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What's Wrong With This Poster ?

A few days ago I was reading a post by one of my... shall we say... "more conservative" friends. She was writing about the typical conservative talking points that many of her "tribe" enjoy... when out of nowhere... the poster below was shown in her post.

I believe the original post was about all the "upset" that the far right was "feeling" about President Obama spending some time speaking to the nation's children... trying to impress upon them the importance of staying in school... and of making the best of their educational opportunities.

And then came this poster above. I think the "upset" was something like... "Can you imagine... going into a classroom in our nation's public schools... and seeing that the teacher has posted THIS... on one of the classroom bulletin boards."

For those who may be having truble reading the poster... is says...

"I Pledge Allegiance... to the Earth... and all the LIFE which it supports... ONE PLANET, in our care, irreplaceable, with SUSTENANCE and RESPECT FOR ALL."

The post writer went on and on... just piling on "upset" after "upset" about this horrible poster. It was "un-American"... it was somehow anti-Christian... and these poor folks were just "beside themselves" with their upset.

So... dear readers... I ask your help. What is wrong with this poster ?

Do you... see it as somehow "un-American ?"

And finally... do you see it as somehow being "anti-Christian ?"

Help me out here... I just don't get it ?

Posted by Fort Worth Real Estate - - - Karen Anne Stone on 09/06/2009 07:37 PM

Comments (65)

Politics and Ecology in the ActiveRain Channel

one planet poster

Post is included in group: Wrong Right Turn
Post is included in group: Proud to be a Liberal
Post is included in group: Dissent
Post is included in group: Blatant Politics

65 Comments on What's Wrong With This Poster ?

SEP

I guess it would be unAmerican to people who believe that we live in the only country in the world that's deserving of clean water, fresh air to breathe and a future. If you take a world view, then you understand that the intent of a message like this is to remind us that we are all a part of the living breathing system that is life.

Evening Karen, It is every bit as " Un-American " and " Anti-Christian " as Obamas' attempt to encourage personal responsibility, hard work and goal setting in school !!! Where can I get one ?

I really see nothing wrong here. It does remind me of the Earnest Hemmingway prolouge in For Whom the Bell Tolls, written by John Dunn which states in part "... never send to seek for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee..." In it's deepest meaning, it points to the evidence that we are all interrconnected even in the most imperceptable ways and the death of one person, no matter how remote, effects every one of us. This poster speaks of the same philosophy. We should each be committed to caring for the world and all that inhabit it. And, when you really think about it, this is a very spiritual point of view. I can only imagine our Creator would be very pleased to see us caring for the created.

You never know what's going to offend people any more, do you?

Perhaps this is ne of the people who also oppose President Obama addressing school children.

Hi Karen Anne... it is only un-American or Anti-Christian to someone with a narrow mind or a callous heart. Sadly, there seem to be many people out there lately who fall into that category.

Typically, I don't get in the middle of such things...but here is my understanding of why someone might take offense:

(Before I comment, I must identify that I am a Christian, just for clarifications sake.)

It is a somewhat common feeling/belief amoung Christians that Christianity (and many other religions) worship God . That being said, many Christians believe that- of course God is the CREATOR, and that we are to worship HIM - the Creator, and not his " creations" (the Earth being one of those creations, according to the bible).

That being said, let me tell you that I believe you can (and should) respect, honor and take as good of care as we possibly can of this God given Earth. I think, in essence you can be a very organic tree hugging Christian, or any other religion for that matter. We are stewards of the Earth whether we believe in God or not!

It is obvious to me. We eat the fruit of the Earth, literally " use" the earth as our only habitat. But I beleive what that said person is " offended" by is believeing that we should worship the Creator, not the creation.

I marvel literally every single day at the stunning beauty of our beautiful Earth! I am thankful for it, and think we need to have serious respect and responsibility toward it.

To " pledge allegiance" to it therefore,( for some Christians) - might seem blasphemous. I am NOT saying it is, as I cannot judge that. For myself, I believe the earth is a place we must take great care of. It is everybody's yard so to speak. Stunning, suprsising, amazing, beautiful, a gift - in my opinion- entrusted to us by God, who has given us responsibility to take our best possible care of it. But I do not " worship" the Earth, and that I believe is the way the post writer interpreted that poster. For me, this posteris just a reminder to be a good steward . I would not get my panties in a bundle or feel threatend by it.

But I think anytime we feel teachers are promoting values other than our own, it get's frustrating- Regardless of what you believe in regard to God/ and or politics!

