I was one of "those"parents. I wrote to the principal to see what the school was doing about Obama brainwashing our kids. I was happy to find out that the school administrators had decided to leave it up to the individual teachers as to whether or not they would air Obama's speech today.I was happy until I read the script last night. In Tennessee, it's a 50/50 shot at whether or not the teacher likes Obama. I knew most of my kids probably would NOT hear this today. And I was right. Not one of their teachers showed Obama's speech in class today. And I so wish that they did. It inspired me as I read it last night. It made me want to go back to school.
And just for the record. I think that propaganda is perfectly acceptable as long as I agree with it. :) Go ahead, all you Conservative freaks....hang me. I can't wait to hear what you possibly found wrong with this speech. Bring it on. I'm waiting for some juicy comments.
Every single one of you has something you’re good at. Every single one
of you has something to offer. And you have a responsibility to yourself to
discover what that is. That’s the opportunity an education can
provide.
Where you are right now doesn’t have to determine where you’ll end
up. No one’s written your destiny for you. Here in America, you write
your own destiny. You make your own future.
No one’s born being good at things, you become good at things through hard
work. You’re not a varsity athlete the first time you play a new
sport. You don’t hit every note the first time you sing a song. You’ve
got to practice. It’s the same with your schoolwork. You might have to
do a math problem a few times before you get it right, or read something a few
times before you understand it, or do a few drafts of a paper before it’s good
enough to hand in.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Don’t be afraid to ask for help
when you need it. I do that every day. Asking for help isn’t a sign of
weakness, it’s a sign of strength. It shows you have the courage to admit
when you don’t know something, and to learn something new. So find an adult
you trust – a parent, grandparent or teacher; a coach or counselor – and ask
them to help you stay on track to meet your goals.
And even when you’re struggling, even when you’re discouraged, and you
feel like other people have given up on you – don’t ever give up on
yourself. Because when you give up on yourself, you give up on your
country.
I, too, cannot think that anyone could find anything wrong with his speech. I personally did not understand why people would not want the President of the United States to speak to our children. I guess I just want to hope for the best in people. I just don't think that a president of the United States, whether Republican or Democrat, would schedule a speech to brainwash our children. I understand parents not wanting that, but I wish people had given him the benefit of the doubt and trusted him just a little. Besides, I think it would almost be political suicide to go to our nation's children and try to brainwash them with your ideologies. I know I would be outraged about that whether or not I agreed with the ideologies being preached. I'm just sad that more children did not get to hear it. It really was an uplifting speech. I love the part you quoted.
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ReplyDeleteI would have never written a letter to the principal asking that we not allow the President of the United States to speak to my children.
ReplyDeleteIt is too bad that although individual opinions vary... that we don't want our children to hear a message for them given by our President.
I think some of the people fighting over this matter are on the verge of being lunacy.
ToOdLeS.
I agree Alice. Conan and I read the speech online yesterday and I liked it. I hoped they would hear it.
ReplyDeleteBut they didn't.
I have to admit I was a little worried when he originally talked about doing this speech, but in the end I really enjoyed what he said...I thought it was very inspiring for the kids to hear.
ReplyDeleteWell, I am finally glad that some one posted it. It is a good speech, it sounds more like a motivational speech than anything else. I have no problem with it. I have to say that I really had not heard anything about this speech, because it was not really talked about at our schools here. I work in a school, and knew that it was not going to be shown because there was not mention of it.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you are back to posting stuff that may or may not ruffle feathers. As long as he's not pushing the Health Care issue, I'm down with him talking to the kids.
ReplyDeleteI don't think this is propoganda. So many people have the misconception that one party or the other is either completely good or bad. That's so silly! It seems to me, most of us have common goals, we just differ in how we want to go about accomplishing them. I'm not loyal to any party and this is exactly why.
ReplyDeleteI have to be honest though, I could care less that my kids didn't hear this in school today. As parents, we can choose to replay or print the darn thing for them. This isn't anything my kids haven't heard before. Just my opinion.
i think the speech was great and wish that Liam had heard it himself. who cares if i didn't vote for obama but i do believe in the 12th article of faith and was actually excited for the president to speak to the children. they are a part of this country too! unfortunately, i believe b/c of some the "outrage" with parents my children were not able to benefit from the encouraging words.
ReplyDeleteTwo things to remember:
ReplyDelete1. This was not the original speech he was going to give.
2. Obama didn't write this, a team of people wrote it and Obama read it from the teleprompter like he does all his other speeches.
But I agree, there are some good points in the speech.
I totally agree. I loved it! Heaven forbid the President of our country actually encourage our children to learn & to value their education. Isn't that what the Prophet & Aspostles have been trying to tell us? Hm...
ReplyDeleteAs for him not actually writing the speach, that might be true. But to my knowledge there have been very few speaches actually written by the presidents who have given them, no matter their party. But they do read them before them give them & do have the power to ask them to be changed if they see fit.
I agree with erin. Maybe I just wanted to see the best in people, but I think he is doing a great job with what he has been given to deal with.
I pledge...
ReplyDeleteMy class heard it! The kids were at special area, but the art teacher said she wanted to show it if it was okay with me. I thought it was great because I was teaching about government...minority rights and how even if we voted for a different person for president, we still have rights. I only had one parent keep their child home. I had one parent call the day of and I just sent her kid to another classroom. I was looking over some of the notes the kids took during the speech and they were amazing!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I was one of the screamers about this, until I read the speech. So I decided to send my daughter to school. (the only one left in public school in my house) She didn't see it either. Why? Because 3/4 of the population of her high school decided to "opt out" and go to the auditorium for some serious socialization time.
ReplyDeleteI agree completely. I was wary of what he might say - if he'd hint around about health care, etc... But figured I'd let them hear it since he IS the president and all. We gave our girls a big talk the night before about not believing smooth talking politicians and then I read the speech and realized that it was perfect in every way. and of course, neither of them heard it at school. I think I'll show it to them on youtube. I guess there are sometimes advantages to having a smooth talking politician speak to your kids. so long as he's on MY side!
ReplyDeleteI'm so pleased to see someone be so open-minded. Around here, people like to bash Obama just for saying hello. I wish more people would educate themselves before jumping on their high horse. Thank you.
ReplyDelete(coming in late)
ReplyDeleteThere was nothing wrong with the speech at all BUT the original wasn't as nicely written. His changes fixed that and it turned lovely.
"The other side" (whatever the other side is at the moment) will always get their panties in a wad about such things. Dems did the same when the first Pres Bush spoke to kids in school.