The speech delivere was a message that conveyed the importance of staying in school. The value of education in our country is an issue that needs to be addressed regardless of who is our president.
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On the same hand are you going to prevent your child from being taught by a teacher that might have a political stance that differs from yours, even if the material that he or she is teaching has absolutely NOTHING to do with his or her personal views. THAT is what is wrong with this country. A good message gets stomped out because of partisan grudges. The president, like our teachers, mentors, and parents, are role models. Obama didn't have a political agenda with this speech. The world is full of people that are going to influence your childrens' views, and you cannot ensure that you are sheltering them from ideas that differ from your own. Most of what they watch on television and the news is probably more harmful for them then this speech! Keep 'em ignorant and entertained, right?

Well said ProArtist.

Why would people would pull their children from school in order to keep them from listening to a speech by the OUR ELECTED NATIONAL LEADER about the importance of EDUCATION AND PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY? Really?! What is that teaching them? To reject their country's president over their parents' political grudges?
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The ignorance of some of the people posting on this blog is astounding.

Question for all the Hannity, Rush and Fox News fans...
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Has any previous president dared to speak to the school children of this country previously?
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If yes, names?
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Have you heard Fox, Rush or Hannity mention this?
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How do they defend the double-standard?
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How do you?
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Too much partisanship. It is unhealthy and it will hurt this country. When the country no longer is willing to listen because of a D or R the best plans will no longer be options.
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I don't blame the politicans, I blame the pundits both Rep. and Dem. Rush, Fox News, and MSNBC, Air America. Both sides have created a situation where anyone who agrees with or works with the "other side" is no longer on "our side."
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I remember this starting with the treatment McCain received from Rush. It has continued with the treatment of the Blue-Dogs from pundits on the left.
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And now, parents are keeping their kids out of school to avoid them listening to the President of the United States give a "study hard" pep talk.
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Hmmmm...I think in many respects, the same can be said about the paranoia of a certain few as it pertains to military access to school records.

Just teach your kids to say no if thats what you want...

Those who demand schools not let the President, the ELECTED leader of our nation, speak to the nation through the schools may be deluded by their own distorted and trumped-up jingoistic shadows but the peril for America as a culture is that institutions paying any credence to what they're spouting! The schools are listening to trumped up illusions and may make policy that will lessen education for all because of their paranoia and THAT is the real danger.

Looks like my stock in pharmaceuticals is on the rise...thanks to all the "paranoids" here.

taxed2much,
" What I have a big problem with, is the president asking them to write letters asking themselves how they can HELP HIM! Now, they di change that and it was dropped but even the hint of that is a huge problem for me."
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Helping someone can mean anything including CRITICISM!
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Seriously, people aren't thinking.
Those were SUGGESTIONS!
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Again, the partisanship ON BOTH SIDES, is pathetic and prevents anything from being done.
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How sad!

whoanellie...where were you hollering when Pres. Bush and Pres. Reagan spoke to school children in the '80s? You can't have it both ways. If a president can give an address that's shown in schools, all presidents should have that option. If you're so worried about your kids being "brain washed", move.

well said taxed2much

Amazing how so many can scream Obama is propagandizing and that he should not have the same free speech which they, too, demand. Aren't these the same people who DEMANDED the nation not just support Bush but bow down to his every whim without question? The President is OUR mutual, elected Commander-in-Chief and those conservatives who have constantly worn their so-called fervent patriotism on their sleeves under Bush screaming, "Our President right-or-wrong", are demonstrating their hypocisy loud and clear. OUR President is addressing the nations students to encourage staying in school, working hard, aiming for higher goals, and THINKING. Evidently, by the reactionary fervor, these are things many conservatives didn't learn when they were in school.

When the president speaks, we should all listen. Why has it become a bad thing for someone of authority to speak of the importance of education, hard work, and personal responsibility. This country has long since lost those ideals, yet those ideals, along with freedom from religious persecution, are what this country was founded upon. It's up to parents and teachers to answer questions the children have about what the president has to say. There is no harm in the children hearing this address.

For those of you that think conservatives are blowing this out of proportion, you dont get it.

