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Obama Education Speech Transcript To Be Available In Advance
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by alia_d | September 4, 2009 at 10:55 am
4277 views | 60 Recommendations | 27 comments
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In the face of criticism from conservative critics, the Obama Administration has announced that it will make the Obama education speech transcript available on Monday in advance of Obama's address to students nationwide on Tuesday at 12 noon EST.
Obama's decision to address students has led to a national debate with some parents saying that they may not send their children to school in fear of a politicized speech. The White House hopes that the decision to make the Obama education speech transcript available hours ahead of time will enable parents to read Obama's education speech in advance and decide whether it is appropriate for their children.
The Obama Administration has also assured the public that the Obama school speech will not be politicized in nature, but send a positive message to students. Obama's education speech will urge students to "take personal responsibility for their own education, to set goals, and to not only stay in school but make the most of it."
Interestingly, former president George H. Bush addressed students via a national speech in 1991 in the face of democratic backlash.
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alia_d
Vancouver, Canada
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Rory Cripps
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (27)
at 11:04 on September 4th, 2009
The political divide in the US is so large, that this kind of foolishness happens. I think Dems and Repubs need to take a deep breath and look at getting their country united and move on.
at 11:43 on September 4th, 2009
ACP - I will share this with you as you posted the divide is obvious.
But, and I hope upon hope and pray to any God that this does not happen - but Fox and the wingnuts are being driven beyond human comprehension - there will be a child who will be killed who has a button that says anything pro-Obama.
That is how much I see the craziness in the US.
at 12:00 on September 4th, 2009
It truly is reaching that level of insanity, TC.
at 12:15 on September 4th, 2009
I just hope we never get to this point in Canada. I am totally against attacking the other side. I want to see sensible debate without the accusations. Debate policies, if you will, forget characters. Judge the incumbents on the promises they made and what they accomplished. Then be fair in your judgment why it wasn't achieved. In my estimation this constant back and forth and lack of trust for the incumbent becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy as you mentioned above.
Don't let Common Sense become so rare, that it is mistaken for genious.
at 12:32 on September 4th, 2009
Cowpoke, it is not the back and forth that is the problem.
It is that there is no voice among those that would be represented or are within the same party as Right Wing extremists, that is within the Republican Party, who will stand up and say that all of the Hitler talk, he's not a citizen, he's a socialist, he's America's worst enemy and all of the rest of it, is untrue and should end.
For fear of loss of the Republican base, which I do hope are truly not as they have been characterized, hour after hour, day after day, Republicans skirt the line of credibility as they remain mum on all of these dangerous and false pronouncements.
The back and forth has to and will continue as some of this stuff that is being allowed to float out there cannot be allowed to stand unchallenged.
at 12:47 on September 4th, 2009
Interestingly enough, it is this same sort of perception of the religious establishment that led many people, my age especially, to be disenchanted with it all.
at 15:21 on September 4th, 2009
ACP: Thank you for your sensible and level headed comment. Lone voices in the wilderness often cut like a knife through the noise.
Americans have a tendency to allow their emotions to get the better of them when it comes to ideological issues near and dear to their hearts. And Americans are even quite capable of violence and mayhem when they get to the point where they've had enough with the insults no matter what direction the insults come from. The fact that the first amendment to the U.S. Constitution exists allows Americans to express their emotions and even call each other names and apply labels (that often have no basis in reality) to one another. But in spite of all the name calling and hateful speech--on both sides of the American political spectrum--I'm glad that Americans are exercising their right of free speech today more so than they've done since the Vietnam War. Indeed, Americans are now getting a full dose of what their fellow Americans really think in terms of political ideology and what direction America should be headed in.
What Americans think, today, couldn't be any clearer: Millions love President Obama and will blindly follow him to the ends of the earth no matter what his policies are. Millions hate President Obama and will blindly follow, to the ends of the earth, those whose only wish is for President Obama to fail. And then there are millions of Americans whose voices are drowned out by the ideological noise and that only want what's best for their country. The latter primarily consist of "independent" voters. And "independent" voters are the determining factor in who winds up in the White House. At this point, there is a dramatic decline in support for President Obama among "independent" voters.
at 17:23 on September 5th, 2009
Or perhaps a child that doesn't have a pro-Obama button on will get his finger bitten off or worse. As far as violence goes, the score is one for the pro Obama team and zero for the anti-Obama team.
