I have given my daughters permission to stay home from school tomorrow.

[Avalux]

On the condition they will watch President Obama's speech. We will then have a family discussion about what he said at dinner.

When I send them to school on Wednesday, their excuses will says this:

Please excuse ___________________ from school on Tuesday, September 8 as she stayed home to watch the President of the United States's live speech. The speech encouraged our children to stay in school and the importance of obtaining an education. This was an historic event and my child deserved the opportunity to watch it as it happened just like millions of other public school children across the country.

Our children are the future of our country and we must do whatever we can to help them grow into successful adults. With all of the difficulties children have as they make their way through their school years, this speech by our President was very important.

The reasons why the NISD decided against airing the President's speech during school are not acceptable to me (the parent) or my child. That is why I chose to keep her home to watch the speech.

If you have any questions or do not think this is a valid reason for an excused absence, please call me at....

______________________________________


If I am told the absence cannot be excused for this reason, then I'll take it further. It's just not fair my daughters can't watch it at school.

[Ocracoker16]

1. Sounds like a good plan to me

[Cha]

2. Thank you so much, Avalux for sharing this with us!~

Wonder if any of the Austin, Texas schools will show the President's speech on education?

[Avalux]

3. I don't know...

but here in SA, the largest school district in the state has said no and I'm pissed. The superintendent is a puke and I know the decision is political.

As a parent his decision is depriving my children of the education I want them to have. :hi:

[truedelphi]

116. Hang in there - you still have a long way to go.

Wait till you get the kind of dopey high school principal that my son's high school had. (hopefully you won't.)

Every time he ever addressed the parents, it was all about the importance of keeping the kids off Drugs. "Drugs" - as the keyword, every single time he opened his mouth.

And looking at the policies of how people got to be principals in California in the late eighties, I often wondered how many excellent people were pushed aside to let this guy have the job. It was all about Nancy Reagan and her "Just say no" policy. Principals who understood the importance of the arts and after school rec programs didn't count - unless they focused on "Drugs."

Anyway your kids are lucky to have a mom like you.

[lib_wit_it]

145. We had so many anti-drug programs and activities in our elementary school that I honestly think the

kids began to tune them out. I overheard one student say, "Alright already. We get it--don't do drugs! How many times are they gonna make us listen to that?!"

They actually had the kids sign lifelong pledges that they would never, ever do any illegal drugs *or* drink alcohol. What bullshit. And the kids knew that.

[truedelphi]

227. Lifelong anti-alcohol pledges for elementary kids?

I approve of some pledges - I actually like the abstinence pledge some high school kids take regarding sex. I mean if something can delay teens from becoming sexual until the ripe old age of seventeen or eighteen, how can that be bad? (Though I think every kid in America, starting at age five should understand what the sex act is etc.) And I think every kid in high school should have real information about birth control.

But lifelong pledges on alcohol? That is corny at the best and like you say, the kids see through it and early on discover how little any of this means.

[jma10131]

190. Nope!

Not a chance in Hell!

[CatWoman]

4. you go, girl

:thumbsup:

[blogslut]

5. Brilliant!

If my kid were still in grade school, I would totally do what you're doing.

[Old Studentka]

225. I thought it applied K-12

I guess I was mistaken. 'tis been a long time since I was in school! ;)

[Nikki Stone1]

6. Are there other parents from the school doing the same thing?

You could have a viewing party and then stand up to the principal as a group.

[Avalux]

8. I wish I had started earlier and organized something.

And I've not been able to find anything on the internet so I'm going it alone tomorrow.

[Nikki Stone1]

11. Good for you.

As the parent, you have the right to do this. Good luck.

[Stevenmarc]

17. And that's the problem

The right can come up with any excuse to mobilize the rabble within about 30 seconds and where is the response that will shut them down from our side, it never happens.

I applaud you on a perfectly simple yet strong statement that had it had chance to gain legs could have surely nipped this in the bud.

[LeftyMom]

24. Get on the horn, invite some people over, make snacks, have a discussion afterward

and above all INVITE THE MEDIA TO YOUR VIEWING PARTY.

[paulsby]

10. i will bet dollars to doughnuts

that no principal is going to come down on any students/parents for NOT sending their kids to school tomorrow in order to allow them to view the thing at home and comment, etc.

if that happens, let me know.

ime, parents keep kids home from school on occasion for all sorts of personal family reasons, apart from illness, and this act would be no different.

iow, i think people who are speculating that this is going to cause some big problem with the school are speculating wrongly.

if the kid in question already had an abysmal attendance record, THEN it might be an issue, though

[kentuck]

7. Awesome!

Perhaps you should pen a letter to the editor of your local paper explaining the same?

[Avalux]

19. Great idea!

I might just do that - thanks. :hi:

[The Wielding Truth]

196. Here' a website where you can find your local papers.

http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/5660/t/4916/letter/?letter_KEY=529&tag=hc_leahy_lte

[abumbyanyothername]

26. Also . . . why not

run for school board?

[Imalittleteapot]

9. Great absence excuse. All Duers who live in districts

that are not showing the Presidential speech should follow suit.

[Techn0Girl]

68. Why yes - this makes so much sense!

Yes indeed.
The perfect way to show support for our President who will be encouraging our children to stay in school would be to take them out of school for a day.

I don't know why I didn't think of this myself.

Oh wait - I just had another thought...
It is probably a lot easier to keep your kid home for a day then it is to become politically active on the school board and insure that the people elected and serving there don't make bone head decisions like not showing Obama's speech.

I mean keeping your kid home one only takes 5 or 6 hours of your time and the other might take dozens and dozens of hours.
And keeping your kid out of school to LISTEN to our President's speech is way, way different then idiot bigots keeping their kids out of school to NOT listen to it. Because it's, you know... us. No taping it for us - keeep those kids away from school - that'll teach 'em!

Yes, it's perfect. I'm doing it too!

We should all write a post to DU when our kids are home because that will only take a few minutes so what the heck. Do your part!

[Avalux]

79. Hey, whatever works for you.

If you had a clue about anything, maybe you wouldn't act so righteous.

[Techn0Girl]

91. It's as easy to call someone self-righteous in an internet post...

.... as it is to keep your child home for a day. Probably a lot easier thinking about it.

What's really really difficult is taking the time, probably hundreds of hours of time, to organize and educate people in your neighborhood to the nonsense the school board is promoting and why.

Thank god for the Internets - it's a life altering time saver!

[Mimosa]

150. It's dumb to use the kids as pawns in political games.

Technogirl is right. It's dumb to use your kids as pawns for your politics, no matter what side you're on.

It's smart to take the time to participate in parents groups and to attend school board meetings.

[jumptheshadow]

86. Quite illogical

1) Taking her child out of school for a day to watch the speech and discuss it as a family is a very constructive way to react to an ignorant policy that has been forced upon her,

2) You have no idea what kind of time this mother spends on school board activities. Neither do you know her financial situation and whether she has to work to support her family,

3) You have no right to be judgmental about this parent no matter what her situation is, particularly since she has written a well-reasoned, intelligent and reasonable post,

4) Not every town is Oakland, California. Some cities are based in extremely conservative political areas and there is no cookie-cutter prescription for how progressive or, in this case, sane parents can raise their children in the midst of ignorance when they want their children to grow up sensibly.

[Techn0Girl]

89. I completely agree with you

There is no cookie cutter one solution fits all approach as you state which is also why I agree with your agreement of everyone keeping theor kids out of school for a day.

It's not cookie cutter or reactionary when we do it.

