Should the president be able to address school children

[MMM]

Originally Posted by seiki

I just don't see why he is doing it. Its not like he would read 1/50 of the letters.

The assignment was going to be for the students to write a letter to themselves about what they could do to help the president. They weren't actually to be sent to the president.

[seiki]

Originally Posted by MMM

The assignment was going to be for the students to write a letter to themselves about what they could do to help the president. They weren't actually to be sent to the president.

Then what is the point at all to the whole thing? For them to think about how to help obama? how could drawing him a picture help if he dosn't see it? why dose he need to do this? is it worth his time.

[MMM]

Originally Posted by seiki

Then what is the point at all to the whole thing? For them to think about how to help obama? how could drawing him a picture help if he dosn't see it? why dose he need to do this? is it worth his time.

It is a brand new school year and a brand new president. The message of his speech will be for kids to value their education and the importance of staying in school and studying hard. It won't be a long speech. And if one child is inspired enough to stay in school because of the words of the President, I think it will be more than worth it.

Due to complaints by conservatives, the proposed assignment to ask children what they can do to help the president has been scrapped, so it's not even an issue any longer (though that doesn't matter to some out there).

[Sangetsu]

I voted yes. The president should be able to address the schools when he feels it is necessary, and if it is for the good of the schools and students. However, the problem many people have with this address has less to do with the speech itself than the Administration-formulated lesson plans which were to follow it. These plans were (they have been changed since the time they were announced) arguably political in nature, and should not have been included.

American students do not study or stay in school to help the president, they do it to help their country and themselves.

[pumpum]

Originally Posted by MMM

Next week the US president is planning on addressing all of the nation's school children in a televised address to encourage them to keep up with their studies and stay in school.

Extreme right-wing conservatives are calling this an opportunity for the president to indoctrinate and brainwash America's children with socialist ideals.

What do you think?

Lmao Lmao Lmao Lmao, i think that without even getting into the debate that is the height of Hypocrisy lol !

btw - its not extreme right wingers, its just the right - its now a main population of the US.

[Sangetsu]

MMM, the elections in 2000 and 2004 controversial, but to say that there was no clear winner is also an example of political bias. People will believe what they wish to believe, and will do so regardless of reality.

The mission of our schools is not to teach kids to help the president. The mission is to teach kids to help themselves. If they can't help themselves, than how can they be expected to help anyone else?

I have seen other examples of world leaders asking school children to help them. It was official policy for the likes of Stalin, Mao, and Hitler.

[Ryzorian]

Yes, when ever a state leader wants to "discuss things with your children" people should naturally be suspicious. Wether folks want to admit it or not, the "Hitler youth" and every other child program instituted by some "gifted leader" or other, ( Mao, Stalin, Kim Il.) wasn't about boy scouts.

Besides, Bush #1 recieved the same kinda flack from Democrats over his live TV appearance for kids back in 91, and he didn't have a questionare included.

[Nyororin]

I feel neither way in regards to Obama - I don`t live in the US, and I am certainly not in the middle of all the fun to be able to judge.

But you know - here in my files I have a copy of a piece of school work I had to do to go along with a president`s speech. I would never remember it or have kept it normally, but I have it still because it was the "winner" in the school and was sent off to the White House. And I ended up with a "signed" letter back...

Anyway - The assigned title of the letter what "What I, as an elementary school student, can do to help and support the president and the great country of the United States."

The paper itself was about not littering in public places so that taxes didn`t need to be wasted to clean up after me.
I do not remember what the speech said, nor do I even remember which president it was for (though based on the date it had to be Bush Sr.

If the president were coming on and blasting a message at kids every day, I would be concerned - no matter how much I did or did not support him.
The thing is, a child is going to encounter countless messages every single day that do not support those of their parents. Countless messages that are flat out wrong. That`s what parents are for. Parents have the ability - and should certainly be using it - to teach their children what is right and wrong, and to raise the child according to the household beliefs.

No president is a god. It doesn`t take a lot for a parent to express their feelings and to tell a child that just because it`s the president doesn`t mean that it`s going to be right.

[MMM]

Originally Posted by pumpum

Lmao Lmao Lmao Lmao, i think that without even getting into the debate that is the height of Hypocrisy lol !

btw - its not extreme right wingers, its just the right - its now a main population of the US.

I think disrespecting the office of the president to that degree is pretty extreme. And obviously the right wing is not growing but shrinking. Though you could say extreme thinking is growing on the right thanks, in part, to radical radio talk show hosts who now are like pitbulls now that their party is not in the president's seat.

Originally Posted by Sangetsu

MMM, the elections in 2000 and 2004 controversial, but to say that there was no clear winner is also an example of political bias. People will believe what they wish to believe, and will do so regardless of reality.

The mission of our schools is not to teach kids to help the president. The mission is to teach kids to help themselves. If they can't help themselves, than how can they be expected to help anyone else?

I have seen other examples of world leaders asking school children to help them. It was official policy for the likes of Stalin, Mao, and Hitler.

I didn't say there was no clear winner, Sangetsu, I said "initially" it wasn't clear who won. They were very close races. I am not one of those that would argue that Bush Jr. did not win both of those elections.

I agree the mission of our schools is not to teach kids to help the president. That assignment is off the table, so I don't think it is a point of debate any longer. I do think it is fair to say I think it is a mission of American public schools to teach children the importance of leadership, the power that mayors, governors, senators, and presidents have, and to respect those offices. I think it also is a teachable moment to say even if we do not like the man or like his ideas, we should still respect the accomplishment of reaching that office and the position itself.

The same is true in sports. You may not like your coach, or like his decisions, but it is important to respect his position and his responsibilities.

I have a feeling a lot of this speech on Tuesday will be about telling kids to help themselves.

Originally Posted by Ryzorian

Yes, when ever a state leader wants to "discuss things with your children" people should naturally be suspicious. Wether folks want to admit it or not, the "Hitler youth" and every other child program instituted by some "gifted leader" or other, ( Mao, Stalin, Kim Il.) wasn't about boy scouts.

Besides, Bush #1 recieved the same kinda flack from Democrats over his live TV appearance for kids back in 91, and he didn't have a questionare included.

Hooray! Hitler has again been introduced into the conversation. Goodwin's Law is alive and well.

And paranoia is alive and well. Obama (a father of two) cares about children....that is some suspicious behavior all right.

I wonder if we would be saying these things if Hillary Clinton had won and was doing the same thing...or John McCain had won and wanted to encourage students to stay in school...

Again, obviously the president is doing something right if this is the issue the right is trying to nail him on.

[packetpirate]

I think the real issue is that parents don't want their children to know how important education is... alright, but don't come crying to us when your little druggy drops out of high school. We'll just say we told you so...