Dear Mr. President,
I've been thinking long and hard about what I could do or say that would be most helpful to you. After much deliberation, and since our national media doesn't have the courage, the chore is left to me.

What nobody with a large national voice is willing to say to you Mr. President is: we're just not that in to you. Some people believed you, but the smart ones are over that now. Stop thinking you are all that. Really, please just get over yourself. (Well, somebody had to tell you...)

If you ever thought that most of America liked you MORE than their own country you were deceived by your own arrogance. I know it's funny that they actually thought you liked America, but now they know and they've chosen. If it's between you, and say, America, we choose America.

So go away on another vacation, we won't miss you, and in 2012 just go away.

Sincerely,
Kathy

PS. I really hope this helps you change because that would be change we could believe in.

My question is who gets to give the Republican response?

I like the 'activities' and even have one to suggest.

Have the students all stand and take an oath of loyalty to our wonderful president and his beneficent programs. After all, is there something WRONG with being LOYAL to the president? For those not willing to take an oath seems awfully UNPATRIOTIC!

Each week grade the students on their ability to ferret out "suspicious" activity detrimental to our president and our country. Award points for each email sent to the White House snitch line.

Government is simply a tool to promote the grand vision. As we all know, EastAsia has always been at war with...

C'mon! A little over reacting here! I'm sure the teachers did this with a speech from President Bush.

I'm trying to think of another President that's done something like this... and I'm sure SAUD/VIC will be along momentarily to point how how many times Bush did it, and how many times Clinton did it, and Reagan, and Carter, and Kennedy...

But you know, I really can't think of any other time where any President wanted to speak to all school kids nationwide while they were in school.

From the first link -

"In a recent interview with student reporter, Damon Weaver, President Obama announced that on September 8 -- the first day of school for many children across America -- he will deliver a national address directly to students on the importance of education. The President will challenge students to work hard, set educational goals, and take responsibility for their learning. He will also call for a shared responsibility and commitment on the part of students, parents and educators to ensure that every child in every school receives the best education possible so they can compete in the global economy for good jobs and live rewarding and productive lives as American citizens.

But somehow, I don't think delivering a concise message is something the President is good at...

Reagan, I believe, was shown in all classrooms at the space shuttle tragedy speech. Not sure. ww

I would like to poll the left wing troll faction on this site, SAUD, Vic, hyperbolist, Bruce Henry, mantis, and whoever else on the left hangs out here, and ask you this: regardless of whether we agree or disagree on the Obama administration's policies, with all that aside, don't you find this Obama personality cult just a little bit creepy? I mean, seriously, the worshipful hymn singing (see youtube), the iconic posters, the ubiquitous 'O' logo (not the traditional presidential seal, mind you, but Obama's own personal logo), and now this education instruction sheet which makes it all about "help[ing] the president".

And, as a follow-up question, I would ask: not even a little bit?

I don't get the disturbia. I remember watching every daytime Presidential Speech when I was in Grade School, along with all the Apollo Launches and other big events. For me that would have mostly been Nixon.

Vagabond:
Just another step on the path, but the destination is obvious.

Don't recall any time we had an assembly for a daytime Presidential speech in the Nixon years, Timmer. The Apollo launches, yes... but not Presidential speeches.

OregonMuse - I consider myself pretty much middle of the road, and this is a little bit much. There's always been a 'cult of personality' scent about Obama, (far above anything he's actually accomplished) and it's starting to get a bit rancid.

I don't get what he is "Supposed" to be telling them. I personally am not comfortable with my kids getting a message from ANY political figure LEFT, RIGHT or in between without me being there to observe.

I think my kids will be "Sick" that day.

We need to expand the Republican Party by kicking out all those we disagree with. Yep, sound logic. Oh the Democrats got back into power because they kick out their fringe groups. Right (sarcasm off)

The GOP didn't lose because of a few fringe elements after all there are many more on the DNC side. They lost mainly for two reasons. The pendulum was swinging out of their favor and more importantly they compromise their sole with too much compromise. Yes we need some compromise but the GOP went too far and spent way too much money. Dem lite is not good enough.

