Let me start off by saying that at the onset of writing this my intent is not to write a partisan post telling you all how wonderful President Obama is.
This isn’t about HIM.
It’s about US. About us as Americans. As people. As parents.
The ridiculous nonsense that has erupted over the President’s intended speech to America’s youth has left me kerfluffled.
Kerfluffled, speechless and, quite honestly, disgusted.
When I first heard about the speech, and the intended listening boycott proposed by some members of the Right, I rolled my eyes and chalked it up to another stunt intended to gain headlines and put another chink in the armor of the Left.
And then I started thinking about it. And I found myself supremely annoyed by the entire situation. Because, REALLY? You’re going to tell me that the President is going to concoct this elaborate scheme to indoctrinate America’s youth into socialism or communism…or WHATEVER, by speaking to them about staying in school, all the while sending subliminal messages about socialized healthcare and bailouts and voting for Democrats and becoming Communists?
That’s CRAZY TALK.
Crazy talk that normal, everyday American folk are LISTENING TO!
And BELIEVING!
And OH MY GOD, MY HEAD IS GOING TO EXPLODE.
And even though I was supremely annoyed, I wasn’t going to talk about it. Because I didn’t think there was any way I was going to be able to post about it without a lot of CAPS and swear words. Clearly I’ve failed at one of my goals.
But then, the text of the speech was released. And I read it. You can read it here. And I could NOT keep my mouth shut any longer. Because it’s inspiring. It’s brilliant. It’s NOT AT ALL PARTISAN. Not even a teeny, tiny bit.
And I couldn’t keep my mouth shut any longer.
Because if you keep your kids home today so that they don’t hear what the President has to say about the value of an education and the importance of staying in school, we can’t be friends anymore.
If you want to keep your children from hearing thing like this:
Every single one of you has something you’re good at. Every single one of you has something to offer. And you have a responsibility to yourself to discover what that is. That’s the opportunity an education can provide.
Or this:
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. I do that every day. Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength. It shows you have the courage to admit when you don’t know something, and to learn something new. So find an adult you trust – a parent, grandparent or teacher; a coach or counselor – and ask them to help you stay on track to meet your goals.
And even when you’re struggling, even when you’re discouraged, and you feel like other people have given up on you – don’t ever give up on yourself. Because when you give up on yourself, you give up on your country.
The story of America isn’t about people who quit when things got tough. It’s about people who kept going, who tried harder, who loved their country too much to do anything less than their best.
then you’re not someone with which I have anything in common. It’s as simple as that.
There’s just no way around it.
It’s not about President Obama. It’s not about brainwashing your children. It’s not about turning America into a socialist state. Even though that’s what some people will have you believe. That’s another post for another day (I’m looking at YOU Gl*nn B*ck and YOU R*sh L*mbaugh).
It’s about encouraging your children to the everything they can be. It’s about INSPIRING America’s youth to BELIEVE again.
To believe in themselves. To believe in their peers. To believe in their parents and elders. To believe in US.
If that’s not something you can get on board with, I have no room for you in my life.
Related posts:
{ 83 comments… read them below or add one }
Next Comments →
I agree 100%! People are ignorant, really.
Well said and AMEN!
.-= kathygee1´s last blog ..First Day of Preschool =-.
I am SOOOOO with you. I’ve been itching for days to blog about this, but couldn’t find any words except asinine, stupid, ignorant, and paranoid delusional. You did a much better job!!
i work with some children that … honestly? would never listen to anything that i say … but coming from someone so important to them and their families, they are bound to hear.
i totally agree with you … and i’m asking my daycare provider to watch it with stella today … because she doesn’t start school until tomorrow.
what a ridiculous thing to pull your children OUT of school for … but i guarantee … i’ll see plenty of children sent out of the room at their parent’s request … ergh.
.-= jen´s last blog ..i {heart} faces … back to school challenge! =-.
You rock!! And as a public high school teacher I WILL be showing his speech live to my class. I can’t wait
.-= Shirley´s last blog ..FIRST =-.
I’m with you on this one, and hope to be listening to that speech myself (what? I’m still in school! And inspiration is NEVER to be turned down!)
Will be writing you an email soon, I promise!
.-= Z´s last blog ..laziness and larceny, oh my! =-.
