Avlon: 'Wingnuts' try to politicize president's talk to kids

Today the firestorm about President Obama's upcoming speech to America's school children continues; the poltical pundits seem to have forgotten about this one: "During his first prime time press conference, President George W. Bush made a call for all American children to send one dollar to be used to help the children of Afghanistan who are in dire need of food and medicine."Read More

John Avalon, like most in the media, ignored the fact that the polls have been consistently shown that, 77% of Americans want a public option. So for him to say that Pete Stark is just a "far left" ideolouge, who is out of touch with reality is just wrong.
Stark is correct in speaking about the money the Blue Dogs are getting from the insurance industry. It's well documented that the insurance lobby is spending 1.4 million a day to defeat any reform. They don't care about the people, they want things to remain as they are.

I think that America should be ashamed. The point of the uproar is not President's Obama's views, its that "White America" does not want a Black man adivising their children on personal responsibilty. Let's be honest.

Mr. Greer, (R), is another example of why we are so screwed up. He wants to rant & rave about the President addressing school kids. Has anyone seen this new TV add, the one where "school children", in a classroom, using the pledge of allegence, but with the words changed to address the national budget. Now this, to me, is disgusting!

There is no problem with the President addressing children of the United States with a positive message to work hard and stay in school. The problem is with the accompanying materials from the Department of Education which Avlon conveniently failed to mention. Teachers would ask kids to ask themselves what they could do to help "President Obama". Not themselves, their families or their country. What is this? Pres. Kennedy said "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." I do believe that the media is failing us in a huge way, reporting bits, and not the big picture. The big picture is this administration's policies, "czars" and advisors to the president, are far to the left of what even most Democrats would be comfortable with if you would only do your job and report on it. Presently, the media is acting as "Useful Idiots" while most of us are asking "What is the President's agenda? Who are the people advising him? Why are so many in the media not investigating these things? Why is any dissent or question met with scorn? Why is it okay to even consider passing a health bill, or cap and trade bill without READING it? Where has all the stimulus money gone? Why isn't there a full accounting? Why is Charlie Rangel still chair of the House, Ways & Means Committee with repeated tax violations?

Maybe we should spend less on bridges to nowhere and wars in countries and spend some of our money on a health insurance option and take care of sick and dying people here. We need to wake up and get our heads out of the sand, the insurance companies will never insure sick people.

Don't you guys find it funny, that the people who are saying Obama wants to brainwash their children, are themselves brainwashed?

I think the people who are against President Obama speaking to school kids are prejudice. They never had a problem with any other President speaking to school children.

There is nothing wrong with a president addressing school children to stay in school, getting good grades that sort of thing. There is a problem with the president himself being the focus of the lessons or assignments.

"Students in grades pre-K-6, for example, are encouraged to "write letters to themselves about what they can do to help the president. These would be collected and redistributed at an appropriate later date by the teacher to make students accountable to their goals."

Teachers are also given guidance to tell students to "build background knowledge about the president of the United States by reading books about presidents and Barack Obama."

During the speech, "teachers can ask students to write down key ideas or phrases that are important or personally meaningful...Kinney said suggestions like asking students to recall "other historic moments" when the president spoke to the nation and to hone their listening skills by taking notes during the address are useful."

After reading the Department of Education lesson plans for the speech, McCluskey said he noticed several passages that should set off "alarm bells," including language that attempts to "glorify President Obama" in the minds of young students."

"It could be a blatantly political move," he said. "Nobody knows for sure, but it gives that impression."

http://www.dailymotion.com/us/video/x6y1xz_children-singing-praise-obama_news?from=rss

I can see how prejudice these people are and I'm a 62 year old white male.

Why doesn't CNN give a balanced view – giving all information pertaining to a story. It was not mentioned what the lessons were to be.Writing a letter to themselves that was to be collected and then opened at a later date to hold K -6 age students accountable for their promises to Obama not themselves, not family, not community but to Obama. Too Kim Jong Li for me. Bush read a story and personally visited schools – huge difference. The bias is glaring. This why your ratings are so far behind other networks. Obama is on TV so often giving infomercials I feel like I live in Venezuela.

OK, so here is the way it is now for single payers like myself.
Health insurance is for the people who are not sick and don't use it.
When you do get sick the insurance companies don't want us, they know how high to raise the rates to make us drop out. They been doing this for a long, long, time and are very good at it. In order to get a rate we can afford they will tack on exclusions for everything that shows up in our medical records.
These people are apparently under the believe that it is cheaper to dig graves than to insure those who are not.
They rubber stamped two wars we are fighting now. Once again its OK to kill our own people and people in other countries but no way can we take care of our own. The money we spend on these wars can insure the uninsured. What happened to these so call religious people, have they no compassion for anyone but themselves.

These people should admit that they are racists. One day there will be Presidents from the rainbow of ethnicities of second generations Americans and women. We have a bi-racial president now, what will they do with a woman president? Blame it on her menstrual cycle? this country is rising kicking and screaming from the rule of old white men. Look who is scaring Americans, angry white men with a smattering of blacks who I say look into a mirror every morning and hate their own race. And that's because for some it is better to go along with the majority than to go it alone or with the weaker group of people. Better to sit with the popular people at the lunch table.

Speaking of conspiracy theorist, FOX is trying to say that the ALMIGHTY ONE, PRES. OBAMA appointed a 911 truther to his staff, and that the same person is a self evowed communist. If there was any truth to that CNN would have been all over that story. It is unthinkable that THE ALMIGHTY ONE would try to indoctrinate our children, I mean what would he do have a bunch of celebrities pledge aleigence to OBAMA in a made for school film, that would never happen without CNN'S take no prisoners hard hitting (news agency) being all over that..

I guess that Mr. Greer would rather the brainwashing he subjects his children to is better than anything President Obama could say! Mr. Greer should be ashamed of himself. He uses the 'socialism' word as if it's dirty. He needs to study the meaning of the word and concept. He is meanspirited and misguided to say the very least. He is the leader of the GOP in FL. Is that not a political bent? Mr. Greer, let your children listen to the President, then have a discussion with them at home about what was said. You might learn something from your children.

How silly whats he going to do bribe them with gummy bears these are kids not old enough to vote when the kids go home the parents can set them straight . All i see here is our president barking up the wrong tree for health care .

I think it is really sad even when the media is afraid to call this atmosphere in the United States of America right now just plain old RACISIM. Now African Americans has never been fooled we’ve always known that white people really have dismissed people of color in leadership positions as a quota. The only reason of this kind of behavior is the color of our skin; I mean President Obama has all the pedigree one can hope for as it relates to education yes he’s young but America has tried 50 plus the last twelve years and we can all see where it has gotten us as a country.
The media had no problem character assonating Rev. Jeremiah Wright when he showed his miss use of the pulpit. But the same media watered down the same miss use of the pulpit by Pastor John Haggee and Pastor Ron Parsley behavior. Even in the sports spectrum a former NFL three time super bowl team member Daniel Villa of the New England Patriots pleaded guilty to multiple counts of rape to a fifteen year old girl and Mr. Daniel Villa was sentence to two years and not one morning, noon or evening media outlet reported this crime and by the way Mr. Daniel was a teacher at the school where the young female student attended, no coverage!
So you see the media, Senators, and Governors along with the sick minded racist individuals who hides behind the so call right wing GOP are just SICK and RACIST that’s what going on. The Media and Washington are afraid to report what is, because if a black man would have shown up at rally or town meeting with a gun when Former President Bush was in office the black man most certainly would have been apprehended and probably been charged with the crime of terrorism.

Everbody knows that Republicans dont put much stock in book-larnin unless its the bible. Isn't it time that the white House and school authorities told them to piss off instead of accomodating their paranoias?

Another one sided story by the media. Nothing about the lesson plans that were to be distributed to the children with blatantly political views. Yes, other President's made speeches to our children but not in such a political way. And Shag, you better get your facts right. 77% of the dems. might want socialized medicine but over 50% of the TOTAL American population is against it. You sound like you work for cnn. Taking things out of context is paramount to work there.

CNN and other news organizations have failed to mention the presentation Ronald Reagan made to schools in November, 1988. Talk about brainwashing and propaganda! Go and do a little research and look at what he said and how this was used in schools. I remember it well, as my kids were in school at the time. WHY are news anchors and news organizations so ignorant about the past and WHY don't they do some research and present the facts instead of putting the talking heads with an agenda on to discuss everything and spin it? Isn't "reporting the news" built on telling the truth , giving us background and not just presenting a bunch of opposing arguments by people who have an agenda? Real journalists do that hard work and research but CNN anchors don't seem to be anything close to "real journalists" any more than the airheads on Fox.

Remember when William F. Buckley referred to the "lunatic fringe" of the Republican party? I'm reminded of it when I hear this story. There was a time when the Republican party offered a different point of view, but one worth listening to. They can't command respect with campaigns like this one.

Uh- The anger is not about the speech you morons- It's about the pre and post work!

The wingnuts will rise again, and they will finish the job that George W. Bush Jr. started: total destruction of the American economy and foreign policy.

I find it comical that right-wingnuts always criticize Obama supporters for thinking that he's the ALMIGHTY or the MESSIAH, when they're the ones pulling their kids out of school over concerns that Obama will work magic voodoo on their children. I mean, you folks are mind-numbingly, galactically stupid.

wingnut? cnn is a left wingnut...

Listening to a speech obligates them to agree?

These right-wing nutcases are doing their party no favors. If the moderates in the Republican party don't start stepping up and countering ridiculous screeds like this, their party is history.

CNN, PLEASE PRINT THIS FOR ME…I WANT MY VOICE TO BE HEARD BECAUSE THIS IS SO IMPORTANT!!!!!!

Republicans are trying every angle to beat down this president and all of his ideas. For example, I've never in my life heard of such backlash over a school speech to kids before. Wonder if these people would still be critical if it was a President McCain instead of a President Obama. Wonder if they would be so critical if it was about their conservative ideals.

In the AJC, here is a quote to show that this is not the first time. And not only that Bush DID CRITICIZE DEMOCRATS in his speech — where was the outrage then.

Anyway, here is the quote, "Obama’s speech won’t mark the first time a president has spoken directly to students. In October 1991, President George H.W. Bush urged students to hit the books harder in a speech televised on CNN. In June 1985, President Ronald Reagan told students at the former Northside High School in Atlanta about his tax reform plan."

I am one American who is getting tired of the Tabloid Mentality of the Republican party. It is why I changed my vote this past election. They need to get back to business of thier own plan and stop with the kindergarten attacks on Obama.
Lets see thier plan.
And as far as the school speech: I think it is great to allow children the opportunity to write the President of the United States and voice thier thoughts.
President Kennedy opened such a door when he said: "Seek Not what your Country can do for YOU, but what YOU can do for your Country"! How is this different when Obama wants American participation. Maybe many are angry he is demanding participation rather than being armchair critics?

To Cynthia W. -
"Presently, the media is acting as “Useful Idiots” while most of us are asking “What is the President’s agenda? Who are the people advising him? Why are so many in the media not investigating these things? Why is any dissent or question met with scorn? Why is it okay to even consider passing a health bill, or cap and trade bill without READING it? Where has all the stimulus money gone? Why isn’t there a full accounting? Why is Charlie Rangel still chair of the House, Ways & Means Committee with repeated tax violations?"

Thanks for Fox News's talking points. Do you have any ideas not fed to you by your own "useful idiots"?

The venom spewing wingnuts are a sign it's over for the GOP. Real conservatism is in hibernation until a credible replacement emerges for the Republican Party. Until then reasonable people will have nothing more to do with them.

The right wing is deathly afraid the President might say something about white women...this is akin to watching Blazing Saddles all over again. Who knew Mel Brooks would turn out to be a prophet?

I swear if President Obama were white, the lunacy in this country would not be what it is. It is so hard for the wingnuts to admit it but they simply cannot stand the president and it is more racial than most think. We should embrace the fact that The President of the US, the greatest nation on earth will address our school children. The whackos are reaching paranoid state, they probably don't think twice about letting their children listen to TV when Beck and Hannity and the rest of the gang is on.

markp, your hysteria is showing...

markp, I enjoyed your sarcasm . Quality sarcasm – Thanks.

Yes, in a public speech Bush appealed to kids to give to needy children in another country; Obama wants to beam himself into every classroom of America during school, encouraging them to help HIM! Maybe it wouldn't be so controlling and Kafkaesque if the President hadn't already taken control of large banks and car manufacturers, and is trying to nationalize health care. This man is on TV pontificating about everything from college sports to radio talk show hosts to local police action. He really thinks he knows best about anybody and everything. What tranquilizers are the mainstream media taking? Will they ever wake up and talk about how creepy this is?

" Mike Armstrong TX. September 4th, 2009 8:38 am ET
How silly whats he going to do bribe them with gummy bears these are kids not old enough to vote when the kids go home the parents can set them straight . All i see here is our president barking up the wrong tree for health care ."

This speech has nothing to do with health care! Do you think school kids give a thought to health care? Obama can actually think about more than one issue at once. Imagine!
President Obama wants students to work hard and be responsible for their education. Sounds pretty Republican to me. Actually, it sounds like an American talking to Americans about their futures. And the parents that have bought into the right rant about indoctrination should go back and read about the REPUBLICAN messages to kids...but I guess whatever indoctrination they receive from Republicans is OK, huh? I prefer that we teach children to be self-reliant, work hard, and go to college so they can support their families. If that is indoctrination, it worked in my house. Two kids, three degrees, two grandchildren, everybody working.

The anger and wignuts did force one needed change: The recommended lesson plans no longer say "students should write a letter about how the can help the President" or "how the President inspired them."

Now it's less pro-Obama and more politically neutral

When Obama comes to school, my kids will be absent that day!

W. was reading to school kids (mind you the book was upside down) when on that murderous day happen in 200, Americans seem to forget it happened on his watch, and he was not watching. Sending thousands to their deaths and americans in debt that could have fix the health care system, social security ect..

I think these extremists do not want their kids to be told to behave and be good by a black man who happens to be president. Americans have to stop this "tail wagging the dog" attitude. If these people were objecting teaching their kids that the earth is indeed round the school would just go ahead and teach . The school districts who are not letting the kids hear the speech or those that are giving an option to keep the kids home are spineless amibas that are letting the minority rule. They are the ones injecting politics in the debate. Having the president tell your kids to stay in school and asking them to write to him is a good thing. No one objected GW Bush doing the same !

I was considering becoming a Republican but it turns out that I don't have enough hair to cover the scar the lobotomy would cause.

Mr. Avlon,
You want us to learn from the lessons of the past, yet you cannot seem to grasp, apparently due to a lack of historical knowledge, that we are dealing with an essentially socialist president. The word "socialist" is not used to stir animus among the GOP base per se, and to the extent it does, it is because people reject socialism in all forms.
This comes down to honest reporting. You have the ideological opponents of the current president giving him an accurate description – he did, after all, take equity controlling positions in the banks, fire GM's CEO, look to nationalize energy production vis-a-vis cap and trade, and now wants the healthcare sector en total – and yet you call anyone who used a completely valid and scholarly term a "wingnut." Centrism is not a set of ideas, is not a virtue in itself. Centrism is what emerges from any compromise. "Centrism" is no basis for rational discussion because it implies that logical discourse is inherently extreme.
Note to CNN: this is why conservatives do not trust your reporting. It's apparently not conducted by learned or sensible people.

Here's the problem Mr. Avlon and it's in your own article.

"The Department of Education did change language in a lesson plan that suggested students write a letter about how they would help the president after hearing him speak. "

Has there not been some concern here; would my child be required to write an essay on how she is going to help Mr. Obama succeed?

There is some truth to the comment that Dems/liberals are getting a little reactionary and, as a result, retreating towards the kind of intolerance we are complaining about from the GOP...in fact doing so in response to it. This isn't really the time to fight fire with fire. Sure, lambaste the silly demogogues and their nonsensical commentary on blogs or the Ticker or whatever, but that's just good fun while pretending to be busy at work. Our elected officials, however, should be rising above it, just like Obama did during the campaign...he set the example and they should be following suit.

STOP ALREADY!!
What is wrong with these people? Since when did promoting education and self-sufficiency become an evil plot to indoctrinate our youth into blind governmental obedience. Don't we want our young people to grow up into intelligent, thinking, capable adults who can work and earn without having to rely on the government dole?! And if your kids can be reprogrammed through an hour long speech and associated lesson plans then there is something else wrong at home. Lively discussions and exposure to varied opinions make a young person prepared to face the diversity of the world he/she will soon inherit. Give it a rest. PLEASE! !

I don't have a problem with the President addressing our schoolchildren. But if people have an objection to this, that's OK too – it's their right to state their object. What I do have a problem with is people labeling those who object as 'racists' or 'prejudice' because they disagree with the president. This is ridiculous – you are saying that people can't disagree with the president because of the color of his skin? It seems in this country we can no longer have civilized debates on issues. Instead, the first thing either side does is attack the credibility of those on the other side, by labeling them as 'racists' or 'nazis' or 'extremists'.

on2u wrote:
“It could be a blatantly political move,” he said. “Nobody knows for sure, but it gives that impression.”
-----–
Space aliens could have landed in my backyard last night. Nobody knows for sure.
on2u's post shows how out of gas and out of ideas the republican'ts really are.

Anyone who rationally disagrees with the President's radical, socialist agenda is: 1) RACIST, 2) UNEDUCATED, AND 3) OBVIOUSLY A REDNECK. Is that the best liberals in this country can do? It is obvious even to a simpleton like me that the country is center right and soundly rejecting these policies.

OMG....lesson plans asking kids to help the President, talk about him, read about him, and learn what he's all about? Egads....the horror of all horrors. Um...does anyone watch Jay Leno's Jaywalking???? Most young adults can't even pick their President out of a lineup let alone discuss any of his policies. We are raising generations of complete idiots when it comes to history and govt. They know how to hack into your computer, but ask them who wrote the Constitution and they'll give you a blank stare....and ask when the pizza rolls will be ready. LOL I'm 49 years old and I remember the days when the President...no matter what his party...was to be respected. He was elected by majority and stood as the leader of our country. RESPECT.......you GOP/Christians/Conservatives are always bemoaning the loss of respect in our youth....and now you know why, don't you???? But then again....maybe it's just the color that shall not be respected....hmmmmm????

Isn't it the parents' duty to talk to their children about the importance of education? Shouldn't kids be listening to their parents rather than the President? Whether the President is right or wrong, there's an element of common sense missing from this discussion. Am I the only person asking these questions?

It's funny how freedom of speech only applies to the democrats. Personally, I feel It's the parents and teachers job to tell children the importance of staying in school and the value of education. President Obama appears to be focusing on everything but what he should be. Maybe there are parents who don't want him addressing their children – that should be a choice. However, it appears that the real issue is the president himself and how people are losing faith in his ability to run the country. It's not just GOPs – there are those within his own party who are questioning his ability. His priorities are not where they should be. All this apologizing and digging up skeletons – enough is enough – get on with business.

Obama's Republican critics are having success slapping the "socialist" label on the president. The word scares many people, especially their constituents, and we all know that if a word is used often enough by enough people, perception becomes people's reality. Unfortunately, Americans are confusing their ideology with moral "right" and "wrong." Furthermore, they aren't willing to do the research or debate their differences intelligently. It's much easier to be spoon-fed their beliefs than it is to forge them in the fires of learning and experience. It happens on both sides of the political spectrum. I'm really concerned about the direction our country has been heading for the last 20 years.

Read your history folks. There is nothing even remotely prejudiced about these objections. Everyone carps on race because they think it is a debate silencer but you are just hiding behind reality. Grow up and confront the issues – not your conspiracies and OWN prejudices.

When George H.W. Bush gave an address to kids on the same topic, the liberal congress and media went bezerk. To echo some other commenters as well, it is not the content of the proposed speech, but the manner it is being done and the positively fascist original homework assignment. Way too many echos in there of youth brigades, etc.

Also, as a point of simple honesty, what was that reader thinking writing that polls show that 77% of "Americans" want a public option? Was that poll taken in Berkeley, California or Manhattan? Look around my friend.

Lyndon Johnson hit the nail on the head with that one.

My own views are liberal and progressive. But I am deeply ashamed of the absolutist, line-in-the-sand statements being made by liberal opinion leaders like Rachel Maddow, some of the unions, and now this guy. Stop it. Stop doing the Republicans' work for them by destroying our party. Just stop it.

(And oh, by the way, you might cover some different stories now and again, like the Republican running for governor in Virginia this fall who's ahead in the polls and may or may not believe working women are detrimental to society.)

I am honestly finding it hard to watch MSNBC any more. I support President Obama. I worked hard to put him into office. He has exceeded my expectations. I want him to succeed. I wish there were cable talking heads who could get on board with that too.

As a former (until about 8 years ago) stalwart Republican voter, I now count myself independent, but have been voting mostly Democratic. I tend to be a fiscal conservative, live a socially conservative lifestyle, but support socially liberal public policies. And I want the entire Republican party to know, from the lowest local elected official, to our state officials, to national Republicans, that I am more disgusted and appalled by the lack of serious Republican repudiation of the ridiculous lies that are being flung about than I am by the wingnuts lying. Either the Republican party publicly and forcefully repudiates these partisan, untrue, malicious attacks or I promise that I will NEVER again vote for any Republican candidate for any office at any level. I won't support a party that engages in this nuttery. And I'll encourage others to take the same pledge.

The worst part of this topic is the fact this is a pep rally talk to kids from the President. I will be more than upset if there is anything political oriented in this speech.

Kids look at the President as almost a mythical figure, regardless of who is in office. The role of President of The United States is much bigger than any one person or party that occupies the office at that time.

"Accusing the president of having a “socialist ideology” and spreading “liberal lies” and “propaganda” don’t even raise common sense – or common decency – concerns"

Lets see .. Obama is giving a speech to all school childern on 9/8. Since he's not going to give a talk on stamp collecting, he will speak to his beliefs and his vision for the country. Many conservatives view him and his views as socialist, and he definately gives only his sides of any views when speaking (liberal lies). And, the opposition will not have any opportunity to provide a counter-point to Obama's speech. In essence, the kids listen to Obama, and him alone. SO they get a one sided speech from a person who consevatives view as being socialist and willing to omit facts (lie) to support his agenda, and are not allowed any opportunity to hear anything opposite to that speech. That seems to meet the definition of propaganda to me.

It's quite clear that Obama wants to indocrinate kids to his beliefs. If they hear one side of the story and nothing else, that's what they will believe. Goebel in Nazi Germany used to arrange radio addresses for the Furher to speak to the youth of Germany. For anyone to claim this is other than a mass propaganda attempt by Obama is them merely admitting their own stupidity and lack of grasp of history.

I am appalled that people are against the President encouraging our children to strive for a better future, to go to school, to aim high. He is the best example of these goals. It is the Republicans who are setting a bad example with their narrow minded views! They should be ashamed of themselves!!

