Isn't Martin Luther King day enough? I mean really. Are schools and other facilities closed to celebrate MLK day? T.V. shows and the media celebrate all types of black history on this day every year. Almost all countries have had slaves at one time or another. White slaves. Black slaves. Didn't slaves build the pyramids? Irish people and the chinese built the railroads and they were practically slaves. Black history month for political suggestions now too?
September 29, 2009 at 9:05 pm |
damon
all non black people are racist.there now we can move on and destroy this once great nation.have we appologized to the cavemen yet they were hear first
September 29, 2009 at 4:29 pm |
James L. Stockton
I am extremely uneasy about singing to Obama because that is too much like dictatorships, such as those of China and North Korea. That opposition to such may taste of racism I do not deny, but there is a deeper reason behind it. It used to be that we pledged allegiance to the flag, but that is being discouraged, so why sing the praises of a man?
That this song was sung as part of Black History Month imparts a matter of race in its own right. So, maybe we should all step back and not make wild assertions and accusations.
September 29, 2009 at 1:48 pm |
Mike
I believe that Black History month DIVIDES America more than it UNITES us. Chaning praises of Obama as seen from the eyes of the school principal is not a celebration of Black History. A discussion of his life and his accomplishments along with other black historical figures would be more celebatory of black history.
All you people who keep bringing race into the picture and making accusations of racism are the TRUE racists. It is our right as Americans to question and criticize our prisident and his policies regardless of the color of his skin. Race has nothing to do with it.
I personally don't like the man or his policies and that's because I'm doing what he ask us to do – "judge me by the company I keep" ,(ACORN, Van Jones, Rev. Write etc.).
Not an exact quote, but you get the meaning.
September 29, 2009 at 1:14 pm |
jim vicalvi
To JohnWinNC-Pets are "taught" to do things. Like beg, rollover,etc. Respect is something that is earned. It doesn't come with a title or position. Like another comment said, he was only in office for a short time when this chanting was done. What accomplishments did he have? What he has accomplished now after 10 months is to run the national debt upward in record fashion, piss a lot of people off, seen his approval ratings plummet, insult the American people in front of foreign govts and the latest- Go to Denmark and insult the American troops that are giving their lives for the same country that he insults. obama should head south and live with his new best friend chavez. They sound like soulmates.
September 29, 2009 at 12:04 pm |
Marie
Dianne, I'm sorry I didn't read your point until just now. ALL presidents have their hate groups and threats. Welcome to the presidency. President Bush was bashed for taking the most vacations of any president. YES black history is important. That is why there is a Martin Luther King day where all the public schools are off and banks and post offices are closed. It IS a black history day that is celebrated and acknowleged by all day!!!!!!! Come on now, black history all month long????? Trust me nobody will forget black history. For Godsakes I knew about it in the 70's and cried my eyes out and still get outraged when I see it on t.v. and books etc. But it deserves a chapter in a history book in school then if you feel that way.
. But that's my point we get enough of it EVERYWHERE. But now IT'S TOO MUCH in my face all month long, and it promotes divide to the black population. They use it as a blame game against us now as an excuse for their troubles in a time that has nothing to do with ANY OF THE PAST. Again black people using black as an excuse. .
September 29, 2009 at 11:22 am |
Marie
To Jeannette-Again-the children were CHANTING their TEACHERS political BELIEFS do you get it? On 911 President Bush wasn't standing there clapping his hands and chanting his name and political beliefs alonside children like this teacher did. HMM LET'S SEE- HE WAS READING A BOOK to the children thank you! And fyi I didn't care for George Bush his second term but I taught my child to respect him (oh and he's white btw)! And to Roberta you said that your school only praised important black men and women for a WHOLE MONTH LONG-DOESN' T THAT PROVE EVERYBODY'S POINT! You don't see a problem with that! Where is the EQUALITY in praising only black people all month long???? AMERICA IS A MELTING POT FOR GODSAKES, and there should be PRIDE FOR ALL -NOT JUST TEACHING PRIDE TO SOME-ESPECIALLY OUR SCHOOLS –
WHICH WE PAY TAXES FOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND YES I LOVE MY PRESIDENT!!!!! I believe there is way more than enough information out there Jeannette that you can find on black history to teach your grandchildren than to waste my tax dollars being predjudice all up in little childrens faces!!! How many black people only voted for Obama because he was black? Most black people I talked to didn't even know what he was about and what he stood for when they voted for him. I asked many of my coworkers and they even said they only voted for him because he was black. Tell me that isn't predjudice and going upstream. Get it. Oh and Obama is half black and half white and I thought that would bring America closer but again it always has to be about a black thing. For instance there was a commercial that kept coming on my t.v. for BLACK PEOPLE to ADOPT BLACK children! My sister adopted children who are not white does that make her wrong? How is that teaching ANYTHING and THAT TOO IS GOVERNMENT MONEY BEING USED TO PROMOTE PREDJUDICE! POINT MADE-GET IT. Several years ago Oprah had a show were she took ONLY black children from a school and pulled them out of their classes (that were mixed) and put them in an only BLACK class and said she was gonna pay for all THEIR college too. What about all the other kids of different color and races? If anybody should be mad in this country it should be the Indians – why don't they get a whole month to be racist too!
September 29, 2009 at 10:21 am |
Mrs. Smith
Donna,
Are you serious?
September 29, 2009 at 10:20 am |
Mrs. Smith
You know what, lets just not teach history because the books are full of information on Presidents, Congressmen, etc. Just let parents teach it so we can keep the next generation as ignorant as this one!
September 29, 2009 at 10:06 am |
Mrs. Smith
It was BLACK HISTORY MONTH. It is going to be hard to celebrate it without acknowledging the first Black President. Ok, they could have left his platform off but I think they were just trying to make it interesting. Kids get tired of just reading and memorizing. Let them have some fun. I mean, I was raised during the time of Reagan and Bush Sr. era and we were told all kinds of things positive about them. As an adult, I still have my own mind. Most of my values came from my parents and family. I really don't think the teacher meant it in the fashion it was taken. I would have had a bigger problem with it being posted on the internet than what they were saying. Common sense says that he was just elected in Jan and Feb was Blk History month, so I can see how this came about. What is scary is the amount of animosity we are teaching these children with all this craziness. There has never been this much hype about a President influencing the youth. My goodness! No matter what, he will be in the history books because he made history. No matter what politics you agree with, we will teach our kids about him because he made history! People get a grip and stop this foolishness and help fight some real battles. How about volunteering to feed the hungry or something – teach the kids that! I guess we need to stop talking about Martin Luther King fightng segration, Not everyone agreed with it and it was politcal devide. Is that pushing an agenda? When does it end?
September 29, 2009 at 10:02 am |
Rick
Growing up in segregated SC in the '50s, we, as black kids had to follow the white school board's policies. One was, we had to learn to square dance to hillbilly music! Black people and square dancing etc.
We also had to learn all those old rebel songs. I won't name them, as they disgust me today 50 years after graduating. It didn't kill me, and I wasn't indoctrinated.
September 29, 2009 at 9:26 am |
Dianne
Marie, Black History Month exist to let Americans know what African Americans have contributed to this country and society. What blacks had contributed because it was not taught in schools. That part of our history needs to be incorporated with white history. To open a door for someone, should not have anything to do with race. It is done from being courteous no matter what the gender. The United States is divided by race. Look at the topics the news media reports. To honor and respect the President in schools is considered to be some kind of political indocrination. There are polls asking should our President be killed. Where are the republicans, Fox News, and others of the right wing to speak out against this President being killed? Where are you Mr. Steele? If this President takes his wife out, money is being wasted. When he tries to keep companies here not to loose more jobs, he is a socialist. Also, where are the jobs promised, though, this President has been in office only nine months. To reform the unfair tax advantage for the well-to-do, he is a socialist. Even though both Bush presidents increased taxes for the middle class and working poor, if a white president does this –oh well. Where were the tea parties and protests against those increases? That well-to-do and wealthy part of society feed you the information they want you to hear. Why would they be for change, this works great for them? As Romney plans his fact finding trip to Afhganistan and Iraq letting the American people and the rest of the world know that old white men are still in charge. So just play nice with him. charge. This President has been dishonored and disrespected.
September 29, 2009 at 8:56 am |
connie cathleen
I've read all these entries, and have decided I need to address this , too.
When I went to school, we said the pledge, and then a prayer-which always ended with "Amen, and God bless the USA."
When my kids went to school, they could no longer say a prayer. Instead, everyone got to have a 'moment of quiet', in which they could pray to God, Allah, or the devil, if they wanted.
This is good-we should all get to pray(or not) to whom/whatever we believe in, without recrimination.
One thing that's stayed the same, is that the kids are still learning(for the most part). From K-12, they followed the election–even voting. Not just last year, but during every election year.
They have debated issues, campaigned for their favorite candidate, and last yr, even made power-point presentations/commercials.
Singing a song about the President, the planet, their country of heritage, etc. isn't the issue. Actually, those kids were lucky that they still had a music program in their school!
The issue is let them learn!!
Let them learn ANYTHING that stimulates their mind!
Or would you rather have a country full of kids that only know how to push the buttons on their game controllers?
September 29, 2009 at 8:50 am |
peter
people get a life.. america is getting so annoying with petty whinning over the most dumbest things we have to put people back to work cause with all the free time people have the more time they have to mull over useless issues...
September 29, 2009 at 8:48 am |
JohnWinNC
Children need to be taught RESPECT for the president of the United States! The real issue here is likey that the parents objecting to the song voted for someone else. If their candidate had won, they would probably be praising the children and the song. So, who is actually inserting "politics" into the situation?
September 29, 2009 at 8:39 am |
jay m
The GOP is getting sicker as each day passes. Why don't they tell their kids the real reason they don't want them to mention Obama's name.
September 29, 2009 at 8:20 am |
Dianne
When I was growing up only white history was taught. There was not any mention of what African Americans had contributed to this country. Many white Americans got credit for what the African American discovered. If a democrat was president we were told what a great president he was, and if it was a republican we were told how great that one was. Our school teachers and students were taught respect and honor for this country and the president. Now, it seems race determines if we respect and honor the President of the USA.
September 29, 2009 at 8:16 am |
Stephanie Lenahan
This incident occurred in Feb 2009. The words of one of these indoctrination ditties are:
"Hello, Mr. President we honor you today!
For all your great accomplishments, we all doth say "hooray!"