Sorry about above comment. Wrong thread

"But somehow, I don't think delivering a concise message is something the President is good at..."

Not when they're enthralled by the sound of their own voice. For a guy who is 'so articulate' why is he always saying "Let me be perfectly clear....."

I also have the problem with the question Obama is asking the teachers to ask. Leading questions if I ever heard one. Such as

"What is the President asking me to do?
What do you think the President wants us to do?
Are we able to do what President Obama is asking of us?"

Using the authoritative positions of the POTUS and teachers to push an agenda is wrong. It sure sounds like indoctrination and abused of authority to me.

It's just one more reason to home school.

SIEG HEIL!

...but...but... If they stay out of school long enough... and stay dumb enough... they'll grow up to vote liberal.

Vagabond

"C'mon! A little over reacting here! I'm sure the teachers did this with a speech from President Bush."

Really?? Prove it. Show us some shred of proof.

Or were you just being sarcastic which I have to ask since it is most likely the case.

If Obama reprises his acquired tendency for long-winded, vacuous speeches with these kids in an era of short attention spans he's in trouble. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. That on top of the fact that some of these kids may come from homes where parents are undergoing November 2008 buyers remorse. It would be a laugh riot if Rasmussen polls these kids after the speech and Obama gets a negative approval rating.

"C'mon! A little over reacting here! I'm sure the teachers did this with a speech from President Bush."

What teacher now days is going to show a speech by a Republican president, or for that matter any Republican politician? Most of the teachers are so far to the left, that they would die, if someone suggested the class watch someone with an opposing view point.

Name one instance where Bush conducted a national broadcast to elementary students complete with what sounds like a full day's curricula focused on his political message.

It simply didn't happen. Technology hasn't advanced that for in less than a year. He could have.

The difference is between a president who wants to control the thoughts of the population and one who doesn't.

This is an attempt to shore up his polling by putting on a display of being concerned about the education of our children.

"National Keep-your-kids-out-of-school Day"

LOL!!

First - A short little "Education is Important" pep talk from the President is not a big deal. It's sort of nice, actually, and appropriate.

Second - No one believes that Obama will be appropriate.

OTOH, Third - Getting out of class is fun. Getting extra stupid assignments isn't. Listening to a speech by a big person is worse than PE and worse than Math.

How quickly we forget. Do you all not remember where Bush43 was when the airplanes hit the WTC?

He was in the class room indoctrinating the children first hand. Reading to them about a goat, an animal associated with Satanic rituals.

Awesome good fun! They can listen to the Jug-Eared Douche's indoctrination, and then:

"Write about their goals in a variety of genres, i.e. poems, songs, personal essays."

Thousands of grade-school paeons to the giver of light and lowerer of the waters! The smartest, cleanest man EVAH to hold the office of President!

"He was in the class room indoctrinating the children first hand. Reading to them about a goat, an animal associated with Satanic rituals.

Must have been warning them about the evils of being a Dem. So, Rance, was that one classroom, or the entire nation?

C'mon! A little over reacting here! I'm sure the teachers did this with a speech from President Bush.

I presume you left the /snark tag off.

Reagan, I believe, was shown in all classrooms at the space shuttle tragedy speech. Not sure. ww

Yes, but he it wasn't a scheduled speech to children. It was a national tragedy. A bit of a difference there.

Not when they're enthralled by the sound of their own voice. For a guy who is 'so articulate' why is he always saying "Let me be perfectly clear....."

Wasn't that a Nixon catchphrase as well?

Does anyone else recall President Kennedy having some sort of physical education push? There were fitness tests to pass, ie., running distances, doing pushups, throwing, sprinting. There may have even been prizes not for just competing but for accomplishing.
Don't recall any specific address on tv...just an announcement.

