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Jolie Rouge · 09-02-2009, 06:30 PM

Circumvention: The Obama way
By Michelle Malkin • September 2, 2009 12:37 PM

Reader Katie e-mails about how the US Department of Education circumvented elected school officials to send notice of President Obama’s junior lobbyist recruitment speech on September 8:

Quote:

Michelle,

I am a conservative school board member in the Atlanta area…

It is very important to note that the DOE sent letters directly to the Principals of every public school in the country - Completely bypassing the locally elected Boards of Education and the Superintendents.

I found out about this last night - I let my Superintendent know. Here in Georgia, we start school early in August so although there is very little time before 9/8/09 - we have a chance of letting our parents know so they can opt out. I will most likely lose any protest against showing it - although as a last ditch effort I will ask it be taped so we can discuss as a Board whether or not to show it. But what about the school districts that start on Sept 8th? They have no time to let parents know so they can opt out.

Planned? I think so.

http://michellemalkin.com/2009/09/02...the-obama-way/

Jolie Rouge · 09-03-2009, 03:09 PM

Well, well, well.

The White House has re-written its activist talking points for teachers/administrators disseminated by the US Department of Education and removed the language about “helping the president.”

Whitewashing: It’s the Obama way.

What they can’t whitewash is the radicalism of many of the White House Teaching Fellows responsible for drafting the material — or the radicalism of the educational mentors with whom Obama served, starting with Chicago Annenberg Challenge/Woods Fund/neighbor Bill “education is the motor-force of revolution” Ayers.

You can take Obama out of Chicago. But you can’t take the Chicago out of Obama.

http://michellemalkin.com/2009/09/02...speech-guides/

I’m guessing this won’t lead to any changes of heart among those fearful enough of Hopenchange brainwashing to pull their kid out of school next Thursday, but it does take a key talking point away from them.

Quote:

As one of the preparatory materials for teachers provided by the Department of Education, students had been asked to, “Write letters to themselves about what they can do to help the president. “

Today, after Republicans accused the White House of trying to indoctrinate school children with liberal propaganda the White House and the Department of Education changed the section to now read, “Write letters to themselves about how they can achieve their short‐term and long‐term education goals.”

“We changed it to clarify the language so the intent is clear,” said White House Spokesman Tommy Vietor…

“As the father of four children, I am absolutely appalled that taxpayer dollars are being used to spread President Obama’s socialist ideology,” Jim Greer, Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida said, “The idea that school children across our nation will be forced to watch the President justify his plans for government-run health care, banks, and automobile companies, increasing taxes on those who create jobs, and racking up more debt than any other President, is not only infuriating, but goes against beliefs of the majority of Americans, while bypassing American parents through an invasive abuse of power.”

The Department of Education though did not “force” – as Greer claims – schools to do anything. Schools districts across the country have the option to choose if they show the President’s address to their students…

“The goal of the speech and the lesson plans is to challenge students to work hard in school, to not drop out and to meet short-term goals like behaving in class, doing their homework and goals that parents and teachers alike can agree are noble,” a White House spokesman tells ABC News, “This isn’t a policy speech. This is a speech designed to encourage kids to stay in school.”

In defense of The One’s critics , this isn’t the first time Team Barry has “inartfully” phrased something in a way that suggests an agenda vastly more ambitious than they claim to have. Remember during the transition when his website insisted that national service would be “required” of students before an outcry led them to delete it? Or the terms of use on the Cash for Clunkers website that seemed to imply dealers would be ceding control over their computers to the feds? Obama’s administration seems not to understand just how deep the suspicion about liberals’ statist aims runs on the right (and increasingly in the center) or else they’d police their rhetoric more closely for little mishaps like this.

And needless to say, swearing a personal oath of service to Obama isn’t as unthinkable as it might seem. Skip ahead to 3:55 of this left-wing classic and watch Demi follow the Leader.

http://hotair.com/archives/2009/09/0...rep-materials/

littlebuggy · 09-03-2009, 03:32 PM

I really dislike people using children to further their agenda. I'm trying not to be all paranoid, but this whole idea is not sitting well with me at all.

okie · 09-04-2009, 12:06 AM

We should have a national leave your kids out of school day on Sep 8.

Edited to add: I just realized, the schools are closed in our district that day anyway for some kind of teacher stuff. It says on the school website that it won't be shown at a later date and to go to US Education website.