That being said, I am not sure that I "pledge allegience" to much of anything, - I have been trained to pledge allegience to the flag, so I guess I don't see the big deal with the earth, as long as it's OK to be a Christian in the U.S. - but I think pledging alligence to Peanut M and M's would be a close third for me.

AMEN!

******PS I am guessing that the appearance on AR of this poster is copywright infingement to begin with...**********

Karen Anne, For me it goes back to not worshipping the created but worshipping the creator. Beth Anne did an incredible job of explaining it. We are however to be good stewards of the earth that the creator has created for us.

Yes, God created the earth and I pledge allegence to him, and therefore all creation. Especially chocolate, which came from the earth.

I think some "religious" folks (not to be confused with thinking Christian's please) would rather see a Centerfold in the classroom than an earth loving mother nature poster!

OK Just kidding...........hope you are laughing.............................

Karen Anne, I have to tell you this strikes a chord with me. The other day, I received a recorded message from my son's school telling me I had every right to keep him from listening to the President of the United States address him and his classmates. What??? The President of the United States has decided to address school children and let them know how he feels about the importance of school and "some parents" have called to complain?? What the hell is wrong with these people? They see evil where there is only good intention. It's a sad state of affairs. Whether you are a democrat, republican or an independent, some respect is due the office of the president. I absolutely detested our past president and I would never, and I mean never, have a problem with him addressing school children on this topic.

I also see nothing wrong with the poster. Some people just have too much damn time on their hands to make trouble.

Can you tell this pisses me off? Sorry.

The people who are complaining about our President trying to instill hope and encouragement to all the children in all of our schools have to be nuts. Most children will not listen to the message too carefully but will remember the President cared enough to talk to them.

Excellent post. What a wicked evil poster. Here are the problems the fringe right might have with it, although I doubt even one of them will step up to try to intelligently articulate them so here goes.

It's obviously a liberal tree hugger eco terrorist idea, therefore its evil. The earth was created for man to exploit no matter the cost to the environment or other life forms. Global warming is a complete lie perpetrated by Al Gore and the pinko intellectual elite. The poster is a form of liberal indoctrination into the eco friendly liberal agenda. As for the religious connotations, allegiance being pledged to anything other than the supreme deity (a God for some, money for others) is blasphemy in some peoples eyes. That's a stretch though but again, the right wingers probably won't chime in to explain.

Karen Anne,

I commend your openness to gain a perspective on Christian motives. My understanding of pledging an allegiance to something or someone is to pledge time, loyalties, resources to that entity above all others. The perspective of a Christian is that the earth was created for the benefit of mankind to produce the resources to sustain his (her) life. That mankind is here to steward and maintain the earth perhaps like a gardener maintains his garden. For a Christian to pledge allegiance to the earth, instead of God, would be like placing a higher value on the Model T Ford than on Henry Ford. The real appreciation of the Model T Ford is only gained when we find out that Henry Ford manufactured the car in a fashion that no one had ever seen before and he desired to see people afford cars that was previously impossible. Christians like Model T Ford owners, when they want to maintain the car they refer to the owners manual(That's suppose to be funny).

Christians devote their whole lives endeavoring to grow in relationship with, and increase in their knowledge of, the Creator of the earth. Then letting that knowledge increase their appreciation for all mankind and for the earth He has made. Christians are not looking for religion (a bunch of rules and regulations that are humanly impossible to keep) they are looking for a life transforming relationship with God. That relationship even effects the way they help people buy and sell real estate. LOL

Steve

Steve - didn't I just say that?

Steve in comment 12: As I see it... pledging allegiance... means pledging loyalty. It means promising to "take care of" something or someone. It means promising to protect whatever it is from harm. Nowhere do I see any such idea as protecting it or taking care of it... above all others... whatever that means.

This earth was given to us. By whom... depends on what you believe. But... it seems very simple to me that "pledging allegiance" to it... simply means that we will take care of it. We will not plunder it. We will not harm it... and we will, above all, try and give it to our children in at least the same shape as it was given to us.

Marchel: I understand what you are saying... but I do not see anywhere in this poster that we are "praying" to it... or allowing the earth to take the place of God. I simply see it that God "gave" the earth to us... and in doing so... He/or She... expects us to honor it as we would honor any other of His/Her creations. Thus... pledging allegiance... by pledging to protect it, to save it from harm, and not to plunder or spoil it. If I saw the poster as meaning we were to worship the earth... I might agree with your premise. But... I just don't see it.

