I find it so interesting that some people are up in arms over the idea of the President addressing school children. They act as if he's aiming for something akin to the indoctrination of Hitler Youth. People seem to have selective memories, short-attention spans, ignorance of history and/or a double standard. Reagan addressed students about tax cuts back in 1988.

The fact that you have to go back to Reagan '88, shows how exceedingly rare this is. The fact that Reagan used it for propaganda pretty much sums up why people are upset. I really don't understand your confusion.

Keep the federal govt. out of schools during school time! The teachers original agenda form about how to support the president spoke volumes until the White House changed it.Parents did'nt have any transcripts to view about his HR. long speech,also.No politics in school!

reagan was a freedom loving president that loved america. obama is an american hating marxist who will not be allowed any influence over my children

Yes, Reagan talked to children, but let's refrain from false moral equivalence.

Reagan was a good man; the Bamtard is a despicable scoundrel.

Not equivalent. Not at all.

Don't forget the Obama message comes along with a sentimental, agenda ladened video performed by scores of liberal hollywood elites. This is why Utah parents were up in arms.

I'm a 2nd grade teacher and it's hard enough to squeeze in everything we need to teach in ONE day...now the president wants to take that precious time away from the students AND teachers for what?.....for stuff parents, teachers, ministers, etc. are ALREADY telling the kids???? - Like "stay in school" "do your best"....etc. This is an outrage and as a teacher AND a parent, I WILL NOT be airing this in my class!!!!! Our day will be better spent learning how to read and write!

"Keep the federal govt. out of schools during school time!"

Yeah, and tell the Federal Government to stay out of Medicare, too!

I can't believe Americans are this stupid.

As a Howard County public school teacher, I prefer to use my classroom time for teaching. As a parent of three children in public schools, I want their teachers to teach also.

I would have objected to Bush wasting instructional time, and I object just as strongly to the idea of Obama wasting our instructional time. I know "it's only 20 minutes", but when you add the transitional time and the follow up discussions, it's far too big a sacrifice. If Obama has something to say, he can put it on the Internet, and if parents want their kids to hear it, they know how to find his words.

Aw, they're just jealous because this President can read and understand all the words in "My Pet Goat".

What a crock. I was completely bored as a school child by a speech by Jimmy Carter. Bush was reading to school children during 9-11. Children have generations studied presidential speeches and even memorized a few (Gettysburg Address, anyone?). After surviving terrorism, Katrina, and an economic collapse, it takes a real fool to be afraid of a speech telling kids to get an education. If they listen, we might have fewer fools.

Joy! the blog has been taken over by fruit-loops who have never posted here and will never post again, but have no problem chiming in on this absolutely stupid "debate" if you want to call it that. Tons of energy to spew right-wing paranoia, no time or energy to pitch in at school, help a kid with homework or go to a teacher conference. I'm beyond disgusted, but maybe the current policy of no posts over the weekend will kill this stupidity.

No thanks, Mr. President. My kids get enough marxism at school now. Stay away from my kids.

It's our elected President promoting EDUCATION!!!!! It's a historic event!!!!
To keep your child from watching is
insane!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The accusation of Obama being a Socialist is getting tired and reeks of ignorance.

Your kids are in public schools funded by taxpayers dollars.
You drive to them on roads paved by the government.
Your kids eat food regulated by the FDA.
THey also drink water and breathe air regulated by the EPA.
THe military that protects your freedoms is funded by the government
Same as your police,& your firemen...
The FCC makes sure no one cusses or flashes when your kids are watching TV
The DEA works to eliminate drugs in your neighborhood.
And what about that social security check grandpa receives?

ANd this is to say nothing of the last administration that extended federal powers with the Patriot Act, No Child Left Behind, as well as creating a new depart: Homeland Security.

How much do you think you are fooling yourself when you say "government, stay out of our lives" when so much of what you do, consume, and how you live has been affected by it for so, so long.

Apparently a message that will probably be "study hard, stay in school" will translate to socialism.

Google Bill O'REilly's Sunday article in Parade Magazine praising Barack Obama as a role model for America's youth.

If youve raised your children with a certain set of values and morals in your home, I highly doubt a 15 minute speech from the PResident will undo all that.. if they are paying attention to it at all.

And if all this fails to make sense, enroll your child in a private school if it's such a problem.

I find it interesting that some people trust that Obama is reasonable. If they would open their minds and research the people he surrounds himself with then they would understand why parents do not want their children being exposed to the Obama propaganda. Just watch this video of his close advisor and you can see racism come through.

http://www.breitbart.tv/van-jones-only-suburbal-white-kids-shoot-up-schools/

Anyone who doesn't support the president encouraging our nation's kids to stay in school and work hard is un-American, plain and simple. Anyone who thinks that this is some kind of propaganda to indoctrinate the nations youth into Obama supporting zombies needs to take off the tin-foil hat and turn off the TV when Glenn Beck comes on, you're getting worked up over something you should be happy about!

where was gwb on 9/11?

anna, how dare you use logic and not blind judgement in this discussion!

It's not the message or the address that I have a problem with. It's the guided discussion pre- and post-speech where I have an issue. I don't want the teachers politics influencing my children one way or the other. I think this is a speech that should be done in the evening when I can sit down and watch with my children.

Apparently a 15 minute speech by the President is indoctrination and hour after hour and day after day sitting on the couch listening to Hannity and Beck is opened minded critical thinking! This Country is lost.

PUBLIC education - government. Why don't you just stop your bigotry and ignorance. Before school, teachers have a pep talk by someone; why can't kids get the ultimate pep talk from the president. Stop being so petty and stupid.
How much homework time is spent watching FOX. Get a grip.

I don't understand sometime where we are coming from as a nation? We are so permissive in certain things and so restrictive in others.