EXACTLY! I have been disgusted by this reaction. I am embarrassed by the way we have become so polarized that THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES cannot address our children about being good citizens, etc. without it being such a huge deal. It is idiotic (and I don’t mean idiotic to have different beliefs from the President, but to act like 3 year olds about it).
I’m trying to just ignore the reports about it because they make me so angry.
okay. I think that some people are just more worried about the act of having their child(ren) watch something in a setting where they already don’t have much control.
Chlid(ren) are very impressionable – and easily influenced. Parents are worried about that.
Not that I agree.
But for those adults who are worried that the president is leaning towards socialism this is a Big Deal.
Not that I agree.
But I do understand and respect that as Americans, these parents absolutely have the right to keep their children home. And thank God for that, because if they couldn’t, or if they were threatened by the school in any way, then, oh geez, help us.
.-= Cathy´s last blog ..The Plan – Week 8 =-.
I sure hope these parents understand that if they TRY, they are far more likely to imprint their “impressionable” children than the school, it’s teachers, or even the President of the United States.
.-= Angi´s last blog ..The "Bathtism" =-.
well… actually – most primary grade kids will listen to their teachers over their parents. Seriously. You have no idea how many parents have asked me to ask their kids to stop doing something at home – or who have sent the gym shoes in the bag, because they just couldn’t convince them to wear their gym shoes. And you know what – I mention whatever it is the parents are struggling with – and it usually helps. And the shoes? I ask the child to put their shoes on at the start of day – and they do. No big deal. And it’s not just me.
There’s something about being in a group that causes children to sort of conform and go with what everyone else is doing. Sadly, the same thing we, as teachers, take advantage of in the early years is the exact thing that teachers and parents struggle to get their kids to understand about in middle school and high school.
Kids, in a group, are much more impressionable than one child alone. You have to trust me – I can manage 18 four year olds for almost three hours with no issues. Give me 1 or 2 four year olds – and all of a sudden they’ve got minds of their owns.
Now – shit, this is making me sound like a dictator, but I’m just telling it like it is. Groups are easier to control than individuals.
And That is what some people are worried about.
Had my child had school today and if they were showing the speech – he would have gone. He would have watched. And we would have talked about it later – so there’s my stance on that.
And for some reason today – I’m just being a little pistol and trying to get people to understand what other people are thinking.
And I’m sure I’m doing a miserable job at it. =)
.-= Cathy´s last blog ..The Plan – Week 8 =-.
Cathy! HI!
I totally get parents being wary of the President giving a speech to school children in which he talks politics.
Which is precisely why I wasn’t going to say anything originally. However, as soon as I read the text of the speech, I HAD to say something. Because it’s not about politics and regardless of who the messenger is, it’s something kids need to hear.
@AnissaMayhew said it best yesterday (on Twitter, of course): “Just read Obama’s speech to schools and I think it’s fantstic and if Oprah were giving it everyone would pull a muscle applauding”
Also? I respect every parent’s right to take their kids out of school. But I sure as heck don’t have to agree with it or like it!
On another note, how ARE you? How are the boys?
Meghan! hi!
=)
I’m good.
The boys are good.
And man, oh man, this post has gotten a lot of attention eh?
this – “Also? I respect every parent’s right to take their kids out of school. But I sure as heck don’t have to agree with it or like it!” is exactly how I feel, but for some reason today I feel like playing the devil’s advocate! =)
.-= Cathy´s last blog ..The Plan – Week 8 =-.
Cathy, I do understand what you are saying, but for parents to think they know every speech, every word, every single thing that is taught to our children in school every day is simply naive. Think about history books, speeches in history that have been given and our children learn about. We, as parents, cannot control every thing our children hear, in school or out. And besides, given the things they COULD be hearing or do hear everyday in this world? A president telling them they can be what they want and to stay in school is by far the least of my worries.
.-= pgoodness´s last blog ..The results are in! =-.
Bravo! So well said, thanks for saying it!
.-= Ronda´s last blog ..One of Those Days =-.
Well said and right on!!!
.-= knoxvillepixie´s last blog ..White Chicken Chili with Avocado Cream =-.
I find this whole kerfluffle so bewildering. The speech seems at worst innocuous, at best inspiring, and I only hope my son stops poking holes in his eraser and picking his nose long enough to listen.