Just what did he accomplish after one month in office? I’m not so sure this phrase would apply today.
September 29, 2009 at 8:07 am |
Jeannette
Teaching children to respect their President Elect – wow!
Teaching children to respect authority – wow again!
What a comcept..
And for some who say that their anger is not predudice .. a question if I may? Was George W. not in our schools when he heard of the tragedy of 911?
If the Presdent has no place in our schools what the heck was he doing there?
And teaching History in schools – celebrating different cultures and different races and possibly giving understanding and tolernace of people who are different? Well that just may lead to a peaceful heart, mind and soul for the children who will grow up without all of the baggage thier parents have.
Wouldn't it be something if the new generation of children didn't have the anger that many of us adults harbor now?
Imagine!
I am not knocking anyone. "Walk a mile in his shoes before you judge" But I do feel bad for people who carry around all that anger and hate. That must be a very heavy load to carry. Don't we want better for our children? Isn't life hard enough without loading them down with all this hate and isn't respect for authority starting with respect for their own parents the major reason children make such bad decisions today?
Whether you voted for this President or not, what ever happened to teaching our children to respect the elected President of the United States?
I don't know what it is like to grow up anything but white but I sure wanted my children to have knowledge of what happened to all people in the past and I sure want my grandchildren to have that knowledge so they can understand things that have happened in the past. How else can they move forward and live better lives and be better people?
September 29, 2009 at 7:12 am |
Roberta
The false outrage being expressed by some of these commenters is
straight out of the Glenn Beck playbook. This happened last
February, for God's sake, during Black History Month. I volunteer
in an inner city elementary school, and every February the praises
of important black men and women are sung. What in the world
is wrong about praising our country's first black president? It
saddens me so much to see the levels of intolerance being
propagated by people who very simply will NEVER accept the
fact that a black man is now in the White House. I thought that
we had crossed a very important line last November; I was so
wrong.
September 29, 2009 at 7:00 am |
Odis
It sickens me that this country is accepting this behavior. Stop using these kids to voice your dislike for President Obama. Try supporting him for a change instead of using any innocent act to bash him. SAD!!!!!
September 29, 2009 at 6:29 am |
Marie
Yes, this was out of line because they ARE chanting out what a TEACHER BELIEVES a political figure will do. The children are not giving their individual opinions they are indeed voicing thier teachers beliefs, and therefore, YES IT IS BRAINWASHING. Why is there even a black history month? And why does every excuse for a black person have to be because I'm black thing? There are waaaay more black racists in America. Isn't BET network racist as heck. And it's publlic. Oh, I'm sick of it. I go out of my way to make sure I take extra care not to offend black people by opening doors and all these other things just so I don't hurt their feellings even the guys. But I get mad when people keep using the black thing as an excuse for everything. Now they have black history month to use as an EXCUSE for EVERYTHING too and I think it should be taken off the national calender because it is hippocritical. Trust me we know what happened in the past we watch movies all the time but I didn't do it . Many children are being beaten and abused in our country NOW so do you think we can cancel the black history thing and have a stop our children from being beaten and molested and raped month to focus on the issues of the NOW???? Stiffer penalties for child abusers. Yes I believe black history month divides the United States of America by color. I will say I have seen AND heard way more BLACK RACISTS in America than I have seen and heard white. I think people should challenge that the black history month, black scholarship, black percentage of people being hired simply because they are black and black schools are discriminative and racially bias. I do admire Barack Obama and would take a bullet in order to save his life because he is our beloved president but yes this video was brainwashing. Why is it when a white person says ANYTHING about an issue with a black person it becomes a black issue? See another excuse why black history month should be abolished because it is being misused AGAIN. Black history month does not UNITE in the United States of America it DIVIDES.
September 29, 2009 at 6:10 am |
Donna
Black history month is hippocritical and racist in itself. It is just another reason and excuse for black people to blame the white people for everything and every problem that african americans have-when we all have the same problems. White people get beat by policemen. White people get falsley accused of things. My husband didn't get on the police department because they had to hire a black female EVEN THOUGH HE SCORED THE HIGHEST ! The person hiring told him this!!!!
September 29, 2009 at 5:12 am |
Ron Ledbetter
A sorry day in the US when Washington controls our kid's minds like this! I served my country during war time and it pisses me off to see that line of "would be" draft dodgers run this nation into the ground.
Barack Obama mmm mmm mmm! My ass!
September 29, 2009 at 12:46 am |
Judye
To Dougie Fresh..research who wrote the lyrics for these little ditties,then see how innocent this is......and Antonio,solutions and suggestions for advances are constantly being proposed by some of these "rube"conservatives.If you recall,liberals have had the majority in congress for three years,under the leadership of Pelosi,and Reid. If you would watch the hearings on c-span,you would find that Dems are blocking common sense solutions on party line votes.
September 28, 2009 at 11:10 pm |
Chuck
This is another example of the fanatical Republican right shrieking at everything they can to try and discredit President Obama and Democrats in general. The Karl Rove method is alive and well: Say it loud, say it mad and say it often. This is nothing more than a radical religious right example of racism. The Republicans are absolutely melting down because a black man is President of the United States. It's shameful but defines the Republican "Club" (they sure aren't a "Party"). The same old if you're not like us (Republican) then you can't be a patriotic American and you can't love Jesus. Bipartisan = believe everything we do and we'll support you!
September 28, 2009 at 10:13 pm |
jim vicalvi
Hey Connie. Was bilble the one in Lord of the Rings or was it another story?
September 28, 2009 at 7:50 pm |
Adam Zuercher
Ok so I have a brother who is African-American, I am Caucasian, and I don't get why it's ok for schools to single out and have a "black history" month to celebrate achievements in the black community. What about the caucasian communities achievements, asian? indian? what about them?! Quit abusing your power Mr. President.
September 28, 2009 at 6:13 pm |
Patriot
Listen to all of you. This is what USA is all about. Voicing your own opinions and not being locked up for saying so. 🙂 I wouldn't want my children to grow up anywhere else because this is still the greatest country in the world. Let's all face it. Something is really wrong with our schools that would spend time and teacher salaries to do this kind of thing when our leaders are thinking of increasing the time our children attend to school, I find it interesting that we as a nation can fall behind in academics and propose longer hours and more days to the school year just so we can compete with the world. Teachers need to focus and government needs to step back and let them do their jobs 'educating' our children. Stop lowering the standards and find out why the world is getting ahead of us. Leave the kindergarten plays in the community for the parents and not on the national level. As for the pledge of allegiance. Don't my children have a right to recite it in school with other like minded children? Or celebrate Christmas with others in school? What is so 'evil' about this? Your parents did and their parents before them. You obviously didn't turn out 'bad'.
September 28, 2009 at 6:04 pm |
Cheryl
I am an independant that supports our President, and finally glad to be able to say that. Why in the past 8 years was there no outrage about the Bush administration's insane policies. I think Obama is a good influence on the people in our great country, especially the children. Racism does seem to be alive and well still, sadly.
September 28, 2009 at 4:59 pm |
Greg
Lol if this song angers white racists then I am all for it. Can't wait for the remix. I think it should be mandatory in all schools across the country. And also they should have a giant picture of Barak Obama in the cafeteria. This is awesome!
September 28, 2009 at 4:32 pm |
Sarah
Really? You want to compare chanting about Obama with the pledge? Do you actually have citizenship in this country?
September 28, 2009 at 4:00 pm |
Don
Black history month? Where's White history month? Yellow? Brown? Red? African Americans? What about European Americans? Asian Americans? Australian Americans? South American Americans? See how ridiculous it sounds. I can see that the blacks will never let us forget what our anscestors did 150 years ago. Every successive generation will be held accountable to do what they can to make life better for the blacks. More welfare, more socialization of industry, more reparations. Otherwise, I guess, people like Sharpton and Jackson and the others wouldn't have a job.
School is for education: reading, writing and arithmatic. Not politics. That goes for the department of education as well.
September 28, 2009 at 3:04 pm |
Smyth
One thing is sure after reading these comments- We are way to far into each others business, and the government is making alot of people extremely cranky by being involved in everything. On either side for either reason. Have we been teaching our kids why that is not such a good idea?
September 28, 2009 at 3:00 pm |
jrich
The issue is that we have never sung a song about a sitting president. It is not ethical in our culture. It is like voting a someone to a 'hall of fame' while they are still active in the sport or activity. We typically do that after they are deceased or well beyond their careers.
To sing praises to a sitting President is not ethical, nor is it proper – I can think of several reasons this should not be done.
-
Singing songs about past presidents is one thing.
September 28, 2009 at 2:46 pm |
Gabriel
Addressing Antonio:
I am latino-american and again I admire this president. Too bad if some folks cannot approve theprinciple of the majority vote. It is part of the democracy in which we live. But , Antonio if you are Spaniard, you have probably heard of Franco, If you are Italian a Mussolini,and from any part of America I will remind you of Pinochet,Trujillo,Duvalier,Somosa and even Castro who happened to be, unlike the aforementioned, different in a way. Those guys have changed deeply the political,social,economical and even religious structure of their countries up to creating that dichotomy theory of which you or maybe your parents became part of.
It all started with fanatics pushing them to believe that they were "gods". Let us hope that President Obama cannot be indoctrinated!! By the way, I am an independent in my thinking. I find it shameful for anyone to be associated with the "D"emented or the "R"epulsive.My candidate, though democrat ,did not win; but my president is Barack Obama.
September 28, 2009 at 2:46 pm |
Steven
If there is any brainwashing going on in this country it is the republican/conservative/christian/corporate lie/hate machine brainwashing their own members with garbage like this.
September 28, 2009 at 2:42 pm |
Connie
Not one single racist with enter the pearly gates. Check your bilble.
September 28, 2009 at 2:39 pm |
Connie
It was prayer in schools that has kept the evil out of schools. They let one woman who didn't believe in God, take prayer out of school. Now look what has happened to schools all across this country. If God can't help us, then who can?
September 28, 2009 at 2:34 pm |
DOC
In case you don't know, some of these statements are quite offensive. But i will not call any of you racist. When we lack education about each other background and culture, what else could be the outcome? The American thing to due is get pass it and work on solving our problems and becoming a better/stronger nation. But some will probably label me a liberal prick. Oh well, back to square one.