Finally some balance in reporting. All we seem to hear are the talking heads, "Rush, Hannity, Levin..blah, blah, blah..." I was starting to think that America really follows their lead.

We need more people to speak up instead of just hoping the rightwingnuts will loose steam, and just go away. Time for some common sense to speak up consistantly.

It's about trust. Right now about half of the country doesn't trust the president. And because we are in the middle of various arguments (healthcare, economy, wars, etc.) people are uncertain of what he might say to try to bolster his position. Maybe if he were to release a full copy of the speech to be sent home with students prior to the broadcast then he could put peoples' minds at ease. I personally was a little taken aback by the followup question (which they have since removed) asking students how they might help the president. Help him do what? How about being more 'Kennedyesque' and asking what they can do for the country? And NO, it's not always about the man's race.

This is disgusting. Past Presidents have all spoken to school children, I remember the President giving talks to kids when I was a kid. There is nothing wrong with the President speaking to school children, and I think it is a great thing to have the President do so. This should be a non-issue.

Right now, Pres. Obama can't sneeze without some right wing wackjob finding issue with it. Pathetic.

Schools are missing an opportunity to educate young citizens by allowing parents to interject politics into President Obama’s televised speech. If they intend to educate students to participate in a democratic society, the decision by schools to allow any student to opt out of the president’s address is inexcusable. Students need to know that when someone requests in a reasonable way to talk with you about an important issue, the only honorable action is to listen. Then you may choose to agree or disagree. That is what people in a democratic society do. Democracies value all voices and allow all opinions to be heard.

The district to which I pay taxes, Poudre School District in Fort Collins, Colo., is offering a model of fear and disrespect. It would be better that the district present an additional speech by someone opposed to education than to allow the president to be preempted. Only through hearing multiple perspectives can people think critically about the issues.

The people opposing this speech are either anti-establishment, bigots, or both.

It's race – America is still afraid of a black man.

The republicans should just shut up – I think Mr. Bus addresses The Chidren – The GOP screwed this country over the last 8 years. We democrates can't re-build it in less than a year – it's going to take sometime!

It is written...Man cannot succeed without God. Man pushing their own agenda will fail. Give it time, all men will fail without a foundation. And those of you who think otherwise...look at all the kingdoms of man...they have all failed.

America is failing because we think we can fix all things. If we would all learn about God and the love he has for us we can move mountains and peace will be with all the world.

What a load of pure partisan bull. If President Bush had attempted to have a direct telecon with our nation's children and the kids were given an assignment on "How I can help President Bush," the liberals would be screaming bloody murder and sending the ACLU lawyers en masse to stop it.

Hypocrisy, thy name is liberal!

People need to download the new wingnut talking points. The writing assignments have been changed to reduce your paranoia.

The difference between Bush and Obama addressing students is there was no cult of personality around Bush. That and Obama's Education Dept. also sent out a lesson plan that encourages students to read books about Obama and to write that letter about how they can help him succeed. Bush just gave a speech encouraging the students to stay in school and study. The Dems were saying much the same about Bush as the Repubs are saying now about pushing politics into the classroom.

Mr. Avlon wishes he was a centrist. He clearly has a liberal agenda. Why has he not even mentioned Van Jones? 'markp' does, but he's so close minded as to avoid fact because he hates the messenger and the truth goes agaisnt his preconceived ideas.

"Only the far, far left fringe..." THAT HAPPEN TO BE IN THE US CONGRESS! Nacy Pelosi? Harry Reid? Charlie Rangle? Barney Frank? How can you miss these people?

"President Obama is slated to give a speech to America’s school children next Tuesday on the subject of taking personal responsibility for their success in school. " Great, but Obama has lied more often about more subjects than any other president in my life time. And you assume he's going to tell the truth on this?

Please Mr. Avlon, admit your liberal bias. Then I could at least respect you for your honesty.

I'm not a person that plays the race card. I'm not a person that is blindly loyal to anything or anyone. I try to keep things in perspective by flipping between news channels and internet sites.

That being said, the opposition to Obama and Health Care reform are generally ridiculous! It seems there's no logic here, and they're not even sure what they're fighting anymore. A lot of people at Tea Parties and Rallies are covered by some form of socialized health care already...why in the world aren't they on board with reform?

It seems that everything has switched from the last administration, and things that were okay under Bush are suddenly not okay under Obama. This opposition has so little faith in the democratic process that they only believe in it when the votes swing their way. Pretty disgusting.

This is ridiculous. The rightwing agenda is spreading like a virus to all facets of daily life and it's appalling that they would choose to attack the Presidents education speech to children. President Obama is not the first to make this presidential talk, but it seems to be highly objectionable this go around because the education values will be more fair sided that probably most children in America have ever heard before. I have never heard of this much angry rhetoric against a president ever before. It's unprecedented. Let's face facts America; no one would be this confrontation against the president if he was a Caucasian. This all stems from racist rightwing Republicans who think that America is in 1909 and should remain there. Respect the office of the President of the United States, honor his enthusiasm for change and his desire to engage all of America in constructive dialogue, in essence – build a bridge and get over it!

I think the libs realized they would have tumble weeds running through the schools, mass withdrawls to private schools, ect. I know at least 5 public school teachers, all of whom put in for leave from this mandated critical day to be in. There will not be enough subs to come in, oh, and this in now way contributes to the learning agenda of any class in K-12. Why doesn't he go preach about himself in the mirror or to people who want to listen like Van Jones, ect. Bow to him all impotent.

For me, it is not the President's speech at all that is making me uncomfortable. If schools just wanted to show the speech, which I am sure would be encouraging, and would inspire children to try hard...fine. However, it is the suggested classroom discussion questions put out by the Department of Education that have me feeling uncomfortable. They can be viewed here: http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/academic/bts.html . The questions seem to center more on listening to the president, and doing what you can to follow through on what he said BECAUSE he is the president - not just because what he is saying is something you can agree with and be inspired by. I feel like it puts too much emphasis on the president as the all important. So, that is my objection. Not the speech. American children should be taught to respect the President, and support the USA, of course. I felt that the emphasis was wrong - our kids should know that they can, and often should, disagree with public office holders (including in the president, if necessary), as they are servants of the people (or should be). So, if the Department of Education had not steered their suggested discussion in such a strange direction, I would have had no objection.

A lot of you are saying the people are racists. Why can't they just be politically opposed to the action being taken by the department of education in conjunction with the president's speech? THAT is the key factor. No other president attempted to control curriculum prior to, during or after their speech to the nation's school children. As for those who think it the opposers don't want a black man in office, remember that Obama is in office not because of theblack vote. If every eligible black voter voted for Obama and no one else did, Obama would never have made it out of the primaries. Get real, this is a political move and our system is working to vent anger through words rather than through violence that rips apart countries such as Darfur, Sudan, Chad, Mexico, Irag and Afghanistan.

Once again, the white cloth is slowing being pulled from the face of the Republican party by their own hands. The truth is clear for all to see. Their hearts and souls are dark and evil. And they call themselves patriots. Oh my....................

There is no reason for the taxpayers' dollars to be spent on such nonsense. Children in sixth grade or under do not need to be reminded or told of "goals." Goals are for older children - high school and college age. Let these children remain children, please!!

And like it or not, liberals, everyone today could care less about 0bama's skin color. It's 0bama's National Socialist agenda that's got people riled up.

I'm not surprised to see the liberals playing the Race Card again. Seems these days that a bigot is defined as anyone beating a liberal in an argument.

Let me ask you this, what if former VP Cheney was scheduled to make a similar speech. Would that make anyone feel uncomfortable?

I want to know why I am a wingnut for not wanting politics in the classroom. I have a 1st grader and do not want her to come home from school thinking that Our President is the best thing since sliced bread because she was told to think that. I want her to come to that opinion on her own and because she has been given both sides a topic.

The fact is that we do not know for certain what Obama is going to say...If a teacher wants to show it and it fits into the curriculum, it should be reviewed first and definitely not shown live.

To S. Watt: really, you think this is a racial issue? What's next, are you going to blame Bush for Afghanistan? The issue is not really that he's speaking to the kids, it's a fine idea to encourage kids to stay in school. The problem that caused all of the uproar was the associated lesson plans that asked kids how they can help the president and what does the president want us (the kids) to do? The lesson plans have since been changed (thankfully) to actually be on topic, not about the president. My kids don't go to school to figure out how they can help out top "public servant", the president. Our local school is going to broadcast the message and I'm fine with that, even as an Asian – imagine that, but even the school principal has stated that they will cut the broadcast if it even remotely gets into political or policy issues. Way to keep the racial ignorance stirring.

I am completely ashamed of what the republican party has become.

"This knee-jerk name-calling and hyper-partisan hysteria is the latest sign that things have become completely unhinged inside the hotbox of the GOP"

Referring to the President's agenda as Socialism is not name-calling. Referring to another person as a 'wingnut', however different their philosophy may be from your own, is name-calling and bullying.

Here's another one, hypocrite.

Also, Robert, as you decry racism once more – so you know it was a black man a few weeks ago that showed up to the town hall meeting with a gun excercising his constitutional rights. MSNBC only focused on his back to avoid showing that inconvenient fact for the racism argument. Please, please, please be honest with yourself and stop blaming racism for everything – there are serious policy problems with everything going on right now that get to the very core of the US as a nation. They have nothing to do with racism but if you keep stuck on that old record nothing will ever change.

People need to understand that the constitutional freedoms that we were all granted as members of this nation are under siege. If they are to be retained, we must continue the opposition.

Everyone focuses on the President's speech, but I want to know why an American citizen hopes that a terrorist attack happens in the U.S.? Especially a former government employee. This is treasonous talk.
Why isn't he being investigated.

Comments here are moderated by CNN? Comments are reviewed by CNN and due to volume all comments may not be posted? USA Today web site does not have this problem. Let's have real dialog not CNN censored dialog!

Our elected President speaking of personal responsibility towards school children = good. Health care for those who can't afford it = good. Al Queda attack against Americans = bad. Rightwing Americans (read Republicans) = greedy, corrupt, racist, and stupid.

As a former elementary school teacher, I object to ANY president giving a speech that elementary students listen at a prescribed time not planned by the teacher.
At a time when we are concerned about the poor performance of students in general, it is imperative that we give all of our primary grades the opportunity to practice on the "3 R's".
Let the speech be seen in civics classes or in auditoriums throughout high schools in this nation. This is the age in which youth need to become involved in ways that make this nation theirs. But to include 5-11 year olds in the discussion is to "dummy down" the true effect of any president's speech.
It is time to place responsibility for teaching younger children about patriotism, and what it means to be a good , productive member of society, back where it belongs. Parents are the ones with the responsibilty to teach good social behavior. Schools can only reinforce what is taught at home. Those that do will always be more important to younger children than those who talk.

To those of you who believe the CRAP Greer and his ilk are spreading – read the material! The president's speech is to encourage kids to stay in school, do their homework and take responsibility for themeselves! The lesson plan sent to educators has been totally misrepresented. One question, for example, "How did President Obama inspire us"? Answer, President Obama inspired us to stay in school (for example) or he did not inspire us.
The lunatic fringe has taken over! There were calls to the AZ Board of Education stating "That N*&^% will not speak to my children" That is beyond reprehensible. This is pure racisim!
Glen Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, Michele Malkin etc – these are the people you are listening to?
Appalling!

Does not the GOP and Mr Greer remember Sept 17th 1991 when President Bush addressed the schools and students on science and contiued education. I do believe the GOP leadership is grabbing straws and should be concerned about an agenda to run with and sling mud. GOP has been a long favorite of mine but is now turning the attention away from what needs to be done. In fact Mr Greer most likely applauded President Bush's very good comments and speech.

I think the libs realized they would have tumble weeds running through the schools, mass withdrawls to private schools, ect. I know at least 5 public school teachers, all of whom put in for leave from this mandated critical day to be in with medical notes and almost 25% of other teaches in this almost all BLACK school are doing the same

There will not be enough subs to come in, oh, and this in now way contributes to the learning agenda of any class in K-12. Why doesn't he go preach about himself in the mirror or to people who want to listen like Van Jones, ect. Bow to him all inexperienced and impotent.

The Replublican party has become a haven for all the toothless, racist, redneck white trash in this country. They're truly a global embarassment. The President is asking kids how they can help them and then they're being held accountable for what they write. You're telling me that some of those redneck, racist white trash parents won't have their kids write stuff like, "Work on GOP stuff to get rid of Obama"? I think he's giving them a chance to do something they think would work and then acutally do it. This isn't a nazi oath to the Fueher.

it sure seems like the writer of this article is as liberal or more so then obama.
it is a shame so many seem to keep trying to change this great country into a socialistic society .
i fear for all of us and especially for our children's future if it comes to be!

Look I have no problem with the President encouraging our children to do well in school, get an education, etc. However my issue is what the outline plan is to do after the speech. Make posters on some of Obama's famous quotes during his campaign, write on how you can help Obama, etc.
This is ridiculous! Obama seems to be ate up with himself. This is not Obama's world, this is the American people!!
CNN and all the other Liberal media leaves out the part about the outline that is being sent to schools to do after his speech. Comeon if you are gonna tell the story, tell the whole story, not just the way you want to spin it!!

S. Watt is way off base. It is soley the parents responsibility to educate their children on how to be responsible citizens. Please stop making this a black vs. white issue, it is not! This is not the role of our President should be taking. We should be the ones to teach our children. If he had any kind of respect for his constiuents he wouldn't interfere. If he truly felt he was guiding our children towards responsibility, then why did he change the wording of the questions being used by teachers, etc.? That's why we question intent. Everyone should question it.

I find it funny that people are using the Racism Card whenever its convenient. Democrats have done a could job for all those that believe that any opposition that they met is because of racism. Hmm, America has a population of over 300,000,000 and within that number there are approximately 16, 000,000 Black Americans. So how was it that Obama became President of the United States...That's right because white people looked at his message and like what he had to say. Only the ignorant continue to use racism as an excuse for lower approval ratings. I pay taxes for my children to attend public school and to get an education, not to have politics, one side or another, thrown at them with book essays, letters, and time devoted for political agendas. I would not support a Republican doing nor do i support a Democrat doing it. Now that's fair and balanced!

top notch journalism! "wingnuttery"? that sound like a delicious peanut butter stuffed re-hydrated chicken flavored treat. straight from the food storage of the paranoid. I HUNGER!!! (is anyone else hungry?)

The focus of the "wingnuts" as Mr. Avlon so graciously describes them is not on the fact of the President's speech, but rather the Department of Education's accompanying teaching materials. Mr. Avlon does nothing to raise the temper of the discussion by calling persons with legitimate concerns about how our children are beng taught "wingnuts". What has happened is that people who were "objective" about the idiocyncracies of George Bush (and he had lots), are now closing their eyes to the questionable judgment of President Obama. Remember, President Obama was not elected by a super-majority of the American people and those that didn't vote for him have a right to have their voice heard in the debates concerning American policy. Attempts to marginalize them feed into their perhaps legitimate fears that their rights will be trampled on by a minority controlling the ear of the President. Stop the name-calling.

When people talk about helping the poor and needy, they're called Christians.

When they actually help the poor and needy, they're called Socialsts.

If George W. Bush, yes I'm looking "backwards" GOP, walked into a school tomorrow and decided to lecture the kids on how responsibility works, not only would it be funny, but the Republicans would boast how they are preparing our future leaders for success. America, I love her to death, but it's getting too much about politics and not enough about what is good for the people. There are a lot of old people trying to tell lead the youth of a country. And is I know anything about old people, it's that they are set in their ways.

Van Jones believes that the Bush administration had a roll in 9/11. Nobody has a problem with this? Van Jones cried White polluters are hurting this country. Is that a racist statement? Oh that's right, only the left and people that aren't white can cry racism. The race card has been used so much it is now a useless term. If you don't agree with Obama it's because you are a racist. This country is doomed. Nobody can have a different opinion or they are vilified by the side they oppose ,BOTH SIDES. Having opinions is a good thing. That's how this country was built. Why is it people can't be civil? Why must it always be name calling ?

BTW, the only problem with Obamas speech to the kids was the material that was a REQUIREMENT in some states that kids had to complete along with the speech. I don't need my children taught to agree with opinions or be ostracized by their classmates by teachers. My kids are taught that the person in the White House is the President and that alone is a position of respect whether you agree with them or not.

ON2U – the practice of researching a sitting president for the purpose of analysis and discussion is an integral part of a participatory democratic republic. This is exactly the behavior that schools should be modeling and encouraging for students.

Perhaps the public would feel better if students considered what they could do to support/help their 'country' instead of helping their President? Nevermind the reality that the President represents the country.

It is ridiculous to politicize a President's speech that tells students to work hard in school and get a good education. Does that mean that being educated is only for Democrats?..... hmmm.........maybe it is political.

What has happened the country I love? What is wrong with us? We are acting like ten year olds! Give it a break people! Grow up! Presidents have spoken to our children for generations! Both Republican and Democrat! No one went bananas when Bush spoke to our kids, or Clinton, Bush Sr., or Regan. Presidents have done it through speeches, TV programs, pamphlets, and in person. I remember Regan recording a lesson for us when I was in high school, we watched on the school TV! Every President has asked our students to participate and help them make this a better country. There was no indoctrination! My parents never worried about what Regan said to me, and I didn’t worry about what Bush said to my children. I’m not worried about what Obama will say to our kids either. Accusations that President Obama is indoctrination our children is nuts, absolutely nuts. If it is true, then every one of us has already been indoctrinated! I can’t believe any Democrat or Republican would say such a thing. What bunch of cow patties…

Dems and GOPs get all the ink and it is the Independents who will decide. We need a stronger better organized independent party.
Two Party Dilemma – when we have one choice = we are in a decision prison. When we have two choices = we have a dilemma. When we have three choices – we can actually have a choice.

The Indies apparently outnumber GOP – times are shifting
Let's Reimagine America

Why is a presidential address to children in the classroom news? This has been a practice for many, many decades and is used to help expose children to the Executive Branch and American politics and to help develop a sense of civic duty and patriotism. It is outrageous to assume that President Obama is going to push any agenda with this population that presidents before haven't already, which would be the aforementioned.

This, to me, seems to be a classic example of the fear-based extremism that is prevalent in modern American politics. As a citizen, "news" like this is embarrassing and the reaction to it by some is disturbing.

The term "wingnut" too often refers to right wingers. There are left wing nuts out thetre as well. Please acknowledge this by stating whether the nut is a right or left wingnut

What Mr. Avlan conveniently fails to acknowledge is that the majority of opposition surrounding the president's speech is related to the materials the Department of Education would circulate to school children asking what they can do to "help President Obama" rather than a more general question about how they can meet their educational goals and acheive success. No one, including myself opposes the president encouraging children to study hard and stay in school. He is a wonderful example of how far education can take a person. As to some of the other comments posted, please don't insult our intelligence by making this about race. That is a cheap shot and if you can't dig any deeper than that and come up with a better argument then don't bother. Your not elevating the conversation here.

First of all my fears are coming true as I read these comments. I literally was moved to tears when I watched the Inauguration of our first black President. People of all races and walks of life have worked very hard to make that a reality. What a proud moment. I am Republican and I AM NOT Rascist. I teach my children to love and respect all. I am so proud of where many of our communities have come with love and respect and true growth and healing. Granted we have along way to go with race relations but look how far we have come. This hate and predjudice was engrained into people for thousands of years. We are getting there. Things are getting better! Just because I differ with our President does not make me a racist as many have stated here. Also, thank you very much sir we are highly educated and encourage our children for to study. My wife and have risen from white poverty and our now working on our doctorate. Libs don't fall into stereotyping people. Isn't that your matra anyways? What can't we pledge to do more and not pledge to a person. I am fine with the encouragement to our students just not a pledge to a person. How about ourselves, community, country and world?

You never know, we may be surprised on what information our President has to share with our children that might be very helpful to their futures. Maybe our President will let the kids know which industries the government does not plan to take over? Maybe the President will let the kids know which corporate industries are more likely to receive tax payer funded corporate welfare no matter how poorly management conducts business? Maybe the President will let the kids know which country we will be invading by the time they graduate so our kids can brush up on the corresponding language if they are considering to enter the armed forces? Maybe the President will go over the new power structure in Washington and help us parents also learn about the President's reasoning for the unconstitutional use of czar's and how they circumvent the accountability to the people's representatives in congress. We just do not know how helpful the President's speech might be until we hear what has to say.

Are you kidding! This is totally crazy! Does anyone remember the D.A.R.E. program from President Regan that encouraged kids to report parents to police if they see drug use in their home. How is that different from this? If the Republican party is so against using children as political chips then why is 14 year old JOHNATHAN KROHAN speaking at GOP events?

This is a shame that we, America have not gotten past our racial issues. Regardless of what President Obama intends to discuss with the school children WILL NOT be accepted by some. Just as having various ethniticities teaching in certain schools WILL NEVER be allowed and tenure is used as the excuse there. Wake up AMERICA, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ IS NOT pleased with us NOT getting past what we can see and judging the persons words by who they are versus judging them by their character. I am ashamed of the hoopla that is going on over something that is trivial and almost expected of a President. People lets wake up and accept and support our current President as Presidents past.

OK people, please read the article. The lesson plan IS addressed by this article. It says, "The Department of Education did change language in a lesson plan that suggested students write a letter about how they would help the president after hearing him speak." Not to mention. in a classroom setting, when a teacher says to a k-6th grader, "how can you help the president?" after seeing a speech about setting goals and taking personal responsibilty, MIGHT it be refering to how can you help the president in challenging yourself to do better?! Take a step back and try to put this all in context, but if after that you still feel its part of the socialist machine, or whatever, I am sure your chil is doomed to suffer from the same mental road block you do.

It makes me laugh that some of you jump right to "prejudice of the black man" because we don't want Obama speaking to our children. Tell you what, if you keep it up you haven't seen racism yet. Did you ever think we just don't like the guys policies just like you didn't like Bush's policies? I agree that for the most part Republicans have been worthless and have left their conservative roots, but Obama is not the answer. Just because he can read a teleprompter and say things you want to hear doesn't mean he is going to fix anything. When has any politician in the past 30 years fixed anything? There all worthless and in it for themselves.

Michael Scheuer did such a great job heading the Bin Laden unit. If he's representative of the mentality of the CIA, no wonder we haven't caught the guy yet. Scheuer failed and Americans died as a result. Common decency would instruct to crawl under the covers and stay there for the rest of his life.

A quick English lesson: people, such as those who oppose anything President Obama says simply because he is African American, are not "prejudice"; they are "prejudiced." They have prejudice (noun); they are prejudiced (adjective). Carry on.

hey greer, i think there's medication available for paranoia.

