"Socialist indoctrination"

[ellid]

This is what the right wing fears.

Two thoughts:

1. Anyone who objects to their child hearing this speech is flat-out crazy. Sorry, but this is about as dangerous as a bag of Poly-Fil craft fluff.

2. Rush Limbaugh is going to open his big fat bazoo and complain about it anyway.

*head desk*

There are times when I desperately wish I lived in Canada.

Comments

[semyaza.livejournal.com]

I'm keen to hear what the Right makes of this. I still haven't recovered from the woman who broke down and cried because her children were going to be subjected to -- either she didn't finish the sentence through her tears or I turned off in disgust.

[tree_and_leaf]

On (1): The All the President's Emails (weekly satire column in the Guardian) is always a bit hit or miss, but I thought the first e-mail was spot on yesterday:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/sep/07/barack-obama-usa

[persevero.livejournal.com]

I am also unable to detect a subliminal socialist message here - this is just a better version of every head teacher's beginning of term speech (we always got it followed by the Parable of the Talents, school prayers being usual - and usually ignored - in non-believing Britain). I'll have to re-read it with my paranoia switch set to 'on', though I suspect I'll find subliminal right-wing content instead.

[rwday.livejournal.com]

Poly-Fil craft fluff is more dangerous. You can choke on it, and it's probably toxic. What on earth is there for Limbaugh to complain about, that the 'children 250 years ago sat where you are sitting' statement displays a historically inaccurate view of education in pre-revolutionary America?

This whole 'issue' offends me deeply.

[gardengirl6.livejournal.com]

"Fears" - well, maybe some people fear it. Me, I was concerned about what the text would be. I have read the text now, and my concerns are alleviated. I think it's part of responsible parenting to know what my children are being told, no matter the source. I am very pleased that the White House has honored these concerns by posting the text of the speech. Having the opportunity to read it in advance allayed my concerns and allowed me to talk it up to my children, in case they participate in this event at school.

[ellid.livejournal.com]

Did you have the same qualms about President Bush addressing school children, or would you have had the same qualms with President Reagan or President Carter or President Clinton or the first President Bush?

With all due respect, the only reason that this is an issue at all is because right-wing radio has decided that Obama is a socialist (or a Nazi, or a fascist, or a Communist - take your pick, he's been called or compared to all of the above despite the vast differences among these political systems) and that everything he says is somehow dedicated to destroying the American way of life. The entire "controversy" was ridiculous, and I'd say exactly the same thing if I had kids, no matter how deeply I disliked the President (and yes, that includes George W. Bush).

[gardengirl6.livejournal.com]

I can't address that, since I had no children in school at the time. I take interest in ANY speaker who addresses my children in school.

As far as "right-wing radio", since I don't listen to that, I don't know what they've been saying. I am glad that the matter of this speech *was* brought up, though, because it has motivated many parents to demonstrate their interest in their children's education. Anything that promotes discussion and engagement among those who don't ordinarily communicate is a plus - and when that discussion can be conducted civilly, so much the better.

[lorena-snape.livejournal.com]

I don't even know if my daughter heard this in school, but in case she didn't, I have saved it and will make a point of reading it together.

How anyone can object to this is beyond me...