I am a conservative and according to a few with Obama's administration I am a right wing radical since I am past military, pro gun, with conservative view points. I am also an A-Hole according to Van Jones, Obama's "green czar",(his words, in a speach) however I DO NOT have a problem with the President speaking to my kids and challenging them to set goals a go for them. I also do not have a problem with the president asking them to be better Americans, and possibly think of ways they can help OUR COUNTRY. What I have a big problem with, is the president asking them to write letters asking themselves how they can HELP HIM! Now, they di change that and it was dropped but even the hint of that is a huge problem for me.

JFK today would be considered a conservative because he never asked what people could do for JFK but rather what people could do for the country.

Take the blinders off.

grininear2ear; not to worry!!!
"Districts in states including Texas, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Virginia and Wisconsin have decided not to show the speech to students. Others are still thinking it over or are letting parents have their kids opt out." SOURCE: http://apnews.myway.com/article/20090904...

NOT even in IL !!! - Even "the Chicago way" saw thru this. Thank You!!!!!!!!!

Upon request of my kids, they do not want to be indoctrinated by this administration or any other so they will be staying out of class that day. As for me..Mr. President stay away from my kids, Grand Parents and my Doctors, get out of my bank accounts and business. We have a Constitution and Bill of Rights. Stay within those confines. If you do not like it..Resign and take your nut job Czars with you.
Do Not Tread on Me!

Who's blowing this up is the left. For me, its not that he's giving the speech - its the skewed questions that go with it. Its bad enough he loads his teleprompter - so he remembers what to say, I can understand statistics - who can remember tham all anyway - or major speeches but the rest of his messages should be from the heart - not what his advisors (ie Rhahm) think or that he "loads" press conferences with his own questions but to "pick" the topics & questions for the teachers to distribute. Why not let teachers do their jobs & independently discuss & create their own topics. - thats the part I have a problem with.

Conservatives rail about the lack of personal responsibility from our youth, then complain that President Obama is going to give a speech to children, including the topic of personal responsibility. Priceless. Keep it up. Eventually the Republican party will be left with nobody but the far right wing nut cases.

When I first heard this brouhaha on the radio yesterday, I was astounded. The extreme right has gone off it's rocker. I don't care WHO the president is, if he's giving a speech about the importance of education, hard work and personal responsibility, I want my kids to hear it. My 15 year old wants to hear it too.

Too many parents cannot or will not teach these ethics and teachers could use a little help with this aspect of their job. As much as it aggravates me, the onus of the job falls on teachers to fill the gap. It has been a bone of contention between me and the school district on many occasions, since I take my parenting job very seriously. It often seems I have to wrest control of it back from the schools at times, but it's only because the teachers have become so used to having to provide parenting in the vacuum of so many student's lives. If it will help the overwhelmed teachers to play a video of the president as he reinforces the importance of staying in school and doing your best, I'm all for it.

Tsk, tsk, tsk... dqandhallie, you should know better to give "them" a straight line like that. The obvious answer is:
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4 more years! 4 more years! 4 more years! 4 more years!
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4 More Years!! 4 More Years!! 4 More Years!! 4 More Years!! 4 More Years!!
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FOUR MORE YEARS!!! FOUR MORE YEARS!!! FOUR MORE YEARS!!! FOUR MORE YEARS!!!*
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*BLOG_ALL_CAPZ is a registered trademark of the JWEyster Foundation, ©2009)

UWsam...You said it all. The nut jobs are running wild. You would think that they won the election. Duh!

Flashback---"The Department of Education should not be producing paid political advertising for the president, it should be helping us to produce smarter students," House Majority Leader Richard A. Gephardt (D-Mo.) said. "And the president should be doing more about education than saying, 'Lights, camera, action.'
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"As far as I am concerned, this is not civics education — it gives the appearance of creating a cult of personality," said Oklahoma state Sen. Steve Russell. "This is something you'd expect to see in North Korea or in Saddam Hussein's Iraq."

or

In Florida, GOP chairman Jim Greer released a statement that he was "absolutely appalled that taxpayer dollars are being used to spread President Obama's socialist ideology."
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Okay, which argument sounds more rational? Which one sounds like fear-mongering? Scare-tactics? THINK for yourself! Read the FACTS!
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BTW, I would have taken issue with the Pledge video being shown to my elementary kids... not really appropriate for elementary school viewing.

didnt seem to scare this little old lady, she ready to take'em on ! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IerAzVmA9...

