"Before the Speech: Short readings. Notable quotes excerpted (and posted in large print on board) from President Obama's speeches about education. What are our interpretations of these excerpts? Based on these excerpts, what can we infer the President believes is important to be successful educationally?" -- from Dept. of Education, Grades 7-12 Menu of Classroom Activities: Pres. Obama's Address to Students Across America, Sept. 8, 2009 [emphasis added]
Great news. Our leader will be addressing all schoolchildren on September 8th. And the Department of Education has helpfully prepared a menu of activities for the day. As you'll note above, 7-12th graders are to view quotations from Pres. Obama, discuss them, and strive to understand what "the president believes is important" for students to be successful in school.
Wonderful. But why stop with students? Shouldn't Americans of all ages have the benefit of the President's wisdom? And why limit it to one day, and only to the topic of education?
Say, here's an idea. Pres. Obama's quotations on a variety of topics could be assembled in a small book, and every citizen given one--free of course--by the government. Citizens would then be encouraged to meet and discuss "what can we infer the President believes is important" in every aspect of life.
Naturally, those citizens who improperly interpret "what the president believes is important" will be given additional educational opportunities to learn and reflect on his message. They will be housed in special government schools for people of all ages, to be set up across the country in quiet, rural areas, free from the stress of everyday life that can cloud clear thinking.
These schools will also be free, and staffed by special teachers, members of course of our wonderful labor unions, who correctly understand the president's message and will be sure to imbue every student with correct thinking in the wisdom of the president before he or she is freed, um, graduates.
Will our MSM report on the interesting parallel between our president's plan for our children and the approach of another Great Leader from the past?
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.





"Before the Speech: Short readings. Notable quotes excerpted (and posted in large print on board) from President Obama's speeches about education. What are our interpretations of these excerpts? Based on these excerpts, what can we infer the President believes is important to be successful educationally?" -- from Dept. of Education, Grades 7-12 














Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Brain-Washing
September 2, 2009 - 02:12 ET by bigtimerBrain-Washing 101....Indoctrination here we Come!
'Go Green...Recycle Congress'
Is there
September 2, 2009 - 05:24 ET by motherbeltIs there nothing on which this President won't schedule a speech?
Does he have to comment on everything?
Talk about egoism: get a gander at the FIRST activity for grades K-6:
Before the Speech:
• Teachers can build background knowledge about the President of the United States and his speech by reading books about presidents and Barack Obama (I wonder if a version of either of his autobiographies is available in a "read to" picture book yet) and motivate students by asking the following questions:
Who is the President of the United States?
What do you think it takes to be President?
schedule?
September 2, 2009 - 07:19 ET by AJBHe can read speeches off his teleprompter all day long!! Since he's just a puppet of the likes of Soros, they tell him when to read and when to get out of town with his low-class wife.
2 Words
September 2, 2009 - 07:13 ET by ElktwinmommaHome School! I yanked my boys in April of this year from an IB school here in Texas. So far so good and we are loving it.
BT, It's time to keep the kids home!
September 3, 2009 - 22:00 ET by goldenthroat"Before the Speech: Short readings. Notable quotes excerpted (and posted in large print on board) from President Obama's speeches about education. What are our interpretations of these excerpts? Based on these excerpts, what can we infer the President believes is important to be successful educationally?"
Is this shades of Nazi Germany, or what? The Bamster not only wants to control the MSM, but now, with the help of the left wing NEA, wants to control the minds of our children! My 8th grader daughter will be staying home on the 8th.
The best way for her to be "successful educationally" is to stay away from the blathering of this left wing, liberal, socialist propaganda machine named Barack Hussein Obama. Oh yeah, this is the same POTUS who just espoused how Islam is such a "great religion"! Now that's education at its finest, isn't it?
Does this strengthen the need for home schooling? I think so!
November 2010 can't come soon enough - I want my country back!
"Who am us, anyway?" - Firesign Theatre
Declare the Obama Oath!
September 2, 2009 - 17:40 ET by farstar99"I swear by almighty Obama this sacred oath:
I will render unconditional obedience
to the Fuehrer of the Democrat Reich
and people, Barack Obama,
Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces,
and, as a brave student,
I will be ready at any time
to stake my life for this oath."
It works THIS WAY
September 2, 2009 - 02:35 ET by DeskpilotThe President addresses the ENTIRE country, or this father of a dearly loved daughter takes one of a few options:
1) It's a Daddy-daughter date at her ALL GIRL Catholic high school fo rthe day so I get the exact same message from him to discuss with her AS I SEE FIT, or: (listed in order of preference)
2) She doesn't attend school that day, and I will DEMAND of the President and the principle an excused absence note for her.
