Just sent the link to the text of the speech to that dumb-ass who sent me the facebook message. Here's what I wrote to him:
Hey Richard. In case you haven't read it yet, here's the text of Obama's speech to schools tomorrow:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/MediaResou...SchoolRemarks/
In it, you'll find such controversial remarks as: ''I can't understand for the life of me what's so great about being stupid,''
and ''block out the kids who think it's not cool to be smart''
and ''work harder, learn more.''
Oh wait - sorry - those are quotes from a speech George H.W. Bush made to school kids back in 1991. Although I'm sure you must have been outraged by that too.
Okay, HERE'S a controversial quote from Obama's speech: ''Presidents don't often get the chance to talk directly to students, so today, for each of you sitting in a classroom or assembly hall, this message goes straight to you. Most of you are doing the right thing. But for those of you who let drugs make their decisions for them, you can almost hear the doors slamming shut.''
Oops! Sorry! My bad again. That's from a different speech George H.W. Bush made directly to students back in 1989. Okay, here's one from Obama's speech: "Today, to a degree never before seen in human history, one nation, the United States, has become the model to be followed and imitated by the rest of the world. But America's world leadership goes well beyond the tide toward democracy. We also find that more countries than ever before are following America's revolutionary economic message of free enterprise, low taxes, and open world trade."
Damn. That's actually from a speech Reagan made to school kids in November of 1988 where he was pushing his policy positions regarding taxes on them. Wow. All these Presidential speeches to school kids to choose from!
Okay, no kidding around this time. Here's an honest quote from the actual Obama speech. "...at the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents, and the best schools in the world – and none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities. Unless you show up to those schools; pay attention to those teachers; listen to your parents, grandparents and other adults; and put in the hard work it takes to succeed."
That is indeed from Obama's speech. I invite you to highlight any other quotes you find that are worthy of the alarm that you and others have worked so hard to spread across the country. Because I'm having a real hard time understanding what it is we're supposed to be so outraged about.
I'm hoping he'll write back