I'm sorry, but let the President speak......

If you haven't already noticed, I really try to stay away from controversial topics on my blog. I kinda made a rule in the beginning that I wasn't going to write about religion or politics. I just didn't want to open those doors and possibly offend any of my readers. I have done a pretty good job at sticking to my original rule; however, this whole hullabaloo about President Obama's speech has really left me scratching my head. I just don't get why people are SO upset. Why are they so opposed to their children hearing a positive, motivating, and uplifting message. Do these parents and politicians NOT want their children to stay in school? Do they NOT want their children to study hard? Do they NOT want their children to have respect for teachers and principals? Or, could it be that they possess such hatred for the President of our country that they can't support anything he says even if it is positive, motivating and uplifting? I tend to believe it is the latter of these.

Now before you start to think that our household consists of a bunch of bleeding heart liberals, let me explain that our house is one divided - one Republican, one Democrat. And it's pretty interesting how we BOTH support issues on BOTH sides of the political fence. I can say, however, regardless of our political affiliation we agree that staying in school, studying hard, and having respect for teachers and principals is a message we want Kaylea to hear over and over again. Bub and I communicate these things to her and welcome any reiteration from family members, friends, clergymen, law enforcement, and especially the Commander in Chief of the U.S. You see, it doesn't matter if I support Obama or if Bub supports Obama. The President's message is not about politics. It is about Kaylea and all the other children in this country and she deserves to hear what the President has to say to her.

I wish Kaylea's school would show the speech tomorrow; however, I can not make that decision for them. I do find it quite disturbing that the outcry from other parents with opposing views HAS made the decision for the schools. None the less, I will make sure Kaylea listens to our President's words. Tomorrow afternoon, Kaylea and I are going to sit down at the computer and we are going to listen together. And because Kaylea is aware of the HUGE controversy that has surrounded this speech, I believe a wonderful follow-up activity will be to have her write an essay on what she learned from President Obama and how she feels about adults in our country trying to keep her from hearing his message.

If you are interested in looking at the effects of the speech as seen through the eyes of a 5th grader, stay tuned to Curiously Kaylea. I will post Kaylea's essay once it is complete.

P.S.
I genuinely hope I have not offended anyone. If I can be married to a wonderful man with opposing political views surely I can have friends and readers with opposing views, as well. We will just have to agree to disagree and leave it at that.