Please tell me it's a generational thing

About a month ago, President Obama addressed the nations school children. I didn't know it was happening until I got the pre-recorded message from the school district giving me (as a parent) the option to have my children watch it or not.

Last years address, made me realize how completely ignorant we have become as a society.
What ever happened to teaching our children to RESPECT the office of president?
Now, we are so into being politically correct; monitoring everything we see or hear, so that no one is has to think differently.

The most amazing thing is that teachers are given the right to choose to show the address or not. And some at the High School made their politcal position known, by refusing to show it. THESE ARE COLLEGE EDUCATED ADULTS! and they can't listen to a simple 20 minute message! AIMED AT CHILDREN!!!

So the time is drawing near, we are to announce whether we will show it in our classrooms and simple invite those who don't want to listen to go to the commons. So about 8 or 9 kids leave. Then I say, If you can not be respectful, you may leave. That was enough for the freshman boys, and 6 or 7 left. On their way out, one kid in my class yelled, "Canada's borders are open!"

I decided right then and their to give that kid an A....no matter what he does for the rest of the quarter.

So I am getting whitehouse.gov on my projector, when a girl comes in and quietly tells me she is checking out because she CAN'T watch....and then she points to the screen. The twerp won't even say Obama's name! and by golly I wanted her to say Obama's name! But she just kept pointing to the screen and the door, like at any minute, Obama was going to start hypnotizing us! Finally, I said, "just go to the commons with everyone else". she said "no I have to check out for the rest of the day". And I said, "are you ill?" No, I just have to leave. And she looks over my shoulder, so I glance back and see her mom in the hall, giving me the biggest crusty/defiant look....hands on hips....ready to pounce stance....as if to challenge my decision to show the speech. I roll my eyes and let her go.

Another senior boy, left to call his mommy, to see if he was allowed to watch the speech...he never came back....he is already 18...he can vote and be drafted...but mommy said no.

So the speech starts, it was all about staying in school, trying your hardest, and getting involved. I didn't hear or see any socialist agenda; talk of health care, bank bailouts, etc... If I am being perfectly honest, it was less formal than last years address and a tad redundant.

So the speech ends and all of the "peasants" who could not listen come back to class. We do not discuss the speech. We simply start the class, like I would any other day. I think the "peasants" may have been a little dissapointed...they "kept asking what did he say". the kid with the canada remark said, "Guess if you wanted to know, you should have stayed".

(Its hard to be a "peasant"; the more educated and open-minded people never share their knowledge. So their are stuck in a politcally correct world...not having to think or judge for themselves.)

The most maddening thing is that if Mitt Romney had a snowballs chance in Hades to win the last election, and then spoke to the nations school children. Most of Utah's parents would force their children to watch...and take notes...and maybe play conference bingo... and then hump is leg after...

So I realize that all of this starts at home, Monday night Emily brought me her permission slip to watch. She asked if I would just check NO. Because last years speech "was boring"...sorry i said, you were born into the wrong family. and proudly checked YES ( i may have even circled and underlined yes)...so when Brad got home she tried with him....since he is from the other political party...sorry he said, when the President speaks, you listen. Emily rolled her eyes and stomped upstairs, probably wishing she was born into some "peasants" family.

It is my hope, that in 20 or so years, her kids will come and ask her to check no on the permission slip. and she will be able to say, "sorry you were born into the wrong family...in this house...we listen to the President."