would anyone here not want their kid to hear obama's speech?

Brideofranken

has this been discussed? I've been in and out this week...

 I think its funny that there are conservatives who don't want their kids to be encouraged to further their education and embrace learning...

it's kind of telling...

 

snort.

CleoKitty

Are you talking about hearing Obama speak in a general sense or referring to a particular speech?

Either way my answer is the same, I'm just curious. 

eclaires

To be honest, I think the speech sounds dumb and will be worthless, but HEY, I think that about a lot of stuff that is in the school systems.

I would not care if my kid heard the speech.  I might think it was really stupid and useless though b/c I don't think it will make a difference in getting kids to stay in school.

Brideofranken

he is addressing thechildren in a speech about education.

 

https://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/20090903/pl_ynews/ynews_pl888_1

kevschickee2

I think the parents that are complaining are just awful.  They need to quit trying to micromanage everything their child does.

Brideofranken

yeah...I don't know that it will make a difference...but I don't think a lot of what I tell my kids to do or not do will bear at all on their choices later in life- but I am certainly still going to keep on preaching!

 

eclaires

And in general, I would want my child to listen to what the President of the United States has to say b/c I want them to be informed.

I just think this particular idea is silly.

CleoKitty

eclaires:

And in general, I would want my child to listen to what the President of the United States has to say b/c I want them to be informed.

Exactly, although it's really a moot point right now since both of my kids are really too young to have any interest in a speech nor would they  comprehend it at all. 

eclaires

Brideofranken:

yeah...I don't know that it will make a difference...but I don't think a lot of what I tell my kids to do or not do will bear at all on their choices later in life- but I am certainly still going to keep on preaching!

 

I just kind of think it's a waste of time during the school day, but in the grand scheme of things, there are lots of wastes of time during the school day, at least from what I remember from school, so have at it, I guess.  So I wouldn't say, OMG, I don't want my kid to hear that speech, but I'd roll my eyes about it.  But I'm cynical by nature and roll my eyes at about 99% of things politicians do.

I also think, that as a parent, what I preach to my kids will have more of an effect than the president since I indoctrinate them from a young age.  muahahahah! 

Brideofranken

eclaires:

And in general, I would want my child to listen to what the President of the United States has to say b/c I want them to be informed.

I just think this particular idea is silly.

I don't see why it would be silly...exactly?

( and don't get me wrong, I am not that into obama- I don't think all of his ideas are golden or anything...but how is urging kids to embrace education silly? the grad rate in my 'hood is 40 percent. somebody gotta start doin' something...not a terrible place to start by having a minority prez start encouraging them...)

eclaires

Well I think it's silly b/c I don't think it will do much.  I think there are way too many factors at play when kids don't stay in school, and a lot of it is the environment they are raised in.  I don't think encouraging kids to stay in school, get an education is silly - just the execution of this speech. 

I just don't think it will make a difference.

And in general, I give the side eye to all politicians when they do this kind of thing because I think its cheesy and staged.

eclaires

flgirl79:

I have no problem with my kids listening to our President give a speech about how important education is and encouraging them to do well in school.

The people worrying about some hidden agenda crack me up.

FWIW: I am not a conservative, but I would have had no problem with my kids listening to GWB or any other conservative president give the same speech.

ETA: I also doubt my kids will pay much attention. My son is a very hyper 6 year old and will hardly sit still. My daughter is 9 and is more into socializing than anything right now. I picture DD doodling on her notepad while the speech is on.

This is a big part of why I think it's silly - because isn't it being presented to the elementary kids?  I just can't imagine it reaching anyone at that age.  Maybe one kid?  So I think it's a waste of time.

FooBride

DD is only 2.5 so she won't hear the speech.  I have vivid memories of watching Carter, Reagan and Bush speak during my childhood. Exactly what they were talking about who knows.  Did it make a lasting impact, only that it taught me along the way to respect the office and when the pres talks we listen and as we get older we listen and discuss.

I would never keep a kid from hearing a speech from the president.

 

eclaires

flgirl79:

DD watched some of the election coverage with us and that sparked some very interesting conversations with her. She was more fascinated that Obama has two daughters than she was anything else, but I do think she learned a little bit more about how the country is run.

See I think a speech about how the government works or some sort of civics lesson would be more useful, esp at a younger age.  Like, cool, the president is going to show the kids how he gets business done.  I just think a message on education and staying in school is just ehhh.

That's something I would have enjoyed as a student, b/c I was interested in that sort of thing from an early age.  

shopgirl78

 

use the far right word "indoctrinating" : )

While I can think of only a handful of things I actually agree with Obama on and that's stretching it, yes, I would like my kids hear "all sides and let them decide."  I sound like the fox news network...