The president wants our youth to stay in school, study hard, get good grades, go to college and strengthen our country. NOT become drop out deadbeats dependant on welfare (not everyone on welfare are dead beats, at least one became president). Sounds like Hitler talk to me, or is it communist? I can never (not that i want to) keep up. I know, he's the boogie man! Hansom young black man scaring the little old white ladies? "excuse me while i whip this out!" BOO!

how much more of this clown are we going to have to put up with?

they do serve us don't they?

so the servant thing got flipped???? I will not be a servant to this president. there I just flipped it around again......LOL

So what does a video of a couple of nutty actors have to do with the President addressing school children about the importance of staying in school, working hard and taking responsbility for yourself?

The servant pledge is a entirely different youtube video including Demi Moore saying "I pledge to be a servant to our president" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51kAw4OTl... Reminder - the President and all elected government representatives are our public servants.

The guides were written by teachers participating in this program:
Now in its second year, the Teaching Ambassador Fellowships were created to give outstanding teachers leadership opportunities to learn about national education policy and to contribute their expertise to those discussions. The Fellows, in turn, provide outreach and communication about federal initiatives to other educators on behalf of the Department. Through their efforts, the fellows promote educators’ understanding of federal policy and encourage their input to improve education policies at all levels of government.

janesvillegirl72, I encourage you to read the guides, I posted links. Judge them for yourself.

I have no problem with the President addressing the value of education and encouraging the children to take advantage of the opportunities available to them, however I cannot believe that the White House Admin made the teaching guides to save the teachers some time, nobody in politics is that charitable, IMO. Leave out all the extra garbage and I would fully support a Presidential address regarding education, with the program now set into motion I certainly would like to have a choice as to whether or not I find it appropriate for my child, as each parent should decide for their own family if the question sheet and content is appropriate for the particular age and maturity of their child. I hope the JSD does not show this and lets us go over it with our own children as the parents are the ones who should be encouraging them and could use the parts of the speech that enlighten them and skip the rest. As for the kids really getting into the election last year my 3rd grader said she voted for Obama, I asked why, she said he was young and her friends liked him better. Please dont fool yourselves into thinking the kids really had a vested interest into the election in the younger grades it was just going along with the flow and feeling pretty good that they were having an election. It was the process not the policy that they were excited about.

http://www.ed.gov/teachers/how/lessons/7...
http://www.ed.gov/teachers/how/lessons/p...

Here are the guides. Judge for yourself. Not finding any mention of being the president's servants.

Parents - use this as a teachable moment. Teach your children to ask themselves during the address "is President Obama asking for bigger government or smaller government." If bigger - remind them bigger government means less freedom and prosperity for all. If smaller, help.

RAF:I have no idea why Hitler either, but it seems to be a popular topic with some. That was an attempt at humor.
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It was a non-issue then and it's a non-issue now. If someone made a statement about it then, I'm sure it wasn't all over the internet and newspapers being blown out of proportion like it has been today. Welcome to the internet age, where fear-mongering can be spread at high speed! Were parents calling schools and keeping their kids home when Reagan and Bush did it? Very doubtful!

Not sure what Hitler has to do with it.

You are the one that said both Reagan and Bush did it...yet another non-issue, being blown up by the people who can't think of any REAL issues.

Yet the House Majority Leader at the time, a democrat, also complained...was that also being blown up by people that could not think straight?

I would LOVE it if Sarah Palin came! I'd be first in line to ask her some questions! I want to be like Katie Couric and try to keep a straight face while she gives her non-sense answers! :) Great idea!

RAF-At least they weren't calling him Hitler! :) Did you read his address to the children? I'm sure it contained a lot more "political advertising" than Obama could possibly get away with!

fldpan: You are living proof there's no intelligent life on planet earth.

