Just wondering how everyone is feeling about the upcoming presidential speech to the kids of the nation. I have some really mixed emotions. I am glad that our school district has given us the option to opt out of it, but a little frustrated that they are showing it at all. Our district in particular, has been incredibly up tight about its teaching time. Last year the University offered Brooke's class a free field trip to their science center. It was paid for- down to the bus trip across town. The kids would spend 2 hours doing hands on experiments helping them to learn how science applies to the world around them. The Sup. wouldn't let them go because it would take away from "teaching" time. I disagreed with the decision, figuring that hands on learning and real world experiences are just as important to the learning and development of our kids.
As for the presidential speech, I think it's great he wants to connect with our kids, but I really wonder about the motive behind all of this. He is a very smart man and doesn't do anything with out it being very calculated and thought out. I don't need any president to teach my kids about standards, service, or what they should be doing. It's sad that our society has so disconnected from the youth that the government feels like they have to (or can) come in and talk to our kids without their parents there to discuss what they have heard- be it good or bad. Why not put it on in the evening.
I read one post by a parent that pretty well described my feelings: "Had President George W. Bush deigned to give a speech to the nation's schoolchildren, the left would have burst with a thunderous fury exceeding the explosion of Krakatoa. As a parent, I control who and what enters my child's life, to the best of my ability. If President Barack Obama wishes to reach the ears of my child, he can give a speech at 7 p.m. If I choose to allow him to speak to my child, I will allow my child to watch it. His choice of venue reduces the children to a captive audience in a mandatory setting. The left has traditionally been against school prayer because those who choose not to participate may feel ostracized. " Why are those of us that may object to it now put in the minority and ostracized?
SO_ there is my question/comment, and I know that I am the only one with kids that are in school dealing with this- you'll be here soon enough.
I don't see a problem with the President addressing the children of the United States. He is our President. He is the leader of our country and I think it is a wonderful opportunity for children to have the most important man in the country talk directly to them, give them encouragement, and perhaps give hope to some young people.
ReplyDeleteHe knows that if he talked about anything but pursuing educational goals and trying hard in school, he would be barraged with criticism from both the left and the right.
Parents do have a right not to have their children watch the address if they so desire: They can pull their children out of school that day or write a note to their teacher. However, the transcript of the speech will certainly be pasted all over the internet that same day and if there is something parents object to in it, they can talk to their children about it.
The hypothetical grumblings you suggest would emit from the left if President Bush were to address the school children are the same grumblings that actually are coming forth from the right with this speech. By the amount of news stories I found when I Googled the story, the rumbling may actually amount to Krakatoa. I say let the man speak and, if needs be, criticize him afterward.
I am interested to hear, from those who don't like this speech, if they would allow their kids to watch it had he addressed school children on television in the evening?
I hadn't even heard the grumblings until I started looking at it too. Like I said, I could easily argue both sides. Honestly, if it was on in the evening, I would most likely have my kids sit down and watch part of it. I am weird that way, I like to have them be see parts of politics, hoping that they'll grow up with an informed opinion rather then just listening to media and peers. I would most likely preview it first- not that I think he's going to have something inappropriate on there, just that I like to know what my kids are listening to. I do like that he is releasing his speech before hand, and I will most likely read it and talk with Brooke about it. For some of the inner-city kids, maybe having the president speak TO THEM will be inspiring and encourage them. To be honest, if my kids were in HS, this wouldn't even be a concern- they SHOULD be watching it then. I just don't think that Brant has the attention span or ability to understand- maybe brooke, but not really. I was surprised that one school district is refusing to allow parents to pull children out of class during that period. Good or Bad, you're right- let him talk and judge afterwards, but I'll wait to hear it before letting my kids watch. It's amazing how much politics plays a part in what these kids are learning though. It's changed a lot- some for good, some for bad. "That's wrong mom, my teacher told me XYZ" has come out of my little kids mouths more then once!
ReplyDeleteInteresting debate. I will have to research more and come back. In judging the situation, I have to ask myself what President Obama's intent is. Why would he care to speak to schoolchildren, especially if he knew it was going to cause such a hullabaloo? I don't think we can expect anything radical, or socialist, or "Hitleresc" as a lot of people can are claimming.
