Communication with Junior High School over President's Address

[Octafish]

My wife and I sent this to our son's junior high (we're in a suburb of Detroit):

(Dear Principal X)

Do not let our kids be highjacked by politics. People are attempting to sabotage the speech by the President of the United States. He is addressing kids to discuss topics that are not partisan. Please do not give in to the ridiculous pressure. We need our children to hear about citizenship and hear it from the highest office in the land.

An independent review of the speech and materials found:

“The pre-K through 6th grade materials said the main ideas of the speech would be "citizenship, personal responsibility, civic duty." The materials for high schoolers mention "personal responsibility, goals, persistence.”- Politifact

Read more at

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2009/sep/02/republican-party-florida/republican-party-florida-says-obama-will-indoctrin/

-- (The Octafishes)

My wife and I received this from our son's junior high:

Mr. and Mrs. (Octafish) -

Thanks for your e-mail. I didn’t show the speech today for a variety of reasons; first day of school, lunch time for half the kids, technology difficulties we are experiencing in regard to a tech upgrade which we are still waiting to complete. My intention is to have our kids see the President’s speech within the next couple of weeks in advisory. I did watch the video stream and certainly, I believe, kids can’t hear the message the President sent today often enough.

(Principal X)

Three quick points:

1. Although the speech wasn't carried live in my kid's school, the administration will show it in the coming weeks. The same story might hold elsewhere.

2. The educators and the administrators -- the educated ones -- are on our side. They answer to school boards, all too-often filled with the ill- and the mis-educated.

3. Obama took the high road for a reason: It's the way to real progress with the confused parents who listen to Fox and the rest of Corporate McPravda.

If you get a moment, please let us know your points and thoughts.

[seabeyond]

1. and it doesnt sound like guy was wigglin out. seems legitimate reasons

i wonder how many schools will use it later. i can see this happening too

[Octafish]

3. At first I thought, ''Lots o' excuses...''

Then, I realized that the guy had to point out what they're dealing with.

I just want to see more kids learn how important school is for their futures.

When I worked at a newspaper, I'd get invites for "Career Day" from a couple of the local schools.

I'd ask the class: "How many of you like to read?" and about half the hands would go up. I'd smile and make eye contact with every kid and see how many kids would smile back. It correlated pretty well to those who liked to read.

The other question I'd alway ask: "How many of you think school is a prison?" And the teachers would make a move toward me, like a bouncer toward a card counter lighting up a blackjack table. All the hands would go up. Then I'd say, "Well, the place does have small windows and you've got to do what you're told, but that's it. School only looks like a prison. This is really the oppposite. School is where you learn what you need to know to be free to set your own course in life." The teacher would step back and the kids, again about half, would get it.

Thanks, seabeyond! Really appreciate you getting it!

[seabeyond]

4. i like your stories. nt

[sandnsea]

2. Schools that didn't show it, could be convinced

With a little polite push from influential parents and the suggestion to show it in advisory, as your school is doing.

[Octafish]

5. That's my hope, too: What parents wouldn't want their kids to do their best in school?

It would take some mighty compelling reason for parents to put something ahead of their child's education. For too many parents, IMFO, such issues are politics and race.

In my community there are many second-tier racists, meaning they're not public in their bigotry, but maintain a common hatred for The Other. More often than not, the racists also are "very conservative" politically.

It's almost impossible to get through to them with discussion. They think Bush was a good president and that Cheney led him astray. They think they know all they need to know. Nothing they hear can change their mind. They repeat the talking points heard on Fox and Rush. It must be a coincidence.



The opposition to the address is organized. The people above work and worked for the gangleaders.

Thank you for understanding, sandnsea. Very much appreciate that you get it.