However, if Obama would just go on and urge all kids to do well in school because it's a good idea for their future, I'd have less problem with an address. This "what can you do to help the President" angle, however, is most decidedly creepy and indoctrinational.

Glad, as ever, that my grandchildren are home schooled.

First of all, I'm a teacher in a public school.

I don't want to speak for every teacher, but, a teacher with an agenda would likely be already doing some things in a class to tweak kids in a liberal direction. One lesson plan isn't going to mass convert the youth to Marxists. However, most teachers I know try to shoot it down the middle regardless of political leaning. It's not worth it to have parents screaming at you if they disagree with things you do in class.

Then, most of all, this is the first time I've heard of this speech and I'm pretty up on opportunities to tie in civics.

Lastly, unless a teacher has been planning this for a while, they're not going to chuck their plans to try and bore kids while some important person talks to them on a TV...unless, once again, they have an agenda in the first place which is not every public school teacher.

As the opposing view after the indoctrination speech the students should have a day to study Hitler, the Nazis, Mussolini, Stalin, Alinsky, and the dangers posed by such charismatic leaders. Have them list anything in current events that may be similar to the tactics used or offered by the tyrants of the past and what they think their goals and goals of their parents should be in the future to insure those tactics never succeed.

Stephen:
I don't think this is a problem as far as a speech being broadcast and used as a lesson, or even as an opportunity by a teacher to further some agenda. It's a problem because it comes from the TOP down. Schools are a matter for the individual states and are only federally controlled in areas where individual rights could be infringed upon (think desegregation).

As you know, most schools around the country are controlled by local school boards which are by nature very close to the roots of the proverbial grass roots. It is very bad precedent for a sitting president to use schools to further his agenda. I would feel this way even if it were an agenda I liked.

"Wasn't that a Nixon catchphrase as well?"

I don't recall anyone calling Nixon "articulate" as they do when referring to The One. His admirers also claim some super ability at salesmanship which appears to be lacking as of late.

My mom is a teacher and she just heard about Obama's speech yesterday. She said the school will be airing the speech, but she said there's no way she's scrapping the rest of her day's plans and replacing them with Obama's "activities," and she highly doubts other teachers will either.

That said, my husband and I are strongly considering keeping our three children home that day. Obama's speech and encouraged activities cross the line. A speech and a discussion about the importance of education is one thing, but a "What is President Obama asking you to do?" and "How can you help the President?" is a bit much. Just as religion shouldn't be in schools, neither should politics and indoctrination.

Funny how "progressives" hyperventilate about military recruiters on high school or college campuses because "Johnny or Janey are too stupid and will be brainwashed by the evil recruiters" yet they don't have any problem with the obvious attempt at brainwashing with the DOE classroom "activities". More rampant hypocrisy.

Parents with kids in school subject to this indoctrination program/speech should tell their kids, when it comes to discussing how they can help Obama, that they want to start a petition to help impeach Obama.

By using schoolkids in this 'help Obama' manner, our current administation is venturing from scary to downright evil.

Reminds me of a story.

Barrak Obama was speaking to a fifth grade class a few months after his election. When he was done, he asked if the kids had any questions.

One boy put up his hand, and said, "My name is Bobby and I have three questions. 1. Why won't you release your birth certificate? 2. Is it true that your wife's salary was quadrupled at the hospital where she worked right after you were elected Senator? 3. How could you sit through all those years of Rev. Wright's sermons without realizing what a racist he was?

Suddenly the recess bell rang, and the President announced that they would continue the conversation after recess. Ten minutes later they returned, and the President again asked for questions.

One boy put up his hand, and said, "My name is Timmy and I have five questions. 1. Why won't you release your birth certificate? 2. Is it true that your wife's salary was quadrupled at the hospital where she worked right after you were elected Senator? 3. How could you sit through all those years of Rev. Wright's sermons without realizing what a racist he was? 4. Why did the recess bell ring fifteen minutes early? 5. What happened to Bobby?