Sure, now that there has been backlash, the spin is that it is about personal responsibility, but that was not the original hype. Regardless of the message or the messenger I do not want my children receiving this kind of propaganda without parental involvement. Anything that includes statements like "what does the President want me to do" and "being a servant of the President" is just the wrong approach for impressionable young people. I thought the President was there to serve us, the American citizens, those of all views.

i can't believe people are writing negative things about the commentator because he dared to address both sides. how could you have a column about wing nuts without touching on what the lib's are doing? If anything the column is left leaning.

Oy, in regards to the lesson plan, I have a few folks in my my family and a few friends that are teachers. They explained it to me like this: the kids are supposed to write letters to themselves on how they'll help thte President achieve his EDUCATIONAL goals of lowering drop out rates, improving American school childrens world-wide ranking in math and science and stuff like that. It's all about education and getting our students to think about how they can improve themselves and our educational system. Before folks go spouting off, they need to take a few moments, a few deep breaths and do just a little bit of research to gain the proper perspective on these "hot button" issues. I mean, seriously. Good grief....

Hey Shaq, the insurance companies donate to every single political campaign out there. Don't kid yourself.
They have to look out for #1 so of course they will try to defeat this measure. Do you know how many ordinary people who work for these insurance companies will lose their jobs if Obama gets his way? Maybe your family member, friend, neighbor, or someone else you know.
The public option is not the only option.

name calling? wingnut? neo-con? evil mongers? mobs? barak has more important things to do like....explain exactly how the stimulus bill is a stimulus and not really 10,000 pet projects like it reads. how cap and trade WONT be the crippling blow to our economy and lowering taxes on private and public businesses would. how government will NOT fail at running healthcare like it has at social security, medicare, medicade and EVERY other federal service agency. what will the teleprompter say?

I would bet money that Greer is a christian. No wonder he knows so much about brainwashing.

Is there anyone left who still doesn't think Dick Cheney invited bin Laden to attack us? If not, they should listen to what the GOP is saying today.

For those who are complaining about CNN not mentioning the lesson plans. Did you read the article? Its right there. "The Department of Education did change language in a lesson plan that suggested students write a letter about how they would help the president after hearing him speak." First paragraph after Greer's quote. Second sentence.
Don't you get tired of being wrong all the time?

These right wingers are a couple cans short of a six-pack no matter how you look at it. The cheese fell off the cracker a long time ago.

I am so tired of anybody who diagrees with President Obama's actions or policies being labeled as a racist.

Why diesn't B. O. just have Nancy Pelosi & the "Left WingNuts" in congress write it. They seem to write everything else.WHAT THEY DON'T DO IS ATUALLY READ THE BILLS.

Maybe if B.O. steps away from the teleprompter, he would also have time to do something.

As Obama once kinda said...Americans are winning the health care debate, get over it.

Obama talking to school kids about Obama is beyond arrogant.
As for him being black, the left seems to be more concerned with that fact than the right.

If I were President Obama, I'd give this country their presidency back! It seems people were a lot happier with a fool than a wise man for president. Let these loud mouthed, ungrateful, backward thinking, racist people have THIER country back. THEY are not going to allow anything you say or do to go unchallenged even when there is something in it for them like with health insurance reform. Let's bring Bush back so that he an Cheney can finish the job of running the US into the ground and further alienating the world against us. Boy, were they happy as a pig in slop then!!!!

You need to ask me for permission first, before ask my kids to help you Mr. President, they are not your servants, you are our public servant.

As one who is neither right nor left, I think you are doing a disservice by suggesting that the right and left are equally to blame when it comes to extreme, outrageous and untruthful attacks. Both sides have "wingnuts" and always will. But the right wing has made a deliberate and carefully orchestrated choice to pursue these viscious attacks, from Lee Atwater in the 1980s to the demonization of Bill Clinton to Newt Gingrich's infamous "Talk Like Newt" memo to Karl Rove.

I don't favor either point of view when it comes to policy, but as a matter of fact, the right bears the lion's share of responsibility for the ugly tone of current public debate.

The world would be a lot better place if there weren't right wing morons in this country plain and simple.

I'm going to wait to read the promised posting of the text of the speech before making any decision about whether or not MY CHILD sees this or not, just as I did when Prez Bush did his.
What my child watches remains MY decision as the parent.
Department of Education releases to the public the pre-K-6 "Menu of Classroom Activities" for teachers – THEN – Department of Education releases to the public the UPDATED pre-k – 6 "Menu of Classroom Activities"...
INTERESTING.

Suggested Cabinet Post: PROOFREADER

I can completely understand why the right-wing nutcases would not want the President of the United States to encourage school children to do their homework or anything else that might encourage learning. After all, if everyone were well-educated, there would be no right-wing nutcases.

The sky is falling! The sky is falling! Right wingers are doing themselves a huge disservice by turning themselves into the modern-day Henny Pennies.

I love this stuff. It is becoming more and more appearent the desperation of the Talibon right wing. They are destroying the Republican Party.

I didn't think things could get worse in our public discourse. Sadly, I was wrong.

This is just ridiculous. President Obama taught Constitution Law at the University of Chicago. He should be applauded for talking to any student about staying in school and applying yourself to a set of ideals. This Greer nobody claims that the President is wrong for speaking to his children? What a waste of breath! I will not call it racism for the simple fact that I know racism when I see it. I think it is just jealousy and ignorance that drives this Greer nobody. Anyone with power and education sends people into frenzy so that stupid accusations spill out of their mouths when confronted. Like President Obama said, “Some people may not like the decisions that I make, but I will make decisions based on sound judgment from a consensus of ideas."

I think that while joining in the fray might be interesting, terms like 'wingnut,' 'birther,' etc. do nothing to improve the tone of discourse in this country. Yesterday I heard people at a town hall meeting in New Jersey jeer at someone who expressed support for the public option after talking about her parents' death. Wouldn't it help everyone if those of us who still had a shred of decency left in our bodies committed to being polite, open minded, and quiet, but firm about our convictions.

Cynthia W., you quoted Kennedy, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." Last I checked, Obama was the elected leader of our Country, so writing a paper on how students could help Obama.. is in essence helping the Country. I will agree with you though, the media is no longer a source for news. It has turned into a more fanciful version of a tabloid magazine. I sure miss Cronkite.

Since when has it been controversial for The President of the United States of America to address our children? Since the President became black! This is so shameful that I realize I will never ever in my life vote Republican!

We are surely living in a nation of truly ignorant people and it will be our downfall. People who support illegal and unnecessary wars, but don't want health care for Americans. Wars that have killed hundreds of thousands of people, yet they want to protect an embryo that when it becomes a human being, they will do nothing to help the poor mother who can't afford the child, to feed and clothe it. These people say they are christians but everything they do says otherwise.

I read the press release, regarding Obama's chat with school children, after someone circulated a petition on Facebook against it. Having no idea why anyone would object to teaching kids about personal responsibility, I asked the pollster, "Hey, what's the problem?" People have this idiotic idea that Obama is going to spread socialism and liberalism all over their kids. Having read this article on CNN, I know where they got the idea! It has been a long summer of outright lies and propaganda coming from the Repubs, hasn't it? All of this desperate, irrational behavior is a disservice to this country and I can't believe any responsible media outlet would allow these wingnuts to be taken seriously. Please stop feeding their dementia.

The lesson plan was and is the problem period!
How about we let Rush give a speech to school children with a very
political lesson??? Would left leaning parents like that?

I watched c-span last night on the debate from 7/20/2009 on
bill HR-3200 For all you wanting this bill, you need to look at
the amendments that the Rep. put forward and were voted down!
Why? The amendment was very straight forward, in plain language
and about no Political or Federal person could mandate how a
doctor practices medicine.
I have found in watching these debates that the Dem's are either
faking bi-partisan, making a statement "we won we write the bill'
or very disingenuous about this whole bill?
Purple indep. turning more an more red each passing day!

Everyone I've spoken to this morning is truly astonished that CNN is giving serious air credibility to yet another outrageously fabricated attack on attempts by the government to improve the situation of this country – this time encouraging education.. Why would CNN set up media arenas where Democrat's are forced to defend positive and beneficial actions for future generations against lies by irrational extremists whose only concern is to make any improvement impossible so that they can power?

My school district in Hilliard Ohio has decided to ban the President's speech. It doesn't get any more un-American than that.

The real truth is the homework Assignment directed by the whitehouse to the department of education and then to the state from there. It is agianst police for the Department of Education to directly assign homework to the classroom, That is the states and teachers responsibility, the adminsitration then appologized AGAIN saying they didnt know they could not do this. OK, the problem with Obama and his adminsitration is that they APOLOGIZE weekly for this or that, saying OH, we didnt know we could not do that. THESE PEOPLE ARE RUNNING OUR COUNTRY FOLKS AND THEY HAVE NO IDEA THEY COULD NOT DO THAT. that scares the hell out of me.

Just last year "dissent was the highest form of patriotism".

It seems that his year "liberalism is the highest form of hypocrisy".

I don't know if this expression is used elsewhere in the country, but here in St. Louis ever since the election, people in the black community are now saying "We're entitled". The less educated are saying "We is entitled". What's up with that? Don't they understand that President Obama and his family have absolutely nothing in common with the vast majority of blacks? The Obama's are well off. They have more money that the average person, black or white. will ever see in a lifetime or two. Before they came to the White House, they were living in a three story Georgian mansion that they purchase. for $1.65 million. The black community needs to wake up, stop drinking the Kool-Aid and realize that "their president ain't like them at all". Oh, by the way. I voted for him.

I find it hilarious that people would criticize the president for speaking to school children and having them WRITE letters. I thought the purpose of school was to learn??? Writing a letter to the President of the United States with ideas of what they feel they could do to help sounds to me like a good lesson in preparing a set of ideas and conveying them clearly in a well written letter. I also think that children setting goals for themselves and trying to meet them is also a good idea. I also think children listening to an address by our President and comprehending it enough to write about it is also a good idea. The Republican Party is so out of touch with this country it is sickening. They use fear to brainwash people into being scared of the Democrats. HEY REPUBS IF YOU DO NOT LIKE THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM COME UP WITH BETTER IDEAS!!!! STOP TRYING TO SCARE PEOPLE INTO AGREEING WITH YOU!! LAY OUT SOME FACTS AND PRODUCE A HEALTHCARE BILL YOU FEEL WOULD WORK BETTER THEN WHAT THE PRESIDENT HAS AND LETS TALK ABOUT IT!!! Oh thats right, you can't do that because that would require you to actually do the job you were elected for. They call president Obama a Nazi.. Kind of ironic considering the Republicans use the same tactics as Hitler did to get his own people who did not agree with his views to join his side.. That tactic was FEAR!!!!

More evidence of desperation; they do not care what the message is, it's the messenger. They are so pissed that a BLACK man is going to succeed; they have whipped themselves up into a delusional state. Next thing you will hear WingedWhacks talking in tongues.

The opposition to Obama's policies have nothing to do with race. Those of you claiming racism need to take off the dark classes. We are opposed to big government, high taxes, and deficit spending. Those come in all colors.

The lunatic fringe on the right and the far left that want to play the race card all need to go and crawl back into their holes and go away. and as for the media both Cnn MSNBC FOX ABC CBS NBC and any other right leaning media outlet need to do balance Reporting period.
And as for are President i think he is a fine human being however i do not agree with his politics. and yes we do need health care reform.

Avlon, did you just write an article condemning name calling and then label large groups of objectors as "wingnuts?" Now you see why the media has lost all credibility with the American public so we turn to alternate forms of information (blogs, commentary on articles, etc...) to try and find the truth.

I am no wingnut, but I believe the lesson plan Obama prpeared for kids was an outrageous dose of political advocacy to be implemented by a core group of his supporters – teachers in unions. I don't ever recall a President going after kids in this manner. Speeches encouraging hard work have been common, but directives to get kids to talk about how they were inspired by the speech or what were memorable lines is truly what you'd expect in a totalitarian state, not the US. My kids' schools have banned Obama's speech from being used or discussed because of the outrage (despite the fact that the admin & teachers are pro-Obama). They realize it's totally inappropriate political advocacy from the White House.

The ignorance in this country is getting astounding. Sure, there's racism involved - some will never be comfortable with a black man in the White House. But the bigger problem seems to be an unwillingness of those on the right to cede power - ever. And the media are just duped along.

The media buy into anything, including CNN. Every time a Republican or someone on the far right opens his or her mouth, it gets airtime. There's no context, no basic statement saying, "In fact, that's not true," no fact checking at all until WAAAAY afterward. Meantime, lots of people have heard or read this nonsense and believe it to be true. Then someone "on the other side" (often a journalist, not even a progressive or a Democrat) will say something, and the CNN hosts smugly think they have done their jobs.

Even the writer of this commentary uses the "false equivalency" meme. Pete Stark taking some of his fellow representatives to task is hardly the same as a GOP crazy claiming that Obama is using an address to kids is part of a socialist agenda. (And why isn't EVERY story reporting this pointing out that Reagan and both Bushes did the same thing in talking to kids?) How is a debate whether compromise is courageous or cowardice the same as spreading lies about health reform?

Every "crazy" town hall meeting got huge air time, leaving the country with the impression that everyone across the country hates the idea of health reform. In fact, more and more people in FAVOR of health reform came to those meeting to show support for the idea - but those meeting never got covered, because they didn't show screaming. REAL reporting would show stories like this: "You've seen plenty of town hall meetings where opponents of health care reform shouted down their congressman. Now we're going to show you some meeting where people asked real questions about policy." But CNN is too lazy or scared to do that - afraid of being labeled the "liberal media," which it clearly is not. Why are you so afraid of Fox News?

Sure, many progressives couldn't stand what the Republicans did to this country over the last eight years. But we still respected the office of the presidency, because we believe in the Constitution. Obviously, those on the far right don't care. They show their jingoism - not patriotism - and they get on TV.

I thought the media couldn't get any worse than they were during the lead-up to the Iraq War, when cheerleading reporters and anchors dutifully reported every lie from the Bush Administration without doing any reporting. I was wrong. This is NOT what I learned in journalism school.

You people make me ashamed of my country.

The Republican's position just simply ridiculous. Obama is our current President, he is the President of all Americans, and of all American school children. He has a responsibility to speak as the Leader of this Nation, and in the past he has done a good job in his speeches, and I am confident he will do so now.
What's wrong if he addresses our kids and teachers that they should study hard and not settle for less but the best? And how do we even know what he is going to talk about?
Of course some people are against his political points of views, but making this spectacle ahead of the speech is childish. Even if you are against his views, talk with your children at home after the speech. Don't you want them to grow as self thinking and deciding individuals? They should have the chance to listen to the President and then make up their mind themself.
I want my son to be proud that he has been addressed by the President himself in a speech, and I would think so even if the President is Republican – he is above all our current leader.

Complex minds make simple things complex. Is Obama pushing man's agenda or God's. If it is man's don't support it, if it is God's support it, because it will be fair and honest and truthful. We should teach our children 2 basic principals love they God with all thy heart and Love they neighbor then ALL OTHER PROBLEMS WILL GO AWAY.

And I challenge any complex mind to a debate on these principles

Obama is a narcissist. There is no need for the president to address our children. No one else can do the job right except for him. What about the number of times he uses I in his speeches. Any one remember when it used to be the United states. And yes his crazy czar leaders are real. Hope you all wake up before its one nation under Obama. Chavez and Castro got nothing on this guy.

Seriously? Let's get real people. Obama is telling kids to stay in school, not promoting his "liberal" agenda. What would that accomplish. And consequently, many liberals are not happy with Obama. I didn't hear anyone complain when Bush and Reagan did it. It's really not that uncommon for Presidents to do this sort of thing. And furthermore, telling kids to be studious and learn is a capitalist idea: the promotion of self-work. If I were a parent, I would be glad the President is taking the time to leave students with the message entailing the importance of education.

People were angry with Bush for not communicating well, now people are mad at Obama for doing just that. Besides, even if he did detail his "liberal" agenda and push for communism (again, are you kidding me?) what do you think's going to happen. Most kids wouldn't even pay attention. All he's doing is telling kids to stay in school, that shouldn't make anyone angry.

And as far as him wanting a terrorist attack... I don't even know what to say to that. That is a terrible accusation, it's diguisting and insulting. You would have to be truly sick to believe in something as ludicrously asinine as that.

Come on people, what have we come to? This is completely ridiculous. Instead of instilling fear in the American people and our kids, instead of making Obama out to be some secret Hitler, why don't our politicians actually work to get things done. Make constructive debate and compromise, not petty bickering. Frankly, we're all sick of it.

Wingnut parents have no faith in their children, do they? How sad.

These parents have so LITTLE FAITH in their children demonstrated by their fear that a 15 minutes speech by a sitting president would brain wash their kids. Do they really feel their chidlren are that susceptable? Did they do such a BAD job of raising them that they think Pres. Obama can use mind-control to turn their kids into democrats? They should be ashamed.

These parents should be ashamed for their lack of faith in their children.

Indoctrination is indoctrination even when you call it propaganda. To the gentleman who complained about the Bush request for American children to send Afghan children money that is a whole different deal. How is that indoctrination? As for the writer of this article can we say hateful bias.

I'm sorry but I need to call it like it is PURE RACISM and more americans need to speak up President Obama won with a majority of votes promised change. This country needs to try different things this is not one of them Regan and Bush 1 did it . We as a majority need to stop these bad apples from trying to spoil the bunch weather it be the economy, heath care, and know encouraging our kids to care about them selfs and their education and this is a problem wake up america please we can not sit back and take this speak up call it for what it is the town halls the debate from the Republicans they have proven they have no intentions of working with the president I'm sorry that's the way I see it.

"Stay in school and make good grades" is a socialist agenda? Sheesh, now I understand why the Republicans were so anti-science and anti-intellectualism during the Bush years.

I hope that all the nuts keep their children at home on Tuesday – I will make sure that my three grandchildren are at school and will provide them points to pay attention for in the President address. When they get home from school we will again discuss what they got from the President speech and how they intend to work harder this school year. I want my grandchildren to take the time to listen and to be encouraged to excel in school this year. I want my grandchildren to reach as high as they can possibly go in life.

Ms. Metcalfe, thank you for mentioning W. F. Buckley. When I was a kid I was a fan of his. Even as I grew older and away from most of his positions, I still respected him. I'm certain that if he were alive today he would be thoroughly disgusted with the behavior of not just the people of the far right in general, but especially of the elected officials and party leaders of the GOP who are helping to inflame them.

Shag – where do you get that 77% want a public option number from? You either made it up or you're a complete liar because the exact opposite is true. The vast majority have stated THEY DO NOT want a public option (ie. government intervention). Why is it that you folks who blindly support Obama keep making wildly outlandish claims with absolutely nothing to back it up – do you honestly believe that if you keep saying it enough it'll change?

The majority of Americans support healthcare reform, but not one that puts the government in the middle – this isn't an opinion, every single poll shows that WE DO NOT SUPPORT A PUBLIC OPTION. Additionally, how can you have health reform without tort reform, which was one of the original driving factors for the skyrocketing costs of healthcare? OH – that's right, trial lawyers gave at a rate of 95% to democrats... so they wont support REAL REFORM, just more government control.

Don't go pointing your finger at others and calling them liars or 'blockers' when you yourself don't seem to be able to comprehend clear English that refutes the falsehoods of your claims.

The dems HAD the votes and didn't need republicans AT ALL – yet they claim the rep's are blocking them. HOW?

Funny, for all the whining, complaining and intolerant hate filled rhetoric by liberals about the republicans blocking the dem agenda yet not a peep from you folks about all the lies and disinformation from Obama and the dems. Clearly, to you, a lie is only a lie when you don't support the ideology of the liar. The word 'hypocrites' comes to mind.

Liberals as usual have no facts to back up anything. Most people who disagree with Obama are not racist, they are not interested in the US becoming government run.

I believe Jim Greer is a idiot.

You people that want to "keep politics out of the classroom" where was the outrage when Bush addressed classrooms? Or when Reagan took questions from high schoolers and had it broadcast?

Republican wingnuts

RUPUBLICAN WINGNUTS!!

RUPUBLICAN WINGNUTS!!!

GOT IT NOW?

OM*G!.. is obama paying yall to force opinions at the public?..you have no idea what the real fear is about the speech, you payed no attention to the reports...not to metion...if you keep calling the realisticly minded people "wingnuts" or "theorists" you may end up with a class action law suit from 70% of the population across the world .you are defaming and slandering the public.you are a disgusting breed of media that speaks what your told to report and have no mind of your own,merely charading for a dictator intent on a world government thats never gonna be allowed to form.you can keep feeding BS to the masses, but the infowar is in OUR favor,not yours...we know the truth.. although i admit your BS reports make spreading "truth" slightly more difficult,..but only slightly..lol..just gotta work harder for my cause.the people will prevail,the NWO will sink in the ashes of thier own device and fall deep into the graves that they once dug to throw US in..have a good day.
i see the plan has changed..obama is changing the details cause he realised the people werent gonna except his plan,(we win again,lol)..now the lesson plan has changed and now...(as we believe is correct and expected) he will provide a preview for the parents..although its not the same speech as originally proposed.

it's always half the story you people write, never giving the full context for people to understand the CORE REASON why there is dissent over a topic. Yes, Obama's message to school kids about taking academics seriously is a good message – that's OBVIOUSLY not the rub here. What is the rub: a) the blindsided nature in which parents across the country were informed about this nationwide address to their kids, b) not vetting it and letting it filter down through the school district hierarchy to (i.e., typical policy/protocol), and c) the ORIGINAL lesson plan that was designed to accompany this speech, asking kids to – for one – write a letter to themselves about "...what they can do to help the President..." That last point might not be so bad had we parents known exactly and in a formal way what the address contained (i.e., help him with WHAT?), as well as the obvious point about kids need to learn how to help themselves (you know, that ole American virtue called determination and hard-work).

Unbelievable – keep stirring the pot and maybe one day the media intelligensia will get what they want...

Obama and the democrates want the message to ask chrildren,
think how you can help President Obama and make the country a better place to live.

The Republicans want the message to ask the children to think
how they can help our cities, states and America to make a better places to live for all of us.
With no mention of helping Obama. Because that is sounding like, get behind me and spread my polices. That is the Problem!
Am I the only one that can see it??

Thank you President Obama for valuing our nation's children and giving them the attention they deserve. Considering what an excellent father that he is, it comes as no surprise to me that children are on his radar. I respect his emphasis on civic duty and making September 11, 2009 a meaningful day rather than just a photo-op and lip service. I am proud of my President!

Greer's comments are really funny! He says "indoctrinate"- how much you wanna bet he supports parents who take their kids to church, send them to parochial schools, etc. What a fool.

