Obama's speech — I must be a racist!

I am one of those parents who was concerned about Obama's speech to school children this week. I was concerned that it would consist of political propaganda at worst or be simply a waste of time. My friend Art Smith over at the Conservative Reader was right — it turned out to be the latter.

My concern was based on reading the suggested learning activities published by the Department of Education before the speech. Among them:

• Teachers may post in large print around the classroom notable quotes excerpted from President Obama’s speeches on education.
• Teachers may ask students to think of the following: ... How will he inspire us?

Since I read the transcript the White House released in advance, most of my concerns were allayed. Other than providing exposure for the president during the middle of a huge fight in congress and on the eve of his address to a joint session and utilizing the bloated, inefficient and unconstitutional Department of Education — the speech was just a waste of time. When schools are concerned about instructional hours and appropriate use of classroom time it seems absurd that this event was considered worthy of the school day. At least Cedar Rapids made it optional.

I did however find out that I must be a racist. One of my childrens' teachers said that those who were concerned were expressing:

... a mild form of racism.

This form of argumentum ad hominem is often used in lieu of rational debate. Students in our schools deserve better. Perhaps this teacher should have taken the time to explain why people who disagree with the president are racists.

In my speech to the 2nd District Convention last year, I mentioned my Pacific-Islander, Asian and African heritage. I said that I was:

One part yellow, two parts brown and one part black which makes me at least as black as Barack.

So, where does this cracker, honky teacher get off calling me a racist?

Comments

[Carolyn J. Williams]

first laugh out loud of the day. thanks!

[Todd Versteegh]

Well..according to a report today..Obama was pitching universal health care to students he met with at Wakefield HS in Alexandria VA, before giving his education speech yesterday.

Obama met with a group of high school FRESHMAN. So..Obama's pitching his health care plan to students, many of whom will be of voting age come 2012. How convenient.

I wonder if the NEA and the Democrats will throw a fit about this as they did about George H.W. Bush's speech in 1991. Rep. William Ford, then chair of the House Education Committee, ordered the GAO to conduct a full audit and hauled then Secretary of Education Lamar Alexander before Congress to "explain" why the President was speaking before school children.

[Tim]

Well said David! I received a phone call tipping me to your post and it was a belly-roar of a laugh.

Even though it's a serious topic, I almost wet my pants laughing, and I'm a guy!

Thanks for the great post!

[John]

Dave-
I'm thinking your "cracker, honky" comment is meant in some kind of ironic-"Don't be calling me a racist" way." In any case, it weakens your argument about the speech. Clearly, the teacher's comment was not an appropriate comment for a teacher to make to a parent. But the person making the comment has nothing to do with whether or not the speech was an appropriate use of 15 minutes of school time. My opinion: An appropriate speech for children, regardless of ill-advised curriculum connections by Dep of Ed. Your opinion on watching inauguration in the classroom?

[HawkeyeGOP]

John,

You caught me. I was not really arguing that the speech was somehow harmful. Once the transcript was released my view was that it was relatively harmless. I do think that it was a huge waste of time.

The real point that I was making was that this teacher, rather than explaining why the speech was a good thing, resorted to the ad hominum argument. Though my original post did not say so, my child said that the teacher also called opponents 'stupid'.

As for the inauguration, I am neutral on the issue. There are many things that occur in our public schools that I see as a waste of time.

Thanks for reading.

[John]

Darn it. I find your reply reasonable and well written. As someone who comes from a different, although not totally opposite, political viewpoint, I will have to continue to read your blog. I find it interesting and informative. I do much political debating online with some of my libertarian/conservative friends through FB. I find we all come to understand each other more afterward, find common agreement, and have fun at each others' expense, too.
Keep up the good work.