Mark L, to go along with your joke:

A man died and went to heaven. As he stood in front of St. Peter's desk at the Pearly Gates, he saw a huge wall of clocks behind him. He asked, "What are all those clocks there for, St. Peter?"

St. Peter answered, "Those are Lie Clocks. Everyone on Earth has a Lie Clock. Every time you lie the hands on your clock will move."

"Oh," said the man, "whose clock is that?"

"That's Mother Teresa's. The hands have never moved, indicating that she never told a lie."

"Incredible," said the man. "And whose clock is that one?"

St. Peter responded, "That's George Washington's clock. The hands have moved twice, telling us that Washington told only two lies in his entire life."

"Where's Barack Obama 's clock?" asked the man.

"Obama's clock is in Jesus' office. He's using it as a ceiling fan."

Whether it is widespread or limited, you can bet that there will be teachers with an agenda who will be enabled by this event to push their agenda, and woe to any student that really questions or contradicts the party line. BAD way to start the school year. For that reason alone I'm asking my freshman daughter to stay home so she doesn't get labeled right away. This IS scary stuff.

Ask not what Obama wants to do to your country, ask what you can do for Obama.

Youre messing with peoples kids now...the rules have just changed for me now..attacking me with your bullshit is one thing,..but messing with my kids is another....

I'm glad my daughter is in kindergarten though she is really "advanced" according to her teacher. I might keep her home just in protest, I'm contacting the teacher today.

Giving a propaganda lesson plan to the teachers is overstepping any line I can think of. The Presidential Fitness Program is one thing, I never saw a problem with it when I was in school. This is straight up indoctrination.

It might have an effect on highschool students who are about to enter voting age, or will in 2012. But Elementary and Middle Schools??? Does Obama expect to be running again in 12 years? Or will we still be voting then....

I am a US History and Economics Teacher. This is the biggest propaganda and indoctrination event I have ever witnessed inside this nation. Is it not clear what he and this government is now trying to do! That would be from both parties! I am absolutely keeping my children home all of them I have 4 that I am keeping from school as a sign of protest. As for other presidents speeches or appearances, most if not all were based on events/ tragidies etc.... not just a help me out I am your president speeches listen and do what I say. This is the start of the indoctrination of a generation. Ask Germany Cuba, China and Russia how that has gone for their citizens!

If the presidents message is:

"The President will challenge students to work hard, set educational goals, and take responsibility for their learning. He will also call for a shared responsibility and commitment on the part of students, parents and educators to ensure that every child in every school receives the best education possible so they can compete in the global economy for good jobs and live rewarding and productive lives as American citizens."

What, exactly, would the Republican's opposing view to that be?

48. Posted by Rance, "What, exactly, would the Republican's opposing view to that be?"

How about, "Why aren't these things already being taught without Obama's grandstanding?"

OK Rance, since you claim to be astounded that anyone would have a problem with this, I will spell it out for you:

Go back and re-read the bolded sections of the educational material quoted by Shawn. It's obvious that the goal here is not merely about challenging students "to do well", but rather making everything focused around Obama.

And that's where the line is crossed, the line that divides the bully pulpit from the personality cult.

"What, exactly, would the Republican's opposing view to that be?"

How about - why doesn't the Jug-Eared Douche use the time to work on fixing the economy that he's turning to crap? Or his war in Afghanistan that's turning to crap? Or cash for clunkers mismanagement? Or figuring out that Cap 'n Trade will be a huge tax increase to ALL US citizens?

And another thing: Previous commenters have noted that televised appearances of the president have been shown in classrooms before. This is true, but I think it's obvious that these events, whether by Reagan, Nixon, Carter, whoever, have been different. The first is that they are usually triggered by a national event of huge significance, such as the Challenger disaster, or 9/11, or the like. It is also true that previous presidents have used the bully pulpit of their office to promote educational goals, but again, it's very different. The educational message used to be "Do well in school because doing well in school is a good thing", but the material quoted by Shawn basically says, "Do well in school because it makes President Obama happy." Which is why we're objecting, not to education, but to the cult of Obama.