 

EliseB0323

Two things.

1) George H.W. Bush gave a speech to school kids about drugs. No uproar.

2) It seems it's not the speech itself that the GOP is objecting to, but the "discussion questions" issued to the schools from the White House. The talk about things like "How can we support the President?" and "Why do you find the President inspiring."  Stupid, IMO, but not harmful.

mabelanna

As a teacher, parent, and not a supporter of Obama:

 I think it is great to have our students/ children listen to the President and have challenging/ thought provoking conversations afterward. I also think it is time that education be placed as a priority issue in this country and with students today truly looking up to Obama, this could be a great opportunity.

 The issue at hand (IMO) is when the NEA sends out lesson plans on what teachers should do and say after the speech.  That seems a little too "1984" to me.

goodheartedmommy

shopgirl78:

While I can think of only a handful of things I actually agree with Obama on and that's stretching it, yes, I would like my kids hear "all sides and let them decide."

 

 

EliseB0323

mabelanna:

 

 The issue at hand (IMO) is when the NEA sends out lesson plans on what teachers should do and say after the speech.  That seems a little too "1984" to me.

This. Good idea, but bad execution.

michaeltrish

FooBride:

DD is only 2.5 so she won't hear the speech.  I have vivid memories of watching Carter, Reagan and Bush speak during my childhood. Exactly what they were talking about who knows.  Did it make a lasting impact, only that it taught me along the way to respect the office and when the pres talks we listen and as we get older we listen and discuss.

I would never keep a kid from hearing a speech from the president.

 

This exactly.

eclaires

Sometimes it boggles my mind how dumb politicians [or their people] are.  Yes, if you send out lesson plans on what teachers should do and say after the speech, there will probably be an uproar.

I can understand being bothered by that.  Plus I think it's worth considering, whether you agree or not, that a lot of conservatives have issues with a large federal government and prefer a lot of things to be run at a state level -- injecting lesson plans from the federal government for schools is not that crazy to object to.  Granted the federal government IS involved in schools, but it's probably something most small government conservatives have an issue w/ on an ideological level.

CubbyMama

LOL.  My principal sent out an email "strongly discouraging" us from showing the speech, because "we live in a very diverse community" (translation: we have a lot of wackos who live to freak out about Halloween and scream about how the President is trying to convert our children to Socialism) and because it'll be broadcast repeatedly and archived on YouTube for those who want their kids to see it.  I think she just doesn't want to hear parents complain.

By the way, is there any aspect of American society MORE socialist and full of propaganda than our public school system, in the first place?  I think it's hilarious that people don't see that, and then flip out about a "stay in school" speech from Obama.  Ri-cockulous, as Adam Corrolla would say.

CubbyMama

EliseB0323:

mabelanna:

 

 The issue at hand (IMO) is when the NEA sends out lesson plans on what teachers should do and say after the speech.  That seems a little too "1984" to me.

This. Good idea, but bad execution.

Really?  I haven't seen any of these materials and didn't know about them.  That would creep me out, coming from any administration.

TheNextWest

I didn't sign the consent form. Not because I don't think it's important for DD to hear, not because I don't want her to hear a speech from her president, etc., but because she's a busy-body 5 yr old and there is no way in cheeseland she is going to sit in the guidance room with the other probably 20 kids in school who's parents signed the consent and watch the tiny tv they rolled into the room and pay one bit of attention. She will spend the whole time giggling with whoever is sitting next to her and scoping out the room, wondering what she is missing in her own classroom.

I know for sure that MY kid is going to stay in school because of what *I* (and my H) are going to teach her in our own home. We are responsible for her education. For her, right now, it is more important for her to be in her classroom on Tuesday, learning to write the number 6 than to be present for a speech she won't remember.

mattslady

I think a few of these responses are very shortsighted.  I think the idea is not for kids to watch a 20 minute speech and then magically stay in school.  The point is to start/continue the discussion. 

Brideofranken

TheNextWest:

I didn't sign the consent form. Not because I don't think it's important for DD to hear, not because I don't want her to hear a speech from her president, etc., but because she's a busy-body 5 yr old and there is no way in cheeseland she is going to sit in the guidance room with the other probably 20 kids in school who's parents signed the consent and watch the tiny tv they rolled into the room and pay one bit of attention. She will spend the whole time giggling with whoever is sitting next to her and scoping out the room, wondering what she is missing in her own classroom.

I know for sure that MY kid is going to stay in school because of what *I* (and my H) are going to teach her in our own home. We are responsible for her education. For her, right now, it is more important for her to be in her classroom on Tuesday, learning to write the number 6 than to be present for a speech she won't remember.

woah- seroiously?

 you think 1. that they'll teach all of the other kids who aren't allowed to hear the president speak the regular lesson plan, and let the other kids miss it, because they're doing something pointless instead?

and 2. that your kid pays absolute intent attention to EVERYTHING BUT a presidential speech about a positive subject, spoken by a political figure of her time?

silly excuse. totally lame. really?

