Barack Obama's upcoming address to children accomplishes a multitude of items that have been on the American agenda for years: for the White House to take an active role in promoting education; for children to learn about the civic process from an early age; for the message of the value of education to be continually promoted and engrained in young citizens. So why all the coservative furor?

Republicans across the country appear to have united nearly lock-step against the president's planned television appearance, during which he'll talk with America's schoolchildren about the importance of education and the opportunities it provides, as well as their responsibilities as the next generation of Americans.  Much like the health care misinformation campaign in which major GOP leaders nationwide made entirely untenable claims of death panels and so-called "community standards", the buzz word this time around seems to be "indoctrination."  Opponents of the President claim that his speech is intended to plant seeds of liberal political ideology in the minds of the next generation of voters.

But here are the irrefutable facts of the televised event: the theme is decidedly apolitical.  The message children receive from President Obama is no different than the one they receive in public service announcements during commercial breaks from Saturday morning cartoons, featuring athletes, actors, cartoon characters, and mascots.  In fact, it's unlikely to be anything different than those same children would be told by their parents. Moreover, the White House has pledged to release the word-for-word text of President Obama's speech a bare minimum of 24 hours prior to his telecast.

Still, concerned parents- many of whom have been misled and manipulated by the false claims of politically motivated opponents of the President- have called into their schools demanding that the telecast not be shown to their children.  That's curious, considering the fact that there is nothing secret about what is to be said.  He won't be talking health care reform or selling the positives of the stimulus package.

But since when did the American President become only a figure of partisanship?  From the 50s through the 1980s, schoolchildren were shown addresses from the President on a variety of topics.  And many of those messages were, in fact, policy-driven.  President Reagan addressed schoolchildren on the dangers of communism.  Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson each spoke to children about the importance of Civil Rights and social harmony.  Far beyond simply a partisan figurehead, the President is the democratically elected leader of our country, a man chosen by his people to represent America's image on the world stage, as well as at home.  Why would we waste the opportunity for our children to learn from him?

Republicans are vested not in protecting children, but in waging political battles at every opportunity, this simply being the latest incarnation.  Because no one batted an eye when President Bush stopped at local schools to tell the children to strive to be their very bests.

Nor should they have.

You got it totally right..Well said..

I cannot tolerate people like you! People, who make comments using phrases like, “The Republicans” “The Jews” “The Italians” “The Americans …etc. While you can speak freely, (for now) it is not a good practice to put people into category a box.
I also cannot tolerate, people who, like you who, twist words and ideas to manipulate people into thinking the way you think. While it may be true that “From the 50s through the 1980s, schoolchildren were shown addresses from the President on a variety of topics” when the kids came home, the parents of those kids could say “I heard it to”
This is not a public address! You are comparing apples to oranges, and trying to say that they are the same thing, when in fact it is not.
This is not a Public Address; this is not being done through the Public Broadcasting Addresses System, it is not being aired on every television & radio station across America. NO, this some person, using a satellite feed, a adult male (who happens to be a president) a adult person who may or may not agree with your own personal family values, a person who is wanting to speaking into the life of our children, without giving us a clue, as to what the talk is about.
Do you have any kids?
Who do you think should watch over your children?
Who should choose what your child will be programmed with?
Do you really believe that parents should not be concerned?
Do you believe that parents should not be responsible?
Most of all, are you a idiot?

And while sadly, no, I am not "a idiot," I have a few answers to your...questions:

1. You say you haven't been given "a clue as to what the talk is about." You must not have read the article, otherwise you'd know (good news!) the White House has promised to release not just a clue, but the entire text of the speech.

2. You're mistaken to say that it's not a "public address." It's not on PBS. It's on C-Span. And live online. And available for download. And available vis satelite feed. Parents can absolutely tune in to the same message their kids will be hearing in school that day.

3. Finally, this isn't a speech on "family values." It's about children making the most of their educations by styudying hard and staying in school. Does that run contrary to your family values?

I understand your concerns, Mario, but it seems that the very thing you seem to be most perturbed about- having your thoughts "manipulated and twisted"- may have already happened. Relax. There's nothing to be afraid of. Tune in and find out for yourself. And if you disagree with what President Obama (and the NASCAR drivers who are appearing with him) have to say, by all means, talk to your child!

Best,
JW

This is TRUE hysterics - what in the world could have caused this type of outrage?

Hmmm, lets see. The most polarizing partisan President ever has his Secretary of Education send a letter to school principals across the nation telling them POTUS will address the nation's "schoochildren" and they should refer to the accompanying lesson plans whilst participating in this unprecedented event. And you have no issue with that because you just love the guy. Fine. That is your prerogative, just as it is mine to protest the participation of my child my private parochial school. (My school is not participating by the way. Responsible parents FTW.) Parents are the decision makers, followed by elected school boards and superintendents. The Secretary and the Prez attempted a complete usurpation of the power of parents across the nation and all the MSM and Libs can whine about is that we don't want our children indoctrinated. Nice dodge but those of us who are paying attention fully understand that it is that usurpation of power and the ridiculous lesson plans that are the issue here. This is the missing link. No other President who has addressed the nation's children - voluntarily, I might add - has had the arrogance and stupidity to provide a "read about my magnificent but still unverified life story" instruction.
Obama and his cronies completely overstepped on this one and they are the ones who should be lambasted for their mistake. You know full well that if W had made such a poor move, heads on the Left would have exploded. Anyone with any intellectual honesty would recognize this.

gopmom Website Link

Whether you agree with what the President has done or not, I would hope that everyone realizes that there are so many parents that do not live up to their responsibilities where their children are concerned. With the drop-out rate so high (even one is too many)and with so many children being so disrespectful to their peers, teachers and schools, someone needs to step up and try to make things better. Why would anyone dispute trying to make our country better? For everyone that has complained and found fault with the President's address, what are you doing to make my country better for my family? If you are going to complain, then you also need a solution.

Sorry - but I still do not GET IT, former President Bush asked the IDENTICAL question of the kids he spoke to; did the left EXPLODE then? I am not sure we are reading the same information that has been provided. Now, since I have read his speech (which to my knowledge no other sitting PRESIDENT of this county has had to do) and listening to his speech to the kids. After hearing the continued insane yelling - I think I can GET IT; I think I have an idea of what it's all about now. Many thanks---------