Keep Your Child Home From School On September 8th?

[Roy Pitchford]

Before I begin, thank you for choosing to make a debate of this.

Roy,

What IF the point of inspiring youth -and yes my guess is a black man who rose our of poverty and race to become president particularly wants to encourage inner city youth-IS to empower the weak and lift the wage earners and teach them to do for themselves?

Inspiring youth is a very noble and important role, not just for the president, but for anyone. Its not his amazing rise that I would have an issue with (unless something bad comes out), it is his policies. Lynn asked if people felt he was dangerous. I posted quotes from some of the people he surrounds himself with and I must say I'm concerned.

If Obama wants us to do for ourselves (i.e. have choices), why increase regulation on health care? Why not deregulate and allow us more choices? Competition lowers prices, right? As a woman recently said at a Townhall (paraphrasing): 'There are 1300 insurance companies in the country. Here in California, I can only use 6.'

I'd also like to ask for some clarification from you, if you don't mind: You speak of empowering the weak. What do you consider empowerment?

As a former social worker, I worked with children in foster homes, often not better than their home, confused, abused, neglected and wondering why mom isn't coming to get them. I have seen things that no child should ever have to live. As a liberal I fight for the child. I would give my right arm to get parents to take care of their children and "do the right thing". But it is not happening in this country in a high percentage of homes. And for those kids we have to step in and educate and empower. How do you think we can help in this fight for the kids then?

My only experience regarding foster children is through my aunt. She has been a foster parent for as long as I can remember and I couldn't even count how many she's had in her home. 3 of them she has adopted and yet she continues to try to help more.

I have heard black families say that the Cosby show was the first positive role model of African Americans they ever saw and it made such a difference they shaped their lives to go to college and be like the Cosby's. The Cosbys! A ficitonal show! Imagine what Obama, a black president can do for some! Even a small percentage!

Briefly: A fictional show based very loosely on Cosby's own life and I see no reason to even bring race into it. They could be an inspiration for anyone.

Tell me, do you agree with what Bill Cosby says today?

Your mention of college above reminded me of something I learned earlier today: There's going to be a documentary on a large number of children's TV networks. Its called 'Get Schooled: You Have the Right'
http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/schooled-right/cast/298572

"Three young professionals who have landed their dream jobs working with Kelly Clarkson, LeBron James and Barack Obama discuss their paths to success. The documentary stresses the importance of education and perseverance in the face of obstacles."
I believe that only half the stated goal is being realized. Clarkson and James never went to college.
Can they speak to perseverance? No doubt.
Importance of education? Maybe, maybe not.

This is SO NOT about "destroying" the rich health care companies and SO about keeping our country healthy and vibrant and taking care of young, old, and in the middle! Yes I want the plan revised some more but we have to find affordable health care for every individual in this country. I hope the man who got his finger bit off in a health care "debate" turned physcial has health insurance!

Then we agree about the ends (real reform), just possibly not the means.

[sharon kinsella]

One comment to Roy - You honestly think regulation of any industry is bad?

Can you say economic collapse of banks and usery of the banking and mortgage industries. That's what happens when you take away or forget to regulate.

To all - Just in case you didn't know - when I say "Bad black man, bad, bad, black man, I'm being sarcastic.

[Roy Pitchford]

One comment to Roy - You honestly think regulation of any industry is bad?

Can you say economic collapse of banks and usery of the banking and mortgage industries. That's what happens when you take away or forget to regulate.

There are probably some areas where some regulation is necessary, but you cannot over-regulate otherwise you strangle that which you are trying to act upon.

As for the housing situation, I found this site which seems to lay things out well:http://www.aei.org/issue/100001

I feel I need some time to digest the whole article. The situation does not seem so cut-and-dry.

From what I have read to far, it appears the government was over-regulating by forcing banks to make risky loans to lower-income families, which sounds like regulation.
(Quoting the article above: For banks, simply proving that they were looking for qualified buyers was not enough. Banks now had to show that they had actually made a requisite number of loans to low- and moderate-income (LMI) borrowers.)

