All the recent fervor over the speech for staying in school reminded me of a movie comedy that came out in '06, "Idiocracy." A show about the dumbed-down society 500 years in the future. Even though it came out as a comedy, the way events are unfolding it may soon be labeled a documentary.
- Robert Carlson
Anchorage
Beware racism and intolerance
Racism and intolerance currently pose a greater threat to our country than terrorism. President Obama's speech to schoolchildren to work hard and stay in school conveys an important and necessary message. I believe the protests against the speech are rooted in racism and intolerance of our first African American President.
A number of the issues facing our country at this time are ticking time bombs: the soaring costs of health care; the under-financing of public education; an aging infrastructure of highways and bridges, and the need to care for our environment. We can defuse the threat and solve these problems by engaging in civil and respectful dialogue with one another, not hate speech.
Let's declare a war on racism and intolerance. The current alert level is red.
- Diane Erickson
Eagle River
Speech good, criticism amazing
We are wholly supportive of Carol Comeau's decision to air Pres. Obama's speech on Tuesday morning and are amazed and appalled at the critics - particularly those who equate his comments to indoctrinating children in Nazi Germany.
It's important for Obama, as it was for presidents before him, to use his status to encourage and inspire students to stay in school and work hard. Our future leadership and economic stability depend on our young people graduating from high school and being productive, contributing citizens of our country.
- Beth Rose and John Levy
Anchorage
It's no surprise; it's social engineering
I can’t really understand all the uproar and focus being put on the POTUS’s speech to the kids. It is a speech to government (public) schools here right? Is it really a surprise that compulsory education by the federal government includes direct access by the POTUS to the classrooms, especially given the agendas being pursued by this particular administration?
The discussion should shift to the fact that the government schools’ main objectives are social engineering, not education; it has been for a long time.
Parents should take more responsibility and be proactive regarding their children’s education, versus repeatedly making over-reactive, knee-jerk responses.
— Gideon Saunders
Anchorage
They serve the demagogue
A speech by the President of the United States to America's school children has precipitated a curious cacophony of outrage. Allegations of "Hitlerism" and "brainwashing" have erupted from the angry ones. Obviously, they are ignorant of the deeds of the real Adolf Hitler, and consumed with fear that exposure to a 15-minute speech by the President, on the importance of staying in school, will fetch their innocent one into the clutches of the Cult of Obama.
Other than the ridicule such views warrant, their attempts to shout down and disrupt free speech and academic freedom cannot be allowed. Whether they flood the superintendent with vitriol or screech red-faced at town hall meetings, their tactics are totalitarian. By inhibiting reasoned debate they serve the will of the demagogue. Their jaded negativism is not constructive, indeed, it is un-American.
- Roger Miller
Eagle River
Try another country
To the parents who are afraid to let the fairly elected President of the United States of America address your children, you need to move to another country where there is NOT a President who wants educated citizens.
- Alice Campbell
Anchorage
Original plan deserved criticism
As a retired educator, I have some insight into the recent controversy and the reactions Superintendent Comeau has received. For her to use the words "HATE" and "scary" does not speak well of her.
The vast majority of parents and teachers would welcome - and have done so in the past - a speech by a President from either political party about the importance of staying in school.
Unfortunately, the original plan centered on the man instead of education. It included lesson plans, no less, for an essay on how students could help President Obama (not their country; the president); how President Obama has inspired them (not what it means to live in America and go to school); etc. Those plans have been changed, but sadly too late to avoid this controversy.
No one disputes that encouragement for students to stay in school is invaluable. One of the superintendent's jobs, is good PR, and she certainly dropped the ball on that!
- Carolyn Coller
Anchorage
Standing with Comeau
I stand tall with our superintendent, Carol Comeau, in the absolute horror over the uproar regarding President Obama's speech to school children on Tuesday. This disrespectful behavior should be countered with "Yes! Please allow my child to hear words of encouragement by our president to stay in school, work hard and make something of yourself."
For a state that has one of the highest dropout rates in the nation, do you wonder why? I only wish that every president would take as much interest in the future of our youth and their education, which, by the way, has been socialized for over 100 years.
- Maya Gauvreau
Anchorage
Ah, yes, bigotry must be cultivated
By all means it is every parent's responsibility to keep their children home from school to avoid Obama's back to school speech.
We must keep these little angels stupid and close-minded so they can replenish the ranks of the KKK. Bigoted children don't grow on trees you know.
- Mike Overdorff
Anchorage
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