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Hillarysworld -> Obama and Congress -> Assessing Obama's Deeply Conservative Speech to Students (9-8-09 National Review)
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TOPIC: Assessing Obama's Deeply Conservative Speech to Students (9-8-09 National Review)
buffaloboy


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Assessing Obama's Deeply Conservative Speech to Students (9-8-09 National Review)
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Assessing Obama's Deeply Conservative Speech to Students
by Jim Geraghty

I agree with Geraghty.  The speech was excellent.  The Education Department's suggested lesson plan, at least their first pass at it, was disgraceful.  But I certainly hope that a few kids who might have been unmotivated before the speech might think again, especially when they see that a black guy really can get elected President.   At least, now when black kids are taunted that they are "acting white" by studying and succeeding in school, they can shoot back "No, I'm just trying to be like President Obama."

I was among those putting the spotlight on the Department of Education's preparatory materials, including the creepy and disappearing proposal that students write letters to themselves about how they can help the president.

It may surprise some folks that now, having read the president's speech, not only do I not find it controversial, I think it's the best of his presidency so far.

I know a few people are hitting the president for referring to himself too much, but the speech aims, it seems, to demonstrate an example. Obama wants to say, "I went through tough times when I was your age, too, and I came through okay. So can you." Obama cites a few other success stories as well, but it's hard to tell a personal story of overcoming adversity without using personal pronouns.

I think my favorite part is this important (and I would argue deeply conservative) refutation of our culture's ever-growing obsession with instant gratification and a shallow, often vulgar, and empty pursuit of fame, a phenomenon that Drew Pinsky calls "celebrity narcissism."

I know that sometimes, you get the sense from TV that you can be rich and successful without any hard work — that your ticket to success is through rapping or basketball or being a reality TV star, when chances are, you’re not going to be any of those things.

But the truth is, being successful is hard. You won’t love every subject you study. You won’t click with every teacher. Not every homework assignment will seem completely relevant to your life right this minute. And you won’t necessarily succeed at everything the first time you try.

Put aside everything else you think about Obama; recognize that a lot of young ears need to hear this message. Sure, a lot of kids will ignore it, throw paper airplanes, yawn, etc. But maybe there are some kids out there — possibly a number of African-American children? — who will hear it, digest it, and be influenced by it.

There will be plenty of time to denounce or worry about what Obama is doing with the rest of his day. But for 20 minutes or so, I'll be saying, "Bravo, Mr. President."

One of the toughest critics of the president's address to schoolchildren, Florida GOP chair Jim Greer, likes the speech, too.

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Kbentleyis


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I must confess, I didn't hear one word of it. I know the WH changed the format and I did not listen to what the revision was.

I just don't like any type of government official given speeches to our children.

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Hillarysmygirl16


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Yes its possible that Obama has inspired some black kids. However, I will withhold judgement until I see how he inspires ghetto black kids.  Tough times to a kid in the ghetto means something a whole lot different then tough times for Barack when he was a kid.  I just don't like it when Barack or anyone else claims a past life that is not true just to appear "more" black.  The ghetto kids will pick that up.  Can he do it?  I just don't think so.

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Alex


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I hope the people who installed this person into an office that is supposed to be an example to everyone rot in jail for the rest of their lives. 

This is like Chavez going into our schools and spouting a few good words.  That doesn't make him a good person or one that children should look up to or emulate - quite the contrary.no

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