'School Children Complain Of Â“Obama WorshipÂ” During Lessons'

knightmare · Post by **knightmare** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 7:10 am

David wrote:Who tells the tales of history?

Sometimes the tellers & writers of history are the victors....champions of a war will write one version, the opposition-another

knightmare · Post by **knightmare** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 7:15 am

jeremyboycool wrote:Yes, Burke, I knew you'd response with this way. But I just saying it's a BS article. Is there something wrong with that?

And are you honestly going to sit there and say your completely aimless; that your just randomly posting. No, Burke, I think you do have an agenda and I have a good idea what it is.

The very people Burke may be trying to alert or warn, are the ones who in return will resist him the most.

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:43 am

btw an update from that forum on page 20

WooHooo! Well, this battle has been won!

I waited until this afternoon to speak with my son and ask him if they still said the pledge with Obamas image projected on the screen. He said that they still did but before that the teacher spoke with them at length about flag etiquette and the meaning of the flag and why we say the pledge.

Not satisfied I called the principal's office and she was busy but they transferred me to his teacher. I spoke with the teacher and told her that as a veteran I am upset that this still is being shown to our children. Make a long story short I explained to her what I posted yesterday and she said that the principal put out to all teachers that there will be a mandatory brief history and explanation of why we say the pledge and to not look at Obama. She also said that they left the lights on. She ended by saying that she was going to talk to the principal right now and see what can be done.

Minutes later the principal called and wanted to fully hear what was going on. I basically went from start to finish and explained that NO image of ANYONE should be shown during the Pledge of Allegiance and as a vet I was deeply offended. I again explained everything that I have posted. She said that they just wanted to honor the president. I then said that then we should honor the rest of our government. Our government doesn't consist of just one person but three equal branches. She agreed and said that in the morning that she would get with their audio/video tech and have him turn it off in my son's classroom. I asked her about the rest of the school and she said that she will make it for the whole school! Can I hear an AMEN!

The principal explained that they do a live video presentation each morning with two kids making announcements, kindof like a news room. She said that after announcements are made the video automatically goes to a taped video of Obama standing, with the flags in the background, while the kids stand for the pledge. I might add that when I talked to the teacher she said that the image is of Obama (the full body picture is of him on a large screen with him being about 3 feet tall and six flags in the background, keep in mind that this is a screen that is about 5'x5') and it is only shown for about 8 seconds. Back to talking with the principal, the principal apologized that it offended me and that she gave her word that it will be taken down tomorrow. She then said that we have to have something up there for that time slot to replace Obama's image because it is a taped video that goes off after the moment silence, which comes after the pledge. She said that she will have the audio tech replace Obama with the American flag? AMEN!

Again she apologized several times for the offense as I reiterated that to us vets those colors mean something to us as well as to any true American!

I ended our conversation by telling her, because I want to be open about everything, that I have posted this story on a popular web site and that it has spread to other sites. I further said that I am not trying to blow smoke here but I want her to know that we have been getting a lot of request from radio, television and publications wanting an interview. I said that this is now out of my hands and as far as we are concerned I am happy with the end results and the matter is now dropped. (note: we shall see!)

I am not sure how she accepted my last comment about the media but I truly believe that she was sincere and this wrong was made RIGHT! I do believe people do have brain farts and occassionally do things stupid and others don't and do things with an agenda. Whatever the case I believe we have made our voices heard. What further makes me happy is that the children got a nice dose of patriotism this morning. Maybe not all children or teachers accepted it but maybe, just maybe one child heard today's message about the flag and it will stick with him or her and they will be the REAL CHANGE that we, as Americans,need!

My wife and I feel like a big weight has been lifted off of us, but with a little help from God and from you all we can make the real change, not the Obama change. I have to be honest hear and say that though we have recieved many request for an interview I do not do well in these situations. I tend to stumble and mumble words. I had to drop out of Speach 101 because I froze with fear when I got up in front of my class. Talk about being embarrassed, never again!

I intend to stay on top of this and see if there are any repercussions. My wife volunteers there Monday and Tuesday and works with the staff. We will see how well recieved she is???

it looks like they won against the school district

Sava700 · Post by **Sava700** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:47 am

Ghosthunter wrote:btw an update from that forum on page 20

it looks like they won against the school district

Good for them!!

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 10:09 am

Sounds like it was all just blown out of proportion then, in regards to GH's other forum post.

David · Post by **David** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 10:33 am

knightmare wrote:Sometimes the tellers & writers of history are the victors....champions of a war will write one version, the opposition-another

The question was meant as rhetorical, but yes, you are correct.