[DonCoquixote]

133. AMEN!

It is funny how many people call for French-style protests, yet they never get on the friggin school board, and then they wonder why the WWJD types run the school!

[Texas Mom]

184. You must live in an educated area

If you lived in wingnut Texas you'd understand things more clearly. I happen to have a DVR and will record it because my son will NOT be able to watch it at school. Too many Beck followers here. But if I didn't have the luxury of a recording system or internet access, I'd seriously consider letting my son stay home to watch it.

Brilliant idea about running for school board, etc. Where I live anyone without an old W sticker on their SUV would lose the election in a landslide. Attend school board meetings? Yeah, I like getting my tires slashed and car keyed for voicing a reasonable opinion amongst these wingnuts. But we have to make a living, so we live here. Any other great ideas?

[Techn0Girl]

216. Where I live ...

"Brilliant idea about running for school board, etc. Where I live anyone without an old W sticker on their SUV would lose the election in a landslide. Attend school board meetings? Yeah, I like getting my tires slashed and car keyed for voicing a reasonable opinion amongst these wingnuts. But we have to make a living, so we live here. Any other great ideas?"

I couldn't agree with you more.
It's MUCH easier to take your kid out of school than to try to raise the consciousness of the people around you or to find like minded people and network with them - which of course is impossible because in your neighborhood you are the only sensible person around anywhere. I completely understand the effort and the difficulty involved and why you would chose to take the easier path that only affects your child and not risk getting your tires slashed or anything.

As you say yourself, people in Texas (or at least your part of it) are different somehow. More wing-nuttier. They aren't like every other person in the country who can be reached out to or gotten through to eventually. That's just not an option in your part of town so I completely understand.

[bjobotts]

139. What a petty argument.This should be a non issue.President speaks to school children

[bjobotts]

140. These loons of hysteria try to demonize our president at every turn.

[bjobotts]

141. They say "Parents across the nation"...yeah, all 10 of them object.

[bjobotts]

142. The millions of parents say STFU you ridiculous goobers.We won idiots.

[bjobotts]

144. We are the majority, not you. We approve of Obama's speech.You try to doom us to failuire

[bkkyosemite]

12. You should have said and if you have problem with my reason for my children being excused from

school take it up with the President of the United States!

[TwixVoy]

13. I would not use my children as a political tool and disrupt their education

to make a political point to a teacher who may (and probably does) agree with you for all you know.

There is no reason they can't watch a recording when they come home AND not miss any school. But I suppose disrupting their education so mom can make a point is more important. Seems to be the same logic the moron right wingers are using to make this non-issue so political.

If your little note to the teacher that probably agrees with you is so important you can deliver it your self instead of using your kids as a shield and instrument to do so.

[question everything]

15. Perhaps there can be a middle ground

How long will the speech be? 20 min? How far is home from school?

Perhaps the kids can be home for the speech and then mom can drive them to school. This way they may have missed only one hour.

[Avalux]

16. Wow. Your post is rather hateful. n/t

[GodDamLiberal]

20. Agreed

Keeping a child out of school to listen to a speech telling them they should stay in school is plain stupid.

[TwixVoy]

22. Yup

and it does nothing but teach her children to get pushed around by right wing bullies. They have now successfully disrupted the normal daily routine of this family. When it comes to the OP, they have won in what they set out to do.

I am living my life as I always have and so is the rest of my family including our children. We do not change our lives because of right wing thugs on TV.

[RayOfHope]

31. The right wing bullies are doing the pushing around by not letting it be shown at school

staying home to watch the speech isn't getting pushed around.

[TwixVoy]

38. Sure it is

This is a moron 6 year old game being played by adults. Fools are letting this "issue" disrupt their lives and their childrens lives.

No child who isn't a complete moron won't be able to find this speech on the internet in 2 minutes flat. No one is being prevented from seeing it. This is just like porn. Act like it is a big deal and kids will go on the net to find it. Now with the right wing making it such a big deal I have no doubt most kids will seek it out on the net the same way.

[RayOfHope]

72. As a teacher, I can tell you that missing school for one day is really not the disruption

you make it out to be.

How about those kids who might really need to hear this encouragement from a black president don't have internet access at home? Its not about being a 'moron'.

[Mythsaje]

160. I was thinking the same thing...

Some of these responses are just a little creepy.

[a la izquierda]

191. It's like bizarro-world in here today...

[rfranklin]

73. You are missing the point by a mile...

It is instructive to the children that their parents find it important for them to watch this speech. Parents take their kids out of school for all kinds of less important reasons--like going to Disney World.

[TwixVoy]

81. The point is they don't have to miss school to see it

I can assure you by the time they get home they will be able to watch it on about 10,000 places on the net.

[riderinthestorm]

90. Except those of us on dialup (rural) who can't download that size file.

My kids school isn't showing it. She's staying home to watch it.

I've already sent the email to the superintendent and her principal telling them why she's missing school. I also asked them if they showed President Ronald Reagan's speech, and President George H.W. Bush's speech (they showed both of them live I already know but would like them to offer another contorted response to that question).

They sought to avoid "controversy" by declining to air the speech. Well, that's bullshit in my mind. They can lose the state revenues from my daughter's lack of attendance that day. I've never relied upon the schools to teach my children everything. Tomorrow she gets the lesson on thinking for herself as she watches the speech, we discuss the controversy and Pres Obama's message, with a side benefit of a trip to the Museum of Natural History in Chicago.

[1Hippiechick]

95. Hooray for you for keeping them at home AND making it a teaching moment! n/t

[lib_wit_it]

156. Great point! Avoiding controversy is catering to that small percentage of RWers who'll do anything

to defy and obstruct President Obama's actions and goals. *We* surround *them,* and we need to stop allowing them to make it appear the other way around.

[woo me with science]

174. A period works at the end of a sentence. nt

[create.peace]

211. Not at all like watching it real time, sorry!nt

[woo me with science]

173. ....

"moron 6 year old game" Do you mean "moronic"?

Is the game six years old? If it is a six-year-old game, you still need hyphens here. I suspect you are trying to say it is a moronic game for six-year-olds.

"their children's lives" (apostrophe needed)

[lark]

213. I think you assume way too much

I have several friends who have old old computers and dial up and who can't view videos or any large files and can not afford more efficient hardware or service. If this person is one of them, you are flat out wrong in your assumptions. Besides seeing the printed word is not the same as hearing Obama, you lose some of the flavor. Schools get paid for each day a child is there, not being there will cut down their funding. If enough children do this, it would make a difference and maybe make the principals think about their stands "next time".

[1Hippiechick]

46. Amen! why should the RW bullies deprive any student from seeing the address live? Mom is right to

teach her kids to stand up against this political bull$hit. There is a principle involved here.

[TwixVoy]

58. They are NOT able to deprive anyone except in your HEAD

they don't have power over you or anyone to see ANYTHING. They have just convinced you they have that power over you because you listen to them on TV.

Anyone who wants to can see the speech. They don't have the power to stop you or any kid who wants to... not even their own. Anyone who wants to see it will.

They have no control over me or my children. They only have power over you if you listen to them and give them the time of day.

It is just like the moron Glen Beck everyone posts about here. If he was not on the TEEVEE no one would give him the time of day and he would be seen as a raving nut job. But because he is on the TV people suddenly think he is worthy of their time to argue with. Get this - he is just as irrelevant a nut job on TV as he is off. The TV just seems special to people because it is their special little box in which they can live part of their life.

