The President to Address the Children of the United States

The White House said the address, set for Tuesday, and accompanying suggested lesson plans are simply meant to encourage students to study hard and stay in school.

Many conservative parents aren't buying it. They're convinced the president is going to use the opportunity to press a partisan political agenda on impressionable young minds.
I really have to question if these parents have read what the President intends to say to youth of America. Because I have and I not quite sure what they are objecting to. What statements do they disagree with? That every child has there own unique abilities and that our school system provides them with the ability to cultivate that ability.
"Every single one of you has something you’re good at. Every single one of you has something to offer. And you have a responsibility to yourself to discover what that is. That’s the opportunity an education can provide."

And while some statements resonate with JFK saying "ask not what your country can do for you"
"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. "
I don't think it is socialist or a waste of time.

I don't see how one of the most important and influential people in America taking the time to talk our children is a waste of time.

If anything it lets them know that they are important and gaining an education is important.

What in his speech is un-American ("Here in America, you write your own destiny. You make your own future."

Seems like a pretty American Idea to me.
Also this Speech provides an opportunity for you as a parent to ask more than "how was school today"

You can read and/or watch the video and actually have a conversation over dinner about the presidents speech. (without the TV on)

Oh this brings to mind another question. How come some parents think that it is a waste of time or that their children are being influenced in some bad way by listening to the president speak for an hour. Are those same parents monitoring their children's TV/YouTube watching with the same rigor?

I really have to wonder are there people out there who object to the President addressing children during School time. Let me know if you really do have an issue with this and what it is. In the USA we are all entitled to our own opinion and thanks to the internet most of us have a forum to voice that opinion. (Thanks to Al Gore :)


For a transcript of the Presidents Address click here