Or figuring out that Cap 'n Trade will be a huge tax increase to ALL US citizens?

No, they've already got that one figured out:

"Under my plan of a cap-and-trade system, electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket...That will cost money. They will pass that money on to consumers." -Barack Obama, campaigning in 2008

"...much of (the) costs of the plan will be passed along to consumers in the form of higher prices for energy and energy intensive goods." -White House OMB Director Peter Orszag

"Nobody, nobody in this country realizes that cap-and-trade is a tax and it's a great big one." -John Dingell (D-Mich.), 4-24-09 hearing

They're saying it, people just need to listen. Need to get Sarah to put it up on Facebook.

Write letters to themselves about what they can do to help the president.

So far I haven't seen much from this President with which I want to help.

(1) Federal Government take over of the auto industry. No sorry, didn't want that.

(2) Federal Government forcing itself on the banking industry. No sorry, that's a major source of the origin of the problem.

(3) Federal Government meddling in the healthcare industry. No way. No how.

(4) Federal Government in classroom (literally). No thanks.

Q: Can the Federal Government interject itself into every aspect of your life ?
A: "Yes we can!" - Barack Obama

Is he wanting to talk to the kids without their parents present, just lefty teachers to put him on a pedestal in front of their class? I think any national address to students by any government person should be on TV at a time when parents are home to be with their children. I do not have children but if I were a parent I would be concerned about this back door approach to children. KEEP YOUR KIDS HOME THAT DAY! His using the office for indoctrination of school kids is sooooo socialistic! What next little badges with his photo for the teachers to hand out to students? Please! I think I will puke now!

Yeah, it was heavy sarcasm with a mild snicker....and I left the snark off accidently.

This, from a friend.

As a former teacher, I am appalled at the way our Children and the Educational System is being channeled into the Obamunistic political control of not only our Financial, Business, and Health Care System, but now the educational system.

I would strongly urge parents to make a point of physically accompanying their children to schools on that day and listening to what is being asked of their child. I am not promoting disrupting or engaging teachers or staff in a classroom with their children present; but recording any way possible and later bringing their child down (debriefing the child), and engaging in a non threatening way to discuss the child's feelings.

As noted earlier, the children will be asked to write responses as indicated earlier. These writing projects will be monitored by the teachers (not all of them will agree with what is being done' but any resistance will be met with fierce professional consequences), I know what can happen in a school system and how the filtering takes place.

If you are reading this and thinking that the direction I'm headed with this response is an over-reaction to such a positive and well meaning President and the nice teachers; believe me, this is just a step in a long process that has been going on for many years starting somewhere around "No Child Left Behind".

Our Constitution and the Freedom we believe in which has made us what we are as a giving, protective, generous nation of free thinking independent citizens in the ongoing war against tyranny and oppression.

It's time to stand-up America! What Halloween mask will your child be "encouraged" to wear? What new wrinkle will there be to Christmas. Oh, and by the way, in some of our schools we provide a special place for children from an Eastern religion to pray; but mentioning the Christians, or any prayer in a classroom is strictly forbidden.

OK, I'm done for now. Let's Stand UP America!

"Write letters to themselves about what they can do to help the president."

I thought the speech was going to be about the kids? How silly, naturally in the end, it all HAS TO BE ABOUT BARRY.

And don't forget little Obamabots: "Why is it important that we listen to the President and other elected officials, like the mayor, senators, members of congress, or the governor?"

Yes little one's, we must LISTEN.

How long before they add "AND OBEY"?

My children will be sick on Tuesday. I wasn't overly concerned about this until I read the discussion topics suggested to go with it.

I don't want my kids to listen to their elected officials, I want our elected officials to listen to US!!

Wanna know why the White House is asking students to write letters about how to help the president?

It's because we elected a know-nothing "community organizer" who is now so disorganized, that he's begging OUR KIDS for advice!

I read most posts and I ask myself "isn't the author of this article doing exactly what he is accusing Obama? Telling others how he believes they should think?"

