President's remarks posted

amymom wrote: I figured this warranted a new thread. I have not made time to read yet, but wanted you all to get the chance too!

Link to President's prepared statement

I hope it is a good speech!

Kentuckychick replied:
I don't see a single thing wrong with the speech itself (except I'm sure there will be people who don't want their children hearing that he was raised by a single mother or there will be those who don't like the suggestion that their kids grow up to god forbid develop vaccines... someone somewhere - and I don't mean here - finds something like that wrong with everything )

The only thing I don't really care for about the speech itself is that he will be addressing little kids (kindergarten and up) and this speech is definitely WAY more geared towards the middle school/high school ages (moreso highschool). That's probably a very difficult thing to do when you're used to addressing major political leaders and a nation of adults... but I think maybe he should have had a kindergarten teacher write for him...

I wouldn't have any problems having my child hear the speech... but I'm thinking most of the little ones and knowing kids these days, I'm sure a good portion of the older ones too, will not be listening after about two minutes.

~Roo'sMama~ replied: I like it. I'm glad they posted it so parents and teachers can read it before their kids hear it.

I agree with Kentuckychick that it's not going to hold the attention of the littler kids though - most of them probably won't know what the heck he's talking about. But for the older kids it's good.

redchief replied: I agree that kindergartners will have a hard time listening. Perhaps it's not so bad though that they'll listen to president speak as well. I think it's important that kids get to know the voices of the people that lead their country, even if they don't fully understand what's being told them. Eventually they will gain understanding, and will at the same time be learning to judge how the messages fit them (with our help as parents, of course - it is our responsibility to instill in our children the morals that they will apply).

I think it's an inspirational, if not eloquent speech. I also give kudos to the White House for allowing the parents of the nation the opportunity to review his message. With our instant messaging world comes responsibility to not forget that raising our kids is foremost the parents' job.

PrairieMom replied: I don't see a single thing wrong with that speech. I think that its great to show kids that it doesn't matter where you start, you can still grow up to be president. If my kid gets brainwashed into staying in school, trying hard and becoming a success, then I am all for it.

AND FWIW, just in case, I'm not saying anyone here is saying he is going to brainwash our children, I'm saying Glen Beck is saying it. ) Gotta cover your bases around here.

A&A'smommy replied: not too shabby... WAY long though and i know my kindergardener wont sit through it and they may not even show it to our elementary students for that reason.. but it might be helpful to our older kids. We can hope right!!!

Celestrina replied: The only ones who might be miffed by the speech is Microsoft because of the Xbox line.

Cece00 replied: Im pretty frustrated that its even an option to opt out of watching this.

Its an important message that a LOT of children need to hear- dont use your crap in life as an excuse not to work hard and stay in school and do something with your life.

Sounds good to me...

MommyToAshley replied:
I agree. What a great message!!

I think it would be impossible to write a speech that would hold the interest of a kindergartner and a senior in high school at the same time. While the smaller ones may get bored, they're still hearing an important message and you never know how much would sink in. You'd be surprised how much Ashley hears when she's "not listening".

AlexsPajamaMama replied: Its being shown to 5th and 6th graders here, not to younger children.

coasterqueen replied: You know, I don't think it's the Presidents speech a lot of people are upset about, it's the lesson plans given by them for teachers that make people upset about.....at least the dozen or so I spoke to this weekend about it.

Kentuckychick replied:
Yeah... from what I've read, the wording threw off some people. I heard a lot of people who weren't happy that the President wanted their kids to write a letter saying what they could do to help him.

Honestly... was it not John F. Kennedy who said years ago "Ask not what your country can do for you..."

In my opinion it's the same difference. I don't think there was anything political meant by it, or in anyway was the President implying that all children should learn his policies and know exactly what they need to do to help him personally.

If I had been asked to write a letter like that in grade school (and now that I think of it... I had to write more than one "Dear Mr. President" letter), I probably would have come up with something like just what he's looking for, "get an education." "Stay in school".

I don't think he's looking for five year olds to write "go home and convince my mom and dad to change their beliefs."

Needless to say that question was removed and now there is absolutely nothing anyone could see as political with either the lesson plans or the speech unless the mere fact that Obama is the one giving them is political enough.

I do understand why some people might be upset. But I don't think the huge reaction and the fearmongering that grew from it was necessary.

coasterqueen replied:
Yeah, I'm not for sure what I am about the whole thing. Knowing what he was going to talk about was always fine for me. It's the lesson plan I'm a little um, not sure about. Not angry, not against it, just not sure and i know I need to decide soon. Ultimately I probably will not keep my children home. I haven't even considered it, actually. I do want to express to the school my "not so sure" feelings about the lesson plan, though.

Honestly my 1st grader is probably not going to completely understand it anyways. She didn't understand the whole voting thing in the presidential election when the school participated it. Especially when the school won with McCain, but Obama became president. She was very angry and confused about that one.

I do, however, think at this age of my children, that this is MY time to explain things to them and deliver "messages" to them, not the president. I want my kids to do all those things the president wants, but because I've given them those morals and values and wants/desires, not because someone else told them too.

I think the speech and lesson plan would be more suitable for junior high/high school, IMO.

A&A'smommy replied:
Here is my thing we as adults don't have to watch him give a speech so why should our children have to. Its America we have the right to make choices and maybe we don't always make good ones but at least we have the option.

Kentuckychick replied:
I doubt a lot of teachers will even do the lesson plans, simply for lack of time. I know my friend plans to have her high schoolers see the speech, but they are learning too many other things to worry about a lesson plan, and she said they'd all better already know who he is.

coasterqueen replied:
Well, as a parent I don't like to count on "I doubts". I will find out for sure.

Boo&BugsMom replied:

Oh, the humanity!!!! I think that may be my favorite part...I know, I'm biased though.

I read the whole thing, and if this is what he all says then I don't see why I wouldn't allow Tanner to watch it. Although, even so, I think after 5 minutes he'll zone out. When I was that young I don't ever remember sitting through and listening to a speech like this.

I do think for older kids, it sends a positive message, especially for those kids who are really struggling to stay in school and work hard. I don't see any negatives with it as far as I can see.