.-= Daffodil Campbell´s last blog ..She’s crafty =-.
Meghan, if possible I love you even more today. I’ve been trying to ignore this clusterfuck but it’s like a train wreck. If we ever did this with Bush we’d never hear the end of the comments about how we should support the president. But all that rhetoric flies out the window when conservatives lose an election.
What little respect I had for some of these people is demolished. It’s just effing ridiculous.
I admit I was one of those people that what a bit concerned about the upcoming speech, not that I thought he would brainwash our children (that just makes me giggle) but about what he might say to my impressionable teenagers because I don’t always agree with what he says and does. I was SOOO glad that they put out the text of his speech so I could read it before they heard it. I feel 100% better. I loved the speech. I immediately told each of my children that I had no problem with them listening to it and that I hoped they really paid attention because it is really good. Oh and by the way, if I hadn’t found out ahead of time what was in the speech, I still would not have kept my children home. They would have listened and we would talked about it when they got home in case they had any questions or concerns. I still plan to talk about it with them tonight. I think I’ll quiz them, make sure they were listening!
Perfectly said, Meghan. I couldn’t have said it better myself…CAPS and all.
.-= ali (adil320)´s last blog ..Follow Friday =-.
Let me just add my AMEN (in all caps) to this. That is SO damn ridiculous, and the more I read/see stories about it, the angrier I become. Please, people get your head out of your ASSES for just one moment and stop hating on the President for whatever reason & try to support his encouraging young people. It’s a noble cause no matter his political background.
.-= Lynette´s last blog ..STILL Not Ready – The First Day of High School edition =-.
I just think that the decision should be left to the parent. All of this up-roar started when it was announced that the President was going to give a speech to school kids and there was originally no mention of releasing the speech beforehand. For people who don’t agree with him on a lot of issues this is a big deal. I think that it is a good speech and if my son was older I would let him watch it or watch it with him. I think it should be the parent’s decision. I don’t think people should take their kids out of school because of it…what kind of message does that send? If you don’t agree with what they are teaching then don’t go? No. If I truly disagreed with the speech or thought it sent a message that I strongly opposed I would ask that he be moved to another classroom during the speech. I would not deprive him of an entire day of learning just because of a 20 min speech. It would be the same as if my religious beliefs conflicted with something they were teaching.
Obviously, our political beliefs differ but I wouldn’t unfollow you because you stated your opinion. That is ridiculous.
No matter what the topic, no matter whether it is a wee bit partisan or not. Notwithstanding that I may not ALWAYS agree with any candidate, I want my kids to hear what the President of the United States has to say. It’s an opportunity to talk about what’s going on in the world, about what matters to my kids. It’s a chance to start hearing my kids’ opinions and understand where they might stand on an issue. I cannot understand parents who wouldn’t want that opportunity with their kids.
But, NOW, knowing the message is: “be responsible for yourself”, “be proud of who you are”, “don’t give up on yourself”, and most importantly, “stay in school”…I’ve DVR’ed the speech so that I am sure they don’t miss it. It’s a good message, all too often overlooked by politicians who can’t see the forest for the trees.
As a Canadian, and someone removed from the situation, I’ve watched with surprise, amazement, and eventually disgust at this whole situation. The amount of misinformation is amazing.
What I find really disturbing is the parents who are trying so hard to control their children not seeing this don’t seem to understand that as soon as they send their kids to school they lose control over every little piece of information their children take in anyways. I’m sure all of us remember the things we learned on the playground in Elementary School.
.-= PrincessJenn´s last blog ..And… =-.
SERIOUSLY!!!! I taught high school for a year, and let me tell you…teachers teach their own ideology every day. To think you can shield your child from “the other side” in public school is sorely misinformed.
I’ll let my kids watch it later – or at least the one that is old enough to know what it is about – at home.
After I saw what was in it, I was fine with it. The problem is, I’ve seen him be SO dishonest and backpedal so many times… I just don’t trust him. I didn’t know what might be in that speech or not.
When I saw what everyone was freaking out about, yes, I think it is stupid. It’s stupid to disallow your kids to watch just because you didn’t vote for him.
It’s stupid to be close-minded. It’s NOT stupid to be cautious with your kids and a politician. ANY politician. By nature they should be regarded with serious caution. I’m a Republican and I would have been just as worried about Bush – he was a spin artist, too, and totally had an agenda.
