I seem to recall that for many years it was American conservatives out there yearning for a message of personal responsibility to the nation's school children. Next Tuesday, President Obama says he wants to deliver exactly that, a televised address in classrooms that will "challenge students to work hard, set educational goals, and take responsibility for their learning." But now that the president is Obama, apparently conservatives don't want that message anymore. In fact, the chairman of the GOP in the 4th most populous state in America is calling Obama's address to the kids "socialist indoctrination."
I kid you not. In the interest of fairness and balance, I now bring you the entire unedited statement of Jim Greer, chairman of the Republican Party of Florida:
For Immediate Release
September 1, 2009
Greer Condemns Obama’s Attempt to Indoctrinate Students
Tallahassee – Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer today released the following statement condemning President Obama’s use of taxpayer dollars to indoctrinate America’s children to his socialist agenda.
“As the father of four children, I am absolutely appalled that taxpayer dollars are being used to spread President Obama’s socialist ideology. The idea that school children across our nation will be forced to watch the President justify his plans for government-run health care, banks, and automobile companies, increasing taxes on those who create jobs, and racking up more debt than any other President, is not only infuriating, but goes against beliefs of the majority of Americans, while bypassing American parents through an invasive abuse of power.
“While I support educating our children to respect both the office of the American President and the value of community service, I do not support using our children as tools to spread liberal propaganda. The address scheduled for September 8, 2009, does not allow for healthy debate on the President’s agenda, but rather obligates the youngest children in our public school system to agree with our President’s initiatives or be ostracized by their teachers and classmates.
“Public schools can’t teach children to speak out in support of the sanctity of human life or traditional marriage. President Obama and the Democrats wouldn’t dream of allowing prayer in school. Christmas Parties are now Holiday Parties. But, the Democrats have no problem going against the majority of American people and usurping the rights of parents by sending Pied Piper Obama into the American classroom.
The Democrats have clearly lost the battle to maintain control of the message this summer, so 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.”
It's one thing when a radio caller nicknamed "Crazy Eileen" commandeers a town hall meeting with her birth certificate in a baggie, but these are the musings of the leader of one of our two major political parties in the state that, as you may vaguely recall, decided the U.S. presidential election of 2000. This kind of whacked-out talk from a person with responsibility, chucking aside reason and logic to whip up voters who are angry and confused in a time of economic upheaval, is exactly what encourages those people who are far more unhinged than Jim Greer, who think it's a good idea to bring a gun to a town hall meeting or pray for Obama's death. I also thought it was a nice touch to urge respect for the office of the presidency right before the comment about "Pied Piper Obama."
One footnote about Jim Greer and the Republican Party of Florida -- when I was checking this out on Google I noted they've been in the news lately for something of a scandal, for issuing American Express cards to top Fla. Republicans who used them for things like a European vacation. I guess in the Florida GOP, it's "to each according to his need." What could be more socialist than that?
I used to see this all as a tragic comedy. For my own well being, I now see it as pure comedy.— arvcondor- I wish President Obama would do more to support the class struggle. He's been in office more than seven months and the wealthiest one tenth of one percent of the population has lost none of its unfair advantage over the rest of the American people.— Delaware Jim
Comment removed.- Will Obama, Pelosi, and Reed be forced to use the same healthplan as everyone else? Or, will they keep their current plan? Wht cant we have the same government coverage that they have?— E Plebnista
Haven't public schools always been in the "indoctrination" business anyway, starting with the pledge of allegiance? What's more socialist than that? My Pet Goat?
Obama is not a socialist or anywhere near one. He's a moderate democrat if anything. All this name calling just makes the republican look completely out of touch. But I guess the Republican game plan (if it is one) is to just repeat the same accusation over and over and over again - and maybe some fools will start believing it. Thank god for them that they at least had help from the LaRouche idiots to fill up their side at the health care debates and distribute their very readable missives on various subjects.- Um, Will...could you explain the following item which is in the speech guidelines: “Write letters to themselves about what they can do to help the President.” Is that an elective or a prerequisite for mathematics? http://www.docstoc.com/docs/10582301/President-Obama’s-Address-to-Students-Across-America-September-8-2009— Ellsworth
It doesn't seem too far fetched. What Greer says is a pretty good description of the modern college campus (and the modern newsroom, but I digress). I've observed that there is indeed a cultish overtone to liberalism, liberalism as a form of religion. So, if you can indoctrinate adults, it should be even easier to indoctrinate grade school and high school kids.— jmc- When these wankers actually engage in civil disobedience and put their own a-holes on the line for their principles, then I'll pay attention. Otherwise, talk is so cheap.
- 1. he should throw in a little about non-violence in public schools, as those who paved the way for him supported; 2. do the schools who receive no govt funding (parochial) have to tune in? Oh wait, they dont have enough money to put TVs in classrooms. 3. he should do it at a rap concert, he will have a bigger audience; 4. during lunch? Swell- I suspect he really doesnt want to get the mesaage across anyway.— AngryWhiteMale
- ---}}} He sold out the American people with his bailouts of the UAW union and the banking cartel }}}--- LOL! Yeah - that socialist that is bailing out the banking cartel. Uh, the "banking cartel" is the most powerful capitalist entity on the planet. Will, were you dig these freaks up?— Talking point sleuth
- Seriously jmc, I doubt even this prez can compete with the free market's indoctrination of children to engage in material self-indulgence and whatever feels good.
- ---}}} Um, Will...could you explain the following item which is in the speech guidelines: “Write letters to themselves about what they can do to help the President.”{{{--- Good point, Ellsworth. Because only a socialist, communist, pinko, terrorist-loving, anti-American could actually want to HELP THE PRESIDENT!!! Thank goodness that Rush made it clear to everyone that the president failing is in all our best interests.— Talking point sleuth
I'm all for Obama going on Sesame Street, and telling kids to study hard, and lay off the crack pipe. But you have to admit, piping the President's "non-political" message directly into the schools is at the very least controversial. That assumes he won't be political in his harangue of the kids, which is a huge, and likely incorrect assumption. Obama can't help but be ideological and political. That's who he is. And it should stay out of the schools.— Mr. Smith
The banks really weren't bailed out..they were bought out. Many were forced to take "bailout" money, were not allowed t return it when it was seen what strings were attached, and now those banks are subject to whimsical government policy. Not regulations, not new laws, but policies made by Czars. Government interference / control of banks. Lucky us!— rudytbone
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Will Bunch, a senior writer at the Philadelphia Daily News, blogs about his obsessions, including national and local politics and world affairs, the media, pop music, the Philadelphia Phillies, soccer and other sports, not necessarily in that order.
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