The wailing and gnashing of teeth by conservatives in response to Obama's speech to the nation's schoolchildren seems to be another attempt to discredit the current administration. Not content with spreading disinformation about his health care reform plan in order to incite pandemonium where understanding should prevail, they have now moved to the other end of the age spectrum to try to make school-aged children fear their President. Or, more specifically, the parents of those children.
Once again, I am in awe of the maelstrom they have been able to foment on the flimsiest of ideas. The notion that schools are no place for the "indoctrination" of young children is a case in point. Let's see...we take a large population of blank slates and fill them with knowledge and new ideas...well, I guess Republicans are using a different dictionary than I am. I wonder: How would conservatives characterize their preoccupation with re-instituting creationism and school prayer in public schools? Another is the idea that Obama is trying to push a "socialist" agenda. Don't these naysayers know that the "public" in public school means taxpayer-funded and therefore available to all?
Obama is not the first U.S. President to address schoolchildren in this manner. Both Reagan and the elder Bush did, as well. But for some reason, this time is different. What, for heaven's sake, is wrong with exhorting kids to work hard and stay in school so that they can help both themselves and their country?
Not all Republicans have joined in this ridiculous campaign. Laura Bush, a former schoolteacher (and First Lady!) lent her support. Others, after reading the text, withdrew their opposition. It still rankles, however, that this latter group had the egotism to screen Obama's speech at all.
When Obama first took office, there was much talk of the end of bipartisanship and touchy-feely speeches about everybody working together. Well, the honeymoon is over. There is a boisterous contingent that would love to see this administration fail, and will use any method they can to make it happen. I guess that what happens when a politician has the nerve to try to change the status quo.
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