Wow

[ladysprite]

I don't have strong political feelings one way or another. I don't think of myself as belonging to any particular party, and while I'm kinda fond of the guy in the office right now, I neither think of him as the savior or the antichrist.

But I just read the text of his speech today - mostly just to see what the big deal was - and... just wow. I don't know what else I can say.

I wish someone had given me this same speech when I was in elementary school. I can't imagine the difference it would have made to me, having someone tell me that I was worthwhile, that there was something I was good at, and that I owed it to myself to find that; and most of all, that it was okay to make mistakes and try again and ask questions. I know it sounds obvious and trite and cliched, but... well, not every kid gets to hear that. And they all should. Hearing it from an authority figure like the president (who, when I was six years old, was a nebulous, faceless figure who sat somewhere between Dad and God in authority) would have carried the weight of gospel for me.

So. Whatever else he may succeed at, or fail at, I'm pretty sure he made a big difference to at least one kid today. And for that, he has my respect and loyalty.

Comments

[vettecat.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the opposition is getting really weird...

[joannahurley.livejournal.com]

Gah, I AM the opposition and I think "we"'re getting weird.

However, what people spazzed at mostly (from the bloggers I saw that were considering not letting their children watch it), was not the speech itself, but rather the material that went it to prompt discussion after. Some of the questions were in the, "How can you help the president accomplish what he's trying to do?" vain. That prompted a combo of parents who don't WANT to help the pres, and parents who felt some teachers would take this as an opportunity to exthole the virtues of the current pres from a political standpoint (rather than simpy respect for the position). Note that as a result of this, the educational material was changed/pulled (I don't remember which) to something more politically-neutral.

I don't see the point of not letting your kid watch the speech/of spazzing, although I would want to see the text of it, preferably before it aired.

[ferretd.livejournal.com]

"Ask not what the country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country"

Educational material
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/10648471/Obama%E2%80%99s-Address-to-Students-Across-America-September-8-2009-Menu-of-Classroom-Activities-7-12

Respect the office of the President, even if you do not agree with the man. If you can "opt out" of a public speech, what's to keep you from opting out of Holocaust history? "I don't want my child to be brainwashed by a bunch of Jews who say that they were "murdered" so don't teach anything about the Holocaust". Evolution? Hamlet? Pi? As public institutions we (I am in a Middle School) have a duty to everyone. And he is EVERYONE's president.

[joannahurley.livejournal.com]

Quoting a democrat at people who generally disagree with democrats doesn't do much for the argument. :)

I'm not arguing with anyone, though! I think it's kinda dumb to stick your head in the sand, too! And I actually like Mr. Obama's speeches on personal responsibility. It's one of the things that I've hoped we would see more of during his term in office, one of the things that appealed to me during the campaign. That's what I see this as, and I think it's good goal.