To All: I think the whole problem with this "issue" is that different people see different things in this poster... some of which are not really there.

Beth: Marchel is right. Your explanation is just awesome. Respecting the earth, honoring it, and taking care of it... all seem to be things that God would want us to do. Worship the earth ? I don't think there was any such intent in the poster. And again... I thought your explanation was just great. Thanks so much for joining in.

To All: I do believe, however, that there are those who believe in a "natural" religion... such as the American indians did many, many years ago before Columbus and friends "discovered" this land. Worshiping the earth... as they did, and perhaps still do, is just fine. If it works for them... who am I, or who is anyone to tell them that their natural religion is not right.

Susan: You Go, Girl ! I have never seen you this "fired up" in a comment before. And... I must tell you... I LIKE IT !

For you to have received a "recorded message" warning you about President Obama's speech to the school children... is just plain crazy. I totally agree with you. What the hell is WRONG with these people. Your comment has me all fired up, too.

And... I agree with you that some people see evil where there is only good intention. Personally, I don't see anything wrong with the poster, either. And yes... to quote you... "Some people just have too much damn time on their hands to make trouble. Susan... you are very much invited to read my political posts... and to make comments on them whenever you wish. You do it very well. Thanks so much.

Barbara: With myself being a former teacher... your comment brought a tear to my eye. Even IF... all the children in the classroom were there to listen to the President... most of them would, of course, not be listening very carefully... if at all. But, as you said, they would REMEMBER... that one day... the President of the United States cared enough about them... to talk... just to them. What an awesome thought.

Hi Karen-Anne,

I must be totally thick here. We pledge allegiance to the flag - does that mean that conservative Christians have placed the flag above God? I would understand the premise of why a Christian might feel this is a conflict, but then why don't they have a problem with the pledge to the flag??? I know Beth-Ann addressed this, but I just can't wrap my tiny mind around this apparent conflict. After all, conservative Christians are generally angered by those who WON'T put their hands on their hearts and wear a flag pin....That almost seems like "Idol worship" in the traditional Calvinist sense.

Btw, where can I get the poster??? You may have a sideline selling these if this keeps up.

Oh please, Christians are always pledging allegiance to the flag, for heaven's sake. I believe John Secor is spot on in his comment - "The poster is a form of liberal indoctrination into the eco friendly liberal agenda" and therefore offensive.

SEP

Karen: Thanks for another great post. Sorry to hear that some conservatives are getting you down. I'm kind of like a Mennonite, I just don't pledge.

Karen Anne - to answer your questions, 1) it is un-American.....it addresses the entire Earth. It's clear the illustrator is unaware that everything revolves around the US. Maybe even the sun does too.

2) It is in fact anti-Christian. Why? Because I said so. And if you press me, I will find a passage somewhere in the Bible to justify that. That's one of the things I love about the Bible, it's always there when I need a reason.

BethAnn - thank you for your explanation. I liken the reasoning to some of the non-sensical little things I recall about Islam. Somehow there's a notion that pledging to the Earth is a rejection or lowering of love/allegiance to Allah. I don't see the two ideas as conflicting, I don't even see this as an ethereal event. But though I find it flawed, I at least understand the fuel that burns these people. Like you, I see a lot of beauty in our continent and find it just fine to appreciate it...though it's not God.

I probably won't be going to Heaven because I worship my girlfriend. God did a damned good job in creating her.....I even think the first words out of my mouth when I saw her were "Goddamn!" (Good thing I didn't start my next sentence with "America" lest someone think I too were a disciple of Rev. Wright)

Michelle - you said what I was thinking, but I will take this opportunity to address that again. How many times have we read pieces by Christians upset because of an "over-secularization" (if there is such a thing) and the removal of God from society? How many times has the Pledge of Allegiance been mentioned as an example in such discussion? The last time I recited The Pledge it started out with, "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the.........." ergo

God is a flag.

A smile at Karen Anne and a laugh out loud at Tchaka! Funny! I particularly love when people start quoting bible verses to back up their opinions. But I like it better the way Tchaka says it... because I said so! His girlfriend is a lucky woman, to be worshipped by such a bright and funny man. :-)

Karen,

I see this as no diferent that worshipping the ancient Greek sun gods etc. As far as the pledge, if they ever take out the words "under God", bye bye pledge. Sorry but a man that doesn't stand for something, stands for nothing.