[1Hippiechick]

70. Staying out of school is a way to protest the admins' decision AND to allow the student to see the

address when it is broadcast. And, to take it a step further, as a parent I would demand to know the criteria that is used to determine who may or may not address school children during school hours, and I would demand to be told in advance if there was going to be a "guest" speaker at my child's school so I could determine if my child was going to be "indoctrinated" by that guest speaker. If admins' feet arenn't held to the fire for making stupid decisions, they will continue to buckle to RW nuts. If mom doesn't take action and keep her child out of school under these circumstances, she is missing a teaching moment w/her child, imo.

[RayOfHope]

74. Not families without internet access. And yes, they do exist, especially in my rural area n/t

[TwixVoy]

83. It is called the library or a friends house

even the school library has internet access if a public one isn't close by.

Give me a break you are grasping for straws heere.

[RayOfHope]

88. No public transportation in my area, or school libraries that let kids stay after school is out.

I really am not grasping at straws, I'm simply stating facts.

[riderinthestorm]

92. That's me. I've made it clear I'm on a rural dialup line. I can't download any Youtube videos.

My computer simply freezes. There is no public transportation, we are miles in the country. And the school library doesn't allow the kids to stay after school so that is out. The school library does open 15 minutes before school for any parent that wants to drop their child off to check out books ahead of time but since I'm already well into barn chores by that time, it's impossible to get her there.

I COULD take her to the community college libray sometime tomorrow night but there's no guarantee that there will be an open computer, or even a set of headphones available for many hours.

Besides, making a point, a real point to the school IS educational in this instance as I see it. Twixvoy can denigrate it all he/she likes but it's important to some of us. My child's school isn't airing the speech because it's too "controversial".

Bullshit. She can stay home and we can have a discussion about the speech, about the controversy, and THAT will be as instructive a lesson as any life lesson she can ever learn.

[noamnety]

108. at the schools that aren't showing it during the school day

it would make a lot of sense to request that they show it immediately after school or in an optional lunch setting so it's at least available to kids. If they are going a compromise route anyway, that's at least a better compromise than just not showing it at all.

Most of our kids won't have started school yet by tomorrow, last I heard we're planning to show a taped copy after they return.

[riderinthestorm]

110. No compromise though on my school districts part. It's not being shown cause it's too controversial.

Period.

My daughter's been in school since August 26th so this isn't the first day of school at all for her.

I don't have the capability of taping the speech. My daughter's lucky I still have a teevee even since we don't ever watch it. I'm borrowing a friends' converter box in fact since there's no cable down our street, and I only have rabbit ears. LOL.

[noamnety]

114. on the plus side

I am willing to bet that what she will miss out on by not hearing the speech is more than being offset by not being raised by a television. :)

If you had it sent to you on a DVD or VCR tape, or a compressed (youtube sized) video on CD, would you be able to play it? (If you need/want me to do that for you, pm me, I don't mind at all)

[riderinthestorm]

120. You are an angel

:hug:

Thanks for the kind offer but I'm keeping her home tomorrow to watch the speech. I've got the converter box all hooked up and we're ready to go! After that we're heading down to the city for the Pirates exhibit at the Museum of Natural History in Chicago. I'm getting up early to get chores done so we'll be ready to go after the speech.

Honestly, I must admit, I cried like a baby when I discovered we didn't have cable access. And when I looked into satellite and the costs! No way, it was more than we could afford at the time. I was slayed.

Now, 20 years down the road, we don't miss it at all. My 21 year old grew up with rabbit ears - since the reception was so bad she didn't have any inclination to stand there holding the rabbit ears at the crazy angle necessary to watch - what? Friends? snort! And my 12 year old doesn't even have that. I had to drag the teevee up out of the basement, we never watch it.

I do miss it sometimes. I went to a friends house to watch the inauguration. We turned it into a big party - probably something akin to the 1950s where everyone gathered to actually pay attention and WATCH it, not just veg out.

[1Hippiechick]

96. "Give me a break you are grasping for straws heere." LOL. Say uncle. n/t

[dalaigh lllama]

117. Rural America does not have those perks

I think that's one of the reasons Obama wants to get broadband internet access to all these far flung corners. Sometimes the only media available is talk radio and tv. Computer is dial up where available and so slow it's not worth the effort. I visited a friend in rural Missouri last year who had a computer. I wanted to show her something on youtube -- it took 20 minutes to load a 5 minute video.

[woo me with science]

175. You are having a problem with the possessive apostrophe again.

Sentences lacking capitalization and run-on sentences are pretty egregious, too.

[druidity33]

162. you do have children?

I have no broadcast TV, and poor dialup Internet at home. If i want to see it, i'll have to go to the Library (45 min away) and ask the Librarian if i can download the video (no download policy). Or wait until i visit my parents during Thanksgiving. My 8 year old will have NO OTHER OPPORTUNITY to see this speech when or near when it was rendered.

On GB. when millions of people listen to a violent nutjob, he ceases to be a nutjob. He becomes a threat. Telling someone to ignore the Elephant in the room is difficult when it's standing on your foot.


What's right for you is not for everyone. Telling the OP she's a moron for what she's doing shows more about your issues than hers. One can get some education outside of the school, even if it's only for a day.

:shrug:

[sabrina 1]

50. Or, keeping a child in school forbidding them to listen

to a presidential speech telling them to do exactly that, is plain stupid.

[Dappleganger]

69. Yes.

Let's not stoop to the level of the rethugs in all of this, especially where impressionable children are at the center of it all. Thankfully our schools will be showing it to our kids (and our one homeschooled daughter will be watching it live), but if that wasn't the case we'd tape it and watch it like many other important shows.

[Sherman A1]

75. On the surface perhaps, but the district made a decision to not show the

speech. The parent then made a decision upon what they felt was more important. The school exercised their decision making process and so did the parent. Such is the choices we all make (and by the way the absentee issue may affect the district's bottom line).

[rhett o rick]

131. Give me a friggin break. Stupid? nt

[DollyM]

147. no, it isn't! They are our kids first, not the school system!

I remember writing a nice letter to the speech therapist at school was was giving our daughter tons of homework on top of her other homework. I don't know what she was trying to prove but this little girl was so stressed, she was literally pulling her hair out! I told the s.t. she would do a reasonable amount of work for this and we would work with her at home. Sure enough, I got a nasty letter from the school principle telling me that they were, and I quote "the experts here". I told her I was the expert of my child, not them. We homeschooled from then on.
The school system seems to think that they own your children since they get them 7 hours a day. I actually had my son's third grade teacher complain to me before the famous yearly "achievement tests" (Thank you George Bush)that she was competing with "family time" instead of kids working toward preparing for these achievement tests. Last time I checked, I have never heard a judge or police officer say that they someone's kid is a mess because they spend too much time with their kids.
Your kids are your gifts, you can't bring them into the world and then pass them off to someone else to raise and influence. Our son was labeled as mentally retarded until we pulled him out of public school. After he was homeschooled, his IQ scores went up by 15 points! Sorry but many times, the public school does a pitiful job. A parent is the person who can best bring out and nuture their child's talents and abilities. We do this "job" becasue we love our kids, not because we get a pay check.
Parents have been brow beaten over the last 40 or so years into thinking that the school system knows best for their child. It just isn't so. When we had kids in the public school system, if we wanted to take them out for a field trip that was stimulating and more important than the dribble they were learning (or not learning) in the classroom, we did it. That is why we had a child that the school system wrote off as MR and he proved them wrong when he was allowed to have the stimulation that only homeschooling could give him.
Never, never, never forget that they are your kids first and you know what is best for them.

[lib_wit_it]

157. So, do you also read your child's medical tests and proscribe meds and other treatment? Parents do

not *always* know what's best for their child. Some of them seldom do.

