'Obama's Plan for School Talk Ignites a Revolt' ( NY Times, September 4, 2009)- Is there no end to the lunacy? Just when we thought it could not get any more bizarre, we were proven wrong. The right wing attacks are now mounted against the President's upcoming speech directed to school age children. The crazies are out in force once more.
Why do we have to debate these issues? I can only imagine a stunned White House staff huddling together, trying to find a way out of the Twilight Zone.
We are advised that the President intends to use this opportunity to speak to the children of our nation as to the value of education. Where is the subversive message hidden? For the people who find enemies and danger in every corner, paranoia rules.
In a world where we no longer filter our information or our views, where everyone at every turn has something to say, we have lost any sense of our equilibrium. Reason and logic are in very short supply. Fair and balanced has been replaced by fear and the unbalanced.
8 comments:
For once I basically agree with you.
EXCEPT:
1. You ask "Why do we have to debate these issues." Simple, because the final clause of the First Amendment guaranties "the right of the people... (that includes the crazies) to petition the government for a redress of grievances." The Supreme Court has called this right one of "the most precious of the liberties safeguarded by the Bill of Rights." It's also reaffirmed in the Declaration of Independence. In Thomas v. Collins (1945) the Court stated that it is "in our tradition to allow the widest room for discussion, the narrowest range for its restriction." DEBATE is GOOD. History has taught us that without our basic freedoms, those enumerated in the Bill of Rights, we'd be no better off than the worst dictatorship. When the pendulum swings the other way and the other party is in control, you're gonna want those freedoms badly.
2. Considering that minority kids often struggle in school, a little encouragement from the first African American President might be productive. If he simply stopped there I don't think there would be such an uproar. However, as reported in todays Wall St. Journal, the Dept. of Education is urging teachers to use "notable quotes excerpted (and posted in large print on the board) from President Obama's speeches about education" and to "brainstorm" with students about "How will he inspire us? Suggested topics for postspeech discussion include "What resonated with you from President Obama's speech?" and "What is President Obama inspiring you to do?" "This seems to cross the line between respecting the office and aggrandizing the man who currently holds it."
3. Reason and logic have always been in very short supply (except for the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights) and fair and balanced means that EVERYONE gets to have their say. It's unfortunate that some people cannot listen to those who disagree with their opinions or is opposed their agenda. Liberals have always believed they are the voice of reason and logic, and know what is best for the rest of us. This very narcissistic President is no exception.
I was curious about this myself. Did you hear that the White House is planning to release the speech a day early, so teachers, parents, nuts can see it ahead of time? What could he possibly say that would upset anyone? That students have to be responsible for themselves? (I heard that was one of the topics)Well, it would be about time. Sheesh!
Very interesting. It's amazing how well informed Mickey is. I think Anonymous makes some telling remarks. Wish I'd written some of that!
The point is, President Obama seems to have forgotten he was elected by a coalition of liberal and moderate democrats, moderate republicans, independents, and blue collar white men. He has chosen to allign himself with the most left of democrats, making the same mistake Bush made alligning himself with the most right wing conservatives in the republican party. Is it any wonder his approval numbers have plummeted? It's a shame he is squandering such a great opportunity to lead the majority of Americans who want a more moderate, reasonable, logical, and centrist approach to public policy?
I was in Las Vegas last week, and every single person I met, mostly cab drivers, waiters, hotel employees, casino workers etc. I spoke with simply hate Harry Reid and cannot wait to vote him out of office. Wonder Why?
It actually is refreshing that voices in opposition are responding to some of my posts.
Vigorous debate is never a problem.What is a problem are conclusions spewed forth from the extreme right based not on fact but on hysteria.
If those who have commented on my post truly believe that fears of socialist propaganda coming out the President's speech to the school children are well founded, then I respectfully and wholeheartedly disagree with their perceptions.
It is nothing more than trying to bring down a President, at each and every turn, that drives the engine of dissent. That is the fundamental truth behind the noise in opposition to the speech.
I very respectfully assert that you miss the point. I did not perceive anything even remotely extreme far right in the responses to this post. Nor did I get any sense of hysteria, except from you, and I think that is because this President you adore so much is proving to be a fallible human being who is out of touch with most Americans. Consequently, he's bringing down his own presidency. If he would take a page out of Bill Clinton's book and move to the center he would do us all a great service and save himself. His continued allegiance to the FAR LEFT will surely end in failure for himself and the democratic party in next fall's elections.
I notice you've dodged all the other substantive issues that were brought up.
Jack- Do you believe that the President should not be permitted to give this talk to school children about the value of education? Do you think that there is something in this intended speech that will be offensive to the children?
Everything is not about how much the President has gone astray. The issue raised, and the question posed, is if the argument of those who would suggest that our Socialist President is trying to indoctrinate the young through this speech is of any merit? Do you really believe in THIS position? I would be very surprised if that was your contention.
Quite the contrary. I think it's of the highest priority that every president speak to the young people of this nation about the importance of education, and he's a great example, and role model, because he is so well educated and can speak so eloquently. I do not believe that he would in any way say anything offensive to our children either, nor do I think it's his intention to try to indoctrinate them as well. We are on very similar ground here.
The point I was trying to make is that I think he has squandered a great opportunity and has lost a great deal of credibility with the American Public. He campaigned on the theme of HOPE and was elected by those whose main concern was the economy. The highest priority of those who swung the election his way is EMPLOYMENT. The HOPE they want is to be able to work, keep their homes, pay their bills, and take care of their children. That very large segment of his coalition are deeply disappointed as the unemployment rate continues to rise along with home foreclosures. Too many Americans are living in FEAR. It has created mistrust, and this is where President Obama needs to be careful not to say anything even remotely inappropriate in his speech on Tuesday.
I think he's "a good man but a very bad wizard." It's time for a change we all can believe in.
Quite the contrary. I think it's of the highest priority that every president speak to the young people of this nation about the importance of education, and he's a great example, and role model, because he is so well educated and can speak so eloquently. I do not believe that he would in any way say anything offensive to our children either, nor do I think it's his intention to try to indoctrinate them as well. We are on very similar ground here.
The point I was trying to make is that I think he has squandered a great opportunity and has lost a great deal of credibility with the American Public. He campaigned on the theme of HOPE and was elected by those whose main concern was the economy. The highest priority of those who swung the election his way is EMPLOYMENT. The HOPE they want is to be able to work, keep their homes, pay their bills, and take care of their children. That very large segment of his coalition are deeply disappointed as the unemployment rate continues to rise along with home foreclosures. Too many Americans are living in FEAR. It has created mistrust, and this is where President Obama needs to be careful not to say anything even remotely inappropriate in his speech on Tuesday.
I think he's "a good man but a very bad wizard." It's time for a change we all can believe in.
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