Florida GOP Chair, Bat Crap Crazy????

[Buzz]

In advance of this address, we would like to share the following resources: a menu of classroom activities for students in grades preK-6 and for students in grades 7-12. These are ideas developed by and for teachers to help engage students and stimulate discussion on the importance of education in their lives.

I put a link out for the 7-12. Hew linked to the k-6 material suggestions.

Doesn't bother a bit. Wouldn't have bothered me if Bush did it.

I think you're channeling Sara Palin, or possibly Glenn Beck. I've been watching Glenn Beck lately. I think he needs to get on some meds.

[Goose]

When our Dear Leader entered the White House
Even mountains and rivers rejoiced.
To have seen the Great Teacher Obama, is the fulfillment of our brightest wish. Ah!
How many nights did we dream of you, ah!
Burning tears of happiness
Longed for day by day
Hoped for year by year, ah!
Today we students are at your side.

The golden sun is rising over our Dear Leader.

[TXduckdog]

Well, presumably the whole address will be accessible on-line to any wishing to view it. I will be stunned and very upset if contains anything suggestive of politics. Bush often went to schools and either spoke to assemblies or read stories in class (The 9/11 situation may have been unfortunate, but the intent was good).

I would agree with you Jeff.

But doesn't this kind of smack of manipulating kids in hopes of establishing a cult personality...in a political way?

Kids are going to be influenced by something like this and I just think the President of the USA has more important issues on his plate than to pander to kids, right now.

The timing of this thing is very strange.....all of a sudden.....child education comes springing out of no-where. This is one helluva curve ball.

I've read the 'resources' mentioned in the letter and in and of themselves, they look pretty tame....except the part about putting parts of the speech up on a wall. This whole thing reeks of political manipulation....and I'm trying to be objective and give the guy the benefit of the doubt.

[TXduckdog]

I put a link out for the 7-12. Hew linked to the k-6 material suggestions.

Doesn't bother a bit. Wouldn't have bothered me if Bush did it.

I think you're channeling Sara Palin, or possibly Glenn Beck. I've been watching Glenn Beck lately. I think he needs to get on some meds.

Buzz

Me, channeling Sarah Palin? I can think of a few other things I'd like to be doing with Ms Palin but channeling ain't one of them. Va Va Voom!! =)

[Hew]

Hew,

On the assumption that the President's is going to be exactly as advertised -- an effort to encourage students to set goals, plan, and persevere -- what objections do you have to the planned curriculum? Are those objections specific to Obama or ones you would have with any President making a presentation for school children?

I would be inclined to be against any President speaking en masse to every public school child in America. It appears unseemly. Orwellian. Kim Jong Il-like. It is completely different than a President standing up in front of a school assembly or speaking at a commencement ceremony.

As for the curriculum, at face value, it seems innocuous enough. But I have my doubts that the speech will be non-political. I don't expect anything overtly "vote for me" political, but I'm afraid there will be an agenda beyond imparting to kids a generic life lesson. My spidey senses tingle when the Education Secretary promotes the speech with a bunch of superfluous political rah-rah BS (as you duly noted). Moreover, while both parties are adept at rhetoric, the Democrats in particular have a proven track record of utilzing (ahem...whoring ) children in public to promote their political agenda.

[TXduckdog]

I would be inclined to be against any President speaking en masse to every public school child in America. It appears unseemly. Orwellian. Kim Jong Il-like. It is completely different than a President standing up in front of a school assembly or speaking at a commencement ceremony.

As for the curriculum, at face value, it seems innocuous enough. But I have my doubts that the speech will be non-political. I don't expect anything overtly "vote for me" political, but I'm afraid there will be an agenda beyond imparting to kids a generic life lesson. My spidey senses tingle when the Education Secretary promotes the speech with a bunch of superfluous political rah-rah BS (as you duly noted). Moreover, while both parties are adept at rhetoric, the Democrats in particular have a proven track record of utilzing (ahem...whoring ) children in public to promote their political agenda.

Wonder if he'll bring up national service again.....the community organizer....er, I mean the Peace Corp stuff?

[Hew]

No, I read both lesson plans. Perhaps you should have read them both again before calling me a liar. I linked the 7-12 because the exercises are more meaningful. The k-6 appear more geared toward trying to inform the students to who this guy that's talking to them actually is, since most kids in say k-3 or 4 don't know who the heck the president is.

And I'm not pimping anything. I'm pointing out the standard operating procedures behind the GOP in stirring up fake controversies based on crap that they just plain made up. Such as:

"As the father of four children, I am absolutely appalled that taxpayer dollars are being used to spread President Obama's socialist ideology. 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."

Greer flat out MADE THAT CRAP UP. If you have one shred of evidence that he didn't, I'd be happy to see it. If you have one shred of evidence that I supported, believed, cared or commented on what Greer wrote I'd be even happier to see it. I commented on what I found unappealing about Obama's pending speech. You demonstrated that you didn't really even know what was in the curriculum when you erroneously claimed that I made up my objections. So Greer makes up sh!t to oppose the speech and you make up sh!t to defend it. And the substantial distinction is....what?

----------------------

[Buzz]

Hew, please show me where I called you a liar.

I originally started the thread to point out that Greer was trying to cause hysteria based on $h!t that he just made up. I really don't care much about the arguments for or against Obama talking to school children. I do care about people in leadership positions making $h!t up.

[Hew]

Hew, please show me where I called you a liar.

You wrote: "Either you made it up, or heard it from someone who made it up."

My bad. You did give me the option of either being a liar or repeating a lie.

[YardleyLabs]

I would be inclined to be against any President speaking en masse to every public school child in America. It appears unseemly. Orwellian. Kim Jong Il-like. It is completely different than a President standing up in front of a school assembly or speaking at a commencement ceremony.

I will admit that I actually share a little bit of this although there is nothing compelling schools to use the material in any way. I suspect that, if I were an administrator, I might not make any decision on broadcasting until after I had already seen the tape as opposed to broadcasting it live. But then I also am opposed to universal requirements concerning the pledge of allegiance, believe pep rallies should be banned during school hours, and am vehemently opposed to prayer of any kind in public schools.

As for the curriculum, at face value, it seems innocuous enough. But I have my doubts that the speech will be non-political. I don't expect anything overtly "vote for me" political, but I'm afraid there will be an agenda beyond imparting to kids a generic life lesson. My spidey senses tingle when the Education Secretary promotes the speech with a bunch of superfluous political rah-rah BS (as you duly noted). Moreover, while both parties are adept at rhetoric, the Democrats in particular have a proven track record of utilzing (ahem...whoring ) children in public to promote their political agenda.

This, I think may be bias in the eyes of the beholder. I would have said Republicans are the bigger culprits. It may well be a coin toss. Personally, I will definitely check out the speech when it is posted and we can revive this conversation then.