I would like to know what the speech will hold, and if it is nothing other than "Welcome kids to a new school....." For some reason you guys are paranoid that Pres. Obama will be off the charts with his verbiage. What do you base that on?

Children need to know it is a new school year and a new page is being written in the next chapter of their life. He will say make the most of it, help each other and be good to each other. President Obama will do the right thing, trust me. It is the parents I worry about.

The school room and the start of a new year is the PERFECT time for President Obama to say "Hi". Have a good weekend people, get some rest it sounds like a few need it.

I am so sick of this ignorant ranting from the Republicans, Religious Right, and greedy special interest groups.

Go ahead and destroy our country. Go ahead have a revolution. Keep focusing on this garbage and America will be a history lesson instead of a country.

Normally I wouldn't see anything wrong with our President speaking to our school age children. Especially since I think he wants to encourage them to stay in school and get a good education. But since he's made so many controversial decisions lately I'd really want to know what he's going to say before he talks to my kids.

I find it insulting to students to assume that they are going to be 'brainwashed' or the victims of propaganda. He's the president and each student can evaluate what he has to say with their very own brain.

There is essentially nothing wrong with a president talking directly to school children about the merits of education, staying in school, working hard, and doing their best.

However, I think a lot of citizens (parents or not) take exception to the lesson plan that was distributed by the Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. Duncan, in the initial advisory to principals, suggested that teachers should ask the kids "what can I do to help the president?"

Well, that IS inappropriate for any president! The Dept of Ed. changed the "lesson plans" and deleted that question and re-worded a couple of others.

Too many Americans focus immediately on the right-wing objections, and pay no attention to the REAL problem, which is the lesson plan from the Department of Education.

Not only that, Arne Duncan as the CEO of the Chicago Public Schools pushed for military-style academies in the public school system. Why would I want a guy like that designing "lesson plans" for my kids?

If this healthcare debate and 8 months of Obama as president have taught me anything thing, it's that America is an ignorant and racist nation.

President Bush spent $135 million dollars to promote abstinence only education:
http://www.rnclife.org/faxnotes/2002/feb02/02-02-07.shtml

This would be:
1) A president
2) Spending tax-payer's money
3) To directly promote his own ideological beliefs
4) To children

oh.... and all research shows that the program doesn't work at all:
http://oversight.house.gov/features/politics_and_science/example_abstinence.htm

why not?
kids might care. it could be inspirational. what bad can it do? kids got nothing to lose. why are people upset?

If this healthcare debate and 8 months of Obama as president have taught me anything thing, it's that America is an ignorant and racist nation.

While I have no problem with a President addressing schoolchildren in theory, I do not trust this president to deliver a proper message. He and his administration try every trick possible to indoctrinate, intimidate, and bully those that disagree with them. I am sure the plan was to encourage the kids to go home and promote his health care plan the day before addressing Congress.

The Obama-haters here aren't stupid- they're racist and too afraid to admit it. He is our President, elected by an overwhelming majority, giving an important message to our kids that their parents aren't giving to them- study hard, accept responsibility for their actions (that's one Americans are forgetting), and do something good with your life. WOW!!! And that's more dangerous than all the hatred-spewing talk going on among the racist right-wing? I don't think so!

The Obama-haters here aren't stupid- they're racist and too afraid to admit it. He is our President, elected by an overwhelming majority, giving an important message to our kids that their parents aren't giving to them- study hard, accept responsibility for their actions (that's one Americans are forgetting), and do something good with your life. WOW!!! And that's more dangerous than all the hatred-spewing talk going on among the racist right-wing? I don't think so!

I am surprised by the ignorance coming from the teachers on this board. I don't think one speech is going to disrupt your entire semester. I would let Obama address my kid (on EDUCATION people) anyday. You "teachers" on the other hand could only teach them how to be closed minded and partisan. You are the type of people that need to stay out of the classrooms.

We wonder why the US education system is sub-standard and on the decline everyday. The parents are wastingg their energy on trivial issues such as this one. Off course, the children should be taught to respect the will of the people in respecting a President. The parents would do better to focus their energies on ensuring that their children do homework. And most of all, just sit down and read this: Learn to live together as husband and wife because in a divorce it is the children who suffer. Luckily for Obama, that was not the case.

ANNA - WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK FUNDS THE GOV."THE PEOPLE DO" THAT GIVES THEM THE RIGHT TO TELL THEM WHAT TO DO. WHAT WE ARE SAYING IS STAY AWAY FROM OUR CHILDREN AND DON'T TELL ME WHAT REAGAN DID. oBAMA IS ONLY INTERESTED IN WHAT IS GOOD FOR HIM AND HIS THUGS.
HE IS A SOCIALIST AND A COMMUNIST.HE IS TRYING TO DESTROY OUR NATION!!!!

Here's a quote from Newt Gingrich on the occasion of George H.W. Bush's address to "millions of schoolchildren nationwide," broadcast by CNN, NBC, Mutual Broadcast System, and NBC radio in 1991:
"Why is it political for the president of the United States to discuss education?" asked Newt Gingrich, who was then the House Republican whip. "It was done at a nonpolitical site [a middle school] and was beamed to a nonpolitical audience. . . . They wanted to reach the maximum audience with the maximum effect to improve education."

Lord knows, judging by some of the comments, many American families need a good dose of reality. I do think Pres. Obama is a realist.

But when the president "addresses" a school, it's not education -- it's a media event. Schools don't need those.

Kids need to learn to read, write, do math, know basic facts about US and world history and learn the methods of scientific inquiry.

Kids, and their parents, should be encouraged (not by school authorities) to listen to what this president has to say. But not during class time.

