Obama's Plot to Brainwash Your Children!

[alienlovechild 75]

Kids from homes where parents don't have any significant interest in their education, where parents feel that the school system is there to replace them, won't do well no matter what school you send them to. Kids that come from homes where they have parents that act the part and take the responsibility of raising a child seriously will do well whether they attend a well funded school or one that isn't funded all that well.

I agree that whole-heartedly. Some parents and some cultures stress education more than others.

If I thought Obama was going to change the mentality of kids (and their parents) who don't think education is valuable enough to not drop out of school, I'd would be truly impressed. It's too early to see encouraging statistics but I just don't it happening no matter who happens to sit in the Oval Office.

[Heracles 417]

You have the little man syndrome of constantly trying to impress all of your worthiness or worthiness of Australia. It's bizarre because few Americans have been to Australia so they have no point of direct comparison. The reality is on an international scale of nearly 200 nations the two countries are close in most regards. Check out the 2009 quality of life index.

http://www.il-ireland.com/il/qofl2009/

What the heck is that site? The figures themselves are what is the funniest. The US is third highest in "Culture and leisure". First off US and culture don't even go in the same sentence. Leisure... With what? the two weeks vacation time.. Australians eat, live, and sleep recreation; so that is truly funny. Even the environment index is great. The US one of few developed countries with trash everywhere, nope according to this, it's ranked high. Infrastructure? The biggest joke of them all.

You can do better than that. At least the information I quote is from reputable organizations such as the world bank, IMF, UN etc.

Gave up on the new Civll War theory to play guessing games? I'm really impressed by the rah rah stuff about blue collar workers. Newflash- I did my share of that kind of work but I'm a white collar guy. I've also lived most of life up North so you're wrong on that score as well.

Where in the North? Where do you live now?

You live in or around DC and don't notice crime, drugs or corruption? You're in the one area the country that has never voted for a Republican for president yet still complaining. You got your wish in Obama and can't find anything positive to say about him.

I don't live in DC. I also don't support the people who run that city. Or the people in the ghettos who seem to be entrenched over there.

Edited September 6, 2009 by Booyah!

[Heracles 417]

I now live in houston (lived in a few other states too) ... maybe ...just maybe ... you can guess the industry.

so ... are you still demanding a personal dossier?

That's like asking how long is a piece of string.

[AlHayatZween 2]

No, it's Big Govt libs who don't like Vouchers as it mean people can decide... not the govt.

Now on this "Investment" in education you keep talking about.

Sure we all agree education is a top priority but dumping money into a sink-hole that does not return an education.... is hardly an investment I want my money going into.

Now lets say you really have a goal of education.....wouldn't you Invest your dollars in schools that give a hight yield?

If so, I bet it will not be the public school system you "invest" your money in.

It's pretty bad when "home schoolers" are out preforming the NEA and the billions tax payers have invested with them. (Home schoolers mind you)

There are a good number of very good public schools in this country. Many of them don't even receive top dollar per student. It's not the money you throw at the schools - any schools - it's the kids that parents send there that make the difference. Kids from homes where parents don't have any significant interest in their education, where parents feel that the school system is there to replace them, won't do well no matter what school you send them to. Kids that come from homes where they have parents that act the part and take the responsibility of raising a child seriously will do well whether they attend a well funded school or one that isn't funded all that well.

Agreed in part... strong parental guidance and interest is key.

However some of the worst public high schools in NYC were sub-divided and received additional funding to create smaller charter schools with new teachers, newer ideas, etc. The kids were the same, the parents the same... and yet with this extra push and extra incentives, graduation rates are up, teachers are hanging in longer, and things in a lot of instances are looking good. The student populations are the same. A mixed bag of kids with parents who care and are trying their best; parents who hope for the best, but just can't get their stuff together (for various reasons); and parents who could give a rat's ####... But many schools are turning around. Kids are achieving and going on to college, and finishing college. i know because i worked in one of these schools, and i have students who still keep in touch with their news. And from what i've read and from what other colleagues are doing, this is happening in other places around the country as well: LA, DC, Philly, Newark...

