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How Can I Help, Mr. President?
Why there's no reason to worry about Obama's speech to American schoolchildren
Why would anyone want to deprive impressionable school-age children of hearing the inspiring wisdom of the president? Barack Obama is determined to impart his knowledge upon our pliable offspring via webcast across the country next week, and we should not stand in his way.
This is, as they say, a teachable moment. There is nothing to fear. Naturally, teachers and parents, incapable of handling the sheer concentrated intellectual force of such a historic event, have been forwarded a detailed lesson plan by the Department of Education (sic) so that no child will be blinded inadvertently by the dazzling light of hope.
Initially, part of the strategy was to guide our kiddies tenderly through this event by asking them to "write letters to themselves about what they can do to help the president," which then would be collected so that teachers could hold students "accountable" at an appropriate later date.
Example: Dear Madison, How can I help President Obama save the world from global warming when my daddy is a meanie who hates poor babies and thinks a Prius is emasculating?
My initial reaction to the news, naturally, was to visualize the violent Java-induced (organic and fair-trade only!) pitchforked insurrection that would have exploded in my well-heeled, crunchy, peace-loving neighborhood had George W. Bush lectured local kids on anything. And predictably, Obama's speech has generated a similar reaction from some demonstrably unpatriotic parents across the country—and it seems gratuitous.
To begin with, even if the president delivered an openly politicized speech, which he won't, your kids would survive the unpleasant experience. Most of our children have not been transformed into complete idiots yet by public education.
Moreover, if your child is incapable of handling a 20-minute haranguing from a self-important public servant, he will be tragically unprepared for the new world. (Whom do you think he will be dealing with when he needs that hip replacement in 60 years?)
Even if you oppose the president on a political level, it is empirically evident that the more one hears his homilies the less inclined one is to trust him. And Obama's penchants to lecture us endlessly, to be the center of attention endlessly and to saturate the airwaves and national conversation are clear indications that he believes government is the answer to every societal, religious, economic, and cultural question we face. Why should your kids be immune?
Was it not the president's calm hand that guided a rattled nation through the shocking racial unrest in Cambridge, Mass., recently? Was it not this man whose decency enabled us to lift our collective head after the dark days of capitalist tyranny? And was it not this president who apologized to a slighted and misunderstood Muslim world (twice) for our sins?
Why should we deny that he can elevate our schoolchildren from the abyss so they finally, after decades of neglect, can learn again? And who better to dictate the lesson plan than the president's secretary of education, Arne Duncan, a man who left Chicago's school district with a meager 40 percent dropout rate?
Honestly, if I'm going to be badgered and browbeaten by the president every day, kids should suffer a bit, as well. The president has been treating the American people like schoolchildren for more than seven months—with another "major address" on health care coming right after he talks to the kids.
When my own brood comes home next week, I'll explain that in this remarkable nation, anyone can become president—though I hope they'll choose something more constructive—and that daddies often hope the president fails. I even may help them with their homework:
Q: "What do you think the president wants us to do?" Nationalize health care?
Q: "Does the speech make you want to do anything?" Write a column.
Q: "Are we able to do what President Obama is asking of us?" God, I hope not.
David Harsanyi is a columnist at The Denver Post and the author of Nanny State. Visit his Web site at www.DavidHarsanyi.com.
COPYRIGHT 2009 THE DENVER POST
DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS.COM
|9.4.09 @ 12:06PM|#
It's not like he's signing the No Child Left Behind act.
A speech has very little power to indoctrinate as compared to
legislation.
|9.4.09 @ 12:14PM|#
Sheesh, conservative paranoia is at an all time high, isn't it? I agree that the "study guide" or whatever is kind of creepy and should not have been produced, at least in that form. But it's just a speech. Hearing the president of your country say "Study hard and do your best" sounds pretty harmless to me. And as has been noted elsewhere, Saint Reagan did the same damn thing.
Tomcat1066|9.4.09 @ 12:19PM|#
My son's response to "how can I help the President" type
questions? Show him the door, and help the U.S. instead.
The speech, in and of itself, is simple enough. I'd rather my kid
not be forced to endure Obama, but he's got have something to tell
his shrink when he's older? For me, the idea of a study guide is
what crossed the line. Not because of the ideas necessarily in it
(I haven't looked at it), but because of the precedent. This could
well be abused down the road far, far to easily.
Mike Laursen|9.4.09 @ 12:23PM|#
Moreover, if your child is incapable of handling a 20-minute
haranguing from a self-important public servant, he will be
tragically unprepared for the new world.
Yeah, that's the way I'm starting to see it. Kids are going to be
exposed to a lot of nonsense. Might as well inoculate them.
|9.4.09 @ 12:28PM|#
Compared to the unvarnished propoganda that is D.A.R.E., this is
just a fart in a whirlwind.
I am all for allowing the Chiosen One to continue to over expose
himself. Hell, give him an hour a night on all four networks to
lecture and cajole us. Let Obama's wisdom be heard thoughout the
land.
slutmonkey|9.4.09 @ 12:33PM|#
Sarcasm doesn't come across well in print. If I didn't know the background of the author, this article would be completely confusing.