Jolie Rouge · 09-04-2009, 12:30 AM

Some Schools Excusing Kids From Obama Speech
September 3, 2009

http://www.foundingbloggers.com/word...-obama-speech/

Chicago Breaking News is reporting that a number of schools in the Chicago area are going to allow parents to keep their kids out of class during President Obama’s speech to the nation’s children.

While the whole effort of this administration to politically indoctrinate kids into service toward the state community is creepy, keeping the kids out of class might be the wrong answer.

By keeping the kids out of class, parents might be provoking the child’s curiosity about what it is mommy and daddy do not want them to be exposed to.

Parents might be better advised to let their children attend the potential indoctrination, monitor what is being communicated to the child, and then have a series of conversations regarding the value, or lack thereof, of Obama’s rhetoric.

Give kids some credit. Don’t underestimate a child’s innate desire to reject what they are being fed by the authorities.

For the record, Founding Bloggers sees nothing wrong with a presidential address to students. Context is everything though, and the Department of Education’s suggested activities and exercises provide an abundant supply of context.

Here is what they recommend for PRE-K after the speech!

Quote:

It might make sense to focus first on personal and academic goals so that community and country goals can be more readily created.

Why not rename it the Department of Citizen Creation?

And has anyone else noticed the Department of Education’s seal? Given what we have seen of Obama’s propaganda artwork, and what we now know about ACORN, the imagery and themes contained in the seal of the Department of Education look oddly familiar.

The only info we can find about the seal and its origin is from this link:

Quote:

Three main parts comprise the seal for the Department of Education (NCES’ parent federal agency) – the tree, the leaves, and the sun rays. The U.S. Army Heraldry Directorate worked with the Secretary of Education to design the seal.

“With its sturdy trunk set in solid earth, the tree expresses the confidence and strength imparted to the individual through the development of the mind and the assimilation of knowledge. The glory and satisfaction of achievement are exhibited in its leaves. The background of sun and rays suggests the role of the Department in the promotion, nurturing, and encouragement of the best in all aspects of the nation’s educational system.”

Former Secretary of Education, Shirley Mount Hufstedler, selected the seal’s design in 1980.

Anyone know where this logo design came from? It’s probably nothing, but….it is curious, no?

"Hall Pass On That"

From the National Tea Party Coalition, there’s a counter-program to President Obama’s Sept. 8 pretextual education speech.

“Hall Pass on That:”

Quote:

The Nationwide Tea Party Coalition announces “Hall Pass on That,” the alternative to President Barack Obama’s September 8th address to school children across the nation. The group asks that schools who choose to participate in the president’s September 8th program offer an alternative to students and families who do not wish to view, or have their children view, a partisan address or participate in activities that did not follow proper educational protocol or obtain parental consent.

Dana Loesch, Nationwide spokesperson for the Nationwide Tea Party Coalition, announced the launch of the Hall Pass on That website: http://www.hallpassonthat.com to provide parents who oppose the Department of Education’s proposed presidential program. “We are suggesting several action steps parents can take if they do not approve of their children participating in a partisan presentation conducted without their consent.”

The four steps propose by the Coalition:

1. Contact the child’s school to find out whether or not your school is participating in the president’s September 8th program.

2. If your child’s school is participating, ask what alternatives there are for the children of families who wish their students learn about the establishment of the country respective to the Founding Father’s intentions. Discussion can focus on the Constitution, the definition and actions of a republic, and the responsibility of elected leaders to their constituents.

3. Ask if the school can excuse your child from the presentation and instead receive a DVD of the address and copy of the activity directives to be evaluated by parents at a later date.

4. Request meeting with the school board, superintendent, and principal to inquire as to why parents were excluded from the decision-making process of this event.

http://michellemalkin.com/2009/09/03...-pass-on-that/

I have contacted my children's school district; the speech is not being shown to the grammar school students, and it is being offered to the Middle and High School students with a permission slip signed by the parents. A reasonable compromise, I think.

kelblend · 09-04-2009, 02:18 AM

I watched that "I Pledge" video on TV today. I couldn't believe demi moore and ashton kutcher saying that they pledge to be a servant to the president. Really now, a servant?? Isn't our gov't suppose to serve us? I called my kid's school and asked if this were going to be shown. She said she wasn't sure if all the classes and so on would be doing it. She asked if I would like my child exempted. I said no, but if he will have assignments asking how he can serve barack obama, that won't work. She put me through to his teacher, but she had already left.

