Indian River schools alone on Treasure Coast in not allowing schools to air Obama’s live address to students
September 5th, 2009 by TCPalm.comVERO BEACH — Indian River County School District officials will not reverse their decision to prohibit the live broadcast of what has grown into a controversial address by President Obama to encourage students to work hard and stay in school.
The White House is expected to release the text of the address on Monday, a day before the midday speech is given.
However, because Monday is a holiday, the district would not have time to review the material in time to make any decision on the subject matter or provide parents enough time to let their children opt out of hearing the address, said Patty Vasquez, the district’s public information officer.
“We are not partisan. We do not allow political speeches to be made at school from politicians,” Vasquesz said.
The district announced on Thursday that board policy would require the broadcast to be taped and reviewed to determine if the material was educationally relevant.
Other Treasure Coast school districts are allowing teachers to air the midday C-Span broadcast, but accepting notes from parents who do not want their children to hear the message.
The White House has said the address will be about the value of education, not a policy speech.
Opponents of the administration contend the speech will be used to enhance worship of the president or to push a socialist agenda rather than foster a critical lesson, as the U.S. Department of Education now states.
The Department of Education has urged schools to offer the program.
In 1991, President George H.W. Bush’s address, carried on CNN and on public television, advised students on the importance of education. Vasquez said she didn’t know if the district allowed students to watch that broadcast.
Tags: Indian River County, Obama, Schools
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September 5th, 2009 at 10:19 am
Famous last words…we are not partisan, B.S if this was a republican prez.talking to kids about staying in school and all that like Reagan and 1st Bush did Indian River wouldnt have problem.The fact is up there in Vero area has always been right wing for the most part and the fact that this prez.is also half black doesnt help in there eyes,of course this truth will never be spoken in public forum.
September 5th, 2009 at 10:42 am
No, don’t be foolish! Obama’s race has NOTHING to do with it, okay? STOP PLAYING THE RACE CARD! It’s just that he is trying to push his socialist agenda on our children and indoctrinate them! Why should our children, who must stand every morning, face the flag and recite a pledge of allegiance, be indoctrinated by the fairly elected President of their country???? The ten minutes spent listening to Obama could be better spent learning how to tell a forged birth certificate from a real one!
Now, let’s all go hug our grandmother’s before they get carted off to the secret Halal meat processing plants President Hussein is building.
September 6th, 2009 at 5:40 am
Mr. Obama is STILL the President of the United States of America. Whether the president is a Republican or a Democratic, it is only proper to have school children listen to the president when he gives a speech.
It is clear that Right Wing Kooks (RWK) have gotten control of the schools.
September 6th, 2009 at 6:42 am
Luckily, the kids of Indian River County won’t be confused. Years of groundwork by Jeb Bush and his cronies, No Child Left Behind the Teabaggers and forced Kool Aid have resulted in them not knowing that the office of the President of the United States only counts when there’s a Bush in office. Obama stole the election, didn’tcha know?
September 6th, 2009 at 7:25 am
Well you just can’t fix stupid…..and that is exactly what we have to all the people that are against the President of the United States speaking to school children. It is very clear how are children are being raised nowadays with all these crazy, yes kooky parents out there. These are the same parents that say their kids aren’t the troublemakers in their neighborhoods today. I guess I don’t understand why these parents would be so bothered by what the President says, yet could care less where their kids are most of the day…..as long as they are destroying someones else’s property……
September 6th, 2009 at 7:31 am
It’s a good thing that Indian River County’s School Board can ignore encouragement for their kids to stay in school and work hard with this booming economy and all.
September 6th, 2009 at 7:51 am
Hey I thinks its way kewl that my redneck kids can stay stupid and grows up to be ignorant likes me. Thank the lord,, hes on my side. I like being in poverty and loves the way the the fat cats take all my money and count it for me.
September 6th, 2009 at 7:57 am
The party of PARANOIA. God forbid my kids (I have 2) should hear a speech about the importance of staying in school, moral values, civic duty, etc. Can’t have that now can we. You right wingers who bow down to Glenn Beck, Rush, Malkin, Hannity, etc. need to wake up and leave the party of PARANOIA!