ReplyDeleteThere are two things that seem to me to make it apealing to me. First, how politicaly active are our youth? Public political eficacy has been on the decline in America for decades. It matters not whether they are exposed to the right or to the left, the exposure is what is important. I think there is enough of a balance of opinion in the country that reguardless of what our kids are "indoctrinated" in, they will be exposed to both sides of the coin, thus allowing them to make choices for themselves.
Secondly, the white house has posted several tools on the net and is distributing ideas on how to stimulate healthy political debate in the classroom. If they are trying to indoctrinate, I hardly think they would want to stimulate debate on the issue. From what I see, it is a healthy approach to get kids involved in politics.
As far as time goes, I hardly think that one "wasted" hour out of the thousands a kids pends in school over his/her childhood is going to make a difference in their overall education.
That said, I also largely agree that criticism and praise should probably be held utnill after the speach is given.
CNN made the following comment: "The controversy [Obama's Speech] is the latest example of how sharply polarized political debate has become."
ReplyDeleteThis,however, did not start with Obama or even George Bush, but has been going on for some time. Political discourse is good, but can drive people apart. Be cautious, my children, that you do not allow this to happen to you as a family. I think that I know enough about the political persuasion of each of you to know that you do not always see things in the same light. That, however, should not mean that you should avoid political discourse with one another. Can you imagine what would have happened to this country if those at the consitutional convention would not have continued their discourse despite the sharp divisions that many of them had?
Each of you need to be open to the ideas of others while doing what the scriptures tell us in making sure that we do not call evil good and good evil. When defending our position is is normal to gather information that will support our view. It is important to understand that there is equally as much information to support an opposite view as well. Do not be so myopic in trying to defend your side that you forget the Spirit in coming to your final resolution. While it may seem unnecessary to pray over a simple matter as a speech, that is exactly what we should be doing, as well as health care and every other issue that this nation is facing.
This speech is more that just about staying in school. It is about trust. President Obama's speech will likely be meaningless to the elementary kids and maybe even to the middle school kids, but in as much as "It's a speech designed to encourage kids to stay in school", it will be important to those in high school. He is trying to develop trust from the Amercian People and this is an out reach to the high school students to trust him. If he can get them to trust him, then it will be easier to get them to enlist in the things that he wants them to do. For the most part, there is not the deep polarization in that age group and as such it will be easier to persuade them to trust.
President Obama's speech may be as inaucuous (spelling)as a cat sitting on a porch or as far reaching as a boil on your butt. Let the Spirit tell you which.
Myopic is my new favorite word.
ReplyDeleteDad, you remind me of King Benjamin. You are the wise man on the tower telling reminding us of what the real issues are. Thank you much for being a great dad.
ReplyDeleteAt noon on Tuesday, September 8th the President will be welcoming America’s students back to school – after all, sometimes they need a little extra motivation after a glorious summer. The President has spoken often about the responsibility parents have for their children and their education, but in this message he’ll 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.
ReplyDeleteFrom the White House blog. Doesn't sound so scary. Also, they will be posting the speech today on the White house website.
I've read the speech, but with an little bit of a different view than what the white house is spinning it. Nothing in politics (be it right or left) is simple. Many people these days don't question what they see and hear- they don't want to make decisions so they take everything at face value. They are also okay with the schools teaching morals for them. For many of these kids, I think that as they get older voting is a "popularity" thing, who have they seen the most, who talks the best, who has the most money- not who can run our country the best and look after our freedoms. Having read the speech- it's innocent enough, but I still don't get why K-12 need it, rather then the older kids who could actually understand it. I know I sound crazy, but it just feels so calculated, and I don't know why. Maybe it's the lack of sleep.....
ReplyDeleteAnd I think I would be saying this if it was John McCain.
We personally loved the speech, and not just because I am trying to defend my 2008 vote. Obama was motivating and inspiring. We don't think his message was political; we think it came from a man and a father in a unique position who sees numberless children in difficult situations, unmotivated to learn. The message was simple and will resonate: Work hard so that you can have a better life.
ReplyDeleteAs for the younger children, those that can understand it will benefit; those that can not will perk up when they hear "Harry Potter" and "Xbox" and then will promptly return to their prior preoccupation. Even those that don't understand the words may grasp that the President is an important figurehead. Children are taught from an early age about the office and seeing our current President speak may solidify what they are taught.
Yeah, you're right. It really wasn't political- I agree, and there are kids that will really benefit from it.
