Obama in the Schools

September 8, 2009

1:56

U.S. President Barack Obama's planned address to the nation's school children Tuesday is generating some political controversy, and drawing heat from conservatives.

Sources:FOX News The Huffington Post Chicago Tribune SKY News (UK)

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Kelli
October 2, 2009
11:33 AM

The issue is not race it is rights....If I do not want my child to hear a speech made by anyone (including the President), it is my right to not let them. While this was not made an issue (to my knowledge) at my child's school. I find it very distributing that whenever their is objection over something President Obama does or says that people are excited to say your objection is Racist. I have a right to any and all objections to whatever I find to be unacceptable or moral repugnant. I do not think of the President as a black man....I think of him as a man...he can make mistakes and poor choices just like the rest of us! But he is a leader in this country and as such is responsible to the people for the choices he makes in our name. Therefore he is answerable for those choices to the people. And it is our right and responsibility as Americans to speak out when we do not agree. I suggest that you stop seeing the president in terms of race, no matter yours, because to say that I or others are racist simply because we disagree with him on an issue, is racist in itself.

hector
September 29, 2009
06:31 PM

Obama%u2019s speech for students was an excellent approach to all students in the world. Obama mention that %u201Cif you quit on school you%u2019re not only quitting on yourself but on your country%u201D. That message says it all we got to work like a team to help the effects of the world. Most schools that didn%u2019t show the Obama speech surprisingly had fewer votes on November elections Mc. Cain had 67% percent of the votes.

zackhunte
September 17, 2009
07:01 PM

i think obamas speech had a lot of well a lot of reasons not to think you have it had hes trying to set out a goal for children not to quit so early and thats what my 5th grade teacher told me bever quit and now im an 8th grader and i think that is one of the most best speeches since martin luther kings speech hes was the best speech that obama has made in since hes been president

5TAR5
September 15, 2009
08:25 PM

i believe people r over reactin and the only reason whi they actin this way is cuz mccain didnt win

melissa garcai
September 14, 2009
02:51 PM

honestly i am a high school student and i understand where president Obama was coming from when he was giving his speech to the students..... There is really no real or obvious reason there should be anyone that should get upset about his speech.... President Obama, made no mistake by speaking to the students, rather being honest, and sharing his and his wife's as well other students background stories. i feel as President Obama was well with his speech to the students

Mary Lou Bruner
September 13, 2009
10:38 AM

Is anyone surprised that Democrats would try to link the disapproval of the President's speech to school children to race? This tactic has worked so many times for the liberals, but not this time. When America elected a black man to the highest office in the USA, they lost their race card. That is gone.

This controversy was not about race at all. It was about the way the U.S. Department of Education and the President of the USA tried to achieve their agenda by appealing to the children for help. Conservative parents do not like their children used as bait. When these parents objected, the President and the U.S. Department of Education changed their lesson plan. Someone in this administration decided to make the Conservatives look silly by having the President present an inspiring speech encouraging students to stay in school, study hard and set lofty goals. We would like to see the original speech which went with the first lesson plan.

adison ladiherasde
September 11, 2009
08:05 PM

the speech was good

Michael
September 11, 2009
03:20 PM

It doesn't matter if you from the left or the right, nor does it take Rocket Scienece. JUST LOOK FOR YOURSELF AMERICA, and ask yourself this question. Who are these people he appoints to be at his side

Avery Fox
September 10, 2009
12:44 PM

Amazing how the Chicago guy didn't mention that anyone insisted on keeping their kids home when the other 2 presidents addressed schools. Yes, there was a discussion from Dems on whether it was politicizing schoolkids - but no one said they were going to refuse to let their kids attend schools that day. I can't believe the disrespect this president has to bear -- and to believe that it's not race-based is to keep your head in the sand.

MLoida
September 10, 2009
10:47 AM

I don't understand how writing an essay about educational goals is a reason to keep a student at home. I believe some of the reasons for criticism are stemming from other current issues that President Obama has made decisions about.

James Thompson
September 10, 2009
10:40 AM

Race is the only reason,you did hear this when other presidents address the kids. We live in a sad country. It will never go away. I can fight your wars,but nothing else

MsCareerGrl
September 9, 2009
03:39 PM

I agree with The Chicago Tribune- race has nothing to do with it.

ACrimaldi
September 9, 2009
03:33 PM

I found it interesting that so many people were under the impression that President Obama was the first President of The United States that addressed k-12 children in school- since he obviously was not. Its suddenly like everything Obama does is 'new' and 'cool', or 'cutting edge'. Why is this? The thought of parents being so concerned about their children watching a speech from in class that they'd opt out is humorous. Believe me- there are way worse things going on in public schools.

Jim Flink
September 9, 2009
06:21 AM

The whole idea that the POTUS cannot speak to the nation's children is just absurd. Should there have been a "lesson plan" that could have been interpreted as "glorifying" Obama? No. That was a big mistake. But this idea that the President is trying to "brainwash" children is so absurd as to be relegated to comedic political theatre.

Lee Morehouse
September 8, 2009
05:14 PM

I think that on the whole, the media get that this is a fake controversy. They know the conservatives are just playing politics, and that parents are easily frightened by a perceived threat to their children. But what does it mean that we are now frightened about what our President has to say to our children? That this is even a news story says more about the state of our society, and our country, as a whole than it does about either the President or the conservatives. There's no way to segment the argument against either party- the entire political climate is to blame.

Stephanie Hermes
September 8, 2009
04:56 PM

I listened to the entire speech and wished I had heard it in high school. I did not think he was trying to get anyone to support him, but rather was showing his support and encouragement for the young people of the country he has they duty to run.

Ceckel
September 8, 2009
03:51 PM

I think speaking to children is a good way to get kids interested in politics at a young age. They aren't normally targeted in any kind of political debate, speech, etc. and so speaking directly to them in a way they understand gets them involved. I can see how some parents might want to censor what their kids hear, but they don't keep them home from school because they are afraid of what the teachers might say. I don't see why someone wouldn't want their kids to hear the President of the US speak.

vizei06
September 8, 2009
01:50 PM

I think it's interesting that some people are saying that by not letting their kids see Obama's speech, that parents are racist. If that's really the only reason that parents aren't letting their kids watch the speech, then that's going a little far. But on the other hand, parents should be the ones who make that viewing decision - not school districts.

econcurious88
September 8, 2009
12:23 PM

Well, Washington is certainly very tense and partisan right now. I think it's a mistake on behalf of the parents to not allow their children to hear/see the President. While I agree that their concerns over making children write an "endorsement" type of paper for him or asking them to believe/think in a particular political fashion is not acceptable, I do think it is sad if they will not even allow their children to show President Obama respect. By withholding them from the speech, it is almost as if they deny his presidency. After all, they could always brief their children on what they themselves believe before the speech.