3) I show up at my nearest public school and demand access to watch the President's address. My tax dollars, my school!
I have beeen paying a hefty tuition for 10 years to prevent just this kind of mind polution that my conficasted tax dollars pay for kids to get in public schools.
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read it in English, You're welcome - Deskpilot, AM(H)1 (AW), USN (Ret)
And thank you for your service.
September 2, 2009 - 03:59 ET by Mike BrattonI have the dilemma of having two children in two different schools. Consequently, I'm working out whether they'll be out of school that day--and it will be an excused absence.
And I'm sorry, people, but can you imagine the uproar if former Presdient Bush had done something similar?
--Mike
www.thebrattonreport...
The best decision I made in
September 2, 2009 - 05:11 ET by DeskpilotThe best decision I made in my realtive (20) youth. Loved 18 1/2 years of it.
How about 1 parent to each school (I pray that that's an option), or maybe take the younger to the elders' school?
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read it in English, You're welcome - Deskpilot, AM(H)1 (AW), USN (Ret)
The Great Leap Backward
September 2, 2009 - 04:43 ET by Jack BauerChairman Maobama and his Little Read Book...
What next, he swims the Potomac in winter?
From Constitutional Republic to Banana Republic in seven months.
blue book
September 2, 2009 - 08:59 ET by jon_torlinAmazon has a blue book version called "Pocket Obama" selling for $4.95. If you scroll down, you can see the section where it says "Customers who bought this also bought..." and Chairman Mao's book is one of the recommendations.
-Jon
jon
September 2, 2009 - 09:27 ET by well99Just checked it out...lol Your right.
fact or reality or imaginationland?
September 2, 2009 - 10:03 ET by jon_torlinJust goes to show ya, truth is stranger than fiction.
-Jon
jon
September 2, 2009 - 11:12 ET by well99Your not kidding.
Chairman Maobama
September 3, 2009 - 11:27 ET by Jack Bauerjon -- that's HILARIOUS. Is my face red or what?
Jack
September 3, 2009 - 21:56 ET by well99Funny thing is I brought this up with a friend of mine.He is originally from Hong Kong.He told me to look at what Obama,Pelosi,Dodd, and Franks have said then compare them to what Mao said.See all the similarities.
Homeschool 'em
September 2, 2009 - 06:09 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsSooooo, Sep 8th is 'National Keep Your Kids Out Of School' day. No problem.
D
Write your Congress and Senate and tell them what YOU think!
Keep the ILLEGALS out, join NumbersUSA to send free faxes to your reps.
But on the first day of school???
September 2, 2009 - 06:18 ET by SickofLibsThis would be outrageous on any normal school day, but Sept 8 for many kids is the first day of school, and for this "event" to take precedence over the excitement of that day is really beyond the pale.
But hey, it's gotta be all about him, all of the time.
Right. This from the
September 2, 2009 - 06:48 ET by motherbeltRight.
This from the man who, during the campaign, said over and over "It's not about me."
There is nothing wrong with your television set.
September 2, 2009 - 06:54 ET by SickofLibs"There is nothing wrong with your television set. Do not attempt to adjust the picture. We are controlling transmission... For the next hour, sit quietly and we will control all that you see and hear. We repeat: there is nothing wrong with your television set. You are about to participate in a great adventure. You are about to experience the awe and mystery which reaches from the inner mind to... Planet Obama. "
Sometimes I feel like this
September 2, 2009 - 11:27 ET by taterSometimes I feel like this whole situation is nothing more than an Outer Limits episode.
www.theholyrosary.org
"There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we can not resolve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary." -Sister Lucia
mb - but it's always been about him
September 2, 2009 - 07:15 ET by FeynmanFanObama's narcissism would make Narcissus himself feel like a piker.
"I support the President but not his policies" - Blonde
My First Post on Newsbusters
September 2, 2009 - 06:37 ET by FenwickI'm glad I finally got an authorized account on newsbusters.org! Anyway, I am the tech person in a middle school who would be responsible for setting up the means by which this propaganda will be transmitted to our students. So far, I have heard nothing about this being a part of our school day on 9/8 and have not been requested to set up anything. If that changes and I am asked to do so, I can't guarantee there won't be any "technical difficulties". ;-)
BTW, I was happy when Obama was on vacation and we didn't have to hear his daily broadcasts. He is becoming a real bore.