I've heard that statement before and it is just as ridiculous every time I hear it. How about the ones who rape or otherwise abuse their children? Do they know what's best?

[proud2BlibKansan]

164. That statement also does nothing to further the discussion about the president's speech to children

Some people will take any chance they can get to slam schools. :crazy:

[lib_wit_it]

220. Anti-intellectualism on parade.

[proud2BlibKansan]

163. I am a special ed teacher and several things you say here make no sense

I have NEVER heard of a speech therapist giving homework. That is crazy. Perhaps she recommended therapy you could incorporate into your everyday conversation with your daughter. That is standard procedure for speech therapy and even if you took your daughter to a hospital or medical clinic for speech therapy that would be part of the therapy process.

It is also crazy that a kid was "written off" as MR because he was pulled out to go on field trips. First of all, chronic absences would PREVENT a referral for testing. And schools don't "write off" kids.

You are free to choose to homeschool your children if you want. But embellishing your story on the internet to make a point in a thread about the president's speech to kids is not helpful if you really support the president.

[onlyadream]

168. Our experience was very similiar to yours

and I pulled my dyslexic daughter out and homeschooled for 2 years. After 3 months she learned to read and was reading above grade level. The idiots at the school didn't "recognize" dyslexia.

Bottom line, do what you think is right for your child. I applaud the OP for her decision, and while it might seem counterintuitive to keep a kid home to listen to a speech about the importance of education, you must realize that education ALSO happens in the home.

[mopinko]

25. i would absolutely give my child a political education. imho these admins are

bordering on treason. they are most certainly not upholding democratic principles. if the public schools system is so politically charged that this speech is boycotted, then a counter lesson is most certainly called for.
of course, i never was one for leaving education up to the schools.

[TwixVoy]

35. If you studied American history

you would be aware treason was the ONLY crime the founders specifically defined in the constitution.... with the sole purpose of preventing people such as your self for using it for political purposes.

This does not at all meet the definition of treason in the constitution. (which I doubt you've read or you would be aware of that, and demostrates why people should not be missing school days)

This is a political non-issue. They republicans are WASTING YOUR TIME on a non-issue and leading you around by the nose. The sad thing is that you can't see it.

[mopinko]

80. probably why i used the words 'bordering on' before the word 'treason'

although they sure are trying to subvert the democratically elected government.

[woo me with science]

176. Your grammar and spelling also illustrate why people should not be missing school days.

"Constitution" needs to be capitalized.

"yourself"

Again, periods are very useful at the end of sentences.

Sad as it is, the word "Republicans" is capitalized, too.

[sabrina 1]

29. Would you stand by and watch someone use a schoolful of children

to make a political point? Seems like you would.

The OP is doing exactly the right thing by not allowing rabid, rightwing crazies prevent her children from paticipating in an historical event. And if, as you ASSUME, the teacher agrees with her, the teacher should not be in school that day either. As a teacher, that is what I would do.

I have no doubt the OP has no problem delivering a message in person to the teacher. What a deliberately nasty and useless comment to make.

[TwixVoy]

36. This is a bull shit issue for morons

it has no importance what-so-ever, and is only getting air time because fools are giving it attention.

Ignore it and it goes away.

[Lex]

37. "Ignore it and it goes away."

Uh, no.

[TwixVoy]

39. Sure it does

As soon as the speech is over it will be forgotten in short order and the right wing will create another BS issue to get you to waste your time on.

If no one paid attention to this they would have already moved over to the next issue that gets peoples attention. They are like six year olds trying to do something negative to get attention. As long as you don't let it get to you they give up and move on to the next thing.

[sabrina 1]

44. That doesn't explain your gratuitous insult

to the OP.

As for ingoring the antics of the rightwingnut crazies, that has been done already. For decades as they built their hate-filled organizations and took over the airwaves and filled them with vile, hateful rhetoric and propaganda, Democrats ignored them.

So, you ignore them if you wish, just don't expect others to join you in your apathy. Or whatever.

[TwixVoy]

55. Sure it explains it

it is wrong to let stupid BS issues disrupt your childs life. People who are forcing their children to do ANYTHING because of this BS issue started by people who don't give a damn about your child deserve scorn.

[sabrina 1]

62. No, it doesn't but with each comment

you make, the explanation does become more obvious. Just so you know :-)

[TwixVoy]

64. What's that?

That a lot of people let their lives be run by what the box with moving pictures says?

It is sad I don't even know what FAUX news is saying until I read it here on DU.... which is a place I hope to avoid such BS. The TV has no power over you unless you let it.

[sabrina 1]

77. Well, that is the reality,

A majority of people DO get their propaganda from TV. And that is reason for so many otherwise intelligent people spouting talking points that are meaningless. And the reason why over 2 thirds of the country is 'confused' over the Healthcare issue.

It's also the reason why the anti-Obama-speech to schoolchildren received any attention at all. The MEDIA covers it all.

Sticking your head in the sand and assuming that if a few people don't watch TV, that is an assurance the message won't ge through and doesn't need to be countered. That is exactly what happened in the '90s, when all day long, people were exposed to Rush Limbaugh, Savage, Insannity et al with nothing to counter it because Democrats were 'above that kind of thing'. They thought it would go away also. Instead it nearly brought down a president while Democrats were taking YOUR advice.

There was not even one nationally known Liberal Talkshow on the radio, and the public was told that was because there was no interest.

Why were they believed? Because they yelled louder. If yelling is all they have to offer, and I don't see anything else coming from them, and if that gets the media's attention, then it's time to start drowning them out, way past time.

Your assumption that if we just ignore them like we have in the past, they will go away, is naive at best and at worst, well, self-serving.

[1Hippiechick]

99. Go, Sabrina! I stook and saluted when I read your post! LOL. Seriously, right on the money! n/t

[truebrit71]

197. You go girl!! The whole "if I close my eyes no-one can see me" routine is ridiculous...

..

[woo me with science]

182. I thought the lack of possessive apostrophe was a typo at first,

but I see it is a consistent problem. You should have written, "...your child's life." The erratic capitalization of sentences is a persistent problem, also.

There are remedial writing courses online.

[woo me with science]

181. "gets people's attention"

Those pesky apostrophes.

"six-year-olds"

You might want to look up proper usage of commas in complex and compound sentences. Ending a sentence with a preposition is forgivable online, I suppose, although you might want to look up the rule for other contexts.

[FLDCVADem]

45. I pretty much feel the same way

Neither of my kids' schools are showing the speech, so they can watch it at home, if they choose to do so. I think it is silly not to show it in school, but to me, it's not a hill I'm willing to die on.

[Occulus]

63. "Ignore it and it goes away."

It is truly saddening to me to find that adults still fall for that utter garbage. I was bullied by people with the same mentality as the far right has today from K-12. I was bullied for that long because I trusted in that particular advice.

What I learned, to my own sorrow and public humiliation and shame, is that ignoring it only makes the bullies try harder. The whole idea that if you ignore it, a bully will go find another target that's more fun is complete and utter claptrap. It's shit. It has no basis in reality in any way.

In my experience, bullies enjoy seeing you take it without any meaningful response. They like seeing their victims suffer over and over again. I truly wish I had started fights with the worst of them back then, because it I would have ended up a) with a lot more self-confidence because b) the only thing that stops a bully is giving them back what they themselves have dished out. I would have been suspended for a few days back then, but looking back, that's not really all that much of a punishment.

I was "too nice to do that", so I suffered. I learned my lesson too late for it to do any good for the situation.