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 10:38 am

The 5 year old daughter came home from school with a bunch of media/pamphlets with his big pic up front. This is on a scale previously unseen.

They should serve healthy drinks in school, not cool aid.

David · Post by **David** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 10:42 am

YeOldeStonecat wrote:The 5 year old daughter came home from school with a bunch of media/pamphlets with his big pic up front. This is on a scale previously unseen.

They should serve healthy drinks in school, not cool aid.

Sheesh, I have yet to see that here.

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 10:46 am

David wrote:Sheesh, I have yet to see that here.

CT is a very blue state....navy blue if you will.

David · Post by **David** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 10:49 am

YeOldeStonecat wrote:CT is a very blue state....navy blue if you will.

NJ is pretty much the same, though we do have pockets of Republicans here and there.

jeremyboycool · Post by **jeremyboycool** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 12:06 pm

knightmare wrote:The very people Burke may be trying to alert or warn, are the ones who in return will resist him the most.

I am not contesting the message. I am contesting the method.

Brk · Post by **Brk** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 12:27 pm

jeremyboycool wrote:I am not contesting the message. I am contesting the method.

Quick on the edit button, you are. The original post was very insightful into your reasoning, however:

Maybe if he was a bit more charming his "alert" would be received better.

But I am not contesting the message. I am contesting the method.

jeremyboycool · Post by **jeremyboycool** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 12:41 pm

Burke wrote:Quick on the edit button, you are. The original post was very insightful into your reasoning, however:

Maybe if he was a bit more charming his "alert" would be received better.

But I am not contesting the message. I am contesting the method.

I took it out for the sake of the mods, Burke, not you. If it was not for the settings, I'd have no problem telling you exactly what I think of you. But honestly, Burke, it's an accurate assessment, you are not the most diplomatic of people. Can you really disagree with me on that?

I don't know what think you are trying to prove with this little stunt here. But take a look at my posts, almost every single one of them is edited. That's the power of text...revision. I do ninja edits all the time and allot are to remove remarks that might disturb the peace. I have no shame in that.

downhill · Post by **downhill** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 1:05 pm

Too much to do about nothing.

Sending pamphlets home with the picture of the new president has little to do with party affiliation and more to do with patrotism.

Wishing him well, has noting to do with party loyality.

The same as having a picture of the current President on a school room wall along with maybe George or Abe.

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 1:48 pm

Just an observation....I'd not seen it before. It's not like they just invented color presses to make pamphlets for school kids.

What makes Obamer stand above prior Prez's.....as far as importance for schools. Yeah OK since I'm asking you..we can skip Bush, but..OK..Clinton? Carter? Reagan..wait, Reagan was Republican..so I can't use him. Uhm...who else that was a Democrat before.

Just haven't seen this..at least where I am.

downhill wrote:Too much to do about nothing.

Sending pamphlets home with the picture of the new president has little to do with party affiliation and more to do with patrotism.

Wishing him well, has noting to do with party loyality.

The same as having a picture of the current President on a school room wall along with maybe George or Abe.

jeremyboycool · Post by **jeremyboycool** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 2:06 pm

Burke wrote:Quick on the edit button, you are. The original post was very insightful into your reasoning, however:

Maybe if he was a bit more charming his "alert" would be received better.

But I am not contesting the message. I am contesting the method.

I think I understand now, Burke.

You think the preceding text;

"Maybe if he was a bit more charming his "alert" would be received better."

Modifies the following text;

"But I am not contesting the message. I am contesting the method."

That by removing the frist line I posted an incomplete thought.

But.... There was a but in there that I think you are overlooking. Which means that "I am not contesting the message. I am contesting the method." Is independent of "Maybe if he was a bit more charming his "alert" would be received better."

Brk · Post by **Brk** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 2:09 pm

Maybe it's nothing, Downhill, but maybe it isn't.

The amount of glorification of OBama before he'd ever officially taken office was unprecedented. Yes, he's the first black man to be president; yes, he's the breath of fresh air after 8 years of Bush; and yes, his espoused policies seem to be different than the stuff we've dealt with. Still, the allegiance to Obama has to seem a bit disconcerting to anyone, regardless of party.

I mean, the whole CNN thing where kids "wrote" letters to Obama in praise of his victory and gave him good wishes? It ALWAYS felt like the kids were pushed out there by parents who supported Obama, to pump up the "hope" karma wave he was riding. The videos of choreographed performances that resembled military drills celebrating Obama? Unsettling, at least for me. So I don't put it past people who are so convinced of Obama's change agenda that they would promote it however they could.