September 6th, 2009 at 8:21 am
The vitriolic comments on this article shock me. This president is the most political animal we have had in the White House in modern history and he is barreling ahead with a massively expensive political agenda that the populace is rejecting in increasing numbers. Especially at a time when the economy is in shambles. It appears to me that the reaction to this speech, by this president, represents a growing distrust and even fear of him. As a result parents instinctively don’t want to give him access to their children and that seems natural and their right. It isn’t a political agenda on their part, it’s fear of his.
September 6th, 2009 at 9:13 am
The negative reaction to this speech is the mad ravings of a small percentage of the population (same people who believe Obama is a socialist and/or non-U.S. native) that is amplified by media outlets that thrive on controversy.
Nothing to see here, people… just a made-up controversy and the cowardly stupidity of the Indian River School District.
September 6th, 2009 at 9:38 am
Obama wants to speak to public school children yet his 2 daughters attend expensive private schools. What a joke. He should not be allowed to speak just as teachers and workers should not wear clothing promoting one candidate or another. Why the need to speak to young children ? They arent thinking about dropping out of schools. Barry just craves attention and he needs to be worshipped. The American people are no longer falling for this American Idol so now he has to try to influence young children. how pathetic. He is not an educator. His policies are disasters so far and he wants to be viewed as a role model ? What a fairy tale.
September 6th, 2009 at 9:43 am
Wow, these parents and the school district ought to be absolutely ashamed of themselves. After eight years, we’ve got an intelligent and articulate President with a clear message of inspiration for the children about the importance of getting an education and these “adults” will have none of it!? The HELL it’s not about race!!!!!
These ridiculous rants that President Obama was not born in the US (really, are you kidding me with this?) or that he is “pushing a socialist agenda” are crystal clear artifacts that these right wing nutjobs have zero real basis for any real or meaningful debate against a great man; they’ve got nothing. Racism is alive and well in America and if you find yourself in the camp of paranoia… I’m sorry to tell you but yes, you ARE a racist.
How dare anyone believe they are better than anyone else for ANY reason!? We all share the same planet, we are all here and as far as I’m concerned, there is only ONE RACE that matters and that is the HUMAN RACE. Get over it already.
September 6th, 2009 at 9:50 am
Maybe Barry will tell the children how he plans to throw their elderly grandparents under the bus because they “dont have many “quality” years left. Or how the children should work hard so they can pay for 40 million illegals to get insurance and bilk the system for foodstamps and free housing. He will tell them its their “civic duty.’ Maybe he can give an economic lesson and tell them how he persuaded car dealers to join the cash for clunkers program but forgot to tell them they might not get paid. Lastly he will speak of the glimmers of hope for all children if they bamboozle their parents into supporting him and accepting this change that you cannot believe in. If all else fails he will resort to the race card, blame Bush and those anti-Americans out to “get him,” and call for all of us to join Acorn and becoming community organizers. Then we can all learn how to strong arm banks to give away money to people who do not qualify for it.
September 7th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Good for Indian River! The original lesson plan was to have students write letters to themselves about how they could help the President. The hubris of this fascist scum. Remember when a Democract would ask “ask not what your Country can do for you, ask what you can do for your Country?”…not this arrogant fool. Barack asks…”ask not what Barack Obama can do for you, ask what you can do for Barack Obama”…
September 7th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
I can not believe what some of you so-called ‘americans’ have written here regarding a Presidental speech encouraging our children to stay in school. Bush did more damage to our children by doing such a poor job managing our country, causing such economic problems, and going into war in Iraq which has killed over 4,000 young adults. You all need to wake up and put blame where it is due. Give this new president a chance and by the way, do you really think this country will not continue to take care of our senior citizens…what are you thinking? Health care is out of control and something needs to be done….be open minded. When you have to pay over $1,000 a month for insurance something is wrong….when medical costs are sky high why can’t we try to work something out. Stop listening to those crazy people on tv who are filling your minds with stupid madeup stories…..start trying to be so unamerican like those jerks on tv. Let your kids listen to our President who by the way won our last election by the majority of americans!!!!!
September 8th, 2009 at 10:30 am
It’s s good thing that the White House is sending out his speech on Monday, that way the schools can view it first… Oh wait, there is no school on Monday, so how can anyone approve this and what he will be talking to our children about???? Didn’t Hitler do the same thing??? Mr. Obama is NOT the President in my home nor does he deserve this title…. Can’t wait for 2010…..Now that is change I believe in!!!!!!!!!! Now it’s time to get my tea bags and hit the parties…..