President webcasts to all the schoolkids....

[CaptainHaplo]

Tuesday, Sept. 8th - the President will be speaking to schoolchildren via webcast.

There have been many rumblings as to the purpose. The White House says its to encourage kids to work hard on their education. The Opposition says its about "indoctrinating" kids.

The Department of Education has made available a guide to teachers on how to use this in the classroom.

I know where I stand on it - but instead of spouting off my views - I encourage everyone with school children in the US to look into this, read what is available, and come to your own conclusion.

Then - discuss it here.

[SteamWake]

I think this got dumped.

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by SteamWake

I think this got dumped.

I think it did as well. However, since you asked...I do not see it as indoctrination. Back in the day when I was a kid and we had paper and pencil....we wrote letters to the current president. Mine was Ford at the time. I got a letter back and his picture signed. Did I feel indoctrinated? Nope! I felt really cool that the president sent me a picture...all be it from an aid as I found out when I got older. But hey, when I was a kid it was darn cool. So, yes, Obama can broadcast himself to my kids. He is not indoctrinating anyone...he is asking them to do well in school. I do believe some of Obama's views are very radical and most have been through his life but I would say that education is education to Obama. That is all that matters at the moment in my kids classroom.

[Aramike]

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

I think it did as well. However, since you asked...I do not see it as indoctrination. Back in the day when I was a kid and we had paper and pencil....we wrote letters to the current president. Mine was Ford at the time. I got a letter back and his picture signed. Did I feel indoctrinated? Nope! I felt really cool that the president sent me a picture...all be it from an aid as I found out when I got older. But hey, when I was a kid it was darn cool. So, yes, Obama can broadcast himself to my kids. He is not indoctrinating anyone...he is asking them to do well in school. I do believe some of Obama's views are very radical and most have been through his life but I would say that education is education to Obama. That is all that matters at the moment in my kids classroom.

Good post!

I too have no problem with this, assuming the administration does it the right way. In other words, encouragethe kids but leave decisive politics out of it.

[August]

Originally Posted by Aramike

Good post!

I too have no problem with this, assuming the administration does it the right way. In other words, encouragethe kids but leave decisive politics out of it.

What do you think the chances are of that? Personal replies to sent letters are one thing but no President that i'm aware of ever has ever tried to unilaterally speak directly to the school children of the entire nation.

[MothBalls]

Originally Posted by August

Personal replies to sent letters are one thing but no President that i'm aware of ever has ever tried to unilaterally speak directly to the school children of the entire nation.

Well then, it's about damn time one of them finally did.

[mookiemookie]

Originally Posted by August

What do you think the chances are of that? Personal replies to sent letters are one thing but no President that i'm aware of ever has ever tried to unilaterally speak directly to the school children of the entire nation.

George H.W. Bush did.

[Onkel Neal]

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

I think it did as well. However, since you asked...I do not see it as indoctrination. Back in the day when I was a kid and we had paper and pencil....we wrote letters to the current president. Mine was Ford at the time. I got a letter back and his picture signed. Did I feel indoctrinated? Nope! I felt really cool that the president sent me a picture...all be it from an aid as I found out when I got older. But hey, when I was a kid it was darn cool. So, yes, Obama can broadcast himself to my kids. He is not indoctrinating anyone...he is asking them to do well in school. I do believe some of Obama's views are very radical and most have been through his life but I would say that education is education to Obama. That is all that matters at the moment in my kids classroom.

Agreed. Any President is likely to communicate with people, school kids, factory workers, etc. I support the President touching base with kids and encouraging them to study and stay away from drugs and drinking.

Now, if his message is about helping their parents decide on health care, lol, no go.

[AVGWarhawk]

Now, if his message is about helping their parents decide on health care, lol, no go.

I would think the camera man would even pull the plug if he started spouting off about healthcare to the kids. Kid hears healthcare, thinks doctor and then thinks vaccination shots. Then they leave the room like a bat out of hell.

[Tchocky]

Originally Posted by Neal Stevens

Now, if his message is about helping their parents decide on health care, lol, no go.

I imagine that he'll say something like "one of the things we're doing at the moment is..."

I doubt he's silly enough to put in a push for the reform plan in the direct way you've mentioned, but I've been wrong before

[SteamWake]

Ive heard some little snippets of the broadcast and granted they may well be out of context however they basically call upon 'the peopole' to 'serve and support' the president.

No dude you work for us I'm afraid. Or at least your supposed to.

Now Im sure someone will compare this to JFK's "Ask not what your country can do for you" speach. But its not the same thing.

At best its a publicity stunt to whip up support from Obama's base.

At worst its about planting seeds into young impressionable minds.