President Obama has failed to accomplish anything other than winning the election. The economy continues to be in shambles, any health care reform that is passed is going to be a watered down version with no noticeable impact at best and Afghanistan is deteriorating into a quagmire with no discernible military or political objective.

We can talk about hope and change all day long but until we see the administration exercise some leadership and demonstrate any accomplishment, we should refrain from all the premature congratulatory proclamations.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Two simple words that say so much about the political environment in which we now find ourselves.  These are not words that were mumbled to oneself while watching a speech on TV.  These words were spoken on the floor of the House of Representatives at a joint session of Congress.  And they were directed toward the President of the United States. 

It would be too simple to write it off as another Republican attack against the President.  In fact this is just continuing a pattern that has been emerging for a while.  President George W. Bush was booed and heckled by Democrats at his 2005 State of the Union address.  Republicans routinely booed and hissed during President Clinton’s State of the Union addresses.  This is different.  This is from a sitting member of Congress.  This is taking it one step further and directly attacking the integrity of the President.  We as a nation no longer have respect for the Presidency; let alone each other. 

Now is the time for thoughtful and substantive debate.  The country is in the midst of a recession not seen in generations.  Unemployment is at levels not seen since the 70′s.  Plus, we as a nation are embarking on a journey to totally revamp the delivery of health care that will change the relationship between the individual and government forever.

The risks of making the wrong decision on any of these issues is enormous with the potential for catastrophic results to the economy and to society as we know it.

Like the President, “I still believe we can do great things”.  In order to accomplish great things, we need to have great leaders; not just skilled politicians.  There are defining moments in every life where we have an opportunity to achieve something bigger than ourselves; to put country first.  For President Obama, this is his time.  For the Congressional leadership, this is their time.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi:  Do you want to lead or to rule?

Senator Mitch McConnell and Representative John A. Boehner:  Do you want to govern or to obstruct?
 
In the immortal words of Uncle Ben to Peter Parker/Spider Man, “With great power comes great responsibility”.  Even super heroes understand their responsibility to protect and further mankind.

I have read all the materials and done research.  This is not the first time that a President has addressed students and probably will not be the last.  I am not particularly alarmed but as a parent, I think it is imperative that each of us listen to the speech and be prepared to discuss it with our children that evening.  Anything that encourages out children to focus on their education is important and good.  However, with that being said, the opportunity does exist for President Obama to overstep his bounds and try to unduly influence our children.  He is a very charismatic speaker.  His words carry a lot of weight.  Combine that with the opportunity of individual educators to lead the discussion and highlight certain parts of the presentation and you have a situation where your children may be targeted with ideas that are different than you want them to hear.  This same opportunity exist every day in school to a lesser extent.  We must teach our children right and wrong; arm them with the information to ignore and refute campaigns of mis-information.

My larger concern is whether this is part of a pattern of using the schools to influence public opinion and us as parents.  The census department has a “Census in Schools Program” that states

Children are powerful voices in their homes. And the 2010 Census has the potential to impact the future of every child’s community. The U.S. Census Bureau and Scholastic Inc., have teamed up to create a Census in Schools program for the 2010 Census.

The Census in Schools program will provide educators with resources to teach the nation’s students about the importance of the census, so children can deliver this message to their families. The program will engage America’s youth to ensure every child and every household member is counted in 2010.

This clearly states that one of the goals of the program is to use the kids to influence their parents behavior.

The debate over whether schools should be handing out condoms to students has been raging on for years.  Is this another opportunity for the government to influence the values of students over the wishes of their parents or a way to protect to students from making bad decisions?  Is the school, or the government, better prepared to protect the kids on the dangers of adolescent sex than their parents?

It can be argued that each of these programs are necessary and positive for the student.  However, collectively, they seem to represent a game plan to thwart parental influence, promote behavior contrary to their parents’ beliefs and to use the kids to influence their parents.

Paranoid? Maybe.

Consistent pattern of government involvement in schools?  Definitely!

In addition, this age group is going to bear an increased cost associated with any government health care plan when compared to the benefit that they will receive in the short term. In order for Obama to implement his ambitious agenda, he needs to get this group fired back up.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

August 26, 2009

Dear Principal:

In a recent interview with student reporter, Damon Weaver, President Obama announced that on September 8 — the first day of school for many children across America — he will deliver a national address directly to students on the importance of education. The President will challenge students to work hard, set educational goals, and take responsibility for their learning. He will also call for a shared responsibility and commitment on the part of students, parents and educators to ensure that every child in every school receives the best education possible so they can compete in the global economy for good jobs and live rewarding and productive lives as American citizens.

Since taking office, the President has repeatedly focused on education, even as the country faces two wars, the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression and major challenges on issues like energy and health care. The President believes that education is a critical part of building a new foundation for the American economy. Educated people are more active civically and better informed on issues affecting their lives, their families and their futures.

This is the first time an American president has spoken directly to the nation’s school children about persisting and succeeding in school. We encourage you to use this historic moment to help your students get focused and begin the school year strong. I encourage you, your teachers, and students to join me in watching the President deliver this address on Tuesday, September 8, 2009. It will be broadcast live on the White House website www.whitehouse.gov 12:00 noon eastern standard time.

In advance of this address, we would like to share the following resources: a menu of classroom activities for students in grades preK-6 and for students in grades 7-12. These are ideas developed by and for teachers to help engage students and stimulate discussion on the importance of education in their lives. We are also staging a student video contest on education. Details of the video contest will be available on our website www.ed.gov in the coming weeks.

On behalf of all Americans, I want to thank our educators who do society’s most important work by preparing our children for work and for life. No other task is more critical to our economic future and our social progress. I look forward to working with you in the months and years ahead to continue improving the quality of public education we provide all of our children.

Sincerely,

 Arne Duncan

New reports from Japan indicate that North Korea is preparing to fire a long-range missile in the direction of Hawaii in early July; possible on the 4th of July.  The US has moved a mobile missile defense into the area and is prepared to protect US territory according to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.

Now it seems as if North Korea is attempting to export weapons or other illegal cargo in violation of UN sanctions.  The US has constant air survelience and has sent the USS John McCain to intercept the ship, the Kang Nam.  No order to inderdict has been issued but it is good to know that we are ready.

It is good see the President taking these steps to illustrate to the North Koreans and the rest of the world that the US is able, ready and willing to take the necessary steps to protect our interest and our people.  None of us want to be in another military confrontation but we must be prepared to back the Commander in Chief as he faces down the leader of this rouge nation.  I fear that the President is going to be under a lot of pressure from the left to avoid military action at all costs. 

Let’s save the partisan battles for a later date such as the confirmation of Judge Sonomayor or health care.  Plenty to disagree on there.

Obama highlighted the sacrifices that those who have come before us have made and those that the current generation will be asked to make.  The President seems open to the idea that government can be the answer to many, but not all of our problems.  One of the big challenges that he faces is to exercise leadership and stand up to opposition within his own party.  There are many groups that are going to be expecting him to deliver for them whether or not it is the right thing for the country.

I will have more posts that discuss specific items in his agenda but at this point I think we need to all congratulate President Obama on his achievements and strive to help him attain our common objectives of liberty and freedom for all citizens.