Welcome, and enjoy reading
September 2, 2009 - 06:42 ET by motherbeltWelcome, and enjoy reading and posting here!
Thanks!
September 2, 2009 - 06:46 ET by FenwickI am looking forward to it!
Fenwick -- oh you silly
September 2, 2009 - 07:04 ET by Jack BauerFenwick -- oh you silly goose.
The transmission (codename: Obamission) is beamed directly into the kids' head via their cell phone and bluetooth wireless.
And do you seriously think kids are being innoculated against swine flu? That ain't no flu vaccine in those syringes.
Don't forget the "grade"
September 2, 2009 - 06:39 ET by Rovin"Naturally, those citizens who improperly interpret "what the president believes is important" will be given additional educational opportunities to learn and reflect on his message. They will be housed in special government schools for people of all ages, to be set up across the country in quiet, rural areas, free from the stress of everyday life that can cloud clear thinking."
My fear is that when these "young skulls full of mush" fail to understand or question Obama's "doctrine", the teachers will shame the child by grading their response. The simple "no, johnny, you misunderstood the president's intentions" can be quite intimidating in a classroom setting. The perfect example would be when a student questions or challenges the number of polar bears "mathematically disappearing" on the planet, will the teacher (using his/her own false data), attempt to correct the student?
President Obama, (and his "prep" writers), should be very careful here if they try to supply specific propaganda with out factual data. Higher education has for decades filled students with this liberal socialist agenda---and have FAILED to teach individual personal responsibility over collectivism.
Can the re-education camps be that far behind for the K-12----or you----or me?
Rovin
Rovin my high school student
September 2, 2009 - 08:33 ET by Radical1979Rovin my high school student does know which teachers she can't "discuss" issues with because there is only one right answer, the liberal answer. This only makes her more disgusted with liberals. Hopefully she's not alone...
Students should be prepared
September 2, 2009 - 09:36 ET by RovinI've been out of HS for forty years now, but we had a civics teacher that was full of "liberal wisdom". Back then, the proper response was, (after raising hand and being called on), "may I offer an alternative opinion?" After reciting my version--that a majority of the class agreed with---I was usually offered the option of stepping outside the room for the duration of the class or visit the principals office. My principal was a die-hard conservative, so I would visit him and have a nice conversation. My best advice for "your student" is to either be well prepared to make a reasonable argument, or say nothing.
Rovin
Rovin if there's anything my
September 2, 2009 - 10:51 ET by Radical1979Rovin if there's anything my teenager can do it's give a good arguement, whatever the topic. She knows which teacher's will lower her grade based on her opinions, very easy when papers and reports are graded. In those classes she's generally quiet, occasionally flashing an Ann Coulter book. The teachers get annoyed because it's difficult to win an arguement with her. As her mother, I can resort to the old "because I said so" and "someday you'll understand" when the arguement involves my completely unfair rules. ;)
"KEEP YOUR KIDS HOME DAY"
September 2, 2009 - 07:18 ET by SgthulkaI'd recommend a campaign to keep your kids home that day.
I know that if my school participates, mine will.
Tacit admission the adults
September 2, 2009 - 07:36 ET by 10ksnookerTacit admission the adults aren't buying his Kenyan tin pot dictator act.
My daughter (a senior this
September 2, 2009 - 08:32 ET by Radical1979My daughter (a senior this year) is constantly fighting this kind of liberal garbage at school. Fortunately she has critical thinking skills so she can pick up on this bs.
I prefer the Glen Beck method of analyzing Obama, look at who he surrounds himself with to find out what he believes...
How's it go? "You are
September 2, 2009 - 08:40 ET by anonymous621How's it go? "You are judged by the company you keep." Isn't that it? By simple virtue of the company Obama is keeping, I judge him an enemy to America, to be quite truthful, and he needs to go in 2012.
-Eric
This is what happens when
September 2, 2009 - 08:46 ET by R D HelmThis is what happens when you pack the most precious thing in your life off to a government school to be "educated."
-Dave
Even when the government tries to kiss you, it is just a prelude to a good screwing. -Neal Boortz
The First Premise
September 2, 2009 - 08:49 ET by KC MulvilleIf you teach the students that the president is an authority figure and he wants to speak with you, you subconsciously teach that the president is an authority figure over the students. But he isn't.