September 28, 2009 at 2:34 pm |
Connie
I am truly embarassed of the racisim in this country. Other countries are looking at us fight against healthcare for everyone, which they already have in their countries and laughing their heads off. The reason for black history month is for hundreds of years, blacks got no credit for any of their achievements in this country. They got no credit for invenitons they have made, like the stop light, the air conditioner, the refridgerator, the mop, the dryer, blood plasma, and the list goes on and on. Also the many blacks who have contributed significantly to this countries wealth. We had to learn about all countries and races, in history books at school, but nothing good about blacks. That's why whites don't know all the greatness that blacks have contributed to this country, because it was never taught in school. Now we have one month to celebrate black history and now they have a problem with that. Get educated before making comments. If this country continues to be racially, politically, and socially divided, it will fall.
September 28, 2009 at 2:28 pm |
Krissy
This is not an appropiate school activity. Propogating a particular political persuasion has no place on school grounds. There is a reason for checks and balances in government. Because there is more than "one" political party it is wrong use taxpayer dollars to "teach" children to favor one party and one man. Instead our children should be taught the political system and a love for our country, no matter what side the child is on. If we lived in a dictatorship, than this would be understandable. Thank the Lord that we do not live under that type of rule. Hopefully, Obama himself will frown upon this type of endorsement. I believe he has enough respect for our political system to do so.
September 28, 2009 at 2:26 pm |
Mary
We all know how brain washing can be, after all look at the brain washing at African-American who can't do anything but clean up for the good folks. Slavery was good according to our forefathers.
September 28, 2009 at 2:21 pm |
Mike
When first hearing of this, the vision of Hitler and Natzi Germany and communist China came to mind. Black History or not the principal/teacher has no bussiness pushing her political views on these kids. This activity was totally inappropriate and the principal behind it should be fired.
Has the school taught these kids the Pledge, the National Anthem, or any other patriotic songs for that matter. I assume not!!
If there is no place in our schools for God and country, then there is no place in our schools for ploitics.
September 28, 2009 at 2:09 pm |
CHUCK
Please people!!! This is the RACIAL side of Americans being exposed. This is some plain STRAIGHT TALK.
September 28, 2009 at 2:08 pm |
Rosey
CNN: This is not newsworthy. A bunch of paranoid Obama-haters manufacturing a story is not news. Crap that's flying around the internet is not news. These people are using you, CNN, to advance their conservative effort to kill anything Obama tries to do and in this case, even something he is not involved in in any way, shape or form. This story is spam.
September 28, 2009 at 1:52 pm |
garrett
This sickens me,I am a 15 year old freshman at Deer Park High School of Texas, and even i can see what is wrong with this. It is ludicrous how people can be so ignorant, so shameless to think that they can get away with this. Black history month or not, it makes no difference. However, being that this has taken place quite a number of months ago, I believe that many more would be outraged if it had taken place recently...being that many Americans are coming to their senses about our government.
September 28, 2009 at 1:47 pm |
Mice
If they posted my kid's picture on the internet, without my permission, I would pissed. I'd be standing in the office at that school demanding to know where they get off, posting a picture of my under 18 year old child on the internet.
Singing some stupid little song that he clearly did not remember enough of to sing to me at home?? Whoopie.
September 28, 2009 at 1:11 pm |
Kelly
People,
I think we all can agree that the politician regardless of what party they are obliviously not on the same page as the lower class or middle class people. The politicians are wealthy and the manipulate the government and laws! People I respect your opinions but let not be the dogs in the dog fight! The politicians are the puppet masters here. Parents have every right to be evolved in whatever is being taught in school. The the people have the right to bring their kids up with good morals the way the want too!
September 28, 2009 at 1:10 pm |
Dee
I can not believe we are even discussion this!!!! The kids arent saying anything crazy....my goodness. When can we have a real disagreement on something. If you ask this kids to sing it again...they probably forgotten most of the song anyway. It was for black history month and it didnt say go out and kills anybody or sale drugs. Come on people be concerned about things that are really harming our children.
September 28, 2009 at 1:08 pm |
Cheryl
I wish Dale would learn to spell so he can be coherent. I agree with
Elhadj Diallo. The racist element in the society need to come out of the closet. They've been waiting for a long time to spew their racism and now the'ye using all kinds of issues to disguise what they are really about.
I hope they will accept the consequencies of all this hatred. I pity their children. I wonder what they tell them when they ask why they can't sing a song about the President of the United States. It is a sad time in our country!!
September 28, 2009 at 1:07 pm |
Kelly
I think it’s ridiculous that most schools have taken out praying and religion from schools but yet pushes politics. Parents should have to the right to know what is happening in schools. Most people like me communicate with teachers by email or meetings with the teachers to discuss our kid’s progress. On the other hand I am not a supporter of the New Administration but would be concern if my kids were influenced by an unannounced event that I might not approve of. It’s the same problem with our government is constantly dealing with (Accountability).
September 28, 2009 at 12:53 pm |
Antonio
The only "brainwashing" going on here is the indoctrination of a bunch of gullible rubes by the right wing echo chamber in this country. The right doesn't want solutions to problems. They certainly don't want progress or ideas that benefit the majority of Americans. What they want is to keep us back in the dark ages until we are a third-world country with nothing left except a pile of useless military hardware and "leaders" who believe that the earth is only 6,000 years old.
September 28, 2009 at 12:43 pm |
Janet
I am so glad that there are so many people in the United States that know me so well. It's amazing that people know, just by the fact that I disagree with the President's policy or decision, that it must be because he is black and that I am a racist! Oh my! Doesn't that sound a bit racist on their part?
September 28, 2009 at 12:42 pm |
Cheryl
What worries me and others more than these absurd sentiments is that the news media give so much publicity to these people. I would expect CNN of all to be publicizing the real issues. The stupid negative events from a certain sector of the society fueled by right-wing fanatics, should NOT be getting air time, much less prime time.
I'm also curious as to why the people who are supporting the administration's policies, the vast majority of Americans who voted for the President, are not being heard. Where are they? The minority seem to be getting all the attention! It is utterly absurd!!
September 28, 2009 at 12:42 pm |
dale
In the latest in a stream of accounts from the Élysée Palace, Mr Sarkozy was quoted yesterday as telling an all-party group of MPs that Mr Obama was inexperienced and indecisive. “Obama has a subtle mind, very clever and very charismatic,” the French President said. “But he was elected two months ago and had never run a ministry. There are a certain number of things on which he has no position. And he is not always up to standard on decision-making and efficiency.”
and
Mr Sarkozy was also reported yesterday to have cracked a dubious joke about Europe’s “Obamamania”. According to L’Express news magazine, he mentioned Mr Obama’s planned visit to Normandy for the D-day anniversary in June, saying: “I am going to ask him to walk on the Channel, and he’ll do it.”
September 28, 2009 at 12:27 pm |
Shelleydee
Good grief.
Talk about stirring up the natives. This happened in FEBRUARY! During Black History Month.
People are really easily manipulated, aren't they?
September 28, 2009 at 12:16 pm |
Nicole
Brainwashing? So what do those parents call all those religeous songs they sing in church? What about all the songs they are taught in preschool and kindergarten to "make learning or memorizing" fun.
Everybody is intent on creating scare tactics that they have totally lost sight of ...well just about everything!
Seriously get a life!
September 28, 2009 at 11:54 am |
Moe
I really have to agree that the only thing that seems amiss here is the onesidedness of the media. The truth of the matter is this country doesn't deserve a man like Barrack Obama. He has done more for this country in 10 months than has been done in forty years. We seem to forget [conveiniantly the history of this country and what foundation it really stands on. This event is just another example of that fact.]
September 28, 2009 at 11:45 am |
jim vicalvi
Mike is right. I have a long email that goes into a lot of detail about all of the things that promote things "black". But if , as a white, I were to promote the same things exchanging the word white for black I would be denounced as a racist. And WHY is he called black when he is not. Half and half or gray man might be more accurate. He is not from Africa. Even the President of France says the obama has a nice tan. I am tired of peopl telling me that I am racist just because I don't agree with him. I don't care if he is purple or pink. He is just a plain old incompetent person. I can see why jimmy carter loves him. Two peas in a goober. And carter sees obama as taking over his title of the worst president in recent times. How nice!!
September 28, 2009 at 11:33 am |
Dougie Fresh
Gina and James Pronchik (and any other parent that agrees with them) need to either a) get a life/reality check, b) seek counseling, or c) move their kids to an all white school and taught all white songs. Sounds crazy, huh. Well so do they!
Are these parents insane! They act like Jim Jones or David Koresh is running the school. The next thing you know these parents will say that Sesame Street or Barney or Tommy the Train programs are brainwashing their kids. It was Black History month people. Duh!? I guess when the holidays roll around singing Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer is off limits too. Barney...watchout! The "I love you, you love me" song is dead in their sights!
Or could it be that these parents are just plain racist? Hmmm?! Wonder what would they say if the song was about a non-minority. I guess they would rather their child(ren) sing songs about Hitler.
September 28, 2009 at 11:24 am |
Elle
This type of song would be completely inappropriate not matter which president the chilren were singing about. Our public schools are not intended to support any particular politician. I would have said the same thing if children were singing a song about Bush or Reagan. But it's difficult to have a reasoned discussion when those opposed to this sort of thing are summarily accused of racism. Thankfully, Obama himself is more broad-minded than that.
September 28, 2009 at 10:33 am |
Dale
Oh Let's see...
OBAMA=
1. ACORN (Their lawyer)
2. Van Jones (and some other interesting Czars)
3. Kissing up to the people who hate the US while bashing the US.
4. Turning his back on people who supported and stood beside us.
5. Chavez Loves him, Ghadafy calls him his brother, look at his fan base.
6. He told us to look at the people he associates with to see who guides his policies. It does not look good.
7. The Unions are getting their money's worth out of him.
And you called "W' an idiot? Wow, Anyone that knows me knows I was no "W" fan AT ALL, but this guy promised "Change" – Where is the Change? Same Good Ole Boy system, just different Good Ole Boys!
I think we need to get rid of the D's and the R's... none can be trusted.
September 28, 2009 at 10:13 am |
Brad
I think it was a poor (but not sinister) decision by the school, especially the lyrics about the economy. But this story leaves out two things:
1. The lyrics were sent home for parents to review BEFORE they sang. So the parents who said they were "shocked" just weren't paying attention. The school gave them an opportunity to protest. http://bit.ly/DuRra
2. April 17, 2006, children sang a song praising George W. Bush, Congress and FEMA.
September 28, 2009 at 9:53 am |
Curtis
It theses students were singing a song about ex – president Bush no one would be saying a word about this. I starting to believe that we are becoming a nation of complainers and cry babies.