Burp|9.4.09 @ 12:33PM|#
Will this speach be taking place at the DC school his kids go to? You know, the one that the unvouchered poor kids can no longer attend?
Burp|9.4.09 @ 12:37PM|#
We did watch the rockets (Gemini, Apollo) being launched. But never a presidential speech.
wingnutx|9.4.09 @ 12:37PM|#
This would be ok with me, if only schoolchildren were allowed to
play some sort of drinking game during the speech.
Drink every time he references "my historic election".
|9.4.09 @ 12:39PM|#
Boy, there's some astute people out there:
If I was a wanna be dictator planning to create my own internal
military force for the purpose of controlling my own population
when they caught on to my plans, and the real military was in two
wars over seas, I would ask myself this question. Do I want them to
come back?. If the true defenders of freedom come back in large
numbers and find there own country has communists in the white
house there could be hell to pay. Ramp up the war in Afghanistan?
The whole Russian army died there because they put to many boots on
the ground. If we crowd the Afghans they will turn on us and when
they do we will have no escape rout. Could Obama want our real
military wiped out in Afghanistan? It would serve every radical
thing on his agenda to disarm our real defenders of the
constitution. THINK ABOUT IT. Stay Sharp
Tinfoil hat not included.
|9.4.09 @ 12:42PM|#
wingnutx,
Alas, Google has no record of Obama ever using those words. Could
you point me to an instance? I like to get drunk playing drinking
games.
micro2000|9.4.09 @ 12:44PM|#
The hoopla over this is the perfect example of not seeing the
forest because of the trees.
If your child is in a public school system, then they have 12 years
of "indoctrination" from government. A ten minute speech is a
squirt of piss in an ocean compared to this.
And Republican Presidents have done such school presentations in
the past. This is not a precedent.
|9.4.09 @ 12:44PM|#
I would be fine with all the public schools showing this speech,
along with the fucking study guides, if it were followed by a
viewing of a Hugo Chavez hour long TV harangue, and a current
events presentation about the state of Putin's indoctrination of
schoolchildren, followed by a spirited "compare and contrast"
discussion.
But somehow I doubt the statists and socialists who had embedded
themselves in public education would allow this sort of comparison
to take place.
Which is why I oppose any public education facility showing the
fucking speech in those tax-supported facilities.
wingnutx|9.4.09 @ 12:49PM|#
Then the poor kids will never get drunk :(
Make that anytime he refers to one of his problems or proposals as
"historic".
pollypol|9.4.09 @ 12:50PM|#
slutmonkey --why is it confusing. sounds like he doesn't think it's a big deal, but he's got a problem with it.
Hugh Akston|9.4.09 @ 12:50PM|#
This is an opportunity for the president to grow a spine and
raise the level of political discourse an infinitesimal amount. He
can respond to the critics of his speech by saying
"yes, I am going to make a speech to the children, and to the
nation, it will be partisan and political, because I am a political
partisan. I cannot and will not accept the responsibility of
representing all political views in this country, nor will I wash
my speech of political rhetoric potentially offensive to the
delicate sensibilities of the children or the people. If you
disagree with my words, as is our right, you have the further right
to express your disagreement by whatever means you have available
to you."
|9.4.09 @ 12:50PM|#
Are SEIU thugs going to be present in each classroom to make sure the kids behave and pay attention?
Xeones|9.4.09 @ 12:51PM|#
I think that picture is crying out to be captioned.
"Yeah, and then you just put it in her drink."
Mike in PA|9.4.09 @ 1:03PM|#
Of course government schools indoctrinate people! That's what
they do! Obama just wants to personalize it. It's an ego thing more
than anything else. Same thing for George H.W. Bush. Reagan??? He
actually may have had some altruistic motives.
How about Robert Gibbs calling this "Silly season?" What?! AGAIN?
STILL?
Could someone please tell me when exactly silly season is? That way
I could know to bury my head and not pay attention to anything
during this time.
Tomcat1066|9.4.09 @ 1:04PM|#
Could someone please tell me when exactly silly season is?
That way I could know to bury my head and not pay attention to
anything during this time.
Silly season starts on January 1 and runs through December
31.
Please act accordingly.
|9.4.09 @ 1:05PM|#
What a second. Obama actually ate public school food? I have a new-found respect for the man, if true.
Mister DNA|9.4.09 @ 1:08PM|#
"Sure, young man. Universal health care will cover cases of girl's cooties."
|9.4.09 @ 1:12PM|#
Inoculate our children against nonsense? I'll hear none of that.
We should prevent them from being exposed to any nonsense
what-so-ever until their 21st birthdays, and then throw them to the
wolves.
Oh, wait, that's how we teach them to drink responsibly. Never
mind.
|9.4.09 @ 1:22PM|#
I kind of feel bad for BO on this one. Pontificating to innocent
school children is one of the great privileges of being a
politician. I don't think this is quite the end of the world.
