by Cylinsier
When I was in grade school, coming up on a decade ago now, I remember some of my favorite classes being civics and social studies. Of all the stuff I learned, I think I retained that the best. Well, that and math, inexplicably. Anyway, I remember thinking at the time that students getting involved in understanding politics was a good thing. Well, I guess that was before we elected a black man. Next week, Barack Obama intends to speak directly to students via live feed to classroom TVs about education. We don't know what, specifically, he is going to say yet, but the speech will be released early next week so concerned parents can make sure it isn't too...well, "black," I guess.
Its not as though Presidents never spoke to kids before. Bush 2 asked kids to give him money for Afghani kids. His pappy, Bush 1 gave a now historic speech about how getting high in the vacuum of space was not a good idea, no matter how cool it sounds. And the late great Reagan told kids back in the 80's that taxes suck. From shaking a metal cup asking for loose change to clarifying the difference between being physically higher up in the air and dropping tabs of acid, Presidents have gone directly to our youth to "push their agenda" many times before.
But the argument isn't really about precedent so much as it is about the specific agenda Obama must surely have. Apparently, its going to be a speech about how important education is and it will be followed up by a couple writing assignments not dissimilar to writing assignments students have been doing about government since the dawn of teaching. Except that they will get to do it right after hearing the President himself speak.
Conservatives, still trying to figure out what the fuck they did wrong by spending eight years jumping up and down on the country and then trying to ramrod the wicked witch of the north down our throats, refused to miss this opportunity to again remind us that they aren't done pouting. Florida Republican Party leader Jim Greer said from under his white hood that Obama was trying to "indoctrinate America's children to his socialist agenda."
Yes, god forbid a black man tell our kids how important education is. They aren't getting it from their parents, that's for sure. I suppose it does look like socialist policy to attempt to share something, even information, with everyone freely when you give members of your party a credit account and let them spend $117,000 of party money on trips and luxury items. Good work, Greer.
Regardless, based on the behavior of various conservatives over the past seven or so months, I think our youth could use a little indoctrination. In fact, I think its vital to our future as a nation. The last thing we want is a whole generation of people who think like Rush Limbaugh. There's a scary thought. Sphere: Related Content
16 comments:
People are keeping their kids home from school that day in fear of Obama’s influence. My opinion is that if you are worried about one little television speech influencing your children to that extent then you obviously have not done a very good job brainwashing them to begin with. If you want to ensure that your children believe as you do, less whining and more brainwashing is in order.
What the fuck drug are you on any
way? Rush Limbaugh is all about personal responsibility. In fact that's what conservatism is all about. That would be fantastic if we had a generation that thought like Rush Limbaugh!
You have missed the point about the school speech. Students are a captive audience and it does not matter what the president says, it's not his job to address school kids and he could do it at 7pm so parents could be there. It certainly has nothing to do with him being black and that race card is some tired shit you imbecile.
School teachers should be insulted. What's wrong with them telling the students to study and stay in school. The fact that you might reproduce is a scary thought.
At least the president doesn’t require a written test from grown-ups after his speeches, but I’m sure it’s on the way. Obama’s given over 100 speeches, interviews, and press conferences in which he’s talked about health care, and the more he opens his mouth the more American’s get repulsed from his “reforms.” This next speech will finally do the trick. That brand new Toyota may be rusting and up on blocks by the time he seals the deal, but the Used-Car-Salesman-in-Chief will get us to sign in the end.
"Students are a captive audience" is a load a crap. i wonder how many of those up in arms about this were similarly up in arms when GWB's father did it, or Reagan did it. Oh, that's right. THEY were Republicans. And white.
Moe, the President isn't requiring a written response to his speech from kids, it was a suggested assignment to schools which they are free to follow or not. Also, the speech to kids is not about health care. Its about education and taking responsibility for your own success, something Republicans absolutely froth at the mouth about and regularly accuse Democrats of not doing. I swear, the man could hand you bin Laden's head on a spit and you'd still say he's the worst President ever. History may or may not remember him fondly, but its going to remember the Republican party of this era as a bunch of crybabies.
