President Obama’s speech to our children … so what’s the controversy all about?

Sep 7th, 2009 | By Joe Hage | Category: Article, News

I just read President Obama’s entire speech to my seven-year-old and asked him what it meant.

He said, “It’s more than just the same old day and the same old homework. You can put effort into your stuff, like the three children [he gave as examples]. People who try always make it. And, wash your hands.”

Some excerpts from the nation-dividing speech:

“We can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents, and the best schools in the world – and none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities. Unless you show up to those schools; pay attention to those teachers; listen to your parents, grandparents and other adults; and put in the hard work it takes to succeed. And that’s what I want to focus on today: the responsibility each of you has for your education. I want to start with the responsibility you have to yourself.”

Obama prepared school remarks
“We need every single one of you to develop your talents, skills and intellect so you can help solve our most difficult problems. If you don’t do that – if you quit on school – you’re not just quitting on yourself, you’re quitting on your country.”

“Maybe you don’t have adults in your life who give you the support that you need. Maybe someone in your family has lost their job, and there’s not enough money to go around. Maybe you live in a neighborhood where you don’t feel safe, or have friends who are pressuring you to do things you know aren’t right. But at the end of the day, the circumstances of your life – what you look like, where you come from, how much money you have, what you’ve got going on at home – that’s no excuse for neglecting your homework or having a bad attitude. That’s no excuse for talking back to your teacher, or cutting class, or dropping out of school. That’s no excuse for not trying.”
Now, what’s the controversy exactly?

:: Joe Hage ::

Other posts from Joe Hage:

Dad’s Life Lessons: Rule #1 + Dad’s Life Lessons: Rule #2

Tweet Your Kids + Tweet Your Kids #2 + Tweet Your Kids #3

Emploment Opprotunities

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  • Personally I see nothing wrong with how the speech was given. However I think a lot of the controversy came about because parents and others didn't know what was going to be in the actual speech until after all the anger was out.

    As for @Joe I did read this about president H. Bush's speech to students:
    http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs...

    Honestly I am to young to remember that speech but if it is true then it sheds some light on the whole issue and what is wrong with the country.
  • @Dan, I don't typically post political commentary but I'm with you on this one: There should be no controversy. In terms of "how much more can we take of this," I don't believe it would be different under another administration. Partisanship seems to be part of "the game."

    @NewOptimistClub, reminds me of two old sayings, "If it bleeds, it leads." Bloggers' lifeblood are readers. The second, "Gotta have a gimmick."
  • It seems to me that part of the controversy could be avoided if authors, bloggers, and reporters would change the titles of their articles to read something less inflammatory. How about "President Obama's speech to our nation's schools teaches responsibility" or "President Obama will tell students to stay in school and study hard" or maybe "President Obama hopes to inspire educational achievement in our nation's youth." Yes, I know these are not as thought provoking, but I too read the speech and it was about motivating our children to succeed and to take personal responibility for their actions despite any obstacles and those messages are a far cry from any headline that I've read.
  • There should be no controversy over this thing. It drives me crazy to be honest. I'm sad to say it, but knowing that his speech isn't what the right-wingers thought it would be won't even silence them. They are already saying that it was because of them that it got changed. I don't know if I can take three more years of this, you know, much less a full two terms! This is going to get ugly!
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