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Barack's Speech to the School Kids

post #1 of 73
9/7/09 at 10:48am
Thread Starter 
http://www.whitehouse.gov/MediaResou...SchoolRemarks/

Quote:
The President: Hello everyone – how’s everybody doing today? I’m here with students at Wakefield High School in Arlington, Virginia. And we’ve got students tuning in from all across America, kindergarten through twelfth grade. I’m glad you all could join us today.
I know that for many of you, today is the first day of school. And for those of you in kindergarten, or starting middle or high school, it’s your first day in a new school, so it’s understandable if you’re a little nervous. I imagine there are some seniors out there who are feeling pretty good right now, with just one more year to go. And no matter what grade you’re in, some of you are probably wishing it were still summer, and you could’ve stayed in bed just a little longer this morning.
I know that feeling. When I was young, my family lived in Indonesia for a few years, and my mother didn’t have the money to send me where all the American kids went to school. So she decided to teach me extra lessons herself, Monday through Friday – at 4:30 in the morning.
Now I wasn’t too happy about getting up that early. A lot of times, I’d fall asleep right there at the kitchen table. But whenever I’d complain, my mother would just give me one of those looks and say, "This is no picnic for me either, buster."
So I know some of you are still adjusting to being back at school. But I’m here today because I have something important to discuss with you. I’m here because I want to talk with you about your education and what’s expected of all of you in this new school year.
Now I’ve given a lot of speeches about education. And I’ve talked a lot about responsibility.
I’ve talked about your teachers’ responsibility for inspiring you, and pushing you to learn.
I’ve talked about your parents’ responsibility for making sure you stay on track, and get your homework done, and don’t spend every waking hour in front of the TV or with that Xbox.

It is a good speech, I knew it would be, he gave an awesome, Bill Cosbly-like,
speech at Father's Day last year. This is one area I fully agree with Barack.

I am embarrassed that many people on the right made such idiots of themselves over this speech.
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post #2 of 73
9/7/09 at 1:02pm
It's a nice speech- nothing political about it. If I was a parent i'd be more upset over kids reciting the pledge of allegiance every day.
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post #3 of 73
9/7/09 at 1:04pm
I'm really glad that he released the speech before giving it to the kids. Yes, people probably made a bigger stink about it than it needed to be but at the same time the parents did have a right to see what would be in the speech before signing the permission slips for their kids to see it.

I actually talked with my co-worker about this. She brought it up when she was looking at the flyer sent home by the school. She voted for Obama. She's overall a moderate but leans slightly left of center overall.

She was very concerned about this speech. She and I agreed that if it is a "stay in school, education is important" type thing then it's really cool that the President is doing this for the kids. It will make them feel important as Americans, and anything that can do that is a good thing. But she was worried that it would incorporate some of the political items that are part of his agenda, especially hearing and seeing the discussion points that were given to the teachers (those were included in the flyer). She didn't like the idea of asking the kids how they can "help the President" because that sounded too much like asking them to agree with his policies. At that time (last Wednesday or Thursday) there was no plan to release the text of the speech for the parents to see, and that worried her as well.

This is coming from someone who really only watches the local news, she's really not even terribly involved in politics in general. She's middle-of-the-road in her beliefs.

I'm really happy that they did release the speech; not for the pundits to tear apart or to pacify the naysayers. But for the parents who still believe that it is their job to raise their kids and not the governments'.
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post #4 of 73
9/7/09 at 2:08pm
Thread Starter 
In all fairness the speech did change, somewhat, because of the outcry from the right.