ReplyDeleteThat was far too acquiescent. I don't think I was defferential enough in my comment. I do think that there are political implications and there is no doubt they play some role in his speech and the fact that he gave the speech at all. I just don't think (and really hope) that they were not the driving factor.
ReplyDeleteOoo- big words! I don't hear them often enough, and quite frankly, I don't think I could even spell half of them if I wanted. I soooo miss having grown up discussion- I miss conversations that make me think and defend my opinions, or change them in some cases. I really don't think it was that political- I do think it was politically motivated. I am trying to debate in my head "how much we owe our goverment". That was the political part that I got from the speech, and that's what I am doing the internal debate. I don't think that I owe them anything. I owe my allegiance the the country, to our freedoms, to our constitution, but not to the goverment.
ReplyDeleteI just reread my post, and I want to make sure you know that I wasn't being rude with the big words comment. I was truely being jelous, and impressed, and when I reread it it sounds snotty and like I am being a brat. I over think EVERYTHING, so know that I really didn't mean it that way *sigh*
ReplyDeleteDid I start all this interest in politics because I am on the city council? If so, I am glad. I have to admit that the "politics" of politics is certainly not near as evident on the local level as it is as you move further up the line. I am certain that I could not move further than local government, because I do not like to play the game. I can play it, but I feel that you should be straight forward in the things that you say and do without doing and saying them with ulterior motives in mind. I believe the buzz word today that describes that is "transparency".
ReplyDeleteLike anything else in life, a single event or a single action does not describe the person. It is the cumulative actions and decisions of that individual that describes him or her. He is defined, however, by each individual and how his cumulative actions align with the feelings of that individual. If I have more things that positively align with my feelings than I have negative things then I will look favorably to the actions and decisions of that person and define him as trustworthy If, however, it is the opposite, then I will question the actions and my trust levels will be somewhat lower and I will define him differently. That is why it is important to make sure that our lives are aligned with the Lord's so we can righterously judge the actions and decisions of others.
We live in a world where we depend upon the news to tell us how to think. The media supplies us with an endless diatribe of misinformation (I am not saying that it is all false, just biased), both from the right and the left. How then, does one make an informed decision given the lack of time that most of us have to fully research every situation?
Who knows. I am up to my elbows in dirty diapers and laundry.
ReplyDeleteHopefully neither literally nor simultaneously . . . that would get messy.
ReplyDeleteNot both at the same time, but yes, literally. Dane is the king of poop. Not only are diapers dispoable in our house, clothes are too. I haven't discovered a good way to get yellow butt rust out of shirts and pants, and I refuse to have him wear OBVIOUSLY stained gross looking clothes. Garage Sales our my new favorite clothes of choice. And as for laundry...is it every really finished?
ReplyDeleteBrooke's school tried to turn it on, but couldn't find it anywhere. They looked long and hard with no luck. Brooke was pretty cute though. She and I talked at length about what the President was encouraging the students to do and her one question was "why is he telling us that, doesn't everyone's parents say that?" Interesting the different view points that kids will have depending on their upbrining and family make-up.
ReplyDeleteWow, I've never been into so much debate or political opinion. I wish I would have been more into politics when I was in high school so I could say my own opinion or thoughts, but I honestly didnt pay much attention other than getting a good grade. Jeff is much more into politics, and gratefully for me he explains things to me so makes much more sense and I really love it. It seems like I get more of an insight on things when I talk with him.
ReplyDeleteOther night, he brought up some article he was reading about how our government is involved with the 911 attack, and how some people want to have the government sign some documents saying that they were involved? He mentioned how the towers fell down straight... Which I never thought of this, but they fell straight and not toppled off to the side or or anything... And how they found military type of bombs... Anyone else heard of this? After our meeting with our new real estate agent today, I want to read and look into this. Not sure how true it is... but then again... if so, thats just ... well I dont have any words to describe my feelings really (or any big grown-up words..., I learn more every day with Jeff) Kinda shocking to me.
If you are interested in alternative points of view, you could look into Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11". I've never seen it myself, but I know it goes over such theories. Do take it with a grain of salt. The last thing i would want to do is send someone off believing a radical opinion just because they can make it look pretty in a documentary. People who make these kinds of movies feed of the unopinionated and the uninformed. So if you're going not going to look at it critically, don't watch it, but I think it's valuable to understand the oposing points of view.
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