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 2:27 pm

jeremyboycool wrote:I am not contesting the message. I am contesting the method.

It seems you are more than contesting the method.

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 2:51 pm

Ooo...wait...I got it. Gotta go out on a limb for this one.

You know, Russia..in prior years...all over there were statues of Lenin or Stalin. You pledged to the person, not the country. Socialism in that country, no?

//stops and thinks about the classrooms, the pledge to the US flag..no..wait...the pledge to the picture of Obama...

It's all gelling now.

tao_jones · Post by **tao_jones** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 3:00 pm

Perhaps its a symbol of the detachment that people felt with the Bush administration.

Brk · Post by **Brk** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 3:26 pm

Step...step...step...

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id ... _article=1

Roody · Post by **Roody** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 3:36 pm

Burke wrote:Maybe it's nothing, Downhill, but maybe it isn't.

The amount of glorification of OBama before he'd ever officially taken office was unprecedented. Yes, he's the first black man to be president; yes, he's the breath of fresh air after 8 years of Bush; and yes, his espoused policies seem to be different than the stuff we've dealt with. Still, the allegiance to Obama has to seem a bit disconcerting to anyone, regardless of party.

Over the top no doubt, but then again any charasmatic man who followed someone as bad as Bush was likely to get a heroes welcome.

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 3:48 pm

YeOldeStonecat wrote:Ooo...wait...I got it. Gotta go out on a limb for this one.

You know, Russia..in prior years...all over there were statues of Lenin or Stalin. You pledged to the person, not the country. Socialism in that country, no?

//stops and thinks about the classrooms, the pledge to the US flag..no..wait...the pledge to the picture of Obama...

It's all gelling now.

same thing happened with saddam houssein in iraq and same thing happened with hitler in germany

brembo · Post by **brembo** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 3:48 pm

I'm inclined to try and see this in a context of history. It's a big step for a historically WASP-y coutry to hoist a minority to such a position. So people are feeling magnanimous and doing a bit of back-patting, reveling in the idea that they (Obama supporters) have/had a hand in the change of the staus-quo.

That being said, Jerry Springer still has a fanbase and that speaks very poorly for the voting public. It could be just a very well staged Cult of Personality magic trick that'll put us all in the poor house. I don't know.

David · Post by **David** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 4:04 pm

Although it was different times, Kennedy was embraced with quite a bit of fanaticism as well.

David · Post by **David** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 4:06 pm

Ghosthunter wrote:same thing happened with saddam houssein in iraq and same thing happened with hitler in germany

Then you can feel secure.... until kristallnacht occurs here.

David · Post by **David** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 4:10 pm

Burke wrote:Step...step...step...

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id ... _article=1

By the way, it was put to a vote to change the name of my town from Clinton to Reagan. This was somewhere around the threat of impeachment hearings in 1999.

downhill · Post by **downhill** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 7:12 pm

This is really imho pretty silly of some of you. There are schools all over the nation, named for all kinds of famous people and especially politicians.

Obama is the first Black President. You don't think schools, streets and maybe even towns aren't going to change their names?

How about Cape Canaveral being renamed to Cape Kennedy? Of course is was change back by a congress didn't particularly like that name, even though Cape Reagan had a ring to it......

I think that Tao also has part of this peg. Of course there's going to be some celebrating by those who are happy with Bushes departure. Just as there was with Clintons, or Ford's or Carter's and on and on. What's a bit different is the jubilation felt all over the world.

Do people think he's the savior come back? Give me a break. That nonsense is just right wing gobbledygook, designed to give a negative image among the fundamentalist Christian right crowd and it's working like a champ.

Brk · Post by **Brk** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 7:34 pm

downhill wrote:This is really imho pretty silly of some of you. There are schools all over the nation, named for all kinds of famous people and especially politicians.

Obama is the first Black President. You don't think schools, streets and maybe even towns aren't going to change their names?

How about Cape Canaveral being renamed to Cape Kennedy? Of course is was change back by a congress didn't particularly like that name, even though Cape Reagan had a ring to it......

I think that Tao also has part of this peg. Of course there's going to be some celebrating by those who are happy with Bushes departure. Just as there was with Clintons, or Ford's or Carter's and on and on. What's a bit different is the jubilation felt all over the world.

