As baci showed, there are other posters who are non-trolling, intelligent individuals who were along for the ride here, too - since it's not a flame war, there's still something to be gleaned from discussion, even if the source is playing Successful Troll is Successful.

I believe Obama had his speech edited in light of the criticisms.

I heard much of the speech today and I heard borderline socialist undertones. Any reference to things along the lines of (not verbatum) "help me to help this country" and "if you don't stay in school, you let down your country" are collectivism, which is good, but can detour into pseudosocialism if tax payers aren't conscious and critical at every turn.

It all goes back to what I've been saying all along (besides that he talks too damn much and is as annoyingly visible as Beyonce is). Obama wants to be liked and revered. He wants to be considered an eloquent speaker and yadayadayada. Not necessary to be a good POTUS. I don't have to like the POTUS. Just do your job and we as a people need to remain aware and critical.

If telling kids "if you don't stay in school, you let down your country" can lead to socialism, sign me up....if asking your nations children to be educated citizens means that you are a socialist (which I think is reducing the the term a little...a term, by the way, which though not necessarily right for the USA is not an evil entity) we should all be socialists. What's wrong with wanting better for the next generation and better for our nation?

Definitely not the case in our schools. If it's a field trip or something really, and I mean really out of the ordinary, consent is required. Special programs, guests and speakers? I've never signed a consent for for that, nor do I expect or want to.

That said, sometimes if there is going to be something special or unusual that might make some parents uncomfortable (eg the president's speech or the special classes on puberty and the reproductive system), parents know in advance and can opt out. That's what happened with the speech today. I'm told no one opted out. (The kids at son's school also gave the president a standing ovation before and after the speech without being told to. Glad to see they know some manners.)

I seriously doubt anyone ever planned a 60-minute speech to high schoolers and middle schoolers. We were told it would be approximately one hour for the entire exercise -- time spent before the speech talking about what might be said, the speech itself, and time afterward talking about what was said and what wasn't said.

... but this has been a risk since, well, the New Deal at the latest, and possibly decades before that, hasn't it?

The reality is that the US system has always integrated socialist/collectivist elements into its otherwise Federalist/Republic/Democratic nature.

So . . .

Did comrade Obama's speech inspire the little kids to join the revolution to overthrow the capitalist system and changed it into a utopian worker's paradise?

I still don't see the problem. How does that detour into socialism? Seems like you and too many members of the general public are just grasping at straws at this point.

And why are you always criticizing his speaking ability? Do you say that about every single President? I could understand a few remarks here and there, but now you are just sounding sour and bitter. I didn't think Bush was eloquent, but I didn't say it every single time he gave a speech. Have you not realized by now that ALL Presidents generally give quite a few speeches? Besides, I would rather have a President who actively tries to inform the public instead of one who stays silent and expects the public to just go along because he's the President.

I didn't know she had done that. That is great to hear. lmao

PHILADELPHIA – On the very first day of the school year, 12-year-old Mileena Rodriguez was reminded by President Barack Obama himself that hard work can take you places.Mileena listened to Obama's plea to study hard and stay in school Tuesday, watching along with several of her classmates at Thurgood Marshall Elementary School and students across the country. For all the hubbub among adults over the back-to-school speech, many youngsters took the president's message to heart.

"He said that we're the future, and he's right," said Mileena, who wants to be a forensic scientist. "That's a president telling you, `I care about you getting your education.' Just imagine what kids like us can do if we actually listen."

Schoolchildren from coast to coast watched on classroom TVs and computer screens. Others did not hear the message at all, either because their parents pulled from them from class or their schools refused to carry the speech over complaints from conservative groups and others that it smacked of political indoctrination.

In his speech, which aired on C-SPAN and the White House Web site, Obama used examples from his own life to urge students to study hard. He told them to stop chasing dreams of being athletes or reality TV stars.

"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," Obama said.

Other presidents, including Republicans Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, delivered similar speeches to students, but some conservatives accused Obama of trying to promote his policies, and they urged schools and parents to boycott the address. Florida Republican Party chairman Jim Greer initially called the speech an attempt to "spread President Obama's socialist ideology."

The Department of Education was also criticized for proposed lesson plans distributed to accompany the speech, including a section — later changed — that asked students to write about how they could help the president.


link

I hear that his books are the modern day Mein Kampf *wink*

I wonder how many Republicans would mention that the last person to give such a speech was H.W. one of theirs, instead of Clinton who was the last Democratic POTUS.

thank you.

I would REALLY like to view the original speech, if it was altered!

I heard it on NPR...my source of most news on the way to and from work!:D

Why is there a problem with her criticizing his speaking ability? I don't agree with her (I think Obama's a solid speaker), but people have ALWAYS criticized the speaking skills of Presidents. Criticism of Obama in this regard just comes with the job.

Lots would remember that - please, let's not confuse the loud protests of a few for the feeling of the Republicans as a whole. There are plenty of Republicans (and conservatives overall), including myself, who had no problem with the speech, and had no issue with giving such a speech to kids.

You do not see how collectivism can detour into socialism if we are not careful? "Help the government to help you" "you let down your country if you don't do this"

It's just a look at the various stages that bring countries to the social and economic systems that they have. It doesn't happen overnight; and, agree or disagree, that is just an observation of people's fear of the potential. It isn't a prediction.

Obviously, I have a problem with it. People unfairly criticized G.W. all the time and called him dumb. Some people did that everytime G.W. was mentioned. At least G.W. hadn't convinced himself that he was such an eloquent and influential leader that he had to CONSTANTLY talk to us about something.

We are going down a dark road and setting a bad precedent when the POTUS will not shut up. The POTUS is not THE White House representative and we do have a system of checks and balances that should never be blurred.

For many people, it conjures up Stalinist images of a "leader" whose power is taken to a new height via nonstop speeches to the masses and an eventual "cult of personality."