It amuses me to hear the one sure remedy for serial bullying getting called "stooping to their level", because that's usually spouted off by the same people who say "ignore it and it'll go away". Neither statement is in any way true, and I'm mystified when grown men and women say it.

[TwixVoy]

65. I stopped reading on the first sentence

I wouldn't say "ignore it and it goes away" on a real issue.... but this issue is as stupid as someone trying to argue about what color the grass is. It is a waste of time only a moron would pay attention to, thus it is better to ignore it. However the argument ends the grass will still be green. Likewise however this ends any child who wants to see the speech will see it on youtube within 24 hours.

[1Hippiechick]

71. Go back and apply your arguments to the school admins who are disallowing the broadcast, and then

maybe you will understand how many of us believe that your stance is the one the school admins should have taken.

[DonCoquixote]

136. And do you really think

That the Right wing will not use this as a victory to motivate their side? Do you think it is an accident that this happens right on the week the big health care speech happens, where they are already calling it a "Obama's waterloo" where they have to break him? Yes, it IS STUPID, exactly the sort of STUPID victory that STUPID people get stronger from, and then they go after real victories, whereas we on the left love our Iq's so much we dismiss any threat until the mob arrives at our door.

It makes no sense to be ten times as strong as any one person when the villains can send a dozen after you.

[RayOfHope]

78. You keep using the term 'morons'. Who's the moron here? n/t

[TwixVoy]

85. Anyone who gets foaming at the mouth

after watching the TEEVEEEEE.

Funny how I don't watch FAUX news and this has not effected my family at all. Must be magic.

[RayOfHope]

87. Well, there's only one person on this thread running around calling people morons

how's that shoe fitting you?

[sabrina 1]

125. It hasn't affected you?

Reading your out of control comments in this thread, that's just not even remotely believable. You are enraged that there is a backlash to the morons (oh, and we all, except you, are very clear on who the morons are).

You KNOW about the issue despite your protestations to the contrary. You are here, desperately trying to stop the backlash! Not a word about the instigators though, which you do KNOW about despite your claims to be above it all. And you choose to attack the backlash rather than the main cause.

But I personally want to thank you for helping to get this thread to the greatest page. I hope you'll stick around and help get it to the top, if it isn't there already.

What the OP is doing I hope will be the decision of thousands of thinking and responsible parents around the country and I hope this backlash grows against the moronic school administrators, parents and teachers, who for political reasons, used their children and the children of others, to try to denigrate a president most likely for many of them, because he is black.

Take a bow, you have contributed in your own small way to getting attention for the issue. Now, let's see if the biased media will start telling the other side of this story. You, of course, won't know about that, since you never allow these silly issues to influence your life ~ :rofl:

[Control-Z]

153. Go back and read the entire thread.

YOU are the only one foaming at the mouth. You're also calling names and insulting people.

It's probably time to give it a rest.

[woo me with science]

180. Please read this excellent post for help with "affect" versus "effect."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=6486451&mesg_id=6489461

[lib_wit_it]

158. If we ignore you, will you go away? Please?

[woo me with science]

177. Again, your sentences need periods and capital letters.

Keep concentrating. It will sink in.

"Bullshit" is usually written as one word.

"Whatsoever" is also one word.

[RetroLounge]

209. "Ignore it and it goes away."

Been trying that for you and it hasn't worked...

:puke:

RL

[1Hippiechick]

42. That's rather harsh, don't you think? n/t

[LanternWaste]

51. Much like Obama's inauguration?

I imagine you apply the same standard's to Obama's inauguration, yes?

Seems to me that each point you made could be validly transferred to his inauguration speech that so many attended, and one day of school be damned.

[TwixVoy]

57. Don't care

don't even know what the hell you are talking about because if it was something like this I probably didn't care and didn't give them any attention and thus the right wing wasn't able to effect me or my family. They have no power over us because they have air time on FOX news which we don't watch.

Funny how neither my life or my childs was effected with that speech, nor will it be with this one... (we will all see them both just fine) and if my children want to see either speech they have a bigger brain than a house cat and know how to type www.youtube.com. Our lives are not controlled by what the right winger on the TEEVEEE says. It is sad that yours is.

I don't even know what the hell they are saying on FAUX news unless I read it here on DU which is pretty sad. Amazingly I don't even know what they are saying, and the lives of me and my family are uneffected by them. Thus they have no real power other than convincing you they do after you watch them on TV.

[LanternWaste]

97. I imagine many people are content

I imagine many people are content to sit on the sidelines and watch the reruns...

[sabrina 1]

124. And yet, here you are, getting yourself all upset

over what you say you pay no attention to at all ~ proving that the poison spreads even to those who don't own a TEEVEE.

Which means we have no choice but to do something about it. I hate to say it, but you, pure as you claim you tried to keep yourself, have clearly failed. Through no faul of your own, I'm sure!!

Your very presence in this thread demonstrates how impossible to avoid it is, how insidious, reaching even someone as above it all as yourself, which, assuming you are sincere, makes you exhibit #1 in the case for NOT ignoring it.

[foo_bar]

171. "able to effect me" -> "able to affect me"; "uneffected by them" -> "unaffected by them"

This is by far the most requested grammar topic, so I have a few mnemonics and a matching cartoon to help you remember.



http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/affect-versus-effect.aspx

"Effect" can also be a verb, e.g., "to effect change", but effecting a person might entail childbirth:

The real problem arises when people confuse the first spelling with the second: “effect.” This too can be two different words. The more common one is a noun: “When I left the stove on, the effect was that the house filled with smoke.” When you affect a situation, you have an effect on it.

The less common is a verb meaning “to create”: “I’m trying to effect a change in the way we purchase widgets.” No wonder people are confused. Note especially that the proper expression is not “take affect” but “take effect”—become effective. Hey, nobody ever said English was logical: just memorize it and get on with your life.

http://www.wsu.edu:8001/~brians/errors/affect.html

[woo me with science]

178. You beat me to it.

Excellent graphic.

[woo me with science]

179. Please read this excellent post:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=6486451&mesg_id=6489461

Usually one is affected "by" something, not "with" it.

You are still having serious trouble with the possessive apostrophe.

Again, the missing commas and poor sentence construction are forgiven.

[Crunchy Frog]

186. I suppose that as far as health care goes, you belong to the school of thought of

"I've got mine, fuck everyone else."

The RW propaganda machine is in the process of derailing meaningful healthcare reform, and thousands and thousands of people will die because of it. Just like thousands and thousands of people died from the unnecessary war that the RW noise machine lied this country into. But hey, I guess you've got your healthcare, and for whatever reason, feel it's secure. Fuck the poor bastards who don't have healthcare. And the war didn't affect you or anyone you care about, so fuck all the poor suckers out there who were and are affected.

You apparrently have the luxery of finding the RW propaganda machine to simply be an annoying noise that can be tuned out. Some people living in the REAL world experience real life and death consequences from it.

But the rest of us should just sit back and take it, because doing something about it might somehow make you uncomfortable.

I won't finish my thought on this subject because it would get my post deleted.

[BlooInBloo]

60. Yah - it's like indoctrination, isn't it? lolol!

[Canuckistanian]

121. Why do you consider this political?

Is a President's message ALWAYS considered political?

What about leadership? Common sense? Public service?

Is it that past presidents shamelessly used public speeches for partisan reasons?

If John Kennedy had given a speech to schoolkids, would your parents have protested "political interference" in the school?

[rhett o rick]

132. No, instead you let your school use them instead. Good grief. nt

[AlbertCat]

146. I would not use my children as a political tool and disrupt their education

Aren't you special!!!!