Oh yes, Utopia, that Pledge of Allegiance is pure anarchy isn't it?
How dare they make kids recite something that gives them pride in their country. Heathens, aren't they?
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post #5 of 73
9/7/09 at 2:24pm
Back in the 60's I had to pledge my allegence to the flag every dam day of my child life. That and the lords prayer. I would of welcomed something more contemporay. Whats the problem?
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post #6 of 73
9/7/09 at 2:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ut0pia View Post
it's a nice speech- nothing political about it. If i was a parent i'd be more upset over kids reciting the pledge of allegiance every day.
........why?
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post #7 of 73
9/7/09 at 3:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Allmycats View Post
........why?
because it's indoctrination...
besides it's not like we're afraid people will all go pledge their loyalty to mexico or canada anyway or commit treason.. What other country would I pledge my allegiance to if not the one i'm a citizen of??? Kind of pointless to say it every day...
Most people only "pledge their allegiance" to this country because they happened to be born here- nothing to be proud of there. Lol - *I'm proud to be born* is what the pledge of allegiance boils down to.
Oh yea and I forgot to mention most importantly that I'm sure in Nazi Germany, they fed the same crap to the kids, how else would so many people be okay with their country engaging in mass murder? Of course if you are proud of your country, no matter what your country does is something to be proud of.
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post #8 of 73
9/7/09 at 3:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ckblv View Post
http://www.whitehouse.gov/MediaResou...SchoolRemarks/




It is a good speech, I knew it would be, he gave an awesome, Bill Cosbly-like,
speech at Father's Day last year. This is one area I fully agree with Barack.

I am embarrassed that many people on the right made such idiots of themselves over this speech.
I totally agree with you... I just couldn't believe when I saw parents crying on TV over it, saying that they were going to leave their kids at home because of it... What a message to their kids!
Some people are portraying Obama as though he is the Anti-Christ, or a monster, or something like it... It is really weird... I am not sure why...
He is just the President.... Left, right, black white, Republican, or Democrat, when it boils down to it, he is just another president.
It is really sad to see some extreme things that are going on against him - this is one example... I could not wait for today to be over with.
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post #9 of 73
9/7/09 at 4:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ckblv View Post
Oh yes, Utopia, that Pledge of Allegiance is pure anarchy isn't it?
How dare they make kids recite something that gives them pride in their country. Heathens, aren't they?
The biggest problem I see with saying the pledge every day is that it ceases to mean anything and becomes just rote. I know when I was in school, it was just something we said, and we never even thought about it or what it meant.

To keep on topic, I haven't heard his speech yet, but I've heard him give that type of speech and they're very good. It's a shame parents are so scared of - what? - that they would keep their kids home. If that speech can inspire even a few kids to stay in school and achieve a better future, it's worth it.
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post #10 of 73
9/7/09 at 5:00pm
I haven't read the speech...

However, both Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush made speeches carried at all the schools, so I don't see the furor.

HOWEVER... If I were writing the speech, I would have put this in it:

"Let me say this to my African American brothers and sisters, and my nephews and nieces of color. Studying hard, getting good grades, and getting a good education is not 'being white.' It's being smart. A good education is the surest ticket out of poverty and away from prejudice."
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post #11 of 73
9/7/09 at 5:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ckblv View Post
http://www.whitehouse.gov/MediaResou...SchoolRemarks/




It is a good speech, I knew it would be, he gave an awesome, Bill Cosbly-like,
speech at Father's Day last year. This is one area I fully agree with Barack.

I am embarrassed that many people on the right made such idiots of themselves over this speech.
I totally agree with your assessment.
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post #12 of 73
9/7/09 at 5:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrblanche View Post
HOWEVER... If I were writing the speech, I would have put this in it:

"Let me say this to my African American brothers and sisters, and my nephews and nieces of color. Studying hard, getting good grades, and getting a good education is not 'being white.' It's being smart. A good education is the surest ticket out of poverty and away from prejudice."
Yesssssss!
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post #13 of 73
9/7/09 at 5:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ut0pia View Post
because it's indoctrination...
besides it's not like we're afraid people will all go pledge their loyalty to mexico or canada anyway or commit treason.. What other country would I pledge my allegiance to if not the one i'm a citizen of??? Kind of pointless to say it every day...
Most people only "pledge their allegiance" to this country because they happened to be born here- nothing to be proud of there. Lol - *I'm proud to be born* is what the pledge of allegiance boils down to.
Oh yea and I forgot to mention most importantly that I'm sure in Nazi Germany, they fed the same crap to the kids, how else would so many people be okay with their country engaging in mass murder? Of course if you are proud of your country, no matter what your country does is something to be proud of.
I can only speak for my family, but my mother is from Germany and was a pre-teen to mid-teen during that time. She told me they DID NOT KNOW what was going on...of COURSE they (German citizens) weren't okay with it!! OMG!!!

