Most of the readers to SWGAPolitics have no doubt heard that the President will be addressing the nation’s school kids tomorrow. You can preview the speech here.
I just read it myself; and to be honest, I am impressed! The president pushed a radical agenda as hard as he could before the August recess to, as he put it, “fundamentally change America.” It is easy to see how some conservative or libertarian minded individuals might question what would be in the speech. Several months ago, former Vice President Al Gore addressed some teenagers on global warming and told them that often the youth can see the truth better than their parents. Would the president echo the same sort of sentiments? That is what had me concerned.
Instead, I read a speech that many of your youth need to hear. During my spare time, I volunteer with a youth organization. So does Tom. If the youth of this country can listen to this speech and decide to be better students, it will be a good thing. I suspect that only time will tell if the speech does little more than waste some class time. Again, I hope that it yields some fruit.
When the president was first elected, I was disappointed. I wasn’t angry because of his color or even his social stances. I was disappointed because he is an example of a man that was born into circumstances that would make it hard for anyone to rise up and become a success, but he did it. He is the perfect illustration of what is so right in this country. Instead of living that example and inspiring people with his story, he has told America that the only way to be a success is from handouts and spreading the wealth. If he was able to rise from humble beginnings to assume the office of the president, why is it out of reach for everyone else?
So, why this speech and why now? The President has been taking heat for his healthcare reform bill and for his radical Czars like Van Jones who resigned yesterday under pressure. Perhaps the propaganda is meant for the adults rather than the children. Maybe it is a way to seem more main stream after his push to radically transform the country during the last nine months. I suspect that only time will tell.
You know its really a sad comentary when parents LEGITAMATELY are concerned over which message our president may be bringing to our children. Shows just how divided we’ve become. Here is the most powerful man on earth who, as you said beat the odds, and yet his message of hope isnt one of you can too, its one of victimization. Sad, just sad. What a true American story of inspiration he could really be.
Bill: reading the speech was quite fair-minded of you. I have never read or listened to any leader and 100% agreed or 100% disagreed with his or her views. But, listen I will do..from one end of the spectrum to the other. When you eventually run for some office, you can be the guy who walks into a hostile meeting hall and tells them line by line the reasons you disagree with their agenda and…what you consider to be a more logical alternative. Then, in the interest of fairness and community, find a middle ground. I bet you those people will appreciate your approach.
With that said, which genius wanted to do this speech during the first days of school anyway. I wrote about this on my blog today also.
A person smart enough to make it to the Presidency is not likely to include content pushing an inappropriate agenda in a speech to children. People won’t stand for it–and Obama knew it.
I expected the speech to be inspirational. And if the Washington educational establishment had stayed out of the picture, not as many parents would have been concerned.
Obama wanted something positive that would give him good press for a change. But it didn’t work in his favor–people already have plenty of reasons to distrust the man.
One of my biggest issues was the attached material for teachers, which included tidbits like advising teachers to prepare for the speech by reading books about Obama, etc. It smacked of propaganda.
Now, the idea of inspiring kids to become better students is about as controversial as Congress passing a resolution advising people to continue breathing. We can all stand with that one just fine. I don’t necessarily think it will do any good, mostly because kids don’t listen to adults that often, especially mythical adults they only see on TV
Why were you disappointed when he was elected because he pulled himself up from nothing?
Oh I see. I haven’t gotten that message from him.
This is the reason I read from Bill that caused his disappointment “he has told America that the only way to be a success is from handouts and spreading the wealth. If he was able to rise from humble beginnings to assume the office of the president, why is it out of reach for everyone else?”
The fact the he did rise to the presidency from a broken home is reason to expect him to project a high level of achievement from our citizens.
Not a higher level of taxation and more government control of our lives.