Keeping your kids home Tuesday?

[Sheherezade]

mmart36-

I agree with the sentiment of the quote from Gephardt - for any presidential speech shown in schools. Still, I don't recall the firestorm of controversy about Bush speaking. I *think* it was limited to politicians. (Could be totally wrong - I was in high school.) I don't recall parents taking their kids out of school for the day or protesting. I also don't recall individual districts sending out letters explaining their stance on the speech. It just seems so much more ridiculous this go round. The hysteria (Hitler references, brainwashing references) is different than a protest over "political advertising" in the classroom. It's much more McCarthy era to me. Maybe that's just where we are as a nation -- with so many elections in a row going 49/51 %

Personally, here in Ohio, I think the "socialist" and secular aspects of the Obama election are what bring out the anger. I don't think that many of the people I know that don't like Obama are upset because he's black. Again, just personally, but most of them are v. conservative and anti-abortion. They fear that this is a step backwards there. They might also be anti -regulation, mostly because they think it takes money out of their pockets in the end. They worry about government setting up new rules for them. Finally, they are well-off and concerned about the populist bent to the rhetoric. They think that the poor will be made "unpoor" through money from their pockets as well.

Honestly......sadly....for most of the people I know that are anti-Obama, it is more about money than race. Maybe the race element plays in to that fear as well. (Since the negative stereotype of the black population is associated with poor/welfare state?)

I take back what I said -- the speech wasn't too long, at least for 4th graders. DD's classmate said it even seemed a little short for a speech. Can't win.

[PrincessFiona]

Honestly......sadly....for most of the people I know that are anti-Obama, it is more about money than race. Maybe the race element plays in to that fear as well. (Since the negative stereotype of the black population is associated with poor/welfare state?)

Well, I don't think it's sad at all! I'm not completely opposed to Obama's policies and I support universal health care, but I think everyone needs to pitch in financially....I had govt. healthcare when I lived and worked in Germany and I paid a pretty hefty amount out of my paycheck every month for the honor...I was not a high paid worker, either.....but I was happy to do it.

I believe that hard work and dedication should be compensated and that people should not be punished for working hard to earn more. That being said, I still support universal healthcare and most democratic positions.

The problem I feel with democrats today is that they want to have these things and ask other people to pay for them without having to pitch in too. They don't want to feel the pain financially...they want someone else to shoulder it. That's just not ok.

Bring it on...and let every American stand up together and pitch in.

[Sheherezade]

The problem I feel with democrats today is that they want to have these things and ask other people to pay for them without having to pitch in too.

I agree - in spirit - but I think that Republicans feel this way too. They are no longer trying to cut out Medicare and it needs more money SOON. They also failed to finance a war (or two) and No Child Left Behind requirements are emptying local school district budgets.

The reason I think the focus on money is sad is because no one wants to pay for anything out of their pot of money. That hasn't stopped either side from spending. I'd have more respect for the "fiscal responsibility" sector if they walked the walk (and that includes Wall Street).

[Sheherezade]

Posting again......because after my coffee I realized that I'd totally hijacked.

My point in my post about money being the main issue for many is that for many it ISN'T racism. It's money.

That's all.

[JaneDoe]

I agree - in spirit - but I think that Republicans feel this way too. They are no longer trying to cut out Medicare and it needs more money SOON. They also failed to finance a war (or two) and No Child Left Behind requirements are emptying local school district budgets.

The reason I think the focus on money is sad is because no one wants to pay for anything out of their pot of money. That hasn't stopped either side from spending. I'd have more respect for the "fiscal responsibility" sector if they walked the walk (and that includes Wall Street).

I completely agree with you and PrincessFiona. I'm becoming very non-partisan these days. I hate both parties! Congress as a whole is worthless.

I completely agree with you and PrincessFiona. I'm becoming very non-partisan these days. I hate both parties! Congress as a whole is worthless.

Here, here!

[Pollyanna]

Holy moly, I missed a lot yesterday.

