Friday, September 4, 2009

Obama Speech Update

For those who don't get it, the basic issue is that many feel Obama is using the opportunity (the school address) to promote a political agenda and is overstepping the boundaries of federal involvement in schools. The suggested material teachers were encouraged to use in conjunction with the speech was objectionable. Cultish. Fucked UUUUUUPPPPP! Yep.

I think the school district had quite an onslaught of emails regarding the airing of Obama's speech in school, probably for and against. I wish I could have seen how many and what people were saying. To be a fly. Why on earth Obama would think it was ok to give a speech to our children in school without any parental presence, participation or approval is beyond me. Way fucking beyond. He's an arrogant son of a bitch.

Anyway, our school district decided that K thru 3rd grade would not view the speech in school at all. Someone will record the speech on Tuesday and the 4th and 5th graders will have the opportunity to view the speech on Wednesday at school. If parents do not want their children to see it (having had the opportunity themselves to view it on Tuesday) they are to send a note and an alternate activity will be available.

I have friends with middle school children and these students will have the opportunity to view the speech live on Tuesday. If parents do not want their childrent to view the speech they may send in a note and an alternate activity will be provided. Neither the elementary nor middle school will use any of the lesson plans or other suggested material found on the internet.

I will record the speech and view it with my children on Tuesday evening. I don't expect it will be a big deal at all but I am glad they are watching it at home and not in the company of a bunch of liberal teachers : )

3 comments:

Jennifer said...

I read the text of Obama's speech today and thought it was very good. Kids, or anyone for that matter, can never be told too often that they can succeed and that there is personal responsibility for that success. There was no socialistic message at all, not even a hint. Personal responsibility, accountability, hard work,...what is the danger in your children hearing this? I don't see that it differs that much from what you and Chad teach them yourselves. My opinion.

Sarah in Disturbia said...

I don't think there is a danger in hearing that message. Those are definitely the things I teach my children.

I had two basic issues. One is that I don't think his speech mirrors what he believes based on the policies he's trying to put into place. In fact, quite the opposite. Which in turn means I don't trust him and think he's a manipulative liar. Second, was the nature of the lesson plans given out before the speech (which they quickly changed after all the hoopla). The material reeked of indoctrination and was just plain creepy.

Definition of indoctrination from wikipedia: the process of ideas, attitudes, cognitive strategies or a professional methodology. It is often distinguished from education by the fact that the indoctrinated person is expected not to question or critically examine the doctrine they have learned....

Jennifer said...

Sarah Su!!! What has happened? I am so tired of going to your blog site and seeing this very old and tired commentary. Didn't one of your children have a birthday? Where are the pictures? Lets move on ... fill my heart!!!