Let me introduce myself.

I am your child's teacher.

I will broadcast our President's speech in my classroom on Tuesday. I will do so proudly.

Because everything I do in my classroom is meaningful and tied to learning, I will build background knowledge for your children, most of whom are too young to appreciate the magnitude of the Executive position, by helping them make connections to what it must be like to be President of the United States.

I will also reinforce the point our President is expected to speak about and remind my students/your children that we set goals everyday. I believe this will further build a connection.

I will instruct them to make note of key points of the speech just as I do when we are reading a piece of literature in the classroom. By doing so, I am helping them build their skills to summarize what they read or hear. I do it with my own children after listening to the preacher's sermon on Sunday.

I will remind my students/your children to ask questions as they listen. I am teaching them to be critical thinkers after all. By asking questions, they prove to me that they are thinking about what they hear.

I will invite the students to share what they learned because not all students will hear the entire speech. I am exercising their ability to accept the ideas of others with understanding and patience--even when they do not agree.

And yes, as I always do, I will extend learning for those students that readily follow the importance of setting goals and focusing on education. Videos, posters, poems and songs are a great outlet for those students that are creative or active and otherwise have difficulty simply writing answers to questions using paper and pencil.

Do you truly believe that our President is behind some kind of hidden agenda to brainwash children? Did you even consider how many children in our schools today never hear an adult tell them that school is important for something other than babysitting.

I would teach the same lesson regardless of the man, or woman, acting as our President. All of this so-called "propoganda" sounds like teaching strategies I use every day to help your children become strong learners and future leaders.

The script for our President's speech won't even be released until Monday yet some are so quick to accuse of malfeasance.

Really? Are you serious?

Mr. Mallow,
I will start by telling you that I am a life long Republican. I stand up and speak out when I feel there is a wrong, and i vote accordingly. I do no always vote for the Republican candidate, but I have more frequently than not.
For 8 years, it really infuriated me how people reacted to George W Bush. Was he the best guy in the world? No. Did he deserve our respect? Yes. But it eventually got to the point that if he said "I think the sun is going to rise in the east tomorrow morning" the loonies on the left would argue the point. In their view, he could do nothing right.
I fear that us conservatives, thanks to folks like you, are very near the same thing. This is not indoctrination. In fact, this reminds me very much of an exercise I did perhaps in the early 90s, when I was in grade school regarding George Bush SR.
President Obama is attempting to encourage students to study hard, and act as good citizens. Is this perhaps a bit ill-conceived? Yes. But I don't think he's trying to create an army of liberals. He is simply going on TV as a well respected citizen of our country to deliver a positive message to our youth.
If Cal Ripken spoke to our students with the same message would you be offended? When the same message goes our to children in Boy Scout meetings, do you get offended? I would hope not on both accounts.
As Republicans, we have an opportunity here. We can stand up and show the President of our country the respect her deserves. When we disagree with him on the substance of policy, we can do so in a civil way, without invoking provocative names, such as Hitler. We can afford Obama the same respect that they SHOULD have afforded Bush. And we can all stand proud, and look in the mirror, and say we did the right thing.

I plan on keeping my 7yo home tomorrow. Not out of disrespect for our government but, for the fact that it is my responsibility as a parent to educate and encourage my child, myself about the importance of finishing school and continuing education. we will still do things that show the importance of education. MY JOB NOT YOURS OBAMA!!!! Be a President w/out stepping on parents' toes!

Ok, I read the speech as it was released.

I have decided I will play it for my 5th grade students.

My students come from a very low socio-economic background (83% are on free/reduced lunch). Many of them are from single-parent families. I have two homeless children. One lives with a foster family. I have one student that is being treated for kidney cancer. My class consists of 78% minority students.

Many of these children do not have positive role models in their lives to stress the importance of working hard, setting goals and getting a good education.

I share with them the same ideas the President is scheduled to share tomorrow.

I would play this speech no matter who the sitting President was.