Obama Address to Public School Children – Parents Growing Opposition Cause Schools to React – It’s a Matter of Public Trust.

School districtsacross the nation have been fielding calls from parents who would prefer their children not view the President’s speech next week. According to Politico’s article, the problem lies in the fact that “Conservative” parents feel that they would prefer to vet the speech prior to allowing their children to participate.

First, it is unprecedented that the President of the United State’s would make a speech for the entire United States Public School System. Barack Obama has, to date, failed to instill trust in the general public as regards to financial, health and welfare and foreign policy issues – therefore, it is no wonder that parents who are not politically left of center might be a bit suspicious of this type of address; viewing it more as political indoctrination rather than a simple “message from the President”.

Perhaps a better, and less costly to the taxpayers, method would have been to send a memo to public school teachers encouraging their students to watch the Presidents address before Congress, while taking this opportunity to teach a bit of civics, and include the opposition response/remarks at the end, for perspective. Students would then be able to discuss the speech (message) in class.

The charge is that the President might try to indoctrinate the children (although they are already indoctrinated as most educators are of a liberal mindset and teach politics in every class, regardless of subject or age – ask a child, any child.) and the most recent “evidence” came from Utah. The Salt Lake Tribune recently reported on parents who were upset because a video was shown to students in the public school system in Framingham. The video, featuring the President and several A and B List Celebrities, had the following theme: “Service to Obama, as the President”, rather than Service to the Country. It goes without saying that if this video were shown in Salt Lake, it is also being shown in municipalities and towns across the nation, with children most likely not talking with parents about the content. (Video available with SLTribune Article and On You-Tube). This, followed by an address to the nations children by the President, would appear to be – indoctrination of sorts, asking American Children to offer allegiance to a person, not to the nation (see John F. Kennedy: “Ask not what your country can do for you….”).

To be fair, the video will be broadcast on C-Span, which would allow the parent to tape, and or watch the speech, and discuss any and all aspects with their children.

John Kerry’s “Managed” Health Care Town Hall – Tightly Controlled with Advocacy Groups & Unions Dominating Attendance.

Senator John Kerry, (D-MA), held a town hall meeting in Somerville, MA yesterday, which was surprisingly well attended – by supporters of Health Care Reform. The event, which was pushed by Organizing for America (MyBarackObama.com), gave Kerry a platform to pontificate that he would be carrying the torch for the late Ted Kennedy dream of Universal Health Care (public option), a move that Harry Reid can appreciate.

The interesting aspect of this particular pro-health reform event, were the attendees: according to the Boston Globe: “Spectators arrived early, many carrying pro-health care overhaul signs, which were prohibited inside for security reasons. Advocacy groups on hand included the Service Employees International Union, the Massachusetts Nurses Association, and Mass-Care, a state group pushing for a single-payer plan. . The question arises: Although the Globe and like-minded press, have heralded this event as a pro-health care rally (one of the first of its kind), it was not the general public in attendance, rather advocacy groups who were urged to get there early and fill the auditorium by the Obama Campaign, - played as throngs of regular folk by the press – will this charade be bought by the American people, most of whom do not support any form of government controlled health program? Unlikely.

For perspective : live blogging of the event by the Mass. DNC (Blue Mass Group)

Yet Another Obama Prime-Time Health Reform Address – Method Has Been Time-Tested – Network Ratings in Peril.

Barack Obamais planning two key addresses next week, one a prime-time address to Congress on Health Care Reform, and the other a mid-day address to the nations public school children (also available on C-Span). The address before Congress, encouraged by Speaker Pelosi, and Majority Leader Reid, will attempt to sell Obama’s Health Care Reform to the public.

The premise of this particular address is to explain to the nation what it is that Obama envisions as Health Care Reform, and understanding that the public option (government run program) may be off the table, may or may not (depending upon those who elect to watch in the first place) aid in his falling poll number. Old adage: familiarity breeds contempt – may apply. Add to that, a public school address, the contents of which will be based on “service” may or may not be similar to a video shown in a Framingham, UT public school. The video talks to students about service, to Obama, not to the public, and is complete with celebrity endorsements. Parents took umbrage at, what amounts to a paid (by tax dollars) political speech, aimed at the next generation. (Video below)

That said, polls will tell, should the President have a successful prime time show, it will be reflected in the polls and should he fail in that endeavor (over-exposure), then it will be interesting to see if the Congress continues to push for a vote on reform, or if the legislation will come off the table completely. (Saved for a more “popular political atmosphere”.)