School Children Taught to Sing Praises to Obama To the Tune of “The Battle hymn of The Republic” – Political ideology in The Classroom - Analysis

A video on YouTube has generated more than a bit of controversy over the past day or two: children from a New Jersey School singing praises to President Obama. The debate focuses on the appropriateness of teaching young children to sing praises to any sitting president; and if the lyrics are politically motivated. The fact that progressive political activists supporting Obama have used children in the campaign went fairly unnoticed (video’s below), and if anything was printed or broadcast, it was related to comparisons between those children and children who were used by political figures of the past (i.e. Hitler Youth Group), this, however, is being viewed as political indoctrination via the public school system – which is, in a word, ridiculous. Ridiculous because the President of the United States, regardless of accomplishments, should be “lionized” as an individual who is somehow on a pedestal above the rest of the population. The fact that the Presidency is a temporary office to which the people, by majority, hire to do a job – the position also has evolved to mean that the sitting President is the titular “head” of a political party – the rub. On the face of it, the particular lyrics may be argued, specifically the “equal work for equal pay”, which, most probably should have been “equal pay for equal work”, an obvious error on the part of the lyricist. Women in this country understand that they are still earning less than their male counterparts in most instances – that said, someone should have caught the this mistake.

What is most disturbing is the tune to which the song is set: “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”. To those of any religious affiliation (or non-affiliation) in the United States, the concept of religion in the classroom has become, in itself, either a question of the separation of church and state (vis a vis the Constitution), and/or, the infringement on religious freedom (again guaranteed by the same document). The Battle Hymn of the Republic, a religious song most often associated with American holidays regarding Veteran’s, is sung in churches nationwide – the fact that the lyrics of a song, praising one president, to this particular tune (God aiding soldiers on the battlefield) is a mockery of the faith of many citizens of the nation, as well as a mockery of those who served this nation without regard to personal loss.

What would be appropriate (for those who are focused on the racism that exists in the world today) would be a little ditty praising the American People for electing Obama to the office in the first place. In reality, his presidency is too new, without the burden of any attacks on our nation’s soil, to have a history of achievement. The fact that the nation is embroiled in a disastrous economic cycle, and Obama happens to be trying to lead us out of it (this is also open to debate, but that is a political and economic debate, but, to date, there is no evidence that this has happened. It is the political ideology of those who run the school systems in this nation (progressive socialists) that should be called into question – a generic song singing the praises of all presidents, and/or a song specifically praising the American Citizenry for seeing past color (and hopefully, one day, gender) would have been appropriate and there would be no concern from any segment of the population – but this is of concern, given the nature of the lyrics, the tune to which these lyrics were set, the nature of the office of the Presidency and the nature of the setting. One cannot, for a moment, believe that this is an isolated incident, given the pervasiveness of progressive socialists in the school systems (from the University level down to pre-school) – it is, most likely, being sung throughout the nation.

Therefore, the President, himself, should perhaps make a statement regarding the flattering, yet totally inappropriate use of his name in this instance. Is it the fault of President Obama that children are being taught, by rote, to praise him in this regards? The answer is, equivocally, no. He may not even be aware that this has taken place, given the burden of the Office (see financial disaster, and aggressive progressive programs that the President is trying to put into place) – but once made aware, the problems should be addressed, not necessarily by the President himself, rather one of his staff, most appropriate the Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan It must be, to anyone who understands the Office, an embarrassment, as so many great men, who achieved so much over a span of 8 to 12 years, were not lauded in this manner and no man (or someday woman – when the nation reaches that level of enlightenment) should be placed above another who held that citizen driven office – respect is due the Presidency – accomplishments, once they occur belong to the historians and should be taught in the proper classroom – history (or as it has now evolved: social studies).

There is a commonality between all videos, parents and or mentors (teachers) have taught their children (or charges) by rote, a song praising a political figure. It should be noted that political ideology that has been taken to this extreme, regardless of affiliation or party, is beyond normal levels of admiration – what should have been taken into consideration by those who involved their children (or were in charge of involving the children of others) is the fact that in 4 years or 8 years this man will no longer be the President, and should these “great” (vague) accomplishments not occur – those children will be left with a hearty case of disrespect for the office and, disrespect for those foolish enough to laud one man, over many. Politics is a sport to many, to many it is a duty, but to some in this nation, it is a moral imperative and therein lays the danger – to our nation, and in these instances to our nations children.

Lyrics to Battle Hymn of the Republic
The Lyrics to video NJ School:

Lyrics
========
Song 1:
Mm, mmm, mm!
Barack Hussein Obama

He said that all must lend a hand
To make this country strong again
Mmm, mmm, mm!
Barack Hussein Obama

He said we must be fair today
Equal work means equal pay
Mmm, mmm, mm!
Barack Hussein Obama

He said that we must take a stand
To make sure everyone gets a chance
Mmm, mmm, mm!
Barack Hussein Obama

He said red, yellow, black or white
All are equal in his sight
Mmm, mmm, mm!
Barack Hussein Obama

Yes!
Mmm, mmm, mm
Barack Hussein Obama

Song 2:
Hello, Mr. President we honor you today!
For all your great accomplishments, we all doth say "hooray!"

Hooray, Mr. President! You're number one!
The first black American to lead this great nation!

Hooray, Mr. President we honor your great plans
To make this country's economy number one again!

Hooray Mr. President, we're really proud of you!
And we stand for all Americans under the great Red, White, and Blue!

So continue ---- Mr. President we know you'll do the trick
So here's a hearty hip-hooray ----

Hip, hip hooray!
Hip, hip hooray!
Hip, hip hooray!

Video of School Children at B. Bernice Young Elementary School in Burlington, NJ


During the campaign 2008, video of Obama Step Team


Children during the Campaign singing Obama Praise Song


Link to video of 4 year old singing Obama Praise song – embed feature removed by the parent