There is a tremendous difference between the Pledge of Allegiance and what was being fed to children during Hitler's reign. My Dad recently sent this to me as we were talking about this very topic. It was a "prayer" that read:

"Händchen falten, Köpfchen senken,
Immer an den Führer denken!"

which translates to:
Fold your little hands, bow your little heads,
Always be thinking of the Fuhrer. (clearly losing it's rhyme in the translation)

I'm sorry, but your comparison of the Pledge to Nazi Germany is very disrespectful
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post #14 of 73
9/7/09 at 6:01pm
Umm of course I wasn't speaking literally. I know it's nowhere near the same but it's of the same nature- same type of premise behind it, it's indoctrination just different types.
Why is it disrespectful? Some people didn't know what was going on, but some did know and were okay with it and joined the army and served under Hitler...Is it that difficult to imagine the US capable of doing similar things as Nazi Germany?
Sorry to ruin it for you but the US IS responsible for countless of injustices towards other nations. Take central America for example, Nicaragua All those countries in central america are in poverty now all because the US screwed with them ...
I just don't understand why you are so appalled at my comparison!!
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post #15 of 73
9/7/09 at 6:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ut0pia View Post
Umm of course I wasn't speaking literally. I know it's nowhere near the same but it's of the same nature- same type of premise behind it, it's indoctrination just different types.
Why is it disrespectful? Some people didn't know what was going on, but some did know and were okay with it and joined the army and served under Hitler...Is it that difficult to imagine the US capable of doing similar things as Nazi Germany?
Sorry to ruin it for you but the US IS responsible for countless of injustices towards other nations. Take central America for example, Nicaragua All those countries in central america are in poverty now all because the US screwed with them ...
I just don't understand why you are so appalled at my comparison!!
I understand what your saying. There are many injustices that go on towards other nations that our very own CIA is behind. We live in a very cruel world, and our government is pretty corrupt.
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post #16 of 73
9/7/09 at 6:46pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ut0pia View Post
Umm of course I wasn't speaking literally. I know it's nowhere near the same but it's of the same nature- same type of premise behind it, it's indoctrination just different types.
Why is it disrespectful? Some people didn't know what was going on, but some did know and were okay with it and joined the army and served under Hitler...Is it that difficult to imagine the US capable of doing similar things as Nazi Germany?
Sorry to ruin it for you but the US IS responsible for countless of injustices towards other nations. Take central America for example, Nicaragua All those countries in central america are in poverty now all because the US screwed with them ...
I just don't understand why you are so appalled at my comparison!!
It is disrespectful because it makes light and trivializes what the Nazi's did.
You may not love your country, we do have our faults but we are not by any stretch of the imagination capable of a Holocaust.

It is so sad that many of the far left hate their country so much, if I felt my country was that horrible I would leave, but that's just me.

And Utopia, this thread is about an Obama speech to children, perhaps if you want to talk comparisons between the United States and Nazi Germany, you should start another thread.

I really don't want this thread to turn into another thread like the one I started about Bill Clinton going to North Korea and getting those ladies released.

