If it's about being a good student, brainwash my kid, please

When I was a kid, I heard about presidents. We read about presidents. We saw them on the news. Some presidents were republican, some democrat.

We had civics lessons, learned about the value of voting and learned about the value of, well, people having different values!

But one value is important to most parents regardless of politics – and that is getting an education.

Next Tuesday at noon on C-SPAN and broadcast through the White House Web site, President Obama will give a speech telling children that succeeding in school is important. He'll stress they are responsible for taking an active role in their learning and education.

Oddly, some parents are opposed to having their children watch/listen to Obama’s talk.

I wonder, do those same parents cut out the portions of or hide pages of the newspapers and magazines on which Obama’s name or image appear?

Do they change the channel or turn off the radio or television when news mentioning the president of the United States is mentioned? Censorship sure takes a lot of energy, time and focus.

Getting good grades, working hard at learning and being a responsible school student also takes a lot of time and focus, and isn’t anyone party’s political agenda.

First Lady Nancy Reagan promoted the “Just Say No to Drugs” program. I think she was addressing both republicans and democrats, and everyone in between.

Visit the Dept. of Education to read about Obama’s upcoming speech.

Some parents say this is brainwashing – but if that includes inspiring, instilling and reinforcing being a good, responsible student-- then brainwash away.

POSTED IN: Cindy Kent (46), Family Issues (165), General (137), School Issues (104)

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Comments

This is 1984 mixed with Hitler mixed with Neuro Linguistic Programming. A speech by a former CIA worker. What was HitlObama's first job out of college? He worked for whooooo? a CIA front company? He probably got some gooooood Cocaine from them. You are a Nazi miss writer. Study some Hitler speeches some time. They are a great inspiration to Obama. Ever heard of hollywood acting? hmmmm? Folks get paid well for that.

Posted by: lee | September 4, 2009 7:39 AM

I thought it might take longer to have to invoke Godwin's rule.

Look it up, Lee.

And come back when you're done with the namecalling.

Posted by: Rafael | September 4, 2009 8:15 AM

Totally agree with the article. I am shocked by the hyperbolic, paranoid overreaction of commenters like 'lee' ... Demonizing Obama with comparisons to Hitler and Nazis is so ridiculous, yet we keep seeing it. So often it seems the source is aluminum-foil-hat-in-chief, Glenn Beck.

Posted by: rational | September 4, 2009 8:20 AM

Here is the true brain washing that is going on - the incessant promotion of an uncivil, unpatriotic culture by far right ideologues just because they lost the election. Isn't that a value we should teach out children - Democracy? i.e. everyone votes, you accept who wins? I wonder what the message to the kids who say at home is - hate your president, shoot yourself in the foot if you have to, if you disagree with him? Or never show respect for anyone of color, regardless of acomplishment or position because you are better?

Posted by: reno | September 4, 2009 8:22 AM

those parents who think that the president speech is "brainwashing" should have drugs test or some kind of metal illness test.
Geez... how can they get so stupid?

Posted by: keith | September 4, 2009 8:51 AM

Would everyone be as accommodating to the president had his name been Bush?

Posted by: Rafael | September 4, 2009 9:15 AM

These comments are very enlightening. Especially, it's wonderful to share ideas, thoughts and to educate our fellow citizens about our differences and what we have in common.

Education is a great - and important topic to us all.

There is a lesson here for students and parents alike: regardless of political views or values - develop the ability to listen to others.

It's very basic - if your child wants a privilege or to discuss something with you - don't you hear him or her out and let them explain, discuss, plan with you?

You would want to be heard, you'd want your child to be heard. If either of you chose a position contrary to others, you'd want to be afforded the simple respect of exchanging ideas.

Develop the ability to have a conversation.

It's up to parents to set the example.

Posted by: Cindy Kent | September 4, 2009 10:04 AM

I shouldn't be so surprised how ridiculous the Republican party is reacting to a President's speech. After all he is a black democrat and they are acting like spoiled 2 year olds throwing tantrums, he doesn't belong to their country club!

My children have watched many presidential speeches, even from presidents we didn't like. My children were taught that you still respected the office of the President. The children of these off balance zealots are being taught hatred and racism right in their own homes. They think it is okay to be disrespectful of President Obama because he is black.

How does he remind them of Hitler? Wow, these people should be committed and what an insult to the Jewish people.

Posted by: Nancy | September 4, 2009 10:15 AM

Why are people assuming that Republicans object because of Obama's race? Isn't it more about his policies/politics?

Posted by: Rafael | September 4, 2009 10:38 AM

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!

Posted by: Just Sayin' | September 4, 2009 1:54 PM

The far right is out to get Obama on anything he does and to divide this Country.Time to shine a light on these extremists.There is a related post at http://iamsoannoyed.com/?page_id=588

Posted by: carly | September 4, 2009 2:05 PM

Breaking News: Conservatives To Boycott Education, Facts - http://sandboxreport.com/?p=461

Posted by: Sandbox Report | September 4, 2009 5:22 PM

You Want Some Private Alone Time With Our School Kids? That’s Just Not Appopriate, Mr Obama

http://christwire.org/2009/09/you-want-some-private-alone-time-with-our-school-kids-thats-just-not-appopriate-mr-obama/

Posted by: Harvard Grad | September 5, 2009 8:45 AM

The people that are against this speech do know about brainwashing...it has been done to them by the entertainers they listen to every day..Rush, Glen, etc. These poor people don't understand they are taking seriously the word of people putting on an act. Better they should listen to Howard Stern.

Posted by: KfromD | September 5, 2009 8:54 AM

Boogey boogey!

That's what this is all about. Create a boogey man, and beat him. Really, that's all the republicans can do right now. He's going to pull the plug on Grandma! Stop him! He's lying about raising taxes on Middle class, stop him! He wants to turn your kid into a Socialist, stop him! Obama never was going to do any of these things, but if Republicans can make you believe he was, and he doesn't, they claim they stopped him when he was never going to do what they say he was going to.

Posted by: TDG | September 5, 2009 10:21 AM

After the President of the United States speaks to school children about the value of education, Republicans will make opposing comments extolling ignorance.

See:

http://notionscapital.wordpress.com/2009/09/04/obamas-dangerous-message-to-our-children/

Posted by: Mike Licht | September 6, 2009 6:21 PM