live in a glass grammar and spelling house, so I’m not throwing stones. I would just recommend that you check those carefully before you post. Just sayin’
We’ve been trying. Again, NCLB is not, has not been and will not, be the answer. (Where were your criticisms then, I wonder? It would do my heart good to know you are in this GOP thing part and parcel. It’s not about the man, it’s about the principle. That I could get behind and respect)
What exactly is a “Ma Ed”? Because I have an MEd, and I’m curious why my Liberal Public University cheated me out of that darned “a”, if there should be one!
Thanks, as always, for your patience with, and kind tolerance towards, us “kookie” democrats!
I would be thrilled with Sarah Palin as VP or President. Do you honestly believe Barack Obama is smarter than she is? Got any evidence? And just because he got into good schools because of the color of his father’s skin, we’re supposed to fall all over ourselves in adoration? Please. l’ll take real world experience and evidence over “just trust” everyday. And when people out there insinuate that Sarah Plain is a nice lady but not qualified I again point out that neither is Obama. Sarah Palin most closely fits my preference in political leadership because of her political and governmental beliefs. And she has proven over and over that she is smart and capable. Obama never once was subjected to the media scrutiny she was. And he has been trained for decades to deflect and deliver talking points. Sarah Palin’s biggest crime is that she is too honest and too earnest. I’ll take it. I don’t need some paternalistic fantasy to help me sleep at night – I need proof of performance and integrity. Obama is a scam. If you will not admit some misgivings at this point, you should unregister to vote.
(Read more about my opinions on Sarah Palin.)
You go get your jollies because I got MEd wrong. If that’s your best shot, I’ll take it. The point was that you accused me of doing nothing and I pointed out that I have and am considering getting involved. Typical Left. You would have been better served if you had said “I’Il believe it when I see it”. But if knowing the E comes after the M is the most important lesson you learned, well done you.
I don’t have to have patience or be tolerant – and I don’t expect it either. You volunteered to come here. I was solicitous enough to attempt to answer your questions and clarify points. But I have learned after nearly three years of this that if someone takes the time to comment and disagrees with me they are just as dedicated to their opinion as I am to mine. There really is little point in replying – it’s just (blood)sport.
I finally feel like we might be able to have an actual conversation about what we believe and why we believe it. I don’t feel the need to attack (this is YOUR blog, after all)and regret the cheap shots. You were open-minded enough to recognize that indeed, we do want the same things- and stated that quite eloquently. I appreciate your lack of hostility (finally!) and willingness to dialogue (finally!) about the actual issues.
I genuinely want to understand why someone would believe that Sarah Palin would make a good President, or VP. I want to know the reasons behind the beliefs that really make no sense to me-but I am open to understanding. Again, we don’t agree-but that shouldn’t stop us from having a rational, adult discussion about our differences. I am personally not so dogmatic that I believe what I am fed from any source, nor am I arrogant enough to think that what I believe is the only way. I welcome the chance to learn.
If that is something you are interested in doing, I look forward to hearing your thoughts and will respectfully frame my responses and questions without (too much) sarcasm in return. Here may be an opportunity to set an example, I think, about how discussion can lead to something productive. However, if muck-raking and rallying the home team is more your style, it is, after all once again, your blog. I look forward to your response.
Regards-
ak
Honestly, I love a good debate but I don’t publish anything here unless I’m 100% positive of my position and/or that it’s the best position. And Obama’s is always the wrong position. So there’s not much point but…
Please try to remember, you came after me guns blazing long before I ever knew you even existed. If you have a problem with my tone, check yours.
Got it. Sorry to see that you’re willing to pass up a chance to make (relative) peace and set an example for reasonable partisan discussion. It’s apparently not “good debate” you’re interested in. I guess in the basic sense a blog _is_ about tooting your own horn and getting lots of affirmation for your own partisan views. Kind of like Rush. Just whip up the pot of those who already agree. You could choose serve a higher purpose, but would rather just be -here it is again!- mean and self-righteous. Perhaps he has found a successor the next time he enters rehab!
“Please try to remember” yourself; I also offered an olive branch- and a chance to actually DO something productive, rather than sit around and bitch and moan for the next 3+years. You just keep stoking the hatred flames…it seems to do your soul good.