We once again have a president who is actually articulate and politicists want to stop him from speaking! Hopefully he will have something more intelligible to say on the subject of education than his predecessor, "Rarely is the questioned asked: Is our children learning?" Hopefully, also, students who listen to him will be inspired to work just a little bit harder and be just a little bit better.

I really lose my hope for an adaptive mindset in many Americans when I read these posts. Does every single word, issue, and debate have to be the end of the world?

Please stop micro-managing government. We are granted numerous and tightly spaced intervals in which to judge, evaluate, and cast our support or lack thereof for leadership. Running a government for cities, towns, states, countries etc... is a very slow moving process, and it takes a lot of people looking at the bigger picture. Please give some latitude to our leaders, and let's judge there success or failure at election time.

Also, for the teachers who are overly concerend with time constraints; please advise your union leaders of your support for year round schooling. I assume you are in support of that issue given your comments.

Thank you for listening.

I have no problem with a president visiting a school to encourage our children. When a president pushes his socialistic agenda directly into ALL the schools the line is crossed and it become propaganda. The biggest issue is that Obama requested teachers to ask children to make pledges of support to president Obama. I think this qualifies as propaganda that could lead to a "Brave New World" of government control.
Mr. President; please keep your social propaganda out of our schools!

Some of you people frighten me. I'm a high school teacher who has seen first-hand the positive impact his presidency has had on the motivation and mindset of our students -- in 15 minutes he will not say anything inflammatory or outrageous, but he will treat these children with respect and transparency. As for calling him a "Bamtard" and developing syntactically weak aphorisms comparing him to Reagan or Marxists...you've got to be kidding. God forbid you actually have real children to whom you might spread such vitriol and ignorance.

Our children deserve to know what our nation's leader -- who we elected by an overwhelming majority -- is planning, whether the outcome is successful or not. This is a civic lesson and a more memorable teaching moment than most of the objective-driven, curriculum-scripted lessons students sit through for 8 hours a day.

Give the man his 15 minutes and the benefit of the doubt. He wants to do good -- not just do well, but do GOOD for this country.

you people are overreacting and are borderline looney.

I don't recall people fearing the indoctrination or the brain washing of my daughter when presidents spoke to the children of this country in '88 and '91. I'm thrilled for my grandson that he, too, will have the opportunity to hear the President of the United States speak and then discuss what he's heard with classmates. Personally, I think asking children to write their goals is a wonderful idea. I don't understand why this is even an issue.

When the day comes that a president of the United States is NOT allowed to speak to children, what kind of country will that be? The fact that there is a DEBATE is scary enough. At least there are many voices of reason in the above commentaries.

This is so offensive. How can people make this into an argument? Of course the President of the United States can visit a school! What kind of people are you?

What kind of idiots think it was "OK" for Bush to visit school and read "the Pet Goat?" What if GOD FORBID he had addressed the class? Or read aloud from the book?

GOOD LORD, you are so insincere and so offensive to make an "issue" out of this!

They don't have the sense they were born with. How do people GET this insane and this offensive? What makes them like this?

This newspaper is being irresponsible for fostering this as a "controversy" at all. Why don't just you learn to ignore the nutjobs once in a while?

Anna, for whatever reason, you seem to have a problem understanding that conservatives support _limited_ government, not _zero_ government. You, on the other hand, support ALL government.

But let me answer your points:

"Your kids are in public schools funded by taxpayers dollars."
And look how well they're being run...

"You drive to them on roads paved by the government."
Umm...no one in the country has ever argued against roads.

"Your kids eat food regulated by the FDA."
My kids would still be able to eat food even without the FDA.

"They also drink water and breathe air regulated by the EPA."
They would still be able to drink water and breathe air even without the EPA.

"The military that protects your freedoms is funded by the government"
Read the Constitution. This is one of the primary purposes of government.

"Same as your police & your firemen..."
...which deals with LOCAL (not federal) government.

"The FCC makes sure no one cusses or flashes when your kids are watching TV"
If liberal Hollywood didn't control what's shown on TV, we wouldn't need the FCC for this.

"The DEA works to eliminate drugs in your neighborhood."
And look how well it's being run...

"And what about that social security check grandpa receives?"
And look how well SS has been run...

Next?

It amazes me that not only schools, but media are giving these unpatriotic, hypocritical, anti-Christian nut cases two minutes of their time. These wing-nuts would like to profess their "love" for America and God, when all they do is spew hate and paranioa. Where was all this fuss when other Presidents spoke to school children? (and they DID, I've been a teacher for nearly 30 years, AND THEY DID! Oh, that's right, the other Presidents were a different color.

Rod-

Calm down.

IT's a 15 minute speech. Other presidents have given them to our nation's students before. We'll be ok.

I stand by what I said though, these are government run institutions-- yes, funded by taxpayers dollars, which of course, with our votes, we naturally exercise our right over-- but to think that Obama is suddenly the one behind all these governmental programs that will control you, indoctrinate you, etc.. it's lunacy.

Thanks, Rod.

Actually, Reagan, Bush I, and Clinton gave speeches to school children. Bush II tried to 'read' to children once - on 9/11/2001. Regarding the utter and embarrassing ignorance of these so-called 'birthers', 'deathers', and real Americans, anyone who calls Obama (or his policies) Socialist or Fascist, understand neither of those terms (or the underlying political principles they embody). Fascism and Socialism are on the extreme opposite ends of the political spectrum. If anything, Bush II administration was much closer to Fascism. Obama is merely a weak and disappointing Liberal Centrist; a mere reformist without the reform.Instead of pretentiously 'reaching across the aisle' to a cult-sized minority of ugly cynics, hypocrites, and glazed-over zealots, he should've stream rolled over these conservative boobs in January, and then kicked them all to the margins of society, which is exactly where they belong. Obama has just about lost the moment, the opportunity, and the chance to be on the right side of history. If he again caves to the reactionaries (which is likely), he will go down in history only as the first president to be a lame duck in the first year of a presidency.