Get a life!
September 28, 2009 at 9:51 am |
Dorothy G.
The thing that I find the most discusting is the reporting by John Roberts and CNN that failed to mention that there is also a video that was made that included President Bush that was sung by school children. I think John Roberts should take his own advice. When the song by the Atlanta kids showed both sides it works better. Maybe that would work for CNN as well. by the way, I'm still waiting on the follow up story regarding the coastguard training that was reported by CNN and that former Bush homeland security person (Fran Townsend) I guess the keeping them honest station only applies when CNN is not involved.
September 28, 2009 at 9:33 am |
Dale
1. Congrats to CNN for again being behind FNC in reporting this.
2. If they where singing to "W", you libs would be going crazy right now.
3. Black History Month. He was sworn in in January, and in Feb they where singing how great he is. Using the melody from "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." That Is CREEPY. I would think that was creepy no matter who the PREZ was.
3. This is not about him the President, this is him the "Rock Star".
4. Here we are coming up to 10 months, and he has been an Aweful President. What has he Accomplished? You cant Blame the R's, the D's Control everything and have the votes to stop any R's. He just SUX.
5. There is a HUGE difference in the Pledge and the "I love dear leader" songs. Great Real!
September 28, 2009 at 9:31 am |
Dawn
This is ridiculous. If the song was about any of our previous presidents, would this be an issue. I don't think so.
September 28, 2009 at 9:20 am |
September
Horse Pucky – If these parents would remember that their kids are kids and not Princesses and Princes and just let the teachers do their job we would all be better off.
These kids will see more and worse before they are adults and then they will become the same whiners as their parents.
These parents are doing a fine job of creating the next generation of racists.
September 28, 2009 at 9:19 am |
Elhadj Diallo
What about when the kids learn about the Martin Luther king's speech on black history month?. I think it's time for a lot of people to get their hoods and robes out of the closet and start wearing 'em freely.
September 28, 2009 at 9:17 am |
September
Horse Pucky – If there parents would remember that their kids are kids and not Princesses and Princes and just let the teachers do their job we would all be better off.
These kids will see more and worse before they are adults and then they will become the same whiners as their parents.
These parents are doing a fine job of creating the next generation of racists.
September 28, 2009 at 9:15 am |
Elhadj Diallo
The president does'nt have anything to do with this. You can blame the teacher or the school organisation.
September 28, 2009 at 9:10 am |
Mike
It took you guys long enough to report on this..... Fox reported this last week....
So not only is the premise behind the song wrong but "Black History" month is equally as wrong.
It is not white people that promote racism, it is black people. Have you ever heard of a "White History" month???????
White people have been trying to put racism in the past for many may years, while black people continue to promote it!!! Just try and have a "Miss White USA Pageant" and see what happens!!!
September 28, 2009 at 9:07 am |
Don Prince
A fine tribute to the President of the United States. A true patriot and a great American.
After eight years of Bush it's great to have a man in the White House we can all be proud of.
As Bush would say don't ever miss-underestimate him.
September 28, 2009 at 9:04 am |
Felicia Alva
Although I do consider myself a Democrat, I completely understand
how parents are upset about this song being recorded. While I do see the impact of having our first African American President, our school districts need to integrate this into the curriculum without over stepping
boundaries. Let's face it, not everyone voted for Obama!
September 28, 2009 at 8:58 am |
Noah
Lamb-li,
Although I don't deny that racism exists in this country, accusing people of being racist when they're simply being critical is overdone. It doesn't and shouldn't matter what the pigment of the president's skin is, and I wish people would, frankly, shut up about it and treat him like any other president.
September 28, 2009 at 8:50 am |
Debbie
Think about it. It was "Black History Month". Wasn't it just a few months ago we elected our FIRST black President? Was that not historic?!? The more I see the behavior of these right wing extremeists, the more I tend to think there certainly is racism still a factor in our country.
Also, most people are so afraid of change. They are 'comfortable with the devil you know' and afraid of the 'unknown' (healthcare). I personally, am not afraid of change.....but welcome it. We could embrace these changes in healthcare and wallstreet. If the programs need 'tweaking' to work out the bugs....so be it. BUT if these programs don't work out for the greater good of ALL OF US.......Obama will certainly not get a second term. I honestly believe that this administration is working with the best of intentions.
September 28, 2009 at 8:47 am |
LAMB-LI, NY
oh please... give me a break!! Would you think that if it were a white president? Your fears don't equal any common sense!!! That is what it is – fears!!! While I don't think any political opinions should be imposed on our children, have you no faith in your parenting skills. Your children will follow the foundation you give them at home. Why not look closely at yourselves and have faith in what You introduce to you children in your own home!!!
September 28, 2009 at 8:45 am |
Gabriel
I admire President Obama for being the light and pride of every denomination that was in despair in our country. However, in my view,the crazies(followers) are starting to illustrate an agenda which is exactly how it happened in the Phillipines,Haiti,the Dominican Republic,Cuba, Nicaragua to name just a few. When you have children venerating a president in songs and demonstrations, it appears to be more than indoctrination; it is a revolution. We had never done that for any sitting president or past presidency, can anyone states for the rest of us what catapulted President Obama to this "lofty presidency"?
September 28, 2009 at 8:44 am |
nigel
has noone learned by what happened to us because of the banks abd how they are the major cause of the economic crisis,they are in most part are criminal orginizations, but everyone contiues to give them milions of dollars in credit card interest fees,then they get all upset because they lower there credit and up there interest rates ,you poeple are the ones with the cards you deserve what you get,
to stop this you have to stop credit cards,pay them of and dont use them anymore ,then watch the interest rates go down and credit go back up.
its time the public acted responsible,everyone is asking the government to do something,its not the government problem its your problem for having a credit card in the first place you idiots.
nigel
September 28, 2009 at 8:42 am |
Judye
This type of activity is why conservatives were alarmed to find that a work book had been sent out in advance of the school speech that Obama gave to students. Virtually no one was in opposition of the do your best speech,but to send out work books and assignments as follow up specifically touting the agenda of a sitting president was not acceptable.
September 28, 2009 at 8:40 am |
Sharon
In the school district in which I teach, it is county/state policy to refrain from political and religious persuasion. This action in our district would have resulted in the teacher being fired at the very least. As a kindergarten teacher, many hours of valuable academic time would have been wasted to work on this project. Children of this age require a huge amount of repetition to learn anything, whereas older children could have learned this chant in less time. This teacher also showed an insensitivity to the 50% of parents who were not of democratic party persuasion and would not have wanted their children being indoctrinated to chant for Obama. All black persons' accomplishments should have been touted during black history month.
September 28, 2009 at 8:39 am |
Noah
Even though I like the president, I don't believe that schools should condone this. Religion is out of schools because we don't want schools to tell our children what they should believe and politics should be out for the same reason, even if it is an innocent song about the president.
September 28, 2009 at 8:39 am |
Joe Doctor, Austin
Oh my gosh. How petty. These are little kids. How can they be "indoctrinated"? They have learned the name of the President, for Pete's sake. Lighten up, Mom and Dad.
September 28, 2009 at 8:36 am |
michael
am i crazy this is so innocent just like the video glenn beck showed of young children stepping in camo. he called them a threat because they werte taking turns saying how president obamoa has inspired them to greater things. people dont let the glenn becks get you on his side by clouding your judgment unless there are some underlying feelings you dont want out there because you know how you will be percieved.
September 28, 2009 at 8:35 am |
marilynn
I don't care what your political persuasion is, this is creepy. Only those who haven't learned history can be complacent and unfazed by the chanting and hero-worship aspect of their performance. The lyrics of well-known childrens' hymns were replaced by liberal platitudes. Completely unacceptable, partisan and smacks of the indoctrination of kids!
September 28, 2009 at 8:33 am |
Mike
It was a thing for black history month. The song most likely to highlight the first black president. Not even a month ago the right wing was accusing the president of trying to indoctrinate kids with the message just to stay in school and stuff.
So are schools supposed to avoid even mentioning that the president of the US is currently Obama? If they can't, then they should do away with social studies and history classes. Those could be considered indoctrinating, since they discuss politics.
September 28, 2009 at 8:32 am |
michael
why are people calling the song chanting. they are singing about the man not praising him. white people dont want to heatr it but if he was not black it would not be a big deal if instigators like glenn beck did not puit these crazy ideas into tthe brains of the feeble minded it would not be a big deal.
September 28, 2009 at 8:30 am |
Shambra Worthey
I believe the parents are over reacting to the song singing. They are obviously intolerant and want to teach their children intolerance. The children are so very young and won't be voting for a very long time. They should be exposed to people and things to teach them diversity, which is something their parents don't seem to subscribe to. They should also be taught to respect the office of President of their country, whether they agree with his policies or not.......Truely it is the parents that are being more of a detriment to these children than singing a songe. By the time they are of voting age, they will have thier own opinions and poltical beliefs and I pray they won't have been stifled by small minded, bigetry that is trying to maintain it's chokehold on this nation.
slw
September 28, 2009 at 8:28 am |
Dennis
I have no problem with school children singing praise for Baraack Obama, but why can we not allow the "National Anthem", prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance to our Nation in our schools as well.
September 28, 2009 at 8:28 am |
Sheila S.
Such a waste of time. These are children and how many years we had to say the pledge to the flag in the classrooms across the U.S.? We honor President Day, Columbus day and everything else in between. This is not the children speaking out, this is the people who didn't want President Obama in office to begin with. These children can sing a song and I'm sure they are not thinking about it the next day, they are children!!! There is alot of racism that plays into this. It's so sad adults have too much time and should be worrying about their children college education instead of a song!!!! Get a life!!!
September 28, 2009 at 8:25 am |
Marcus
Innocent school activity. I went to predominately white schools from K-12th grade, and when I was in elementary school we all sang songs about presidents, clouds, leprechauns, etc. all year long. I remember singing songs in Spanish. I sang a song in Russian, but guess what I do not remember those songs. No one is making this an issue, but white people. I see no Black, Hispanic, or Asians, etc. making any issue of Obama's name coming up in schools. You learn Civics and Social Studies in school. They are going to know that our President is Black eventually. I do not speak Spanish or Russian, so it does not work and as soon as recess happens the kids forget about the song anyway.
