Comments on: Make Way For Our Fearless Leader

By: Myra

Myra — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 23:44:01 +0000

Also coming in late to the party, but had to say that I’m so pleased that you chose to take a stand. My son attended school today since his principal chose not to air the speech. I like having the right to be a responsible parent, and I intend to fiercely defend it.

By: Shelle-BlokThoughts

Shelle-BlokThoughts — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 22:18:50 +0000

I just want to second those who say we don’t live in a bubble. We know, we watch the news, we read…

Thanks Darcie for being active and concerned! That is your right and our rights as parents! :)

By: Darcie

Darcie — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 19:34:45 +0000

Bravo Heather. Well said!

By: Heather

Heather — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 19:30:51 +0000

So the day is done now, and I’m late I know, but I tried to comment on this before and it wouldn’t let me!

I’m frustrated by the seemingly universal misconception that folks just didn’t want their kids to hear the president speak. That’s not the issue – we’re not living in a bubble. This issue was the Dept. of Education documents that said kids needed to list ways Obama inspires them, ways he challenges them, and ways they will help him. That’s not a neutral stance and it’s not a stay in school speech.

Now the end result, after the document revisions, seems fine. But to ignore the original paperwork and pretend like those of us opposed to this are lunatics trying to bury our heads in the sand is at best inaccurate and at worst malicious.

The politicians and the media in this country are entirely too polarized, and they deliberately divide wedges among the vast majority of the population, whose beliefs fall somewhere in the middle of those extremes. This whole debacle is a fine example of that.

Sad.

By: Nicole

Nicole — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 09:39:55 +0000

The problem I have with the whole thing, and I think most people who are uneasy with it would agree, is that its a slippery slope. We’re putting a whole lot of political power and influence over our children in the hands of a TV screen and a teacher. What questions are lingered on and what questions are skipped might just (maybe???) be influence by the teacher’s political opinion.

No place for that in my son’s classroom.

If the President wants to encourage kids to take their education seriously, great. I have no problem with that. There are tons of kids out there that are at risk and on the fringe and someone as influential as he is, whether I agree with his policies or not, can be a positive thing. But how to separate his positive message from the political one? I don’t know how that’s possible.

Schools should opt out and let the parents view it with their children in the evening.

That’s my 2 cents. Good post, girl.

By: Trish

Trish — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 01:39:42 +0000

First off, I commend you Darcie for your strong beliefs and willingness to stand up for them.
Secondly, I am *not* American and really no nothing about this apart from what I just read here.
However, to me this sounds very much along the lines of JFK’s “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country”. I know – another Democrat and bleeding heart socialist -LOL! But still – I think as others have said that it *is* kinda sad that any formal attempt by a political leader to engage and get kids thinking about civic responsibility has to be viewed so negatively. And for the record, my political leanings are also to the right!

By: mary b

mary b — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 13:21:39 +0000

I am with Bret on this one. I think it is imperative that we get children involved in discussing politics, helping the community, making the most of their education etc. In refusing to let them listen to our President we are not giving them a chance to hear things and think for themselves, rather mimic solely what the parent believes. I don’t think this is to be a one-sided political speech, it is to spark interest in the next generation to be the best they can be.
My 5th grader has been very interested in politics and how it all works, watching speeches and the debates during the election, so even if he does not get the chance to see the speech in school he will most likely watch at home.

By: kristen@nosmallthing

kristen@nosmallthing — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 11:06:01 +0000

Our County will NOT be doing this. I am 100% in agreement with you, though, that this is indoctrination. What happened to the three R’s???

By: Holly

Holly — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 01:07:42 +0000

I absolutely agree that you ought to have the right to exempt your children from being taught things that you find objectionable.

By: Shannon

Shannon — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 15:13:18 +0000

Our district has changed positions and is now going to show the speech. I’m going to watch it so I can know what’s going on.