What is the problem? That he might brainwash our kids with his Socialist ideals? That's bull crap.

What harm could seriously come from this.

I find this whole ordeal almost laughable.

Do parents really think a short speech is going to have enough power to overwrite all the things they have taught their children up until this point? If it does - that parenting thing? You`re doing it wrong.

Personally, I would be ashamed if the influence I had upon my child was so incredibly weak that a short speech from someone they did not know in real life could completely overturn it. Seriously - if you`re an involved parent, you should have raised your child according to your beliefs and taught them to follow the same path. Parents have an incredible amount of power over their children.

But I guess if people want to live in a fantasy world where the worst possible influence to their child`s future is a single short speech possibly containing political views they don`t agree with, from a guy in a tv screen... Umm, yeah.

Maybe try thinking of it this way, Nyororin. You said yourself that you are now rather distanced from US politics and such, so imagine that one of the leaders of the Uyoku dantai (those racists in the black vans) was going to give a speech at your child's school. The guy claims that the speech will be harmless, just "stay in school, work hard, etc", but he refuses to release the speech ahead of time. The homework assignment that goes with the speech originally says "How can I (your child) help the Uyoku dantai?", but when there's an uproar, they change it, claiming it was a "mistake".

Do you trust this guy to merely give a harmless message, despite his previous rhetoric and beliefs? Do you trust that, even if he should veer into ideological propaganda, you've taught your child well enough that it won't take hold even 1 iota, no matter how charismatic the guy may be? Or do you worry for your child and perhaps keep him home that day, because that is not the kind of role model you want telling your kids what to do?

Now, you are probably already saying "but Obama is nothing like the Uyoku dantai..." No, he's far more dangerous, because he has much more power and influence than they'll ever hope to have, and the willing obedience of most of the media and 92% of American teachers, and views that could well destroy this country...

Worrying about our kids falling under a bad influence is natural for parents, and shouldn't just be pish-poshed away.

Socialism has killed more people the last century than any other ideology or belief system... worrying about it taking hold here is not "bull crap"

Really?

What about Nationalism?

Here's a better idea... lets stop with the fearmongering and the retarded Conservative talking points.

I suggest you go to school and learn what the ideology of socialism actually is and the fundamental assumptions it makes on human nature and society (few of which are irrational in and of themselves themselves either).

Because for every American that calls Obama a socialist... I just wonder how screwed up your education system must be.

I'm not one of the wide-eyed kids in school that flock here, I'm turning 38 in less than 2 weeks, I have a BA in History and Social Science teaching (with double honors), and I know what I'm talking about.

From Marxists and Leninsts to National Socialism to Maoists, there's no question that Socialism is not just a failed ideology, but a very dangerous and deadly one when taken too far, as happens all too often.

You obviously don't know what you're talking about. Otherwise you'd not have implied Obama was a socialist. Nor would you have casually dismissed that Nationalism is the ideology responsible for death and destruction in the previous century (Here's a hint for you... Nationalism and Socialism (whichever variant you want to refer to) are not mutually exclusive in practice.)

And yeah big deal... I'm a political science/International relations major. But let's not measure dicks here....

Instead how about you tell me how Obama is supposedly a socialist... and I'll blow you and your argument out of the water by explaining to you how he isn't. Sounds fun doesn't it?

Aren't we all just being a little pessimistic about this? Thinking of the worst that can happen, when there is much to gain.

I am sure an inspirational speach coming from the president will *not* brainwash students, but lift them and motivate them to work harder. Isn't that what you as a parent have been telling your child since day one?

Especially those from unprivileged backgrounds whom has struggled most of their lifes, and yes im talking about african-americans, who else to uplift their spirits but a success story like Barrack Obama?

In the end, it is up to parents to decide, whether or not their child goes through with this. All im saying is your child could be missing out on a great opportunity, a LIVE broadcast from the president himself. I would sure be happy to see the president addressing my school, speaking from a student's point of view.

It's American politics. It is indeed laughable like a cheesy South Korean comedy show in the 1990s. As a person who used to live in the USA and still has close people there, I have failed to look at the American politics seriously.

Obama should give the speech to the "consenting" parents of the school-going children just to prevent the possible negative outcome.

"American government: already lost the art of political damage control since Clinton"