September 28, 2009 at 8:25 am |
yohonna fields
the anger over the children singing about the President is not brainwashing but blatant anger of frustration due to the fact that they have to tell their children the truth....the color of your skin does not matter,
September 28, 2009 at 8:24 am |
Richard
This is so childish. So children cannot sing about the leader of their country. This whole propaganda push trying to link Obama with some Socialist indoctrination plan is really absurd. What is happening is were indoctrinating a closed minded society which is unwilling to even listen to ideas outside their political sphere... This devisivness will destroy our country for decades as the rest of the world prospers and the Chinese and other leave us in the dust... The GOP will ruin this country with this type of childish propaganda and take us back to the McCarthy era of mistrust within our own country...
September 28, 2009 at 8:24 am |
Kim
It is truly a sad day when parents call supporting our president "brain washing"! It sickens me that this country is accepting this behavior. Just as banning the president's speech in schools. When I grew up my parents taught me to respect the President of the United States. Get real folks! We are not living with a Hitler, Suddam or Osama Bin Ladin. Maybe these people should go live in one of those countries and then they may come to appreciate what we have here in America.
September 28, 2009 at 8:22 am |
John Baton Rouge LA
I can not believe that parents are mad because kids are singing a song about our President that is true. He made the statement, "...equal pay for equal work." Everyone educated in this country heard in elementary school that George Washington never told a lie. I don't remember any parents wanting the Superintendent to investigate when this happened. Yet during Black History month it is wrong to sing a song about one of the most significant Black History moments in this country. I truly think that individuals who have problems with this are showing who they really are in their hearts.
September 28, 2009 at 8:22 am |
irma boyle
funny these parents are concerned about 'brainwashing," is this because they were walking around like zombies chanting "liberal' slogans? No, they did not even know about this song from February, not really involved in their kids' education huh? What else are they not involved in when it comes to their kids?
September 28, 2009 at 8:21 am |
Mike Anders
It may start with an innocent song but what's next? Chanting in unison, "Our dear Leader!" while waving a “Little Black Book” of his cherished wisdom? The answer is yes, that is exactly what is next. The news media needs to look deeply into the political background of the individuals who perpetrated this outrage.
If this had happened during the Bush administration people would be screaming "1984" and "Fascist!” and rightlly so. Even if you changed the name to George Washington, it would be wrong. Even if you changed the name to Abraham Lincoln, it would be wrong. Let's get fair and balanced here people! I am certain, the last thing President Obama wants is for his supporters to start creating a cult of personality around him. He is not that vain, nor that ambitious. Unfortunately, some of his supporters are.
September 28, 2009 at 8:20 am |
Monica
One of the parents in this video is on the verge of tears when she sees the children "chanting". Has she ever been in the classroom during the Pledge of Allegiance? This pledge is done EVERY SINGLE DAY and talk about brainwashing! The kids sound like robots, droning on. I have lived in many countries and I have yet to live in one that brainwashes their children in this manner.
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Isn't Martin Luther King day enough? I mean really. Are schools and other facilities closed to celebrate MLK day? T.V. shows and the media celebrate all types of black history on this day every year. Almost all countries have had slaves at one time or another. White slaves. Black slaves. Didn't slaves build the pyramids? Irish people and the chinese built the railroads and they were practically slaves. Black history month for political suggestions now too?
all non black people are racist.there now we can move on and destroy this once great nation.have we appologized to the cavemen yet they were hear first
I am extremely uneasy about singing to Obama because that is too much like dictatorships, such as those of China and North Korea. That opposition to such may taste of racism I do not deny, but there is a deeper reason behind it. It used to be that we pledged allegiance to the flag, but that is being discouraged, so why sing the praises of a man?
That this song was sung as part of Black History Month imparts a matter of race in its own right. So, maybe we should all step back and not make wild assertions and accusations.
I believe that Black History month DIVIDES America more than it UNITES us. Chaning praises of Obama as seen from the eyes of the school principal is not a celebration of Black History. A discussion of his life and his accomplishments along with other black historical figures would be more celebatory of black history.
All you people who keep bringing race into the picture and making accusations of racism are the TRUE racists. It is our right as Americans to question and criticize our prisident and his policies regardless of the color of his skin. Race has nothing to do with it.
I personally don't like the man or his policies and that's because I'm doing what he ask us to do – "judge me by the company I keep" ,(ACORN, Van Jones, Rev. Write etc.).
Not an exact quote, but you get the meaning.
To JohnWinNC-Pets are "taught" to do things. Like beg, rollover,etc. Respect is something that is earned. It doesn't come with a title or position. Like another comment said, he was only in office for a short time when this chanting was done. What accomplishments did he have? What he has accomplished now after 10 months is to run the national debt upward in record fashion, piss a lot of people off, seen his approval ratings plummet, insult the American people in front of foreign govts and the latest- Go to Denmark and insult the American troops that are giving their lives for the same country that he insults. obama should head south and live with his new best friend chavez. They sound like soulmates.
Dianne, I'm sorry I didn't read your point until just now. ALL presidents have their hate groups and threats. Welcome to the presidency. President Bush was bashed for taking the most vacations of any president. YES black history is important. That is why there is a Martin Luther King day where all the public schools are off and banks and post offices are closed. It IS a black history day that is celebrated and acknowleged by all day!!!!!!! Come on now, black history all month long????? Trust me nobody will forget black history. For Godsakes I knew about it in the 70's and cried my eyes out and still get outraged when I see it on t.v. and books etc. But it deserves a chapter in a history book in school then if you feel that way.
. But that's my point we get enough of it EVERYWHERE. But now IT'S TOO MUCH in my face all month long, and it promotes divide to the black population. They use it as a blame game against us now as an excuse for their troubles in a time that has nothing to do with ANY OF THE PAST. Again black people using black as an excuse. .
To Jeannette-Again-the children were CHANTING their TEACHERS political BELIEFS do you get it? On 911 President Bush wasn't standing there clapping his hands and chanting his name and political beliefs alonside children like this teacher did. HMM LET'S SEE- HE WAS READING A BOOK to the children thank you! And fyi I didn't care for George Bush his second term but I taught my child to respect him (oh and he's white btw)! And to Roberta you said that your school only praised important black men and women for a WHOLE MONTH LONG-DOESN' T THAT PROVE EVERYBODY'S POINT! You don't see a problem with that! Where is the EQUALITY in praising only black people all month long???? AMERICA IS A MELTING POT FOR GODSAKES, and there should be PRIDE FOR ALL -NOT JUST TEACHING PRIDE TO SOME-ESPECIALLY OUR SCHOOLS –
WHICH WE PAY TAXES FOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND YES I LOVE MY PRESIDENT!!!!! I believe there is way more than enough information out there Jeannette that you can find on black history to teach your grandchildren than to waste my tax dollars being predjudice all up in little childrens faces!!! How many black people only voted for Obama because he was black? Most black people I talked to didn't even know what he was about and what he stood for when they voted for him. I asked many of my coworkers and they even said they only voted for him because he was black. Tell me that isn't predjudice and going upstream. Get it. Oh and Obama is half black and half white and I thought that would bring America closer but again it always has to be about a black thing. For instance there was a commercial that kept coming on my t.v. for BLACK PEOPLE to ADOPT BLACK children! My sister adopted children who are not white does that make her wrong? How is that teaching ANYTHING and THAT TOO IS GOVERNMENT MONEY BEING USED TO PROMOTE PREDJUDICE! POINT MADE-GET IT. Several years ago Oprah had a show were she took ONLY black children from a school and pulled them out of their classes (that were mixed) and put them in an only BLACK class and said she was gonna pay for all THEIR college too. What about all the other kids of different color and races? If anybody should be mad in this country it should be the Indians – why don't they get a whole month to be racist too!
Donna,
Are you serious?
You know what, lets just not teach history because the books are full of information on Presidents, Congressmen, etc. Just let parents teach it so we can keep the next generation as ignorant as this one!
It was BLACK HISTORY MONTH. It is going to be hard to celebrate it without acknowledging the first Black President. Ok, they could have left his platform off but I think they were just trying to make it interesting. Kids get tired of just reading and memorizing. Let them have some fun. I mean, I was raised during the time of Reagan and Bush Sr. era and we were told all kinds of things positive about them. As an adult, I still have my own mind. Most of my values came from my parents and family. I really don't think the teacher meant it in the fashion it was taken. I would have had a bigger problem with it being posted on the internet than what they were saying. Common sense says that he was just elected in Jan and Feb was Blk History month, so I can see how this came about. What is scary is the amount of animosity we are teaching these children with all this craziness. There has never been this much hype about a President influencing the youth. My goodness! No matter what, he will be in the history books because he made history. No matter what politics you agree with, we will teach our kids about him because he made history! People get a grip and stop this foolishness and help fight some real battles. How about volunteering to feed the hungry or something – teach the kids that! I guess we need to stop talking about Martin Luther King fightng segration, Not everyone agreed with it and it was politcal devide. Is that pushing an agenda? When does it end?
Growing up in segregated SC in the '50s, we, as black kids had to follow the white school board's policies. One was, we had to learn to square dance to hillbilly music! Black people and square dancing etc.
We also had to learn all those old rebel songs. I won't name them, as they disgust me today 50 years after graduating. It didn't kill me, and I wasn't indoctrinated.
Marie, Black History Month exist to let Americans know what African Americans have contributed to this country and society. What blacks had contributed because it was not taught in schools. That part of our history needs to be incorporated with white history. To open a door for someone, should not have anything to do with race. It is done from being courteous no matter what the gender. The United States is divided by race. Look at the topics the news media reports. To honor and respect the President in schools is considered to be some kind of political indocrination. There are polls asking should our President be killed. Where are the republicans, Fox News, and others of the right wing to speak out against this President being killed? Where are you Mr. Steele? If this President takes his wife out, money is being wasted. When he tries to keep companies here not to loose more jobs, he is a socialist. Also, where are the jobs promised, though, this President has been in office only nine months. To reform the unfair tax advantage for the well-to-do, he is a socialist. Even though both Bush presidents increased taxes for the middle class and working poor, if a white president does this –oh well. Where were the tea parties and protests against those increases? That well-to-do and wealthy part of society feed you the information they want you to hear. Why would they be for change, this works great for them? As Romney plans his fact finding trip to Afhganistan and Iraq letting the American people and the rest of the world know that old white men are still in charge. So just play nice with him. charge. This President has been dishonored and disrespected.
I've read all these entries, and have decided I need to address this , too.
When I went to school, we said the pledge, and then a prayer-which always ended with "Amen, and God bless the USA."