Barak Obama has been an inspiration for children who come from disadvantaged circumstances. He personifies our very American belief that anyone who is talented, tries, studies and makes the most of his talents can become President. Surely this is a message that all people can be proud of and hope their children take to heart. It is especially important now that large numbers of kids do not finish school and our country is falling far behind other industrialized nations in the number of educated professionals. He has a lot to say to them and many want to hear.

Please stay away from my kids. Very creepy. Reminds 1933 Hitler propaganda to the youth

Seriously, I was a teacher. Your time is wasted all the time with pointless assemblies, announcements, etc. This is nothing new. I don't understand why people think this is any different from a pep rally, except that it's a speech given by an accomplished, intelligent world leader.

I can't understand the fuss. Do people really think they have a clue to half of what is said/shown to their children each day at school? I'm very involved, my spouse works at my kid's school, and I still have little idea of what happen during 90% of the day. Feel glad that they are releasing the speech ahead of time.

Pledging to support the President in making this country better, is bad? It makes me sick how people twist words to support their ignorant theories. Obama won the presidential election so we all, Republicans and Democrats alike, should support him at least for the next 3.5 years.

GOP THinker--

I acknowledge your points, but was waiting also for your acknowledgment of my statement of how the government EXPANDED under the last administration as well.

your thoughts?

"The fact that you have to go back to Reagan '88, shows how exceedingly rare this is"
----------------
That's even incorrect. Where did you hear this from? TIM PHILLIPS?

You only have to "go back" to September 11, 2001 for possibly the most famous school visitations by a President of the United States.

What kind of people are you that make this into a controversy? This absolutely insane and even inflammatory make this into a controversy.

It's scary. It conjures up visions of 1984's Big Brother coming on screen whenever and anywhere he wants to. Politicians need to stay away from using mass media to pump speeches into elementary schools. Sounds like something Kim Jong Il would do. His message may be good, he may be a good guy, but this is simply not a good thing to do. NOT in this country. What is his team thinking?

For the love of Pete, what won't outrage these people? The only indocrination they should be concerned with is their own into the walking thoughtless. I can't believe American political discourse has sunk to the shrill hatred espoused by the "anger class", but the highly professional fear-mongering of the last eight years has left us with a terrified and ill-informed populace whose knee-jerk reaction to any notion of progress is ugly, racially-charged hate. Let's go over this slowly: The president wishes to encourage kids to work hard and stay in school. If this message was delivered by anyone but a duly elected black president, it wouldn't rate a page 5 mention. I would charge "Shame!" on the angerocracy, but I now believe it beyond their capacity. What have we become as a nation?

I can't understand why so many are willing to fight any attempts to inspire students and others to be the best they can be. The President is doing what he should as leader of this country - to reach out to our children. The attacks from the Right/Republicans has become the most harmful to our nation. If this is their religon, than free me from it. It is not Christian!

I hope they show this in colleges too!!
we were talking about this all day today, we need more TV sets.

Finally, a president that cares about education, instead of putting us last in favor of the older generation.

thanx Obama, it's time to wake up American children!! Yippie! We'll bet England and Japan soon in test scores.

Why is the opposition so against the President Of The United States speaking to our kids? It's never been an issue before. It sickens me where this crap is headed. This could ultimately devide the US just like Ireland is simply because of people's stupidity.... I'm just sayin'!!!!!

This is our President!!! An incredibly well educated, self made person!!! Why would we not use his life experience as an example of what you can achieve with the proper education? If someone can exemplify the value of a solid education it's Obama! We all know Bush was a solid C student, allowed to flounder at Yale because of who his daddy was, same as McCain. Clinton was a Rhodes scholar...why is it that the best prepared, well educated latest presidents have been Democrats?

Deficits go down, there has been prosperity and when the Republicans are in power all the money disappears into Haliburton and wars are started!

Let's hear it from the SMART president. I can't wait and if my kids school won't allow it, that's why I have a TiVo set.

I see nothing wrong with a message to enlist children to study. Do you people have any idea how well educated other kids in the world are? India, China? Those kids WILL compete with ours, make no mistake about it...there are more of them. It's simple math to realize that there are more of their BEST than we have REGULAR students.

There are some frighteningly stupid people on this board. Kellee Crissafull's comments are a great illustration of the sheer ignorance floating around. There was never a "pledge of support" to the President. The original language asked how kids could support the President's goals for education. Those goals include improving teacher quality, closing the achievement gap, and promoting innovative ideas such as charter schools. If you disagree with those goals, fine, but don't make an uninformed statement about a "requiring students to pledge support to the President". That's just stupid and reminds me of the death panel controversy. Don't believe everything you hear and take some initiative to find out the truth before spewing ignorance on a message board. And "socialistic" is not a word. Wow....

I cannot believe the hypocrisy & ignorance on display in this country since the republicans lost their crooked hold on the government. I also cannot imagine that any of these stupid protests would be in existence if the brain-dead, tongue-tied, puppet of industry was still in office. This is so disgusting!

The U.S. President promote education and parents telling the kids can’t take time to listen to the president talk because it will interrupt the learning? Texas Legislature that would allow licensed concealed gun carriers to take their weapons to school……Something is wrong here…… no wonder U.S. students is falls behind other countries.

As a college teacher I prefer fewer students in my classes. The fewer that make it to college and the more that flunk out, the less my work load. So no, I don't approve of the president "education is good for you speech." It could result in a huge work-load of pre-educated students who can actually think and write papers.