I find it interesting that WCLO airs the political equivalent of the Jerry Springer show starting at 6pm each night and then we are suprised that many commenters on here have such a limited understanding of any issues.

Flashback---"The Department of Education should not be producing paid political advertising for the president, it should be helping us to produce smarter students," House Majority Leader Richard A. Gephardt (D-Mo.) said. "And the president should be doing more about education than saying, 'Lights, camera, action.'

Turns out those on the left did not like it when the President was a republican after all.

Well, if my girls' school decides to show the speech, I'll be taking them early goose season hunting that day instead :)

What's the matter with you people? If our President wants to influence our children towards the path to social nirvana, why should you conservative types complain? You lost the election. Get over it. This is the kind of change we all said we were hoping for. Now it's time for all good loyal Americans to get in line, pledge allegiance to our President and the policies for which he stands, one nation under the Democrats with socialized medicine and social justice for all. If you disloyal ingrates can't support the utopia our beloved President is leading us through our children to, then accept your defeat in silent resignation or you'll be hunted down by good, faithful and true Americans who will then bite your pinkies off! (The preceding was a tongue-in-cheek satire by yours truly. Wait a second, I thought that was my tongue.... what's all that blood on my keyboard <gulp>...oh no.. I think I'm gonna puke.)

usaret, maybe they just didn't want the teachers to have to use their valuable TIME to come up with a plan for talking about the speech. No where does it say that the teachers can't throw out the suggested handouts and say anything that they want. Teachers spend many hours at school doing prep work and grading and I'm sure at least a few of them would be glad to have something prepared for them. Again, if they don't like it, they can toss it. Why do people act like there is some sort of mandate? Schools don't have to show the speech and teachers don't have to use the materials provided. It really isn't scary...really!

This letter to the teachers was a letter telling, yes actually telling the teachers how to teach and what to teach based on what the president says. I thought teachers new what to do in asking questions regarding a Presidential speech. Does the White House Admin believe teachers are incapable of doing this? It is nice that the White House is being so helpful but all they had to do was say what the President will be talking to the students about and then let the teachers come up with a program that will allow the students to tell what they learned and how it will effect them. That folks,is their job, not the White House Administration nor either political party. Education is important and am glad that the President is willing to take the time to talk to the students but I do believe that after reading the guidance put out, it was a little bit overboard.

I invoke Godwin's Law! Someone mentioned Nazi, and another Hitler. Thread closed.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwin%27s_...

As with all political speeches the proof will be in the words. If the speech is just about the importance of education, I don't have a problem with it.

So was it communism when Reagan and Bush did it? Fear-mongering is obviously a very effective political strategy!

Oh darn I forgot to mention he was a Nazi. I was busy stitching the armbands for the little youth corps. I can't believe some of you are so far out there. Maybe you are all space aliens, that's it. Get me Dick Cheney-- he will shoot your a--.

wisconsin schools trying to decide if they should allow students to listen to President Obama. what gives? The days of fear should be over, George W. is gone. Why shouldn't they listen to the President. Has everyone gone mad? Will listening to our President for a few minutes corrupt their minds. Oh I forgot he is the great satan, communist, socialist black man. You idiots should grow up and be proud of our country and our President

I'm a little bit frightened, really, at the divisiveness of this country. I heard a historian speak about past approval ratings for Presidents in the early half of the twentieth century. He said almost all the approval ratings were positive because, even if they disagreed with the president's policies, they respected the office. The President is a role model, like it or not, and Obama's a pretty good one when it comes to the importance of a sound education.

I was one of those parents who put their children in private school and homeschooled to " shelter them" and I am not at all sorry I did this! And those of you who agree with this indoctrination have all been brain washed! This is exactly what Hitler did, get them while they are young, also done in communist countries. Open your eyes people and grow up!this isn't about parties it's about our children! parents let your kids stay home. We pay our taxes we shouldn't have this going on unless ALL approve it!

"focus on school work when in school"
The president's address is about the importance of education. If that's not appropriate for school viewing, what is?