@ S. Watt, what you said is nothing but the God to honest truth. At least now we can definitively say that we DO NOT live a post racial America. This country will always be hung up on race and for so-called Christians to be the driving force behind so much hatred and division is sickening. It's ok, they will one day meet their maker on Judgment Day.

Is it true that President Obama will use high-tech hypno-eyes to convince children that republican parents must die?

"Wingnuts" is one way of describing them. I prefer treasonous, fear-mongering fascists. The future of America belongs to the open-minded.

He's the president! I didn't like Bush, but I would NEVER have accused him of something sinister if he went to talk to school children. And that's even during the eight years where any dissent of his administration is met with scorn. Now angry people who don't have facts straight are saying they're being met with scorn?? No way, not even close. Saying "what the heck are you talking about, that's not factually correct" is not "scorn".

What I find amazing is Republicans have been attempting to spin their agend on school childred for years. They want religion to be taught in schools, they want evolution removed from schools, they want certain books eliminated from schools. It was ok for George Bush to be speaking at a school on September 11th. But Presiden Obama want's to make a speach encouraging students to work hard and that's a socialist agenda? These people need to crawl back into their caves and just let the country move on.

I've never been more disgusted with the GOP than I am today. Ever since people at the town halls called Obama a socialist, marxist, communist, (what ever boogeyman they could think of), I've lost all hope that America will ever be able to function. When you don't need facts to back up your attacks and you just throw out ridiculous lies, how can there be any real civil discourse? It's like being in a country with a bunch of crazies who think the grass is blue and the sky is green. Where are those people on the right during the Bush years who said it was un-American to talk badly about the president?

Just another Bias ridden – leftist propaganda piece from CNN. CNN is now nothing more than another lame apologist for Barack Obama and Dems.

...and of course, this comment will never be posted by CNN's moderators.

I would not want his socialist monkey talking to my dog much less children. Did not know that kids should work towards being a community agitator and dirty politician. Obama is a punk pure and simple and a racist.

my what short memories the right has. what was george w bush doing when he learned of the 9/11 attacks? READING TO SCHOOL CHILDREN!

Where is the concern when kids sit in front of unlimited advertising and questionable programing on television? I think that the worry is that the President's speech may show children that he is a likable guy and we can't have that. What a fear to have to address positive comments about the president in the homes of wingnuts and biggots.

I think the President has an obligation to encourage our children to do better and take responsibility for improving their own life, but he should NOT bring politics into the discussion by asking them to help him with his liberal agenda.

I am SO sick of the left screaming that anyone who doesn't worship the ground Obama walks on is a racist. I wouldn't have voted for Clinton on a bet, does that make me an anti-adulterer? It's pretty pathetic that the tone of all political discussions (case in point this blog) always regresses to name calling. I don't care who is to blame for the current economic mess; the point is that the left is in charge and indeed they are in charge with a filibuster proof majority in the Senate and a large majority in the House. Short of his curing cancer, there is no way I would vote for any Democrat. By the same token there are libs who are just as adament when it comes to voting for a Republican. The only group to "preach" to are the independents, and poll after poll is showing that the left is in for a rude awakening in November of 2010. If the unemployment irate s still 9+% or higher, the electorate will take their frustrations out on the people in power. No amount of lip service from Joe "if i say the stimulus is working better than even we imagined it must be so" Biden is going to change the reality.

Everyone forgot that REAGAN GAVE SPEECHES TO KIDS FOR THEM TO WATCH. But ooh no, these Republican right-wing redneck idiots are just firestorming their stupidity to everyone. They haven't even watched the speech yet!

You lost me, buddy, when you say that "personal responsibility and socialism" are opposite concepts.
As a Christian socialist I carry my brother's burdens as directed. End of subject! Period!
That is my very personal responsibility.

Ummmm, Dems accused Bush of fascist policies ALL the time over the past 8 years. Then-Speaker Daschle accused Bush of "indoctrinating children with partisan politics" when Bush did the exact same thing that Obama is doing, except Bush only did it at ONE highschool!

Keep ignoring the hypocracy CNN. It's what ya'll do best.

My Son had to watch George Bush lie about WMD's. Shortly there after a war ensued, which we have learned never should have happened. Why not let him watch someone actually trying to fix a problem.

Everything is politiczed by both sides these days. There is no one America, it's either the left or the right. Both sides are equally guilty of that. If George W. Bush had tried this the teachers unions would have freaked and never allowed it.

I have been retired since 1997, and I surf the internet daily, but I also "have a life." I restrict my computer and tv-watching to a reasonable amount each day. I don't have a Twitter or Facebook account.

I think alot of young people who are online all day long need to think about it a bit more. You are supposed to be working or job hunting! Or you have more family obligations than I do. Are you on-line or watching tv in lieu of taking care of work and family?

I am copying and pasting info from the article because I cannot believe some of the responses.

The Department of Education did change language in a lesson plan that suggested students write a letter about how they would help the president after hearing him speak. PolitiFact’s Truth-o-Meter did a rundown on the ‘controversy’ and published its results with a “Pants on Fire” ruling.

CNN did report that the DOE's lesson plan was controversial.
I am a high school teacher. No, I will not show the speech because I I am not willing to deal with the closed-minded responses I would get from parents in my conservative, rural district. If you think teenagers are capable of being brainwashed by a speech by anyone, you obviously have been around teenagers in quite some time.

This is obviously a mixture of right-wing fake conspiracy, sour grapes, and outright racism. Every parent and school district that opposes the President of this country giving a speech on taking personal responsibility for getting good grades should be ashamed of their bigotry and narrow-mindedness. Kids, please tell your parents to grow up!

I'm just totally disgusted with that part of the US population that has found fault with the President's address to school kids. Paranoid? Totally! Unfounded? Absolutely. When I went to school, the president's picture hung in every classroom, and no one ever minded. We were, above all else, proud of our country and proud to be an American, and he was our president. No one called for it to be removed or seen as a political statement When did some of our population get so off track as to think every presentation by the President is an attempt to brainwash the population or circumvent a parental right? Maybe it's because THEY would use and do use every opportunity to brainwash others, just as has, apparently, already been done to them. Yee of little faith in your fellow man. Not everyone is deceptive in their motives. Remember, Obama is a father with kids in school, and he and Michelle appear to be pretty darn good role models for raising some really solid kids. I'd listen to him, and would love to have had the chance for him talk to my kids.

At first these wingnuts, the yelling and screaming at town halls, the gross lies about healthcare reform was just so ridiculous, it was funny. it's not any more, it's frustrating and I don't understand why people need to live their lives in such fear?

As far as School Kids writing letters, ins't it about instilling a sense of patriotism (How the GOP can argue about that, those self confessed and proud flag wavers – the my country right or wrong party)? Perhaps had the DOE phrased it differently like, "How would you help your country?" Which in a society that is supposed to be tolerant and respectful (at least amoung the majority of it's citizens since it's obvious it's not always important to our elected officials) may simply be about helping out in the local community, recycling more waste, visiting the elderly and homebound, listening to parents and teachers, staying out of trouble and doing the best they can in school so that one day they will become informed, educated, and good citizens of our nation, a nation to be proud of.

Last month, in an interview with 11-year-old student reporter Damon Weaver, the president announced his big back-to-school plan:

"I'm going to be making a big speech to young people all across the country about the importance of education; about the importance of staying in school; how we want to improve our education system and why it’s so important for the country. So I hope everybody tunes in."

HOW IS THIS RADICAL! I'M GLAD WE HAVE A PRESIDENT THAT WILL SAY, "NO EXCUSES! DO YOUR BEST!"

It's unbelievable to me how many parents were disinterested in politics and their child's education over the past year, but now are suddenly interested in becoming involved citizens and parents.

Even though my messages never get posted I'll try.

Why is it that if President Bush would have tried a stunt like this we would have heard the EXACT comment from one of the far left 'wingnuts' whatever?? and no one would have painted that person as a crazy person?

Everything is SO one sided and we all have to 'bow down and keep our mouths shut' during this administration. Whether you think Greer is right or not . . . he has the right to speak out about why he thinks a president shouldn't be nosing into the day to day education of our children.

Fix the unemployment, work on the health care issue, find ways to fund education but stay out of the classroom.

How is it that anyone, right, left or center, can say what will OR will not be in the speech when the actual text of the speech has not been released? Why is the White House waiting until the day before, a national holiday when noone will be paying any attention, to release the text of the speech? Release it now and then people can make up their own minds about whether it is or is not political.

I don't think, at least from the parents and other grandparents I've spoken with, the problem is with Obama's speech. The concern I've heard is with the lesson plans distributed by the federal Dept of Education. I did go on the DOE web site and based on what I saw there yesterday, I do think parts of the lesson plans are problematic.
In my opinion those parents that have, also in my opinion, over-reacted are not reacting specifically to this one event but to the overwhelming sensation that this administration is reaching into way too many aspects of our lives – health, cap and tax, the deficit and now the schools. It's just too much, especially if you are already feeling financially insecure. At least that's what I think.

Barry wants to indoctrinate our children to become young Van Jones's. Van Jones has the prefect background and qualifications to be an anchor on CNN or MSNBC. Liberalism is a mental disorder!

Hooray for you, Mr. Avlon! You have hit the nail on the head and thank you from the bottom of my heart. And for those of you commenting and upset about "wingnut" too often referring to the right, I ask that you only look at the insanity since January and you tell me who are the wingnuts. A quick check of Politifact and Factcheck proves the point.

Without being too paranoid, I wonder if anyone at CNN has looked into Karl Rove's potential involvement in all this. I know that the health insurers and big pharma (and now the oil lobby, starting to astroturf against climate change legislation) have been shown to be behind some of this town hall outrage, but no one knows better than Rove how to create a narrative that makes it look like many more folks are behind a certain p.o.v. than actually are. This strategy (Rove's "thin green line") helped win a presidency.

Or did his tactics become so ingrained in the GOP playbook that any Republican can employ them?

If so, given the deterioration of investigative journalism and the corporativized media, heaven help us.

Speech hasn't been made public yet, but accounts say the president's message will be "Stay in School, Set high goals, VIsualize and commit your goals to writing, Work hard."

Seeing that Greer's state of Florida LEADS the country in education, I can see why he doesn't want this message to get to his constituents.

What a hypocrite! Lay off, already!

Mr. Avalon has hit the nail on the head. We have extremists on both ends of the political spectrum who are preventing real dialogue on the issues. His commentary was accurate and balanced. One the few articles that you will read today that is void of bias.

One person accuses Mr. Avalon of having a liberal bias because he didn't mention the comment by Van Jones. Following this twisted logic, should I argue Mr. Avalon has a conserative bias since he didn't mention the pastor who prays for the immediate death of the President? It just proves his point that there are wingnuts from both political parties.

From reading some of the postings, it is apparent some people missed the real point of his commentary.

I'm so sick and tired of people using the race card against people who disagree with Obama and his policies.

It like all you have left when you don't have anything more constructive to say.

And since I disagree with most of Obama's policies and support some of the health care protesters I must obviously be a racist or have some serious prejudice against black people. Oh, btw I'm black.

This country will never resolve some of the racial tensions if people are so quick to inject race into the issue when at many times its irrelevant.

I have a 16 year old son and the US government called my house last night and attempted to get him to join the marines. So the US governement can get my home phone number and call my kids about joining the government effort in Iraq, but Obama talking to our kids about responsibility is a political weapon. These people in washington are so out of touch. They suck our kids right out of their neighborhodds for war and a speech is seen as brain washing.

Wingnuts to the right of me, socialists to the left.
Here I am, stuck in the middle again.

Been this way since I don't know when.
Been this way before I was born.
Be this way long after I'm gone.

I suggest that everyone pick up and read the "Communist Manifesto," by Karl Marx. If you read that then you will know that Obama is no more a socialist then both Roosevelts, JFK, LBJ, Reagan, (yes, Ronald Reagan, by firing the Air Traffic Controllers and responding to the S&L crisis implemented "socialist" doctrines...even Lincoln was more socialist than Obama for crying out loud! Are the right "wingnuts" wanting to blow up the Lincoln Memorial?

Obama wants to tell school children to work hard! The language in a lesson plan that someone found offensive is GONE!

These idiot "tea party" goers and persons yelling stuff at congressmen would be the first to complain if Obama HADN'T taken the actions that he has taken.

God Bless President Obama and God Bless the United States...even those right wing "nuts".

Hey Shag;

It is interesting that.. the Polls that I have looked at, shows that 77% of Americans does NOT want a Public Option for the Healthcare. I also read a Poll recently that showed that, only 37% of those Polled, actually KNEW what the Public Option meant, and others had no idea what it meant for them, but they favored it anyway because it had the word "public" in it, so it obviously had to be a good thing, when the fact remains that neither of them have bothered to research it.

So why not! Bring on that public option, I would be very happy, to take your money, to pay for my medical needs.

Thank you very much!

Interesting, how B.S. these Polls are, isn't it? Poll's are nothing but jokes, and only favors a select group of individuals which the poll specifically targets; every American knows it, most just aren't willing to admit it to themselves yet.

Van Jones should address our childen with Barry oBOWma. Let's just be honest about his purpose. I am surprised that BArry didnt make Van Jones Sec of Education and indoctrination.

I keep seeing the same false statements over and over again from you folks. Is your ideology really that important to you that you would destroy your credibility?

First of all, I don't know anyone who would have a problem with Obama addressing school children on education – BUT THAT WAS NOT THE SOLE TOPIC! The original materials made available clearly outlined a political undertone and that is what set parents off. And pretending like it was only the 'republican parents' (just like pretending only republicans or paid insurance stooges are protesting at the town halls) who had a problem with this is a blatant falsehood.

And for those who keep claiming no one minded when Bush addressed school age children; why don't you do a little bit of research before looking foolish. The protesting and cries of politicizing our children were deafening – nearly any article on this topic specifically mentions that... yet you folks keep claiming no one minded. Where do you people come from and is reality a commodity available in this locale?

To answer a few comments. It was a black man who showed up with an AR-15 during one of Obama's rallies. No, white America is not prejudice, it's only a very small percentage and no more than blacks are racist. You see, racism comes in all colors. It was the "white" vote that got your Mesiah in office. I don't like Obama because of his Socialist/Marxist ideas and policies, not because of his skin color. You can't deal with the truth! Get over it!
Mark

I keep reading this "the country is center right" theory and that nobody wants Obama's socialist policies. If that was the case why did he win the election? How did, as the repubs claim, one of the most Liberal senators win the general election. Would he need to get 100% of the votes for people to realize that a Liberal Centrist won the election on a platform of Health care reform, getting out of Iraq and investing in America's future. Now he is doing exactly that and the minority repub party followers claims he doesnt have the support. He is the President people. Wake up people you are living in a fantasy world!

Someone needs to emphasize the value of education – it certainly does not appear to be coming from home/family. If you research a bit, the dropout rate in 1998 was about 29%, 2009 40+% (in the largest 50 cities). We think the budget is out of whack now – in 10 – 20 years the dropouts are going to be looking at the gov't for support (if not sooner).

Whether Rep or Dem, conservative or liberal – it is undeniable there is an issue here – a big one. Somehow over the past several years it has become "cool" to be stupid and/or kids will make it big in sports (less than 1% do). Again someone has to emphasize education and its value. Unlike sports, with an education everyone can turn pro (paraphrased from Dean Kamen).

http://www.scienceleadership.org/drupaled/blog/nel/15-jan-2009/4627

This article explains a report by an educational advocacy group founded by Colin Powell. The report was about a study conducted in the 50 largest U.S cities to find their dropout rates and show how bad the situation is from a more statistical standpoint.

After the study, it was discovered that only 52% of students graduate after four years in the studied cities. But the findings go deeper. For example, it was concluded from a 2003-2004 Department of Education study, which found that, “17 of the public school systems in 50 major cities have graduation rates of 50 percent or lower, and the average graduation rate of all 50 systems is 58 percent.” Also, the article looks into the impact on dropping out from living in urban areas vs. suburbs. It found that urban areas have much higher dropout rates than suburbs. For example, in Baltimore, Maryland, only 34.6% of urban public high school students get their diplomas after four years, but 81.5% in the suburbs graduate.

This biased and insulting article was written by a person who does not understand the question...
The questions are:
1) When was Obama elected Superintendant of Public Schools?
2) Is it the job and responsibillity of a Federal Agency, even one labeled Department of Education, to dictate curriculum in local schools?
3) Is it appropriate for school children to be required to write letters telling what they can do for Obama? The teacher will hold each child accountable for fulfilling their vows in the future.
4) Is it appropriate for children to be collecting "inspiring quotes" from Obama and making a poster of those quotes to hang on the classroom wall?
Maybe all the "inspirational" wise and wonderful quotes of Obama could be collected from the children and bound in a little red book, Everyone could then be required to have a copy..because it is OK according to the Federal Regulatory Agencies to force Americans to have copies of books published by the government. I personally have two such books ..and both are required reading. Right Wing Nuts can't read? Right Wing Nuts have jobs and money to pay for Government Required Editions and have to pass tests on the material therein.

I have to start by saying that I did not vote for this President. That being said I do not understand how the most important, prestigious, and highest held position in this country is continually under attack by crazy idots. All I have to say is that if the President of the United States cannot address our children with a positive message to strive for excellence in school - then who should? We send our children to school every day trusting that the teachers we know nothing about will do their best to impart wisdom. It is the parents obligation or role to teach our children to understand right from wrong. Tell me that TV, movies or the computer games kids are playing do not do more damage than any of this. Let the position speak for itself and get off it.

[...] [...]

Machiavelli advocated lying well and Josef Goebbels advocated lying big. The crazies of both far right and far left seem to have learned those lessons well. And in a country where fewer and fewer high school graduates can even think let alone read critically, their lies are likely to find fertile ground. Give me the solid center, please. And a little more common sense and common courtesy.

President Obama is not a candidate running for office anymore – get over it. So the ELECTED President of the United States cannot talk to the children of the country that elected him???

I think the President should disclose the transcript of his speech before he makes it. If it is (as it should be) about personal responsibility, respect for our country and others, and doing your personal best – I'm all for it. However, if it's about "help me to help America", "save the earth", "we will think for you", and "healthcare should be free" – which translates go home and tell your parents they should support cap and trade and govt. healthcare, (as I unfortunately suspect it will) then I am strongly opposed. I fear this will be akin to that disgusting "I Pledge...to be a servant to Obama" advertisement. If he has nothing to hide – disclose the speech transcript.

Gee, I thought all "wingnuts" were left-wingnuts,... there's a right wingnut too? Wow. "Fear based extremism"? Oooo,... cool, another pointless phrase. What about the "fear based extremism" the left is and has been depending on its entire life? Fear the old people,... they're not current/with-it/hip/plugged in. Fear the military,... it wants to take your sons and daughters and throw their lives away "over there". Fear big business,... they want to steal your livelihood. Fear hunters,... they kill Bambi. Fear oil,... it despoils the planet. Fear nuclear,... we don't want to glow. Fear religion,... they want to tell us how to live. Fear the white people,... they want to make slaves of us again. Fear, fear, fear,...

What you need to do is get over your own fears, grow a pair, and take control of your own life. Pay for your own mistakes,... don't expect your neighbor (or the US government) to do it for you.

As to Obama talking to anybody in this country and telling them what they should or shouldn't do,... I didn't vote for him, I don't work for him, I don't like him, and I sure as he11 won't be preached to by him,.. why would I let him do the same to someone I loved?

The left wingnut hate mongers were all about disrespecting Bush,... but they can't take what they dished out. Too bad. So sad.

The right wing or so called conservatives find themselves in the corner with nowhere to turn. They can not accept the reality that a Black man is leading the country to a better future once they used own. It is a hard pill to swallow for them as well as their croonies. Whatever President Obama is doing, they all are against it. What is wrong with the President pep talk with the students to excel on their education and become a leader like he become. The "socialist" or "Maoist" doctrine will not stick according to GOP claim. Now we have to hear any garbage spewed from anti Obama administration for the next three years and until they become majority again which I doubt with the non sense.

America is ready for a black president and/or a female president. To say otherwise is using the race card or the gender card and it is time for that to STOP. What America is not ready for is a socialist president or a totalitarianist president.

I am a high school student in Kentucky and we have to get our parents to sign a permission slip so we will be able to watch OUR President.

I am so proud of the american people...We are the people and we will not let a socialist and his socialist friends ruin our country.
Obama ALWAYS has an agenda. He has spent billions (of tax payers money) on himself tooling around the country and europe....I do not think he has spent 30 days in the white house??
He wants to pass health care to be able to tax us and hide all of his frivolous spending!!!
Are WE THE PEOPLE over reacting?? No, because we do not know the half of it....yet....but we will!

With respect to the public opinion process, Jim Greer is "crazier than 3 bags of loon s**t." President Obama's efforts are in no way an attempt to indoctrinate the youth of our country.

Our President took on a hugely daunting task: cleaning up the mess left after 8 years of terrorism at from the hand of the Bush/Cheney Regime. After an 8 year drought of a legitimate head of state, President Obama is doing what he believes is reasonable to right the wrongs of the Regime.

Yes, President Obama is taking a somewhat "shotgun" approach to improving our lot in life. While not the approach I would take, clearly the President and his staff believe the approach is reasonable.

In my observations, since Inauguration Day, the Right – especially the ultra-extremist Right – are SO angry over the results of the election, they have and will do whatever they can to ensure total failure of the Administration. This, at the cost of the citizenry.

Shame on the Right and their reprehensible conduct!

What in God's name is wrong with telling children that they are responsible for their success in school. That is one of the biggest
problems in society today...no one is responsible for anything that
they themselves do!
Congratulations to our president for stepping up to the plate and
reminding the citizens of this country that they are accountable for
their actions. Best to learn this little lesson early on instead of learning
it the hard way...in prison!

Let's just agree that the GOP will be opposed to ANYTHING the President does simply because he's african american. If Obama was white, you wouldn't hear a fraction of all this hatred and lunacy from right wingers. Having an african american President is a huge blow to the notion of white superiority.

FACT: This is still a VERY racist country.

justbcos, thank you for repeating those very valid questions. Are they not ? just because you say they are talking points from Fox News, doesnt mean they arent valid and dont need answers. Get a clue. you're probably one of the 47% of the nation that doesnt pay a cent in Federal Income Tax.

why do people keep saying white america doesnt want a black presidant to do this or that.If "white america is still majority of the population, and obama won his presidency in a landslide, doesnt that mean that "white" america voted him in office?

FL Republicans are outraged because the President's message of staying in school and being responsible is opposite what they want. They prefer ignorance = retaining power.

I think politicians should shut their mouths and do their jobs, which is be a civil servant and run the country. All they care about is getting re-elected and in doing so they make ridiculous statements to excite their base. Politics has become so polarized that the base of each party is filled with lunatics that want to demonize the other side, leaving the rest of us in the middle scratching our heads wondering where all sense and reason went. Politicians should be limited to one 6 year term in office then move on. This would correct the lobbyists, the constant election cycle and probably most of the crazy talk that comes out of their mouths. If these people were not given a soapbox that everyone turns to when they open their mouths, most everyone would walk by them ignoring them, like they ignore the crazy drunk on the street corner.

