How do you decisively win a discussion regarding Dear Leader and his intentions? Ask a tough question…
Take this discussion that began on Facebook in response to a poll question: “Should President Obama be allowed to do a nationwide address to school children without parental consent?”
There were nine comments and they are below in their entirety:
Richard
Why in the world not? The man’s the President for crying out loud. There was a time when having the President speak directly to children was considered an honor the children should enjoy.For perspective, I disliked President Bush from minute one of his first term, but would have had no problem with him addressing our nation’s children. To feel otherwise would have been disrespectful to the office of the President.
Judi
Interesting how they phrased the poll “without parental permission”. Doesn’t everything have a parental permission form attached these days? Did every other President since the advent of satellite who spoke during the school year have a poll and a permission slip? Probably.Carolyn
I strongly agree with you, Richard. And, this is the first I’ve ever heard about “parental consent” in relation to children listening to a presidential speech. Very odd! So, President Obama is PG? Or PG=13?David
Normally, I wouldn’t have an issue either. However, there is calculated intent with everything this administration does. It is part of their “marketing” plan, yet they will never come out and admit it. There will be politics (cap and trade, health care) thrown into the speech…I gaurantee it.I won’t go so far as to say indoctrination like some folks have… but there is a point to it. The point, in simple terms, is to have the children jump on the Obama bandwagon and pull their parents along with them. This took place during the election.
My kid’s schools have stated in an email yesterday that they will NOT take part of the broadcast. They believe it is better for the parents and their children to watch it together if they so choose…
The school will, however, share and teach the philosophy of hard work and personal responsibility. Which are conservative values, oddly enough.
Richard
@David: Kind of like when Reagan talked about his tax cuts when he spoke with America’s schoolchildren?David
Right… kids shouldn’t be dragged into politics and used as a tool.Scott
Yeah. The kids should not listen to the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. They should stay home instead and get daddy a beer and maybe someday, after they drop out of school like Daddy and Grandpa did, they can have a career in the gravel pit too.
Notice how Scott jumped right into absurdity? The argument he uses is this: If you don’t listen to the POTUS, you will quit school and go on to have a job unworthy of respect. As if the POTUS is the deciding factor… ‘Golly gee, Mary, I want to quit school, but my President said I should stay. Boy, I don’t know what I would do without my government.’
Ummm… so is the POTUS the new mother and father of a modern era family unit? Give me a friggin’ break…
Jen
Ha, look at the discussion I didn’t know I would start. My issue isn’t with the presentation – its the question itself. I don’t need to give my consent – and I think it should still be an honor to have the president speak to my kids. I’ve had the privilege of visiting the White House and it’s a memory I hold very dear. I don’t think its a matter of consent. I think, along with many of the topics the schools bring up – I’d like to be aware of the discussion so I can help teach my kids and share my view. “Consent” is definitely the wrong question, but I voted NO because I’m really tired of the schools taking upon themselves to decide what I should and shouldn’t be apart of. As Dave mentioned, my son’s school has chosen not to participate in the classroom – I’m glad I can share at home. I think as a parent it’s my responsibility to be aware of what my kids are being told and taught. AND My kids do like to play in the dirt.. if they turn it into a career, cool by me.
David
Scott…you’re missing the point.If the POTUS wants to give a speech, then fine. We watch them all the time in our house – speeches, pressers. We also ask and answer a lot of questions. I want my kids to understand their leaders and representatives and how they operate. These “leaders” should also act like leaders. Instead, they act like children.
I have an issue with injecting politics into it. They all do it, Repubs and Dems. That is wrong. The current administration injects politics into everything, for a specific purpose and message. A Sarah Palin speech will do the same thing.
My role, as a parent, is not to shelter views or teach one message (as it is prominent practice in schools). It is to encourage independent thought and problem solving.
Hard work and earning the resulting reward are conservative values. Ultimately, I believe the message Obama will give a false one. Barack Obama and his administration do not believe in the freedoms of the individual. They believe in the State, and that individuals should be beholden to the State. They believe that resulting reward should be “spread around a little.”
How can Obama honestly encourage values he does not agree with?
That’s it. No answer.
The problem with values and beliefs that rely on a degree of deceit and falsity is, at some point, the argument breaks down and fails. It can no longer be supported by distractions and ridicule.
A tough and pointed question is a wrecking ball.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I don’t agree that the argument broke down. Scott, for one, was gone for awhile over the weekend and your tough and pointed question was a pretty thinly veiled statement that our President is a socialist and dishonest. That’s not a tough or pointed question, it’s the point where I, for one, decide that there’s no point in arguing. You are absolutely correct that you have every right as a parent to “indoctrinate” your children with your values. Some of us actually share your values and happen to see them clearly evident in the character of Barack Obama. That’s where our frustration sits.
Thanks for the comment… I guess the most aggravating thing for me is when the subject gets changed or the argument gets turned in an effort to avoid the question. I’m not saying it’s intentional, at least not always. But, since last summer, I’ve noticed a pretty consistent pattern. The question never gets answered and then the debate turns into a personal attack. I’m surprised at what some people have called me or accused me of because I’m looking for answers or explanations.
The reference to breaking down is more about a value system and structure rather than a single argument. I believe that government control relies on misinformation to varying degrees. This misinformation isn’t isolated to the left or right…
I still question weather or not Obama truly believes what he will share with the kids, in the big picture of an economic structure. I would ask the same question if W wanted to come on air to encourage children to, I dunno, read a book!
I agree that too many discussions turn into personal attacks. Last week or the week before, someone I didn’t know (not that it matters) called me a dumb retard and accused me of wanting to debate the question. I just walked away, which made me feel two things at the same time: justified in taking the high road and a wimp. Never did decide which one was the real me.
BTW, my first reaction to almost everything is snark, so I try everyday to look past the sarcasm and bitchy tones of most discourse to see if I can find people with IQ points available for debate. Thanks for being one of the more reasonable conservatives available (except when you’re after my guy).