OT, but can we talk about the President's speech to school children next week?

[beachmom]

My school is not showing it!!!! I am so mad and saddened and upset. The bullying Right has entered MY SCHOOL!!!

If Bush or Reagan give a speech, NO PROBLEM!!

But when the first black President, who is also a Democrat, wants to, it is CONTROVERSIAL.

http://www.ajc.com/news/obama-will-talk-130798.html

How is it going elsewhere in the country?

[TayTay]

1. This might be a "cultural exchange" talk in here

The various regions of the country will be reacting differently to this. It is possible that the reaction in GA will be an actual reaction, as opposed to puzzlement over the controversy, which might be what happens in my region of America.

I can't so much comment as I can ask questions of those do have a controversy over this. Why is this provoking a controversy in GA in some? (And it is a vocal some, not all of the people in GA.) In MA, we will not have this controversy and I am unable to comment on why folks in other regions will..

But I can listen and learn.

Make sense? I cannot comment on what I don't know or understand. But I can listen and learn. Ah, my first, possibly incorrect, perception of this was that the President has been caught SWB: Speaking While Black. Surely the people involved in this, far RWers, will deny that. But does that have a basis in fact in those people who are speaking up?

Strategically, the Repubs are playing with fire again. This can come back and bite them in the arse. Their "burning down the house" reaction to everything is starting to provoke backlash, btw.

[beachmom]

2. So if I understand correctly, in MA pretty much most schools will show the broadcast?

I know that nationally, people like Glenn Beck are complaining. Are you telling me this "controversy" is regional? Wow, interesting, if so.

[YvonneCa]

3. I agree with TayTay that the response...

...may be regional. I also think that school districts...depending on the community reaction in their 'region'...will act accordingly, in self-protective way. I got caught up in this debate earlier this week and posted the following:

Some people come at this from a 'discriminate' against students perspective...what is fair if all students are included in or excluded from hearing Obama's speech.

And still others come at it from a parents' perspective...what is the parental role if the parent doesn't get his/her way. Some want opt in...some don't. Some don't want such a speech in the schools...some think it's discrimination if everyone isn't made to watch it.

There is another perspective, and it is the school's perspective. All school districts operate under an education/legal policy...by law. Schools notify parents to protect students and themselves legally. Some here are ignorant of public school policies. I do not mean to offend anyone by that, but I'm sure I will. Ignorance doesn't mean a person isn't intelligent...just that they have not had the opportunity yet to learned something. Sometimes they are unaware of that lack of information.

We who work in education have a perspective based on our experience with and knowledge of education policy.

This action by schools is preventative. It's about not getting sued by parents. Anytime a school or district adds something to the school's program, parents have the legal right to be informed and to opt out if they so choose. These are under-age students. The parents have rights. If it's a controversial curriculum or program (or speech), where many parents may have strong feelings, the school or district is legally protecting itself by informing parents and giving them the choice...in advance. It is standard practice by schools, that's all I'm saying.

Maybe a lawsuit would be laughed out of court, but it is not discrimination. It's CYA by the school district, because they know the community in which they live. Keep in mind the heated political environment right now...remember the crazies at the health care town halls? No principal or superintendent wants them showing up in his/her office with irrational complaints...and they WOULD be irrational.

If racism is a factor...and it probably is out there, judging by the town halls...I think it is better to throw water on it (by parental choice) than add a match to it. JMHO.

School districts ...depending on the community dynamics in their 'region'...have several choices here. Their goal is safety of students and trying to accommodate parents' wishes. They can show the speech, or not. Or they can show it on a voluntary basis (the opt in/opt out notification). At this point, I've pretty much given up trying to convince folks in GD, GDP or LBN that it's just school policy...even though it is. I'd be very interested in hearing perspectives from people in this group, though. I have much respect for all of you. :grouphug:

[beachmom]

4. The point is Reagan & Bush did this, and it was no problem.

What you are saying is that racists have a place at the table. I thought we were past that after the civil rights act. Racists would prefer segregated schools but Brown v. Board of Education did away with that. Racists are running the schools in places. I do not believe they have a place at the table. Their voices should be ignored as the discredited hate that they are.

It doesn't matter anyway. I have lodged a complaint and been rebuffed. My voice for tolerance is ignored while the racists win.

And yes, this is racist. Otherwise, Reagan and Bush would have been shut out, too.

[YvonneCa]

5. Beachmom, I think you are right to be VERY upset...

...and angry about this. If I were in your situation, I sure would be. The 'educator' in me would have suggested exactly what you did...to lodge a complaint. If there are enough complaints at a school or district, that CAN sway the decision...remember that (barring blatant racism) schools and districts should act to promote wishes of the community (parents) and student safety. Further, were I an administrator at your school, I would choose the voluntary route...opt in/opt out. The fact that your district isn't doing that speaks volumes about the balance of the complaints they are receiving...probably anti-Obama fear mongering. It may also speak volumes about the school board and administration. Racism very well could be a factor. JMHO.

To your other point...