I'm a homeschool teacher for various reasons, one of which is I DON'T WANT THE GOVERNMENT'S INPUT REGARDING MY CHILD. We will NOT be watching this.

As a Howard County Public School System teacher, I WILL be showing my students the address from President Obama. It is an exciting time...the beginning of the school year, and I want my students to be lifelong learners and to hear the benefits of staying in school

Its very interesting that this president is seen as persuasive in a very negative sinister way, I know there are those who cannot accept that our new leader is African American, but surely in your so called Christian hearts, you can see that he actually has the best interest of the American people in his heart. It s time to settle down and realize we do need change in this country. Those who are so radical and worked up need to see that nothng is different in this country from the way it was 3 or 4 years ago, We've got to give Mr, Obama a chance. Please search your mind and your soul,

Does anyone else find it interesting that - whenever there's a difference of opinion in regards to someone who is not "caucasian," or an issue involving someone who is not "caucasion," that many people are quick to play the race card? And, no, I'm not "caucasian."

Don't let Obama eat our children!!!! I am a moron! I am a moron!

Here is the Lesson: If you do not agree with someone, you don't have to listen to them.

This is sad, very sad indeed.

Ironically those that feel the president is using America's children as pawns, need to take a strong hard look at themselves.

Should Obama address school children without parental consent?

I can accept either answer, providing that if you say "no," you resolve that The President of the United States cannot address school children without consent.

Period. No matter if he's one of "you" or one of "them." Therein lies the essence of Democracy itself.

Unless you freely agree to that element of fairness, consider the man in the mirror less than moral.

Obama's efforats are a modern parallel to that of Jim Jones, of nefarious Gyuana fame. He is a dangerous cultist who must be stopped, by isolation and subsequent removal from office.

Obama is the face of pure, undistilled evil, indeed.

Oh my..Remember the illegal alien march during the month of May last year..How many people came to the streets and demanded amnesty..and did they stay at school despite warning ?
Keep your kids at home and they better watch sex and your lives.

Let me start by saying that I am neither Republican or Democrat. I believe that it isn't a matter of what organization you belong to but a matter of who will do the best job. I'll leave my feelings about any of the presidents out of this.

My beef with the whole thing is that he will be using time designated for these children to learn to do this, in effect taking away from their education. Schools where I live are already in session. I don't feel that any president should be using their time for learning. It's bad enough that schools "teach to the test" in an effort to cover the "no child left behind" bs. Now instead of actually learning we have kids who can barely read being sent through grade after grade while others have no challenges at all.

If he's so gung ho on making the speech why can't he do so during non school hours? Why can't it be during a time that allows the parents to sit and watch with their child, enabling them to use that off button should it turn to something they don't approve of? Better yet, get rid of the no child left behind, teaching to the test and get us back to a real education to promote that ability to participate in the global economy.

For the record I was against Reagan and Bush using class time also ... and that was when I was a student. My child has been taught to show respect from the very beginning and knows that it's also something that should be earned.

the amount of ignorance in the comments is reason enough to have the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA speak to OUR children. We do not live in a bubble, we live in a living breathing democracy with a government, composed of three branches, controlled by the constitution and the rule of law (with some exceptions in recent history). Calling PRESIDENT Obama a marxist or a communist show our collective ignorance of history--i.e. we don't actually know what marxism is or what it means beyond what we are fed. Thus we have education and schools to TEACH our children. We might also remember that one of the purposes of school and schooling is to teach civics to our children. Civics is not what you hear on FOX or CNN or MSNBC...wake up, for all of our sake.

First of all, let me address the above comments: frosty: you first: May I quote you?" Rarely is the questioned asked: Is our children learning?" You may need to listen to Obama's speech about staying in school because you evidentally did not stay in English I. I believe it is Are our children learning! Anna B.:You basically proved my point that there is already too much gov't in our lives as it is. Thanks GOP Thinker for addressing Anna's comments. Have you ever heard of the term "gov't take over"?Linda: thanks for the Breitbart TV link. Good stuff. Kellee-right on! Calif.Reason: again quoting..."Obama who we elected by an overwhelming majority..." you are right but the majority of voters were blinded by Obama's empty promises, and he was groomed for this position anyway by the Dems. Those voters were too lazy to look into this man's background and who he surrounds himself with. Not to mention, he, for some reason STILL has is college Sr. thesis under lock and key! People followed him to be "cool" and possibly to get the first African-American president elected for history sake. . To Richard Katz: I don't have a problem with any American President (Dem or Rep) visiting a school to participate in a school activity provided the parents have authorized this event. However, to broadcast his thoughts to kids on TV....not a good decision. But if the TV issue is important, then do it during family time outside of school where a parent or guardian can turn the show off with just a click. Instead, parents have to take their kids out of school to avoid their kids from viewing. Oh..and your babbling about "this newspaper" being irresponsible for fostering this blog. So I take it you want to silence the newspapers in re: to freedom of speech? Hey, you really are an Obama supporter! Jerry: Sure Obama is talented, tries, studies and makes most of his talents...you just didn't finish your sentence for each of those attributes! Why would I be proud of those accomplishments when it was crooked politics that have groomed him into the most trusted office in our Nation? Lastly, and Anna, I forgot...yes, ANY President can control and indoctrinate people. Just look at who and what stands behind him and take a look at his Cabinet and his Administration. His school address should appear on TV alright, but may I suggest the Twilight Zone? Thanks Baltimore Sun for allowing my right to freedom of speech.

where was obama born?

It wasn't as long ago as Regan. President George H.W. Bush gave an address to schools nationwide in 1991, from a junior high school in Washington, D.C. about the value of education. Hmmmmm...short memories indeed!

