The controversy surrounding this speech is, in my opinion, without merit. How many other presidents have addressed the nation’s students? Why is it suddenly a bad thing because he did?
I went off on this subject (I do regret getting so irritated that I was starting to sound like a wackaloon myself) a few days ago because I was fed up with the lies that were being told about Obama being like Hitler, or wanting to get back at the Whites for their use of slavery earlier in this nation’s history.
If you’ve listened to what the opposition (that’s anyone who thinks anything Obama does is wrong) you’ve no doubt heard some outrageous accusations. What’s behind this movement?
Here’s what I know. CNN has reported that Lyndon LaRouche has been organizing the so-called “Tea-Baggers” to disrupt any town hall meetings on health care, and to boycott this speech today. That’s a fact.
LaRouche, a nutcase himself, is finding like-minded people and conducting a witch hunt (think the “Birthers) who are afraid of a black men! That’s right. If you don’t think that racism plays a major part in the attacks on Obama I invite you to go to numerous right-wing blogs and find out what they’re saying.
I know what I’ve seen and read, and I defy anyone to deny that. When he is compared to a monkey you have to know where that’s coming from.
From ed.gov - The U.S. Department of Education:
“During a special address on Tuesday, the president will speak directly to the nation's children and youth about persisting and succeeding in school. The president will challenge students to work hard, set educational goals, and take responsibility for their learning.
The U.S. Department of Education invites students of all ages, teachers, and administrators to participate in this historic moment by watching the president deliver the address, which will be broadcast live on the White House Web site (http://www.whitehouse.gov/live/) and on C-SPAN. We also encourage educators to use this moment to help students get focused and inspired to begin the new academic year. The Department of Education offers educators a menu of classroom activities—created by its teachers-in-residence, the Teaching Ambassador Fellows—to help engage students in the address and stimulate classroom discussions about the importance of education.
To learn more, please see the following:
- Additional Frequently Asked Questions
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Classroom Activities (Pre-K – 6)
PDF (115K) | MS Word (119K) - Classroom Activities (7 – 12)
PDF (170K) | MS Word (184K)
To further encourage student engagement, the U.S. Department of Education is launching the "I Am What I Learn" video contest. On September 8, we will invite students to respond to the president's challenge by creating videos, up to two minutes in length, describing the steps they will take to improve their education and the role education will play in fulfilling their dreams.
For more frequently asked questions, and information on this speech (what he’s going to say,etc.) click here.