Keeping a child home so she can not be subjected to myopic frightened school policies and teaching her to not be intimidated by fools doesn't seem so bad to me. It's a better lesson that what she'd get on that particular day in school. Seems like she's teaching her child something, not using her for political anything. After all, it's the nutty conservatives that made this an issue and the school fell for it. The folks in charge seem to need a day in school more than anyone's kids.

BTW... if missing one day of school disrupts your kids' education, they must not be too bright....or at least you don't think they are. Judging from your fake, smug outrage, you don't seem to be too bright either. Maybe yours SHOULD go to school rather than stay home with you.

[woo me with science]

172. "yourself" nt

[Mystayya]

194. I agree

My boys can see it or not see it. I don't think it will make much difference either way. I think the RWers who are freaking out are morons, but I certainly wouldn't keep my kids home to watch a speech they can just as well see later that afternoon.

[kevinbgoode]

14. Perhaps you should have mentioned this. . .if you think it applicable

since you mentioned an administrator is a Repuke. "I am certainly aware, as are many other citizens who pay taxes in this district, that a decision prohibiting the President to speak to the nation's children is possibly based on political motivations of some administrators. Unless the district can show me that no public officials are allowed to address our children and that has been written into policy and reflected in the treatment of past presidential addresses, I have some concern about the possibility of direct political indoctrination of children by school officials with publicly-known political beliefs and how those beliefs influence the rights of children to receive an education free of that political indoctrination.

[Avalux]

18. That is good -

and I will not use it in the excuse but may later.

[1Hippiechick]

54. Great idea! Another idea: why wouldn't this policy need to be enforced w/all speakers who address

students?

[BlueIdaho]

21. Brilliant!

Just because some weak kneed little pipsqueak wets themself when the local republican thugs send out the marching orders is no reason for your children to miss a message from the President of the United States of America.

edit = typo

[democrat2thecore]

23. That's great! -nt

[sabrina 1]

27. Why would anyone unrec' this post?

Excellent and this is what everyone should do.

This isa historic speech. Sometime in the future, adults who are children now, will be talking about where they were, what class or school they were in, when they watched it.

Really, I admire you for this decision. Your children will learn more by your decision than going to a classroom where their right to listen to their president speak, has been denied to them.

I hope you have lots of company and that they hear from plenty of parents as they have from you.

I have not had any responses to my emails to education officials in AZ. Not even a computer generated response. Not that I expected it.

[Apollo11]

28. Why not watch the speech together online after school?

If I was a kid, I would find it very weird if my mom or dad made me miss the first day of school so I could stay home and watch the President make a speech on TV.

If you don't have TiVO or a VCR - why not just watch the speech online at c-span.org?

[RayOfHope]

30. It might not be the first day. We've been in since Aug 18th. nt

[Fire1]

33. I'd say because there's a 'principle' involved. Then I would

explain what that principle is and why the school chose to succumb to the pressures of ignorant people. This is how you get students to engage in critical and independent thinking.

[Avalux]

34. I'm not forcing my daughters to do anything they don't want to do.

One is in 8th grade, the other is a senior - they are in agreement and are upset they can't watch at school.

I have taught them how to THINK - something that sometimes, doesn't happen in a classroom (especially here in Texas).

[FLDCVADem]

76. I agree with you 100% on this

Your daughters are old enough to think this through and make the decision on seeing the speech at home.

My kids' schools aren't showing the speech, but we aren't keeping them home, as we'll both be at work and I don't want them to miss a day of school. We'll Tivo the speech, and if they want to watch it, it will be here for them.

[sabrina 1]

56. If I was a kid, I would be delighted if my mom

allowed me to stay home and watch the president speak to me and other schoolchildren. I would consider it weird if I went to school and found out that my school had forbidden me to listen to it.

[riderinthestorm]

98. Can't. Rural dialup connection won't let me download anything without complete computer meltdown.

No tivo either.

Yes, some people on DU actually DO live in the country.

:hi:

So she'll stay home tomorrow and watch it on our 25 year old teevee, complete with rabbit ears (yup, no cable out here either).

[wundermaus]

32. Nothing gets the School Adminstration's attention...

like students staying home. If your school district is anything like ours, they lose revenue for every kid that stays home. That can add up to some serious money if enough parents keep their kids home because the school administration has a problem with a black man who just happens to be the President of the United States of America talking to their students. A perfect way to drive it home for those who try to obstruct a positive and educational address to the youth of America by our duly elected President.

[BlueGirlRedState]

40. We live in a suburb of Waco

and the school district is showing a delayed version of the speech -- on the next day. (Waco ISD is not showing it at all.) When I called the superintendent to complain about the "opt out" letter I received, he was flabbergasted that I was complaining. He said he had been fielding ugly emails and phone calls for days and couldn't beleive I was complaining when his was one of the few districts in Texas showing it, albeit a day late. The letter home said the administration would watch the live presentation on Tuesday, and it it was not as communicated, they would cancel. I was extremely upset by this. The administrator said he fully expected to receive death threats over this.

Ironically, the broadcast time the school has set on Wednesday is the same time as a long-standing doctor's appointment for my daughter, so she wont' get to hear it at school. I want to be very clear to the school this is a real doctor's appointment and I whole-heartedly approve of their showing, although i do not like the way it was done.

[MadMaddie]

41. Good on you!

Great letter.

[neoconn]

43. I think......

I think some of us are trying to say that this event it self has historic and sentimental value and should be enjoyed LIVE from intended source. The very notion of not showing it in our schools sends a clear message and by choosing to watch the event LIVE, in the home, with the family sends a clear message.

I know keeping my son out of school for one day, for this historic event is: A) Not going to negatively impact his education B) Reinforce from the POTUS lips what I tell him everyday about education and C)Stand by what I believe in and teach my son to do the same for what he believes in.
In the end do what you think is best for your family to watch or read this speech.

"I might not like how you got here but I am happy your here!"
Quote I just made...

[noamnety]

47. I didn't think it would be so historic

I figured it would be somewhat of a fluff "be inspired, do good" speech, like a graduation speech.

I think the right wingers have made it historic, and if they hadn't made such a big deal out of it, it would have been on the level of reagon or bush I's speech, which frankly I don't remember.

[FLDCVADem]

49. The speech isn't even live

IIRC, it's already been taped.

[FLDCVADem]

66. And I want to correct myself

It will be live - I thought it had already been taped.

[1Hippiechick]

100. ???

[FLDCVADem]

104. Did you read my correction? n/t

[1Hippiechick]

107. Well obviously not! LOL Sorry. n/t

[neoconn]

221. Thanks!!!

I read it. Thanks for the correction! BTW what does n/t stand for?

[Control-Z]

148. Nice post

Welcome to DU!:hi:

[neoconn]

222. I am glad to be here.

Thanks for the welcome!

[renate]

187. and we're happy you're here!

:hi:

Welcome to DU!

[neoconn]

224. Thanks for the welcome!!

I have been looking for a board where I can participant in subject matter that I want to discuss and I found it! All the right wing propaganda (at work and politico.com) was just getting to me. I need to be in a community that will discus/debate subjects with actual logic!

Looking forward to good conversation....

[Control-Z]

226. And you will

fit right in here! I haven't thought that about many of our new members, lately.

[Ghost Dog]

48. "this speech by our President was very important."

Suggest you replace "was" with "is".

(just a minor quibble).

[woo me with science]

52. Your choice,

but be aware that there is another DU-er here telling his or her kids not to play with any kids who stay home.