Anna,

If the point you were trying to convey was that government expanded under Bush, then yes, you are absolutely correct. It expanded WAY too much. (In fact, that was one of my biggest gripes with Bush)

Okay, so the kids stay home from school because the parents have told them they don't have to listen to any message from a (socialist, Marxist, black...whatever) President Obama. The kids are happy because they get one more day of summer vacation and the parents are gloating because they defeated the evil something that they imagine.

I hope these patriots will be happy with the consequences of their fear and hate campaign, because someday, these same kids may be called upon to sign up to defend our country from REAL enemies and guess what? Thanks to your excellent example, they'll see it as another excuse to play hooky. Lesson learned?

Americans are not just been stupid they also hate their president

let him speak. the guy is a moron and it could possibly have som entertainment value for the kids.

Over the years, Presidents from both parties have spoken to our school children encouraging them to do well and in the past, we heard very little controvery about those speeches. How can anyone find fault with our President encouraging the youth in our country to do sutdy hard in school? I think this has more to do with sour grapes. If Obama found a cure for cancer tomorrow, he'd still have his critics.

When I was in elementary school in the mid 90's, I remember us all going into a 3rd grade teacher's room to watch space shuttle launches. It was a really cool experience and made me feel so much more connected to the world. So many people around the country were watching the same thing at the same time.

Parents who disagree with the president's policies need to separate their ideology from the downright cool factor of the President himself having a message directed at kids.

When are you fools going to wake up and realize that zero is changing the country into a soviet paradise? And then do something about it?

How ironic that the very same posters here who are supposedly "teachers" complaining about the President shoving his "Marxist socialist agenda" down their children's throats seem to be the very same folks who voted for Bush twice who asked "Is our children learning"?

Yeah, it's perfectly okay to have an incompetent white guy reading to kids as the towers fell on September 11, but NOT okay for a smart black guy to spread a positive message for ONLY 20 minutes?

I can NOT believe our nation has become this stupid, that we actually have teachers in our schools who believe this propaganda and lies from ClusterFox and Rush Limbaugh. It's proof that education reform is truly needed, we actually need teachers who are bright and intelligent and who know right from wrong.

Also ironically enough, Reagan was allowed to shove his propaganda down children's throats. I'm beginning to realize a pattern.

And also how ironic some on here complain about the government interfering with their kids education, HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA!
You guys tax dollars PAY for your kids to go to public school, hence it's government funded. Perhaps you'd also like the government to quit interfering with your Medicare and Medicaid?

Some of the folks who have posted some of the most stupid of the stupid comments here need to take a good long look at themselves in the mirror. You don't have to agree with this President, but calling him a "Marxist" "socialist" etc is NOT disagreeing.

I hope that President Barack Hussein Obama (yeah whine because he's a Muslim with NO birth certificate!) does more and more of these messages to kids, it is so obviously needed after the past eight years of a guy who couldn't speak correct English or grammar even if it kissed him on his a--.

Anna,

If the point you were trying to convey was that government expanded under Bush, then yes, you are absolutely correct. It expanded WAY too much. (In fact, that was one of my main problems with the Bush administration)

There was a day in time when you'd have been labeled a communist for not wanting to hear the president speak, and today its the opposite. Theres nothing to be afraid of! All I hear these days is fear, fear, fear, its how the conservative base thrives, on fear and rumors, feeding you gossip to scare the hell out of you. Try being brave for a change instead of being afraid. Try placing some trust in others, we had to trust you guys with running the country for the last eight years and now its your turn. Drop the paranoia already, if the kids want to hear him at least give them the option of watching in the library or something. I'm sure there are far more harmful influences on television than a man with a law degree who managed to get elected president of the United States. And lets not forget you guys had the last two turns at it!

reagen was not a communist, obama is,hes out to destroy america, anyone who does not see that is either retarded or blind.

As President Lincoln so eloquently put it, ours is a government of the people, by the people, for the people. President Obama was duly elected by we the citizens of the United States of America. That there is even a question as to whether or not he can speak in a public school not only reeks of ignorance, it's un-American!

You people actually consider yourselves to be patriots? You're kidding, right?

Spewing lies and and vicious insults about our President is patriotic? Slandering the Commander-in-Chief of our armed forces during a time of war is patriotic? Showing up at town hall meetings and trying to intimidate and bully your fellow citizens out of talking to their elected representatives is patriotic? Telling children that the President of the United States wants to brain-wash them and is someone to fear listening to is patriotic? If you honestly think so, you have NO IDEA what it means to be an American. You've let your hatred overwhelm your ability to think rationally and need some serious professional help.

Your side lost a valid election by the largest margin of votes in over 20 years (as opposed to "winning" via the decision of some judicial activists that were appointed to the Supreme Court!). Deal with it! If you can't deal with not getting your way, quit trying to destroy our country and go live somewhere else! Love America or leave it!

I just feel like if you don't like America's president then you and your children should go live else where.

I look forward to the Presidential Pep talk and so do the kids now that some people are making a big deal about it. I am a republican who supports President Obama.In fact I am a republican who voted for him. I keep hoping for my party not to sound so paranoid about wild fantasies, but realize its time to switch parties.

After reading some of the comments posted here, I am concerned about the what the ADULTS of this country are doing and not so much the president. I did not vote for Obama, and so far like many other Americans, I am not too happy about where our country is headed. BUT...I have a few things to say...

1) I believe the media, the far left, and the far right are TOTALLY blowing this WAY out of proportion. We are all feeding in to it! I, for the first time in my life, am posting on a public forum!

2) If the president's address reaches one child, (whether he/she comes from a rich family, poor family, if he/she is african american, asian, caucasion, or mexican) if he reaches ONE CHILD and they think that they should stay in school, study hard, maybe volunteer to help their fellow man, and become a productive citizen of the United States of America....THEN 20 MINUTES of not learning Math or Science was worth it!!