Karen Anne, personally I think its progressive, communist, and fascist:-) I know more christians who worship and pledge allegience to their creator in one breath, and in the next do nothing to care for his/her creation. Until THIS country gets in in our heads that we are a small part of a big picture (the earth and all its inhabitants) we will continue down the slippery slope. I disagree with Hugh on taking out the words under god. I learned the pledge without those words and have never said it any other way. The "under godders" need to remember it was inserted during the last communist hysteria that overtook this country. Apparently we are in the second one.

Never ceases to amaze me the comments on this kind of post. There are STILL people reading something into the poster that simply isn't there - it's all a conspiracy! Whatever. My son WILL be attending school tomorrow and will take away a message from the speech of responsibility and duty. He will remember that the President spoke to him - hhmm, think I could get a last minute request in to have the President remind him to brush his teeth? Who the hell is Tchaka? I think I must subscribe to his blog!!!!

Hugh: Thanks so much for sharing your view of this with us. I really could not figure out what all the upset is/was about. So... because there is a picture of the "earth" there... and because of the "pledging allegiance" to it... which to me means protecting it, taking care of it, and honoring it as a creation... of whomever "god" one prays to... whether it be Mother Nature, Allah, or, in your case, God the Father.

So... for you... you see the poster as advocating something similar to sun worshipping... as the Greeks "worshipped" the sun, the moon, and their other "gods."

I do NOT see the word "worship" anywhere in this poster. I see it as an opportunity for a person to promise to protect the earth, to take care of it, and to "use" it in such a way as to be able to pass it on to our children in at LEAST as good a shape as it was given to us in.

I guess different folks see and interpret things differently... because they are seeing things through different eyes. I appreciate your sharing your thoughts.

Terry: I do find it rather ironic that some, or even many, Christians worship and "pledge" allegiance to their creator... their "God the Father"... and then choose to either misuse the earth, plunder it, or deny some of the horrible things that are happening to it (call it Global Warming, or Climate Change, or whatever) because of the way we and those before us have abused it.

I think the answer is pretty simple. If MY father gave me something... and I trashed it, misused it, or abused it... I don't think my own father would be very pleased. Uh uh. In fact, I would be very fearful when the time came when I had to answer to him... and explain why I "messed up."

With all the references to quotes from the Bible... while I am writing this I find that a bible story, or parable, has bounced into my head. I am sure it is because of my sixteen years of Catholic schooling... and the wonderful nuns and priests who taught me.

It's the parable about the three men that the Lord gave "talents" to. One used his "talent" wisely, and it grew in value. The Lord was pleased. The second... took his talent, and buried it, I think... and ended up simply doing nothing with it. The Lord was not happy. Then the third man... who was also given a "talent"... squandered it... and ended up losing it. As I remember... the Lord was pretty ticked off at the third dude.

That parable... and the above poster asking us to protect and "honor" the earth... to me... they pretty much say the same thing.

So... what's the problem with the poster ?

Leesa: That seems to be such a major problem with so many of the "conservatives." They see things that do not exist. They conjure up "bogeymen"... or "devils"... where none exist. Jerks like Glenn Beck have seized upon that paranoia... that ability to see evil where none exists... and has tried to whip it into television ratings. Fortunately... much of the public moderates who watch his show complained vehemently to his sponsors, and he was reprimanded.

I am so glad to hear that you are encouraging your son to take part in the classroom exercise when President Obama speaks to our kids during their school time. Once again... evil has been imagined, feared, and conjured up by many... when no such evil is there. I find this so sad... that people actually live their lives like this. Leesa... thanks for commenting... and please continue to return and comment on my occasional political or philosophical posts. I welcome your comments.

As Barbara said above... in comment # 10... it is hard to imagine any of the kids listening to President Obama's speech to really, truly pay attention to it... but the very least they should remember... is that their President thought enough of them... to actually speak TO them... just them.

Personally I have no problem with the poster. It's simply part of the "Imagine" world. Amazing song - but utopia does not exist. The President speaking to the kids is about trust. The problem is that people increasingly distrust this President and so they are concerned with what he is going to say to their kids. I agree that he is going to say stay in school, get a good education and good things will happen. No one can argue with that. HOWEVER - please look at the lesson plans sent out by the DoE. They include such items as "Put up President Obama's former quotes in large print. Ask how he has inspired you. What can you do to help him?" To me this isn't about political party it is about a cult of personality. I do not think ANY President should be encouraging this kind of thing.