Geesh, I try to start a thread reaching a hand across the aisle and giving credit where credit is due and someone wants to turn it into something bad.
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post #17 of 73
9/7/09 at 6:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ut0pia View Post
Umm of course I wasn't speaking literally. I know it's nowhere near the same but it's of the same nature- same type of premise behind it, it's indoctrination just different types.
Why is it disrespectful? Some people didn't know what was going on, but some did know and were okay with it and joined the army and served under Hitler...Is it that difficult to imagine the US capable of doing similar things as Nazi Germany?
Sorry to ruin it for you but the US IS responsible for countless of injustices towards other nations. Take central America for example, Nicaragua All those countries in central america are in poverty now all because the US screwed with them ...
I just don't understand why you are so appalled at my comparison!!
Because the Pledge of Allegiance is a positive affirmation of how wonderful this country is; how does indoctrination of German children with Fuhrer worship compare to that?! Incidentally, you tend to talk with a chip on your shoulder. You are young. Please have a little bit of respect for those older than you. You might learn something from us old folks. And yes, we can learn from you too.
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post #18 of 73
9/7/09 at 6:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ckblv View Post
It is disrespectful because it makes light and trivializes what the Nazi's did.
You may not love your country, we do have our faults but we are not by any stretch of the imagination capable of a Holocaust.

It is so sad that many of the far left hate their country so much, if I felt my country was that horrible I would leave, but that's just me.

And Utopia, this thread is about an Obama speech to children, perhaps if you want to talk comparisons between the United States and Nazi Germany, you should start another thread.

I really don't want this thread to turn into another thread like the one I started about Bill Clinton going to North Korea and getting those ladies released.

Geesh, I try to start a thread reaching a hand across the aisle and giving credit where credit is due and someone wants to turn it into something bad.
Thanks Cindy. You are right, your original post was indeed a positive one!! I don't have a problem with that speech either. I am sorry that I contributed towards hijacking the thread. Done with it now.
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post #19 of 73
9/7/09 at 7:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ckblv View Post
It is disrespectful because it makes light and trivializes what the Nazi's did.
You may not love your country, we do have our faults but we are not by any stretch of the imagination capable of a Holocaust.

It is so sad that many of the far left hate their country so much, if I felt my country was that horrible I would leave, but that's just me.
I just have to say that I never said I hate my country ...anyways it doesn't matter- I just wanted to clarify that.
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post #20 of 73
9/7/09 at 7:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrblanche View Post
A good education is the surest ticket out of poverty and away from prejudice."
Do you really believe that? There is much prejudice against Obama and I don't believe for a minute that it is because of only his political stance. This business of his speech being previewed before he would be allowed to present it is beyond disrespect IMO. Did any other President have to have their speech previewed before speaking to school children?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Allmycats View Post
I'm sorry, but your comparison of the Pledge to Nazi Germany is very disrespectful
I certainly agree that it was disrespectful and totally inappropriate.
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post #21 of 73
9/7/09 at 7:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Yosemite View Post
Do you really believe that? There is much prejudice against Obama and I don't believe for a minute that it is because of only his political stance. This business of his speech being previewed before he would be allowed to present it is beyond disrespect IMO. Did any other President have to have their speech previewed before speaking to school children?
EXACTLY
My God - The prejudice is so clear, raw and down right ugly against Obama, that we are seeing things happening that only in nightmares we though we would... Pastors inviting church goers to pray for his death.... mothers throwing a fit because of a back to school speech.... crazy stuff on the streets all the time.... I am sorry, I thought before Obama was elected that America was much less racist.... but now that he is on power... WOW - it brought some ugly stuff into the surface...
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post #22 of 73
9/7/09 at 7:37pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Yosemite View Post
Do you really believe that? There is much prejudice against Obama and I don't believe for a minute that it is because of only his political stance. This business of his speech being previewed before he would be allowed to present it is beyond disrespect IMO. Did any other President have to have their speech previewed before speaking to school children?
I can honestly say that race playing into it never even ocurred to me and I hope, if it is true, it is a tiny minority. I really don't think of him as a color, just as a President that I don't agree with most of the time.

As far as the speech being previewed, now this has set precedence and every President will be required to do it. I better not hear any Republicans complaining when a Republican President is required to do do what Barack did.
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post #23 of 73
9/7/09 at 7:41pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by carolinalima View Post
EXACTLY
My God - The prejudice is so clear, raw and down right ugly against Obama, that we are seeing things happening that only in nightmares we though we would... Pastors inviting church goers to pray for his death.... mothers throwing a fit because of a back to school speech.... crazy stuff on the streets all the time.... I am sorry, I thought before Obama was elected that America was much less racist.... but now that he is on power... WOW - it brought some ugly stuff into the surface...
"Crazy stuff on the street all the time", seems to be a bit exaggerated, don't you think.