3) To the parents who want to keep their children home to shield them from the possibility of the president coming across with a "political agenda"....aren't you doing the same thing? Isn't this a way of showing YOUR "political agenda"? Will you do something constructive with your child while they are not in school for the day? Or will you let them sit in front of the TV and watch cartoons all day?

4) Obama (AGAIN, I am not a supporter of his views) is fully aware of the consequences of any mistakes made in his speech on Tuesday. Don't you think he realizes it would be political suicide if he does not stick to stictly addressing education?

5) My children will go to school on Tuesday like any other day. I have one child in elementary and one child in middle school. I envision them sitting there watching this on TV and wondering what all the adults are making such a big fuss about!

I find this amazing since many do not realize that for decades The Left in this nation, including this naif in the WH, have tried to influence texts, curriculum with views, opinions, and non-facts slanted in a way to propagandize pupils on our history, literature, the way we should worship or not and to dis our military from Korea on (not WWII, of course, since we fought the Nazis not the Soviets), and few have been on committees that have allowed this Leftist ,even socialist pacifist slant. Well, I have been. For 48 yrs. I have taught. The lone conserv and found that as the decades flew by, America's history, culture and values were overshadowed by people who just downright hated her. Obama is a propagandist as his ACORN days show and his abysmal appointments to his Cabinet and these 37 czars, who all should be fired since they did not get Senate approval. The best way to stop this rhetoric that will only con the audiance is to not watch it . The same should go for Wed's speech. After all, the Left just loves boycotts. Well let's boycott the socialist pacifist naif in the WH. And see if he can talk himself out of the self-made pickle he has put himself and our nation in.

Glenn Koons: You are NOT a teacher. You are a lying troll who keeps getting kicked off of Townhall.com for being a wingnut! You admit it yourself on the Townhall blog that your name links to.

What is a troll from Long Beach, CA doing on a blog for a newspaper in Baltimore, MD? Well, according to his latest Townhall blog (check it out soon, before they kick him off again!), he advises his wingnut buddies to join "liberal-media" sites to clobber polls and to "rant and rave", just like he has "over 20 times". The extremely wealthy and the corporate elite in this country must be very thankful (who am I kidding; they're laughing their butts off!) to have such a dedicated keyboard warrior doing their bidding for them!

I have many issues with Obama as a person, never mind as a president. I have seen how his hypnotic way of speech draws people in, even though for the most part he is saying absolutely nothing. Nothing untill you play it backwards that is, at which time very often encripted messages can be found. He often repeats frases in his speaches and when you play them backwards they say something else. I will read his words out of curiosity and the need to be prepared for the future but personally I will not listen to a thing he says. And I'll be damned if my children will here him speak.

I feel very sorry for the children of parents like Shanneen Barron who don’t want her kids to think for themselves.
Good Grief, where were these poor children during the entire Election year of “08” ?
Were they allowed to learn what an election is about? Did she teach them to only listen to one side?
Education begins at home. Respect for our Leaders and those in authority, also begins at home.
If you hide your children under a mushroom, how will they ever learn and think for themselves?

Thinking about our kids in school having to listen to Our President giving a message about “staying in school,
working hard and achieving educational goals” is nothing to cry about, rather be glad our President cares.

Please Mom, send the children to school, and discuss their day with them at the dinner table.
Teach your children well!

I am shocked at the knee-jerk reaction from Republicans over this. It's just a speech. At the very least it will stimulate class discussions about politics and our political system. In other words, it's *educational*. Why wouldn't it belong in school? I remember the same FUD from some Reagan-hating teachers at the school. Nothing bad happened then and nothing bad is going to happen now. Just because you don't share the president's viewpoints doesn't give you a license to censor him. You remember learning about the 1st amendment in class? That's what it's there for. If you still want to get all hysterical about the president giving a speech, you need to take a deep breath and relax. Your children are going to listen to you more than they listen to anybody else anyway. If you have concerns about what is in the speech sit down with your kids and talk about it. Ranting and crying for censorship sets a bad example, don't you think?

"Nothing untill you play it backwards that is, at which time very often encripted messages can be found."

Thus we have the mentality of the average obama hater. And the level of thier critical thinking skills as well. When the president speaks forward it's "Stairway to heaven" But backwards it's "My sweet satan". I bet it's not true!

"And I'll be damned if my children will here him speak."

You'll be damned if your children ever learn to think for themselves with a person like you as their parent. What a pathetic level of fallacious logic and paranoia the right has stooped to!

i am APPALED that this is even an issue. instructional time is wasted EVERY DAY in the public school system. it should be a blessing that this president even cares enough to give a speech addressing them.

i think it's a great idea, and if you don't, you are probably just a redneck idiot drinking a bud light with a shotgun in your lap.

don't like it, don't enroll your kids in PUBLIC SCHOOL. it's that simple!

if you want them to be taught 'moral values' and other scientific inaccuracies like the world's 8,000 years old and capital gee-oh-dee made the world in seven days, send them to a christian school. PROBLEM SOLVED!!!!!

ugh, you people make my head hurt.

I am so sick of the racism card. When Obama was elected into office (REMEMBER ACORN???) my kids were forced to watch the whole event in school. The principal jumped up and down like a fool so excited. Yelling an african american was our president. What about the fact that Obama is also 1/2 caucasion??? racism goes BOTH ways.
As for tuesday, I have opted my kids out. I dont care if it was McCain, Hilary, or Obama. They can watch political presentations at home with me. The funny thing is this whole thing...If anyone was paying any attention...Like I do, I know any films, speeches etc, the district has to approve of it first. How can they approve it when they cannot see it? I never recieved a permission slip. We as parents still have rights to make decions regarding politics, sex, and religion in school. I sure wouldnt want my kids school teacher or principal blabbing their opinions on these things to my kids, Personally I think this is aimed at the older teens, in 4 years he will need their vote. Im not drinking the kool aide and will do everything to watch him with my kids at my side. We still live in a free country. In the end, I truly believe their will be alot of people saying "I told you so" and by then it will be too late.