Reagan talked of "open world trade" in his address to school children...guess his indoctrination worked! Thank him if your job was off-shored by those young CEOs who listened to his message! ;)

The magic of today's media is that EVERYONE CAN CATCH IT ON YOU-TUBE WHEN THEY GET HOME -- focus on school work when in school!

i think everyone is blowing totally out of control these kids really got into the race for president last year now let them watch what the president has to say my goodness i would rather have my kids watch that then watch most of the other crap they got on tv or on the computer

This is so ridiculous. I guess if Republicans do it is okay? Both Reagan and Bush had televised addresses to school children which schools could choose to show or not... EXACTLY the same thing Obama is proposing.
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Reagan addressed school children in 1988.
http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/sp...

Bush addressed school children in 1989.
http://www.nytimes.com/1989/09/13/us/bus...
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Yet another non-issue, being blown up by the people who can't think of any REAL issues.

Please listen ;to the "I Pledge----" video and then ask Demi Moore what she meant.

take it with a grain of salt and then throw it out!

totellthetruth:"They are to young to understand the real meaning behind his sick and twisted lies."....but the seniors who are 18 are old enough to DIE for the nation in two unwarranted wars Bush propagandized through "bad intelligence" (LOL!) on the opposite of the planet? You can't have it both ways...

This is Communism.

My god, totellthetruth, you have figured it out!!! What a genius.Better watch out for the black helicopters to start circling your house. Get that foil hat on your head right now, or they will brainwash you too! You are our last hope!

he has to get the young believing that how his (Obama's) pillaging of the national funds is somehow going to help them. They are to young to understand the real meaning behind his sick and twisted lies.

It's OK to have private business, like Black Hawk Credit Union operating and advertising (by their presence) in a public school, but it's not OK to show a video of the president of the United States? I guess that's about as reasonable as anything else I've seen in our school system so far.

If the PRESIDENT doesn't have free speech, then who among us will? After all, he's safer broadcasting from afar than at rallies where the same ilk supposedly complaining encourage bringing weaponry. Does broadcasting basketball in schools during play-off season forceably generate sports fans? This is an opportunity for EDUCATION, for DISCUSSION, and for seeing the way our nation is SUPPOSED to work! Banning the broadcast is a complete non-issue and please...there have been many previous Presidents addressing the nation broadcast freely in the schools. If a school is REQUIRED to send all a student's records in their school files to the military (unless the parents are intelligent enough to sign the Opt-Out forms), then the very LEAST of what a school can do is encourage the students listen to their "Commander-in-Chief". Give your fear-mongering, your bigotry, and your taste for creating divisiveness and violent turmoil a break, Glenn Beck fanatics!

russ68 - Where does anyone (besides yourself) say that viewing this speech will be a requirement?
More FUD from the discontent.

It should not surprise anyone that Dear Leader would require children attending government schools be subjected his address. They should only hope it isn't as long as Castro can go...

janesvillean; couldnt take the heat so you also decide to throw race into it huh? how pathetic!

The Republican spokes(people)...Sean Hannity....Rush Limbaugh....Ann Coulter....Dick Cheney....Laura Ingram....Glen Beck...Sarah Palin..
GOD HELP US!

justme46; apparently you didnt read post from
jviers77 @ 12:19 PM

It's not the message that scare them, it's the man. They can't say he's black, so they say he's "socialist". Half of them probably couldn't define socialism if you gave them a dictionary.

What is wrong with you people?

I can't believe the paranoia that is reflected in these comments. Has someone slipped some LSD into the Janesville water supply or what?

Education is more important than ever. What is wrong with kids hearing that message from our president? It's apparent from some of the comments here that there are some people that didn't think (their own) education was important.

Of all the comments I just read, I see no one being racist. I agree with the mass. You, as a parent, should be with your child/children when the presidential news conferences come on so you can answer any questions they might have. A teacher cannot provide this to 30-plus students.

A highly educated President will speak about personal responsibility, goals and persistance, yet Republicans are worried. And they think they are going to win the next election?