The only politician whose speech I would have let the kids listen to without preview? ….Hmm. Reagan, maybe? Possibly Clinton, because he just wasn’t so darn sneaky. Anyone since those two? Not so much.
.-= Wendy´s last blog ..I Am Officially a Rock Star =-.
Wendy,
I’d say we disagree politically but we agree on this topic. Because I’m lazy, I’m just going to cut and paste my response to Cathy’s comment above:
“I totally get parents being wary of the President giving a speech to school children in which he talks politics.
Which is precisely why I wasn’t going to say anything originally. However, as soon as I read the text of the speech, I HAD to say something. Because it’s not about politics and regardless of who the messenger is, it’s something kids need to hear.
@AnissaMayhew said it best yesterday (on Twitter, of course): “Just read Obama’s speech to schools and I think it’s fantstic and if Oprah were giving it everyone would pull a muscle applauding”
Also? I respect every parent’s right to take their kids out of school. But I sure as heck don’t have to agree with it or like it!”
A friend whose a friend of a friend of yours linked me to this, and madame, don’t you wish it were that easy?
The “fingers in my ears going na’na’na’na’nan” tactics of the political-right to me says only 2 things either; we’re still racists, or we’re big sore losers. And sadly in the case of many, a good portion of both.
Well said. Luckily I don’t have a kid that’s school age or I have a feeling I’d be a lot more vocally disgusted by this whole thing. Right now I’m just rolling my eyes at how stupid people are.
One of my friends really summed it up well in her Facebook status the other day. “[her name] thinks you people who are all upset about the president telling kids to stay in school and work hard might have lost your minds. If an alien told my child to stay in school, I’d say, ‘Thanks for the inspiring message, Bleebort.’”
.-= cindy w´s last blog ..Mississippi-bound =-.
My husband is showing the speech in class today and has several students whose parents have asked for them to be pulled out of class. I’m sure they’ll be really proud of their decision to have their children shoved into the multipurpose room so that they have the chance to text and throw things at each other. Dodged a bullet there, didn’t they.
.-= Mama Bub´s last blog ..Silly, silly me =-.
WOW…first blog I’ve read from you and it was amazing. This situation really infuriates me as well and I just don’t understand it–rather the people who are making such a big deal about it. My son is only 14 months old, but I still want him to hear the speech. The first quote you posted was great, but the second was so powerful. Ugh…i’m getting a tension headache thinking about the ignorance around it so I’m just gonna say great post. I’ll definitely have to stop back by again!
.-= Jaedyn’s Mom´s last blog ..Staying away from home =-.
I didn’t vote for Obama (or the other guy for that matter) and I am PISSED my son’s school is not allowing this speech to be shown AT ALL.
This has gotten so ridiculous I think I might explode and I’m a freaking registered Republican.
I loathe fear mongering.
From ANYONE.
Seriously, it makes me so damn mad.
This man is THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
And, guess what dudes? HE WON.
The nation VOTED.
And if your kids are so incapable of hearing a speech from a man thus elected by the nation for 15 minutes that they have to be REMOVED FROM SCHOOL?
You have way, WAY bigger things to worry about as a parent than if your kid is listening to ‘socialist indocterination’ IMO.
P.S.
While I’m bitching and moaning? The right has got to find a way to deal with it. Because for all their huffing and puffing in 2000, they aren’t handling this any better than people did with the whole “Hanging Chad Debacle”.
Seriously…I’m so steamed.
.-= pgoodness´s last blog ..The results are in! =-.
Oops, used something I wasn’t supposed to!!
What I meant was:
*****STANDING OVATION******!!!!
.-= pgoodness´s last blog ..The results are in! =-.
<>
.-= Angi´s last blog ..The "Bathtism" =-.
OOPS! Me too! ***Applauding***
.-= Angi´s last blog ..The "Bathtism" =-.
Thanks, guys.
This has reached levels of crazy where I live. CRAZY. I have just had my fill of it.
I can see that there was some original concern (frankly, not a big deal to me but for the uber conservative I thought that yeah, maybe there was a small leg to stand on) however, once it was corrected and ya know, ACKNOWLEDGED…that should have been the end of it.