I agree with Terri E. I am a high school student and I do not need Obama to reiterate things I have been hearing since elementary school. I would much rather be busy in school than listen to his blather anyways. I shall definitely be requesting my 3rd block teacher to not turn on her television and to focus on Biology.

HEY, who here remembers being a kid? Kids don't know from politics or policy. They are learning about our President, and our government, and our values. Aren't we all just Americans together? Can't we teach our kids that we are "One nation" ? If you cannot have your kids listen to the President, then you are teaching them that our system doesn't work. Please don't teach your children to be cynical and divided. TEACH your children respect of authority. Teach them to listen to each other and be critical, not just to tune each other out. Isn't that what we want from our future citizens?

America needs to be taken back from the disgusting right wing media! Glen Beck is an alcoholic. Limbaugh is a druggie! They are college dropouts that don't care about education. They rely on the uneducated to listen to their lies. Its nuts to keep your children out of school because the President is giving a 15-minute speech about staying in school and not dropping out. What kind of message are these parents promoting to their kids?

I don't want him speaking to my kids because I DON'T TRUST HIM ANYMORE. I know and trust their teachers because I can sit and talk to them, ask questions without being branded a racist. Not so with our President's gang.

Can any of you ultra worry worts use a computer. The entire speech will be posted on the whitehouse.gov website the day before.

As for asking children to think about how they can help the president encourage being scholars... what's the problem?

As for asking the children to write to the President of the United States and receive an answer.... wow when I was a kid what I wouldn't give to have such an invitation.

Keep a tight rein on those kiddies folks, and while you're at it take a look at their teachers who would deny them access to an historic event because of their personal political beliefs. Not in public school.

Has anyone addressed the audacity of the local yokels judging the president of the United States for suitability? Get a grip here people, this is going way way overboard due to FEAR and IGNORANCE. Get over it and act like adults.

that this president is useing every dirty trick,to further his radical marxist ideals is amazing.what has happened to this country

To Suzy, you are not the only student in school. You need to learn to look at the broader picture. There are students in America who could benefit from a speech by the President who is a positive role model for millions of students.
He cares enough about our youth and our education system to speak to our students.
As far as students should not listen to political speeches in school, just because it is the president who will speak, it does not mean that it is a political speech.
Besides, during the elections, didnt't many schools hold mock elections? Where was the oposition to politics in school then?
Don't you want your children to know and get involved in our democratic system?
Or are these objections hiding a darker racial bias?

Our public school system should not used as a platform for the government's political agenda.

Unfortunately it seems that many of the posters here did not have anyone to encourage them to stay in school.

The President has enough speeches outside of the school hours to talk with kids. The problem is his questions, "How can you help President Obam", which is slanted to a political side. If he had stated, what can you do to help your country, what kind of citizen should you be, etc. His questions was all about the worship of Obama with question like "How can you serve the Predident" . This is even a bad lesson in Civic and Gov, the President and elected officials are elected to serve the citizens, not the citizens serving him. We need to respect the office, but the office needs to know and understand, it is the servant of the people, by the people, for the people.

Apparently, every time a president wants to talk to children using television, people object. Both republican and democrat presidents take heat for this from the side that did not vote for them. I wish a president could address kids this way, but I believe there will always be the concern that impressionable kids will be pressured to follow someone against their parent's wishes.

I wish people would get this upset about real education reform issues - maybe then they'd be more apt to be a part of the solution.

So just sit back and relax, folks. Barack Obama is only performing a routine presidential duty that has been performed by presidents for generations. There's nothing to be afraid of. He's not trying to turn your babies into mini Marxists. This isn't the Trotsky For Toddlers program. The president of the United States merely wants to have a heart to heart talk with the children of America about the importance of a good education, that's all. I promise you, we Progressives do not believe in evil, subliminal messages. Chill out!

!STNERAP RUOY LLIK !NERDLIHC

Just kidding.

http://www.tomdegan.blogspot.com

Tom Degan
Goshen, NY

If any of the people making remarks about Obama's speech had had a decent education, we wouldn't be having this conversation. When ignorance is combined with fear, scary things happen. I'm scared of these folks. Press them about it and I'm afraid they think Obama is the anti-christ. I'm very sad about my country. I'm really sad about the pervasive power of ignorance and fear.

If classtime can be used for football pep rallies or that Channel One crap, why can't the President speak about staying in school. I can remember going to dozens of useless assemblies over my time in school so what's one more? As for the student who complained about hearing same message over and over again. Obviously, that message isn't being heard by a large number of your peers. Look at the drop out rates!

I don't believe there was ever a hidden agenda on the President's part. I believe that Obama would be the most effective president since JFK to address school children given the historical nature of his election and his young daughters; school children feel like they know our president rather than the office being held by some obscure icon. But I do not believe any president should be addressing school children directly during school hours. As soon as it's done once, it will happen again, however innocently or righteously. Precedent will be set, and future offices will follow naturally or out of obligation. The most effective way to indoctrinate any population is to work slowly and directly through its youth. I may never happen, or may not happen for thirty years, but the door will be open. Vulnerability occurs when it's believed that something will never happen. I've seen what the Ayatolla did. I've seen V for Vendetta. I've read 1984. One doesn't need paranoia to feel this way, just a simple understanding of humas psychology.