When my kids went to school, they could no longer say a prayer. Instead, everyone got to have a 'moment of quiet', in which they could pray to God, Allah, or the devil, if they wanted.
This is good-we should all get to pray(or not) to whom/whatever we believe in, without recrimination.
One thing that's stayed the same, is that the kids are still learning(for the most part). From K-12, they followed the election–even voting. Not just last year, but during every election year.
They have debated issues, campaigned for their favorite candidate, and last yr, even made power-point presentations/commercials.
Singing a song about the President, the planet, their country of heritage, etc. isn't the issue. Actually, those kids were lucky that they still had a music program in their school!
The issue is let them learn!!
Let them learn ANYTHING that stimulates their mind!
Or would you rather have a country full of kids that only know how to push the buttons on their game controllers?
people get a life.. america is getting so annoying with petty whinning over the most dumbest things we have to put people back to work cause with all the free time people have the more time they have to mull over useless issues...
Children need to be taught RESPECT for the president of the United States! The real issue here is likey that the parents objecting to the song voted for someone else. If their candidate had won, they would probably be praising the children and the song. So, who is actually inserting "politics" into the situation?
The GOP is getting sicker as each day passes. Why don't they tell their kids the real reason they don't want them to mention Obama's name.
When I was growing up only white history was taught. There was not any mention of what African Americans had contributed to this country. Many white Americans got credit for what the African American discovered. If a democrat was president we were told what a great president he was, and if it was a republican we were told how great that one was. Our school teachers and students were taught respect and honor for this country and the president. Now, it seems race determines if we respect and honor the President of the USA.
This incident occurred in Feb 2009. The words of one of these indoctrination ditties are:
"Hello, Mr. President we honor you today!
For all your great accomplishments, we all doth say "hooray!"
Just what did he accomplish after one month in office? I’m not so sure this phrase would apply today.
Teaching children to respect their President Elect – wow!
Teaching children to respect authority – wow again!
What a comcept..
And for some who say that their anger is not predudice .. a question if I may? Was George W. not in our schools when he heard of the tragedy of 911?
If the Presdent has no place in our schools what the heck was he doing there?
And teaching History in schools – celebrating different cultures and different races and possibly giving understanding and tolernace of people who are different? Well that just may lead to a peaceful heart, mind and soul for the children who will grow up without all of the baggage thier parents have.
Wouldn't it be something if the new generation of children didn't have the anger that many of us adults harbor now?
Imagine!
I am not knocking anyone. "Walk a mile in his shoes before you judge" But I do feel bad for people who carry around all that anger and hate. That must be a very heavy load to carry. Don't we want better for our children? Isn't life hard enough without loading them down with all this hate and isn't respect for authority starting with respect for their own parents the major reason children make such bad decisions today?
Whether you voted for this President or not, what ever happened to teaching our children to respect the elected President of the United States?
I don't know what it is like to grow up anything but white but I sure wanted my children to have knowledge of what happened to all people in the past and I sure want my grandchildren to have that knowledge so they can understand things that have happened in the past. How else can they move forward and live better lives and be better people?
The false outrage being expressed by some of these commenters is
straight out of the Glenn Beck playbook. This happened last
February, for God's sake, during Black History Month. I volunteer
in an inner city elementary school, and every February the praises
of important black men and women are sung. What in the world
is wrong about praising our country's first black president? It
saddens me so much to see the levels of intolerance being
propagated by people who very simply will NEVER accept the
fact that a black man is now in the White House. I thought that
we had crossed a very important line last November; I was so
wrong.
It sickens me that this country is accepting this behavior. Stop using these kids to voice your dislike for President Obama. Try supporting him for a change instead of using any innocent act to bash him. SAD!!!!!
Yes, this was out of line because they ARE chanting out what a TEACHER BELIEVES a political figure will do. The children are not giving their individual opinions they are indeed voicing thier teachers beliefs, and therefore, YES IT IS BRAINWASHING. Why is there even a black history month? And why does every excuse for a black person have to be because I'm black thing? There are waaaay more black racists in America. Isn't BET network racist as heck. And it's publlic. Oh, I'm sick of it. I go out of my way to make sure I take extra care not to offend black people by opening doors and all these other things just so I don't hurt their feellings even the guys. But I get mad when people keep using the black thing as an excuse for everything. Now they have black history month to use as an EXCUSE for EVERYTHING too and I think it should be taken off the national calender because it is hippocritical. Trust me we know what happened in the past we watch movies all the time but I didn't do it . Many children are being beaten and abused in our country NOW so do you think we can cancel the black history thing and have a stop our children from being beaten and molested and raped month to focus on the issues of the NOW???? Stiffer penalties for child abusers. Yes I believe black history month divides the United States of America by color. I will say I have seen AND heard way more BLACK RACISTS in America than I have seen and heard white. I think people should challenge that the black history month, black scholarship, black percentage of people being hired simply because they are black and black schools are discriminative and racially bias. I do admire Barack Obama and would take a bullet in order to save his life because he is our beloved president but yes this video was brainwashing. Why is it when a white person says ANYTHING about an issue with a black person it becomes a black issue? See another excuse why black history month should be abolished because it is being misused AGAIN. Black history month does not UNITE in the United States of America it DIVIDES.
Black history month is hippocritical and racist in itself. It is just another reason and excuse for black people to blame the white people for everything and every problem that african americans have-when we all have the same problems. White people get beat by policemen. White people get falsley accused of things. My husband didn't get on the police department because they had to hire a black female EVEN THOUGH HE SCORED THE HIGHEST ! The person hiring told him this!!!!
A sorry day in the US when Washington controls our kid's minds like this! I served my country during war time and it pisses me off to see that line of "would be" draft dodgers run this nation into the ground.
Barack Obama mmm mmm mmm! My ass!
To Dougie Fresh..research who wrote the lyrics for these little ditties,then see how innocent this is......and Antonio,solutions and suggestions for advances are constantly being proposed by some of these "rube"conservatives.If you recall,liberals have had the majority in congress for three years,under the leadership of Pelosi,and Reid. If you would watch the hearings on c-span,you would find that Dems are blocking common sense solutions on party line votes.
This is another example of the fanatical Republican right shrieking at everything they can to try and discredit President Obama and Democrats in general. The Karl Rove method is alive and well: Say it loud, say it mad and say it often. This is nothing more than a radical religious right example of racism. The Republicans are absolutely melting down because a black man is President of the United States. It's shameful but defines the Republican "Club" (they sure aren't a "Party"). The same old if you're not like us (Republican) then you can't be a patriotic American and you can't love Jesus. Bipartisan = believe everything we do and we'll support you!
Hey Connie. Was bilble the one in Lord of the Rings or was it another story?
Ok so I have a brother who is African-American, I am Caucasian, and I don't get why it's ok for schools to single out and have a "black history" month to celebrate achievements in the black community. What about the caucasian communities achievements, asian? indian? what about them?! Quit abusing your power Mr. President.
Listen to all of you. This is what USA is all about. Voicing your own opinions and not being locked up for saying so. 🙂 I wouldn't want my children to grow up anywhere else because this is still the greatest country in the world. Let's all face it. Something is really wrong with our schools that would spend time and teacher salaries to do this kind of thing when our leaders are thinking of increasing the time our children attend to school, I find it interesting that we as a nation can fall behind in academics and propose longer hours and more days to the school year just so we can compete with the world. Teachers need to focus and government needs to step back and let them do their jobs 'educating' our children. Stop lowering the standards and find out why the world is getting ahead of us. Leave the kindergarten plays in the community for the parents and not on the national level. As for the pledge of allegiance. Don't my children have a right to recite it in school with other like minded children? Or celebrate Christmas with others in school? What is so 'evil' about this? Your parents did and their parents before them. You obviously didn't turn out 'bad'.
I am an independant that supports our President, and finally glad to be able to say that. Why in the past 8 years was there no outrage about the Bush administration's insane policies. I think Obama is a good influence on the people in our great country, especially the children. Racism does seem to be alive and well still, sadly.
Lol if this song angers white racists then I am all for it. Can't wait for the remix. I think it should be mandatory in all schools across the country. And also they should have a giant picture of Barak Obama in the cafeteria. This is awesome!
Really? You want to compare chanting about Obama with the pledge? Do you actually have citizenship in this country?
Black history month? Where's White history month? Yellow? Brown? Red? African Americans? What about European Americans? Asian Americans? Australian Americans? South American Americans? See how ridiculous it sounds. I can see that the blacks will never let us forget what our anscestors did 150 years ago. Every successive generation will be held accountable to do what they can to make life better for the blacks. More welfare, more socialization of industry, more reparations. Otherwise, I guess, people like Sharpton and Jackson and the others wouldn't have a job.
School is for education: reading, writing and arithmatic. Not politics. That goes for the department of education as well.
One thing is sure after reading these comments- We are way to far into each others business, and the government is making alot of people extremely cranky by being involved in everything. On either side for either reason. Have we been teaching our kids why that is not such a good idea?
The issue is that we have never sung a song about a sitting president. It is not ethical in our culture. It is like voting a someone to a 'hall of fame' while they are still active in the sport or activity. We typically do that after they are deceased or well beyond their careers.
To sing praises to a sitting President is not ethical, nor is it proper – I can think of several reasons this should not be done.
-
Singing songs about past presidents is one thing.
Addressing Antonio:
I am latino-american and again I admire this president. Too bad if some folks cannot approve theprinciple of the majority vote. It is part of the democracy in which we live. But , Antonio if you are Spaniard, you have probably heard of Franco, If you are Italian a Mussolini,and from any part of America I will remind you of Pinochet,Trujillo,Duvalier,Somosa and even Castro who happened to be, unlike the aforementioned, different in a way. Those guys have changed deeply the political,social,economical and even religious structure of their countries up to creating that dichotomy theory of which you or maybe your parents became part of.
It all started with fanatics pushing them to believe that they were "gods". Let us hope that President Obama cannot be indoctrinated!! By the way, I am an independent in my thinking. I find it shameful for anyone to be associated with the "D"emented or the "R"epulsive.My candidate, though democrat ,did not win; but my president is Barack Obama.
If there is any brainwashing going on in this country it is the republican/conservative/christian/corporate lie/hate machine brainwashing their own members with garbage like this.
Not one single racist with enter the pearly gates. Check your bilble.
It was prayer in schools that has kept the evil out of schools. They let one woman who didn't believe in God, take prayer out of school. Now look what has happened to schools all across this country. If God can't help us, then who can?
