Golly. Looks like Barack Obama is taking his campaign of intimidation to a whole new level.
Now some of the language in the accompanying (but optional) assignments was inartfully and even foolishly worded since it talked about “helping the President” and so on. That’s been amended, even if conservatives are in no real position to criticise the Cult of the Presidency since they believe in it too, (though only when there’s a Republican in the Oval Office).In a recent interview with student reporter, Damon Weaver, President Obama announced that on September 8 — the first day of school for many children across America — he will deliver a national address directly to students on the importance of education. The President will challenge students to work hard, set educational goals, and take responsibility for their learning. He will also call for a shared responsibility and commitment on the part of students, parents and educators to ensure that every child in every school receives the best education possible so they can compete in the global economy for good jobs and live rewarding and productive lives as American citizens.
Then again, take a look at this reaction:
Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer today released the following statement condemning President Obama’s use of taxpayer dollars to indoctrinate America’s children to his socialist agenda.
Well! I’m not surprised that Rod Dreher wonders if Republicans “are losing their minds”. But it’s a sign of the times that something lke this – uncontroversial, I believe, when George HW Bush did something similar – should be a matter for Outrage. (Not that things would necessarily be much better if John McCain had triumphed last November.)“As the father of four children, I am absolutely appalled that taxpayer dollars are being used to spread President Obama’s socialist ideology. The idea that school children across our nation will be forced to watch the President justify his plans for government-run health care, banks, and automobile companies, increasing taxes on those who create jobs, and racking up more debt than any other President, is not only infuriating, but goes against beliefs of the majority of Americans, while bypassing American parents through an invasive abuse of power. “While I support educating our children to respect both the office of the American President and the value of community service, I do not support using our children as tools to spread liberal propaganda.The address scheduled for September 8, 2009, does not allow for healthy debate on the President’s agenda, but rather obligates the youngest children in our public school system to agree with our President’s initiatives or be ostracized by their teachers and classmates.”
UPDATE: Rod has more here.
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