[1Hippiechick]

102. LOL n/t

[amborin]

53. attendance = state $$$ will Obama be blamed when schls report low attendance and complain of lost $

just wondering if, regardless of what's written in an excuse, the schools will spin this in a
bad way

just want to say: it goes without saying that I'm totally in favor of O's speech

but I'm wondering if keeping your child home is wise?

[sabrina 1]

61. If it costs them money for caving into rightwing demands

so be it. They can spin it any way they want, but the fact remains, this a political ploy using schoolchildren to attack the president. Any school that involves itself in politics like this, is responsible when the school loses money over it.

[graywarrior]

59. Exxxxcellent!

[BREMPRO]

67. awesome! righteous civil disobedience right back at them!

[Maru Kitteh]

82. Brilliant! Excellent job. If it's not too late, you should network with as many other parents as

possible. Everybody do the same thing and send the same note.

Love it!

[Techn0Girl]

155. Excellent Idea!

Yes - we should all network together to help monitor what's going on in our schools.
We could even give it a name - like Parent Teachers Association or something!

And we could hold regular meetings like and keep involved and such.

Oh wait - that would probably take a lot of time.

Better just keep the kid out of school for a day.
And post!

[Maru Kitteh]

195. When right-wing nutbags flip out cuz the scary black man wants to talk to their precious white baby

It's appropriate to stand up and say "FUCK YOU" to the idiot scumbag racist buckets of pus.

[Techn0Girl]

214. When nut-bags flip out....

No, it is not appropriate.
It is vile, crass and quite frankly - nutty.
And if someone did or said that anywhere but on the Internet they would be considered a nutter.

There are ways, political and social ways, of changing society to the way one wants it. But they all involve hard work and careful thought.
Ways like joining your local PTA or running for the school board or getting involved on a weekly basis with your local Democratic party )or any ther party that floats your boat).

But calling out a four letter word when faced with a situation one doesn't like is either for children or nutters.

[Maru Kitteh]

219. Oh please! If you want to sit with your thumb up your ass at a PTA meeting

believing that is going to get you somewhere with these diptwits regarding this particular issue, you're free to do so.

[ellenfl]

84. great note but i would not even ask if it is acceptable.

assume that it is. unless things have changed radically, you should not need approval for keeping your kids out of school for one day.

ellen fl

[Dystopian]

93. KandR!

Great parenting deserves acknowledgment!

peace~

[Lithos]

94. k&r

:thumbsup:

[DollyM]

101. one of the reasons we homeschooled . . .

We live in a small community and the school system leaves alot to be desired anyway. But I wanted my son to reflect my values and understand what was important to us and then leave it to him to make an informed decision. We spent many, many hours talking about the war, George Bush, politics and so forth so when it was time for him to vote, he did so because he was informed. Of course, he did tell me that his friends said Obama was a Muslim who was not even an American citizen but he at least came to me with this information and I corrected it.
Public schools are in a sorry state anymore and getting worse. I think I would have done the exact same thing if my son had been in public school for this because I would have wanted him to hear what our President had to say.
I have always taught respect for the office of the President, even when I didn't respect George Bush as a person. I always made that disctinction to our son and told him why. These parents that are screaming they don't want their children indoctrinated have no solid reason to be saying this. I haven't seen one be asked the question as to why they do not want their child to hear the Presidents speech and be able to give a solid and reasonable answer.

[Riley18]

103. Sounds like what any respectable parent should do. Hope more parents do the same.

I teach in Florida, but as of Friday we were allowing the children with notes from home to go to the cafeteria to wait out the President's message. Unfortunately, I won't be in school with my students due to an injury, but I plan on working some of his points into my students' journal writing. I agree that the kids should be thinking about what good things they can do for the world when they grow up, and the necessity of a good education in order to have a decent job. Tomorrow I will be watching our President and taking notes. I am very grateful that he is taking time from his busy schedule to give a much needed pep talk about the importance of education. The republicans would be happy if he were telling them to eat ketchup instead of veggies. Oh, I forgot, saint Ronnie already took care of that.

[proud2BlibKansan]

105. You need to insist that the absence not only be excused but forgiven

In other words, wiped off the record. As if they were actually at school. The school can do this. They do it when kids are absent for educational reasons. An example would be the debate team going to a debate tournament. Even though they aren't at school, the kids on the team are not counted absent.

I really think you should push this. Send the message that this decision not to air the speech was boneheaded and shouldn't negatively affect your kids.

[Apollo11]

149. This is getting insane

You are going to yell at the principal until she/he wipes your daughter/son's absence off the attendance record ??? :eyes:

If it is wrong for right-wingers to keep their kids at home to protect them from hearing the President's speech.

Then it is also wrong for liberals to keep their kids at home to protect them from NOT hearing the President's speech.

Let's try to be consistent here and apply the same rules to both teams (liberals and conservatives).

[proud2BlibKansan]

161. Who said anything about yelling at the principal?

It is perfectly reasonable to insist that your child's absence not be counted, since this is an educational experience. Schools do this all the time.

On the other hand, staying out of school to avoid hearing the speech could hardly be considered an educational activity.

[Techn0Girl]

215. On the other hand ....

Of course, it's right when WE do it but wrong when the right wing nut-bags do it.
It's right because WE'RE right.
Because we're not racists.
Because we're not afraid of scary Black men like they are.
Which makes us right.

And it's such a great idea.
I say - take your kids out of school WHENEVER you have a political fight.
Take 'em out when the school refuses to get textbooks on Evolution.
Take 'em out when those right wing nut jobs try to pray in school.
Take 'em out when they refuse to air our President's speech.
That will show the school because they'll lose funding if we all band together and do this.
So that when we put 'em back in school it will be underfunded.
And we will have won.
Good on us.

[FLDCVADem]

183. That's the point I was trying to make on another thread

to no avail.

If keeping home so that they won't see the speech is unexcused, then keeping them home to see the speech should be unexcused.

[DeschutesRiver]

106. Curious - did this school broadcast speeches by other presidents, like elder Bush for example?

Wondering if not showing Obama's presidential message to school children is the exception to the usual rule (I think Reagan also had broadcast to kids, might be others as well, but don't know for certain).

[GoddessOfGuinness]

109. Great idea!

I homeschool my son; and we will be watching Obama's speech together too.

[MrMickeysMom]

111. Stand your ground!

Good on you.

[roody]

112. Hooray for you from a primary teacher.

[southernyankeebelle]

113. BRAVO, BRAVO, BRAVO

[Maestro]

115. Awesome reason to stay home

We will be broadcasting the speech to all classrooms in my school K-5. In fact, our superintendent ordered it.

[marshall]

118. I think it will probably be available to be watched after the fact

Undoubtedly on both the White House web site and Youtube and an assortment of other such places.

The beauty of the Internet.

[glinda]

119. What a good idea. You are a true patriot I think!

[adamuu]

122. This whole thing is so ridiculous. i'm at a loss, really

is this what it has come to?

[beac]

123. Brava!

:applause:

[Liberty Belle]

126. That'll teach 'em - losing that ADA money. You should stand out front

in the a.m. with handouts and encourage other parents to do the same.

[chknltl]

127. Good plan Avalux this DUer applauds your wisdom

:patriot: :applause: :patriot:

[sce56]

128. I just got the call from the School saying if I did not want them to watch they need a note!

Otherwise they will watch.

[applegrove]

129. You are inspiring.

[zonkers]

130. a thinkin mom. right on.

[seabeyond]

134. i had to take child out of school, to listen to speech about staying in school from pres

bet ironic huh.

[Apollo11]

151. You just broke the secret code of Democratic Underground!

Please remember: nothing a liberal does is ever dumb - if we do it for the right reasons.