In case you don't know, some of these statements are quite offensive. But i will not call any of you racist. When we lack education about each other background and culture, what else could be the outcome? The American thing to due is get pass it and work on solving our problems and becoming a better/stronger nation. But some will probably label me a liberal prick. Oh well, back to square one.
I am truly embarassed of the racisim in this country. Other countries are looking at us fight against healthcare for everyone, which they already have in their countries and laughing their heads off. The reason for black history month is for hundreds of years, blacks got no credit for any of their achievements in this country. They got no credit for invenitons they have made, like the stop light, the air conditioner, the refridgerator, the mop, the dryer, blood plasma, and the list goes on and on. Also the many blacks who have contributed significantly to this countries wealth. We had to learn about all countries and races, in history books at school, but nothing good about blacks. That's why whites don't know all the greatness that blacks have contributed to this country, because it was never taught in school. Now we have one month to celebrate black history and now they have a problem with that. Get educated before making comments. If this country continues to be racially, politically, and socially divided, it will fall.
This is not an appropiate school activity. Propogating a particular political persuasion has no place on school grounds. There is a reason for checks and balances in government. Because there is more than "one" political party it is wrong use taxpayer dollars to "teach" children to favor one party and one man. Instead our children should be taught the political system and a love for our country, no matter what side the child is on. If we lived in a dictatorship, than this would be understandable. Thank the Lord that we do not live under that type of rule. Hopefully, Obama himself will frown upon this type of endorsement. I believe he has enough respect for our political system to do so.
We all know how brain washing can be, after all look at the brain washing at African-American who can't do anything but clean up for the good folks. Slavery was good according to our forefathers.
When first hearing of this, the vision of Hitler and Natzi Germany and communist China came to mind. Black History or not the principal/teacher has no bussiness pushing her political views on these kids. This activity was totally inappropriate and the principal behind it should be fired.
Has the school taught these kids the Pledge, the National Anthem, or any other patriotic songs for that matter. I assume not!!
If there is no place in our schools for God and country, then there is no place in our schools for ploitics.
Please people!!! This is the RACIAL side of Americans being exposed. This is some plain STRAIGHT TALK.
CNN: This is not newsworthy. A bunch of paranoid Obama-haters manufacturing a story is not news. Crap that's flying around the internet is not news. These people are using you, CNN, to advance their conservative effort to kill anything Obama tries to do and in this case, even something he is not involved in in any way, shape or form. This story is spam.
This sickens me,I am a 15 year old freshman at Deer Park High School of Texas, and even i can see what is wrong with this. It is ludicrous how people can be so ignorant, so shameless to think that they can get away with this. Black history month or not, it makes no difference. However, being that this has taken place quite a number of months ago, I believe that many more would be outraged if it had taken place recently...being that many Americans are coming to their senses about our government.
If they posted my kid's picture on the internet, without my permission, I would pissed. I'd be standing in the office at that school demanding to know where they get off, posting a picture of my under 18 year old child on the internet.
Singing some stupid little song that he clearly did not remember enough of to sing to me at home?? Whoopie.
People,
I think we all can agree that the politician regardless of what party they are obliviously not on the same page as the lower class or middle class people. The politicians are wealthy and the manipulate the government and laws! People I respect your opinions but let not be the dogs in the dog fight! The politicians are the puppet masters here. Parents have every right to be evolved in whatever is being taught in school. The the people have the right to bring their kids up with good morals the way the want too!
I can not believe we are even discussion this!!!! The kids arent saying anything crazy....my goodness. When can we have a real disagreement on something. If you ask this kids to sing it again...they probably forgotten most of the song anyway. It was for black history month and it didnt say go out and kills anybody or sale drugs. Come on people be concerned about things that are really harming our children.
I wish Dale would learn to spell so he can be coherent. I agree with
Elhadj Diallo. The racist element in the society need to come out of the closet. They've been waiting for a long time to spew their racism and now the'ye using all kinds of issues to disguise what they are really about.
I hope they will accept the consequencies of all this hatred. I pity their children. I wonder what they tell them when they ask why they can't sing a song about the President of the United States. It is a sad time in our country!!
I think it’s ridiculous that most schools have taken out praying and religion from schools but yet pushes politics. Parents should have to the right to know what is happening in schools. Most people like me communicate with teachers by email or meetings with the teachers to discuss our kid’s progress. On the other hand I am not a supporter of the New Administration but would be concern if my kids were influenced by an unannounced event that I might not approve of. It’s the same problem with our government is constantly dealing with (Accountability).
The only "brainwashing" going on here is the indoctrination of a bunch of gullible rubes by the right wing echo chamber in this country. The right doesn't want solutions to problems. They certainly don't want progress or ideas that benefit the majority of Americans. What they want is to keep us back in the dark ages until we are a third-world country with nothing left except a pile of useless military hardware and "leaders" who believe that the earth is only 6,000 years old.
I am so glad that there are so many people in the United States that know me so well. It's amazing that people know, just by the fact that I disagree with the President's policy or decision, that it must be because he is black and that I am a racist! Oh my! Doesn't that sound a bit racist on their part?
What worries me and others more than these absurd sentiments is that the news media give so much publicity to these people. I would expect CNN of all to be publicizing the real issues. The stupid negative events from a certain sector of the society fueled by right-wing fanatics, should NOT be getting air time, much less prime time.
I'm also curious as to why the people who are supporting the administration's policies, the vast majority of Americans who voted for the President, are not being heard. Where are they? The minority seem to be getting all the attention! It is utterly absurd!!
In the latest in a stream of accounts from the Élysée Palace, Mr Sarkozy was quoted yesterday as telling an all-party group of MPs that Mr Obama was inexperienced and indecisive. “Obama has a subtle mind, very clever and very charismatic,” the French President said. “But he was elected two months ago and had never run a ministry. There are a certain number of things on which he has no position. And he is not always up to standard on decision-making and efficiency.”
and
Mr Sarkozy was also reported yesterday to have cracked a dubious joke about Europe’s “Obamamania”. According to L’Express news magazine, he mentioned Mr Obama’s planned visit to Normandy for the D-day anniversary in June, saying: “I am going to ask him to walk on the Channel, and he’ll do it.”
Good grief.
Talk about stirring up the natives. This happened in FEBRUARY! During Black History Month.
People are really easily manipulated, aren't they?
Brainwashing? So what do those parents call all those religeous songs they sing in church? What about all the songs they are taught in preschool and kindergarten to "make learning or memorizing" fun.
Everybody is intent on creating scare tactics that they have totally lost sight of ...well just about everything!
Seriously get a life!
I really have to agree that the only thing that seems amiss here is the onesidedness of the media. The truth of the matter is this country doesn't deserve a man like Barrack Obama. He has done more for this country in 10 months than has been done in forty years. We seem to forget [conveiniantly the history of this country and what foundation it really stands on. This event is just another example of that fact.]
Mike is right. I have a long email that goes into a lot of detail about all of the things that promote things "black". But if , as a white, I were to promote the same things exchanging the word white for black I would be denounced as a racist. And WHY is he called black when he is not. Half and half or gray man might be more accurate. He is not from Africa. Even the President of France says the obama has a nice tan. I am tired of peopl telling me that I am racist just because I don't agree with him. I don't care if he is purple or pink. He is just a plain old incompetent person. I can see why jimmy carter loves him. Two peas in a goober. And carter sees obama as taking over his title of the worst president in recent times. How nice!!
Gina and James Pronchik (and any other parent that agrees with them) need to either a) get a life/reality check, b) seek counseling, or c) move their kids to an all white school and taught all white songs. Sounds crazy, huh. Well so do they!
Are these parents insane! They act like Jim Jones or David Koresh is running the school. The next thing you know these parents will say that Sesame Street or Barney or Tommy the Train programs are brainwashing their kids. It was Black History month people. Duh!? I guess when the holidays roll around singing Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer is off limits too. Barney...watchout! The "I love you, you love me" song is dead in their sights!
Or could it be that these parents are just plain racist? Hmmm?! Wonder what would they say if the song was about a non-minority. I guess they would rather their child(ren) sing songs about Hitler.
This type of song would be completely inappropriate not matter which president the chilren were singing about. Our public schools are not intended to support any particular politician. I would have said the same thing if children were singing a song about Bush or Reagan. But it's difficult to have a reasoned discussion when those opposed to this sort of thing are summarily accused of racism. Thankfully, Obama himself is more broad-minded than that.
Oh Let's see...
OBAMA=
1. ACORN (Their lawyer)
2. Van Jones (and some other interesting Czars)
3. Kissing up to the people who hate the US while bashing the US.
4. Turning his back on people who supported and stood beside us.
5. Chavez Loves him, Ghadafy calls him his brother, look at his fan base.
6. He told us to look at the people he associates with to see who guides his policies. It does not look good.
7. The Unions are getting their money's worth out of him.
And you called "W' an idiot? Wow, Anyone that knows me knows I was no "W" fan AT ALL, but this guy promised "Change" – Where is the Change? Same Good Ole Boy system, just different Good Ole Boys!
I think we need to get rid of the D's and the R's... none can be trusted.
I think it was a poor (but not sinister) decision by the school, especially the lyrics about the economy. But this story leaves out two things:
1. The lyrics were sent home for parents to review BEFORE they sang. So the parents who said they were "shocked" just weren't paying attention. The school gave them an opportunity to protest. http://bit.ly/DuRra
2. April 17, 2006, children sang a song praising George W. Bush, Congress and FEMA.
It theses students were singing a song about ex – president Bush no one would be saying a word about this. I starting to believe that we are becoming a nation of complainers and cry babies.
Get a life!
The thing that I find the most discusting is the reporting by John Roberts and CNN that failed to mention that there is also a video that was made that included President Bush that was sung by school children. I think John Roberts should take his own advice. When the song by the Atlanta kids showed both sides it works better. Maybe that would work for CNN as well. by the way, I'm still waiting on the follow up story regarding the coastguard training that was reported by CNN and that former Bush homeland security person (Fran Townsend) I guess the keeping them honest station only applies when CNN is not involved.
1. Congrats to CNN for again being behind FNC in reporting this.
2. If they where singing to "W", you libs would be going crazy right now.
3. Black History Month. He was sworn in in January, and in Feb they where singing how great he is. Using the melody from "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." That Is CREEPY. I would think that was creepy no matter who the PREZ was.