But he only has himself to blame for the backlash. He is the one
who let such a creepy cult of personality develop around him during
the election. And it is his side that has turned the schools into
leftist endoctrination camps that a good portion of the people
don't trust. When you combine the creepy cult of Obama with the
leftist nonsense that goes on in schools, some of the more
suspicious members of society flip out a bit.
JB|9.4.09 @ 1:24PM|#
"By the time we are done with you, kid, you will learn to love government in every orifice."
Ska|9.4.09 @ 1:24PM|#
I'd have to think that any kid grades K-3 wouldn't give a shit,
grades 4 - 6 might be a little mystified but not give a shit, and
grades 7 - 12 not give a flying fuck at all, with a pretty good
chance of showing up baked and trying to get that slutty chick to
give them a hand job.
Based on little more than my personal concern with the president
and politics during my academic career from K - 12.
|9.4.09 @ 1:27PM|#
The local school district will not be carrying the President's
speech.
Are SEIU thugs going to be present in each classroom to make
sure the kids behave and pay attention?
The teachers are mostly unionized, so I would have to say yes
(although most don't belong to SEIU).
creech|9.4.09 @ 1:27PM|#
Our local tea party group merely asked for equal time if the
president says something partisan.
Once the precedent is set, I guess it will be all sweetness and
light from the left when, say, President Palin wants to address the
kiddies.
tekende|9.4.09 @ 1:28PM|#
"Could someone please tell me when exactly silly season
is?"
I think it's when people get all wee-wee'd up.
|9.4.09 @ 1:30PM|#
"By the time we are done with you, kid, you will learn to love
government in every orifice."
Another anal-sex obsessed post from JB.
Nipplemancer|9.4.09 @ 1:31PM|#
"for every three cookies your mom gives you, two and a half go to me"
Quiz respondant.|9.4.09 @ 1:38PM|#
"What do you think the president wants us to do?"
"Go to Hell because it's warm there in the winter."
"Does the speech make you want to do anything?"
"Yeah, stealing that nice big-screen TV they showed it on comes to
mind."
"Are we able to do what President Obama is asking of us?"
"Who cares? I'm off to set fire to the lunch room."
Tony|9.4.09 @ 2:04PM|#
But he only has himself to blame for the backlash.
John how is it that you manage to type from beneath that giant
mound of bullshit you inhabit?
I would say Obama continues to give the right just enough rope to
hang themselves with, but I don't think that's the case. They go
apeshit if he picks his nose. I wish I could give credit for these
histrionics to Obama as a political master but frankly he can just
sit there while they put their craziness on full display all on
their own.
|9.4.09 @ 2:06PM|#
I second what ska said. Come on, we all should think back to what we were like in that time. Chances are only a handful of dweebs (are they still around?) will even give half a damn. I seriously don't think anyone could be that persuasive to people who are already cynical and mistrustful of authority.
The Angry Optimist|9.4.09 @ 2:08PM|#
Tony - over here you wrote that "in some places they're given academic credit for listening to Limbaugh for 3 hours a day.". Do you have a citation for that claim?
Kevin|9.4.09 @ 2:10PM|#
Considering this in light of the NEA email asking artists to promote the president's agenda makes me a bit suspicious. However, knowing that grade school kids are more interested in recess gives me "hope".
The Angry Optimist|9.4.09 @ 2:15PM|#
I would say since we have an amendment process, everything in
the Constitution, including the Bill of Rights, is open to
debate.
Rights themselves, on the other hand, are not.
Alice Bowie|9.4.09 @ 2:42PM|#
I think Obama could have gone in their and said 'Kill a Commie
for Mommy' and the Conservative Racist Jesus Freaks would have
react the same way.
It really doesn't matter. It goes to show, even though White
America voted in Obama....Racism is ALIVE and WELL in America.
Xeones|9.4.09 @ 2:42PM|#
Do you have a citation for that claim?
Dude, it's Tony. He doesn't cite shit.
alan|9.4.09 @ 2:44PM|#
"By the time we are done with you, kid, you will learn to
love government in every orifice."
Another anal-sex obsessed post from JB.
That's clearly an oral sex fixation. Every guy has one, get use to
it.
|9.4.09 @ 2:45PM|#
Too many words, alan.
That's clearly an oral sex fixation. Every guy has
one, get use to it.
Tony|9.4.09 @ 2:47PM|#
Dude, it's Tony. He doesn't cite shit.
Citation is overrated. This place cites climate change studies out
its ass but since they're not placed in context all those citations
amount to something less valuable than nothing.
I don't see why I should have to defend something I said on another
blog, but no I don't have a citation. But I do live in Oklahoma and
get constant reports from the wastelands of my state. Apparently
homeschooled kids can get credit for listening to AM radio for
several hours a day. I think it would behoove libertarians who rant
against public school to appreciate just what it is those
freedom-loving private homeschool kids are actually learning. It's
not facts.
Jordan|9.4.09 @ 2:50PM|#
I think it would behoove libertarians who rant against public school to appreciate just what it is those freedom-loving private homeschool kids are actually learning.
Why? It's none of my business what other kids are/aren't learning.