"What you are saying is that racists have a place at the table. I thought we were past that after the civil rights act. Racists would prefer segregated schools but Brown v. Board of Education did away with that. Racists are running the schools in places. I do not believe they have a place at the table. Their voices should be ignored as the discredited hate that they are."

I completely disagree that I am saying racists have a place at the table. If that is the case in some regions, it is because they(racists) are forcing their way to the table, either as part of the establishment or by acting 'Glenn Beckish'. Both are wrong. I agree with you that that should never be allowed, they shouldn't have a place at the table, they are hateful and should be ignored...or prosecuted when appropriate.

The truth is that Brown started the process of bringing equality to education, but there is a long way to go...in so many ways. Quality of education, access to curriculum, school finance, physical buildings...none are truly equal yet. I also think that eight years of GWB gave voice and a sense of legitimacy to the crazies that has worsened the problem and further divided our country. The media is making it worse, not better. For me, it's another one of the acts of stupidity (or criminality) by the Bush Administration that should be exposed. JMHO.

What I really hope is that President Obama will use this as another 'teachable moment' (but please don't let the media get started with that term again :7 ). Those who need the lesson most may miss it "live" but there's always 'the internets'.:7 If there are true racists acting here...and my bet is that there are...this will take a long time. People have to learn that they needn't fear Obama...a four-eight year presidency can have an impact on that.

Edited to add: There is a thread on this in GDP with some suggestions for parents in the same situation.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=8624923&mesg_id=8624923

The best one I saw...as a teacher...is the 'keep the child home to see the speech' that day and send a note to the superintendent or principal saying why (make a written record). The reason I think this is effective is that schools depend on ADA (average daily attendance) for funding. They don't get paid for an unexcused absence, which is what this would be. Hit them in their pocketbooks, beachmom. :7

[wisteria]

6. I think it stinks of RW BS. Sorry to be blunt, but this is the type of crap they spew on their radio

talk shows. They have their gullible base, RW bigots and Dem haters all believing that there is a huge conspiracy to brainwash their children in the ways of liberalism, Marxism and Communism. This moronic idea has been floating around for a couple of years. The radio blowhards must be real proud of themselves, being able to control their flock like this.
And, of course, some schools and parents just hear the controversy and want nothing to do with it. They are within their rights to refuse.

[fedupinBushcountry]

7. Just asked my son

if they were going to show it at his school in Newport News and he said no but it will be on their website. This country is truly sad, when the POTUS cannot speak to children of this country. The thing is that many kids in my son's high school really need to hear what he has to say and who knows how many kids he would inspire to do good and maybe changwe their attitudes towards learning. This makes me so mad.

I remember in 2000 for my daughter's government class had to go work the polls which was fine but she had to work for the Republicans, they actually go to the schools and solicit help to hand out literature and stuff at the polls. Luckily my daughter is a very honest person and handed it out and said that she didn't like Bush and was only doing it for school credit. BTW, I had no idea at the time that she had to do this, it did not state the specifics in the note I had to sign.

[YvonneCa]

8. Here's the SD Union/Tribune...

...coverage: http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/sep/04/presidents-tv-address-students-drawing-fire/?uniontrib

[sandnsea]

9. It's actually part of a whole stay in school promo

NASCAR PSA, youtube contest, teachers resources, and the speech. That's what is sad, it should have been a really fun thing for kids going back to school. This is what Obama told that little kid who interviewed him that he was planning.

http://www.obama-mamas.com/blog/?p=367

I think it's another example of this White House not fully understanding how nuts these wingers really are. I think this might finally get it through their head that they have to have a full PR campaign in place every time they do anything.

[YvonneCa]

10. Did you see Sen. Warner's town hall? One questioner...

...said (paraphrasing) that all the uproar is really not about health care at all...it's about fear for what Obama will do as president.

I'm beginning to think that's the case with these 'crazies'...it's not about healthcare, or school speeches, or gun rights or any other issue that surfaces. It's about fear and hate. Fear and hate has blinded these folks completely. Some politicians and media seem to fuel it, which I think is dangerous.

[sandnsea]

11. Oh absolutely

This is what we're going to deal with on anything he wants to do. They will concoct things to attack him over. They are just lost in their hatred. I suppose it's similar to religious people hating sinners who play cards and dance, and being too afraid to even consider it might not really be a sin. I don't understand that depth of need to hang on to a belief system.

I'm sure some have either a basic economic philosophy or truly worry about the deficit and quality of care, but they seem to always choose to fight with hysteria rather than reason.

[wisteria]

12. RW talk radio and political leadership have been able to tap into the fears of their followers. n/t

[sandnsea]

18. They create the fears by lying to them

These people don't have these fears of local people. That's why they elect local Democrats all the time. They have been lied to about government and criminals and Massachusetts and San Francisco and so they're afraid. Stop the lies, stop the fear.

[wisteria]

22. Yes. Stop the lies, but that is not an easy task. How do we even begin? n/t

[Inuca]

13. Obama Talks To The Children, Ctd

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2009/09/by-patrick-appel--a-reader-writes----you-say-you-are-ignoring-the-furor-over-obamas-school-talk-because-it-is-a-fake-story.html

Top of the Google News page when I opened it this morning. So no, it's not just in the south. There are moments when I am getting really scared by all this. And of course I am referring to ALL this, not the school speech controvery.