Can't we be fair and objective here? It's obvious that there are political ideologues on both sides of the issue. But it's equally obvious that many have legitimate disagreements with President Obama's policies. And because they simply disagree and voice their disagreement they're being painted as wing nuts and crazies. I often wonder how one gets to the point of being so consumed with political ideology that any and all opposing viewpoints are dismissed as lunatic rantings.
The facts are that roughly half the American voters simply don't agree with President Obama's policies. Moreover they don't like many of the personalities that the President has surrounded himself with. And many of these voters are getting tired of being labeled as wing nuts and other ridiculous and absurd labels that have no basis in reality.
at 11:24 on September 4th, 2009
This being done, obviously, in the hopes that, once seeing the content of the speech, a collective light bulb will go off and those opposed to the idea of the President delivering a sort of pep talk to the students will suddenly get it.
Let's see how long it takes Right Wing Republicans and conservative extremists to disappoint with increased calls for boycotting the speech, in spite of this effort.
at 12:03 on September 4th, 2009
Looking around my school I think most people could use some motivation. I have never seen so many of my friends care at all about politics before the last election. I believe they are more likely to respond to a man they see as intelligent and capable. He is in a way my generation's Kennedy.
at 12:08 on September 4th, 2009
I agree, Grace, and see no sensible or logical reason for this conspiratorial aversion to this speech.
at 11:42 on September 4th, 2009
On one hand, I hope seeing the content will convince the malcontents of any so-called political intentions; however, it is disconcerting that the President has to convince anyone of his intentions in something as benign as a speech about the values of education. What level of trust is this? Every day Americans send their children to school to be taught and guided by teachers, are we going to question their motivations now?
at 12:13 on September 4th, 2009
I remember when Bush addressed the children this did not happen. I did not get any sort of letter and I was in elementary school at the time. However, today during second period I was given a letter to give to my parents explaining that if they do not want us to watch the broadcast, seperate rooms will be set up.
I am a senior in high school... The only reason they're doing this is because enough parents called the school. If your kid can't think for themselves by this age what the hell are they going to do with their life?
at 12:19 on September 4th, 2009
" .... are we going to question their (teachers) motivations now?"
The answer is yes, A, there are those who will.
As long as there is any department that may have any involvement in education that is in the Obama administration, whomever has been appointed, whomever is on staff, the teachers themselves, will be viewed with a jaundiced eye, their integrity tarnished by association, with maybe seven degrees of separation from President Barack Obama, a president elected with a majority vote of nearly 10 million and 365 electoral votes, 95 votes above the electoral count of the required 270.
at 12:30 on September 4th, 2009
Karen
My daughter is finishing her Master's Degree and credential for elementary school teaching, so this is worrisome to me that teachers' political views can be used this way. Although, she is bit more conservative than I am, she supported Obama all the way. I am going to advise her about being careful with political views among educators.
at 12:37 on September 4th, 2009
we disagree with his policies and his plans for our country. We are not reading anything into his words, he has made it quite clear. i am an American and i have the right to disagree and to campaign against this man. Just as yall did against Bush. The rhetoric really got amped up when yall could not or would not accept the defeat in the election in Florida. We are playing yalls game and getting very good at it. I dont think Obama is a bad man! I just disagree with his policies. and as good Americans should campaign for what they want and against things that they dont want.
at 12:43 on September 4th, 2009
We lived with Bush for eight years and you cannot be tolerant for even eight months?
at 18:06 on September 4th, 2009
eddie hatch:
" i am an American and i have the right to disagree and to campaign against this man. Just as yall did against Bush."
Yes! I may or may not agree with your politics, but I will defend your right of free speech until my last dying breath. Other than America, where else, in the world, are you allowed to say what you mean and mean what you say? The reality is that the writer of this story, along with those that have commented, would have faced either censorship, ostracism, threats, violence, arrest, or even death, had the story and comments been posted anywhere else but Canada and America and, possibly France.
