I sometimes think we have entered into a universe where all logic and sanity have faded from existence. President Obama is going to give a speech on Tuesday to the nation’s school children on, supposedly, staying in school. Some seem to view this as unacceptable, stating the real intention is to brainwash children into accepting Obama’s socialist vision. Many school districts are allowing children to skip the speech if approved by their parents. These children will be allowed to go to study hall or someplace where they will not be exposed to the speech. Overall, I find this pathetic, for reasons you may not expect.
A parent has the right to choose what his or her child is exposed to. When the child is at home, the child operates under the rules set down by the parents. This is logical, and the way things should be. When the child is in public, however, parental control wains, as parents cannot control what is in the environment. A parent cannot go to a child’s school and determine what their child will be taught. If a parent does not like the actions of a school, the parent can attend PTA’s, and make their opinions heard. If no results occur, the parent has the right to home school their children. Parents do not control a school’s content. Obama’s speech is going to be broadcast to all schools within the US. This type of speech does not occur often, and most likely will be the only one of his presidency. One must face facts; Obama is our president, and if he wishes to address the school children of this nation, he has the right to do so. As citizens of this nation, we also have the right to listen to his words and form our own opinions.
I understand how some parents may be concerned about his speech. I am not saying children must see the speech and approve of it. It seems many on the extreme right feel the mention of an opposing view is brainwashing. There is a main rule in debate: if you cannot listen to an opposing view, then your view has no merit.
Parents, have your children listen to the speech. When your child comes home, ask your child what he or she thought about the speech. Discuss the positives and negatives, and have a real discussion. Parents, watch the speech yourself, and form an opinion on the content. How can you strengthen your argument if you have no facts to support it? You may not like the speech, but at least you are informed. And by all means, stay away from the numerous talking heads on both the left and the right, and form your own opinion.
The radical left is also guilty in this incident. Media Matters for America is making it’s left wing bias known by stating Republicans and Conservitaves despise learning and education because some do not wish to have their children watch the speech. They are equating not watching the speech to cave-man intellect. They are making assumptions, and are magnifying, which is a cognitive distortion. One cannot assume just because a parent does not want their child to watch the speech they hate learning. Media Matters, however, does, as I assume many left wing sites. This is an assumption, on which I could be wrong. To me, this shows that both sides are the same.
To me, both sides are wrong in this matter. Let your child listen to the speech, then formulate your own opinion. If you disagree with it, fine. If you agree, fine. Once you have heard the speech, you can intellectly comment on it.
Update:
President Obama’s speech is now available for preview. Go here to read my opinion on the speech and to view the speech for yourself.
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You make many valid points in your editorial however I believe you fail to see other contributing factors that are causing apprehension many parents. To note just one, the Department of Education is issuing suggestions to teachers that each student write down suggestions on how to help President Obama accomplish his goals in improving education. No matter how well intentioned this may be it appears as micro managing their children which only adds to the current “He’s a Socialis Fascist” rantings. It’s either a bold move that will yield great acclaim in the long run, or will be seen as just another public relations blunder in which the Administration seems to want to excel at as of late.
That is not something I knew. I find it interesting he wants to take ideas from children on how to improve education. I do not see how that could work effectively, however I can see how some may find that upsetting. I believe public education needs a complete revision, as our schools are some of the worst in the world of developed nations. I am not sure Obama is the one to do this, or any president, as it needs to come from us, the citizens who use the system. You made a good point.