Nor is it any of yours.
|9.4.09 @ 2:50PM|#
Don't children make up part of the public?
Obama, as president, is a public servant. Why should little kids be
assigned to think of ways they can help him? Should it not be the
other way around (as opposed to his efforts to ruin their futures
with crushing debt and minimal freedoms).
Tomcat1066|9.4.09 @ 2:51PM|#
So, you got this shit from someone else with nothing to back it
up and then say "citation is overrated"?
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why people just arbitrarily tell
Tony to shut the fuck up whenever he posts anything.
The Angry Optimist|9.4.09 @ 2:52PM|#
In other words, you "heard" something, didn't verify it, and repeated it, with your own spin attached.
Braindead|9.4.09 @ 2:53PM|#
"
It really doesn't matter. It goes to show, even though White
America voted in Obama....Racism is ALIVE and WELL in
America"
Stupid much?
Tony|9.4.09 @ 2:54PM|#
Why? It's none of my business what other kids are/aren't learning. Nor is it any of yours.
Actually I think a large movement one of whose goals is the
indoctrination of children to support a particular religious
worldview AND a particular political party (sorry, you can't get
away from that) is my business and should be yours as well.
alan|9.4.09 @ 2:55PM|#
The local school district will not be carrying the
President's speech.
I also see claims about Reagan doing the same thing. Given I was in
high school at the time, given I was an ignorant liberal in high
school who hated Reagan and still dislike the aspects that Neu Mex
pointed out yesterday, I would definitely remember if I was
subjected to a speech he gave. So, either my district did not carry
it, or it wasn't the big national matter that it is being made out
to be in order to defend Obama.
Still, if Reagan did, it was typical of the over stretch of the
imperial presidency that grew out of the Cold War years. It is way
past time to dial it back a notch, that a national bully pulpit is
no longer an assumed privileged power of the office, and the
average American does not owe you even a minute of his time.
Jordan|9.4.09 @ 2:55PM|#
Actually I think a large movement one of whose goals is the indoctrination of children to support a particular religious worldview AND a particular political party (sorry, you can't get away from that) is my business and should be yours as well.
Yes, I already know you're a little fascist.
Tony|9.4.09 @ 2:56PM|#
So now I not only have to cite things here but I have to defend things I say on other web sites because TAO doesn't have anything better to do with his time than obsess over me?
The Angry Optimist|9.4.09 @ 2:56PM|#
I think a large movement one of whose goals is the indoctrination of children to support a particular religious worldview AND a particular political party
I am glad to see that you're with us against public schools,
Tony.
The Angry Optimist|9.4.09 @ 2:58PM|#
I don't get it, Tony - you post things on the Internet, and
expect not to have them used against you?
Sorry, but this is, as people with fancy bar licenses like to say,
called "impeaching your credibility", and you deserve every second
of it.
Tony|9.4.09 @ 2:58PM|#
Jordan,
What I described is nascent fascism. Public education, whatever its
flaws, is a lot better than little islands of religious
fundamentalism teaching kids variations on the flat earth
theory.
alan|9.4.09 @ 2:58PM|#
Too many words, alan.
That's clearly an oral sex fixation. Every guy has one, get use to
it.
LOL. Dutifully noted.
|9.4.09 @ 2:58PM|#
Like this?
Shut the fuck up Tony!!
wow, its kind of sad when a statement like this instantly has more
credibility than tony, well i guess that is what you get for being
a liberal tool.
Chinny Chin Chin|9.4.09 @ 2:59PM|#
As has been pointed out before, there is precedent to a
president propagandizing directly to the kiddies.
For example, lost in the horror of the attacks is the fact that, on
9/11, Bush was attempting to brainwash Florida children into
careers in goat husbandry.
Jordan|9.4.09 @ 3:02PM|#
What I described is nascent fascism. Public education, whatever its flaws, is a lot better than little islands of religious fundamentalism teaching kids variations on the flat earth theory.
Freedom is slavery.
Shorter Tony|9.4.09 @ 3:04PM|#
"For example, lost in the horror of the attacks is the fact
that, on 9/11, Bush was attempting to brainwash Florida children
into careers in goat husbandry."
Reading a children's book to one class in not the same as a reading
a political speech that is broadcast to all of the schools in the
nation you stupid goat fucker.
Shorter Tony|9.4.09 @ 3:04PM|#
But then I guess it's all Bush's fault for sticking his foot in the door.
|9.4.09 @ 3:06PM|#
That's one thing I despise about liberals is that they instantly try to paint beliefs different from theirs as fascist or un-American.
Tony|9.4.09 @ 3:06PM|#
Jordan please. Just because your wacko little fringe cult doesn't get affirmative action in public school instruction doesn't mean public school is about indoctrinating children. Public school is about education being a fundamental right. Without it poor children would simply do without. You want to talk about fascism just take a look at what the organized religious right has been trying to accomplish in this country. It's not always so easy as government=evil.
The Angry Optimist|9.4.09 @ 3:11PM|#
And Tony wonders why I flame him with personal details.