If i had the money, i'd invest in public school education all the way. i think it is one of the only ways to help impoverished and misguided young people get out of awful situations.

i can't really speak for home-schooling... i only know one colleague who was home-schooled.

[KarenCee 3]

The Principal's Soapbox

I've had a few parents contact me with what appears to me as extreme emotional reactions to the thought that students might be asked to watch or listen to President Obama's speech on September 8th. I'm not sure what it is that parents fear their sons and daughters might hear from President Obama; therefore, I lack the understanding of such reactions.

As I understand it, President Obama's speech is about staying in school and earning the high school diploma. I have not read the speech—as it will be posted later today—but I understand that he will talk about the obstacles that he had to overcome and how his success all began with a high school diploma. These are good words for all students to hear. I want to see 100% of our students earn their high school diploma and move on to some form of post-secondary education. I believe we all want that, so I'm having trouble trying to understand why some people are opposed to the message.

Another reason that I am having trouble understanding the resistance is because we live in America, a country founded upon democratic principles. Very basic to democracy is the ability and willingness of the citizens to consider the ideas of others from a position of suspended judgment. When we suspend judgment, we are able to consider varying perspectives and are then better able to determine whether we agree with a perspective or not. This is a process called reasoning and comes from a process called critical thinking. Therefore, rejecting President Obama's message without hearing it is committing an act against reason and against critical thinking. I cannot fathom why anyone would act in such a way.

Finally, President Obama is not the first president to address the nation's students, and I doubt he will be the last. Whether I've supported past presidents or spoke out against their policies, I have always admired their willingness to address our children and to inspire them. We should all listen to our president, regardless or our personal political views.

This was sent via email to the parents of the kids at my son's school.

Good for him, standing up to the ignoranamous' who have nothing to do but b!tch and complain about stuff for the sake of complaining about Obama.

At our school which serves grades 3-6 the only grade I know for sure that is going to watch the President's speech - with permission slips signed by the parents - is Grade 6. Of course, the ONLY way they CAN watch it is if it will coincide with one of the Georgia Standards...and Grade 6 is using Persuasive Writing to satisfy this directive.

Permission slips...so what are the kids that do NOT have permission to watch the speech supposed to do? Sit out, sit somewhere else, and these kids will have to do an alternative activity since they won't be able to participate in the one geared for the speech.

Hmmmm....maybe one of those parents that opposes this should have to volunteer their time to babysit?

My daughter WILL be watching this speech with me...unfortunately it will have to be at home because Grade 4 isn't going to turn on the bloody TV.

[Heracles 417]

At our school which serves grades 3-6 the only grade I know for sure that is going to watch the President's speech - with permission slips signed by the parents - is Grade 6. Of course, the ONLY way they CAN watch it is if it will coincide with one of the Georgia Standards...and Grade 6 is using Persuasive Writing to satisfy this directive.

Permission slips...so what are the kids that do NOT have permission to watch the speech supposed to do? Sit out, sit somewhere else, and these kids will have to do an alternative activity since they won't be able to participate in the one geared for the speech.

Hmmmm....maybe one of those parents that opposes this should have to volunteer their time to babysit?

My daughter WILL be watching this speech with me...unfortunately it will have to be at home because Grade 4 isn't going to turn on the bloody TV.

That is a joke. No wonder that state has been hit so hard regarding bank failures. Instead of talking ####### about their president, maybe they should have paid attention to how to run a bank.

Edited September 6, 2009 by Booyah!

[alienlovechild 75]

Where in the North? Where do you live now?

Born in Indiana and spent few years in Michigan, too. I now live in Georgia. How many countries did you live besides Australia and the U.S.? Where?

I don't live in DC.

Maryland or Virginia?

[Danno 1,228]

Where in the North? Where do you live now?

Born in Indiana and spent few years in Michigan, too. I now live in Georgia. How many countries did you live besides Australia and the U.S.? Where?