THIS is the story of how people end up die-hard Republicans ala Rush Limbaugh (and straight from his own website):
CALLER: So after the speech my mom brought me over to the rabbi there and said, you know, "Hey, can you introduce my son to the Senator [Ted Kennedy]," and so the rabbi said, "Oh, absolutely." Rabbi brought me over and said, "Senator, I'd love to introduce you to one of our youngest neighborhood kids around here who's really interested in, you know, getting into politics," stuff like that. And the senator barely acknowledged me, tapped me on the shoulder. you know, sort of like patting me on the back and then immediately went on, started shaking other people's hands, didn't say hi. And, you know, for me as a ten-year-old kid it was kind of devastating. And a couple months later, your show goes national, and I turn you on, you know, because I liked to listen to AM radio when I was a kid, still do, and turned it on and started listening. And I'll tell you what: If I hadn't had that eye-opening experience with Senator Kennedy, I probably would have been just like any other brainwashed liberal kid and would have said, "I'm not going to listen to this guy. He says bad things about Democrats and the Kennedys and whatever else." You know? So it was kind of an eye-opener for me. So I really feel like I owe him at least a debt of gratitude.
RUSH: Well, a very interesting story: Senator Kennedy sloughed you off?
CALLER: That was it, Rush, and it broke my heart.
RUSH: Broke your heart, ten years old.
CALLER: I mean, Rush, I've been listening to you for 21 years.
RUSH: Right, bust of JFK in your house, gonna meet Senator Kennedy and he acted like he didn't care. And then a couple weeks later you hear me. Well, that's an interesting story. I'm glad that you called you're now 31 years old so this happened 21 years ago.
CALLER: Yeah. Yeah, and I've actually got a two-year-old of my own, and every time we're in the car, I've got you on. I've got Rush 24/7. So any time we're in the car we're popping on the iPod and listening to Rush.
Gert...I will bet you have never listened to Rush Limbaugh...and I mean really listened for a few days in a row all three hours.
If you noticed he was polite to the caller but all he said is very interesting. He did not take the bait to say ugly things about Ted Kennedy.
Taking one caller is not evidence of anything and even if it were, you have not substantiated that thinking like Rush is a bad thing.
Lastly, no one is a captive in a classroom and has to listen to Rush.
Dictators always want to get their hands on the kids. Saying its just words does not cut it. Next they will be wearing arm bands and doing the goose step. It does not matter how innocuous his words are, its creepy for him to be try and build his cult following with minds full of mush who are not politically aware yet.
Some of my favorite Rush Limbaugh quotes:
"I mean, let’s face it, we didn’t have slavery in this country for over 100 years because it was a bad thing. Quite the opposite: slavery built the South. I’m not saying we should bring it back; I’m just saying it had its merits. For one thing, the streets were safer after dark."
"You know who deserves a posthumous Medal of Honor? James Earl Ray. We miss you, James. Godspeed. "
"They're 12 percent of the population. Who the hell cares? [On Black People]"
"Feminism was established to allow unattractive women easier access to the mainstream of society. "
"Exercise freaks ... are the ones putting stress on the health care system."
"The most beautiful thing about a tree is what you do with it after you cut it down."
"The difference between Los Angeles and yogurt is that yogurt comes with less fruit."
"When a gay person turns his back on you, it is anything but an insult; it's an invitation."
"And so if
people are violating the law by doing drugs, they ought
to be accused and they ought to be convicted and
they ought to be sent up. (This one is particularly hilarious)"
"Sexual harassment at this work station will not be reported.
However...it will be graded."
I listen to Limbaugh and Hannity EVERY SINGLE DAY (except for when they are pre-empted by a Pirates baseball game)...