The office deserves way, WAY more respect than it has been getting.
.-= Loralee´s last blog ..Closure. =-.
Way to go – great post!
I was infuriated by how childish adults are acting about this speech. I posted on my own blog several links to the speech, and also a live feed for it.
I wonder, how will the kids that get kept home or pulled from the classroom during the speech explain that to their friends?
.-= Sincerely, Jenni´s last blog ..Project 2,996 =-.
This touches a subject, that enrages me too, but maybe for a different reason. President Obama is the President of the United States. I want my kids to hear what the President has to say, whether I agree with his politics or not. This is America, and my kids should know what is going on. Now whether a Kindergartner or a the lower elementary grades really are going to understand everything – I don’t know. I certainly don’t want this to be a political speech, because that is wasted on school children, it should be motivational and about education.
But I want everyone to understand that there are millions of Americans trash talking our former President, and he deserves the same respect that our current President or any other past President deserves. YOU MUST RESPECT THE OFFICE AND THE SACRIFICE GIVEN. To curse and belittle any President of the United States just plain pisses me off. Whether you believe in what he stood for or not – no President deserves to be called a Socialist Brainwasher or a Backward A** you-know what.
Thank you that is all. Nice post by the way.
.-= Dijea´s last blog ..Goodbye, Gentle Giant =-.
Please don’t go back and read any of my previous posts pertaining to President Bush.
:0)
Just don’t do it again!!
.-= Dijea´s last blog ..Goodbye, Gentle Giant =-.
Honestly, if I ever think that President Obama is acting like a bonehead, I’m going to say it. My thought is you respect the fact that the man (or woman, ONE DAY) is President, but you don’t have to like it. And the beauty of living in America is that you can speak out about it. Even if you want to use the terms dufus, moron or imbecile. Heh.
*STANDING OVATION*
.-= nic @mybottlesup´s last blog ..magoo and a water bottle =-.
*bows*
The parents I know who were upset were not upset so much about the speech as they were the accompanying lesson plans. The original ones, that included a question about they could “help the President.” Which I guess, if you don’t agree with him, why would you want your kids taught about helping him out? And that’s not included anymore, so fine. It IS a great speech. I hope my five year old can retain some of it.
Anyway. The whole big deal is such a distraction. Give it up and stop making all Republicans look crazy, you loons.
Haven’t commented here in a long time, but I’ve been stalking. And I’ll still stalk you because are so awesome. Just thought you should know.
.-= melissaz´s last blog ..I couldn’t have said it better myself. =-.
Perfectly stated!
I hate the fact that my children’s school is archiving the speech and allowing it to be shown at the teacher’s discretion at a later date. I will be playing it for my kids when they get home. God forbid someone in a prominent position encourage them to stay in school, do their best, be the best person they can be. What Obama is doing is truly inspirational. I only wish someone in a position such as his would have encouraged myself to succeed, maybe then I wouldn’t finally be working on getting my college degree at 30. Had someone said those words to me, I would have been more driven and would have stayed on the path I had intended to take! Way to go!
.-= Anne´s last blog ..The 21 Year Old Boy Toy =-.
Don’t we want our kids to learn about things that we, as adults, may not agree in? I mean, if he were speaking about books, specific books, wouldn’t we want our kids to learn about those books, even if we personally didn’t like them.? Don’t we want our kids to have a well rounded education? I mean, I don’t want my kids to believe in the exact same things I believe in, how dull.
But he’s NOT talking about something that’s on the left or the right. He’s talking about EDUCATION people!! Get a grip.
.-= Karen´s last blog ..When I’m President =-.
I just want to say, for the record here Meghan, that I love you.
This is what I wanted to say and you rocked it. =)
.-= pgoodness´s last blog ..The results are in! =-.
Right on Meghan! I am fkabbergasted at the very IDEA that children would be brainwashed by the presidential address. I agree with you 100%. Very well written. Now I don’t have to write it myself I can just link to you, Thanks! ;p
.-= Lu ~ @masmom´s last blog ..Follow Friday =-.
Well said. The Right’s knee-jerk reaction infuriates me. This is a message that needs to be heard. And if I had children I would want them to hear it whether it came from Obama, Bush, or the homeless man on the corner of the street.