Simon: Good Morning... long time no comment :) I agree with the first part of your comment about the poster.

As far as the "lesson plans" sent out by the DoE... being a former teacher myself... they seem pretty-much normal to me. The quotes and stuff might be part of any lesson plans given out for any teacher about any "historical figure." The fact that they relate to President Obama again causes some folks to "see things that aren't really there." Folks like the psychotic and paranoid Glenn Beck have really done a job on many of his more naive viewers.

In trying to allow myself to "climb inside" the minds of those conservatives who are so upset... I guess, considering what they feel is going on with Obama... and as mistaken as I feel they are... I guess I can see where and why they simply "feel" afraid.

It's simple paranoia. Whether unfounded or not. I think their, and your fears are not grounded in reality... but then again... that's why we HAVE opinions. Fear can be a terrible, and a paralyzing thing.

The same thing could have been done with President Bush... although I don't think very many teachers could come up with quotes from George W. Bush that would merit being put up on classroom bulletin boards... LOL. Thanks for commenting... hope you are well. I think Clinton, and Bush I, and Reagan all had quotes worth remembering and studying. Carter... not so much... LOL.

It is good to realize that if love and peace can prevail on earth, and if we can teach our children to honor nature's gifts, the joys and beauties of the outdoors will be here forever.
Jimmy Carter

Just saying. Jimmy Carter was and is a wonderful human being who went out and became the change he wanted to see in the world. That is not a political statement. I was young when he was president and I really wasn't interested in politics at that age. I know that people say he was a terrible president. Maybe he was, I don't know enough to debate that. But no one can say he wasn't a fine human being. I'm just demonstrating here that he did say a few things were repeating and memorizing.

I looked up George W. quotes to put a funny one here. I got to laughing and there were so many funny ones, I couldn't pick just one.

People don't increasingly distrust our president. Only some people do. The very same people who voted against him and haven't given him a chance since day one.

"I Pledge Allegiance... to the Earth... and all the LIFE which it supports... ONE PLANET, in our care, irreplaceable, with SUSTENANCE and RESPECT FOR ALL"

Why is this an "Imagine" like notion? Why is this part of an "Imagine" world? It is more than obvious we live on ONE PLANET, Earth, which is clearly irreplaceable, and in our care. It requires sustenance and respect for our own and other species to survive. It requires allegiance to continue ongoing respect to all, in order to protect the life this planet supports. How do John Lennon's lyrics combine with this poster? I would say the Ten Commandments are far more Utopian in nature.

Hopefully, if the poster has another printing, it will come with a coded message analyzer.

Susan - I soooo missed hearing you speak like that.:-) MWA-

Karen Ann - not a thing. There is absolutely NOTHING at all wrong with that poster. But you already knew that.

Inna: Of COURSE there's nothing wrong with this poster... and that makes it all that more amazing that these Tea Baggers when thru the roof over it. Well, then again, nothing they do amazes me any more. Not only are they drinking too much of their own Kool-Aid... but I think someone put something IN the Kool-Aid. Yikes !

Inna love! I had taken a vow of silence when it comes to disagreeing with my right wing associates. I hate to argue anymore and I have chosen to agree to disagree with most of what they say. But the subject of the President speaking to our school children, which is an honor to them, really got me hot under the collar. To turn it into something bad completely disrespects the office of the president and I truly believe if he was a Republican, the voices dissenting would be saying how wonderful an idea it is! As a Democrat, I would think it was pretty wonderful too, that a president, with all he has on his plate would take the time to speak to schoolchildren about the importance of a good education. And the poster, well, to see evil in it is too ridiculous to even discuss.

And we thought AR was all about real estate.

Hello Karen Anne,

I hope you had a great Labor Day.

Interesting Post????

It is interesting that I seem to be the inspiration for several of your posts lately.

I would like to clarify for your readers exactly which post you are referring to, it is called.

"Question with Boldness! Hold to the Truth! Speak without Fear! This is a call to Action!!

First of all my post had nothing to do with Christianity. No where did I state the above poster was Un-American, or Anti Christian. Or that I was sooooo upset.

The point of the post and the point of the objection to the poster is the Propaganda used by the left to promote their agenda.

Here is the example of promoting propaganda at the college level I stated.

"Do you know what your kids are being taught in college?
If you don't you better find out!!"

Earn credit for pushing 'change,' working on president's 'agenda'
--WND

The poster you refer to above was an example of the propaganda being used by the left in elementary schools.