Just sayin'... those two are two nuts from the same sack
Notice that Obama, himself - - not education, not the idea of becoming a learned person, but Obama - - is the central theme of the questions that students are supposed to answer. “Why does President Obama want to speak with us today?” “How will he inspire us?” and “How will he challenge us?” It just assumes that Obama is, necessarily, inspiring to everyone who hears him.
After Obama’s speech, Middle and High School students are expected to contemplate “What inspired you about President Obama’s speech?,” and “what lines or phrases from the President’s speech resonate with you?” The point is that this line of questioning is not so much about the importance of education, as it is all about Obama.
The deal with this administration is that it’s a requirement that you must be infatuated with the man and the persona of Barack Obama. The central idea of the Obama Administration seems to be Barack Obama himself. And this cult-like obsession with one human individual is highly offensive and obnoxious to a lot of Americans.
Anyone that cares, knows and respects the unique history of our country, understands what makes America so special. It’s not insignificant that we are distinct within the broader context of world history, because there are no kings or queens in the U.S.; our President is one of us, chosen by us, and entrusted with authority for a limited period of time. We are united by a set of important principles, but we do not bow to any one individual or dear leader.
Obama can not just dismiss the school speech backlash as an attack from “the right wing”. The more left wing Obama drones continues to obsess over Obama, and the more they seek to belittle Americans who dare to question that obsession, the worse matters are going to get for all of us.
And if you listened every day then you know the humor, satire, and intended absurdity of all those quotes. Either you don't listen every day or you are not being honest.
"Anyone that cares, knows and respects the unique history of our country, understands what makes America so special. It’s not insignificant that we are distinct within the broader context of world history, because there are no kings or queens in the U.S.; our President is one of us, chosen by us, and entrusted with authority for a limited period of time."
All the more reason for children to be exposed to the president.
For the record, the questions are not "How does Obama inspire you?" or "What does Obama inspire you to do?" but "Did the President's speech inspire you?" Students are free to answer that it did not and explain why. Why do I feel like this would not be a big deal at all if it were McCain? Oh that's right, because it wouldn't. There is no worship of Obama going on, its all mass paranoia from the right centered around an effort fueled by politics and bitterness to try to justify the criminal actions of the party over the last eight years in an attempt to hopefully make them viable again. What do you do when your party has its ass handed to it in an election? Make comparisons to the other guy with Hitler and Kim Jong Il. Yeah, I caught that dear leader crap. Give me a break.
For the record, the questions are not "How does Bush inspire you?" or "What does Bush inspire you to do?" but "Did the President's speech inspire you?" Students are free to answer that it did not and explain why. Why do I feel like this would not be a big deal at all if it were McCain? Oh that's right, because it wouldn't. There is no worship of Bush going on, its all mass paranoia from the left centered around an effort fueled by politics and bitterness to try to justify the criminal actions of the Democrats over the last eight years in an attempt to hopefully make them viable again. What do you do when your party has stolen an election? Make comparisons to the other guy with Hitler and Kim Jong Il. Yeah, I caught that dear leader crap. Give me a break.
So what you did there was substitute Bush's name for Obama's and then reposted my exact words. Which makes no sense because no body attacked Bush for his speech and Bush wasn't a democrat. This was a lazy effort from you phony. I expect better in the future.
Abomb, take all the libchit attacks against Bush, and count them.....the number you come up with will be the number of attacks that Osama Obama is eligible to receive.....
Don't you think that would be fair? Or are you that one-sided?
Again, would you say the same thing about McCain? You would have to, or otherwise that statement would make you a hypocrite.
I would think that the number of "attacks" that a President is "eligible to receive" would be directly related to the number of actions the President takes that are worthy of attack. So, when Obama makes it to eight years, we can count up and see who got attacked more.
But your plan seems to be to create reasons for attack to reach some number on an imaginary score card. The attacks come without any actions to justify them. You can't claim the speech to kids justifies attack because you didn't attack Bush for the same action.
Basically, you just proved that your entire case against Obama is politically motivated and that reason and logic play not part in it. But we already knew that.
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