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Your Turn
Will you allow your child to view the President's speech Tuesday? Why or why not?
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Scott.Noll@wreg.com
(Southaven, MS, 9/7/2009) In an effort to squash fears the president is pushing politics, the White House has released a copy of President Barack Obama's planned speech to students tomorrow.
Officially, it's called "My Education, My Future," three and a half pages, and just over 2400 words, that the Obama Administration says is meant to coincide with the first day of school for many students across the country.
But the speech has also become a lighting rod for criticism across the county and right here in the Mid South.
When it comes to whether or not students should have to watch the president's televised back-to-school speech, grandparent Rhonda Bennett says it should be her choice.
"I think they should send a note home and ask parents what they think," said Bennett as she shopped with her seven year old granddaughter.
Nationwide, the plan to put the president in classrooms Tuesday, brought charges of political indoctrination by some conservatives, and sparked calls and e-mails to school administrators locally.
"My fourth grader is not going to listen to anything coming from our president right now, because he hears his daddy too much talk about him," said Jennifer Grisham from Blue Mountain, MS. She's opposed to students having to watch the speech in school.
Both Memphis City Schools, and DeSoto County Schools are making the viewing of the speech, voluntary, and leaving the decision to parents.
"I'd leave it up to her," reasoned Bennett. "Even though she's seven, it's her choice what she wants to do."
In the speech, to be delivered from a Virginia high school, the president pushes students to make the most of their time in school, and to take responsibility for their education. to take responsibility for their education.
President Obama adds, if a student gives up on school, they're really quitting on their country.
But will it any of it matter?
Calley Locke, a Sophomore at Lewisburg High School says she plans to listen to what the president has to say, but wonders about her classmates.
"If you want to watch it, you can," said Locke. "But I don't see what effect it will have on us if we watch it or don't watch it."
While others don't see what all the controversy is about.
Gwendolyn Pointer, mother of a Westside Elementary student in Memphis, hopes a presidential pep talk, will be the push in a right direction, many students need.
"There's so much crime and different stuff, you know?" said Pointer. "We need to entice our kids to do better."
President Obama is scheduled to address students nationwide on Tuesday, at 11am.
- President Obama to welcome students back to school with speech
- Idea has sparked complaints from some parents
- At least two Mid South school districts say viewing will be optional
Scott.Noll@wreg.com
(Southaven, MS, 9/7/2009) In an effort to squash fears the president is pushing politics, the White House has released a copy of President Barack Obama's planned speech to students tomorrow.
Officially, it's called "My Education, My Future," three and a half pages, and just over 2400 words, that the Obama Administration says is meant to coincide with the first day of school for many students across the country.
But the speech has also become a lighting rod for criticism across the county and right here in the Mid South.
When it comes to whether or not students should have to watch the president's televised back-to-school speech, grandparent Rhonda Bennett says it should be her choice.
"I think they should send a note home and ask parents what they think," said Bennett as she shopped with her seven year old granddaughter.
Nationwide, the plan to put the president in classrooms Tuesday, brought charges of political indoctrination by some conservatives, and sparked calls and e-mails to school administrators locally.
"My fourth grader is not going to listen to anything coming from our president right now, because he hears his daddy too much talk about him," said Jennifer Grisham from Blue Mountain, MS. She's opposed to students having to watch the speech in school.
Both Memphis City Schools, and DeSoto County Schools are making the viewing of the speech, voluntary, and leaving the decision to parents.
"I'd leave it up to her," reasoned Bennett. "Even though she's seven, it's her choice what she wants to do."
In the speech, to be delivered from a Virginia high school, the president pushes students to make the most of their time in school, and to take responsibility for their education. to take responsibility for their education.
President Obama adds, if a student gives up on school, they're really quitting on their country.
But will it any of it matter?
Calley Locke, a Sophomore at Lewisburg High School says she plans to listen to what the president has to say, but wonders about her classmates.
"If you want to watch it, you can," said Locke. "But I don't see what effect it will have on us if we watch it or don't watch it."
While others don't see what all the controversy is about.
Gwendolyn Pointer, mother of a Westside Elementary student in Memphis, hopes a presidential pep talk, will be the push in a right direction, many students need.
"There's so much crime and different stuff, you know?" said Pointer. "We need to entice our kids to do better."
President Obama is scheduled to address students nationwide on Tuesday, at 11am.
The people who oppose their kids listening to the president's speech are ignorant. Their kids are the ones who will be dropping out of school.
Virginia @ 12:37 PM CDT, Sep 9, 2009
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lxuzumti @ 11:15 AM CDT, Sep 9, 2009
Do these children understand that he wants them to stay in school to be successful, and have good jobs so that they can be taxed and pay for the kids who don't stay in school? Bet that wasn't "in" the speech.
Wes Brewer @ 9:02 PM CDT, Sep 8, 2009
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