Do people think he's the savior come back? Give me a break. That nonsense is just right wing gobbledygook, designed to give a negative image among the fundamentalist Christian right crowd and it's working like a champ.

Sigh. You'll never see it.

downhill · Post by **downhill** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 8:24 pm

I'm only saying, that this isn't the first time a nation has had a star in the Whitehouse.

Under Kennedy, the Whitehouse was called Camelot for years.

Roosevelt was much loved but understandably it wasn't on the same scale when he first took over.

Obama is a very chrismatic personality and a powerful speaker. Coupled with what you outlined above, I'd be the first to admit that yes he's being glorified. I'm only saying he's not the first nor the last.

I can remember the air when Reagan was elected in these parts. The nation and especially around here, was pretty estatic. Hey...

Maybe I don't see it and maybe I think it's much to do about nothing. Time will tell.

JawZ · Post by **JawZ** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:23 pm

downhill wrote:I'm only saying, that this isn't the first time a nation has had a star in the Whitehouse.

Under Kennedy, the Whitehouse was called Camelot for years.

Roosevelt was much loved but understandably it wasn't on the same scale when he first took over.

Obama is a very chrismatic personality and a powerful speaker. Coupled with what you outlined above, I'd be the first to admit that yes he's being glorified. I'm only saying he's not the first nor the last.

I can remember the air when Reagan was elected in these parts. The nation and especially around here, was pretty estatic. Hey...

Maybe I don't see it and maybe I think it's much to do about nothing. Time will tell.

He may not have been first and he surely won't be the last....the real question is this: Is it appropriate?

downhill · Post by **downhill** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 11:46 pm

Why wouldn't it be? His Presidency is historic.

JawZ · Post by **JawZ** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 12:11 am

downhill wrote:Why wouldn't it be? His Presidency is historic.

Historic in what sense? Defeating racism? He's been in office for 10 days. His record could wind up being the doormat that Bush places his shoes on.

Let's look at it like this John.

When my kid recites the Pledge of Allegiance....it's done with respect to the symbol of our country (the flag). That symbol transcends all individuals as it's based in the principles which our country was founded. Barack Obama is now part of the fabric of that flag (the symbol) and we should be proud of that and respectfully honor it.

jeremyboycool · Post by **jeremyboycool** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 12:30 am

YARDofSTUF wrote:It seems you are more than contesting the method.

And?....

downhill · Post by **downhill** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 4:49 am

UOD wrote:Historic in what sense? Defeating racism? He's been in office for 10 days. His record could wind up being the doormat that Bush places his shoes on.

Let's look at it like this John.

When my kid recites the Pledge of Allegiance....it's done with respect to the symbol of our country (the flag). That symbol transcends all individuals as it's based in the principles which our country was founded. Barack Obama is now part of the fabric of that flag (the symbol) and we should be proud of that and respectfully honor it.

Racism will never be defeated but I suppose if that's how you think the country is looking at it, that's fine by me.

I'm looking at it that a good many Americans see it as historic for not only that reason as a huge step forward but also that there are few in this country who would have ever guessed a black man could become president in their lifetimes. That's historic. He's the first one.

Kennedy was the first non protestant president. The very first Catholic. You weren't around but you can bet your bottom dollar that the Catholics in this country and of course around the world, were celebrating.

It has nothing to do with what Obama has accomplished and really I think some of the hoopla is media generated for a couple of reasons. Bias on both sides.

*shrug*

You good folk carry on. I'm not trying to change opinion or anything else.

Roody · Post by **Roody** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 8:01 am

If Obama's celebrity makes it so more kids are interested in learning about Government then heck yeah it's appropriate.

JawZ · Post by **JawZ** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 8:17 am

Roody wrote:If Obama's celebrity makes it so more kids are interested in learning about Government then heck yeah it's appropriate.

To my understanding, celebrity was not the issue. Adult teachers directing children to recite the Pledge of Allegiance while facing the President instead of the American flag was/is the issue.

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 8:29 am

"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands: one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all."

To the "Flag"....

I've feel like I was in a communist country if I was told to face a persons image and pledge allegiance to them.

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 8:29 am

UOD wrote:facing the President instead of the American flag

Maybe there was a flag present as well?

JawZ · Post by **JawZ** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 8:52 am

YARDofSTUF wrote:Maybe there was a flag present as well?

to my understanding, the school projects the image of the flag to each classroom via a live video feed. They recite the pledge after the conclusion of the morning announcements which is also a live video feed. In this instance, they have been replacing the video of the flag with an image of Obama standing in front of six American Flags.