Here's Tony pimping Kennedy's death:
"Now let's give the liberal lion a liberal legacy to be proud of.
How about the Kennedy Health Bill?"
|9.4.09 @ 3:13PM|#
Agreed with the earlier posters. School is for indoncrination,
so don't be surprised if that' what is happening.
Although this case is probably a mild case of it, and not worth the
amount of time we've spent on it.
Still, if only there was a magical world where kids would learn
about basic economics and finacial managment. Sigh...
Jordan|9.4.09 @ 3:15PM|#
Just because your wacko little fringe cult doesn't get affirmative action in public school instruction doesn't mean public school is about indoctrinating children.
I guess I should type in big words, so you can understand. IT'S
NONE OF YOUR OR MY FUCKING BUSINESS WHAT CHILDREN ARE BEING TAUGHT.
YOU DON'T OWN THEIR MINDS. I'm not against public schools because I
don't like what they teach. I'm against them because they are
illiberal.
Public school is about education being a fundamental right. Without it poor children would simply do without.
Hoookay. Now I see why nobody ever bothers with you. Why don't you
look up the history of education in Harlem, prior to the
establishment of public schools for a start.
You want to talk about fascism just take a look at what the organized religious right has been trying to accomplish in this country. It's not always so easy as government=evil.
Without an activist government, the religious right can't do
shit.
Chinny Chin Chin|9.4.09 @ 3:15PM|#
Shorter Tony,
your detuned sarcasm detector makes you appear stupider than your
namesake.
Then again, perhaps your reaction to my post was a nuanced
commentary on the thoughtless drivel that is the Tony-bot. If so,
kudos sir.
|9.4.09 @ 3:16PM|#
Now let's give the liberal lion a liberal legacy to be proud
of. How about the Kennedy Health Bill?
We should memorialize Ted Kennedy with a bloated and incoherent
health bill? Mission accomplished!
Xeones|9.4.09 @ 3:17PM|#
Although this case is probably a mild case of it, and not
worth the amount of time we've spent on it.
Agreed. Democrat parents will be happy, Republican and independent
parents will just reprogram the kids when they get home, and the
kids will all believe the opposite of whatever their parents
believe when they are teenagers anyway.
|9.4.09 @ 3:21PM|#
@Jordan
Sorry, what kids are taught in public schools is our business
because it's our tax dollars being used for it. For those that have
kids in school it's doubly their business.
Kids in private school or home schooled can be taught pretty much
whatever, but when my tax money gets used for it, it's pretty much
automatically my business.
Total Tool|9.4.09 @ 3:21PM|#
Hey! You'll never guess what's happening on one of the other
threads. Sudertool is bashing teh evil Republicans again.
Imagine that!
Syd Henderson|9.4.09 @ 3:24PM|#
As long as he doesn't read them "My Pet Goat," they should be okay. Remember what happened the last time a President tried reading the book of doom.
|9.4.09 @ 3:24PM|#
Tony
Easy fix, no public schools, it costs an average of 500 bucks a
head to home school a child per year as apposed to the thousands it
costs tax payers for the public option, and i know i sound
heartless but if some parents cant afford that then they should not
be having kids. The funniest thing is that number is just the
average and not the minimum, so for the low income families it is
even more affordable.
But im just a heartless libertarian because i think that parents
should actually teach their kids something, blasphemy!
|9.4.09 @ 3:30PM|#
I would be ok with there just being a voucher system.
I think it can be argued that soceity gets enough benefits from a
well educated populace that it merits government funding.
And since means testing to deterime if people can have a kid will
never happen, I think it's probably the best solution.
Jordan|9.4.09 @ 3:31PM|#
Sorry, what kids are taught in public schools is our business because it's our tax dollars being used for it. For those that have kids in school it's doubly their business.
Kids in private school or home schooled can be taught pretty much whatever, but when my tax money gets used for it, it's pretty much automatically my business.
I actually agree with this. That's one of the reasons why public
schools are illiberal.
|9.4.09 @ 3:34PM|#
Does anyone really believe that these people are being sincere?
Does anyone really believe that they believe that the president is
trying to brainwash their kids to be socialists or communists? A
small number of the radical ones probably do, but a majorty of
these people are doing this just because they hate Obama and they
hate the Democrats.
The election is over. The people have spoken. We want this to
change. We should discuss the REAL issues like rational people and
get the important things done.
The rhetoric from talk radio and Fox News has become so intense,
the accusations are so over the top, that people actually believe
that the other side is evil. This started well before the election
and continues on - sustained by the constant drumbeat of negativity
in the media and stress, fear, and cognitive dissonance in the
people who really believed Sarah Palin when she said that the
country was electing a terrorist to office.
These corporations and special interests are controlling the whole
show for their OWN benefit.
How can both sides work together in this environment? It's
virtually impossible. Real leadership is needed to rise above this.
Real leadership is needed to stand up to the forces that are behind
this, to take some short term hits, to ensure the long term future
viability of our democracy.