Never criticize a fellow DU member unless they are guilty of supporting the President (i.e. selling out).


My guess is that President Obama would want all parents to send their children to school.

[Tx4obama]

135. CNN & C-Span will air it on TV and it will be on YouTube to be watched anytime. n/t

[Lost-in-FL]

137. Brilliant. nt

[readmoreoften]

138. Good for you. I'm completely appalled by the cowards who are letting these sickos demonize the

president for doing even the most ceremonial duties. They aren't conservatives in my book. They're nationalists/fascists with a racial and cultural agenda of exclusion and the fact that they're getting ANY consideration by school boards and town halls is a cancer in the soul of the American people.

[Sheltiemama]

143. Call the media.

I work for a paper. If they give you trouble, call your local paper or TV news station. We'd love a story like this.

[tomm2thumbs]

152. You or someone should contact the morning shows - and get this story on the air!! first a.m.

anyone have the last-minute skills to get this aired first thing in the a.m.? if not an interview, at least the story

[Techn0Girl]

154. Oh My yes - I can see the headlines now!

Liberals Keep Children Out of School Despite President's Wishes.

What great press we'll all get.
Glen Beck ... wast that you ?

[lib_wit_it]

159. The president's message to "stay in school" should not be taken literally. They must go home some-

times, and will need to stay home some other times.

[sabrina 1]

217. And what are the headlines now?

b]'Parents across the country outraged over President's address to schoolchildren, calling it 'indoctrination'.

And where is the other side of that story so far? That is what people are being led to believe is the majority opinion.

This action by the Op and I hope many others, is a tiny way, I know we always seem to whispering, of letting people know that this is not a majority at all, but a small, loud, politically motivated and probably well-funded group.

Now we have the opportunity of seeing headlines like this


<[b>Parents across the country outraged over schools decision to deprive their children of participating in and educational and historic event.

Each time these bullies throw a punch, they need to be trained to expect a knock-out punch in return. That is the only way to stop them.

Your method of dealing with them is why they have grown so powerful that the media covers their every whimper.

Thanks, but I want to belong to party that doesn't like and take it from bullies every single time.

You do whatever you want.

This action by the OP is an excellent way to respond to bullies who think there is no one in the world but them and that other people's children are at their disposal for political purposes.

[boston bean]

165. Skip school to stay in school! LOL

:hi:

[onlyadream]

169. It's about education

which can happen at home or in the school. Do you think Obama's speech is against all the homeschoolers out there?

[boston bean]

185. I was only snarking about the stupidity of people who will not let their children watch the speech.

I found it ironic, that to hear the speech about staying in school you have to skip school.

don't get all bent out of shape! ;-)

[Honeycombe8]

166. The reason is false, since the speech will be shown on nat'l TV Tues. evening, so missing school

unnecessary. If you're making a political point, you should be truthful, IMO.

[Rebubula]

167. AWESOME IDEA!!

If I had kids in a Red state, I would use your template.

Very well done.

[LWolf]

170. The absense won't be excused for that reason,

but unless your kids have excessive absences during the year, it won't affect them. Absences are generally "excused" or not depending on whether it affects ADA, which is how districts are paid by the state. CA started a policy some years back, a few years before I moved out, excusing NO absences. It was, in the words of the then state superintendent, the "butts in the seat" law. We got ADA when the kid showed up and spent the day in class, and for no other reason. Not that we wanted them there when we were ill.

Each state is different, of course, but all use ADA to fund.

Keeping your kids out to protest classroom activities (or the lack thereof) is common. Some religious groups do it all the time. It's also effective. States never fully fund schools. They count on absences to make sure that they won't.

I support your right to do as you think best for your kids, of course.

It also grieves me to see our schools turned into a political battleground. My kids show up this morning for the first time. I want to welcome them, and to begin setting the tone for a productive work year. My district, my admin, my colleagues, my students, my parents...we're a team. We are supposed to be on the same side. The side of learning. The idea that my school site, or my classroom, will be used to make political statements just hurts.

I leave my politics, and my faith, in the parking lot before I walk through the doors, so that I can best serve ALL my families.

[Freddie Stubbs]

188. So, you kept her out of school so that she could watch a speech about how important education is?

A more responsible course of action would be to tape the speech and show it to her after school.

[FLDCVADem]

189. That's what I'm doing

Tivo it is.

I was supposed to be at work today, but as I'm waiting for the plumber, I'll watch it live.

[madmax]

199. Joe the Plumber?

:rofl: ;)

[FLDCVADem]

204. OMG

NO NO NO!!!

[NewAgeThinker]

192. I Pledge.....

I Pledge to NEVER say a speech is great and important before even hearing it.

[RoadRage]

193. I don't like the idea...

I thought it was idiotic for the parents on the right who want to make a political statement with THEIR kids by keeping them home if the video IS shown.. and frankly I think it's just as silly to do it on the left if it's NOT being shown.

Kids should go to school to learn. "Skipping school" to watch Obama talk about how skipping school isn't a way to get ahead just sort of seems utterly hypocritcal if you ask me.

Send your kid to school. Tell them that you will video tape Obama's speech, or you will watch it on YOU TUBE on the computer when he/she comes home from school and you'll talk about it as a family then.

Just don't cow-tail to the Right Wing's idiotic parenting style of "if they are discussing something that I don't 100% agree with, i'm going to sheild my kid from it at all costs". Teaching oppositional views actually grows mental accuity (not spelling however ;). That's why Sarah Palin THINKS she's smart.. and Obama actually is!

[Uncle Joe]

198. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Avalux.

[fascisthunter]

200. another kick and recommend!

[Old Vet]

201. Education speech

Funny, No one said a peep when Bush and Reagan did this! Sad...........It was a great speech that my boys and I will watch and discuss tonite.

[fascisthunter]

207. that's pretty cool

my father never spoke to me directly regarding politics. Because of me, he actually reads DU.

[WatchWhatISay]

202. Can we all remember that the liberal who wrote this is from TEXAS?

I'm feeling a little defensive lately about all the Texas bashing that I see going on, not just on DU, but on TV programs such as The Daily Show and the cable shows. I know our state is one of the leaders in nutball right wingers, in that we do seem to have more than our share of them, but something like 44% of us voted for Obama in the last election.

Maybe its just a case of these idiots taking the idea of everything being bigger in Texas to heart, just a lttle too much and thinking that means they have to be twice as outrageous as wingers from other states. The secessionists kooks are a good example.

But liberals here are as good as liberals anywhere. It's not like we are all blue dog dems because we come from Texas, hardly. In fact I consider myself so liberal, that I just barely fit into the Democratic party, and maybe only then because, as we all know, there's not really any other viable place to go.

And Avalux, you make me wish my kids were still in school, so I could do the same thing you are doing. Way to go!

[Dollface]

203. This series of responses will have the Freepers high-fiving and laughing their asses off.

[1Hippiechick]

206. Not any more than we are laughing at the Freepers' reaction/responses today.... n/t

[Dollface]

208. Today and everyday, but usually we talk over their heads.

:evilgrin: ;-)

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

205. My kid is going to school....

But she IS wearing her Obama t-shirt.

[Dollface]

210. Oh SNAP! I hope other parent's had that thought.

[create.peace]

212. sleeping giant awakened, too angry to scrapbook

http://www.commondreams.org/video/2009/09/08

[Pretty_in_CodePink]

218. I wish I thought of that n/t

[Old Studentka]

223. Where shall I pin the medal, madam?

Your title suggested wingnuttery!