"Now that school is back in session, President Obama has turned to American’s children to spread his liberal lies, indoctrinating American’s youngest children before they have a chance to decide for themselves."

I'm sorry, but comments like these are blindly partisan and downright irresponsible. Democrats & members of the media may not have been happy when President Bush spoke to the school children, but ranking Democratic party officals didn't accuse him of lies and indoctrination. Say what you will, but the modern Republican Party has largely shown that it is willing to do anything to retain power (how does reaching out to conservative Christians & passing "moral" laws fit with a philosophy of small government?) while the Democrats regained power largerly by sticking to what they actually believe in.

And as for the user comments, God, more people comparing Obama with Nazi Germany. Do you really expect comments like that to be taken seriously? That's right – it's a big conspiracy! The President is actually a Socalist who hates America and wants to destroy freedom! Because he has a lot to gain by doing so. But 8 years ago we had a guy who's FAMILY OWNS AN OIL COMPANY force us into a war with Iraq, and all of the conservatives said "this is about freedom...Nothing to see here...Move along". I'm just saying you should consider what someone stands to gain with an agenda before blindly following party politics.

I have been reading the many comments posted and have come to the conclusion that there is hope for America. People are finally realizing that the Republicans are just a bunch of scared crazy old white people. I am an old white woman 64 who loves that fact that we have some diversity in government at last, a biracial man and women in powerful positions. I believe that OUR President, President Barack Obama will become the greatest President we have ever had. On the "wingnuts" ther just appear to be so many who will not listen to the actual facts but would rather listen to inuendo or rumor.

President George HW Bush gave an address to all school children. One of the last lines in his address was "Write me a letter - and I'm serious about this one - write me a letter about ways you can help us achieve our goals. I think you know the address."

Apparently, when a Republican President asks school kids how they can help him, it is fine. But not when a Democratic President does it.

Hyprocrites.

We have heard more then enough from obama and his predictable followers. Using worn out terms like wingnut, racist, etc. only makes you look stupid. America is waking up to the fact that the left can not handle an honest debate and demonstrates this by their usual attempts at slander. Obama and his administration are filled with radical anti-American ideals. People are sick of it and speaking out against it. He brought this on himself and it's only going to get worse as more people wake up. You had your chance liberals, now Americans of all creeds and colors will be looking at you with the same contempt you look at America with!

My first question to Greer would be:

Do you even understand what you are saying out loud?

-then-

How do you sleep well at night if this is what you do during your waking hours?

This guy makes no sense whatsoever. The crossover for the crazies being people who elect GOP members to the crazies BEING the elected GOP members has never been more apparent.

s watt says:
September 4th, 2009 6:44 am ET s watt
"I think that America should be ashamed. The point of the uproar is not President’s Obama’s views, its that “White America” does not want a Black man adivising their children on personal responsibilty. Let’s be honest"
you are totally wrong..thats the kind of thing feds and politicians are posting to deface truthers..its not real..noone cares if hes black,green,transperent..it doesnt matter..hes smart and well spoken but his views are flawed and not sincerely what it is claimed to be.so if you want to "lets be honest"..look in the mirror..you are probably a wolf in wool trying to get people upset for a false cause of racism. race hasnt been an issue for along time..we all know that,..catch up to the current times, you may learn a few things

For right wing Bible thumpers, hypocrisy is a virtue and the rest of the country and world should just "deal with it".

Work hard and stay in school! Ken and I demand that there be some balance to counter this liberal propaganda! How about bringing in the Assistant Manager from the local McDonalds?

In fact, why stop there? Anytime the President speaks it is manifestly unfair we are hearing only one side of the story! Obviously we should have an Un-President who has equal say and equal exposure! Or else elections are mere preludes to Propaganda! All Presidents must be surgically grafted to the losing opponent! And if they run unopposed they will be grafted to Larry the Cable Guy!*

*All these rules will become null and void upon Republicans regaining control of, well, anything.

Bush 41 actually asked the school kids to send in $1.00 to "help" in Afghanistan. Reagan and Bush used their speeches to indoctrinate and hopefully "brand" their audience as future republican voters, but all this dialogue is nothing more than subterfuge.

Greer is happy to play the dunce for his buddies in the insurance industry. As long as Americans are busy calling each other names, they are distracted from the fact that insurance companies are the ONLY big winners if President Obama's health care plan fails.

Wake up people! You are already paying for those who don't have insurance, and you're paying more because most of these people wait until their medical problem requires emergency care. Hospitals simply spread the cost of this care by raising prices for the rest of their paying customers.

I guess the all the alarmists didn't see the recent article in Parade Magazine where Backdoor Billy Phone Sex,of Fox, unfair and unbalanced, tabloid TV fame, was urging children to emulate the example set by Obama. Even had his picture. Billy's not Obama's.

I really don't have any issue with President Obama speaking to our children, encouraging them to stay in school and do well. If that's the nature of the speech, I'm all for it. If he plans on adding any political rhetoric other than school related issues, then I think he will be crossing the line. The part that has me concerned is the lesson plan that goes along with the speech. To me, this is THE real problem. The word that comes to mind is "INDOCTRINATION" Talk to the children, yes. – How cool for the kids. Anything more than that reeks of "FOR THE STATE INDOCTRINATION" and how scary is that. Yes Mr. President, give the speech, help inspire our children to do better but leave it at that.

Van Jones, the "Green czar", proclaimed himself as a socialist... but the people claiming Obama has a socialist agenda are "wingnuts"?

And do we hear anything on CNN or MSNBC about Van Jones???

Of course not! Totally biased reporting. Thats why independents like myself watch Foxnews, to hear ALL the relevant news.

What is the matter with my country? It is always, us against them. What is wrong with the president talking to students and then having a discussion afterwards? Our children leave school without even know how our government works. Civics is no longer taught. Most high school graduates, h*ll, college graduates couldn't pass a citizenship test. So why is it so terrrible that the president is bring government to school. I think it is a great idea. Every year on Patriot's Day, previously Constitution Day, the schools are supposed to switch part of the days class studies to the Constitution. I wonder how many do?
For those who have a problem with President Obama's alleged socialism. I would like to remind them that the man who wrote the Pledge of Alligence was a Christian/Socialist. Christian/Socialists worked to end child labor and helped woman get the right to vote. I would also advise those Christians, who feel that Obama is a socialist, to read Matthew 25: 31-46 and then ask themselves if Jesus himself if wasn't a social activist.
I would love to see everyone in this country take a deep breath and talk to each other civilly without the rhetoric of the talking heads of both parties. I love my country and I know it can be better. Remember: No one should die because they cannot afford health care, and no one should go broke because they get sick

The bottom line is that is is all about Obama's skin color. Most of old America are living in the dark ages no matter what party they belong to. These fools do not realize that things cannot stay the same if we want to grow as a nation. Everytime Obama tries to do something they complain. They must have written their own bibles, because it is not the bible that I read. Remember during the campaign all of the hatred that came up, Barack the magic Negro, He is uppity, and so on. It is a shame. They are really coming out of the woodwork, using scare tactics for anything this man tries to accomplish and they call themselves proud Americans. I am quite sure Obama was expecting all of this backlash. He is ready and prepared to fight back. Texas can leave the union who cares. They will be back. I am just sick to my stomach at what is going on. Next they will be trying to kill people out of love for America, because this is exactly where things are heading. The news media and politicians will not say this out loud, but mark my words, there will be trouble if we do not stand up and get a handle on these outburst. People are really showing their true colors and we as a country are ignoring it. This man can show our next gerneration of kids, black or white that all things are possible if you work at it. I just do not understand the thinking of people today. To think that we are in the yaer 2009 and things like this are going on. No one wants to take over white America, we all just want to get along and support America for all people.

The funny thing is that people in Bush's cabinet REALLY DID write early in his term, before 9/11 that an attack on the country would help them push through their agenda.... man talk about having things backwards....

This is sad. I am shame for alot of these bloggers. To keep a child home because the President of the United States will address them with responsibilities. What are the parents teaching the child and/or their children about another human being? Mr. Obama is a great person; who happens to be very educated, intelligent, loving, caring and has two beautiful daughters of his own. Yes, he is biracial, black but I guess it's a problem because he isn't considered to be a white man. What is wrong with people of the world? This is the 21st century and it's time to get over it and move on; if not the energy you are using to be negative and racism could be used for something positive. For example: Listen to what the President has to say and we can discuss it when you come home from school. Of course, if the parents are concern about what President Obama will say; then watch the program for themselves and stop listening to what other people (GOP) are speculating about what the speech is about. This is no political gain for President Obama. He has already proved to alot of people that he has what it takes to become the President and do all he can to get this country back on track and that was proven during the primary and general election: He is "Our" President of the United States of America. Love U President Obama 2012 YES WE WILL ....AGAIN. 2ND TIME IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN THE 1ST. MORE LOVE TO SPREAD AND SHARE.........

Obama/Biden 2012

I think people are missing the point. It is a matter of trust based on the president's actions and the people surrounding him. The system is not broke. It's the people running the system. Then when bills are presented that cannot be deciphered it opens the door to suspicion and abuse of power. The answer is simple. Introduce clear and concise legislation. Proponents should vouche for the bills, stop the name calling and answer questions. The burden is on them to answer the very real concerns of the people. I have a question. Who wrote the heath care bill?

President Obama is not the first President to speak to school children, and hopefully he will not be the last. School children need to listen to the Presidents talk and form their own opinions both good and bad. Unfortunately, their are some parents who instill their own predjudices and hatred into their children.,.

The fanaticism of the "naysayers" is frightening. These people cannot and will not tolerate the fact that we the people elected a black president.. They are bigots in the first degree!

I am a white woman, retired educator, who has five grown children, and grandchildren who are old enough to listen and weigh the facts of any speech they hear. They have all been taught to find facts to back up their opinions.

CNN anchors have not always provided facts or both sides of a story, therefore , I encourage anyone listening to CNN to investigate on their own., using factcheck.org.

Really? The same parents who don't know what their kids are watching on TV. Don't know who they're talking to online. Don't know what the school served their child for lunch. And so on and so on. These are the same people who are worried about what the President of the United States might say to their kids?

Even if you don't respect the man, respect the office. Parents should be thrilled for their child to have this opportunity.

I suppose when you spend your life being directed by Rush Limburger's words, following his every "instruction" over the air, it's easy to think your kids will be brainwashed by a speech made by the President.

I feel so sorry for the rightwingnuts kids.

I like the saying that "don't look at what the country can do for you" but "look for what you can do for your country". People should stop bashing the president and try to put their thoughts together and make the USA a better place.

The president is trying has best to make the US a better place and put back the broken pieces that he inherited. Now inorder for us to put our thoughts together too we are just bashing the little good that the president is trying to do. SHAME

Why are concerned parents being called racists? Barack Hussein Obama has no right to ask our children what they will do for him -– he has been hired to work for us. Obviously someone forgot to tell him or his racist wife this fact.

The right is full of wingnuts.

They told him he was proposing Death Panel and he pulled it from the plan.
They told him they didn't trust him preaching to the kids and he pulled the plan.
They told him that White House oughtn't be collecting "fishy" emails and he pulled that plan.

Throw in Public Options, Closing GITMO and reassessing these Czar and it look like the wingnuts are pretty popular or pretty influential.

Maybe wingnut is a term losers use against winners.

Oh, and just think of how UNAMERICAN it would be if a Republican President was scheduled to speak to children and parents didn't want their children to listen. Imagine the headlines.

Jack Lowe – that is your personal choice. The govn't should not force socialism on anybody. That is the difference man.

As seen on TV both Reagan and HW Bush did the same Presidential address to school children. Funny, I don't remember scads of "Pre" speech nonsense about how their speechs were going to ruin school kids lives or how both of them would cram their agendas down young throats.

If anyone thinks this feigned outrage is TRULY about a President talking to school kids then your brain dead. This is fully about hatred for a lost election,health care reform and a black President in the WH.

Bush did not address all school children without their parents present. Bush asked children to send the dollar during a prime time speech. and did nott ask for the child to do an assignment on what the president talked about. Big difference in my book.

2005 – George W. Bush's Department of Education paid Armstrong Williams to promote No Child Left behind. This had to be found out through Freedom of Information Act request. Can you say "propaganda" in it's truest form?

Obama's speech about personal responsibility has been very public. And aren't personal responsibility and socialism opposite points? Much ado about nothing (as is usual from the wingnuts).

Parents should keep their kids home the day of the President's speech, that way the schools will lose money for their attendance that day for choosing to force that on the students. Then parents can watch the video and speech at home with their kids if they choose too and not worry about their kids being misinformed.

I'm 62 & the ONLY time I ever saw anything governmental at (high) school was the TVs set up in the auditorium in 1962 to watch our Ohio boy & former Senator, John Glenn, circling our planet. And that was by individual teacher's permission only. What a proud moment for ALL Americans. Talk about a "Can Do" attitude! But then, we had a Physics Club, 4 yrs. of Latin & a very high graduation rate. We were encouraged to take the "harder courses in math & science." There weren't any "touchy/feely" courses like "Underwater Basket Weaving." Math & science are HARD! Boy my sons & myself all have degrees in these disciplines and we worked all the way to achieve it; no one gave us a free ride.

This,at a public school, which had a dress code that was enforced as was other discipline while in school. We were taught to be "Ladies & Gentleman" no matter what our race, creed or color & we HAD everything from black to whltes to Catholics, to Protestants, Greek Orthodox, to Russians, to Italians, to Serbians, to Christian Lebanese, & Polish. And, surprise, surprise, we all got along fine even with our substantial differences. Why? We were expected to do so!

If Obama wants to encourage kids to study harder, not "hook" out on classes, do their homework in a timely fashion, behave like ladies & gentleman, finish high school, aim for something beyond that, I'm all for his speech "inspiring" today's kids. They have so few role models; anything that helps them grow up with a goal in mind is wonderful.

HOWEVER, ANYTHING ELSE IS PROPAGANDA. WE WILL SEE WHAT TRANSPIRES!

You know, the lies made up by the far right wing over healthcare reform are simply not creative enough. They are disappointing America. They are letting us down. They are letting freedom down. They are letting patriotism down. This is what happens when educational standards fall. We need the far right wing to come up with far more creative lies. Sad. Just sad. I shed a tear.

GOP will not be happy until President Obama is out of office and it doesn't seem to matter what kinds of lies are spread, how much hate is fomented, how heated the rhetoric gets. This is not free speech, it is hate speech, and it needs to stop. And those of you who say that the "racist" word is just used to stop opposing points of view. Tune into any "tea party" rally and you will see viciousness at a level that only can be determined as "I can't stand it that my country voted for a BLACK man and I want my country back" Meaning, I want the balance of power held by white men as it always has been. If that isn't racism, I don't know what it.

President Reagan did an address to school children that was broadcast nationally that discussed overtly political matters (in addition to telling them to stay in school and say no to drugs). He discussed national defense, nuclear disarmament, and tax policy- in great detail advocating tax cuts. So it was apparently ok for a Republican President to give a speech to school children on political issues, but not for a Democratic President to simply talk about staying in school.

Again, hypocrites.

Right wingnut commenters should take the time to read the freaking story all the way through. It states explicitly that the Dept. of Education materials which they refer to were changed. The non-partisan PolitiFacts Truth-O-Meter investigated these "liberal brainwashing" claims and found them to be complete lies, without any basis in fact. Cynthia W. and on2u, grow-up or wake-up. Even better, shut-up. If you can't form an opinion based upon fact, you shouldn't waste our time with your drivel. The First Amendment may protect speech, but our founders didn't expect to protect lies and fools.

Why is anyone from Washington speaking to young children in the first place? In my opinion, the children of America should be speaking Congress on how to cooperate with each other and how to be less selfish. They grasp these concepts better than anyone in our government.

These right wing nuts have been jumping of the cliffs for the past month. Most of them have no idea what is in the health care plan.
Now they claim that the President is going to make them support his policies.

Give me a break. All the president wants to do is encoruage the kids to stay in school and make them understand that staying in school is a lot better then dropping out.

So you right wing nuts grow up and be part of the solution instead of creating problems.

You right wingers out there must forgot that it is the GOP that created this nightmare

It's times like this that I'm ashamed to be an American. Republicans should either grow up, get more educated or go form their own 3rd world country.

There is no problem with the President addressing children of the United States with a positive message to work hard and stay in school. The problem is with the accompanying materials from the Department of Education which Avlon conveniently failed to mention. Teachers would ask kids to ask themselves what they could do to help “President Obama”. Not themselves, their families or their country. What is this? Pres. Kennedy said “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” I do believe that the media is failing us in a huge way, reporting bits, and not the big picture. The big picture is this administration’s policies, “czars” and advisors to the president, are far to the left of what even most Democrats would be comfortable with if you would only do your job and report on it. Presently, the media is acting as “Useful Idiots” while most of us are asking “What is the President’s agenda? Who are the people advising him? Why are so many in the media not investigating these things? Why is any dissent or question met with scorn? Why is it okay to even consider passing a health bill, or cap and trade bill without READING it? Where has all the stimulus money gone? Why isn’t there a full accounting? Why is Charlie Rangel still chair of the House, Ways & Means Committee with repeated tax violations?

Cheryl: Exactly where were you when GWB was addressing a Republican fundraiser and he said, "Ah, yes – my base – the 'Haves' and the 'Have-Mores'. Doesn't that gall you? And, there's a difference between dissent and scorn and the ONLY things spewing out of the mouths of rightwing nuts – is scorn and pure hatred. Your not interested in better government, if you were you wouldn't say the things you do. As far as the President's lesson plan – perhaps you would be better off to get your information about the plans some where else other than the Neocon Slut, Michelle Malkin, or the Racist Rodeo Clown, Glnn Beck. Perhaps it would be better if you kept your children home from school that day. We wouldn't want them exposed to a pep talk about education and personal responsibilty. Oh yes, by the way – the President's lesson plans followed the exact same content of those when Reagan and GHW Bush were presidents. Your outrage smacks of nothing more than hypocritical whining.

I am a moderately conservative white american who used to consider himself a republican. The idea that right wing nuts would object to a US president speaking to a public education class is one of the things that leads me to no longer consider myself a republican. I think attacks of this sort are completely political, inane and ludicrous. How many white presidents have done the same thing... let me get out my calculator... I think the total adds up to... hmmm... 43.

I take offense at being called a Wing-nut. If anyone opposes the view of the president they are labeled as a knee-jerk reactionary. Being in the media he should know that everyone has the right to free speech. When the left has a view it is gospel and everyone should just bow down to it.

The problem is not that the president will be speaking to the kids, which would be a good thing. The problem is that there is a lack of trust in what he will say, and many people feel that he will be trying to spread his agenda through these kids that will hear his message. If all he is saying is "do your best, and be responsible for your life" there is nothing wrong with that. The problem is the timing – he is trying to push an agenda, and is having great difficulty. This is seen by many as just another way to spread his 'gospel'.

Interestingly, I remember doing virtually the same letter writing exercise when I was in 2nd grade, back when George H. W. Bush was in office...

I just can't believe that people are going crazy over something so ordinary as the President addressing children regarding the importance of their education. And is it really such a horrible thing to encourage both kids and adults to become more involved in their communities? I'm not a liberal, and I didn't vote for Obama, but I think he has the right idea there.

"I think that America should be ashamed. The point of the uproar is not President’s Obama’s views, its that “White America” does not want a Black man adivising their children on personal responsibilty. Let’s be honest."

This kind of racist drivel is the problem. People like you make me sick. Grow up and stop living in the past.

Forget the wingnut talk, the polls show America doesn't want what Barry is selling.

Clearly, some folks voted for this guy and don't trust him anymore.

MD September 4th, 2009 10:20 am ET

When Obama comes to school, my kids will be absent that day!

___________

How sad for your children's classmates and teachers that YOU are teaching your children hatred and racism.... instead of teaching you children respect, tolerance, graciousness AND RESPECT FOR THE PRESIDENT OF OUT COUNTRY!!!!!

Guess what? I dislike Obama to my core. That is my right, and it has nothing to do with race. If he wants to address the kids of this nation then fine, he is our president. But asking the kids to write about what they can do to help the president is absolutely insane, scary and ridiculous. The USA is not about the president, we are about the PEOPLE! Wake up!

Dear Morons,

"[H]ow I can help the President" DOES NOT mean "how I can help the President pursue his political agenda." To interpret that phrase to mean that the President was asking school children to help advance his agenda or for advice on how to do so isn't just absurd, it's nonsensical.

Clearly the phrase used "President" not just to refer to the man and his ideologies but the Office of the President, i.e. help the government help America. Thus an acceptable answer to the assignment could be conservative or liberal. You could help the President by "telling him how much it hurts you that he is raising the National debt."

Very truly yours,
Common Sense

Well, what do you expect? We are a nation of wingnuts, who elect wingnuts to represent us. Thoughtful, intelligent, mature dialogue is extinct. No one is interested in working together, in bridging differences. Every issue is an opportunity to impose one persons will upon another, with no desire to see things from the others point of view. Whatever happens, we deserve whatever we get.

Did anyone notice that in Mr. Greer's rants (President Obama has turned to American’s children to spread his liberal lies, indoctrinating American’s youngest children before they have a chance to decide for themselves) that he talks about "American's children".

Isn't it "America's children"?!? Perhaps it is Mr. Greer who should spend a bit more time in class.

The rest of the world thinks we are insane.

@Paul

How?

He ran a great campaign with a catchy message of change.

He campaigned as if he would run a moderate administration, and many people gave him the benefit of the doubt.

He's black. There's no sense in denying that his race didn't played a huge role to getting him to presidency. Many people voted for him not because of his policies, but because they wanted to see a black man in the White House.

And besides, if Obama was white, Hilary would have been the Democrat candidate.

Living as I do in the city that vilified President John F. Kennedy, and then put a bullet in his head when he came to mix with the people, I have to say that very little has changed here. If anything, this insanity has spread to all areas of this nation.

I am embarrassed for us. A president addressing school children is nothing new, but a black president? Oh no, must be the ANTI-CHRIST!! There are many parents here who plan to keep their children home from school out of fear that they may be "exposed" to "liberal brainwashing". The school will accept a note from the parent explaining why they decided to keep their kids home on that day.

Yet, my daughter (senior in high school) is enrolled in a "Bible Education" class through our PUBLIC school. She did not sign up for it. I don't plan to have her attend, and I suppose that a note saying why I want to shield her from such right-wing extremism should suffice. I don't want her BRAINWASHED.

The hypocrisy here is thick, I tell you what.