The notable exceptions being my husband and Tara's husband who were switched at birth.

Heehee, this is so true!

No point in me rehashing everything, you all likely know where I stand. The speech was not shown in any of our children's schools. It would not have been an issue for me as we would have talked about what he said in his speech and then compare that to his policies. It is important for children to learn to look and both sides of an issue, understand each argument, and decide where they stand on an issue and why.

hooray

I feel like a cheerleader saying this, but great convo guys! I'm learning a lot. I'm glad people are so outspoken about their beliefs, and I'm happy to be a part of this!

[GrayMatterWife]

Hey...if you guys think this conversation is interesting...be sure to watch tonight's address to Congress and the comments/postmortem afterward!

[Rapunzel]

You eyes see it through your lens, period. For those who have lived with racism, they see it much easier than those of us who have either never or rarely had a negative reaction to our personhood due to our race. I think if you have never lived with racism towards yourself, you just can't relate, and those who have can. Some places in the country are for sure worse than others and I think that lends to the broad spectrum of comments here.

The sad thing is, people are overly reactive, (Peggy this is not about you, but the general comments some people are saying in the media) and this really is a sad thing. No harm was done by Obama. If a school district gives him too much play or time in the classroom, it was hardly done by Obama himself. Shrug, I just don't understand the high emotions. It's just a speech, listen to it or not, it's just a speech - to kids - about school.

And no, America is not colorblind, and perhaps it's still ok to admit that.

I understand what you're saying here.

Heck, I grew up with some pretty rabid bigotry against my religious beliefs that I think few on here truly understand. I still encounter it from time to time even today (and, definitely saw it among political commentators during the last presidential primaries).

But, I don't think the overwhelming opposition to this sitting president is based on racial bigotry. In fact, I have yet to see any evidence that would support such a position. We've all got our personal experiences - but what about cold, hard facts? The facts do not support the cry of racism against every (or even most or many) of those who oppose the policies Obama espouses.

It might make Obama supporters feel better to believe that everyone who does NOT support his actions and words is somehow a bad person. But, without any supporting facts that is all the cry of racism is at this point.

[SuzySunshine]

I've completely stayed out of this discussion because I don't have school aged kids. But I do have a question. I took A to her first toddler class today. It is in the brand new elementary school in a room purely for preschool age classes. There was a big Obama poster on one wall, this one:


Were there posters of presidents in schools previously? I don't remember growing up with posters or photos of the sitting president in my school? I don't really have a preference one way or the other I just thought it was interesting since I don't remember them from my childhood.

[Pollyanna]

We did not have pictures of the President in our schools. The particular picture of Obama is a campaign image. If it was a picture to represent the current President then I think the image would be more official (Presidential portrait in suit and tie, etc). I highly doubt there was an image of GWB in that same place.

[GrayMatterWife]

We did not have pictures of the President in our schools. The particular picture of Obama is a campaign image. If it was a picture to represent the current President then I think the image would be more official (Presidential portrait in suit and tie, etc). I highly doubt there was an image of GWB in that same place.

I would have withdrawn my kid from that school if I'd walked in on that. Not obnoxiously or anything, but immediately. Who wants to deal with that? Even if you got them to take it down, clearly they've laid their cards down. I have no problem with the official portrait (which hangs prominently in the courthouse where I work). But this is more of that cult-of-personalty, hero-worship stuff stemming from his campaign. Completely inappropriate for an elementary school--regardless of the candidate's party. I would not want my kid somewhere that is obviously that biased and closed-minded. If you are never adequately exposed to critical thought, you never become...a critical thinker.

[SuzySunshine]

I thought it was a little strange and there was a smaller inauguration picture in another area of the classroom, at least that one I felt was more "historical". I'm going to ask some of my other friends that have kids in the same school if that is also in their classrooms, maybe it was just something our teacher hung...As for withdrawing her, if she were older I might consider it but I doubt she even noticed it and its the public school down the street...