Dear Mr. Obama,
Your State of the Union address was dry as toast last night. In fact, I would rather have jumped through a meat grinder than listen to you prattle on about your ideas and what you consider our country's "handicaps." The U.S. falls 9th in the world for math and science scores? Guess what, you hosebag, we educate ALL children. I'd like to see your self-righteous, crunchy granola, liberal self get up in front of a classroom and teach kids who come to school with no winter coat, who haven't eaten in 24 hours, who don't have two parents at home, who lack the familial support to encourage them to do well and succeed. Or children who are reading three grade levels behind, haven't memorized their math facts, or have a disability/ies that may inhibit their learning. We educate them all. Mr. President? Do us all a favor and shut your pie hole about America's "lacking" education system. We do our best, and we don't suck. YOU DO.
Another thing, nice comment about how we shouldn't celebrate the winner of the Super Bowl, but rather the "winner of the science fair." You got a flipping standing ovation for that (but no one ever said members of Congress were intelligent...) What, exactly, was the intent of that comment? To touch people's emotions and make us feel all warm inside? My fifth graders could have wrote- and delivered- something more meaningful. You're talking down to us. I think it's time you bury your ego somewhere where no one can find it, start listening to the people of this fantastic country, and admit defeat at this Presidency.
Respectfully,
Emily Schmitz
P.S. No one cares that 98% of South Korea has wireless internet access. NOT RELEVANT. In fact, in regards to your speech, I'd like to file that under WTF?
I think Obama was commenting about our broken educational system, and in no way minimizing the obstacles faced by teachers doing their very darnedest to educate all children (while dealing with a myriad of other issues like poverty, learning disabilities, and hunger) each day. He actually took time to highlight how important teachers are when he said educators in South Korea are known as "nation builders," and it's time we treated out own teachers with the same respect. I think most of us can agree that the problems in education are less a result of bad teachers who lack passion, and more a result of a broken system (lack of funding, NCLB, rigid testing, ect.).
ReplyDeleteI also find, generally, that most parents ARE more excited and dedicated to getting little Johnny to football practice than helping to cultivate his interests in writing, the arts or sciences. I think it's easier to find people who are going to watch the Super Bowl than the State of the State address from the leader of our country (like him or not). This saddens me, and I find his comparison both relevant and accurate.
I enjoyed the blog entry either way though, it was an entertaining and thought-provoking read! I don't mind a good debate and LOVE that we live in a country where we can believe what we believe and vote accordingly! :) -Kristin D.