.-= Just Shireen´s last blog ..…and then they made me their king! =-.
It’s funny, but there was no mention of this speech made by my daughter’s school, can’t wait to hear if they played it.
I believe the people that are against this speech the most are the ones that FEAR their children will actually think for themselves. They just want to keep them in a bubble. Then there’s a whole other contingent of people that don’t understand education today. There are 100s of thousands of children that are never told to live their dreams, if only those people would step into a struggling school, they may change their perspective and it’s IMPORTANCE to our American children.
.-= EatPlayLove´s last blog ..Getting Back In The Saddle Again… =-.
Whew! This was a good read. I was wondering if you were going to comment on it! I 100% agree with you in regards to there not being an issue of Obama speaking to our children and after reading what he is going to be saying, I’m 100% pleased! Didn’t Bush speak to children in the schools? Wasn’t he IN A CLASSROOM when 9/11 occurred? I don’t remember the big uproar from Republicans during that (or did I miss it?). Anywho, awesome post. You rock, chica!
And can I just say something? I didn’t vote for Obama, HOWEVER, I support him as our president and think that he’s doing a damn good job.
.-= Becca´s last blog ..menu plan monday =-.
Way to preach it, sister. Said it on Twitter this morning, but I’m so very, VERY tired of the hate & fear-mongering in politics. The fact is, anger, hate & fear are easier than love, listening, thinking and open-mindedness. Guess which ones humans choose most often. I choose to work a little harder, and I hope to rise above the anger, hate and fear. I hope my daughter does too.
I think the speech is brilliant and amazing and something every child should hear. I’m saving it for J, even though she’s not in school yet.
Can we do better than hate and fear? YES WE CAN!! Come on, America. Let’s get with it.
.-= PsychMamma´s last blog ..Embracing Holland =-.
Couple more things:
If it was Michael Jordan or Tiger Woods, we wouldn’t be worried that they were trying to brainwash our kids into participating in sports or being a Bulls fan. We would be thrilled that a role model was inspiring and motivating our kids. Why do we not feel the same about our President??
And, why was there no outrage like this when Reagan & Bush talked to school kids and televised it? They actually DID talk some politics!
“In 1988, Reagan spoke to students nationwide via C-SPAN. Among other things, he talked about his positions on political issues of the day. Bush [Sr] addressed kids in speech broadcast live to classrooms nationwide… He promoted his own administration’s ed policies.”
(read entire article on partisan political ugliness at http://themoderatevoice.com/45316/quote-of-the-day-where-is-americas-partisan-political-ugliness-heading/)
I think pgGoodness makes an excellent point that we don’t know what teachers and schools are telling our kids EVERY DAY. Our responsibility? To TALK to our kids about what they heard/learned and about what they think.
I think parents who pulled their kids out of school today taught a scary lesson: We don’t listen to people we don’t agree with.
When listening stops, fear & hate begin.
.-= PsychMamma´s last blog ..Embracing Holland =-.
Oh yeah duh, you are freaking AWESOME.
.-= Miss´s last blog ..I fucking love you, bitch =-.
So my best friend was married yesterday and as “wedding planner” (HA!!) my head has been in matrimonal sand for the past 2 weeks. I had no clue (yeah great huh) that this speech was even taking place. My son austin is in the 3rd grade and i’m not even sure if they will show the speech at his school or in his grade. I will be asking him today, b/c if he did not get to hear the speech then he will definatly get to do it online as soon as he gets home. At 8 years old, he watched rapt as all the debates happened leading up to the election. He sat on the couch (way past bedtime…
) and cried tears of hope and joy when Obama spoke at the end of the election results. He has sent 2 letters to the president in support. These are all things that he decided on his own, we never talked politics at home around him, he made up his own mind on the issues at home by himself watching debates and such at school and at home. I’m so proud of him and know that he will be thrilled to see the speech. I’m sure that if he did get to see it that it will be the first thing that he says to me when i pick him up from school.