This phony outrage directed at Obama's back to school speech is
rooted in this desire to disrupt and to totally destroy his ability
to lead, to get things done. It may seem small, but as with the
seemingly endless series of "issues" that have come up in the past
few months, it's designed to kill by a thousand pin pricks.
|9.4.09 @ 3:37PM|#
are you people all wacked? He's the President and he has a right to make a speech. He is not trying to hypnotize our children. Maybe the country can move forward if you would let THE PRESIDENT do his job.
Art-P.O.G.|9.4.09 @ 3:41PM|#
Maybe the country can move forward if you would let THE PRESIDENT do his job.
Did you say this during the Bush administration? Just wondering.
Tony|9.4.09 @ 3:44PM|#
i know i sound heartless but if some parents cant afford that then they should not be having kids
So kids' education is nobody's business but their parents, but
people's reproductive habits are your business?
The Angry Optimist|9.4.09 @ 3:50PM|#
the fact that someone, somewhere on the planet is giving birth does not entitle her progeny to a wealth of entitlements, borne from the hard work of others.
Art-P.O.G.|9.4.09 @ 3:56PM|#
So kids' education is nobody's business but their parents, but people's reproductive habits are your business?
I don't think he was saying he wanted to create legislation governing parent's reproductive habits. Unless you're saying if he doesn't care about the homeschool curriculum of others, he can't comment on parental responsibility?
Nipplemancer|9.4.09 @ 3:58PM|#
sure, nothing to worry about now, but when Barry breaks out the Hypnotoad, we're all screwed.
alice bowie|9.4.09 @ 4:04PM|#
Lady Gaga goes on MTV and says:
'Don't think too hard...just bust this dick'
50 Cent goes on MTV and says:
'I wanna unbutton your pants just a little bit'
And nobody said NOTHING.
Kids have much worst influences then that so-called pinco
Obama.
Goes to show u...these people really are racist.
Wicks Cherrycoke|9.4.09 @ 4:07PM|#
"Does anyone really believe that these people are being sincere?
Does anyone really believe that they believe that the president is
trying to brainwash their kids to be socialists or communists? A
small number of the radical ones probably do, but a majorty of
these people are doing this just because they hate Obama and they
hate the Democrats."
Hey Matt....
When the President of the United States has his administration
distribute study guides to the nation's schools, suggesting that
students be assigned to create posters based on the President's
sayings...and it comes within weeks of the same President's
administration urging NEA grant recipients to create art work
supporting the President's political goals...yes, it disturbs me.
It should disturb anyone who remembers the cults of personality of
the 20th Century.
If that makes me a "corporation" or a "special interest," so be
it.
Art-P.O.G.|9.4.09 @ 4:09PM|#
Alice Bowie, I don't see what you're getting at. There's a wide swath of pop culture that's pretty much retarded, but what's that have to do with--?
Michael|9.4.09 @ 4:11PM|#
What I described is nascent fascism.
As someone who is more well-read on the big 'F' than I often care
to admit, I wish to inform you that you have no fucking idea what
you're talking about.
JB|9.4.09 @ 4:13PM|#
Another anal-sex obsessed post from JB.
It's about people being obsessed with mommy and daddy government
and wanting it in every aspect of their lives to fill up all the
holes they have inside.
Art-P.O.G.|9.4.09 @ 4:14PM|#
I think alice is suffering from martian spider bites.
Clever.
How did you know the fly didn't try to break his balls, though?
Art-P.O.G.|9.4.09 @ 4:16PM|#
It's about people being obsessed with mommy and daddy government and wanting it in every aspect of their lives to fill up all the holes they have inside.
Ha ha, OK, Charlie. You gonna stay in the band with Dennis?
alice bowie|9.4.09 @ 4:17PM|#
What i'm saying is that the conservative/jesus freak/Klansmen
are using the INFLUENCE of the PRESIDENT...as if it matters.
Teenagers and school-aged kids pretty much ignore anything adults
say...included, and probably ESPECIALLY, the president.
This is just an excuse to bash him.
alan|9.4.09 @ 4:17PM|#
"Does anyone really believe that these people are being
sincere? Does anyone really believe that they believe that the
president is trying to brainwash their kids to be socialists or
communists?
Since you are talking past me, and not listening, I see no reason
to complete the rest of your diatribe. Next.
are you people all wacked? He's the President and he has a
right to make a speech. He is not trying to hypnotize our children.
Maybe the country can move forward if you would let THE PRESIDENT
do his job.
See my answer above, Mr Smartypants. Where is it stated that he has
a right to a national audience? Can you point it out? Was it
notarized?
In Latin?
Art-P.O.G.|9.4.09 @ 4:22PM|#
Teenagers and school-aged kids pretty much ignore anything adults say...included, and probably ESPECIALLY, the president.
Not exactly. But if they did, that might explain the problems with the US' educational system. ;)
alan|9.4.09 @ 4:24PM|#
Kids have much worst influences then that so-called pinco
Obama.
Goes to show u...these people really are racist.
Why are you trying to dilute the meaning of racist down to meaning
almost anything and thun nothing at all? What is your REAL agenda.
You got a black guy with a broken leg tied up in your basement?
