The random political thoughts thread (Part Deux)

[Prudence]

Oh yes. It is clear that the President is trying to indoctrinate innocent school children into believing that education is good for them. It's probably going to be some communist crap about encouraging them to better themselves. If I had kids, I'd want them to get messages about education from the real role models out there. Especially black kids. They don't need to waste their time with some black President. There are plenty of rich sports heroes and entertainers to teach kids about the really important things in life: booze, babes, and bling. I think it's appalling that a politician would abuse his position to brainwash the nation's children into thinking of ways to improve their country and themselves.

[BarTopDancer]

Originally Posted by Prudence

Oh yes. It is clear that the President is trying to indoctrinate innocent school children into believing that education is good for them. It's probably going to be some communist crap about encouraging them to better themselves. If I had kids, I'd want them to get messages about education from the real role models out there. Especially black kids. They don't need to waste their time with some black President. There are plenty of rich sports heroes and entertainers to teach kids about the really important things in life: booze, babes, and bling. I think it's appalling that a politician would abuse his position to brainwash the nation's children into thinking of ways to improve their country and themselves.

Don't forget about all those "family values" "protect traditional marriage" "won't someone think of the children" toting politicians who have been caught having affairs, some with men.. and some with minors!

[scaeagles]

I already said that if Obama wants to tell school children to stay in school, great. I just don't trust him. And I know that vast majority here wouldn't trust Bush doing it.

I wouldn't be excited for Reagan to address school children, but it goes beyond that. Would any leftists here want an assignment for elementary children to be "How will Bush inspire you today?". I doubt it. And I'm fine with that.

How about he release a transcript of his speech this weekend so parents can read it? Would that be objectionable?

[wendybeth]

Gee, I wonder where George was, when the planes hit the Towers.......Oh, yeah! He was reading to a class of students. The horror! As I recall, it was fairly well publicized, even before the deer in the headlights moment. Wtf is wrong with the Right- are you REALLY that frikkin paranoid? LIke it or not, he is the President, and he's trying to reach out to young Americans. What's so insidious about that? He's not the first, and he surely won't be the last. You have a Black, Liberal President- get over it.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

I wouldn't be excited for Reagan to address school children, but it goes beyond that. Would any leftists here want an assignment for elementary children to be "How will Bush inspire you today?". I doubt it. And I'm fine with that.

I really don't see the problem with that. Is the idea of the president of the United State inspiring children somehow bad, regardless of the party of the president? Whether that be in general (George HW Bush addressed schools and encouraged us to engage in charitable service; what an asshole) or, as appears to be the case from the materials you linked to he is simply trying to inspire them to value education and strive to succeed (god knows he's a horrible example of how educational excellence can help propel you beyond mundane beginnings).

But I'm sure that every fourth frame of the video will flash "Kill Your Parents If They're Republicans."

[BarTopDancer]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

I already said that if Obama wants to tell school children to stay in school, great. I just don't trust him. And I know that vast majority here wouldn't trust Bush doing it.

I wouldn't be excited for Reagan to address school children, but it goes beyond that. Would any leftists here want an assignment for elementary children to be "How will Bush inspire you today?". I doubt it. And I'm fine with that.

Sure. He can inspire people to follow his lead or do the opposite. I wonder how many 18 - 22 year old first time voters he inspired to vote for Obama. They were 10 - 12 years old the first time he was elected.

How about he release a transcript of his speech this weekend so parents can read it? Would that be objectionable?

Done

Originally Posted by link

The White House plans to release the speech online Monday so parents can read it.

[wendybeth]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

How will I discuss it with them? Again, it depends on what he's saying, so I can't tell you. Should he come right out and say "Tell your parents you want the government to ensure your health for your entire life" might meet with a severe and profanity laced outburst, while "Stay in school" would be something to the effect of "yeah, pretty obvious, and I've told you every day of your life when you procrastinate on your homework how important school is - in fact, we pay extra for it because we think it's so important".

At the top of this page are links to pdfs of the department of education suggested activities pre, during, and post speech. It's just creepy. Anything from describing this as an historic event (a President telling kids to stay in school is historic?) and wanting comparisons to other historic Presidential moments to essays about how they can help Obama to asking how the President will inspire them today. Creepy.

If you had ever been in the teaching game, then you would know that this is standard practice for any major, or even minor, occasion. Prior to Challenger blasting into oblivion, millions of schoolchildren were involved in the process by using before, during, and after the event suggestions to maximize the educational aspect of the experience. Of course, 'after' in the case of Challenger probably involved counseling, but I digress. Any unique opportunity in the classroom (be it public, private, or homeschool) is approached in the manner suggested the Dept. of Education, etc. Nearly every lesson plan I use at home contains many of these same suggestions as applied to the topic at hand.

[JWBear]

I agree with BTD, Leo. There is nothing in either of those plans that any reasonable person would describe as "creepy". In fact, most of it sounds like it will bore the kids (if not the teachers) to tears.

What is it about Obama that terrifies Republicans so much? They didn't have this kind of terror of Bill Clinton (just abject loathing). So what is it?


(ETA: When I posted this I didn't realize there was another whole page of posts!)

[BarTopDancer]

And now this thread isn't safe for anyone but Kevy... and maybe CM.

[JWBear]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

I already said that if Obama wants to tell school children to stay in school, great. I just don't trust him. And I know that vast majority here wouldn't trust Bush doing it.

It wouldn't have bothered me one bit. But then, I don't have an unreasonable fear of him. I just think he was terribly misguided, corrupt, and incompetent.

Originally Posted by scaeagles

I wouldn't be excited for Reagan to address school children, but it goes beyond that. Would any leftists here want an assignment for elementary children to be "How will Bush inspire you today?". I doubt it. And I'm fine with that.

You are reading way too much into this, Leo. As WB said, it's paranoia.