Im surprised...kind of...but I don't think you're being honest with this excuse. not just you- but anyone saying it is a stupid waste of time (or taking away from your kid's valuable learning time...)

 

bums me out.

mattslady

And saying that you don't want your kid to watch it because they don't "need" it is beyond ridiculous. 

 Upon further reading, I find it hilarious the the posters who are criticizing this are ones who have shown to be right leaning.  C'mon.

TheNextWest

Brideofranken:

TheNextWest:

I didn't sign the consent form. Not because I don't think it's important for DD to hear, not because I don't want her to hear a speech from her president, etc., but because she's a busy-body 5 yr old and there is no way in cheeseland she is going to sit in the guidance room with the other probably 20 kids in school who's parents signed the consent and watch the tiny tv they rolled into the room and pay one bit of attention. She will spend the whole time giggling with whoever is sitting next to her and scoping out the room, wondering what she is missing in her own classroom.

I know for sure that MY kid is going to stay in school because of what *I* (and my H) are going to teach her in our own home. We are responsible for her education. For her, right now, it is more important for her to be in her classroom on Tuesday, learning to write the number 6 than to be present for a speech she won't remember.

woah- seroiously?

 you think 1. that they'll teach all of the other kids who aren't allowed to hear the president speak the regular lesson plan, and let the other kids miss it, because they're doing something pointless instead?

and 2. that your kid pays absolute intent attention to EVERYTHING BUT a presidential speech about a positive subject, spoken by a political figure of her time?

silly excuse. totally lame. really?

Im surprised...kind of...but I don't think you're being honest with this excuse. not just you- but anyone saying it is a stupid waste of time (or taking away from your kid's valuable learning time...)

 

bums me out.

I don't think it's silly or a waste of time, but her school actually sent home letters that said they would be going ahead with their day as usual, following their typical schedule for that time of day, indicating that if we sign the form, requesting she see the speech, she would miss some of her regular classroom work. I think she is more likely to pay attention to the speech or discuss the speech (on a 5-yr-old level) if we watch it on YouTube or talk about it at home, not in a "special room" designated by the school, while the rest of her class carries on. JMO about my child.

Brideofranken

I just do not believe you...unless your school is run by christian fundamentalist fear mongers...maybe then it would seem likely...

TheNextWest:

Brideofranken:

TheNextWest:

I didn't sign the consent form. Not because I don't think it's important for DD to hear, not because I don't want her to hear a speech from her president, etc., but because she's a busy-body 5 yr old and there is no way in cheeseland she is going to sit in the guidance room with the other probably 20 kids in school who's parents signed the consent and watch the tiny tv they rolled into the room and pay one bit of attention. She will spend the whole time giggling with whoever is sitting next to her and scoping out the room, wondering what she is missing in her own classroom.

I know for sure that MY kid is going to stay in school because of what *I* (and my H) are going to teach her in our own home. We are responsible for her education. For her, right now, it is more important for her to be in her classroom on Tuesday, learning to write the number 6 than to be present for a speech she won't remember.

woah- seroiously?

 you think 1. that they'll teach all of the other kids who aren't allowed to hear the president speak the regular lesson plan, and let the other kids miss it, because they're doing something pointless instead?

and 2. that your kid pays absolute intent attention to EVERYTHING BUT a presidential speech about a positive subject, spoken by a political figure of her time?

silly excuse. totally lame. really?

Im surprised...kind of...but I don't think you're being honest with this excuse. not just you- but anyone saying it is a stupid waste of time (or taking away from your kid's valuable learning time...)

 

bums me out.

I don't think it's silly or a waste of time, but her school actually sent home letters that said they would be going ahead with their day as usual, following their typical schedule for that time of day, indicating that if we sign the form, requesting she see the speech, she would miss some of her regular classroom work. I think she is more likely to pay attention to the speech or discuss the speech (on a 5-yr-old level) if we watch it on YouTube or talk about it at home, not in a "special room" designated by the school, while the rest of her class carries on. JMO about my child.

TheNextWest

Well, it's Tennessee so you aren't that far off

Bellisimo

eclaires:

To be honest, I think the speech sounds dumb and will be worthless, but HEY, I think that about a lot of stuff that is in the school systems.

I would not care if my kid heard the speech.  I might think it was really stupid and useless though b/c I don't think it will make a difference in getting kids to stay in school.

This, completely.  And I consider myself somewhat a conservative....but don't get the "telling" part of your statement.