However, they were, in a way, deregulating by relaxing certain standards on bank loans which would allow for the riskier loans.

[David Lay]

The text of the President's speech has just been released.

[Justine Cooper]

Roy,
Getting ready to bbq will get back to you on your questions except the "empowering the weak" question. The weakest in our nation are the children and the elderly in most cases. I tried very hard in Cleveland and Philadelphia to empower parents first. I went to boarded up houses to chase down parents to visit their children in foster care. I worked diligently with birth moms to gain back custody of their children by empowering them. One young mom had three children in foster care in two homes. One home wanted the boy and not the girl and made that clear to the girl. The other home clearly did not like the girl in their home and showed no love. I almost had her back with her mom who at the last moment became pregnant again and on crack. I could tell you many stories. But for me I knew I had to go back and get my teacher's license so I could spend 6 hours a day with the children instead of 6 hours a week with a family. Our system is more broken than most people realize and so is a large part of the generation of parents, all colors.

For me, to empower the youth is to educate them. Including character education and building self-esteem. But to also educate them in every subject so they can choose a life out of poverty. I can't make the parents show up at IEP meetings or read to their children or do homework with them. So is 6 hours a day 180 days a year enough? Hopefully for some. Do I wish I could do more? Every day.

Race is always going to be an issue whether your or I like it. Yes I think a black president can get a message across to black youth in a stronger way. Because he did it. I know people roll their eyes when slavery is mentioned today as if it doesn't make a difference. But of all the research on the racial academic achievement gap, the most telling piece in achievement is vocabulary and education in the home as well as parental involvement, even more than poverty as in issue in success or lack of. So if not that long ago our nation kept black people from attending school, let alone being treated like a human, then I do belive it takes generations to make up for that. Maybe if they were not prejudiced against years ago and had education, things would be very, very different today. For that reason alone, I think the president, being half black needs to get this message to the black youth, and in my opinon to all the youth. For other reasons I think the message should be sent that the president should have respect. I despised our last president but if he addressed the children in the speech to stay in school I would have my kids listen. And hoped he had a speech writer.

Kudos to your aunt. She is a rare blessing to children.

[Jim O'Bryan]

I'm here for a healthy debate. You cannot dispute what I said, so you ignore it and attempt to distract and ridicule by making me out to look like some kind of wacko.

Rule 5: "Ridicule is man's most potent weapon." There is no defense. It's irrational. It's infuriating. It also works as a key pressure point to force the enemy into concessions.

Rule 12: "Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it." Cut off the support network and isolate the target from sympathy. Go after people and not institutions; people hurt faster than institutions.
-- Saul Alinsky's Rules for Radicals

To be honest, I expected nothing more. Thank you for proving me right.

Roy

That was not an answer to your post. It merely fell after it based on time. My post
was more of the "radical religious right" that is sending out messages that "Barack
is the end of the world", or worse.

Had noting to do with your post.

But if you feel right, go with it.

That said I generally find institutions, to be a collection of people, and they all get outraged
unless you use exact names. Like "Jim O'Bryan registered Democrat, Bill Jones registered
Democrat, Miles Long registered Democrat..." Because if you use the general term Rs and Ds,
all hell breaks loose.

FWIW


.

[dl meckes]

I expect great things from each of you. So don’t let us down – don’t let your family or your country or yourself down. Make us all proud. I know you can do it.

Barak Obama

[Roy Pitchford]

I'm here for a healthy debate. You cannot dispute what I said, so you ignore it and attempt to distract and ridicule by making me out to look like some kind of wacko.

Rule 5: "Ridicule is man's most potent weapon." There is no defense. It's irrational. It's infuriating. It also works as a key pressure point to force the enemy into concessions.

Rule 12: "Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it." Cut off the support network and isolate the target from sympathy. Go after people and not institutions; people hurt faster than institutions.
-- Saul Alinsky's Rules for Radicals

To be honest, I expected nothing more. Thank you for proving me right.

Roy

That was not an answer to your post. It merely fell after it based on time. My post
was more of the "radical religious right" that is sending out messages that "Barack
is the end of the world", or worse.

Had noting to do with your post.

