Obama address to children: 'inartfully worded' plan or information operation?
Monday, September 7, 2009 at 11:50AM
Updated on Monday, September 7, 2009 at 3:45PM by
Kay B. Day, Editor
by Chris Carter
School districts are feeling the backlash of a nationwide address to schools by President Barack Obama on Tuesday. Officials say the speech stresses the importance of “persisting and succeeding in school.” The address from the president, purportedly challenging students to “work hard, set educational goals, and take responsibility for their learning,” sounds harmless, but events surrounding the address – whether intended or not – have turned a message to children into a means to further divide the country and weaken political opponents.
A controversy may have been avoided if the White House had released a transcript of the president's address so parents and school districts could have made an informed decision as to whether to allow children to hear the message. Parents have the right to determine what their children watch on television, and who their children can talk to. School districts have the right to determine for themselves – based in part on input from the parents – what material will be covered in the classroom. When it isn't known what the message is – president or not – parents and school districts are well within reason to oppose such a message until more is known.
Despite the growing controversy, however, The White House has determined not to release a transcript until Monday evening – the night before the address.