Having witnessed personality cult in former Soviet Union, I am appalled to see attempts to instigate Obama's personality cult among the young. It proves once more that he is a closet communist in the White House

Thank you cathyinaz. There is nothing wrong with the Department of Education's suggested study guides, etc. Questions like "How did the President inspire me" and "how can I help the President" refer to he speech that they just heard. They are meant to make students think of what they can do to be a success in school and help the President help them suceed. So the answers, are responses like "study harder" "read more books", "enourage my friends to study harder and not tease them if they are too studious" etc. They're not being asked to go out and fight for healthcare reform. Good Lord, people – try to think rationally.

I keep seeing the names Bush and Reagan. Are you guys saying that it was OK for them to do it or are you just upset that you didn't make a big deal about it back then?

S. Watt–I don't want to be disrespectful here, but as a white American who voted for the first Black President of the United States–your opinion that White America is opposed to a Black Man telling them what to do is totally, completely wrong. Most people, if they don't have their head hidden up their arse, are up at arms about the ideological ramifications of the President supposedly manipulating children. Bush did the same thing, and I'm thinking teaching civic pride in school and community is an idea whose time is long past due. Get over the Black/White thing, already. We've beaten that into the ground.

If the GOP continues their attack on our President they will only have right idiots left like Sarah Palin in their party. They are against the public option for health care because they want to line their pockets with the money from the Healthcare lobby and insurance companies. Let call it like it is, they absolutely hate the idea that we have an articulate, well educated black family man who speaks better English that they do. Just follow the money and you will see who bought them.

Keep it up Republicans...................Keep listening to the Limbaughs, Hannity and now Beck and your Party of NO will have even greater losses than last year. You're LOUD and make noise, but don;t mistake that for support. You're losing the middle. Do you think Reagan or Goldwater would apporve of your tactics They were Conservatives with a concious and CLASS . You now instead have become obnoxious and hateful.

David W Reid wrote "Schools are missing an opportunity to educate young citizens by allowing parents to interject politics into President Obama’s televised speech..."

You need to step back and listen to what you are saying. Allowing parents? Are you serious? That is dangerous thinking, that the government has the right to limit a parents right to choose how their child is taught.

As for many others, you should be a bit concerned that every time there is any opposition to this administration the press reports one of two things; either the dissenters are crazy GOP radicals (wingnuts), or it is a racist attack. What happened to allowing people their voice? Just because I don't agree with something does not mean that I should be attacked or marginalized. This is far worse than the "you're either with us or against us" attitude after 9/11. I like many other here am not upset about the actual speech to the children as long as it is not about politics. My issues are with the associated curriculum.

oBOWma and the NEA are co-brainwashing our children. This is nothing new for the NOW women that run and are members of the NEA. oBOWma is going to help them sell their communism (ala Van JOnes) as community service. The Community Organizer in Chief was recently slapped down by Sara Palin for his stupid govt takeover of healthcare. oBOWma wants to indoctrinate children to become community organizers and ACORN children. Stop oBOWma now!!!!!!

The hysteria about the President's speech is politics at its worse. He is president of the United States and the fact that he is speaking to school children about responsibility should be celebrated. The Republican Party would be well-served to condemn their wingnuts rather than allowing them to blather on as if they were spokespeople for the party. I also agree that on the Democratic side of the aisle, the Pete Starks of the world should listen more and talk less. The Blue Dogs were elected to represent their constituency. Cause trouble?? Why, they could be elected as Republicans and do just fine. Perhaps they reflect moderate reasonable issues that should be considered rather than condemned.

There is a campaign to delegitimize Obama as the president. This is part of it.

Bush W did have a fascist ideology – sorry – invading a country without legal grounds is fascism. So is using government money to create a billion dollar private army that assassinates those who inform on it's activities – Blackwater. It's not being a leftist wingnut to point out the truth. The only thing that prevented W, Nixon and Reagan from completely undermining our system of government was the constitution, but it was sorely tested. What progress the nation could have made had we not been damaged by these men.

Ruthlessly running over the rule of law is fascism and it's just about the only thing the Republican party stands for now – this includes attacking Obama for the most benign of actions, a Presidential address to schoolchildren. The right wing is so extreme now they would burn down the house, rather than divide it, rather than acknowledge their demise. Why don't you all move to Texas and secede and the nation will build a really high fence around it so that you can't immigrate back?

The wingscum continue to reach new lows. There is no excuse for this uncivil behavior. I hated Bush/ Cheney, and still hate them, but I never protested when Bush wanted to send his "right wing indoctrination" to school kids to keep off drugs. Obama's message about working hard in school could reach kids, but not in the la la land of the lunatic wingscum.

OMG.. I am a Floridian. Shut up Jim Greer!! You sound like that Congressman from the 50's-McCarthy-accusing everyone being a Communist. And we all know now he was an idiot!!

mary grace-Ormond Beach FL

This is rediculous. Guess the GOP only wants the kind of president who goes to schools and sits quietly while WE ARE BEING BOMBED!!!! I guess going to a school and talking to kids about staying in school is a BAD thing? Greer is a fool, and his hysteria is totally laughable. What planet are these people from?

Every time I read a post from a Rebpublican, I keep thinking how backward some people are.

GOPism and the Bush doctrine forced us in to bankruptcy. Even if we do not like Socialism and Communism, guess what? China is financing YOUR Republican's way of life. We were lucky enough that everything came-down crashing at the end of the Bush administration. This country would have been one pay check away from becoming a third world country. We are rebuilding USA to a pre-Bush era and Republican's are not needed for this job.

"its that “White America” does not want a Black man adivising [sic] their children on personal responsibility [sic]"

If I read one more idiotic comment saying that because I don't agree with Obama's politics I am a racist, I am going to scream! Will someone explain to the wingnuts on the left that this has NOTHING to do with race? Will they also explain to them that they look like idiots when only the left keeps bringing up race? I don't care what the color of his skin is, or his ethnicity. I, and many like me, simply want the government to stop trying to take care of everyone. Return to their Constitutional responsibilities. Nothing more, nothing less.

Questions such as the so-called offending materials being offered for discussion after President Obama's speech have been used for many years in classrooms. I remember paying close attention to films and the 1960 Presidential debates in order to form opinions to use during classroom discussions. I think the wingnuts are afraid of honest discussion because the "man behind the curtain" might be revealed and students might actually "think" instead of just being the reactionaries like the wingnuts prove themselves to be.
Get a grip parents. Hold your own discussions at home if you are so afraid. Of course, free thinking will most likely be discouraged at home. Encouraging good listening to any politician's speech is great, no matter if it is the President or any other politician. Thniking is a worthwhile pursuit. Too bad so many seem to be against it.

The starched white hood is slowly being pulled from the face of the Republican party and by their own hands. The ugliness and evil that lives in their hearts and souls are now there for all Americans to see........It ain't pretty man, it ain't pretty.............

Isnt it funny how now that we have a democrat president, he has been called everything from socialist, communist, to terrorist, when not too long ago when the president was republican, if you said anything against what the president was doing you were called unpatriotic?

"I find it comical that right-wingnuts always criticize Obama supporters for thinking that he’s the ALMIGHTY or the MESSIAH, when they’re the ones pulling their kids out of school over concerns that Obama will work magic voodoo on their children. I mean, you folks are mind-numbingly, galactically stupid."
****************************************************************************

Nuff said. Seriously, people? I remember snoring through Reagan and Bush, Sr. and noone asked for a freakin' permission slip, and noone gave my parents an "opt out". He's the President of the United States of America–show some respect. He won, lots of folks voted for him AND for change, AND public option, so just deal. Hey, maybe there should be tolerance classes taught in our schools, right along side of a REAL Sex Ed class!!!

Socialism: a theory or system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution, of capital, land, etc., in the community as a whole.

So everyone against socialism should get out of OUR National Parks and Monuments, Public Schools, Interstate highways and don't bother to call 911 for help. Guess we should break up the Military too while we're at it...

Anyone who knows anything about teaching also realizes that using someone or something the children can identify with is beneficial and common.

The name calling has gone beyond tedious. The paranoia and disinformation that generated it is destroying this nation. Wish there were more Republican Senators like Snowe and Collins...

Everybody keep talking about the insurance companies spending money to block Obama. Didn't Obama meet with drug companies and take $80 million pledge from them. Why do you think they did that? It was not because these are great people, they want Obama to keep them out of this health care debate.
People must realize that if the government plan will to pay for the same drugs, doctors and hospital cost. How can they beat private companies? Even if there is 'no profit' in the government plan, the waste will be equal profit- net result, the same as we have now.
We need to examine all aspects of health care cost, not just the insurance end.

A question to the public, if claims exceed money collected/budgeted, who will pay the difference on a public option??

The outrage has to do with the ideals the president holds and whether or not those ideals are what parents want their children to be taught. It is not a new concept for a president to speak to the nations school children to encourage success, however this is the first time that the Department of Education has sent out accompanying materials which Avlon conveniently failed to mention. I sincerely wish that the people who comment that this is a race issue would come to the understanding that it has NOTHING to do with race.

Looks like Dick Cheney wasn't the only one to lose his mind in a jungle of paranoia after 911. This thread is filled with people living in perpetual fear of everything that does not conform to their perception of what is good and right. Their opposition seems to be quite angry with them, while failing to realize these people are sick and cannot help themselves.

These diseased individuals are however quite loud, (screaming is common is asylums) and they are not going away, nor will they stop offering themselves up as human logs to be rolled in front of progress.

I choose not to live in fear and I will take the advice offered by the diseased right whenever anyone points out a problem:

I will happily leave the country. Any evil socialist country will do, as long as the health care is better than it is here. Looks like I have a bunch of choices.

See Ya.

Where was President Bush when the 9/11 planes hit? Oh yeah, he was in a class room talking to school children...

Where did Dan Quayle flunk spelling 101? Oh yeah, in a class room with a bunch of elementary school children.

Presidents have been addressing children for as long as I can remember, so this whole thing is just an embarassment. I'm embarassed to be commenting on it.

I have a question:
When president John F. Kennedy asked America
"Ask not what your country can do for you, but what YOU can do for your country", was he labelled as a 'socialist/fascist' as well?

CNN ( COMMIE NEWS NETWORK ). CNN has worked hard to keep their name in the news. CNN should move to Iraq or to some other muslim country. Obama will not take the USA down.

People are surprised by angry rhetoric? Really? After listening to 8 FULL YEARS of the same rhetoric against Bush, the left now wants to let us know that disrespecting the president is something new. Now that we have a black president (half-white too, btw) that can't be disagreed with because he is not white. C'mon give us a break.

In regards to the idea at hand, speaking to the nation is fine. Addressing our schools is fine as well. However, requiring homework that glorifies the president is completely different. I don't want my children having to listen to celebrities pledge their allegiance to the president. We pledge allegiance to our nation, not the office of president. That is a dictatorship. I don't want our nation being told as young schoolchildren that it's ok to pledge their allegiance to a single leader. That destroys democracy and the republic that we currently have.

What ever happened to the responsibility to civics in this country? When did asking kids to think about their president or their country become a means for political agenda only? When did asking kids to question what they can do to help the president or anyone, for that matter, become wrong? Why are some parents so afraid to let their children critically think? Maybe if some kids were asked what they thought more or how they could help this country, they would stop looking at the TV and start discovering and expanding their abilities.

People...the president gives a speech on doing well in school and working hard.

The kids are then asked to write a letter about how they will help the president. They're kids, they're going to write about helping the president by "studying harder" or "reading an extra book". Come on there is no grand conspiracy. Sometimes things are simple.

Also William....the US investment in the banking industry occurred during the Bush administration. While the current president fired the CEO of GM (what a concept, demanding accountability from a CEO who wants taxpayer support), the Bush administration removed the CEO of AIG and threatened to remove the CEO of Bank of America if they did not buy Merrill Lynch. Not one additional American company has received taxpayer funds that was not already receiving them when Obama took office. The TARP funds are being repaid which means the government's investment in the private sector is decreasing. Sorry to disappoint everyone.

That sound you hear is Thomas Jefferson weeping......

I weep for our country! The divisiveness that has arisen doesn't help anyone! To threaten to hold your children out of school so that they don't hear the President of the United States speak to them about the importance of staying in school to help them to be productive citizens is just sad and ludicrous. Name calling and out and out lies from both sides is counter-productive. The screaming at town hall meetings accomplishes nothing. Intelligent dialog is what we need! Less hatred focused at people you disagree with is what we need! Our enemies are thrilled to see us fight amongst ourselves and not get anything accomplished. Osama bin Laden doesn't need to set off any major weapons to destroy us, our divisiveness will do it for him. Remember Lincoln's words, "A house divided against itself cannot stand." We ALL need to take a step back, take a deep breath and and stop villanizing each other. To quote Maya Angelou, "We are more alike, my friends than we are unalike!' Try to see that in those that you disagree with...that is the grassroots effort that needs to take place!

You Americans really are a pitiful bunch – tirade against "knee jerk name calling" and in the next breath call people wingnuts.

Without a doubt, the most disappointing nation on the planet!

You are all missing the point. No matter who the President is (Dem or Rep, white, black or purple), it is GOOD to emphasize the importance of education, it is WRONG to put kids (or anyone) in a poisiton where they can suffer poor consequences (bad grades for not agreeing with a teacher's ideologies) for having a different opinion. So many things can go wrong on the lesson plan front. It's just wrong. If it was just the President encouraging kids to work hard in school, etc. I would say it was great. Again, it doesn't matter WHO the president is. It's just not right.

What an insane country!!! Please just shoot us and put us out of our misery.

[...] [...]

Once upon a time, Americans (and to a great degree, the world) had reverence for the office of President of the United States; regardless of the party or politics of the person holding that office. When did this all change? And WHY should "the world" consider America to be a leader of nations when their duly elected Commander-in-Chief is shown such disdain by so many of his own people?

Why can't the President speek to MY children during the evening while I am watching with them?
.
.
Why the need to separate parent and child for a "chit-chat" with a "Dear Leader".
.
.
The freaky-deaky meter just pinned out.

republican fools.

what a terrifying world they must live in.

This article very clearly states that the Department of Ed is changing the language of a lesson where the kids write letters to support the president. I don't know why people keep claiming that this aspect went uncovered in the editorial. I have not heard the speech so I am not sure if the lesson plan asks the children to do something questionable or not. How many letters from children pledged to help Bush keep America safe? Plenty, I imagine.

Clearly, the Republicans are trying as hard as they can to run down President Obama because they think that his success is their loss. I wish they would put "country first." I do think the Blue Dogs are not being logical when they claim to want fiscal responsibility but oppose the Public Option which seems to me like the easiest way to reduce the cost of health care.

S. Watt,

Stop playing the race card until you have a leg to stand on. Don't forget that an unprecedented 95% of a certain demographic voted for Obama. What does that tell you?

Guess the alarmists didn't see the recent article in Parade Magazine by Back Door Billy Phone Sex of Fox unfair and unbalanced, tabloid TV fame, urging children to emulate Barrack Obama's model for achievement.

Hey,
I say bring it on, crazy republicans, because by making a big deal out of Obama's speech to school kids, you continue to turn the majority of normal Americans away from the republican party.

Greer's comments include, "I do not support using our children as tools to spread liberal propaganda". Hmmm, taking this literally, it suggests that he 'does' support 'using our children as tools to spread' some other ' propaganda'. 'wonder what 'that' would be. Hate, fear, prejudice and a 'right wing' agenda?
I also noticed that the only inflammatory comments used in these responses were by those who support the 'wing nuts' opposing an interaction with school children by President Obama that replicates those made by both President Bushs. What do you suppose 'that' suggests?

This is really crazy. Since when has this ever been a problem. I'm glad he is engaging the youth. It makes them feel apart of things. Hmmm... maybe that's the problem. In some sicko's head there is a thought that if the kids like Obama it will turn them into liberal democrats. Well I heard President's speak when I was younger and I still voted the way I wanted when I became an adult. This is just insulting. People really need to look inside their hearts and figure out what the real problem is. There is so much anger about a man who shows none to others. I'm really just saddened and disappointed by the whole thing.

I think the people who are so concerned about this are crazy, but I don't really think race is the issue. Some of you seem to have forgotten the pure venom they flung at the last white Democratic president, Bill Clinton. They hated him just as much and went after him just as much. I agree that they cannot accept that Obama won the election decisively, but I don't think it is because he is black. It is because they can't face that the country has turned away from their ideas and wants more of a social safety net for all provided by tax dollars. That just really burns them up, even though quite a few of them would benefit.

I think it will actually be harder for them to go after Obama as a person because he is black and many attacks, especially any that have to do with women, would be perceived as racist. So they are apoplectic about everything non-personal that he does.

Why can't people just disagree with one another without resorting to name-calling?

How do you address ignorance? You ignore it! I'm not republican nor democrat but the republicans seem to have nothing to offer but unwarranted criticism. Based on the behaviour and BS that seems to be coming from that side of the room i'm inclined to think Republicans share the same 12 year old brain.

Let's be honest here. Democrats DO NOT want children study hard to equip themselves to be self sufficient and unreliant on the government. If that happened, the Dems would be out of freakin' business. People that worked hard in school and today provide for themselves, are now the targets of the Democratic agenda. Somehow hard work has caused poor children to grow into privileged adults, that should share their wealth with former classmates that didn't work as hard. The Dems want to promise fish to the masses of former lazy students in exchange for their support and devotion. They certainly don't want to teach the masses to fish for themselves.
Now, those Americans that worked hard to make a better life for themselves are getting called racists because they don't beleive that the fruits of their labor should be confiscated and given away to the masses, as bribery for allegience. By the racist rationale, I supposed conservatives don't like Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi because their white??
If Obama wants to sum up his philosophy to the students he should just tell them that the harder they work, the more they'll be forced to give when they grow up, and the less they work the more they'll be elligible to recieve. "From each according to their means, to each according to their need." Then let the children decide for themselves how hard they want to work under such sorry circumstances.

I can't believe the knucleheads that believe that President Obama is going to try and brain wash the children that he will be speaking too. What in the h#@#@ is this world coming to?! The person that stated their children will be absent the day Obama comes to their school, and all the other right wing nuts that follows right behind Jim Greer. You all need to get a life and if you think you can run this country better; then you should had ran for office. Let's see how well you can run this country with the many problems George Bush and the Republicans left us with. Republicans make me sick because all they do is point fingers and always trying to stall progress. They didn't do NOTHING while they were in office. However, they did do a good job putting us more in debt the 8 years they were in office. *Pat yourselves on the back for that one* Let the President handle his business!!

The reaction to the President of the United States planning to speak to public schools demonstrates all the more that education in the past has failed. Public schools, after all, are a capitalist program to train future employees in the three 'rs' so that they would be useful employees in an industrialized society. You don't need to be able to read and write if you are harvesting crops, but you do need these skills to work in an office or measure the length of a 2×4.
ALSO, as a former President, Thomas Jefferson knew, an educated population would (and will) be needed to govern a democracy. The fact that Jay Leno can find people who believe that Hawaii is not a state, or do not know the names of their senators or representative shows how horrible public schools have failed, both the students and the public also.
I also suggest that racism is alive and well, although those who ARE racist are not about to admit it.

Both President Bush (Jr.) and President Reagan made direct addresses to school kids. No one objected at the time to that. Right-wing leaders like Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck are trying to incite some lunatic to assassinate the President.

Based on the supporting material that teachers were supposed to use, it is a foregone conclusion that this speech would be "historic" and "inspiring". Teachers were being encouraged to hang quotes from this speech around the classroom.

Welcome to Cuba.

Welcome to Venezuela.

What can I do to help the President? He's such a nice man. Whatever he wants must be for my own good.

Prejudiced? Not at all. Here we have a socialist President who spends money we don't have. Bush ruining the economy? Ask the Companies who got stimulus money and then went on vacation. The Treasury can't print money fast enough to keep up with this man. Secondly, I wouldn't allow my children to listen to his rhetoric. He is a smooth talker – with little to say. It's about time America woke up – before it's too late.

Can we stop the insanity? I mean, the president adressing school children on personal responsibility. Isn't that a conservative concept? Shouldn't the conservatives be beaming with pride that a black, liberal democrat president would so boldly embrace the concept of personal responsiblity and try to impress that importance on school children. After all, they are the future of this country.

Oh, it's the academic exercises that are a problem.
Imagine that, exercises after the speech to develop critical thinking. Exercises that permit children to think for themselves and not necessarily take everything that is spoon fed, or rammed down their throat, at face value.

Independent thought, A.K.A. brainwashing. The potential to agree, or disagree, A.K.A. choice. I can see why conservatives are so hysterical that the president might actually try to do something to benefit the future of our country.

The president was actually elected by a majority of the people of this country...this time. He represents the people of this country, like it or not. Even the belligerent, loud mouthed ignorant ones that think they are entitled to drown out civil discourse and debate. The right to a dissenting opinion is well established in this country. The right to spread lies and fear and hatred is not. The irrational and irresponsible behavior of the people with a dissenting opinion thus far has been deplorable, their hatred is glaringly transparent.

The message that is planned, is one of personal responsibility and encouragement. The messenger however is liberal and democrat and, oh yeah...black. Yeah, better walk on the other side of the street, or better yet just keep your kids at home.

Pathetic!

Why is it ok for the Bush's to speak with school children but not Obama? Further, GWB was actually READING to school children when 9/11 attacks occurred!!!

For African American kids, this is a GOLDEN opportunity to see a man who became POTUS as a African American because he stayed in school, worked hard, and did what he was supposed to do. I would think Republicans would cheer and applaud a Black POTUS trying to make sure that young black kids wouldn't be another crime statistic! They aren't; they'd rather them end up in jail or dead. How ridiculous!!

I am not a Dem, but this is another example why I refuse to vote for Republicans: they are two-faced and hypocritical. This is a CONSTANT theme whether it is Sanford being hypocritical, or the RNC spewing this kind of insane ridiculousness.

Oh the race card. People still use the race card when they have nothing left to say for personal gain? Please people lets stop this NOW. The problem I have with the speech is the wording of it and the taxpayer dollars that are going to the books being sent out the week before. A book Obama wrote. This whole idea is to self centered to Obama and it's less about the purpose. That's the problem I have with it. Many presidents have given their childrens education speech, but it's never been ABOUT the president. Lets have less or a rock star wannabe and more of a President making good choices.

I would understand Obama's challenges if they pertained more to behaviors of children including a pledge not to cheat on tests and be respectful of other kids as well as other children. Kids don't make choices about the cars their family drives and other agenda he has proposed.................get real!!

Amazes me the names liberals use to describe conservatives and the accusations they make about our motivations and tactics.

Have you all forgotten the disrespect and negative blitz made on President Bush? Talk about a sad statement on shallow values and the nature of our society.