President Obama speaking = current events...isn't that part of the education curriculum...what is wrong about hearing a speech about the importance of education from anyone. I would have wanted my children to hear it even it was George Bush, Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan or Martin LK...

I know its coming so here it is "materials"

jviers77; typical response - bring race into it when you dont know what else to say. This has NOTHING to do with race. Its policy straight up. If he wants to talk - fine. Just leave the questions & the handout materilas out of it!

Wasn't that 8 years ago when Bush was busy "indoctrinating" school children while terrorists flew planes into buildings? Of course, he hadn't been in office long enough to take any blame...but Obama is supposed to have fixed all the nation's problems by now! Double standard anyone?

raystone...The scariest thing about your comments is that I truly believe you're serious. This isn't about trying to brainwash our youth, it's about talking to our youth about the importance of education. If President Obama was white, would you all still be hollering about conspiracies? To compare any president to Hitler, Hussein, and Castro is to show how truly Un-American you are. Hitler and Hussein committed genocide and mass murder. The only reason I'm dignifying your post with a response is because it's so unbelievable I had to find out whether or not you're really serious. If you don't like what's going on here, take yourself someplace only white folks are allowed and live happily ever after.

I just heard Cheney will be giving the rebutal speech - topic: why the US should torture captured terrorists.

This debate would have been much more intense (from those on the left) if it was Pres. Bush who wanted all students to hear his message.

When I was in school, we always watched presidential speeches when they occured during the school day. The only reason this is an issue is because the GOP is unhappy with President Obama's ideas. When President Bush was in office, nobody was up in arms when he gave an address that was going to be shown in schools. This is such a non-issue. When the president gives an address to the nation, it's usually a big deal. This should be used as a great educational experience. If parents don't want their kids to see the president's speech, have them send in a note and their kids can go to a special gym class or something. Heaven forbid children get to hear something other than what their parents talk about in regards to politics. We wouldn't want to raise free thinkers in this country. My wife had a child come to school shortly after the election last fall telling all the kids on the playground that the new president was going to kill babies. Now, I'm sure that his parents didn't frame their statements quite that way, but that's how their child took it. It's not going to hurt these school kids to hear differnt sides to the issues.

"Now, I know there are Americans of every age watching. And to those at home or at work, I ask you to talk with your families and coworkers about drug abuse. But Presidents don't often get the chance to talk directly to students. And so today, for each of you sitting in a classroom or assembly hall, this message goes straight to you." -George Bush Sept 12 1989.

StaceyU2;.. "This president wants to reach out to whom it will be most effictive on"
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I think you meant: "to whom it will be most Impressionable on." In case you havent noticed, he's losing his support & needs to get somebody to listen to him. "what does the President want me to do?" & "what can I do for the president?" - even the WH has seen their error in this and withdrawn their questions.

2dognight
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"Somewhere in the guide that goes with the "show" there is supposed to be a question to the kids.
What will you do to be a "servant" to the President? Is that possible??? Or hearsay?
Check it out parents."
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I watched Fox News last night and their panties were all in a bunch over this. They did not mention "servant."
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The SUGGESTED lessons asked, "how can you support President Obama? and "how might he inspire you?"
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I saw/see nothing wrong with this. President Obama wants to address the importance of education to our current students. The lessons are just suggestions...nobody has to ask those questions.
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"You know, this is a real treat for me -- having you here and to have, in a little while, the chance to answer some of your questions. Let me also offer a special hello to those of you who are watching on C-SPAN and -- or the Instructional Television Network. Thank you for inviting us into your home or your school today.

This marks the beginning of American Education Week, and I'm particularly pleased to be talking to American students in this, the first in a series of speeches that I'll be giving before I leave office. " -Ronald Reagan Nov 14, 1988

I truthfully don't really care one way or another, but I will tell everyone this much. There is some HUGE problems right now that aren't getting any frickin better with our Government, regardless of the party. You want to teach children something? Teach them that our Government isn't doing their damn job and let them know that at this rate, when they get out of school, they will be paying for our Governments mistakes the rest of their lives. That is the plain and simple truth.

liberals at work to take over our youth. wake up and vote these liberals out in 2010....

