That being said, I will restate what I have said before, he is still our president and there is some amount of respect that should be given to those who hold that office. Until Mr. Obama goes against the “voice of the people” I will offer my support (not to be confused with agreement) to my nation and its government.
As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.” (Articles of Faith #12)
As long as our President is listening to his nation and following the will of its citizens, he is breaking no law. If I don’t like his agenda or goals, it isn’t my job to shout empty words of disgust to the world. Instead, it is my job to help gather the voice of the people together to support ideas that would improve our government.
I have been keenly interested in the controversy surrounding the upcoming Presidential Address to the nation’s children at school. I have heard angry parents claiming to pull their children from school that day. I have heard parents state their children are not allowed to listen to “this man” and assuming he has nothing of value to say.
Admittedly, I was nervous when I heard about the speech. I talked with some very important people in my life and began to form an opinion. Here are some basic points of interest that helped me arrive at my decision.
- Obama isn’t the first President to address school children.
- He is too smart to play any “pied piper” role over the air.
- If a couple kids actually listen and are inspired to do better in school, that could change generations… and that is a good thing.
- I not only have the opportunity to “opt out” I can see the broadcast on C-Span and read the transcript.
- What a wonderful lesson for my children to listen, discuss and learn. I believe that by discussing the speech with my children, it would have a much stronger impact on them than yanking them out of school simply because I do not like the current Presidential Politics.
I wish people could step back a little and look at the bigger picture. It is possible to listen to someone you don’t agree with – even gleen bits of truth and inspiration – and still hold your own opinions.
So, long story short, my kiddos will be watching the Presidential Broadcast.
11 comments:
Very nicely said. Yes, I also do not agree with most of his policies but he is still our president.
Thanks for sharing.
I am so glad to see a ratinal approach to this topic. We too have the option to watch or not...I chose to let my kids watch and hopefully learn something--I want them to be able to participate in the dialogue that will follow--that's important to me. My kids have a better chance at finding their own political veiws if they have the chance to voice them and hear others' too.
Well done!
Thank you Kathy!
Our students have the option of opting out if they want... I think the major topic of the address is to buckle down and do a good job in school... It isn't going to be policy based... I don't think!
Have a nice day
Oy, I just rewrote your post.
Suffice it to say, big fat hairy deal, being responsible for your own education seems like a good message to me, no matter who delivers it.
HEAR HEAR!!!
ITA
Well said. As far as Obama not being the first president to address school aged children ...he's by far the most liberal president that we've ever had (and that's NOT a good thing) and that scares the bageebies out of me. The elementary school that my son attends hasn't even let parents know that the broadcast is even going to happen, no automated phone calls, no flyers sent home, nothing. That includes not being notified of an Opt-out option. Furthermore, I don't think anything that Obama has to say is relevant to the welfare of my first grader. I could understand wanting to show a "stay in school" broadcast to 9, 10, 11, 12th graders, but 6 year olds? Really? No. I'm with Kathy, I don't like a lot of what Obama has to offer, but he is our president and I willing offer my support, as long as what he wants support on goes right along with the values that I'm working so hard to instill in my children. I will be going to school with my son in the morning and talking to his teacher about the broadcast - not sure if I'll let him stay for it or not, but at least I'll be there to pull him out if I don't agree with what is being shown to my little boy.
I couldn't have said it any better myself. I totally agree. All he wants to do is inspire our children to do their best and stay in school. I don't see a thing wrong with that.
Here's a link from a columnist who has read the transcript of the speech... http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/EJMontini/62191
Amen and amen!
Thanks for putting this so concisely.
Bravo!
My kids watched--and learned. It was a good speech.
Post a Comment