Breaking: Brandywine School District Will Not Be Watching Obama’s Speech
This just in. Brandywine School District will not be watching Obama’s speech on Tuesday. This is disappointing on many levels.
If you disagree with Brandywine’s stance, please send an email to Dr. Mark Holodick at mark.holodick@bsd.k12.de.us and current superintendent Dr. Andy Brandenberger andy.brandenberger@bsd.k12.de.us .
Faux outrage wins.
What a shame. Another win for the right-wing in allowing them to control the debate. They’re winning on health care and they win on this.
I got an email from my District peeps and there telling us it’s the individual teacher’s decision on whether to show this or not. They told each school to not schedule “school-wide presentations” and that any specific parent concerns should be handled on a case-by-case basis.
If you disagree with Brandywine’s stance, please send an email to Dr. Mark Holodick at mark.holodick@bsd.k12.de.us .
I just sent an email to BSD, but I’ll send another.
Nemski, maybe you should move this email into the body of your post.
Done. And I am sending out another.
Uh oh, captain, sensors indicate that there are some loose wingnuts in the Holodick. Set phasers to “email”.
Perhaps you could be concerned that 42% of BSD graduates have no qualifications for College or a job, they are on the general track to nowhere.
Perhaps statewide you could address the over 6,000 suspensions for assault? Was Obama going to fix that in his speech?
Funny, as Dems have run the state for years and years yet education is ‘underperforming’ to say the least. Oh wait, Carper was the education Governor and I forgot the issue was solved. Sorry.
Anyone who would listen to Obama about education needs an education.
Mike Protack
Um… could you provide a link to your BSD figures, Mike?
“Anyone who would listen to Obama about education needs an education.”
What does this mean?
Seriously.
Apparently the Indian River School District also is not going to be watching the President’s speech either. Chalk up another one for those great, G-D-fearing white men who run ISRD.
Seems that the email going out from BSD looks like this…
Please disregard all previous emails regarding AlertNows and President Obama’s address. Dr. Brandenberger has decided that the Brandywine School District will not participate in this broadcast on September 8th. Please respond back to me that you understand and are not participating.
Indian River School District for Jesus will also not have their students watching the President of the United States of America. The schools will be closed to honor the service of officer Spicer on Tuesday.
For those who may not have seen what Obama planned to tell our kids, here it is:
“President Obama announced that on September 8 — the first day of school for many children across America — he will deliver a national address directly to students on the importance of education. The President will challenge students to work hard, set educational goals, and take responsibility for their learning. He will also call for a shared responsibility and commitment on the part of students, parents and educators to ensure that every child in every school receives the best education possible so they can compete in the global economy for good jobs and live rewarding and productive lives as American citizens.”
It continues to disturb me greatly that the Right fringe has successfully intimidated these local school officials. Didn’t any of them even look at the contents of the speech? How could any educator not like the tone and content of this message, a message that has not one partisan word in it?
If we continue to allow ourselves to be intimidated time after time after time by these freaks, what does this alone say about the state of our union?
Fired off an email.
Point one…How many african Americans make up the BSD? What sort of message does this send?
Point two…Isn’t Joe Biden our VP?
wtf is wrong with these people?
Point three
Protack once again proves his astounding level of idiocy.
I can’t believe I’m going to say this because I feel I’ve always been friendly, cordial and fair to Mike Protack. But I feel it must be said:
Mike, you are fucking crazy and your continued off topic ad infinitum bullshit arguments — which were once merely laughable and wholly entertaining — have become weak, tired, belabored, and almost offensive to people who are trying to have a discussion and debate about issues without having to be sidetracked by your off-topic, rambling non sequiturs.
But I still love ya, man.
I don’t love him, he is the spoon that stirs the pot of hatred
Perry they aren’t releasing “the contents of the speech” until Monday.
“…in allowing them to control the debate.”
A matter of perspective. I would say it allows them to *moderate the propaganda*.
“Faux outrage wins.”
Get in touch, Nemski, it’s real enough.
“Chalk up another one for those great, G-D-fearing white men who run ISRD.”
How would you have handled it should this would have happened in the Cape District, MJ?
