I have commented on a lot of off-the-wall stupid things people have done in this country. The Slow Bleed is an equal opportunity opinionated site. That means I have no problem pointing out stupid crap from either side of the aisle, any race, any religion (or lack thereof), and even stupid stuff I do. For some reason, this one seems to take the cake.
Today President Obama makes his speech directly to public schools. The announcement of his speech led to a massive amount of people (and schools) condemning the man. How dare the President of this great country talk directly to American students about things like “staying in school” and “raising the bar.” – What the hell is he thinking?
“Raise the bar?” My kid is OWED a nice life. (Special Slow Bleed Alert: Your kid is “owed” a big cup-o-jack).
People are actually keeping their kids home from school? Well that makes sense; nothing says the importance of staying in school than keeping them home.
Some schools have refused to broadcast his speech (forget the fact it was optional for the students to begin with and the fact he is the President after all). These are the same schools that will gladly play a Harry Potter movie during the week but the President? Not going to happen.
Who are these people? Are they remembering some B movie from the 60’s and think Obama has some secret brainwashing background sounds that will ruin their kids? God forbid they actually learn something.
I have countless blogs on this site about the importance of education. WE DO need to step it up. WE DO need more scientist and mathematicians. WE DO need an administration that realizes the future of this country, economically, competing against the world lies in more people graduating from higher learning establishments.
I have slammed President Obama as many times as I have agreed with him (maybe a few more). But for people at this point to stand up and say “President Obama can’t tell my kid they need to work hard and push themselves” – Well, you are correct – I suppose you do have the American right to stay stupid, let other countries take your job away, and become weaker as a nation. Just please don’t wish the same for future generations ok?
Ugh, just decide for yourself. Here is a link to the speech.
Fine, I suppose this is where you look for some witty insights to my mind. A "bio" of sorts. Here is the deal... I ride motorcycles, smoke cigars, golf, kayak, fly, race my car through the mountains, write (a lot), and travel extensively. I am almost old enough not to care what other people think about me...almost. ~Godfadr
You couldn’t be more right on this one, Fred. When I first heard that some people were offended that the president would be beamed into their kids’ schools (to deliver a message on the importance of staying in school and striving to reach goals), my reaction was shock at the lack of respect being paid to our nation’s chief executive.
The fact is, as of January 20th of this year, Barack Obama is the President of the United States — and while we all as American citizens have the right to speak our minds, and disagree, and sometimes get really angry at some issue or another, we should allow our kids to hear from the guy in charge of the country and form their own opinions. (And, by the way, kudos to President Obama for wanting to speak directly to America’s schoolkids — it probably isn’t at the top of his “to do” list right now…)
There’s a great commentary on this issue at CNN.com by Rudy Ruiz (http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/09/08/ruiz.obama.students/index.html). His advice: “If parents disagree with the president’s views, they can sit down at the dinner table with their kids and explain their divergence.” That makes a lot more sense to me than keeping the kids home because you’re afraid of something the President might say (in a speech that has already been published).
I probably disagree more with Obama than most, but I believe that we should always try to treat the office of the presidency with the respect it deserves — and if our leader wants to encourage kids to work harder to achieve more… what could be more American than that?
Agreed. I would have gladly passed up yet another Disney movie played at school to listen to the President of the United States. Especially when it is directed to me. But maybe people just want to ignore problems that we are facing (like education issues) and instead think about owning a owl the delivers mail or finding true love in the form of a vampire. Who am I to judge? I know I would much rather use school time, well, for school.
Keep talking Obama. Eventually people will listen.
Wow! Unfortunately I missed the speech and am now just getting wind of all the controversy. This is exactly the type of crap that makes republicans look stupid. I really shouldn’t be surprised by people’s stupidity but I am. Surprised and disappointed.
You know I’m sure the speech was harmless. No, moreover it was good for our kids to hear. I did think that the proposed lesson plan asking kids how they can help President Obama “succeed” was at the very least politically stupid on the part of the Department of Education.