3. This is not about him the President, this is him the "Rock Star".
4. Here we are coming up to 10 months, and he has been an Aweful President. What has he Accomplished? You cant Blame the R's, the D's Control everything and have the votes to stop any R's. He just SUX.
5. There is a HUGE difference in the Pledge and the "I love dear leader" songs. Great Real!
This is ridiculous. If the song was about any of our previous presidents, would this be an issue. I don't think so.
Horse Pucky – If these parents would remember that their kids are kids and not Princesses and Princes and just let the teachers do their job we would all be better off.
These kids will see more and worse before they are adults and then they will become the same whiners as their parents.
These parents are doing a fine job of creating the next generation of racists.
What about when the kids learn about the Martin Luther king's speech on black history month?. I think it's time for a lot of people to get their hoods and robes out of the closet and start wearing 'em freely.
Horse Pucky – If there parents would remember that their kids are kids and not Princesses and Princes and just let the teachers do their job we would all be better off.
These kids will see more and worse before they are adults and then they will become the same whiners as their parents.
These parents are doing a fine job of creating the next generation of racists.
The president does'nt have anything to do with this. You can blame the teacher or the school organisation.
It took you guys long enough to report on this..... Fox reported this last week....
So not only is the premise behind the song wrong but "Black History" month is equally as wrong.
It is not white people that promote racism, it is black people. Have you ever heard of a "White History" month???????
White people have been trying to put racism in the past for many may years, while black people continue to promote it!!! Just try and have a "Miss White USA Pageant" and see what happens!!!
A fine tribute to the President of the United States. A true patriot and a great American.
After eight years of Bush it's great to have a man in the White House we can all be proud of.
As Bush would say don't ever miss-underestimate him.
Although I do consider myself a Democrat, I completely understand
how parents are upset about this song being recorded. While I do see the impact of having our first African American President, our school districts need to integrate this into the curriculum without over stepping
boundaries. Let's face it, not everyone voted for Obama!
Lamb-li,
Although I don't deny that racism exists in this country, accusing people of being racist when they're simply being critical is overdone. It doesn't and shouldn't matter what the pigment of the president's skin is, and I wish people would, frankly, shut up about it and treat him like any other president.
Think about it. It was "Black History Month". Wasn't it just a few months ago we elected our FIRST black President? Was that not historic?!? The more I see the behavior of these right wing extremeists, the more I tend to think there certainly is racism still a factor in our country.
Also, most people are so afraid of change. They are 'comfortable with the devil you know' and afraid of the 'unknown' (healthcare). I personally, am not afraid of change.....but welcome it. We could embrace these changes in healthcare and wallstreet. If the programs need 'tweaking' to work out the bugs....so be it. BUT if these programs don't work out for the greater good of ALL OF US.......Obama will certainly not get a second term. I honestly believe that this administration is working with the best of intentions.
oh please... give me a break!! Would you think that if it were a white president? Your fears don't equal any common sense!!! That is what it is – fears!!! While I don't think any political opinions should be imposed on our children, have you no faith in your parenting skills. Your children will follow the foundation you give them at home. Why not look closely at yourselves and have faith in what You introduce to you children in your own home!!!
I admire President Obama for being the light and pride of every denomination that was in despair in our country. However, in my view,the crazies(followers) are starting to illustrate an agenda which is exactly how it happened in the Phillipines,Haiti,the Dominican Republic,Cuba, Nicaragua to name just a few. When you have children venerating a president in songs and demonstrations, it appears to be more than indoctrination; it is a revolution. We had never done that for any sitting president or past presidency, can anyone states for the rest of us what catapulted President Obama to this "lofty presidency"?
has noone learned by what happened to us because of the banks abd how they are the major cause of the economic crisis,they are in most part are criminal orginizations, but everyone contiues to give them milions of dollars in credit card interest fees,then they get all upset because they lower there credit and up there interest rates ,you poeple are the ones with the cards you deserve what you get,
to stop this you have to stop credit cards,pay them of and dont use them anymore ,then watch the interest rates go down and credit go back up.
its time the public acted responsible,everyone is asking the government to do something,its not the government problem its your problem for having a credit card in the first place you idiots.
nigel
This type of activity is why conservatives were alarmed to find that a work book had been sent out in advance of the school speech that Obama gave to students. Virtually no one was in opposition of the do your best speech,but to send out work books and assignments as follow up specifically touting the agenda of a sitting president was not acceptable.
In the school district in which I teach, it is county/state policy to refrain from political and religious persuasion. This action in our district would have resulted in the teacher being fired at the very least. As a kindergarten teacher, many hours of valuable academic time would have been wasted to work on this project. Children of this age require a huge amount of repetition to learn anything, whereas older children could have learned this chant in less time. This teacher also showed an insensitivity to the 50% of parents who were not of democratic party persuasion and would not have wanted their children being indoctrinated to chant for Obama. All black persons' accomplishments should have been touted during black history month.
Even though I like the president, I don't believe that schools should condone this. Religion is out of schools because we don't want schools to tell our children what they should believe and politics should be out for the same reason, even if it is an innocent song about the president.
Oh my gosh. How petty. These are little kids. How can they be "indoctrinated"? They have learned the name of the President, for Pete's sake. Lighten up, Mom and Dad.
am i crazy this is so innocent just like the video glenn beck showed of young children stepping in camo. he called them a threat because they werte taking turns saying how president obamoa has inspired them to greater things. people dont let the glenn becks get you on his side by clouding your judgment unless there are some underlying feelings you dont want out there because you know how you will be percieved.
I don't care what your political persuasion is, this is creepy. Only those who haven't learned history can be complacent and unfazed by the chanting and hero-worship aspect of their performance. The lyrics of well-known childrens' hymns were replaced by liberal platitudes. Completely unacceptable, partisan and smacks of the indoctrination of kids!
It was a thing for black history month. The song most likely to highlight the first black president. Not even a month ago the right wing was accusing the president of trying to indoctrinate kids with the message just to stay in school and stuff.
So are schools supposed to avoid even mentioning that the president of the US is currently Obama? If they can't, then they should do away with social studies and history classes. Those could be considered indoctrinating, since they discuss politics.
why are people calling the song chanting. they are singing about the man not praising him. white people dont want to heatr it but if he was not black it would not be a big deal if instigators like glenn beck did not puit these crazy ideas into tthe brains of the feeble minded it would not be a big deal.
I believe the parents are over reacting to the song singing. They are obviously intolerant and want to teach their children intolerance. The children are so very young and won't be voting for a very long time. They should be exposed to people and things to teach them diversity, which is something their parents don't seem to subscribe to. They should also be taught to respect the office of President of their country, whether they agree with his policies or not.......Truely it is the parents that are being more of a detriment to these children than singing a songe. By the time they are of voting age, they will have thier own opinions and poltical beliefs and I pray they won't have been stifled by small minded, bigetry that is trying to maintain it's chokehold on this nation.
slw
I have no problem with school children singing praise for Baraack Obama, but why can we not allow the "National Anthem", prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance to our Nation in our schools as well.
Such a waste of time. These are children and how many years we had to say the pledge to the flag in the classrooms across the U.S.? We honor President Day, Columbus day and everything else in between. This is not the children speaking out, this is the people who didn't want President Obama in office to begin with. These children can sing a song and I'm sure they are not thinking about it the next day, they are children!!! There is alot of racism that plays into this. It's so sad adults have too much time and should be worrying about their children college education instead of a song!!!! Get a life!!!
Innocent school activity. I went to predominately white schools from K-12th grade, and when I was in elementary school we all sang songs about presidents, clouds, leprechauns, etc. all year long. I remember singing songs in Spanish. I sang a song in Russian, but guess what I do not remember those songs. No one is making this an issue, but white people. I see no Black, Hispanic, or Asians, etc. making any issue of Obama's name coming up in schools. You learn Civics and Social Studies in school. They are going to know that our President is Black eventually. I do not speak Spanish or Russian, so it does not work and as soon as recess happens the kids forget about the song anyway.
the anger over the children singing about the President is not brainwashing but blatant anger of frustration due to the fact that they have to tell their children the truth....the color of your skin does not matter,
This is so childish. So children cannot sing about the leader of their country. This whole propaganda push trying to link Obama with some Socialist indoctrination plan is really absurd. What is happening is were indoctrinating a closed minded society which is unwilling to even listen to ideas outside their political sphere... This devisivness will destroy our country for decades as the rest of the world prospers and the Chinese and other leave us in the dust... The GOP will ruin this country with this type of childish propaganda and take us back to the McCarthy era of mistrust within our own country...
It is truly a sad day when parents call supporting our president "brain washing"! It sickens me that this country is accepting this behavior. Just as banning the president's speech in schools. When I grew up my parents taught me to respect the President of the United States. Get real folks! We are not living with a Hitler, Suddam or Osama Bin Ladin. Maybe these people should go live in one of those countries and then they may come to appreciate what we have here in America.
I can not believe that parents are mad because kids are singing a song about our President that is true. He made the statement, "...equal pay for equal work." Everyone educated in this country heard in elementary school that George Washington never told a lie. I don't remember any parents wanting the Superintendent to investigate when this happened. Yet during Black History month it is wrong to sing a song about one of the most significant Black History moments in this country. I truly think that individuals who have problems with this are showing who they really are in their hearts.
funny these parents are concerned about 'brainwashing," is this because they were walking around like zombies chanting "liberal' slogans? No, they did not even know about this song from February, not really involved in their kids' education huh? What else are they not involved in when it comes to their kids?
It may start with an innocent song but what's next? Chanting in unison, "Our dear Leader!" while waving a “Little Black Book” of his cherished wisdom? The answer is yes, that is exactly what is next. The news media needs to look deeply into the political background of the individuals who perpetrated this outrage.
If this had happened during the Bush administration people would be screaming "1984" and "Fascist!” and rightlly so. Even if you changed the name to George Washington, it would be wrong. Even if you changed the name to Abraham Lincoln, it would be wrong. Let's get fair and balanced here people! I am certain, the last thing President Obama wants is for his supporters to start creating a cult of personality around him. He is not that vain, nor that ambitious. Unfortunately, some of his supporters are.
One of the parents in this video is on the verge of tears when she sees the children "chanting". Has she ever been in the classroom during the Pledge of Allegiance? This pledge is done EVERY SINGLE DAY and talk about brainwashing! The kids sound like robots, droning on. I have lived in many countries and I have yet to live in one that brainwashes their children in this manner.