It’s a shame. I guess it’s time to start my own blog. Something that might actually serve a purpose, and accomplish some sort of good. Be assured I will NEVER turn down an opportunity to learn from someone whose values or beliefs differ from mine. I guess _now_ we know just what divides us. Education, awareness-and kindness.
Respectfully, if Obama were truly a left-wing Socialist, he would be:
Ending the war immediately; proposing a single-payer health plan instead of trying to “reach across the aisle” and work with Republicans who don’t really want him to succeed in any measure whatsoever; mandating 4-10 weeks of paid vacation for workers, as seen in “socialized” countries such as the Netherlands & France. We are already quite similar to one Communist country, China, in that the government does not mandate any length of vacation for workers.
That you don’t seem to have a job would probably preclude you from being interested in how many weeks workers get for vacation, but I can understand that.
We also have something else in common with North Korea besides the President addressing schoolchildren, which Michelle Malkin so helpfully pointed out. We also torture prisoners.
So that makes two things we already have in common with Communist countries, but they were in place before the Obama Administration came along.
Oh, & let’s not forget the Patriot Act, which Obama has extended. This gives the Gov’t extensive powers to spy on it’s own citizens. Whether this is a necessary act in a time of war or an intrusion into the lives of private individuals is open to your own interpretation, but wiretapping & searching of bank records, etc. is usually seen in Communist or Socialist type countries.
This was also not initiated by the prevous administration.
Loved the “Next Time We Will Bring Our Guns” sign at the 9/12 protest over the weekend! Nice way to honor the 9/11 victims & their families, or maybe not.
A true conservative would not want to be associated, in any degree whatsoever, with those & the other treasonous sentiments portrayed on those signs.
So…did your world come to an end after the speech? Was it filled with the political propoganda you feared it would have?
As far as I can tell, the world is still spinning and it’s business as usual.
I didn’t hear anything from the neo cons after his speech, could it be because it was simply a “stay in school, work hard” speech?
While the world did not stop spinning, it did open up a whole new can of worms for the pretender in the oval office. Did you miss this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zrsl8o4ZPo&feature=related
Or this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ettl3zfLWus
Or this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdPSqL9_mfM
Or this one performed at at PTA meeting?
http://hotair.com/archives/2009/09/28/video-hey-whos-up-for-another-clip-of-kids-chanting-about-obama/
Except that they removed it it was so creepy.
Go on living in the dreamy, hazy world you live in. I’ll continue to fight for what’s right in mine. Honoring the office of POTUS is completely different than fawning over any of the mere mortals who have occupied the chair.
Oh please. You know full well you’ve implied numerous times I’m racist. I know you think I’m pretty stupid but I’m not that stupid.
Nice to know you’re still skulking around, though. You’ve been surprisingly quiet. Can’t find much to disagree with? Barry is such a disappointment.
Stupid? For the most part I think you have it together. Just because I don’t agree with you doesn’t mean I think you’re an idiot. Unlike some people…
“You know full well you’ve implied numerous times I’m racist”
I think I’ve said that you know very little about the issues that effect minorities, and the lower class. I think you have prejudices (against everyone) based on stereotypes. I also think you can sometimes *unknowingly* cross the line, but I don’t think you’re a flaming racist.
As for me, I’ve been busy. I come and skim around here, but for the most part of been on punditkitchen, and MOMocrats. Nice to hear something positive every once and a while.
I can’t tell you how funny I think it is that instead of just saying you don’t think I’m a racist, you have to qualify the statement by saying “I don’t think you’re a flaming racist.” I’m gonna’ call it progress, though.
Interesting you believe there are degrees of racism whereas I simply believe either you are or you aren’t. More fundamental differences, I suppose.
I do have prejudices against people who are willingly stupid. And against people who allow themselves to be made or called victims by those who claim to be rescuing them. That’s it. Those deficiencies cross all racial and economic barriers. And I rarely *unknowingly* cross a line – I see nothing wrong with challenging popular opinion. I just might have been making a point other than what it was interpreted to be.
I can’t tell you how funny I think it is when you misconstrue my words.
I wasn’t using the word ‘flaming’ to relate to a degree of racism.
Hey – you’re the one that qualified the word “racism”. Surely you meant something by using “flaming”. And flaming, according to the vernacular, usually indicates an extreme version of whatever it is you are referring to. You used it, you must have meant something.