Frankly, I thought his (amended) presentation was rather harmless. It was the proposed follow up curriculum that was objectionable. I can’t believe most of you sheep won’t admit that your buyer’s remorse isn’t kicking your ass several times a day.
PS: Thanks for the information. I have already e-mailed Brandenberger and Holodick to commend them on their decision to not buy in on our President’s bullshit.
Such simple things as stay in fucking school and try your hardest. Yeah, real “bullshit,” miscreant.
What you wingnuts fail to understand is that the President — though his policies may differ greatly from yours — is no idiot. He’s a bright man; a marked change after eight years of George Bush. I’m about 99.99% sure that he and his team realize just how it could be misconstrued if they took one wrong step. I can’t wait to see the contents of the speech. My guess is it will be about 5-10 minutes long and will be so sterile as to be bland in its sentiment.
You people really are fucking nuts.
And I’ll repeat:
At that time of day, my students will be where they were all this week at noon: Recess.
The wingnuts win because they are able to scare up emails and phone calls. Our side needs to do the same thing. Cover them in letters and phone calls.
“At that time of day, my students will be where they were all this week at noon: Recess.”
It’s probably where their most profound lessons will take place. Perhaps you can ask them to write a letter on how they can help you achieve your goals.
I must agree with Mike Matthews on this! The entire controversy is without any reasonable merit. What’s wrong with these nuts? The president gives an optional speech to school children and people are acting like they are subjected to waterboarding! Oh no that was the previous administration.Are we getting dumber as a nation? What message are these right-wing wackos sending children? Anyone asking that question?
I think a lot of us are confused Mary Jane. Remember when conservatives talked about Bush Derangement Syndrome? Obama Derangement Syndrome is 10x worse.
Mis – I would have used it as a learning experience. If the ISRD was so concerned about Officer Spicer, who gave his life in the line of duty and who is indeed a hero, then why are they making all of the “12-month” employees show up for work? Why didn’t they just give everyone the time off to either attend Officer Spicer’s funeral? Your arguments FAIL!
You can bet alot of money that Obama’s speech won’t be nearly as political or ideological as this one was.
Wonder if the BSD opted out of that speech too?
I’ll probably get killed, but if we were to travel back in time and suggest that Bush were even interested enough to give a national speech to students, the majority of this board would be absolutely outraged and concerned and firing off e-mails to ask the school district to not participate. This whole this is just pure political nonsense, but it does cut both ways. I believe that my district has not issued and formal endorsement or rejection of participation in this speech, though I am not a district executive, I can ask tomorrow at a board retreat and report back if anyone wishes.
John, I would have responded as Pandora mentioned. I would have probably rolled my eyes but I think having the president speak to schools is pretty conventional.
I don’t disagree at all UI
I’m with you, John. Now, of course, hindsight is 20/20, but I can’t say with absolute certainty that I WOULDN’T have been against the idea were Bush to have done the same thing. Of course, back then, I was much more dyed-in-the-wool liberal and hating on everything Bush did.
But UI is right. The Obama Derangement System is MUCH more fervent at THIS stage of the game than BDS EVER was. Bush REALLY HAD TO FUCK UP BAD (like going to war against a country that never attacked us) for the opposition to really get into swing. The ODSers are just unhinged lunatics who really believe Obama was born in Kenya.
So I’m in the midst of a facebook debate over this issue (which Mike M. can see cause he’s a friend) in which this toolbag that I used to be in the Boy Scouts with actually made the argument of “why waste time on a school day” and that there are “more important things to go on in school than a political speech.”
I mean…really? Sheesh, I wonder how he feels about pep rallys.
My biggest problem with it is this: I don’t care who is speaking and what their political bent is – liberal like me or not. Decreeing that teachers may NOT show a speech by the president of the united states, the leader of the free world, to me smacks of political censorship. That would not have been right if it were GWB, and it’s not right now. Don’t require the teachers to show it, but do not forbid it either. Let them have their classroom autonomy and decide for themselves. The smart ones will show the speech and then (Flying Spaghetti Monster forbid) give the students a chance to respond to it either in class discussions or written form or whatever!