Sick.
Jordan|9.4.09 @ 4:24PM|#
Lady Gaga goes on MTV and says:
'Don't think too hard...just bust this dick'
50 Cent goes on MTV and says:
'I wanna unbutton your pants just a little bit'
And nobody said NOTHING.
My tax dollars don't fund MTV and nobody is compelled to watched
MTV. Next.
alice bowie|9.4.09 @ 4:24PM|#
Hey Jesus Freaks...Don't worry about Obama says to your
kids...it's not much worst than they are hearing from their
friends, the tv, and the web.
Besides, he's a one term president
He didn't help the Fags
He didn't help the latinos
He didn't help the druggies, the fat chicks, nor the clowns
He fiscally irresonsible as far as the blog members of this blog
and most Independents.
You all should have voted for The Mummy (McCain) instead of voting
for the Nigga.
This way, your precious money could have gone to something more
important in your hearts...like Israel, Iraq, etc. etc. etc.
alice bowie|9.4.09 @ 4:26PM|#
Jordan,
I don't know if u have teenage kids...but, chances are they're
watch'n it. Unless u have that daughter hand-cuffed to the
radiator.
And don't give me that 'My Tax Dollar' shit. U said NOTHING when
$11billion per month was spent on Iraq.
Jordan|9.4.09 @ 4:29PM|#
I don't know if u have teenage kids...but, chances are they're watch'n it. Unless u have that daughter hand-cuffed to the radiator.
That in no way refutes what I just said.
And don't give me that 'My Tax Dollar' shit. U said NOTHING when $11billion per month was spent on Iraq.
Go fuck yourself, asshole. I've been highly critical of both wars,
and all of the rest of Bush's bullshit.
Art-P.O.G.|9.4.09 @ 4:31PM|#
alice bowie,
I'm having trouble distilling a thesis from your words. I suspect
that they're claptrap, but there's a starman, waiting in the sky.
He wants to come and meet us but he thinks he'll blow our
minds.
alan|9.4.09 @ 4:31PM|#
He didn't help the Fags
He didn't help the latinos
He didn't help the druggies, the fat chicks, nor the clowns
He fiscally irresonsible as far as the blog members of this blog
and most Independents.
You all should have voted for The Mummy (McCain) instead of voting
for the Nigga.
This way, your precious money could have gone to something more
important in your hearts...like Israel, Iraq, etc. etc.
etc.
Was Shrike a crack baby, and Alice his mother?
alice bowie|9.4.09 @ 4:31PM|#
Nobody is compelled to watch the president. Their parents can keep them home.
alice bowie|9.4.09 @ 4:33PM|#
What's the matter alan
Are u saying that I'm wrong. R u say'n that Obama did NOT make good
on the people that voted him in. Include me, who'll be on the cover
of this October's cover of 'Crack-Whore Magazine' ??
alan|9.4.09 @ 4:37PM|#
Nobody is compelled to watch the president. Their parents
can keep them home.
Surprised you didn't go with, 'those Republican parents will pull
their kids out of school for a day, and deprive them of an
education. Encouraging delinquency, but that is just how much they
irrationally hate Obama', but your way works too.
alice bowie|9.4.09 @ 4:40PM|#
Hey Alan,
In America, we are allowed to raise our kids liberals. Just as Klan
Members, Jesus Freaks, and Conservatives are allowed to raise their
kids accordingly.
Art-P.O.G.|9.4.09 @ 4:44PM|#
Alice Bowie,
Your stream-of-consciousness rantings are increasingly either banal
or incoherent.
Remember, you're posting on Ronson Reason.
Pop Boner|9.4.09 @ 4:47PM|#
"In America, we are allowed to raise our kids liberals. Just as
Klan Members, Jesus Freaks, and Conservatives are allowed to raise
their kids accordingly."
Can we raise them to be haters just like you? Is there A syllabus
we should know about?
alice bowie|9.4.09 @ 4:50PM|#
Can we raise them to be haters just like you?
We've been doin' that for years. Don't liberals bring their kids up
to hate conservatives? Don't conservatives bring their kids up to
hate liberals?
What am I guilty of.
The fact is: i don't really hate. I just find the entire thing
amusing.
The Libertarian Guy|9.4.09 @ 4:52PM|#
"Are SEIU thugs going to be present in each classroom to make
sure the kids behave and pay attention?"
Excellent question. Be prepared for an IRS audit as a reward.
"In America, we are allowed to raise our kids liberals."
Why not skip the indoctrination altogether, and let the KIDS do the
deciding when they're older?
Pop Boner|9.4.09 @ 4:54PM|#
"The fact is: i don't really hate."
Then to better communicate that to readers, you'll need to put a
great deal of work into improving your writing skills.
The Libertarian Guy|9.4.09 @ 4:55PM|#
"This is just an excuse to bash him."
Alice, would you be bashing McCain if he had won? Yes? Well...
good. Neither he nor Obama gets a "get out of being criticized"
card just for winning the big prize of presidentiality.
alice bowie|9.4.09 @ 4:57PM|#
Alice, would you be bashing McCain if he had won? Yes?
