Today President Obama delivered a speech to American students. Before the speech aired there was a lot of controversy over allowing students to watch this in school. This is a short video from Meet the Press about some of this controversy. Did you hear, read or see anything on the news about this? What do you think?
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You will find the video of President Obama’s speech below. I would like you to comment on either what you think about the controversy that surrounded the speech before it was given, or about the speech itself. What does it say to you? Does it apply to you? What do you think about goals for your education?
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I personally believe the message that Obama presented in his speech was a good one. He told kids to stay in school and try to take advantage of all the opportunities before them. While the speech was very patriotic, I do not think Obama was promoting any “agenda”. I hope all the people who kept their kids home from school just so they would not hear his speech will realize this.
I think that the reaction to this speech really shows how divided the American people have become. My sister was watching a show last night called wife swap, in which two wives switch families for a week. They producers swapped a democratic family with a republican one, and the families were horrible to one another, for no more reason than that they were from different political parties. In both the speech and the show, people seem to judge anything that someone from a different party says as blasphemy, no matter what the person says. It’s kind of like the medieval Christian church!
What is it, I wonder, in such a beautiful message that could invoke such fear in so many people? How could such an honest, genuine plea be so wildly misunderstood and scrutnized into oblivion, clouding the lens through which we see our leader? I am so deeply disturbed that people can be so afraid of truth. What will happen to the children who have been raised in such a fearful environment? This incident crystalizes my thought that the future for the next generation may be pretty bleak. How ironic that President Obama’s message stressed with the utmost importance the value of the future!
The fact that everyone thinks that Obama is talking to students because he furthering his “agenda” is completely ridiculous because the only thing he is saying is to do well in school, last I heard that is good. These claims are just stupid and people are just being ridiculous for keeping their kids home form school so they don’t see the speech.
I think that Obama’s speech was very well organized and that he sent out a good message: “STAY IN SCHOOL.” I don’t understand why people are so apposed to their children staying in school or why they dislike other people — such as Obama — telling their children that it is necessary to do so. Too many children in this country do not understand the privileges and opportunity that they are given and, they need to be told how much they have.
I think it was very necessary to make this speech as many of the children of America are not taking school seriously. Hopefully this speech will have influenced students all around the world to succeed in their academic pursuits. Obama could have been a little less patriotic, but he did prove he can still make a good speech. So many people loved Obama, but now that he gave that speech, people will hopefully follow him.
I was also dissapointed in the people of America when the camera panned over to the crowd. Instead of enthusiastic children and teachers listening eagerly to Obama, kids and teachers looked tired and bored. One girl that they showed was actually texting during the speech. I do not understand how people could be in the same room as Barack Obama and be bored and not paying attention…it makes no sense to me.
I think this speech is pointless. Adults everyday day tell us the same thing. I don’t think it makes a difference if Obama says it instead. I don’t get what Obama was trying to prove with this speech.
I think that controversy on this speech is just people trying to make it seem as though Obama is doing bad things to children that he is clearly not doing. Obama talked to school children about why they should not drop out of school and why they should continue with their educations as far as they can. He told the children of America that if they take advantage of every opportunity that is offered to them they will succeed more in life and have happier, better lives. He told them that there are people who have disabilities that have still managed to continue their schooling and have gone on to lead prosperous lives. Obama’s speech was inspirational and well written, and there is no need for any controversy at all.
It’s unbelievable to me that people actually kept their children home from school because the schools were showing Obama’s speech. He was in no way trying to “impress his political beliefs on the children”. He was simply encouraging kids to stay in school and try their best so that they can lead successful lives and last I heard both parties agreed on that.
Obama’s speech was well written and encouraging kids to do well in school and trying their hardest. Whoever has a problem with that is just being ridiculous. He is telling them to put in effort. Obama isn’t evil, they’re just making something out of nothing. He’s telling kids to take every opportunity they can. Obama did nothing wrong.
I think that the whole controversy surrounding this speech is completely unnecessary. I’m not quite sure why everyone was so worried about Obama trying to “promote his agenda” and “democratic beliefs” to all us kids, because I honestly heard nothing about politics. Yes, he was very patriotic, mentioning loyalty to the country, but that isn’t politics. I think people who were not happy that Obama was elected were just trying to use this speech as an excuse to try and make Obama look bad, all because they were unhappy that he was elected president.
I think President Obama did a great thing and inspired many children. Personally I think the parents who are against this speach hate their chilren or hate Obama. Either way they’re dumb. He is great. Ok, thanks. Bye.
I really don’t understand what the whole controversy is over, Obama’s speach was encouraging students to work hard and do their best in school. If anything, people should be glad that Obama is taking the time to encourage us.
A very meaningful speech with lots of important messages. I really dont understand why everyone was so worried about it!
I found it influential and memorable and hope to hear many more speeches like it.
I would agree with Malcom and Jasper. I don’t understand what people are talking about. It’s all just propaganda, but still very annoying.
This speech was a perfectly written one. I can’t understand all the controversy over it, though. I think the message he sends is very clear: Stay in school and do well. That’s fine.
I was listening to NPR and heard an interesting story about all the Op-Eds that have been published in newspapers around the country about Obama’s speech. I felt that the strangest part of the whole story, was that it is not unheard of for presidents to speak to students about doing well in school.