The evil Pastor is very disturbing, VERY.

The reaction of the right to Barack's speech was over the top, what can I say, I argued with my own brother and mother over it. Who would have thought I would be arguing with my brother and mother defending Barack?
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post #24 of 73
9/7/09 at 7:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ckblv View Post
"Crazy stuff on the street all the time", seems to be a bit exaggerated, don't you think.

The evil Pastor is very disturbing, VERY.

The reaction of the right to Barack's speech was over the top, what can I say, I argued with my own brother and mother over it. Who would have thought I would be arguing with my brother and mother defending Barack?
Let me tell you Cindy.... not if you live in Texas......... I was driving one day here to go to an interview, and I was disgusted - it was disturbing....
It is really unfortunate
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post #25 of 73
9/7/09 at 7:57pm
There are people here in the suburbs of atlanta holding signs on the streets every day. It IS crazy. I am not talking about town halls, I'm talking about just on the street. I see them in the morning on my way to class all the time.
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post #26 of 73
9/7/09 at 8:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ut0pia View Post
There are people here in the suburbs of atlanta holding signs on the streets every day. It IS crazy. I am not talking about town halls, I'm talking about just on the street. I see them in the morning on my way to class all the time.
Yep - I seem them in Dallas too - kinda weird/scary when you are not the blue eyed American gal...
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post #27 of 73
9/7/09 at 8:25pm
Thread Starter 
This is what happens when extremists in both parties take over.
I hate it.

That is why I was sooooo in favor of McCain, he is more of a moderate and does not believe it is beneath him to compromise.

It isn't good for the country when one party has total power, total fillibuster-proof power, no matter what party it is. There is no checks and balances and that is what is scary to people.

The Clinton administration got quite a bit done when the Pubs got control of Congress in '94.
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post #28 of 73
9/7/09 at 8:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ut0pia View Post
because it's indoctrination...
besides it's not like we're afraid people will all go pledge their loyalty to mexico or canada anyway or commit treason.. What other country would I pledge my allegiance to if not the one i'm a citizen of??? Kind of pointless to say it every day...
Most people only "pledge their allegiance" to this country because they happened to be born here- nothing to be proud of there. Lol - *I'm proud to be born* is what the pledge of allegiance boils down to.
Sorry to hijack this thread again, but I just have to ask....do you know anyone that is a naturalized citizen (actually came through legally?)? I have known some, and they are the FIRST ones to stand up when the national anthem is played and their hand is over their heart. And, I AM proud to be born in the UNITED STATES of AMERICA. I love this country, even with her faults. Don't even try to compare the USA with Nazi Germany. Remember, it was the US soldiers that found the concentration camps.
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post #29 of 73
9/7/09 at 8:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ckblv View Post
http://www.whitehouse.gov/MediaResou...SchoolRemarks/




It is a good speech, I knew it would be, he gave an awesome, Bill Cosbly-like,
speech at Father's Day last year. This is one area I fully agree with Barack.

I am embarrassed that many people on the right made such idiots of themselves over this speech.
I was very happy with his speech, what I read. I can understand why some people were worried about it but this is very good. I honestly do think Obama cares about the kids and people in general. I'm glad he put it online before it actually went out to the schools to calm the parents down.
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post #30 of 73
9/7/09 at 8:40pm
Thread Starter 
I am proud of my country too, even with all her faults. I said the Pledge of Allegiance every day in school for 13 years. The words were always meaningful and I liked saying it, I was, and am, proud to say it. Men and women died to give me the freedom to say it. That means a lot to me.

I think we get complacent and tend to forget, or not think about the fact that we could just as easily, if not for the accident of birth, been born in Sudan or Angola or Iran or Somalia or any third world country. We are blessed and should thank God and country for what we have.
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