But if you feel right, go with it.

That said I generally find institutions, to be a collection of people, and they all get outraged
unless you use exact names. Like "Jim O'Bryan registered Democrat, Bill Jones registered
Democrat, Miles Long registered Democrat..." Because if you use the general term Rs and Ds,
all hell breaks loose.

FWIW


.

I owe you an apology.

[Stan Austin]

Yikes!!!! My brain is hurting from the indoctrination!!!!!!! Oh, it hurts sooooooo bad!!!!!!!

Wait a minute-----that's what my JV football coach said before the Berea game in 1965

[Jim O'Bryan]

I expect great things from each of you. So don’t let us down – don’t let your family or your country or yourself down. Make us all proud. I know you can do it.

Barak Obama

I want to make something clear. I have just been speaking with a member of the school board
that was more than a little disappointed with me calling them racists, for a starter.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL UNDERSTAND, I never meant that they or Joe Madak were,
are, or have ever been racists. I was referring to the people jamming the phone lines.

Which brings me to the second moment of clarity.

I now understand that Lakewood Schools were not flooded with phone calls from wing nuts
from the left or right, and that the School had set the plan that they saw as correct. As I had said, and he pointed out, that this is why we hired them.
Oh - face red.

He proceeded to lay out about twenty different scenarios, that made me ponder if
it made more sense to stop then broadcast. Like it was at lunchtime popular, wouldn't it have
been nice if the teachers could have actually planned for it, made it a learning experience,
and other well thought out responses. None of them had to do with race, or politics. In the end I
had to agree.

I would like to thank the member that had the time to talk, and explain. I suppose I wished
it had happen here on the deck earlier but...

Again my apologies.

[Justine Cooper]

Why they made their decision does not erase the fact that many in this country have fueled fear and hate by freaking out about our president addressing the school kids to stay in school.
My friend said yesterday "My mom said she heard he was going to make the kids say the Pledge of Allegience to Obama instead of the flag". I asked if her mom was a Republican and she said yes.

Some people will believe anything told to them. Even if it is by a radio talk host who makes millions by brainwashing people with hate and fear. Critical thinking? Yea its lacking in this country!

[dl meckes]

I'm glad to know that no pressure was brought to bear on the Board and disappointed that this was something they couldn't organize.

It's a beautiful speech.

But it is far more important than that.

[sharon kinsella]

Heaven forbid that our president is an inconvenience.

[Grace O'Malley]

I just read through the speech (thanks David Lay,) and I think its something that all kids NEED to hear.

He's asking kids to take RESPONSIBILITY for themselves and their actions. I would think the right-wingers would love this since they love to preach about personal responsibility.

The President implores them to work hard in school, he gives examples of those who have overcome hardships, and he reminds them that not everyone is going to be a rock star or sports star. He empathizes with them on the difficulty of maintaining the motivation and perseverance to do well when everything around them might be falling apart.

It's a great speech and if anyone can find fault with it, then I say they just want to find fault with the first black President of the United States.

[Gary Rice]

I just looked over the speech. It looked fairly balanced to me regarding neutrality and in encouraging young people to better themselves. There are some parts of it that I might have phrased differently, but that's the retired teacher in me.

I think I still do have a grading pen around here somewhere.....

(smile)

I hope that the speech will indeed be shown and discussed in classes, BUT AGAIN, in the context of the school day. I do think the leadership of our Lakewood schools made the right call to handle it as they did.

We also, all of us, students and adults, need to start examining what happened with this speech across this country and more importantly, WHY...

To me, that's far more disturbing than any speech might have been.

Here's where I usually put my "back to the banjo" retort, but as the race issue has been discussed here, I'll simply say that in the 19th century, there were many accomplished black banjo players. As the banjo gradually became associated with the blackface minstrel shows, many in the the black musical community gradually abandoned the instrument, instead favoring the guitar, harmonica, piano, and band instruments, thereby ushering in the jazz/blues era, followed, of course, by rock and roll.

These days, the banjo is being rediscovered by many different people everywhere for the great happiness that it is capable of bringing to people's lives.

NOW, back to the banjo...