Yes i would...in all honesty.
The Libertarian Guy|9.4.09 @ 5:01PM|#
Sounds like you're all for Obama doing this taxpayer-funded indoctrination interruption, though.
Rich|9.4.09 @ 5:07PM|#
The election is over. The people have spoken. We want this
to change.
I keep hearing this kind of verbiage set forth as if it were a
rationale for something. Details, please.
We should discuss the REAL issues like rational people and get
the important things done.
This *is* a real issue. Why is it not important to understand the
nature of this "teachable moment"? I eagerly await the text on
Monday.
|9.4.09 @ 5:10PM|#
"In America, we are allowed to raise our kids
liberals."
Of course you are. That doesn't mean the public schools should be
part of your project, though.
The Libertarian Guy|9.4.09 @ 5:10PM|#
"Teachable moment" needs to be consigned to the dung heap of fluffy, worthless platitudes.
alice bowie|9.4.09 @ 5:17PM|#
This *is* a real issue. Why is it not important to understand the
nature of this "teachable moment"? I eagerly await the text on
Monday.
Perhaps Obama should delay his speech to the kids by about a week.
This way, schools can communicate with their student's parents and
get a signed consent form to hear the president...They way, the
school won't be sued...and the parents that don't want their kids
to go on that evil Obama Field Trip can opt out.
Would that make u people happier?
Rimfax|9.4.09 @ 6:27PM|#
Tony makes me miss joe. Despite the many notable trolls on H&R, lonewacko was alone in my mental killfile until now.
|9.4.09 @ 6:54PM|#
Citation is overrated.
Only an idiot would say that.
Citation was
neither overrated in his time nor today.
|9.4.09 @ 7:29PM|#
boy after reading the comments on this blog it all became clear what the silly season is and why it exist...are you people serious why don't you move to another country and try criticizing the leaders...I'm embarrassed to by association I am quite certain that people in other countries are laughing at how our country is fracturing into pieces all caused by conservative propaganda...
ed|9.4.09 @ 8:42PM|#
The leftosphere is beside itself over how this non-story is consuming precious print/air-time, and they are doing all they can to encourage and prolong the non-debate over this non-story. But they're well past fretting over their own hypocrisy, aren't they.
Silentz|9.4.09 @ 10:25PM|#
Hey howie, I've got a better idea. Rather than try to change the way this country works "fundamentally", why don't all you lefties go pick one that already works the way you want it, and then YOU move.
|9.4.09 @ 11:18PM|#
Nobody is compelled to watch the president. Their parents
can keep them home.
There is a story in the local paper today(The Dothan Eagle, in case
you're interested) with a quote from a concerned mother. She will
be keeping her kids home on tuesday, just in case the school has
the broadcast on. The school district already said they won't run
it but she doesn't trust them.
Sean W. Malone|9.5.09 @ 4:04AM|#
The "liberals" of course don't use propaganda of any kind and when they say that the town hall protesters are brownshirts wearing swastikas, that is just the god's honest truth. Obviously conservatives (you do realize you're not on a conservative site, right?) are all Nazi racists.
Tomcat1066|9.5.09 @ 8:50AM|#
boy after reading the comments on this blog it all became
clear what the silly season is and why it exist...are you people
serious why don't you move to another country and try criticizing
the leaders...I'm embarrassed to by association I am quite certain
that people in other countries are laughing at how our country is
fracturing into pieces all caused by conservative
propaganda...
First, I'm not a conservative, I'm a libertarian. There is a
difference.
Now, with that said, I love how when conservatives told folks such
as yourself that if you didn't like things then get the hell out,
so now your gang gets to be in charge and somehow now it's OK to
tell others to move? Seriously, get a fucking grip.
And this country isn't fracturing because of disagreement, if it's
really fracturing. It's because folks like you honestly don't
understand how people could disagree with you.
Again, get a fucking grip.
Anomalous|9.5.09 @ 1:47PM|#
My wife and I were certainly initially concerned with the
White House-directed Department of Education activities
list.
We considered keeping him out of school, asking for alternative
activities, we ran the gamut of ways to approach it. Fundamentally,
we weren't concerned because the President was going to speak to
our son. We were concerned that the people that would influence
what he took away from the speech would not do so the way we
would.
Now that they speech will be posted Monday night, we will review it
with our son and discuss what the President want our son to do. If
we disagree, we will help our child understand why it's ok to
disagree with our leaders and that you should always follow your
conscience.
We have sent an email to his teacher asking that any classroom
activities performed in relationship to the speech be sent home
with him so we can talk about those things with him as well.
I believe the anger is not about racism, political differences, or
fear of the President. The concern is more around the White House
being arrogant enough to think that we would like the President to
set our children's goals. No, that's the job of parents.
Rich Mitchell
The Plain, Hard
Truth
An information engine for Conservatives
|9.5.09 @ 4:02PM|#
Another entry for the photo caption contest:
"And then, when you've got her good and wet, you slide it into her
like this ...
This mike isn't on, is it?"
Leave a Comment
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