I think I just might sit in that day. I've told my children to say their opinion, even if it
differs from mine. They have to be able to tell me why they think either way as well though.
I will tell you that my child will never refer to obama as the messiah as I've seen groups do.

Since when do we try to politicize our children through public schools? If so, then I do believe both sides should be represented. Teach them reading, writing, arithmetic and so on. Mine don't need schools to teach them about sex or politics, thank you. I do have that covered.

Quote:

2. If your child’s school is participating, ask what alternatives there are for the children of families who wish their students learn about the establishment of the country respective to the Founding Father’s intentions. Discussion can focus on the Constitution, the definition and actions of a republic, and the responsibility of elected leaders to their constituents.

love this part!

galeane29 · 09-04-2009, 03:57 PM

Just another reason I'm glad I homeschool.

krisharry · 09-04-2009, 04:01 PM

I really dont see why obama has to make a speech to school children. Why? They aren't able to vote. They will be showing it a my 12 yo's middleschool but the elementary school will not be. My son is smart so he can watch it and form his own opinions. I will state that I will not pledge to serve obama or anyone else for that damn matter.

krisharry · 09-04-2009, 04:03 PM

Forgot to add that I would love to see Ashton and Demi serve anybody, anything. Stick to dumb romantic comedies Ashton.

hesnothere · 09-04-2009, 04:06 PM

Quote:

THE STAY-IN-SCHOOL MESSAGE.... There was a major-league freak-out yesterday when right-wing activists learned that President Obama was prepared to challenge America's students to "work hard, set educational goals, and take responsibility for their learning." It's a message the White House would broadcast live to schools that choose to air it.

It caused Jim Greer, the chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, to have something of a breakdown. He issued a statement condemning the president for, among other things, trying to "indoctrinate America's children to his socialist agenda." He added that Obama "has turned to American's children to spread his liberal lies."

Greer was hardly alone. Much of the right was simply apoplectic about this, and many, including Glenn Beck, began organizing a campaign to keep children from going to school the day of Obama's speech. What got the crazies so worked up? Apparently, there's a phrase in the Department of Education supplementary materials that, when taken out of context, becomes politically controversial. So, officials edited it.

In a set of bullet points listed under a heading, "Extension of the Speech," one of the points used to say: "Write letters to themselves about what they can do to help the president. These would be collected and redistributed at an appropriate later date by the teacher to make students accountable to their goals."

However, that bullet point now reads as follows: "Write letters to themselves about how they can achieve their short-term and long-term education goals. These would be collected and redistributed at an appropriate later date by the teacher to make students accountable to their goals."

In context, "help the president" wasn't about health care or economic growth, it was about the president encouraging young people to do well in school. The edited language makes this clear. As Alex Koppelman explained, "In context, it's clear that was an attempt to get kids to think of working hard in school as something they were doing not just for themselves, but for the president -- and not politically, either. But that's not how Obama's opponents saw it."

Well, I wouldn't rule out the possibility that Obama's opponents understood it just fine, but are on hair-trigger alert to turn any opportunity into a hysterical temper tantrum.

Or as Matt Yglesias put it, "Probably the biggest moral of the story is that the contemporary conservative movement is run by crazy people with no scruples, who'll turn anything into a pretext to level wild accusations."

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/arc..._09/019751.php

Quote:

In case you have better things to do with your life than trying to keep up with every outburst of political hysteria in the Age of Obama, here's the latest: the president announced yesterday that he would be giving a live speech to schoolkids next Monday, wherein he would extol the virtues of hard work, learning to read and cipher, etc. etc. Teaching materials related to the speech were provided by the Ed Department. Conservatives went predictably bonkers, accusing Obama of trying to brainwash our nation's youth, push his socialist agenda into the classroom, and create a cult of personality among impressionable children.

http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-dru...9/helping-prez

krisharry · 09-04-2009, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hesnothere

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/arc..._09/019751.php

My son will miss math to watch this speech. I would rather have him in math. Nothing against him watching the speech just don't want him to miss the class time, ya know. Anyway, the kids have all heard the stayinschool, work hard speech before. I don't think it will make one lick of difference coming from obama. The kids are happy though bec. they will miss math. LOL