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CharlotteGal - what a great post. Very positive and heartfelt. Thank you for the link to Patti Digh, I'll read more later today. Agree too with what Laura Bush has to say ... she has always come across as a classy lady and very interested in children's education.
I think the vitriol poured into discourse about this and other matters, and people's insistence on being "right", are starting to accomplish what the 9/11 terrorists set out to do: divide and destroy this country. It's not what the President is doing or not doing, it's the hatred being spewed around so freely.
It's hard for me to give credence to people's views whose only goal seems to be to tear down our President... but maybe that's my part to do in this, to find common ground, to focus on what I can do to make this country better, not where I disagree so strongly.
Something Laura Bush is hoping happens as well, it looks like. It was so nice to hear a rational voice in all this.
We are fortunate to have lumbollo in this forum, he does his research (thank you!) and instead of flinging vitriol states the case. We are also fortunate, as a nation, that Jimmy Carter is still around and continues to do good works.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lumbollo
If the nation had stuck with the programs that Jimmy Carter put in place we would all be better off now. Namely alternative energy, limiting oil imports to 1977 levels, investment in eductation, consumer protections, job protections, etc etc. Jimmy Carter made two mistakes during his presidency that got him demonized by revisionists for the next 30 years.
First he asked Americans to make due with less.
He refused to start a war with Iran
Beyond that, he did more for Americans at the person level than any other president that has come since from both parties. He encouraged people to go to school and become educated and get involved in their country.
In any case however, i assume from your comments that the real reason you are against Obama's speech to the kids, is that you are just against Obama. That is your right, nobody suggests otherwise, If you feel that Sarah Palin and John McCain would be a better example for the children here in Charlotte, nobody says you can't feel that way either.
However this is a simple message, you can read it yourself, for kids to stay in school. Given the statistics that I posted earlier, that 2 in 5 or more of new adults in in Mecklenburg are not getting a minimum education, I would think the solutions to that issue should transcend domestic national politics.
My wife and I are mostly Republican since we own our own small business and don't see ourselves as fitting in to anything the Democratic party ever seems to care about. My son (17) and daughter (14) are both in H.s. and I'm encouraging them to watch. They are smart enough to know when they are being duped versus being given straight talk and I have no issue with their participation. Then again, we've done well as parents and both kids are honor students so we're going to have to let go sooner or later.
Jimmy Carter was the most uninspiring, boring, and lackluster leader ever.
His only reason for winning the election was the backlash and frustration aimed at the Nixon/Ford administration and to prevent Ford from winning.
Jimmy was the worst. Meant well. But aweful leader. I remember every day during college having to have your intestines twisted by listening on TV to how "many days" the Iranian Hostages were held. First 30. Then 60. 90. 100, it kept going and going.
He should stick with Habitat for Humanity - builds better houses than he does building administrations.
Quote:
Originally Posted by abcornwell
We are fortunate to have lumbollo in this forum, he does his research (thank you!) and instead of flinging vitriol states the case. We are also fortunate, as a nation, that Jimmy Carter is still around and continues to do good works.
Actually, I was just playing devil's advocate - and also (as I mentioned in an earlier post) I had heard other parents discussing this - from both sides - and these are the thoughts I heard bandied about.
I find it all very interesting - both sides of how folks have reacted.
I feel our public education system is broken - much like the healthcare system. We pour dollars into the mechanism, but it doesn't seem we are getting the performance we should expect.
I don't know that I have any answers . . . but I have thought about it a lot.
I do know that we spend more resources on children who are not succeeding than we do on kids who are. Even our state lottery money going to education goes to at-risk children more than any other group. I am not saying that it isn't needed! I am merely pointing that out as something to think about - as with the high drop out rate - are we being successful with our efforts?
I feel that Federal Mandates have NOT created a system of equality where No Child is Left Behind. I feel teachers are often put in the position of teaching to the lowest common denominator in the class, spending disproportionate amounts of time trying to get children up to speed, while the kids who are already excelling are not challenged enough. This is my own personal observation (as a parent and as a teacher in the past) and also what I hear from other parents and teachers. Teachers are underpaid - yet expected to render miraculous results. It is just a tough situation all the way around. Yes, we want all children to succeed - but couldn't we be using some other methodologies to achieve this? Tutoring? Intensive material management? Just some thoughts - I surely do not presume to have all the answers.
I want ALL children to succeed. Further, I want all children to get not only a high school diploma, but have access to higher education so they can have a career and a fulfilling life.
I would love to write more, but don't want to get off track with this being about Obama's speech to school children . . . so let me say that I am glad that the White House took parents' concerns into account, even if I felt calling these parents' concerns part of the "silly season" was insulting. I think it is smart that the President shows he cares what parents think - after all - that is a big component to a child's success and achievement in school - parental involvement.
I am listening to the President's speech right now - and it is awesome. He even subtly touched on bullying . . . which I feel is a huge issue for young people these days.
Great speech! My sons were not able to watch it today at school but they will watch it tonight. Even if he only touched one student, that is one more then before. I am sure he has inspired many to be the best they can be. It is sad that so many people were against this speech. I don't care what your political beliefs are, you can not say this was not something our youth should watch.
I want to start with the responsibility you have to yourself.Every single one of you has something you're good at. Every single one of you has something to offer. And you have a responsibility to yourself to discover what that is.
......
We need every single one of you to develop your talents, skills and intellect so you can help solve our most difficult problems. If you don't do that — if you quit [on school] — you're not just quitting on yourself, you're quitting on your country.
...... But at the end of the day, the circumstances of your life — what you look like, where you come from, how much money you have, what you've got going on at home — that's no excuse for fill in the blank.
I only wish he had the same confidence in the
American people. I haven't heard him address ANY adults with this kind of enthusiasm, encouragement, confidence or emphasis on personal accountability. We get 'spread the wealth around so the folks coming behind you have a chance'.
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Republican family encouraging kids to watch
Great speech to our youth