The president has authority over the executive branch of the federal government. The president is not an authority over private citizens. That is an absolutely crucial distinction that should be instilled in every citizen. The president is not the king. That's a key distinction between a free republic and a monarchy. In a monarchy, the king embodies the nation, and all subjects owe the king their loyalty and to some degree, their obedience. The American head of state, however, is not a monarch. No private citizen owes him a damned thing; indeed, he works for us.
Maybe I'm nit-picking, but I hate it when I hear that the president runs the country. No, he doesn't. He runs the executive branch of the federal government. Unless you keep that distinction clear, you run the risk of having presidents "take over" areas that belong to the private sector ... oh, yeah, right, that's already happened ...
Great point. The
September 2, 2009 - 08:56 ET by anonymous621Great point. The President is more responsible for foreign relations than domestic issues. Even I fall prey to the whol "Obama runs the country" myth. Great point. Nice history/government lesson.
-Eric
don't be daft, he'll do it anyway
September 2, 2009 - 11:07 ET by jon_torlinNot saying you are daft, but you're absolutely correct that he's got no authority over private citizens, yet he fought against a few well-known private citizens anyway with regards to the health (s)care bill, Rush comes to mind.
He's doing things any way he wants to with a $h!tload of impunity.
-Jon
No, he couldn't possibly ...
September 2, 2009 - 14:38 ET by KC MulvilleThat's the curiosity about this whole thing. No matter what he's done, you expect the president to know the boundary between "proactive" government activism and outright unconstitutional grabs of power "for our own good."
I don't think Obama is intentionally grabbing power for some nefarious purpose. I just think he's like a teenager driving a dump truck ... he has no idea how much damage he could cause.
Someone else believed in indoctrinating the childred
September 2, 2009 - 08:58 ET by txradioguy"The Youth of today is ever the people of tomorrow. For this reason we have set before ourselves the task of innoculating our youth with the spirit of this community of the people at a very early age, at an age when human beings are still unperverted and therefore unspoiled.''-Adolph Hitler
"I May Be Changed By War, But I Will Not Be Defeated By It" - Audie Murphy
Keep your kids out of school day
September 2, 2009 - 09:13 ET by hobieI agree with keeping the kids from being directly broadcast to, based on the following:
Hearing directly from the President is not part of the school curriculum, we as parents have no idea if Obama will keep his personal politics out of his speech, we have no assurance that an opposing viewpoint could ever be given to the students, and the supporting materials demonstrate that Obama will be asking specific tasks of the students [making me think that his requests will be of a political, not civic studies, nature].
I will watch the video myself and see if it is suitable for my student children to watch it.
worksheet...
September 2, 2009 - 09:16 ET by Georgia GirlI haven't read all the comments on here yet, so sorry if this is a repeat. But I just heard on FOXNEWS that there's a worksheet the kids are being asked to fill out as part of his appearance -- on ways they can help Obama. Yeah, typical.
more taxes hard at work
September 2, 2009 - 09:39 ET by candanceYour paycheck is funding this propaganda! No math or science for your children. This is much more important. You're welcome for the leadership.
September 2, 2009 - 09:54 ET by jessieHThey won't stop till the children are completely brain dead. But I have faith that the kids are not that dumb.
Bill Klonsky MaoUSA Party Chair
September 2, 2009 - 10:18 ET by Nortoin the 80's got big $$ from O via the Annennberg foundation of which O was the chair.
All of this is too coincidental IMHO.
WOW, another mandated
September 2, 2009 - 10:20 ET by jdhawkWOW, another mandated government "lesson." This time from bambi, the first stupid liberal. This from an education system run by our government that produces a plus 50% high school drop out rate. The government run K-12 school system is an utter failure.
Again, another government run program run into the ground. Yet, we want to hand the already 50% government run health care system to our government. Umbelievable.
There is no hope for most of our children in the education system as it is presently run, but there is hope that we can maintain one of the best healtcare systems in the world.
Obamacare will make you sick; it may even kill you.
Write, call, and/or e-mail your elected representatives and tell them to vote no on HR3200 or its derivative bill(s). Tell your representatives to get the hell out of the healtcare business, period.
Mark-if we segue from dear leader's K-12 agenda to NEA agenda
September 2, 2009 - 10:43 ET by Gary HallMark - if we segue from dear leader's K-12 agenda...
..to Obama's agenda for the National Endowments for the Arts, NEA.
Glenn Beck, yesterday, brought forth the charge that Obama's team is beginning a process whereas the federal governement (the Obama driven federal gov't) is seeking to actively use the NEA to propagandize his message via the arts. Example: Mao Propaganda Poster Art.
