NC, SC school boards offer Obama speech ‘opt-outs’

[MiaCulpa]

Source: Raw Story

Outraged parent believes race is a factor; One teacher is embarrassed over ‘opt-out’ notes

President Obama is scheduled to give a nation-wide speech to schoolchildren on their first day back from summer vacation on September 7.. The speech is billed as a national address to the students of America, however, conservatives have reacted by pressuring school districts to refrain from broadcasting the speech.

In response, schools in several southern states are giving parents an “opt-out” option for their children.

In Simpsonville, South Caroline, for example, the Bells Crossing Elementary school principal issued robocalls to parents telling them that letters would be sent home for them to sign if they did not want their children to watch the President’s speech.

An outraged parent, Chuck Hamilton, contacted Raw Story to complain about what he believes is a racist response to a African American president. “It is obvious to me that had this been Bush, or any other white Republican, the phone call and letter home would not have happened,” Hamilton wrote in an email.

But Bells Crossing Elementary School is not alone in its reaction to the President’s upcoming speech.

A call to the Greenville Country School Board confirmed that all schools in that district are receiving calls from their own principals and having letters sent home.

Susan Richards, a spokesperson for the Greenville Country School Board declined to answer questions as to why the board felt it necessary to take these measures. “You will have to speak to the Director of Communications, but he is not available right now.” A message was left for the Director, who has not responded.

Read more: http://rawstory.com/08/news/2009/09/04/nc-sc-school-boards-offer-obama-speech-opt-outs/

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More at the link...

-Diane

[joeycola]

1. and some districts are recording it to be viewed later-with persmission

from parents. Also some are allowing teachers to decide.

[aquart]

2. I call it "secession."

Which means they don't need federal funds anymore.

[Lex]

8. NC is a blue state that helped put Obama over the top.

nt

[jmowreader]

12. NC is a purple state--a mix of red and blue

The margin of victory in NC was 50%-49%, and the popular vote margin was only about 16,000. The ONLY thing that turned NC blue this year was the fact that Obama's a black guy, and there are a lot of black people in this state who chose to side with him for that reason...remember that one of the seminal events in the civil rights struggle, the sit-in at the Woolworth's lunch counter, happened in North Carolina. I think the only high end white Democrat who could have taken North Carolina was Brian Schweitzer, for several reasons: hunts and fishes, so won't take away your guns; farmer, so is attuned to the needs of this industry so critical to North Carolina; small businessman; and...


the fact Brian Schweitzer looks like Richard Childress' twin brother wouldn't have hurt him in the stock car capital of the world. (The man on the left is the governor of Montana. The man on the right is not. Actually, the picture of Richard Childress isn't that good for illustrating this; there are other photos in which the two look identical.)

Now this is a strange one...



This is a photo from day 2 of the Woolworth's Sit-In. Please note the cook...how in FUCK could that man possibly work at a place he couldn't shop at? And this is true--the Woolworth's lunch counter was "whites only" on the customer side, but that man cooking food behind the counter does not appear to be white.

[Lex]

18. It was counted in Obama's column = BLUE.

Yeah, I know it's a mixture of red and blue as with many states, but we also elected our first female Democratic Governor and a Democratic Senator took the seat from Liddy Dole.

The state legislature stayed firmly in Democratic control.

[jmowreader]

20. You are quite correct. It's in Obama's column.

The most delightful thing about politics in this weird-ass state is how we tend to vote Democratic downticket and Republican for the president. There is a reason why the presidential race isn't on a straight-ticket vote--way too many people vote for the Repuke presidential candidate then go straight-ticket Democrat for the whole rest of the ballot.

I've also seen people running in nonpartisan offices--primarily for judgeships--campaign as Republicans.

[JeanGrey]

3. Total nonsense. Mr. Hamilton doesn't know what he is

talking about. When GHWB tried this in 1991, I definitely remember most democrats having a shit fit over it. How is this any different?

Plus I am really, really, really getting tired of the "race" card being played every chance someone gets. I can honestly say that I do not believe Obama's skin color has one thing to do with whether or not people like or dislike him, or like or dislike his policies. In fact, I'm been shocked it has been so LITTLE of an issue.

[Javaman]

4. racistism, sadly, is alive and, sadly again, well, in this nation. nt

[arcadian]

5. Is it any wonder that it's mostly southern school districts?

Redneck conservatives. It's a shame too, because it's where there are a lot of African Americans, the descendants of former slaves. Those black children will be denied.

[mzteris]

6. Those black children will be denied.

which would be part of the point, doncha know?

Those racist rednecks don't want those "black children" to be gettin' any uppity ideas, you know. Heck, they might think THEY could grow up to become President! And then who'd wash their cars for them?

:banghead:

[JonQ]

9. The article says its for the parents to opt their children out

how is that denying black children anything?

Also, nice stereotyping. Anyone white person who doesn't like obama is a redneck.

Kind of like saying any black person who criticized bush was just some inner city thug.

Oh wait, that would be unfair, inaccurate and bigoted to say and would immediately be met with criticism.

[JonQ]

7. I love the assumption that it must be racist,

hey it's the south, everyone's racist right?

"“It is obvious to me that had this been Bush, or any other white Republican"

I think the key word there is "republican" not "white" as the Chuck probably realizes.

The south tends to be conservative, so a liberal president will likely not be popular. Had Hillary won I imagine the response would have been pretty much the same.

It is possible to disagree with, and even hate an individual who happens to be black for reasons other than racism.

And I think it's a good idea for the kids to see this speech. Not because Obama is the first black president, or because he's a liberal, but because he is the sitting president. Kids ought to be involved in politics at an early age (although efforts should be made to avoid proselytizing any viewpoint to them). But if their parents want to opt out that should also be a right, but the kids should be given an assignment that is comparable.

[2Design]

10. What a great message these parents are sending to their kids about the most brillant man we

have had as president in 9 years

[Rambis]

11. Can we go back and "opt out" of raygun thatcher era?

didn't think so

[LiberalFighter]

13. The federal govt needs to opt-out for that day for federal funding.

Not just the schools but any agency receiving federal funds.

[rbrnmw]

14. A friend from Swansea says that people are going to protest at the schools on tuesday

Protest WHAT???????????????

[krabigirl]

17. Education! They don't believe in it, unless it's at Sunday school.

[nc4bo]

15. So far 500+ comments on the speech @ local NC news station website.....

http://www.wral.com/news/political/story/5934626/

Boy oh boy - this is a lively one.

[Lex]

19. WRAL is repub owned media outlet and their comment boards are full of nitwits.

Jesse freakin' Helms used to work for them.

[krabigirl]

16. This is very brazen. Kind of like they are starting a "cold" civil war, imo.

Freaks, all of them.