Personally I feel the first family is setting an outstanding example of how love and support, build a strong, vibrant and engaged family. Some of our children in Christina need that message desperately. I say that while acknowledging this: I am not comfortable with President Obama’s educational reform agenda (nothing to do with his speech) and have grave concerns about the future of all of our schools with Arne Duncan in charge.
Those concerns are not enough to dissuade me in thinking that the President saying good things to our children about working hard and staying in school is a strong, positive message we should all intuitively embrace.
“Anyone who would listen to Obama about education needs an education.”
Yeah, I don’t understand why anyone would listen to a guy who grew up in a single parent home, graduated high school, college and law school, became a community leader, served in state and federal government, was elected president, stayed married to the woman he loved and is raising two children. Seems like a losing proposition to me, just like all of your forays into politics.
Who better to listen to the president than those students who don’t care about their education? Maybe Obama will say something that sticks with them, inspires them to get up the next morning, and the next and the next, until they walk across a stage to get their diploma.
Assjack, there is absolutely no scenario in which you will say anything positive about President Obama. Fortunately, no one in Delaware listens to you.
Exactly Another Mike. Obama is a great role model, an example of someone who got ahead with hard work and education.
So, let me get this straight. We can have Junior ROTC in schools, but we can’t have the Commander in Chief of the armed forces there?
This makes sense to someone?
I hope any Brandywine students in JROTC manage to become familiar with the UCMJ.
“I hope any Brandywine students in JROTC manage to become familiar with the UCMJ.”
LOL! Yea maybe the JROTC can hold a court martial under the provisions of Article 15 and impose a Field Grade Article 15 and bust the BSD Super down to gym teacher.
Now here is a big question! If a school district decides to let their teachers decide if the students should particapte and some teachers say no, are they just as bad as the BSD super? What right does a teacher have to deny students who may want to particapte in this historial event?
Republican list of what cannot be taught in school:
French
evolution and global warming
art (exception: religious art)
sex education (exception: stories about girls that kept their legs closed)
Asian and African history
Black history, especially including anything about that Black so-called American, so called-President
Republican list of what can be taught in school:
Hitler was misunderstood
Newt Gingrinch and Rush Limbaugh
American history, eliminating F. Roosevelt and with emphasis on R. Reagan.
the Christian, evangelical version of God (no exceptions)
LOL, Progressive Mom.
When I read this in the sidebar, I read “French evolution”.
I’d like to see the list of public schools all of our public officials’ sent their children to – including BO, Biden, Bush, Clinton, Carper, what’s his name and Castle.
President and Mrs Carter sent their daughter to DC Public Schools!
Hey, Protack! I’m still waiting for you to prove this statement of yours:
Perhaps you could be concerned that 42% of BSD graduates have no qualifications for College or a job, they are on the general track to nowhere.
My guess is that you can’t, which would make you a…
Tom Carper did send his kids to Delaware public schools,I’ll give him credit for that.! Castle doesn’t have children, I heard he was paranoid if he did they would grow and become democrats. But rumor has it Jason may be Castle’s son, LOL. Bush, we’ll you know how he was with his NCLB, he couldn’t take a chance with his kids. Delaware governor and lt. governor sends their kids to public schools. Now what was the name of the public school Obama sends his kids?
the majority of this board would be absolutely outraged and concerned and firing off e-mails to ask the school district to not participate.
This would be really unlikely, and is either really lazy thinking or this is somone who hasn’t taken the time to figure out what the peole on this board are about.
While I don’t doubt that there would be individuals (largely of the anon variety) who would be howling if GWB did this, most of the rest of us would not. At best it would be an occasion for a ton of snark about the irony of our legacy admit C student President talking to kids. The kind of howling now and organizing to stop the presentation of this speech would be limited to a few lefty blogs — and certainly would never come to the attention of Politico or other news organizations except derisively. Why? Because the press would understand that lefties screaming about getting the President out of our classrooms is Fringe behavior and thinking, and the Press doesn’t cover fringe lefties except as comic or snarky relief. The Right however — all that is left for them is the Fringe so whatever they say gets mainstreamed and gets to the news 24/7.