I have no issue with Obama talking to school kids if it is a simple stay in school message. I get concerned when kids are asked to write memos on how they can help the President. Help him do what? I guarantee you if Bush had tried this CNN would have been all over him.

Two standards for CNN and the liberals: the standard you held Bush to and the standards you ignore for Obama.

BTW, on the racism thing, get over it...if anyone is racist it is the "African-Americans"...they choose to be distinguished differently from Americans and insist every single little thing that doesn't go their way is racially motivated...jeez, enough already.

First a comment to MD, NO ONE is trying to force socialism onto anyone, whoever listens to Rush Limbaugh and his ignorant comments should check the accuracy of the "facts" that he preaches about. I believe he started screaming about so called socialism.

Second, I watched Anderson Coopers interview with Greer last night and I could not believe that he would actually say that with a straight face. Any self respecting american would not say those things. Mr. Greer must not have a love for Americanism.

The crux of the problem is this:
Since all of our high paying manufacturing jobs have gone over-seas and nothing but smoke and mirrors ( and your ATM House-Card ) have kept these spoiled consumers above water....
Many of you are rightly miffed that the punch bowl and your pacifier have been taken away.
You need to GROW-UP and accept responsibility for YOURSELVES!
You SPENT yourselves into this mess.
Your GREED keeps you there.
Clean up your household finances.
Do you really need all that CRAP you buy every day?
Keep it up and this country will end up like one giant ghetto......
Waiting for next months welfare check.

Dont call me a racist, call me well-informed. I dont want Barrack peddling his agenda to my child. Contrary to what Barrack and the liberal left would like you to beleive, the world is NOT ending tomorrow and you know what, AMERICA IS GREAT!!

Are you kidding me! Are these people nuts? Let me get this straight...the president wants to talk to school children about taking responsibility for their education success. Wow, what concept and what a great idea. Well, we wouldn't want children to be responsible for anything would we? Well the right seems to be letting their paranoia get the best of them. Swinging at anything they can to get a foothold on their sinking platform.
Well, keep it up! You just show how irrational you are and how much you don't care about the American people but only your sorry asses.

"This knee-jerk name-calling and hyper-partisan hysteria is the latest sign that things have become completely unhinged..."

Yeah, you're so right! Those "Wingnuts" (well, that just the name I call them)....wait a second!?!?

Shag....77% of people want health reform but far fewer want the CURRENT PROPOSED health care reform. Statistics and "facts" can easily be intentionally misleading or manipulated by the current administraction (just like the last) to push its agenda

So when the liberals media complains that Bush 41 was speaking to school children directly, that was hard-hitting journalism. When the conservatives complain Obama is speaking to school children directly, they are winguts. Only in America, land of the Left lately. How about a speech when kids are home, so their parents (remeber them, Obama?) can discuss, instead o fthe kids getting the political views of their teachers as explanation? Makes too much sense to me.

Mr. Avlon I appreciate your article and I can't really disagree with the points you make. But I wish journalists and their employers would focus more on the rest of America, not just the squeaky wheels at the outer fringes of our political spectrum.

The "wingnuts" are entertaining and titillating, for sure, but they don't have to receive the amount of coverage and attention they get. America is so much bigger and broader than what is portrayed in the news today.

I beg news organizations, and journalists like yourself, to tell the rest of the story. It is a disservice to our country to be hyper focused on the extremes. We need perspective. What ever happened to that?

Stacy
Cincinnati

The reactionary and rediculous comments about President Obama's speech to students in U.S. schools is yet another piece of evidence that the politicians making these comments have no respect for the President, the Presidency, our society and its history, and educators. They will use anything they can to blast the President for political gain and fear mongering. It's worse than the McCarthy era. At the heart of their "wingnut" comments is deep racism, fear and loathing and power mongering. The Republican politicians are willing to use our school children to generate more fear and hatred and conflict. Any other president in history who planned to give a motivational address to school children to "work hard and learn well" and be personally responsible would be lauded as a symbol of the leadership of an American president. I am so proud of President Obama for doing this. As a retired (white) educator, I think we need more of this – public leaders inspiring our school children to work harder and learn more, to make the U.S. more competitive in the world and ensure each child's successful contributions to it. Those Republicans are pathetic, pathological, mean spirited and reckless in their attempts to bring down our President.

If Obama wants to inspire me or my kids, stay focused on the economy and try not to run us all into bankruptcy. I don't necessarily mind him speaking to the school kids, but provide the speech text in advance (since we all know he won't deviate from the TOTUS) and let us decide if we want our kids to participate. My high-schooler will participate regardless since I want her to learn to critically think about current events. My kindergartener will not since I want her to focus on learning to read and add and subtract rather than worrying about what she has to do to 'help the President' achieve his hidden agenda.

As a side note to all the left-wingnuts, quit playing the race card. It only shows that you have absolutely nothing valuable to add to the conversation. There are reacists on both sides of the aisle. Those of us in the center need to push their influence aside. In fact, Obama's race is about the only 'cool' thing about his presidency so far.

You people who tout the race card are only hurting your caues. I am a southern white man that voted for the president . But i will not vote for him again ,if ever time i disagree with him , i am called a racist. WOW . He is not doing what other presidents have done . But you all have failed to mention this in any of your racist comments about us . I want to know what tha agenda is With anyone who is addressing our kids ..So i guess all you libs are racist? must be you disagreed with gw on just about everything .Called him ever name in the book . You racist lol sounds very stupid doesnt it !!!

Advance his political agenda??? To who? All the students across the country in which only 1/12 of them are old enough to vote.

I don't have a problem with him speaking to kids, I don't like the original game plan of him asking kids to write him letters on how to help. If he doesn't know how to do his job he should step down. As evident by the ever increasing unemployment rate he obviously doesn't know what he's doing, but you people thought a community organizer would be fantastic so we're all stuck with him until he's voted out in 2012. Unfortunately, the damage he's causing will take many years to correct.

When are we going to decide that enough is enough? Freedom of speech is one thing, but this kind of talk makes me sick to my stomach. I thought we were supposed to be the greatest country in the world. Does this garbage make you proud? I hated what GWB did to this country while he was in office, but as angry as I became, you would never hear me talk about him the way people are talking about Obama. Considering the pile of *hit GW left us in, I don't remember people threatening his life or wishing him dead. I don't care what party you're in or whether you voted for Obama or not. If you're an American and you believe in our history, the Constitution and the spirit in which it was written, you don't behave this way. I thought we were better than this. We NEED to be better than this. Grow up.

Brandon: You are absolutely right. Nobody – and I mean nobody – should talk to anyone's children but their own about such a hyper-partisan, "room for disagreement" topics like the importance of working hard and getting an education. Not teachers. Not principals. Not pastors. Not mentors. Not friends of the family. Nobody. I mean, can you imagine how awful it would be if a man who worked hard, got an education, and was just elected to the highest office in this country spoke to impressionable young children and told them to work hard and get an education? Wow. I shudder to think what horrors might result! I think we all lost track of our "common sense" for a moment. Thanks for helping us out!

Re: Health Care...Do Republicans really want to maintain the status quo? If that answer is yes, then they must be in support of insurance companies dropping individuals or denying coverage to those who have developed serious medical conditions b/c they are too costly. They must also be in support of those who lost jobs/recent graduates/and the self-employed who are forced into buying individual health insurance with pre-existing condition limitations clauses. Clearly, they must also be in support of those who, through no fault of their own, develop serious medical issues, like cancer, and are bankrupted due to the high cost of medicine and care. Can't people see that our current system of for profit insurance is destroying American families. People are being denied coverage, being dropped from their insurance, and being forced to pay the high cost of prescription drug coverage b/c we sure love to give those big drug companies record profits year after year. Enough is enough. All who claim to be "good Christians" or "good 'insert faith'" or good non-believers need to take a hard look at how we are currently treating one another. Yes, maybe your health insurance is fine, for now, until you or a loved one experiences one of the awful scenarios above. But, shouldn't we help out our fellow Americans in distress. Health care has nothing to do with hard work, and should not be linked to employment. Some employers don't offer group health coverage b/c they cannot afford it, or if they do, it's too expensive for some employees. Recent college graduates and the self-employed are often faced with no health insurance, b/c the individual plans are too expensive. So they risk going without it, only to be bankrupted if a casualty were to occur. And let's not forget the individuals who are dropped from their coverage by the for profit insurance companies b/c of a costly illness, when they are in dire need of that insurance. The system needs revamped, and it needs revamped now. If you don't like the proposals that are currently on the table, then the Republicans need to offer some alternatives. Instead, all they do is cry "socialism". If we can fund the high cost of wars, then we can certainly find a way to ensure that all Americans are covered. To me, this is non-negotiable. It should be the same for every single one of you, as well.

As a parent ot 2 honor students, i feel the presidents original speech that asked children to write to the president with suggestions about how they could help him was great. This was an opportunity to show children that their opinon does count in government and that it is their right to to get involved. if the parents were so concerned, they should of requested to review their child's letter before turning it in. As for those we do not want their child to hear the president, wow! why not let your child miss every moment in history. frankly some of the fuss is due to racism and the fact that their team did'nt win. Stop crying this is our president now.

Give me a break in texas

What 77% did you see wanting a Public Option in Insurance? All the polls I saw said 77% of Americans are against a Public Option and are fine with the insurance they have, not wanting a government-controlled medical program. Your statistics are wingnuts!

All of this hysteria is becoming a little ridiculous to me. I would describe myself as in the middle, I want to see the policies that make sense and will help people put into effect in this country, I agree with the Democrats on some things and the Republicans on others. The biggest problem in this country right now is that there are not enough people holding power that have this view, so there is no cooperation to do the right thing.

I am a high school teacher, I will be showing the video, I WILL NOT be having a policy discussion in my class, and sadly one of the reasons for that is because my students would not be able to engage in a policy discussion intelligently.....We all need to take a hard look at what is REALLY wrong with this country, and I will tell you this, my children, as they get older, will be able to gather information in order to make sound political decisions on their own....a skill that has obviously missed a few generations.

You racist prejudice people want to censor the President because is is Black.

When did encouraging and challenging children to do their best in school become a partisan political issue. We all want, we all need our children to do their very best.

Critism of HW Bush, notwithstanding, If the POTUS was white this would not even be talked about.

Who is running the GOP ship ... You better gain control. Then again I'm sure they don't care, because its all about disract, distort, and lie.

FEAR ... the black president is going to getcha! What fools!

Massage no EGO's ... Suffer no GOP FOOLS!

To pretend the right wing "wingnuts" are in any way similar to liberal, progressive politicians trying to promote responsible policy is to soil the idea of objective journalism. When someone says something outrageous, it is not incumbent to find something mostly common sense on the other side and call it "outrageous" in the name of "fair and balanced."

Really, just call a spade a spade: right wing extremes don't have a valid counterpoint in the left because we depend on reason as a basis for decisions – so extreme statements quickly become sidelined instead of becoming mainstream! There appears to be no counterpoint to this in the right.

In re s.watt who wrote: "I think that America should be ashamed. The point of the uproar is not President’s Obama’s views, its that “White America” does not want a Black man adivising their children on personal responsibilty. Let’s be honest."

Okay, I'll be honest. I am sick and tired of the racist attacks against those of us that disagree with President Obama's policies and are mislabeled as being bigoted against a Black man. My disagreements with President Obama have absolutely nothing to do with his color (after all, we are all part of the human race) and everything to do with his big government, wealth redistribution, apologize for America policies. Race or color does not even enter into the equation and the attempts to characterize the issues as such are the worst form of racism I have seen in a long time.
If my children were still in school (both adults and graduated now), I would be very pleased to have the President of the United States address them to encourage them on their scholastic efforts. But the mistake was made by President Obama's administration (not necessarily President Obama himself) when the Department of Education tried to "suggest" syllabus events after the speech. This smacks of the efforts of the former Soviet Union's "Little Octoberists" and "Young Pioneers." Separate the Presidential speech from current politics and I have no issue with it.

This nonsense will never end. These people on the right have nothing to say so they say whatever comes into their little brains. They remind me of the kids who get into an augument and just blurts out "I know you are but what an I". The problem is not that they spew this kind of nonsense. The problem is that they can get some people to buy it. They are so paranoid that they don't even see the hypocrisy of their augument. Suggesting that a socialist wants to preach personal responsibility shows just how uneducated and void of any kind of reasoning these kooks are. We need to move forward without them and relegate them to their rightful place in American history. Another fringe group of nut cases.

One thing aobut the rightwingnuts – they spew hate speech and then cloak themselves in the Constitutional Right to Free Speech. Just so they know, there is no guarantee of free speech for fomenting hatred. Perhaps Congress needs to redress the "Fairness Doctrine."
That should really scare the snot out of these lunatic fringe talking heads. Perhaps then we could return to the days of rational discourse about our disagreements with the direction of the country.

It doesn't matter if you are republican or democrat, this is the FIRST time a sitting president is doing this sort of thing. Reagan and Bush spoke to students after the shuttle disaster, 9/11, the war on drugs. There is NO precedent for what Obama wants to do here. I have voted both democrat and republican in my life as I vote for the person NOT the party, I am a middle of the road type person, has nothing to do with politics or anything, but has EVERYTHING to do with my children.

This "controversy" is so pointless and stupid. What's wrong with our country?

Districts in Houston area letting teachers decide to listen or not.
Very concerning – I hope these aren't the same teachers we see on the news making decisions on their own.
Why aren't district taking responsibility for this decision ?
Seems like the president of the greatest country on earth could find another audience to address.
Give the talk when children are at home and parents can make the decision.
Seems inappropriate......scarey

president obama's speech is political propaganda to a vulnerable group, to wit: kids. if there is any doubt that this is political propaganda, the exhortations to "help" the president demonstrate the purpose of the speech. just as children should not be exposed to toy , candy or other commercials that subvert their parnents' ability to judge what is best for them, so children should not be exploited by political propaganda. one can just imagine what the uproar would have been if president bush had tried this stunt!

"wing nut" "brain dead" Democrat and Republican whatever. All look very stupid fighting among each other. Shame on all. Overall, America look very stupid right now among others eyes. Everyone is dragging this country to a shameful place. No ethics and no morals just fighting. Has everyone fogotten why this country was founded on and for? Personal responsibility, accountability, and opportunity is what make this country free and great. Not government!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe we should spend less on bridges to nowhere and wars in countries to kill our own people and foreingers, and spend some of our money on a health insurance option and take care of sick and dying people here. We need to wake up and get our heads out of the sand, the insurance companies will never insure sick people.

I am not surprised by the ranting of this verminous columnist. He as the rest of the media have been in the tank for Obama for years. Never mind that he is a totally ineffective president with no grasp on the pulse of the nation nor any understanding of National security issues... His take is "Talk them to death". he feels that this way we will win any arguments in the face of rogue regimes. He has surrounded himself with carbon copy ideologues that are "Socialists"in their view... He himself sided with Chavez and Castro against The Honduran ousting of its dictator a;though both their parliament and court systems found the going ons of President Ayalla completely unconstitutional.
Now te media and the Liberal vermin press would want you to believe that the GOP and the Dems who object to this President are either racists, fascists, unpatriotic, and basically hicks who just object for objecting and to create problems where there isn't any.... NOT TRUE... I voted for the bum and he let me down big time with his bailouts and his overall incompetence. We went from Bush who wasn't qualified to be named as dog catcher, to Obama the incompetent court Jester.

Voter's remorse??? of course there is Voter's remorse and its not because he is black that's crock. We are headed in a worst direction than when we had that other incompetent fool and Hamas sympathizer... Jimmy Carter... Wasn't he a democrat too...?

God help us all. We absolutely have to retake our country back and save our hard fought values from becoming extinct under this empty suit.

Quite honestly, Pete stark is a disgrace. Every time he opens his mouth he sets democracy back decades, because he really doesn't like the idea of people being able to oppose his radical left hate-America agenda.

"Those on the right are trying to turn the President of the United States into a fearful figure."? Pretty scary bunch the GOP. But thats what they do best..spread fear to gain public opinion on their side. They did this through the Bush Presidency and look where it got us...in Iraq with 2000 plus dead soldiers and all those weapons of mass destruction. The GOP ARE DESTRUCTIVE AND THE BIGGEST THREAT TO NATIONAL SECURITY.

This article has done its purpose. Make people ignore the true issues, increase polarization, and play the race card. What happens if races other than caucasians disagree with Obama? Wait. I'm sure they are all programmed by old, evil white men. Get a grip, get a life.

These people are apparently under the believe that it is cheaper to dig graves than to insure those who are not.
They rubber stamped two wars we are fighting now. Once again its OK to kill our own people and people in other countries but no way can we take care of our own. The money we spend on these wars can insure the uninsured. What happened to these so call religious people, have they no compassion for anyone but themselves

I don't see why everyone who disagrees here with President Obama's plan to address school kids is automatically a racist. I don't really want any president giving a blanket speech to my kids. If he wanted to make this about families, and invite the families of America to sit down at 7:00 at night together, and watch him on TV and listen to what he has to say to school children, and then ask the family to do what they can to make the United States of America a better place to live, I would be fine. I have a problem with him broadcasting a speech that I can't watch, distributing a packet of materials to teachers that I can't review, and then asking my kids to do things to help President Obama rather than our country or our community. I don't and didn't want George Bush, Bill or Hillary Clinton, Ronald Reagan, or George Washington doing so, either. Reach out to us together as a family and involve me in what you're asking and telling my child.

Wingnuts? What about all of those 'wingnuts' Obama has hired to be his advisors and czars? I don't want him any more than I would want Fidel Castro or Hugo Chavez speaking to my children about any subject.

The furor is not over the simple fact that the president wants to address school children. The problem is that the White House has delivered a 'prescribed curriculum' to accompany the speech. With Obama working so hard to take over or otherwise get involved in various industries, the thought that the government is trying to prescribe education to public school children is a valid concern.

I THINK THE SPEECH TO OUR KIDS IS WRONG. ARE JOBS AS PARENTS IS TO TEACH OUR KIDS VALUES NOT OUR PRESIDENT. AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED HE NEEDS TO PUT HIS FOCUS ON THE DEBT HES CREATING AND LET US RAISE OUR KIDS. HE ALSO NEEDS TO PUT MORE ATTENTION TO THE HEALTH CARE. I PAY FOR MY INS AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED I ALSO PAY ENOUGHT TOWARD MEDICAID. THE PERSON WITH OUT INS CAN ROT BEFORE I PAY FOR THERE HEALTH CARE.

We have spent near a trillion dollars in Iraqi, no problem, we continue to spend 300 million dollars a day there killing men, women and children over a lie. We invaded that country for no reason err.. oil? Every ones a hero though. Not a word about debt or deficits! And we are still spending like mad for killing!
But for our citizens to have some health care opponents say no, it adds to the debit?
All of the other top industrialized countries of the world offer their citizens free health care. Many of their health care systems are better than what we have here.
Were in the good old USA people go to the emergency room for health care at $800.00 a visit verses $100.00 if they went to the doctor. The government picks that tab up, you. Plus if you need to go to the emergency room you are going to be less well cared for because of overcrowding and tired staff.
Now we are slaves to the boss, the company, for if we leave we can not afford any health care. My company keeps saying how lucky I am to have them keeping health insurance costs down but they offer smaller raises and more out of pocket expenses, and higher deductibles which is a cut in my paycheck.
Unemployment benefits is a government run program, I suppose we should do away with that also. How about farm subsidies, tobacco subsidies, defense (offence) subsidies like to Grumman and Locked Martin and Boeing Aircraft and the list of corporate subsides goes on and on and on?

I do not want my children to hear his speech as he is far too liberal and does not have the values that are needed. He has too many liberal weirdos as czars that shows he is not too savy.

This is the craziest thing I have ever heard. First of all the public school system is federally funded so it is the right of the President of the United States (regardless of party affiliation, color, sex, etc) to address our school children.

My second point is that if this were a republican president would there be such an outrage. Reagan did it and so did the 1st President Bush. There was no outcry then about them pushing their political agendas which they did.

Third, is it really a bad thing for the President of the United States to encourage our children to study and stay in school?

I do not get this debate at all. There are more important things in this world to worry about than an address by the legally elected President of the United States to our school children.

President Kennedy asked the questions, what can we do for our country. Bush asked children to write letters to the president. What is so different?

Shameful, absolutely shameful, the depths that neo-cons have pulled our country into, know no bounds.

I don't think they would do such a thing if he were white.

In the study program that will go along with Pres. Obama's speech he was going to ask children to write a letter to themsevles saying what they would do to help him.

But no one knows what he wants help with. How can you be upset about something that has not happened yet!!!! Maybe be he was going to ask the kids to help him keep kids in school, or help him make schools more friendly, or anything else.

Why do people assume he will "brainwash" children to his so call "evil socialist ideas."

If people are up in arms about something they know nothing about, that hasn't happed yet, it is not real concern about kids is is just a chance to take a pot shot at our President.

I think it would be impossible for anyone to feel more disappointment, and anxiety over a president, then I felt for George W Bush. However it at no time crossed my mind that public school children should be shielded from the insanity that Pres Bush's administration spewed on a daily basis. I believed Pres bush was capable of acting appropriatly around children.
I am also frankly tired of it being inappropriate to point out how bad the prev 8 years have been in every possible way.

These wingnuts look back all the time. Looking at the past for a time when it would have been impossible for a black man to be president is where these wingnuts live.

To worriedmom and all the others here that are "quoting" what is in the materials sent to the schools. READ THEM YOURSELF! Don't blindly repeat what the others have said. Actually take the responsibility and effort to read them. There is not any propaganda, or policy. It is introspection (which I think some here are afraid of). Setting goals even for small children is fine. The goal can be a simple as, work harder at math. This faux outrage everywhere these days, is based on fear. Fear spread by people that want power, being spread to the masses that have been raised to not question, just do. How, is that not indoctrination?

Really, really sad that so many intelligent people can be manipulated so easily.

This is just ... insane. There's no other way to say it – the people who would refuse to let their kids listen to a speech by the President of our country because some goofball on the radio told them just shows how lazy and ignorant people are in this country. And if this had been Bush doing the same thing, would those same people have objected? No, that would have been un-American. What insane hypocrites.

And the questionnaire? Who doesn't remember those same type of talking-points giving to them in school when they were kids after hearing an important speech or watching an educational film? It's a chance for the kids to discuss and learn – both pros and cons – just as it's always been. Anyone questioning this either never went to school or is so closed-minded that they really need to slow down and think their own thoughts out instead of grabbing talking points from other crazy anti-Obama nuts.

To turn this into another political bruhaha is just idiotic. There really needs to be some backbone shown by the sane Republicans over this to say that some people are taking things too far. If not, pretty soon we'll have people saying that Obama is like an "abortionist doctor and should be killed for the greater good."

It really is getting that crazy.

Here we go... disagree w/ something Obama is doing and we're RACISTS!

