It is being reported that President Obama plans to speak directly to students across the country on Tuesday, September 8 at noon EDT. The speech is purportedly for the President to encourage students on taking responsibility for their success in school.
On one hand, I believe this is an admirable message that parents would welcome their children to hear. But critics have been pointing this as being a step toward indoctrination and I believe this to be true, having firsthand visibility of the information leading to this conclusion.
The original message about the event can be found on the White House’s website here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/MEDIA-ADVISORY-President-Obama-to-Speak-Directly-to-Students-in-National-Address-on-Educational-Success/
The reason for suspecting this to be a step for indoctrination is based on the original content detailing the event that appeared on the Department of Education’s website. Currently the message asks teachers to help students understand the importance of education. When I checked the page at about 12:30 p.m. today, the page spoke of the event but added how students should be encouraged to write about how they think they can help support the President’s agenda. It instructed teachers how they could assist this effort and was clearly a politically motivated tactic that has no place in our schools.
Details of the event are posted on the Department of Education’s website here: http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/academic/bts.html but the content is assuredly different than what was on the same page this afternoon, most likley due to the national criticism.
The full report on foxnews.com can be found here: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/09/02/critics-decry-obamas-lesson-plan-students/?test=latestnews.
Politico’s report can be found here: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0909/26711.html.
As a staunch opponent of the President’s Socialist policies and a parent with two school-age children in the Chippewa Valley School District, this was incredibly disturbing. I took the opportunity to write to the district:
It is my understanding that President Obama is planning to speak to all school children on September 8. I would like to know what the CVS plan is for accommodating this. I do not want my children participating in this political message and would like to know what alternatives exist for those who opt of listening.
The response from a contact in the district:
Thank you for contacting us with your concern. I have not heard of this occurring and as far as I know CVS will not be taking part. I will forward your question to our curriculum department to see if they have any knowledge of this. If there are any plans for this to occur we will contact you to discuss opt out procedures for your children.
It remains to be seen if this will become a mandate but I encourage all those concerned with this clear attempt at indoctrination to call their children’s school district and understand how they plan to handle this issue.
Be vigilant. Be very vigilant.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I agree with this completely. I believe it is indoctrination. But you have the date wrong. September 12th will be on Saturday, which is the day of the Tea Party in Washington. Tuesday will be September 8th. I thought I should let you know that.
Thanks G.J. I fixed the date. Got cross-wired in thinking about the noon timeframe.