Right Wing Nut Jobs Who Have Hated POTUS Barack Obama Since He Beat John McCain React NEGATIVELY To Speech To School Kids; JCPS Offers "Opt Out".

Schools to offer Obama speech alternatives
Tuesday's speech turns controversial
By Chris Kenning

It seemed simple enough: President Barack Obama would directly address schoolchildren Sept. 8 on the importance of education and staying in school.

But his planned Tuesday address has spawned a controversy fueled by conservative talk-show hosts and suspicious Republicans who questioned Obama's agenda — prompting angry calls from parents in Kentucky, Southern Indiana and around the nation who don't want their kids to tune in.

The result has been a flurry of memos and e-mails from school officials who are trying to give principals direction on how to handle the political uproar.

On Thursday, Kentucky schools chief Terry Holliday told superintendents that if they decide to show Obama's address, they should provide alternative activities for children whose parents request that they “opt out.”

That same day, Jefferson County Public Schools Superintendent Sheldon Berman told his principals it was a “school/class” decision, even as he encouraged all schools to participate in a “rare opportunity” that complements civics and social studies classes.

“The activity is not a lobbying effort and is a solely educational presentation,” he said in a memo. “It is an opportunity to encourage all students to do their best in school.”

And in Indiana, Greater Clark County School officials told principals they should decide whether the president's speech is shown, assistant superintendent Travis Haire said. But he also said no students will be made to watch the address, as long as their parents inform the principal to exclude them.

“We have not made it mandatory,” Haire said.

The Indiana Department of Education said three superintendents had asked them whether the state was requiring them to broadcast the Obama speech, agency spokesman Cam Savage said Thursday.

“We're not, we can't and shouldn't,” Savage said. “It's a local decision.”

Promise kept

The controversy stemmed from Obama's plan to make good on a recent promise to a student reporter to speak to America's students and challenge them to work hard, set goals and take responsibility for learning.

Editor's comment: to continue reading, follow this link. Also, check out the letter from the super. to school principles here.