Just when I thought that I'd heard everything, now we have people who are complaining that they will not be able to know the text of President Obama's speeach to children, which he plans to give next Tuesday. Are you kidding me? From what I've read about the speech the context evolves around encouraging children to stay in school and make sure they get a good education. Some people are afraid that he is taking a "socialist" approach. Where do people come up with this stuff?
President Obama has really received lots of criticism because we are a country that has no patience and wants immediate results. He's trying to reach out to our children and encourage them to stay in school and make sure that they get a good education. Isn't that what parent's are supposed to be doing? I read an article that the school superintendent in the Detroit area is telling parents to not have their children come to school on Tuesday if they object to their children listening to President Obama's speech. What a way to defeat the whole purpose of the "stay in school" motto! I would be proud to have my children listen to our President and then I would want to have a discussion with them later that day at the dinner table just to get their impressions and use his speech as a chance for further learning.
People, wake up! President Obama is not the problem with this country. The problem is that many of the parents in this country don't want to take responsibility for their childrens' education and discipline. This is just another example of too much complacency. I was very fortunate to have very caring parents when I was growing up. They are still parenting me today even though I am 52 years old and they are in their upper '80's!
I support President Obama 100% in his efforts to talk with our children. Too bad I don't have that same support for many of the adults and parents.
Hi Carol, I agree with your thoughts to -- a degree. However, due to the political climate in this country the large debate in Washington at this time, I do also understand why some people may be distrustful of the "intent" of the speech. If it was 1990 or 2003 and either of the Bush Presidents were to speak to children in school about "education" and I knew that Congress was currently debating the deployment of the troops... as someone who is anti-war and has distrust of both President Bushes (I wrote a letter to #41 in 1989 calling his a facist nazi) I would most likely not send my child to school either. Would you?
ReplyDeleteListen, the Obama-machine played a big part in politicizing this country the last 3 years. And they continue to run their white house in the same manner they ran their campaign. They are going to have to accept the consequences of their style. And that includes parents reacting to their seemingly innocent actions.
Yesterday my friend's six-year son came home from one of the best schools in Coral Springs. He is in first grade. The teacher talked about 9/11 without any warning to the parents. The kids were told to come home and ask their parents "where were you on 9/11?" he also asked his mom if he saw the buildings fall. I can only imagine my daughter being given the same assignment in two years. What am I supposed to tell her -- how that day we didn't know for a long time where her favorite great uncle was because he worked down in the financial district. That her favorite cousin's dad -- who just spoiled her in disney -- works in a job that would have been major collatoral had the fourth plane hit -- and again we didn't know for a long time where he was that day when the 3rd plane hit? Should I tell her while I was trying to get news up north on my beloved relatives I was stuck in an office with someone who blamed Israel and said that the whole middle east should be blown up -- including Israel -- a place I tell my daughter I can't wait to bring her to?
My point is, that everything is not as it seems in the schools. That as parents we see that the intention often gets lost in the execution. So I do understand why there is a mistrust of both the Obama-machine and this country's education system.
These are young kids. As parents we want to protect them as long as we can. We want to share with them OUR values and concerns about the world we live in -- OUR way. Not all parents who pull their kids out of school are misguided about the importance of education.
As a parent, I can tell you that the type of parenting your parents gave you 50 years ago and mine 37 years ago -- unfortunately and sadly does not apply in the world in which I am parenting today.
Heidi, I finally am having a chance to read your comments. I appreciate you your honesty and willingness to share your opinion.
ReplyDeleteI agree that with you that the type of parenting that my parents did when I was young does not apply and that's one of our biggest problems.
For example, we studied World War II, Korea, and Vietnam and the teachers did not need to get my parent's "permission" to teach me about those events. My mother to this day does not talk about World War II because of the direct attack on the U.S. at Pearl Harbor. But, I did not get the sense that she would have wanted to "sensor" the materials that I was taught.
I guess I miss the old fashioned way that things were done and I applaud your efforts as a parent in this world we now live in.