I watched his speech and saw nothing in it to cause me concern at all. To each their own.

i think some parents need to calm down and do their job.

But, even my conservative republican parents find it appalling that parents would keep their children from hearing the President of the United States address them. He is our commander and chief. What an opportunity for those parents to teach their children respect even in the face of disagreement.

I hate president bush for the unnecessary death he has caused for him and his friends oil. But, I would never have kept my children from hearing him speak. What these parents have done may have long lasting side effects. When they dislike their boss or teacher or a police officer will they react in the way their parents have taught?

These parents seem terrified that their children may actual respect even agree with president. It’s frightening to me. The battle to make sure not a penny of their money is spent to help someone receive medical care but cheered on bush as the numbers of dead came in? Not to mention they have a new face of racism they can’t call someone a Nigger openly now so they use conservative slang as a vesicle. You should be ashamed of yourself. You will answer to a higher power for your greed.

Which other states might I want to avoid?

I’m glad you found this article and enjoyed reading your point of view. It sounds like you are doing a good job raising a daughter that thinks and asks and forms her own opinions.

PS. A Homeroom Mom – that’s brave. I don’t think I’ll ever volunteer for this job – too much headache!

I’ve read with interest what you wrote, as well as the many passionate comments. I have to say that I have nothing against the president addressing our school children. Like one of the commenters, my concern was related more to the “before and after” activities that were stressed. I have a kindergartener and a 3rd grader. I know full well their learning capabilities and their ability to listen and understand. And my childrens’ school opted to not show the address. Teachers were given the option of allowing kids to watch, but the time was wrong.

And THAT is where I had a real issue. I don’t have a problem with him addressing kids…but I wanted to be able to sit with them and talk to them about what they were hearing. Just like I do when the news is on and they ask a question. While I don’t gloss over things and filter things, I bring it down to an understandable level. Several parents I talked to, whose children DID see the speech, said that they had varying degrees of reaction. The younger set (generally under 5th grade) had NO CLUE…they mostly forgot what was said…they said, “we watched the president talk”, but when pressed could remember little. The older kids were mostly bored.

I just wish I’d been given the opportunity to sit with my kids and watch it, just like we watched part of Mr. Obama’s address the other night (only part because it was bedtime). My daughter really wasn’t interested, but she did ask why certain people stood up and applauded, while others sat looking grim. We simply explained that those who stood were supporters and believers in what the president was saying…those who stayed seated were not. Do you think that something like that would have been addressed in a benign manner? I want my daughter to form her own opinions. Heck, even though I’m a conservative republican, she DID vote for Obama in the school election!