I don't live in DC.

Maryland or Virginia?

Thats good question.

Our friend from AU speaks with such authority about the USA, I am wondering what the list of states he has lived in, looks like.

And don't give us this "I passed through or was in the military there or I saw something on TV.

Hell many of our States are bigger than the countries he insist we live in.... lets see if he knows what the hell America is even like!

Where the list Dude?

[Heracles 417]

Where in the North? Where do you live now?

Born in Indiana and spent few years in Michigan, too. I now live in Georgia. How many countries did you live besides Australia and the U.S.? Where?

I don't live in DC.

Maryland or Virginia?

Virginia.

I traveled a lot during my younger days. I also took a number of world trips with my friends.

I have been to:

Japan

Hong Kong

Indonesia

Singapore

Malaysia

Dubai

Fuji

Saudi Arabia

Austria

Cyprus

Greece

New Zealand

Turkey

Netherlands

England

France

South Africa

Germany

India

Poland

Italy

Egypt

Taiwan

I did notice you said you receive a 457K which is a government based benefit.

Edit nearly forgot: Philippines.

Edited September 6, 2009 by Booyah!

[natty bumppo 297]

I now live in houston (lived in a few other states too) ... maybe ...just maybe ... you can guess the industry.

so ... are you still demanding a personal dossier?

That's like asking how long is a piece of string.

see you're still at it ... with another non answer

further on in the thread ... I see you've opened the conversation so you can continue to compare yourself with others. looking for an ego trip? bragging rights? compensation? or is this where you offer a plane ticket with the hollow threat of a beating (with your shotgun)?

[spookyturtle 9,466]

I now live in houston (lived in a few other states too) ... maybe ...just maybe ... you can guess the industry.

so ... are you still demanding a personal dossier?

That's like asking how long is a piece of string.

see you're still at it ... with another non answer

further on in the thread ... I see you've opened the conversation so you can continue to compare yourself with others. looking for an ego trip? bragging rights? compensation? or is this where you offer a plane ticket with the hollow threat of a beating (with your shotgun)?

Didn't he PM you yet and say nasty things about your wife?

[natty bumppo 297]

I now live in houston (lived in a few other states too) ... maybe ...just maybe ... you can guess the industry.

so ... are you still demanding a personal dossier?

That's like asking how long is a piece of string.

see you're still at it ... with another non answer

further on in the thread ... I see you've opened the conversation so you can continue to compare yourself with others. looking for an ego trip? bragging rights? compensation? or is this where you offer a plane ticket with the hollow threat of a beating (with your shotgun)?

Didn't he PM you yet and say nasty things about your wife?

no .. still waiting for his greeting card.

maybe he got lost on the way to the mailbox ...

[Heracles 417]

I now live in houston (lived in a few other states too) ... maybe ...just maybe ... you can guess the industry.

so ... are you still demanding a personal dossier?

That's like asking how long is a piece of string.

see you're still at it ... with another non answer

You asked a stupid question and insinuated I guess what industry you work in. So naturally you received the appropriate response. Obviously the response was over your head.

Edited September 6, 2009 by Booyah!

[natty bumppo 297]

I now live in houston (lived in a few other states too) ... maybe ...just maybe ... you can guess the industry.

so ... are you still demanding a personal dossier?

That's like asking how long is a piece of string.

see you're still at it ... with another non answer

You asked a stupid question and insinuated I guess what industry you work in. So you received the appropriate response.

you were the one requesting the dossier ... claiming extensive knowledge of my life ...

you failed to perform ... so I gave you a clue (you needed one) ...

and still ... non answers.

next customer please ...

[Heracles 417]

you were the one requesting the dossier ... claiming extensive knowledge of my life ...

you failed to perform ... so I gave you a clue (you needed one) ...

and still ... non answers.

next customer please ...

Clue by saying you lived in number of states. Awesome clue.

It's the equivalent of asking someone to guess how many stars there are and saying well I gave you a clue by saying look up.