Kinder: Obama’s address to students infringes on their rights
Kinder
ST. LOUIS — President Barack Obama is planning a televised address next week for students that will be beamed into the nation’s classrooms.
An appropriate session of civics — or a state-subsidized political advertisement?
Count Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, the only statewide GOP official in Jefferson City. as among those who believe the latter.
Kinder — in a statement sent by his taxpayer-funded media aide — condemned Obama’s pitch as a “public relations tactic” that has gone too far.
Parents who do not want their children to watch the president’s speech should call their local school districts, Kinder said.
“I believe that if parents choose to keep their children at home during this presentation, they should be able to do so without any consequences being imposed upon their children, Kinder said. “And if local school districts across Missouri choose not to make this speech mandatory for students, they should not face any penalties for the state or federal government.”
Lest anyone think this is a sign of Tea Party-infused hyper-partisanship, a brief history lesson: In 1991, when President George H.W. Bush made a similar address to students, it was none other than St. Louis Democrat Dick Gephardt — then Majority Leader of the U.S. House – who opposed it.
“”The Department of Education,” Gephardt said at the time, “should not be producing paid political advertising for the president.”
Here is the full text of Kinder’s statement:
Since taking office in January, President Obama’s administration has take steps never before seen by any presidency in the realm of government intervention.
Over the course of the past nine months, we have seen the government take over automobile manufacturers, financial institutions, they have hired and fired corporate executives and are now attempting to take over control of our privately run healthcare system.
Now, we learn that the President will make a televised speech to elementary school students all across the country. And while elected officials often make classroom visits, this may be the first time that the White House has distributed curricula directly to the teachers to accompany the president’s speech.
While I have the utmost respect for the office of the president, and for this president, this public relations tactic has gone too far. The distribution of teaching curricula from the White House to the classroom clearly usurps the authority of our local school boards and school administrators.
We have seen the federal government intervene into our lives in ways that many of us thought we would never see. This is a clear infringement on the rights of our students and those of Missouri parents.
I believe that if parents choose to keep their children at home during this presentation, they should be able to do so without any consequences being imposed upon their children. And if local school districts across Missouri choose not to make this speech mandatory for students, they should not face any penalties for the state or federal government. Parents who are concerned by the president’s school programming should contact their local school administrators to make their voices heard.
It is important to vindicate parental rights, as parents are primarily responsible for their children’s education.
I’ve been discussing this with my wife. We both reviewed the supporting materials that the Dept of Education has suggested go along with the President’s message. Most of it is innocuous and mirrors lesson plans teachers commonly use in civics and social studies classes. However, the part where students are encouraged to write letters explaining what they can do “to help the President succeed” strikes us as inappropriate and quite frankly, creepy in a Maoist, cultural revolution-sort-of-way.
If the President sticks to the stated message about staying in school and getting good grades, we don’t have problem with it. Unfortunately, his embrace of personality cultism and decades long background in Marxist education theory makes us skeptical.
Although we haven’t spoken with anyone at our kid’s school to verify it, it could be that the President’s message would not be broadcast as part of an assembly but instead could be made available for use during other class periods. It’s supposed to go “live” at 12pm EST. Our kids are eating lunch about that time.
fyi…
• Why is it important that we listen to the President?
• What is the President trying to tell me?
• What is the President asking me to do?
• What new ideas and actions is the President challenging me to think about?
• What do you think the President wants us to do?
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/10582301/President-Obama%E2%80%99s-Address-to-Students-Across-America-September-8-2009
I called my kids schools and requested that my children be allowed to watch the speech.
I remember watching Ronald Reagan give speeches in the 1980’s in my middle school classes. Where was the outrage then?
The GOP’s entire platform has become oppose the democrat at any cost. Right or wrong. Truth or lie.
It’s sad that high level DC legislators say ‘give us everything we ask and we will still vote against it’ it’s sad that mid-level bureaucrats like Mr Kinder are so afraid of this President that they will deny children a participation in politics. It’s sad that the GOP tells the lies and gets the newspaper headlines then tells the retraction and gets 2 column inches in the back next to the toilet paper coupons
–The first thing I thought about when I heard this: Wonder, as to what would have happened if GWB had asked for the same treatment in addressing students in such a way.
–The second thing I thought: The NEA and Education Dept. would have instituted a strike of all teachers before allowing this to take place.
–If he focuses on education, and responsibility to the goals of education, there is no problem.
–But I wonder, is this going to turn into a recruitment drive for his Americorps, ACORN, or other “community organized” activist programs? My bet is yes.
–Keep a close eye on this eventuality.
09.03.09: Kinder — in a statement sent by his taxpayer-funded media aide — condemned Obama’s pitch as a “public relations tactic” that has gone too far.
1991 Re: Pres Bush speech at Jr High School: Funding of Bush Speech Draws Fire; Democrat Calls Education Broadcast Paid Political Advertising
– Washington Post
These people are all fools. Both sides of the aisles.
—-citing Washington Post article: http://snipurl.com/rkt39
Obama and his minions…in and out of the press corps, has made this country into a Banana Republic. A cult of personality with a leader that is larger than the the rest of the government. This is not my opinion it is fact as seen with this move, and many more like it over the last 8 months.
This outrageous move is blatant propaganda and pure indoctrination.
This speech should be canceled and Obama should be made to issue an apology
I think it is good that Obama is trying to inspire students. His message should not be about his priorities, but it should be about America succeeding. Frankly, he is about the only politician I know of these days who seems to believe in bi-partisanship, so he is the only politician I would be comfortable with doing this.
The difference is that the democrats support public education whereas the republicans oppose it. It is mistreatment for Republicans who oppose public education to force students to listen to their hatred. Remember these people admire fascists. They are violent, coercive, and down right ill tempered hatemongers who should not be allowed near the children they are attempting to harm.
Hey ‘Ricahrd’,
“the only politician I know of these days who seems to believe in bi-partisanship…”
–Never mind, I can’t pick on the mentally challenged, it just wouldn’t be right.
Hey Malarkey,
“It is mistreatment for Republicans who oppose public education to force students to listen to their hatred. Remember these people admire fascists. They are violent, coercive, and down right ill tempered hatemongers who should not be allowed near the children they are attempting to harm.”
–YOU however, are just a simple idiot, so I can make fun of you. Keep those revealing posts coming, you make it that much easier for clear-thinking folks to see the difference between leftist-hate and reality.