I made this point over at Allan Loudell’s blog yesterday and he left a great response that I need to acknowledge — but this pox on both their houses is self-serving and dead wrong in this instance.
Well it looks as if there is far more outrage over the speech than acceptance. I doubt the “wingnuts” had anything to do with it. But keep telling yourselves they did. The PEOPLE don’t want it.
Is anyone who does not agree with the president now considered “fringe” or “right wing” ?
I think that the only thing that you know is that the people with the manufactured outrage have made more noise than the folks who want their kids to see it or who don’t care either way.
Making more noise does not constitute a majority.
And as far as I’m concerned, having on about not wanting your kids to be taught socialism by this President — when socialism is not on the agenda — is definitely Fringe Behavior.
But do remember this the next time there is a repub President. You people have just laid down a marker for acceptable behavior and next time lefties of all stripes really will try to shut it down. For no other reason than because they can and you taught us it was OK.
To Mike Protack 9/4,
What does anything you’ve said about education in Delaware have to do with Obama giving a speech about education and not allowing kids to see it? The speech is supposed to be about the importance of education and staying in school. Why is this being politicized? Why are people so afraid?
“Is anyone who does not agree with the president now considered “fringe” or “right wing” ?”
Sort of how those of us who opposed the invasion of Iraq, warrantless wiretapping, enhanced interrogation techniques, or any other Bush/Cheney scheme were labeled “traitors” or “unpatriotic”?
Still Waiting for the Link Mr Protack
So I understand — in the age of Obama, dissent and opposition to the president are no longer patriotic. They are hateful, ignorant, and a sign of a mental disorder. Now if we can only get you to start declaring such folks to be enemies of the people, you can begin seeking to have them committed and practice the finest techniques of Soviet psychiatry on them.
Stop being a drama queen, RWR. You guys don’t get to have your hissy fits, then whine about being picked on when we point out your nonsense.
Andy, guess we shouldn’t hold our breaths. Just more of Protack’s lies.
I see — only the lying Left gets to have hissy fits.
So Mike Protack posts a Facebook status about seeing his son, a doctor, prior to Obama ruining his career. His friends lambaste him for over-reacting and he deletes all these unfavorable comments. Sweet.
I don’t see what the big deal is. If the kids need or want to see Obama, they can watch him on youtube after school.
This tit for tat bullshit doesn’t work for anyone, especially independents. When you start calling people who don’t agree with you unpatriotic,traitors, or even terrorists, it pushes them to the other side. We saw it the last election. We’re seeing it happen now, unless your head is so far up Obamas ass that you can’t see anything. That includes 99% of the drones that post and comment here.
Bush is by far the worst motherfucker thats taken up residence in the White House that I can remember( too young to remember or even give a fuck about Carter or even Reagan), but before it’s all said and done, Barry O will be right up there with him and the only ones to blame are yourselves. You expect too much from these greedy, self centered, fuckers, and when they let you down, and they always do, you cry like fucking babies. Are you really that gullible ?
Listen folks, you can keep getting boners(or get all moist down there for you ladies)for your politicians, but the sooner you realize they don’t give a shit about you, or your family the happier you’ll be.
I must have missed that, nemski! Anyone have screenshots of that? I remember the time Protack updated his status with the word “breasts.”
“but the sooner you realize they don’t give a shit about you, or your family the happier you’ll be.”
That’s some harsh cynicism, h. But I’d be lying if I said you weren’t 100% correct.
Good point delacrat. And by making a big stink about it, they’re only going to insure that kids are even more curious to see what he has to say. Of course maybe that’s the double secret evil plan of the wingnuts – scream SOCIALISM and when the kids tune in to the lure of the forbidden they see a fairly standard and boring speech about studying hard and staying school. Then socialism = boring. Way to go wingnuts! You’re smarter than I figured.
Yo Mike,
How’s the new teching gig?
New poll results show that the hissy fit Republicans are the fringe.
Going better than I could have ever expected, h. I had an excellent first week and I think the students did, as well.
When you start calling people who don’t agree with you unpatriotic,traitors, or even terrorists, it pushes them to the other side.