After viewing Obama slick production – was he using a teleprompter w/ the kids??? – the children are to answer questions like.... "what can I do to help the President?"... and... "make a poster w/ famous Obama quotes".

How 'bout answering something like.... "what can I do to help the COUNTRY?" And make a poster?? This whole thing is flat out CREEPY!

S. Watt.
You are the racist. I wouldn't care if I Obama was dyed in the wool
homosexual transvestite. I could care less about his skin color. I do care that we have spent $1 Trillion extra that we don't have. (in case you can't do math, that is $3300 for every man, woman, and child in this country – my family missed that $13K+ check from the government), or that we have traded Iraq for an even more dubious adventure in Afghanistan, or that the Democrats want a health care "reform" that doesn't even attempt to address the cost of malpractice litigation or that he appointed a "Czar of Green Jobs" in place who is on record for blaming Americans for 9/11 and that somehow we deserved it. I was hopeful that his intelligence would allow him to make better decisions. It clearly hasn't..

But I'm sure, you like all others who think this is about race, just blame George Bush, even though Congress has been Democratically controlled for now almost 3 years. Why shouldn't you blame Bush, it is so easy to blame everybody else but take no responsibility for your own actions. I seem to remember that Obama was a Junior Senator. He voted to spend money, just like the rest of them. The media (who are the real Wingnuts) are so interested in outing the weirdos that the chance of real discussion is essentially zeros. Of course they and you believe that a tautology exists: "disagree with President Obama" == "Racist" == "Wingnut". No such tautology exists.

No, I don't want a public option. Yes, I want gays to have the right to marry,. No, I don't want my kids to be forced to listen to our President in School. Yes I want legal reforms in health care. No, I don't want our troops in Afghanistan. Yes, I want more development on non fossil fuels. No I don't want Cap and Trade as a way to increase taxes to fund this - cut somewhere else. No I don't want $1+Trillion deficits. Yes, I believe I know how to spend the money I earn better than the government.

Just call me a "Wingnut" because most of these views disagree with Obama.

What the Hell happened to Freedom: Freedom of Thought, Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Expression in this Country.

Speaking as a teacher, the one thing many people seem to be overlooking in this debate, is that aside from showing the speech – most teachers would never countenance using, let alone even visiting the website for, accompanying lesson plans with the speech. Most of us are so busy scrambling to cover content in such a short span of time, that a 15 minute speech is about all we have time for! I find it amusing that my district initially requested we show the speech, and then quikcly backpedaled in the face of its politicization. The only reason I would personally bulk at showing the speech is that it is reported to emphasize the importance of math and science in education. Sorry, but as a social studies teacher – I am hesitant to waste more of my valuable class time perpetuating that old line.

Wow, did anyone actually READ the lesson plan sent out by the education department? How horrible it is that we ask our teachers to advise our children to do some background research on former presidents and our current one! How horrible is it that if you ACTUALLY READ the lesson plans you too might LEARN something! How horrible is it that the position of President of the United States is speaking to the children of this country and motivating them to THINK about themselves and how they can achieve more and make an educational plan for themselves!! Get real, parents should READ more instead of taking in the ignorant ramblings of others. MAKE YOUR OWN OPINION and stop listening to the media!

"When Obama comes to school, my kids will be absent that day!"

What are you afraid of?

Most of the people that complain about our President speaking to school children are right wing nut jobs that resent the fact that Obama was ever elected. What is wrong with children being spoken to about hard work and education? Since when are those socialistic ideas? These people are using their children as pawns in their right wing political game. If George W. Bush or Rush Limbaugh were speaking at their school, they would send their children to school in their best Sunday attire.

Anything that Mr. Obama does is criticized by these people. They have decided that if they couldn't defeat Obama in the election, they will defeat his presidency. If democrats and liberals behaved this way toward George Bush, they would have been called "Un-American".

If President Obama's speech to school children has become politicized, it is the neo-cons who have done it. Sitting presidents have spoken to school children, as well as addressed college graduates, with nary an eyebrow raised, until it was President Obama, beginning with Notre Dame University. Who is rearing these poor kids? Prejudice and paranoia are alive and well.

It's not the speech....I don't mind a pep talk from the chief executive. What disturbes me is the accompanying "menu of classroom activites" provided by the Department of Education. READ IT... Also, why were the locally elected school boards bypassed on this?

BTW, race has NOTHING to do with this. Why is this always brought up? It is getting tiresome.

WTF is with the "how can I help the pres BS? Why not HOW CAN I HELP THE COUNTRY?????

Very well said Cynthia W. Right on the mark!

The authors intentionally divisive choice of the word wingnut removes all credibility from this piece. Of course, it is not like CNN had any credibility to begin with anyway.

Some people here refer to polls that say anywhere from 73-77% support a public option; however, if you look at some of those same polls it is pretty clear most of the respondents did not understand what they were saying. The New York Times/CBS poll as that question and 72% responded that they wanted a public option, but later in the poll it ask "Are you concerned that access to care will be limited if the government get involved in health care" and 68% responded that they did think their care would be worst or that they were concerned about the care they will received if the government gets involved. Most of the polls want a government option and they make sure they ask the question to slant the answers in that direction. If we have a government option most companies are going to drop their employee coverage since the government will have a plan to cover everyone. Why change the entire system when you only have about 10% who do not have insurance and can not afford to have insurance. 85% of America has insurance coverage and a great majority like their coverage. I agree that the 10% who can not afford insurance need to be helped but do not pentalize the 85% that are happy with their coverage. The whole system will change for the worst if the government gets involved and the cost will skyrocket to many trillions of dollars. Just wait and see.

Wasn't CNN one of the organizations refusing to present an opposing ad to health care legislation? Government is spending hundreds of millions to advertise and then big news media refuses to display ads that may affect their revenue.

Anyway, I don't care what Obama and the socialists want to do to help others, but where I give my money is my own decision. The day they start taking 60-70% of our taxes, there is going to be revolution and I know what side I will be on.

My clock radio is set to a conservative AM radio station when I wake up in the morning because that's all that comes in, and wow... these people are some WACKED OUT NUTJOBS. It's unbelievable the insanity that they spew day after day. Both the callers and the hosts scare me... but mainly the callers because the hosts are there to do their schtick. Down with wingnuts.

It seems to me that the lesson plan and its prompt asking students to consider how they might help the President is being misunderstood. I suspect President is being used metonynically – that is, the word "President" is being used to represent the USA in that the President is a figure that represents the county. I don't think the President is personally asking for help. Moreover, in that students will have just heard an inspiring speech from that leader, it seems appropriate that they would address him. There's a whole lot of uproar here over nothing. There are lots of things to object to about the President and his policies; this is a pretty stupid one.

I'm a lifelong independent voter. I've voted for both parties in the past, focusing on issues and policies, not ideology. I honestly can't take the Republican party seriously any longer. It seems like the intelligent republicans have simply disappeared off the face of the earth. The big money interests aren't going to abandon the GOP. They will always have the support ot corporate executives and the investment class that don't want to pay taxes, but they can't get elected without pandering to the trans-am driving mullet heads. Obama won the election fair and square and he couldn't have done that without millions of whites like myself who thought he was clearly the most qualified candidate. I don't know if the GOP is prejudiced against black people or smart people.

I wouldn't have a problem with Obama talking to kids about the constitution and the limited role government should play in their lives............

You know, take race-baiting and class warfare from the Democrats/Lefitst, and they exist in a vacuum

People who continue to say that anyone against President Obama is a racist and "can't handle a black man" being president are the real racists. In all actuality, we are treating him like we would any other person who is president and disagree with. It shows the weakness of your argument to make that ridiculous claim.

Stop it. Grow up. We are treating him like the president. We disagree. It has absoutley nothing to do with the color of his skin.

What the hell is going on? I remember writing letters to the president in elementary school, describing how I thought the country could be made into a better place. I didn't even know what political ideology was at the time, it was an assignment and more about me shaping what I felt was important than any one person's agenda. So what is happening with politics and politicians today? And why are average people being sucked into it? It really makes me sad.

I've been out of elemetary school for many, many years but can still remember class assignments that included writing letters to the president, congress members, even our mayor – as part of our Civics education and learning public discourse. But of course that was in a different time and an era of a lot less paranoia and loss of respect and decency in this country. It's one thing for the wingnuts in the general public to cry foul – but for elected officials to spout such lies and I might add, their own form of propaganda, should cost them their jobs. The president needs to speak to the children and they should listen, with respect at least for the office. And while not all Republicans are spewing forth such garbage, the ones that are should stop & accept the fact that they lost the election and move forward – to benefit the citizens of this country, not their own personal gain and jobs.

I bet Greer is still playing his kids that Barack the magic negro CD Chip sent him last Christmas. How do guys like these get elected in the first place? He could qualify to be committed in a psych ward.

Worriedmom: I wonder if you can define the word "liberal" although I doubt it ! This invitation goes to anyone else who loves to through that label around as though it has a negative meaning. Please don't post analogies, metaphors,etc. PLEASE DEFINE "LIBERAL". Otherwise, stop using a word for which you can't provide a definition just because Shawn Hannity and Rush Limbaugh make it a habit and you are usually just repeating what you hear them say.

President, Senator, Teacher, Parent, Neighbor – ANY ONE who would like to talk with my children about the importance of his/her responsibility for personal success in school or life in general is more than welcome to! I appreciate President Obama taking the time to do this – thank you Mr. President!

I think that we pay plenty of tax dollars for our educators to educate our kids. Just let the educators do their job without interruption. Unless, of course it happens to be a political science or government class. Maybe they could learn about the politics this speech will play.

The people that are whining about the President's speech don't even know what "socialism" is. Read your freaking dictionary people!

As an American of color, the rhetoric across this country, is sending chills, down my spine.......I feel like I'm witnessing a slither of what my grandmother experienced and witnessed throughout her life, (from the 40's , as a child, until the early 80's). It's just not right, and I feel slightly uncomfortable, not wanted/accepted in this country, and a bit fearful........
All this president wants to do is change the tone in America. Change the status quo. Show that government can, and should be concerned about the people that give government it's life, and power. So i guess that's socialism, and a nanny state. Well why am I a strong supporter, who works everyday, and is college educated........I want nothing from government. Except for them to create an atmosphere, or structure, in which the least of us who want to be successful, can have a fighting chance, not a hand out, but a hand up. Yes through affordable access to health care so one can be healthy, to get wealthy.......Yes if I fall on my face in chase of the American dream, I appreciate unemployment, or welfare, until I get back on my feet. There's no shame in that. Only those who abuse social programs should be ashamed.
And yes the President is a role model, and should be able to talk to the children of America.......He's a real example of "from the bottom to the top." how could you not want a self made person talking to your children, about fulfilling their dreams?

For John,

Just curious, did you "respect the office" when Bush was in?

Obama is still acting like a community organizer instead of an Executive. We are paying him to be President and we are paying the the schools to tech our kids. Why can't he deal with Iran/Korea/Afghanistan and let educators and the Department of Education do it's job?

If he feels the need to cross-over into education then he can tape a presentation and then let SCHOOLS decide if they want to use that as a resource. That's the way it works in America; we don't have "our dear leader" getting live feeds to our kids...

I try to teach my students to be respectful. The fact that people are saying that we need to screen the words of the President of the United States is soooooooo disrespectful. Of course, these are the same kind of people who screamed and yelled at a woman in a wheelchair who was trying to speak at a town hall meeting about how she was about to lose her home because of medical expenses. These people have no common decency. Why is anyone with half a brain even listening to them? When are the decent members of the GOP going to stop this madness? Is this what you want for your legacy, GOP? When your grandchildren grow up, they are going to see these images and be ashamed.

Michael Scheuer:

"Only Osama can execute an attack that will force Americans to demand a government protect them effectively".

So I guess what's bad for America is good for republicans as always... No one who loves America should ever vote republican, ever.

I couldn't real every comment on this thread, but some folks mentioned that our news media is not really covering NEWS and ISSUES – they are just giving us talking heads who speak in political terms about their agendas.

How about this CNN:

You guys have a 24 HOUR NEWS CYCLE – could you please fill at least SOME of that time with detailed answers about the health care plan?

I mean, really, isn't your function to tell the American People what is really going on in Washington and how it will affect our lives????

alright, the idea of bailing out failing companies, the idea of national healthcare, these ideas are socialist through and through. welfare is socialist, we cannot expect our economy to support these socialist actions, weve quadrupled the national debt for sakes, we have a serious problem and national healthcare is not going to be a solution its going to be a ridiculous cost to this country. this plan will cause or economy to fail beyond proportions imaginable. and lets think if we control healthcare and set a national standard why would medical tech even be a concern to the country even more, they develope new procedures that your healthcare wont cover so why do it?

Having the President address school children on Monday should not be seen as a political agenda of sorts by the president. I think it is laudable that a president encourage the children, who by the way are the future, to stay in school and find ways to be patriotic to such a great nation. I personally see nothing wrong with his decision and I think, America being the democratic nation it touts it self of being, should give him a chance to do this

Keep up the good work Fip, your are coming into the light. Leave the Republicans in the dust my friend, they are all coming unhinged. The fact that these "people" are so off the charts certainly stems to their hatred of black people and shear ignorance.. And they are expressing this in various ways ie: townhall screaming. It's like a rat stuck in a corner. We are all just waiting for the GOP to implode. Fox news needs to go, like McCarthy had to be stopped.

The real 'wingnuts' are the blind followers of President Obama. The color of his skin has nothing to do with asking children what they would do to help HIM. Talk about staying in school, use his self as an example of what you can accomplish and I am all for it. DO NOT ask my children what they can do for HIM. Ask what they can do for their country. I listened as a kid to JFK's speech and went on to serve 22 years in the military. I did as he asked as served my country.

Now I fear the socialist agenda being spewed by the democrats. In 1961 Reagan stated," the quickest way to socialism, is to nationalize medicine."

As Obama said, "Judge him by who advises him". Well I see communist, 9/11 truthers, advocates of the sick should die for the sake of the collective.

Now tell me again why I should not fight against Obamanation?

It is ashame how some many people in this room will actually remove your kids from the School for one day and unplug the television... All because an Educated "Mixed Ethnic" President wants to address the Kids of America to stay in school and obey both TEACHERS & Parents (Even the White Parents who are Racist) I feel sorry for those kids....

Jim Greer don't blame the President Blame your 75 and 80 parents who grew up in the late 50's and 60's. They are at fault because you are So Racist and got (BRAIN WASHED). That's called A Generational Curse and now your kids will be exactly how you are today when they grow up to be just like Racist Daddy...

First of all, I'm not certain why John Avlon is writing about this story. He makes his living taking little shots at both parties in order to incite both groups and get people to read his poorly researched and written pieces of fluff. There's no analysis of what actually occurred here-just reference to some of the overzealous members of the Republican Party that have gone overboard in questioning the good taste of materials that were to enhance the President's speech.

While the GOP has its fair share of idiots, I think lumping all conservatives into Avlon's GOP stereotype is even more ignorant.
Today it seems that if one is conservative in one's philosophy, they are immediately labeled and stereotyped. This problem exists for the most part because of the type of drivel written here. Avlon then compounds the problem by doing the same thing to Democrats. Personally, I see being condescending or insulting to either party as rather offensive. Come see John Avlon stir the pot, but apparently insight and responsible journalism aren't among the ingredients.

What you won't see from the media, and particularly from tabloid journalists like John Avlon, is that the vast majority of us want the same things in life. And while we may differ greatly in how we feel that should be accomplished, most of us have zero interest in the hate and name-calling.

We need the Two-Party system to ensure balance and fairness in our Country. This system certainly does lend itself to vigorous, sometimes heated debate. But I don't suppose reporting politics based on real people and hard facts would sell papers or create headlines, would it?

Who is this "Wingnut". My husband and I have just been on a 46 city, 15 state tour, driving from town to town, talking to people everywhere. They were not only willing to talk, they were down right madder than hell at our past and present government. Whatever the topic, the government will either make it fail, or let it die of natural causes, or find some way to sabatage it, i.e. the USPS. There is no hope for the United States of the past.

The truth of the matter, how can someone comment on stupidity like this. I served this country for 6 years and right about now, I am ready to move away. Far, far, far away. I think the sad part about this is not the presidents' policy that these idiots hate, " the fact that a black man has the opportunity of being the president of a great nation and they are not able and will not be able to that job gripes the heck out of them. "Many are called but only a few are chosen" I wish the president well in doing his job.

Hey... I'm an extreme right wing conservative. I'm to the right of Rush I think President Obama speaking to kids in the classroom is a good thing. It shows the kids that the president cares and is concerned about them and it also allows President Obama to deliver an important message to the young people of our country "BE RESPONSAIBLE FOR YOURSELF!".

It's a shame that President Obama doesn't feel the same way about the over 10 crowd.

Yeah, who are the real nuts here? The CEO of Wholefoods writes a very measured, analytic editorial suggesting an alternative to Obacare and his MOONBAT customers boycott, and this guy, mccay has virtually no impact on public policy

To all the MOONBATS like the auther who have no problem w/Big Brother, aka Barack H Obama appearing in every classroom,
how would have have liked it if George Bush did the same during his tenure and talked about HIS goals eg, Fighting Terrorists, Lowering Taxes, keeping marriage between a man and a woman?
You'd all be marching in the streets...

this is not about hatred of a man, his skin color etc. This is about utter disdain for his policies, ideals and most importantly his Orwellian tactics

signed, a proud Wingnut

I have never been more ashamed of my fellow americans. Since when is it ok to call our president these terrible names? I remember the backlash of the Dixie Chicks just for saying they disagree with the idiot Bush, Where is the outrage over this blatant racism we are seeing from the wingnut states. If this keeps up all the Republicans will have left will be Alabama, Kentucky and Arkansas. Most reasonable republicans don't want anything to do with this latest ploy to cut down our president. Do you dimwits not see how unamerican this is. Form a club headed by Sarah Palin, Ann Couloter, Rush and Glenn Beck, oh and throw Bill Oreilly in there and form your own country Please. Oh you can take Texas with you.

How many of the posters here have actually *read* the optional lesson plans? It is a stretch to conclude that there is anything in them promoting some kind of political agenda.

This country has a serious problem with the high school drop out rate. Nationwide, only about 70% of our students graduate and in some areas the graduation rate is well below 50%. Those numbers are a disgrace, and have significant consequences for the long term economic viability (and by extension, the national security) of this country. How are people who are functionally illiterate going to contribute to the betterment of our society as a whole?

I think it is wonderful that the President is taking time to exhort students to work hard, stay in school and do their best. Aren't these, fundamentally, American values?

Absolutely do not want this guy talking to the kids of America regarding his socialist ideas- he should have remained a community organizer and spoken to the kids within his "community."

I have no objection to having my children watching president Obama speak on the importance of an education. I have concerns about teachers, the same teachers that are told how to vote by their unions, assigning and grading homework based on left leaning opinion. In less than 50 years we have gone from "Ask not what what my country can do for you, but what you can do for your country" to "what can you do for president Obama?" This is not the same as the "say no to drugs" speech or "stay in school" speeches by Bush Sr. and Reagan.

The elephant in the room is: VAN JONES why is CNN choosing to be quiet on this man? A self avowed Communist, Marxist and Radical is a special adviser to our President, and CNN says nothing?

77% of people don't support a public option. It's down in the 30%. See you are the wingnuts he's talking about. Do you even read or do you just make up stats. You are the crazy person who doesn't know he's crazy. This is why nothing gets accomplished the far left ideologue takes any comment by anyone and slants it to their agenda.

It's not just a speech, don't people understand that? It is the material and assignment afterward that is dangerous and smacks of what an assignment would be for school children in Iran. It asks children to write down how they can help President Obama, not the country, the community, their family or their school. President Obama. That is the problem.

The republicans are pathetic...They have more in common with the Nazi party than Obama... Every Nazi had to tow the party line... Every Republican tows the party line... The nazis scared the public into obeying.. The republicans are doing the same thing... If you dissent the Nazis strung you up with wire... Disagree with the republicans and you will pay dearly....

How pathetic America has become! When a Republican President is in office he's a god (remember the Republicans wanter Regan on mount rushmore)... You can't disrespect A Republican president but its ok to disrespect a Democrat president!

Hilarious. I like how the commentors on here can't keep to a solid point and we can see the hinges coming off. My favorite is the guy who brings up Rangel and his tax problems at the end of his rant. What does that have to do with the rest of it?

Reagan addressed the school children and actually DID speak about policy. Bush spoke as well. Those days were also used as part of 'lesson plans.' This is partisan craziness at its worst. When even John Avlon, who worked for Guiliani, is prompted to speak up against this out loud in an editorial, you know that you're on the fringe, people!

I think we have bigger problems than the president addressing students like.... where are we as American's going to get our news these days. CNN is clearly supporting Obama and the Democrats, Fox news is clearly supporting the GOP. Gone are the days of unbiased, un-slanted, reporting of the facts, so that we as Americans can make informed decisions based on these assertions. MSNBC, I'm sorry, is just an infomercial joke, talk about wingnuts... take five minutes and listen to that broadcast.

Here is where I am at... I am "forced" to watch Fox news these days because I don't believe I get both pro and con from CNN. If a Republican were in office, I would be forced to watch CNN to get the "whole" story. Something is wrong here, does anyone else see this?

Hypocrisy runs rampant in both parties, and both media outlets (Fox and CNN)... I do not see "change". Lines have been drawn by the media, either red.... or blue... the media has become a pawn of the government. So... here I am, dealing with half truths on both sides of EVERY argument. I am fearful for our country as there are those among us who are not as adept or willing to listen and understand this point. God bless America, we really need it bad these days.

I have no problem with President Obama addressing America’s Children (even though I STRONGLY disagree with his views) Maybe things like this will even lead to the next generation being more involved in politics. I don’t even have a problem with ED.gov providing a lesson plan that teachers can choose whether or not to use. What I have a problem with is the questions being asked in the provided lesson plan. They are leading questions, (“What is the president asking me to do?” and “Are we able to do what President Obama is asking of us?”). I feel like he is trying to force his agenda down their throats, and that I do have a problem with. I respect the democrats right to their opinion, but their rights are NOT more important than my own, or anyone elses.

To those who think this is about a black president: hello people, he's half white. Stop using your stupid race excuses, it only highlights your own insecurities and paranoia.

This is not about racism or partisanship. This is about people starting to stand up to government interference in our daily lives. Many people are waking up to the fact that we should no longer be dependent upon the government telling us and our children what to do and how to live.

[...] 1991.  However, republican commentators and leaders are falsely outraged, claiming that Obama is attempting to indoctrinate America's children.  As a result, conservative parents are being encouraged to keep their children home from school [...]

[...] Avlon: 'Wingnuts' try to politicize president's talk to kids Editor’s note: John P. Avlon is the author of Independent Nation: How Centrists Can Change American Politics and [...] [...]