Am I misreading this?

[seiichi_chan]

This was on the Yahoo! home page this evening and...

I read this and was a little shocked by some who oppose it and wasn't sure if I was misreading it but...

This is what I think...

I think it is a good idea to an extent. I'm not so sure he should be addressing the younger children but I do think he should be addressing, at least, high school

Comments

You don't sound like an idiot

[frankie_rae]

Kids staying in school, getting an education, getting jobs, creating jobs...all that...right on target. People do have very strong feelings about the President addressing the students. It just all depends on what he includes in his address, if students, school systems are free to opt out without fear of reprisal of any kind and what the teachers are asked to do as representatives of the school system.

Indoctrination is a word you are likely to encounter a lot and it-like beauty-are often in the eye of the beholder. It is crossing the line from encouragement to indoctrination that many of the parents are worried about. It can be a fine line to walk. In any case, you don't sound stupid. It's good to know you're tuned in.

[loserchick85]

i think your opinions are right on the mark. no, no one is being forced to watch the address. therefore, it is not "brainwashing." the children even get a chance to express what they got out of the address afterwards. and you know damn well that if george w ever gave a shit enough to actually make an address like this, the same people who oppose obama's would be up in arms over those who opted NOT to watch w's.

and no, you shouldnt listen to what people on facebook think.

[shelldigity]

Here's what I think

[chiapetzukamori]

What I've found is that (especially for commentators on news websites like the ones on AOL and yahoo, etc, heck even youtube) when someone *disagrees* with something, they're more likely to leave an inflammatory remark. If someone agrees, they're more likely to smile and nod and head to another page. I've got this theory because every time I read comments on sites like that the comments are almost always negative

[chiapetzukamori]

oh, PS...have you heard that the kids are supposed to say a pledge of sorts to Obama saying that they'll do what he says in his speech? Like..."I pledge allegiance to Obama..."

Apparently that's what my republican friends think is what's going to happen, but I'm not finding any proof of that anywhere *sigh*

[seiichi_chan]

xD

I have not heard that one! But I'm sure someone made it up along the way.

I do see your point though... I just thought it was sad that he's trying to encourage children and teens to stay in school and people are like "NO! That's bad! That's called Socialism!" instead of looking at the fact that he wants our nation to thrive and do well and what better way than to speak to children and teems about the importance of education. Shoot, maybe it will send a message down to Albany NY that they need to stop cutting education and start putting money back into it.