Victim Card played.
There is no “bi-partisanship” available with this administration. You need to just realize this is fact. Bi-partisanship is overrated, it simply means no one got their policy through. We’re beyond it now.
I am a conservative. Obama and Pelosi and Reid (and their lapdogs in Congress) are far-Left Liberals. Can you not see that there is no meeting ground? I already pointed out that our end goals are pretty much the same and you agreed. But the fundamental difference between how to get there really negates the need for us to ever debate anything. We will never agree until one of us completely abandons their philosophy and I can assure you, it will not happen on this side.
Now, I do not attach emotional feelings to this – it is not good or bad. We believe differently and my self-esteem does not suffer because of it. While I may feel that your point of view is misguided, I do not “dislike” you or wish you harm. You have attached some sort of personal meaning to my pointing out a fact – which is a very typically Liberal thing to do. We can agree to disagree and go our own ways and you need not lose any sleep over it. It is not education, awareness or kindness that divides us, it is philosophy. It is not unkind to realize that we have nothing to discuss. But when you Liberals take what is simply a natural difference in personal belief as an affront and a condemnation of your beliefs, it sheds more light on you than on me. There is no hate on my side. I see no value in wasting my time, that’s all. I know you desperately want to make this personal but it is not. It never is. It would be a good lesson for Liberals to learn.
As convenient as it may be to write as if you rise above it all, it’s a lie. Of course it’s personal and hate-filled. You’ve said before that you hate Obama. And you’ve expressed personal distaste for liberals that is much stronger than simply being “misguided” , and you have in fact attributed liberalism in the past to insufficient education, awareness, and kindness. You have said in the past that you have a hard time even being friends with liberals. It’s a joke for you to pretend like this blog is simply some sort of academic or intellectual crusade.
Read more carefully – you’re attributing someone else’s comments to me. I am not on any kind of crusade – well, maybe to irritate a few but cases like ourself but nothing so grand as to attempt to educate people. Inform maybe. And where did I say I hate Obama? Twist, twist, twist my words as you might, you still can’t sell your story to America. Your ideology is being rejected across the board, ACORN is imploding so your local power structure is collapsing and even the lapdogs in Congress smell blood. Just go home, climb into the closet with a bottle of Green Apple Schnapps and pray that it will all be over by next week. Obama and his BS agenda are toast.
Did you bring all these nutty Kosers over to play with us? Or are they your colleagues at ACORN? They’re crazy enough to be. Completely unhinged. Oh wait, maybe one of ‘em is Jimmy Carter. Word is he’s off his meds again.
Do you really drink straight green apple schnapps?
See, there you go with the name calling. And that’s not personal?? That’s not “hate” on your side?? Please. You DO hate-pretty much everything and everyone that doesn’t subscribe to your (completely mind-boggling) brand of crazy.
While you state that we have “simply a natural difference in personal beliefs”, I am not affronted or feel my beliefs are being condemned. As hard as it may be to fathom in your nasty, hate-spewing, name-calling, little world, I hold my beliefs just as dearly as you do yours. Once again, I maintain the difference between us is that _I_ actually DO NOT see your beliefs as a threat to mine. I am not on any mission to change your mind or bring you over to “the dark side”. The purpose of discussion with someone who disagrees with you is not to meet in the middle, but to understand the others’ point of view as educated,rational adults-to relate as human beings. I simply wanted to understand. It’s called Tolerance. You should try it. It’s kind of, well, nice. Not that nice is in your vocabulary.
You do, by the way, (”read more carefully”)make this personal-often. Not just in response to my posts, but with the vitriolic attacks on just about anyone who disagrees with your “statements of fact”. I know many, many conservatives, personally. (Some of my best friends are conservative-tongue in cheek) You seem to be of the breed that makes the more rational and intelligent ones cringe in embarrassment. (C’mon-seriously-”crap bag”? That’s the most clever you can be??) You go ahead and pander to your audience (?) of mean-spirited, ignorant, and uninformed friends. You’re in good company with the folks at Faux News-and our old buddy Rush.
You are correct, you ARE “a lot of things before you are a Republican.” I would list them, but fortunately, I don’t find name-calling a particularly satisfying past-time. Cheers!
Sorry, what name did I call you? I mean, to me Liberal is a bad word but I’m assuming to you it’s not. Please clarify.