It was a great message for ALL students, no matter left or right…i totally agree with you, all we are teaching our kids by jearking these kids out of class is disrespect and how to NOT stand up for your own opinions. It’s crazy crazy crazy……
Meghan,
I applaud you for a very well written blog, I wish more people had 1/2 the brain that you do. I live in rural Southwest Missouri also know as ‘the land of the Republicans’ closed minded one as that. They are so stubborn and bull headed around here and politics are never ‘put aside’. There are also a lot of ‘gun toting’ hillbillies around here and evidently I cannot say what I wanted to say without writing a book so I’ll sum it up in a few short sentences
1. I f people would change the channel off of *coughs* FOX NEWS they might get a better idea as to what is going on.
2. Glenn Beck and Rush Dimwadd make my blood boil just thinking about them!!!! Along with oh that stupid long haired blond broad. Ah ANN COULTER Please do a post soon!
3. If these people fought for something good as much as they fight against something the world might be a better place.
4. AND SERIOUSLY WHAT FOURTH GRADER WOULD GIVE A RIP ABOUT HEATH CARE IF HE WAS TO EVEN TALK ABOUT IT! SERIOUSLY PEOPLE GET REAL THEY ARE HORMONAL 10 YEAR OLDS. DO THEY CARE ABOUT ANYTHING BUT RECESS AND JONAS BROTHERS?
I could not agree with you more. I don’t have time right now to read the comments of all the other like-minded people that I think have commented above, but I’ll be back to do so because I think I’ll feel buoyed by them. I’ll also be interested to see if anyone disagreed with you. Publicly.
.-= Maura ~ @MoBurns67´s last blog ..I’ll Have What He’s Having =-.
Where can I find the transcript of the speech??
.-= punk rock mom´s last blog ..The Phi’s Favorite Part of the LA County Fair =-.
Here’s the link:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/MediaResources/PreparedSchoolRemarks/
.-= PsychMamma´s last blog ..Embracing Holland =-.
I had to go read the speech before I could come comment… because I’ve been hearing rumours about this speech for awhile and wanted to see for myself that they weren’t true. If they had been (true) I would have completely disagreed with you… wouldn’t have deleted you from my list lol, but I would have disagreed. But they’re not true. Its rediculous… but I’m not all that surprised either. Esp after seeing a billboard (a business one no less) here in town bashing him a few weeks ago. That shocked me… He’s our president, and while yes we have the right to bash him all we want (like it or not we do lol), seeing it out there like that is a whole different subject. I’ve never seen anything like that before.
.-= Mama Kalila´s last blog ..You’ve Got To Be Kidding Me… =-.
Love the post! Couldn’t agree with you more! Even Newt Gingrich said it was a fantastic speech this morning on the Today Show.
But I think PsychMamma said something very powerful (and sounded a little bit like Yoda in the end), “I think parents who pulled their kids out of school today taught a scary lesson: We don’t listen to people we don’t agree with.
When listening stops, fear & hate begin. ”
I think that is exactly what the children who were pulled out of class will take from this, stop listening when you don’t agree. And that is a sad and scary thing. Especially because those children are the future.
But I don’t want to end on a Debbie Downer note, so I’ll say this, I love all your posts! You are brilliant!
Meghan,
I try to stay out of politics, but seriously? I could not agree more with you on this one. My kid’s school is not going to show the speech, but I will show it to them at home and talk about the message. Even my Republican husband thinks the hulabaloo is ridiculous. RIDICULOUS!! And he agrees our children should hear the speech.
I think every parent has the right to choose whether or not their children will hear the speech, but REALLY??? The boycott is just silly. Embarrassing really.
p.s. I love it when you get political and ALL CAPPY.
.-= Kirsten´s last blog ..0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 =-.
Adore this and adore you. Agree 100 percent. My girls both watched it at school today.
However, I’ve had my share of insults thrown at me today for this. So, I’m now done talking about it.
.-= Issa´s last blog ..How about a little Tuesday random? =-.
High five, right on, no further comment necessary
.-= LiteralDan´s last blog ..Not to belabor a theme, but… =-.
I thought you weren’t going to use any bad words! I found a few: Gl*nn B*ck and R*sh L*mbaugh. I hope my kids aren’t reading this!
Thanks for letting it all out. We need more of that.
.-= Casey´s last blog ..Mousey mousse =-.
I fucking CRIED when I read the speech yesterday. Oh, Lordy, how inspiring. Wouldn’t any parent want their child to hear such a speech? I mean, SERIOUSLY, PEOPLE.
.-= Andrea’s Sweet Life´s last blog ..My New Home =-.
Next Comments →