Arlington's 63,500 students won't be watching President Barack Obama's live talk to students Tuesday, but they might catch it later.
The district released this statement this afternoon: “President Obama will address school children on Tuesday September 8. That day will be a regularly scheduled instruction day in the Arlington ISD. The district will make the speech available in the future as an instructional resource as deemed appropriate to the district’s curriculum. Students and parents will also be able to access the speech through a link on the district’s Website. "
Eagle Mountain-Saginaw posted a similar statement this morning. They added, however, that parents who didn't want their child watching the address at a later date could "opt out" of any classroom lessons where instructors planned to use it.
That statement said: "The parent simply needs to inform their student’s campus in writing of their decision, and the teacher and campus administration will respect their decision. The student will not be penalized for not viewing the speech, instead a different learning opportunity will be provided. As a district, we are neither prohibiting the speech nor promoting the speech and are sensitive to the political perception surrounding this event."
How dare you politicize a speech to students by President Obama? I remember Reagan's speech (over the same schoolTV network) about "Don't Use Drugs," during which speech he veered from the topic to talk about his trickle down economics (i.e. let them eat crumbs) and to talk about lower taxes. I also remember Bush speaking before the kids using the same schoolTV network. So, I guess what I am to learn from you is: "Don't do as I do, just do as I say." What hubris!
Some of you indicated that it was because Obama included a lesson plan which reinforced his speech about staying in school. The kids were to write a letter to themselves about how they can help the President and America. I used to teach. I know exactly what they would write: "Dear Self, Please stay in school and study hard."
You are a hypocrite. And you are one of the AMERICAN TALIBAN, a deranged group of people in America who hold the same values as the taliban our kids are fighting in Afghanistan: theocracy, fundamentalism, censorship, xenophobia, misogyny, and hatefulness.
I am livid, but even though it will take all of my will and I may pray between clenched teeth, I will include you in my prayers tonight.
Posted by: DAKOTA100 | September 08, 2009 at 02:47 PM