And as a coincidence it was right after I wrote the post that the news broke about the Presidents Speech to school children in the U.S.

Also interesting is that the Green Czar that Obama had advising him has now resigned due to just how far left he is and that was proved by many statements he made. Here is an example http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKyc2xKbDBg&feature=player_embedded

"Schools have used students as little lobbyists on everything from illegal immigration to gay marriage to anti-war activism.

And most recently: Census collection.

So this has nothing to do with Christianity or being environmentally friendly which I am all for, this has to do with the fact that many did not realize just how far left Obama was and now we are seeing just that.

Here is just how far Left Obama is. Obama served with Weather Underground terrorist and neighbor Bill Ayers on the Chicago Annenberg Challenge education initiative. Downplaying academic achievement in favor of left-wing radical activism in the public schools is rooted in Bill Ayers' pedagogical philosophy. Obama served as the program's first chairman of the board, while Ayers steered its curricular policy. The two oversaw grants to welfare rights enterprise ACORN and to avowed communist Michael Klonsky - a close pal of Ayers and member of the militant Students for a Democratic Society. SDS served as a precursor to the violent Weather Underground organization. An investigative journalist Stanley Kurtzreported, Klonsky and Ayers teamed up on the so-called "small schools movement" to steer schoolchildren away from core academics to left-wing politicking on issues of "inequity, war, and violence."

So Karen Anne, You seem to be supporting the most far left radicals in the Country. Yes that is interesting indeed.

Karen, I just wish it was take a parent to school day:) I also would love a poster----I can not for the life of me see how anyone could not put their own personal political agendas aside for a moment and see the beauty of what it says. No brainer as far as I can tell.

SEP

Well, it's nice to know who inspired the post anyway! lol! Karen Anne, you never said.

I read the president's speech last night and there is nothing "leftist" about it.

Here's a link to the speech. It is a lovely speech, full of feeling and good will toward our children. Not a single reference to anything that would warrant the vehemence of the objections.

i2.cdn.turner.com

My dear Susan - it is really a lovely speech:-) My little one is home sick today, but we'll watch it at noon...

Amazing what evil lurks behid soft-spoken words of encouragment for some of our brethren, behind each syllable of a polysyllabic word they see Red. What an interestingly delusional lives must they lead.:-)

Good Morning Susan,

Just an FYI the speech was changed from it's original form. In addition the curriculum supplements that the White House had provided to teachers was also changed from it's original form.

WH, DEPT OF EDUCATION REVISE LANGUAGE ON STUDENTS OUTLINING HOW THEY CAN HELP OBAMA
Power to the People!

"In an acknowledgment that the Department of Education provided lesson plans written somewhat inartfully, surrounding the President Obama's speech to students next Tuesday, the White House today announced that it had rewritten one of the sections in question."

Alice, did the ORIGINAL speech, which you conservatives seem to be in sole posession of, say something to the effect that our President expected these young men and women to contribute to the great collective? In that part where he talks about poverty and such for some kids, did he appeal to the richer kids and ask them to help their less fortunate classmates? Did he tell them that He needed educated foot-soldiers for his army (oops, i think i got that last one elsewhere).

How many scary commie references were pulled out at the last minute becuase you believe you screamed loudly against the first draft of the speech, Alice, and can you point me to the source for the other, much uglier, scarier, more communist-inspired speech some place?

Alice, thanks for the link, but I do believe I will pass. I have no interest in debating this issue with you, as I do not have the energy you seem to have, to go head to head in finding links to support my position, which is that basically, I believe the President has only the best of intentions. It seems to me that some conservatives do like to post links in their very lengthy diatribes. Have a wonderful day.

Inna, I can't watch the speech, I have a broker's open house. But I wish I could and will check it out on youtube. He is a wonderful speaker. I hope your little one is feeling better soon. MWA by love.

Hi Karen Anne. Sorry to infringe on your post.

SEP

The DOE lesson plans were introduced well in advance of the speech text. They encouraged specific interaction by the children after the speech was delivered. Do you usually outline a lesson plan if you do not know the content of the discussion? Outlines are prepared based on known quantities not unknown quantities.

While the content of the speech was not released until the day before, someone at the DOE must have had a guideline to go by.

No one objected to the President delivering a speech to children providing the focus was educational. He did deliver a wonderful speech, He is a superb orator. We must all expect great achievements from our children and grandchildren as a result of the President addressing them.