It is becoming increasingly and disturbingly apparent that here, in America, political ideologues have an irrational desire to shut down free speech on the part of those that disagree with their ideology. Most of those ideologues clamor for "democracy". In my opinion, "democracy", out of all forms of government, is the most oppressive because it ultimately leads to mob rule and the expression of total and complete "Social Darwinism" I, personally, would have no problem surviving in a "Social Darwinist" environment. However I prefer to live the comfortable life that I've lived and I hope to do so until my number is up.
at 16:56 on September 4th, 2009
Obama is a joke. What better of an audience to promote healthcare to than 5th graders. Sure a "public option" is great; just wait until you have to get a job and pay more taxes to pay China back because our deficit is so sky high. This is pediatric propaganda and it is pathetic. There is politics all over this. Obama is showing if all else fails, go to people who can't even vote so they can harass their parents about the public option. Nice way to recruit an army. Too bad they won't be able to vote for him in 3 years.
at 18:36 on September 4th, 2009
relax: I love Chinese food! Especially deep-fried Pigeons!
at 19:07 on September 4th, 2009
I will. I just may. I'll rather him than the idiots calling people fascist/rascist/socialist/communist, or any other entity considered a social pariha instead of trying to fix the current crisis. What are we in the McCarthy Era? I cannot support ignorance or biggotry, period. So many other people my age feel the same that if some Republican leader doesn't say "hey Rush shut up with your crap extremism you don't speak for us" soon they will have lost an entire generation.
at 18:54 on September 4th, 2009
People need to stop with the "republicans hate him because he's a democrat" junk. For most republicans it has little to do with his political party and more to do with his political decisions. This country was in a very bad position when he was elected and it would've been a difficult task for anyone to take on, republican or democrat. However, I strongly feel that this country is in worse shape than it was prior to Obama taking office and am certain that much of that can be attributed to decisions he's made since he took office.I don't have a problem with the President or any "mentor" figure visiting with my child regarding education. However, if the context of the speech contains anything political, I do then have a problem. I will view the document that details the context of this speech and if I deem it inappropriate then I will not allow my daughter to view it. I think that is called being a responsible parent, not a psychopath overreacting conservative.If this took place 4 years ago with Bush giving the speech and discussing the importance of war, liberals and republicans alike would've been going nuts. If he would've been discussing HIS views on education and how it should be, people would've been going nuts. It comes down to what is and is not appropriate for a 8 or 9 year old child to hear. Discussing the importance of education with children is vital to their success, I agree. However, it depends on how it's portrayed. If the speech makes children 18 and younger feel like failures if they don't attend an ivy league college, that's ridiculous.Until anyone reads the contents of the speech , all of this is speculatory and democrats and republicans alike need to relax.
at 19:10 on September 4th, 2009
He did discuss the war...
What is not approporiate? They hear you anyway even and especially when you do not think they are listening. Children have exceptional mind and if they don't ask you why, they're asking someone else.We should cultivate a culture of intellectualism. What is wrong with telling people to stay in school and work hard? Many people do not hear this from a mentor figure ever.
at 19:02 on September 4th, 2009
Amanda83: You make a number of frank and well thought-out points. But what I really like about your post is that you're sincere.
at 09:01 on September 5th, 2009
I have no problem with a motivational and inspiring speech to my child but when it becomes a political or ideological message then I don't want my child exposed to it. That is my job as a parent. To instill the values and beliefs that I hold dear and sacred into my children. The fact that the President is a Democrat is irrelevant to me in this case, I would object to anybody attempting to influence my child without my consent. The fact remains though, that the American public has come to distrust Mr.Obama in such a short time. In November he was many peoples savior and now that the shroud is pulled back....nothing but lies, deceit, empty prommisses, corruption, double talk, embarrasment. I came to the USA 40 yrs ago and became a Citizen by choice because I loved the freedom of this Beautiful Nation and now I cannot even recognize it. I pray for us all but we cannot stay silent.
at 19:38 on September 5th, 2009
A link to Media Resources at Whitehouse.gov, including a link to the scheduled live feed broadcast on Tuesday, September 8, 2009.
at 06:04 on September 7th, 2009
Where is the advance copy of the speech? I guess they will issue it 5 minutes prior to the speech. Well, since I have not seen a copy, my child will not see the speech.