So, let's recap. In addition to broad efforts to censor the media and shape it's message (not that the MSM needs much assistance here), dear leader, via the unions, community outreach, our children and now "the arts" will be able to fulfill his agenda of the social re-engineering of our society.
Me worried?
(;~/gary
PS. My wife has a dear Chinese friend at work. After watching Beck last evening, she suddenly realized that her friend (a physician) had said back in Jan., that Mao was now in the White House - she might as well go back to China, where real change was taking place.
Stage a Sick-Out! Read the Constitution of the U.S. to kids
September 2, 2009 - 11:11 ET by xyzzypoofsParents should keep their children at home on Sept 8 (and any scheduled BO Brainwashing day) and help them read the Constitution instead.
More Logs On The Fire
September 2, 2009 - 11:13 ET by rammingspeedThe ways in which the American left has misjudged the mind-set of the American majority is at once mind-boggling and hilarious. The Democratic Party's failure will be commensurate with the number and speed that these ideas are introduced to the public.
People are on the alert. More and more of them are rejecting Obama and his crew. It is inevitable. Mature people cannot possibly go along with the crap coming from the White House and Democrat controlled (for now) congress.
My children will not be in school
September 2, 2009 - 11:14 ET by katainkentMy school district is on strike, likely it will be a court matter on the 8th. So alas, they will not get to hear the dear leader speak and receive their little red booklets.
this whole thing seems a bit ironical
Q: What is the President's thesis?
A: I have no idea, the records are sealed.
___________________________________________
We must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt. ~Thomas Jefferson
I called my congressman's
September 2, 2009 - 11:16 ET by Radical1979I called my congressman's office about this and they said there's nothing they can do about the President's speeches. I responded that the Department of Education is funded with MY money and it's completely unethical for them to be promoting the president's agenda with my money. They no longer seem to be promoting the Constitution of the Founding Father's, why should they support Obama?
Priorities
September 2, 2009 - 11:22 ET by Old SaltIf his speech stays on message about the importance of education; I don't have a problem. Too many kids don't get proper motivation from their parents, so if the president can motivate them, ok by me. It's the suggested follow-up assignments that raise my eyebrows, and the hair on the back of my neck.
I'm sure educators have much more important things to do on the first day of school than schedule a day of Obamacentric instruction. What a narcissist!
Our high school doesn't yet know whether they'll be able to accomodate the White House's request, but I'll be volunteering on the 8th, and will be there either way.
lack of priorities
September 2, 2009 - 11:38 ET by jon_torlinMotivation? From someone who's a Marxist?
I'll bet any amount of the devalued dollars that he will talk more about community service and other Bravo Sierra(crap) rather than education. And given his desire (yawk! PTOOEY!) to talk about himself from time to time to time to time to time to time......wait, that's pretty often, ain't it?
You know, there's a reason why we have departments of one kind or another, so that one person doesn't have ultimate control, which this guy seems to be aiming for Eydookaytor-in-sheef. Bad enough we now seem to have automaker in chief, wanna-be-doctor in chief, banker in chief, climate change in chief, hand sanitizer in chief, eulogizer in chief to name a few things.....and he bitches about not being able to take a vacation??
Why not just add buttwipe in chief since he's surrounded by a whole class of buttwipes anyway?
The concept of privacy (because of these letters they want kids to write to themselves) is a fast and fading thing.
-Jon
This morning, 9/2/09, a
September 2, 2009 - 13:28 ET by anonymous621This morning, 9/2/09, a woman called the Glenn Beck radio show and mentioned how she was going to be part of a PASS Day, Parent Approved School Skip Day, in her area of America, in honor of Obama and the local schools. Pretty cool.
-Eric
you people are lying propagandists and unamaerican scumbags
September 4, 2009 - 05:53 ET by chimpevilenough said
chimpevil, Wow. Gone for
September 4, 2009 - 06:03 ET by hydrodynDMchimpevil,
Wow. Gone for over two years and this is your come-back post?
It's obvious you haven't been working on your debating skills in that time.
I am NOT unamaerican!
September 4, 2009 - 07:12 ET by SickofLibsHow dare you.
Wait a second
September 4, 2009 - 07:20 ET by FeynmanFanIsn't "lying propagandists" redundant?
"I support the President but not his policies" - Blonde
Displaying rhetorical and
September 4, 2009 - 10:57 ET by Jack BauerDisplaying rhetorical and polemical skills unmatched since the debates in Independence Hall, Pa. has caused me to change my mind.
Cicero has nothing on you. Well done chimpy.