Children are used at schools to "ram home" many agendas to their parents. When I smoked my son came home one day and told me I did not love him if I subjected him to second hand smoke. He learned that at school.

Regardless of the health issues - instilling in a child that a parent does not love them or care about them to get a message across is wrong. Our schools have been used to foster agendas. Not necessarily agendas the parents ascribe to.

Oh, Bonnie, dearest, sometimes cigar is just that, a cigar.

Inna, how nice to see, true to your word you are an equal opportunity admonisher!

Well if our children are being used to ram home an agenda as a result of this speech, I'd welcome the agenda of trying harder, not letting today's circumstances affect your tomorrows, never giving up and all of the positive things our President had to say. It's time to put this to rest. The speech was wonderful, it lifted our children up, and hopefully, some, like my son, actually listened to it and came away with feelings of hope. Not such a bad thing in this world.

Oh, and my mom smoked while I was on her lap growing up! Since I'm 50, I'm guessing a lot of moms did, mainly because they didn't know any better.

Susan, At the time we smoked it was just becoming an issue. My reference was just an illustration of how our children have been used to deliver messages to sway habits or opinions.

The classroom is being used to discuss topics like health care and gay marriage. I wrote a blog about a child who was being ridiculed by her liberal teacher because she disagreed. The child in question was an 11th grader from Quakertown Pa.

If a panel of students was formed one group representing the pro and one representing to debate in front of the class, I would not see a problem with that. That would be an exercise in democracy.

Bonnie, I was not implying anything about you with my comment about my mom. It was just done then. My sister smoked through her daughter's entire childhood and still smokes, and we certainly knew better at some point during her childhood. I apologize if I came across as putting you down for it. It was not my intention.

I'm sure there are also very conservative teachers that put children down for disagreeing. Both sides would be wrong in doing so.

Susan, No offense taken. I was offended when my child was turned into an in home anti smoking campaign.

You also make a valid point that there is an equal risk that a conversative teacher could do the same thing. Consequently we should be outraged when ANY teacher strays into that terriority.

What's Wrong With This Poster?

The I Pledge Poster is a Unitarian Univeralist Congregation Pledge. It is therefore religious in nature and should be prohibited in the classroom.

It is found for sale on a website http://www.northernsun.com/n/s/index.html They supply all manner of products delivering liberal and in some instances offensive messages.

Among the selections are: Sara Palin SHUT THE HELL UP tees.

WAS COLUMBUS A TERRORIST OR ILLEGAL ALIEN? bumper sticker.

UNIVERSAL SINGLE PAYER HEALTH CARE button

DARWIN Fish Magnets

The selections include Pro Obama material, Pro Choice, Pagan, Unitarian Universalism, Anti Bush, Pro Immigration to name a few.

So would one surmise that the teacher who posted this in the classroom had both a liberal and religious agenda?

Left wing or right wing – if it carries political, pagan or any religious oriented message it does not belong in the classroom!

Bonnie,

Bravo, Bravo!!!

You are right on target!!

As I stated on your blog Obama's marketing machine has been at work on his agenda and using our children is just one more piece of HIS pie.

You can't tell me this is not planned to coinside with President Obama's speech!!

Get Schooled: Nickelodeon & friends want your kids to "change the system"

By Michelle Malkin • September 8, 2009 10:14 PM

Longtime readers are aware of the left-wing bent of children's TV network Nickelodeon.

They p.c.-i-fied the Alamo in 2005.

They went moonbatty on the military and the war on terror in 2007.

And they pushed pro-illegal alien amnesty propaganda in 2008.

Well, they're at it again, along with liberal philanthropists, bloggers, and the Viacom conglomerate - launching a new initiative in conjunction with President Obama's education campaign:

The launch of Get Schooled, at the Paramount Pictures lot, includes a conference featuring a line-up of distinguished speakers: Bill Gates, Philippe Dauman, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education Tony Miller, filmmaker Davis Guggenheim, author and political columnist Arianna Huffington, New York City Department of Education Chancellor Joel Klein and Los Angeles-area High School Athletic Director Stephen Minix. The education conference will be attended by an audience of almost one thousand - including corporate and nonprofit partners, students, thought leaders, celebrities and other education stakeholders. Its goal is to highlight fresh perspectives on ways to dramatically increase high school graduation rates and college completion rates. The speakers will draw from their personal and professional experiences, sharing insights on how to ensure that all students receive a top-notch education and are ready to compete in a global marketplace.

