President BO spoke to the children. You can read the entirety of his speech HERE.In case you were wondering, here's what I think (actually, here's what I think, whether you were wondering or not):
1. The original flap over the speech was not because he is black (although I have already read some stupid remarks by some stupid people that that was the reason for the concern...those people are both stupid and racist).
The original flap was because the speech originally revealed at white house.gov included an assignment to the students to "write a letter to themselves..." explaining what they could do to help President BO.
That reeks of indoctrination, not of inspiration.
2. If the White House "speech czars" did not know that there would be flap over that kind of indoctrination, why didn't they? Are they just not smart enough to have anticipated it?
In fact, if they did not know that that assignment would generate flap among the general public, why are they still employed?
We need people who KNOW how Americans think, not folks who put forth their own agendas to force UPON the American people.
3. The final speech, as delivered, was stilted, and was not without "I" trouble.
For example: "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 about responsibility a lot.
I've talked about teachers' responsibility for inspiring students and pushing you to learn.
I've talked about your parents' responsibility for making sure you stay on track, and you get your homework done, and don't spend every waking hour in front of the TV or with the Xbox.
I've talked a lot about your government's responsibility for setting high standards, and supporting teachers and principals, and turning around schools that aren't working, where students aren't getting the opportunities that they deserve."
One of my beefs about President BO to begin with is that he seems totally convinced that this being president business is all about him.
The "I" thing cropped up in the speech several times.
I know, I know...he was just trying to: a) establish that he knew what he was talking about and b) to connect with the students...and that's OK.
ADDENDUM: Thanks to Hot Air for this little chart:
56 iterations of “I”
19 iterations of “school”
10 iterations of “education”
8 iterations of “responsibility”
7 iterations of “country”
5 iterations each of “parents”, “teachers”
3 iterations of “nation”
4. There was one statement that caused me to emit the "say-what?" question. It was: "I'm working hard to fix up your classrooms and get you the books and the equipment and the computers you need to learn."
Betcha he has never fixed up a classroom in his life.
What he might have said, had he wanted them to understand more about where he was coming from was: "I'm doing everything I can to confiscate more of your parents' hard-earned money to spend on making classrooms look like rich people built them."
But that's not really a complaint. That's just President BO doing his "government has the answers to all of our needs" thing.
5. Pardon me for being suspicious, but given the original text released by the White House, I'm more than just a little skeptical about his original motives for wanting to speak to the students.
This much is certain: had the original text up on the White House site been the speech he delivered today, there would have been no need for as much concern as was generated.
To the President's discredit, as the leader of the free world, he should have known better.
But he continually demonstrates that he does not.
He's still, after all, just a Sophomore.
16 comments:
He was probably frustrated as he read his watered down speech to the kids.
shoprat: You know, I watched his expressions, and he was cordial, but his eyes did not look happy.
Talk about not happy, you should have seen his speech to the union the other day...he looked really fierce...almost evil.
With all the other pies this guy has his fingers in, why did he take time to do this?
If he cares so much about America's education, why doesn't he support vouchers so the inner city kids in ghettos can have the same type of education that his daughters enjoy?
Why does he support inequity in the quality of education?
It was a good speech, chock full of Conservative republican principles.
And I don't think Obama believed a word of it. Just like his campaign speeches.
LR: He thinks it made him look good, and that's what he's all about.
Mark: Had thaere not been flap, he would have said what he originally wanted to say.
Annonymous: Thank you for advancing your rebuttal with such a typically liberal style: call somebody names.
As a person with above the intelligence of a grasshopper knows, my post was not about whether the president should speak to school children.
Did YOU know that?
The post was about his ineptitude.
His original script, which was published on www.whitehouse.com, included two assignments to kids which reeked of indoctrination.
He is not smart enough to know that they reeked of indoctrination.
When the public outcry called attention to the indoctrination, President BO changed the text.
The post was about: "Why didn't he know BEFORE the public outcry that the speech was unacceptable?"
I don't know how on earth you came to the outrageously stupid conclusion that I don't think presidents should speak to school children.
In fact, I think they should.
In fact, I actually commend the content of the finalized speech...to a point.
Try to at least address the content of my post if you're going to comment.
One more thing. If you are going to comment, at least give some initials or even a fake name, so that your cowardly anonymous comment can be distinguished from somebody else's cowardly comment.
You're smart enough to know why that would be helpful, right?
Right?
Annomymous (The same Annomymous I referred to above): Come to think of it, I DO think I am smarter than Newt Gingrich.
Thanks for pointing that out.
"Keep wishing for the Cheney-Palin ticket"
I have a ten-thousand dollar bill waiting for you if you can show me any place I EVER suggested a Cheney-Palin ticket, or any other combination, for that matter.
I don't see a good Republican combo right now.
I respect the office. I don't respect the man.
Much like liberals did with Bush.
I call him President BO...President out of respect for the office...BO because his agenda smells like Body Odor.
I do hope one turns up soon.
Any presidential ticket that includes the names Sarah Palin and/or Duncan Hunter would be acceptable to me, but Sarah has to stop being so nice to the Liberals.
And by the way, Anon, What exactly is your beef with Dick Cheney? Y'all keep repeating his name in a derogatory way, but you don't seem to know why you don't like him, other than that he is a Republican.
Anonymous: Stick to the subject, dude (or dudette, as the case may be).
Sorry...I forgot...you're not bright enough to know what a subject is.
Typical.
I'd say anon has child speak down pretty well. I wonder. Does anon know he/she's immature, or is he/she being intentionally obnoxious?
Mark: Both. In the future, derogatory and off topic anonymous comments will be deleted.
I read the speech. I saw the original 'curriculum' which accompanied it & it made my stomach lurch. That was right before I started an email campaign to get it stopped. Ultimately, our school board voted (ONLY b/c they were under pressure to do something), & our side lost.
But, my little chickadees & I went to the Zoo. Nothing close to indoctrination is gonna graze their brains!
"When the public outcry called attention to the indoctrination, President BO changed the text."
They tried to get away w/ it - knew it wouldn't fly, which is why they handled it in the manner that they did (bypass elected school boards, send it directly to teachers/administrators, plan it for the 1st day of school or 1st day back after holiday - so parents don't have time to object or do anything...). Manipulative, slimey...
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