OTOH, maybe I am being brain washed too but I agree that the initial lesson plan suggestions, at least the quotes I heard in the news, were a mistake.

[beachmom]

14. Top headline in my CNN e-mail this morning. Very strange, considering Reagan & Bush Sr.

did the same thing. Again, say this was the first time ever that a POTUS was going to address schoolchildren, then maybe the furor would make sense, as it was setting a precedent. But the truth is, it was done before. Therefore, I have come to the dire conclusion that this has to do with race.

This is the one case where I actually feel bad for the President. It is a slap in the face.

[YvonneCa]

16. I feel bad for him, too. I found this...

...part of the SD U/T article interesing:

"Several offices and some campuses in the San Diego Unified School District have received phone calls and e-mails from people opposed to televising the speech in class. Many calls appeared to be from the same people", said district spokeswoman Linda Zintz.

“This is definitely part of an organized nationwide movement to contact school districts in opposition of this being shown in schools,” Zintz said.


I heard a report last night about a website urging parents to keep their kids home from school(kind of what I suggested, but for the opposite reason)...which supports the idea that it's an organized effort. IMO,, this has been a total manipulated attack, just like the astroturf town halls. It's despicable.

[YvonneCa]

15. The initial lesson plan...

...demonstrates a lack in the education department. Secretary Duncan is responsible for that, IMHO.

[sandnsea]

17. What was a mistake?

I'm curious. Writing a letter to the President?

[Inuca]

19. No, not writing a letter

Writing about how you can help the president or something along these lines. I did not look at the source, I am just repeating, to the extent I remember it, what I saw/heard in the media about.

[sandnsea]

20. That was just one of many many ideas

And is the only one they changed, afaik.

Did kids not write Bush when he asked them to help raise money for Afghanistan? Or write Reagan about staying off drugs?

This country has gone off the rails. This is like letting your crazy aunt in the attic run the household.

[YvonneCa]

21. I agree. Teachers get these kinds of guidelines ALL...

...the time. Rarely does anyone pay any attention to them...parents, teachers, administrators or anyone else.

This is planned scrutinizing of EVERYTHING Obama does...with the goal of disrupting and road-blocking and firing up the wacko part of the GOP base. I get the politics. I just wonder sometimes if politicians (on both sides) understand the inflammatory nature of the situation.

And I am at a loss as to how to tamp this down.

[Inuca]

23. I don't know much about

what happened in the past, but I agree with your sentence 110%. It's insane, scary, and ugly.

[beachmom]

24. Here is the full text of the speech. Wow, I am so glad my kids have

been saved from hearing such "propaganda" as work hard in school. :sarcasm:

http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/09/obamas-remarks-for-school-address-as-prepared-for-delivery.php?ref=fpb

I am trying to get over my anger about this, but it has been hard.

[wisteria]

25. I agree with you. This entire RW orchestrated stunt shows nothing but disrespect for our President.

It also shows how many people are more than willing to believe the likes of Limbaugh and his ilk over common sense and intelligent thought.

[YvonneCa]

26. "RW orchestrated stunt " is exactly what this...

is, just like the astroturf at healthcare town halls. If I can figure this out, why can't the media? Why do they continue to give ANY credibility to these people?

[Blaukraut]

27. It's the 24 hour cable news channels that are the problem

Imagine if they only covered real news? How many hours of their 24 allotted ones would be dead air in that case. They have to gin up controversy to fill up their air time.

[wisteria]

29. Good point. n/t

[YvonneCa]

30. I understand, but...

...I am also increasingly concerned :) about the impact on the country. What they do is very divisive.

[Blaukraut]

31. Absolutely. I agree with you there.

It's frustrating to see the power the media have over public opinion. I honestly do not know how that can be changed, if at all.

[YvonneCa]

32. What I question is their understanding of...

...their own involvement in amplifying anything the RW throws at them. Aren't they able to discern the 'spin' and steer clear of it? Or do they feel that are fair so long as they amplify spin from both sides EQUALLY? If they can't see their own role, what prevents them from that? If they do see how they are being used and do it anyway...why?

Is there any line where making money becomes LESS important than wall-to-wall amplification of either side? Would they draw a line at 'hate speech' or inciting a riot...because we're almost there?

[wisteria]

34. Yes, the only thing we can do is counter the ridiculous with the common sense

and hope we get through to some of these people. If the Repubs keep this up, my thought is they are going to crash and burn. Their motives are so obvious.

[wisteria]

28. I think the push sometimes comes from the corporate side. They control the money and the message

many times.

[wisteria]

33. Referring to the speech, did anyone listen or watch it?

I did, and I thought it was very moving. When he told the children that everyone of them had something to offer, it was just beautiful. I wish someone had said something like that to me when I was young. To often, when you are young, you compare yourself to others, and somehow you feel you don't measure up. It is so easy to use this as an excuse and give up.
Our President, with just that one sentence, made millions of children feel special today.