The launch events on the Paramount Pictures lot also include the premiere of the Get Schooled: You Have the Right documentary featuring President Barack Obama, Kelly Clarkson and LeBron James, and three professionals who work alongside them, which will air across all of Viacom's U.S. networks, including BET, MTV, VH1, CMT, Comedy Central, Spike TV, TV Land and Nickelodeon, at 8
p.m. Eastern/Pacific and 7 p.m. Central.

All sounds innocuous, just like Obama's speech today.

But the supporting website has the same activist, entitlement culture-nurturing bent of the White House education guides: "I want, I want, I want."

How about "I WANT TO MASTER CORE ACADEMIC SUBJECTS?"

As I've pointed out repeatedly over the last week, Obama/Ayers/Klonsky and company are not interested in imparting knowledge. They are interested in creating "social justice" activists.

Accordingly, Get Schooled features a "student bill of rights." (Hey, how about just learning the original Bill of Rights?)

There's a "Write your governor" action campaign for the junior lobbyists to press for more education funding and higher teacher salaries:

And look, it's the same "revolutionary" rhetoric perfected by Obama's education "comrade" Bill Ayers and the recently departed Van Jones:

But never mind all this. There's no political agenda here. Yea Right!!

In some ways I think that we have been riding the horse in the wrong direction really hard and putting it up wet for so long we actually think that the poor horse knew where it was going----now that it would appear that the horse knows where it is going people are freaking out----I say give the horse a chance.

Charles, When the horse comes from the same barn where they show their colors in this manner -

I would sooner give a nag a chance.

Hey, I have one of those magnets on my fridge too:)

Bonnie - and yet, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that poster in this blog. There is also absolutely nothing wrong with the President's speech to youngsters, and no matter how hard you try to spin it, you will not be able to inject evil where there was none. You might, however, look rather silly trying.

Inna, The poster is a religious/pagan pledge. There is something wrong with it. It does not belong in a public school.

I did not say anything was wrong with the speech. Stick to the point and quote me accurately instead of being Gumby.

My Statement was:No one objected to the President delivering a speech to children providing the focus was educational.

Kindly show me how you can construe that I objected to the President addressing students. The evil that lurks here are those who twist and manipulate the words of others for their self serving agenda.

Previously in this comment I had asked Alice and Bonnie to "tone down" their comments, delete the links, and more or less, take out what I thought were the more "over the edge" parts. I requested that they do that... and said I would delete them if it didn't happen.

After being emailed by several of the above commentors, I have decided to just simply leave the comments as they are... in the interest of allowing both sides of this issue to fully show their positions. Sorry for the confusion.

Karen Anne, I am not familiar with any rules regarding the use of capital letters or colored text. As a matter of fact we all just had a wonderful 3 part lesson on colored text in blogs and comments that was a featured post. If it was against AR policy I'm sure it would not have been a featured post. As a matter of fact it was encouraged for members to take advantage of.

I did not write in caps so I have no idea what you are referring to.

Many posters in support of their position use links in comments as reference to support their position. It goes on all the time, If that is against the AR community rules I should think it would be available for review someplace.

I did not hijack your post. I followed the thread that had already been started previously.

Delete what you want, but I suggest that if you have such iron clad hard fast rules about your blog and what you consider fair play, that you make full disclosure in advance so all posters know the game plan.

Bonnie: There is actually very little for me to object to in your comments.

But... by the way... I love the quote in your comment # 55. One hope for my own daughter is that she grows up to help do away with the white racist, homophobic, patriarchial bullshit paradigm. I believe all of that does exist... and I would love to change that paradigm.

Karen Anne, sigh. Take a deep breath and just ignore. Although I have to thank Alice for this poster. I like it!

I want

Karen Anne,

I agree with Bonnie, Delete what you want.

I stand by my comments and my back up to support my position. I did not attack you or anyone I just presented how I came to my position.

Here is my request. Please do not use my name or misrepresent my posts on your blog.

It is not appreciated.

SEP

Don't worry, Karen Anne.......that will be very difficult for you to do!!!

Susan: Thanks for the suggestion. I think that is just what i will do. Ingore the theatrics, and just respond to the comments. I had had a long day yesterday, and was just not in the mood to put up with all that "stuff."

Tchaka: I know it will take forever, but the racist, homopobic, christian-Taliban attitudes, along with living in such a patriarchail society... all this is just not acceptable in a country that is supposed to be "the land of the free."

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