TV, part II

Days later, I cannot tell you how sincerely disappointed and shaken I am with the reaction to tomorrow's Obama speech to students. STILL! I just wrote about this on Friday, but the sensationalism has built to a fever pitch. I don't consider myself a naive person, but what these far right Conservatives are spewing is just astounding.

In my Friday post I went as far to call these people sissies, but I'd like to add on to that with closet racists and anti-Americans. Don't like that? Sorry. I didn't have a glowing recommendation of W, but I respected his position as President. I even went as far to sympathize with him at times because I acknowledged the hellish demands of that position. Being the leader of "the free world" is not an easy thing, but never did I think that there would be more hatred and anger coming from within our own nation towards our commander-in-chief.

Now that the speech is released and it is shown to be nothing more than a "go get 'em kid", the crazies are turning to the lesson plan proposed by the Dept of Ed and the obvious rewrites. As a teacher, the lesson plans were never a requirement, just activities for teachers to use if they wanted. Don't believe me? How is the DoE going to enforce that? As to the rewrites: really? Really?! I mean, you are SO sure? I am pretty sure there are aliens out there. I think there is more proof to that than your allegations of a nefarious first draft.

I don't think I have ever been more disgusted with my fellow Americans. Are people so angry that they an lost election STILL? Are people so unsure a biracial man can lead us? Are people so afraid of considering different perspectives?

Please don't tell me that this is a small few who believe the President is a bogeyman--crazies that CNN are picking off the streets or the typical FOX personalities. Sadly, these are people who are commenting on news boards, students in my classroom, Facebook friends, and sadly even family.

Now, schools are sending out permission slips to allow students to watch the President speak, or to avoid controversy altogether they are not watching. I don't remember having an option of watching Reagan or Bush Sr. when I was in school, I would have never considered NOT watching as it was simply unpatriotic and an act of apathy. Last year when I invited Jeff Flake (a self-described Conservative) to speak to my students and he thankfully accepted, I don't recall people screaming that I was trying to indoctrinate or brainwash. My students and I were thrilled to have him, whether we agreed with his position or not, because we care about being informed and involved citizens.

So many questions, so much sadness, so much regret that my children have to wander the world with this outright lunacy.

Obama on TV

You knew I wouldn't be able to stay silent on this one. I have more questions on this one than anything. What are people so afraid of? Why are they so threatened by a speech by the President? What type of "indoctrination" can happen with a back-to-school speech?

I've heard my students say things like...

"Parents are upset because they can't watch it." Sweetie, it's on CSpan. As much as we would like that channel off the air, it is still there. The last time I checked it was accessible to everyone.

"My parents don't let me watch something they haven't watched before." BS. BS. BS. I doubt your dad screened the new episodes of Tool Academy you were talking about the other day.

"It's dangerous for little kids to watch something that might brainwash them." It's the President of the effing US. Isn't it brainwashing to tell someone the President is out to brainwash you?

I just cannot get past the ridiculousness of this entire situation. As long as I have been teaching, if the President (this includes Bush) was giving a speech, our TVs were on. It wasn't required, but I thought it was a learning opportunity and important to show an interest in national affairs. I guess that stuff is only ok if you voted for the guy.

PS- I don't recall such outrage over Bush being on TV from Dems, this is making the Repubs look like a screaming bunch of sissies. Sorry for the name calling, but c'mon, Repubs, do you really need anymore bad press?