Sparks--did you read this article? I didn't turn it partisan. Parents and the AP did. And just look at the comments here. It's sad.

Historically, national governmental leaders to directly address school children have been Sadamm Hussein, Adolph Hitler, Fidel Castro, Hugo Chavez, and now....Barack Obama.

WHAT and OUTRAGE... My kids have to listen to a president speak???... what is this country coming to????.. WE DID NOT LET IT HAPPEN WHEN THE BUSHS', THE REAGANS ' OR THE KENNEDY'S WERE IN THE POLITICAL SPOTLIGHT LIGHT ..... WHY SHOULD WE NOW... I say TRASH THE WHOLE MESS.. and let democracy take it's course,,, We can learn from the Russian or the Chinese Gov't, can't we??? <SARCASM>
Come on people, let it go.. Education has been a for runner in pretty much everyone platform since the dawn of time, it is not any worst than having some meaningless bable about the ... whatever... it (at least) be a great topic in someone's POLY SCI class.. or very least , a current event topic for class.. This president wants to reach out to whom it will be most effictive on.. "THE STUDENTS". We can not be in every class rom , every minute of the day, to watch and tell "Lil Johnny" or "lil Susy" to do their home work and get good grades, they have to have some kind of initiative to do it on their own,, and who better to employ that value than out President..
(let the comment fly.... GO !)

Instead of reading some opinionated interpretation of what the material is, why not just go read it yourself? It is a total of 6 pages. http://www.whitehouse.gov/mediaresources...
Read the stuff under Classroom Engagement Resources. And try to read it without a partisan, conspiracy-theorist mindset.

Now the Whitehouse is backing off of some of their lesson plans accompanying this address...
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009...
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...Among the activities the government initially suggested for prekindergarten to sixth-grade students: that they " write letters to themselves about what they can do to help the president."
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Another task recommended for students immediately after listening to the speech: to engage in a discussion about what "the president wants us to do." ...

I just watched that video, it was okay til they said they are servants to Obama. Kind of reminds me of Hitler (mind control). When are they showing the other video in schools?

Mr Lippy. Go this this site at the WSJ if you want to educate yourself a little On Obama and education. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB12221285...

here's another video that was presented to school kids & it was not even by Obama.
http://www.fox13now.com/news/kstu-utah-p...

newsread - thanks a lot - we are all now dumber for having read your post - nowhere within your post did you have a reasonable, logical thought. Classic conservative nonsense - I breathe a sigh of relief knowing that you're not actively pro-creating.

Badgerlvr; To truely "let them think for themselves" wouldnt they then show the other side & have a rebutal response similiar to what happens when the State of the Union is televised or should we just let all the kids think just because the President says it thats the way it should be? Also, I think you should read the questions that were going to be presented to the kids.

dg468 Nope, Obama can't just say hey to the kiddies and encourage them to do their homework. He has to make this a -- what does the Left call it? -- a teachable moment. A speech-in if you will. Teachers have even been given "handy instructions" on how to best integrate The One into the classroom. If my children were in a public school I'd call them in sick on Tuesday. I'd keep them home. I suggest everyone does so.

UWSam - This has nothing to do with Republican or Democratic views. Give me a break. Doses everything have to turn into that argument? It really gets old.

2dognight- where did you hear that? Have you checked it out to see if that question is asked? Or are you just spreading FUD? (That is Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt.)

Why not let the kids listen to it and think for themselves. After all, isn't that what education is all about?

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_offi...

What? A message from the President of the United States for school children on the importance of education and we have to decide whether they can see it or not?? I don't get it. Political advertising - give me a break. School children are not even old enough to vote. What is he advertising?

If this was President Bush or any other Republican president, and a school refused to show, a teacher or principal's patriotism would be called into question and that person might lose their job.

But if it's President Obama or any other Democrat, then it's okay.

Hopefully, the Janesville school district sees this for what it is....a chance for the President to talk about the importance of education.

Somewhere in the guide that goes with the "show" there is supposed to be a question to the kids.
What will you do to be a "servant" to the President? Is that possible??? Or hearsay?
Check it out parents.