Since this is not what is going on here, this point seems wasted and quite off-topic. But I get that this is how you get your victim on — so thanks for playing.
Christina has decided that parents may opt out of the presentation if they wish. There will be no consequences for not participating. It is a wholly voluntary event.
Excellent, cassandra_m.
Perversely, I like the Christiana solution. Make it an opt-out. As we’ve argued in the school-prayer cases, those who actually opt out face risk of being ostracized.
“Yo, weird Willie the Weenie don’t wanna watch Obama.”
MM
you got a teaching job?
Congratulations and Good Luck!
Thank you Christina school district for some much needed sense. Shame on you, Brandywine School District.
It is so fun to watch the racist, right wing freaks moan and moan about this speech. Check this out….
Hey! Right!
Tell like it is.
Don’t beat around the bush. You just don’t like that and African-American is the Commander and Chief. Let alone that he is a democrat. Who’s funding it? Is that all you got?
You are really that desperate to get your way that you come up with some weak reason for complaining?
Rupert should be ashamed of himself for sparking such a false controversy.
The dull-brained parents that are opting to allow their children to stay home on the day of the speech are committing an act of truancy.
No if’s and’s or but’s about it.
Dear Parents opting to keep your kids at home,
You are an embarrassment to your country and to our culture. You think you are above the law and are setting one of the worst examples for your children. Thank you for continuing the to fuel the negative image the world has of our nation. What are you thinking?
Sincerely,
Deeply concerned American
“Obama is a great role model, an example of someone who got ahead with hard work and education.”
Thank you SO MUCH for the laugh. I think I love you.
“So, let me get this straight. We can have Junior ROTC in schools, but we can’t have the Commander in Chief of the armed forces there?”
Students CHOOSE to participate in ROTC, dumbass.
“Republican list of what can be taught in school:
-Hitler was misunderstood”
That’s just plain stupid beyond any explanation. If there was an award for stupidity…
“But rumor has it Jason may be Castle’s son, LOL.”
Fucking hilarious! Thanks.
“I had an excellent first week and I think the students did, as well.”
Mike, you’re the poster boy for home schooling. I really miss DWA.
CAVEAT: I really shouldn’t respond to this shit during happy hour.
Thanks, mis. Coming from you, that’s a compliment!
Miscreant, did your favorite team lose today, or something, to create this rant? Are you a Nevada fan, by any chance?
No, Mom. It was a good day…
Excuse me — aren’t you questioning the patriotism of other Americans here just because they disagree with you and your president? I thought you folks spent most of the decade declaring that to be a hateful, unAmerican to do, because such dissent was the highest form of patriotism. Sounds like a pretty hypocritical stance to take.
Rhymey,
Calling you a pro-segregationist right wing nutcase isn’t questioning your patriotism. You can be a very patriotic pro-segregationist right wing nutcase.
Don’t be a dope.
“This just in. Brandywine School District will not be watching Obama’s speech on Tuesday. This is disappointing on many levels.”
could not disagree more. the exec office should focus on 1) relationship to congress, 2) relationship to electorate. considering the original description of the intent of the ‘speech’, it’s clear what obama was really up to. it was wrong when ghwb did it, and it will be wrong when bho does it.
Breaking news, Markell to call out the National Guard on Tuesday September 8, 2008. Students opting out of watching Obama will be forced to eat MRE’s for lunch. Teachers refusing to allow their class to watch Obama’s speech will be replaced with a Teach for America teacher. Kilroy to be honored by the Jack Markell given freedom metal. Jason Scott to be named Mike Castle’s communication director. Unstable Isotope completes experiment at X-station declaring Yellow Snow is safe to eat. Matthews wants to know how many calories in a 4 ounce cup.
I am not pro-segregation, A1. I prefer a society that is integrated. I also prefer a society that is free.
My opposition to Obama has to do with his politics, not his race.
My letter to BSD;
It is certainly the right of angry, clueless people to keep their children home from school to demonstrate both their distain of election results and their utter lack of faith in their own children- and the education their districts offer- to think critically for themselves, but I am ASHAMED that this school board would lend creedence to a round of ridiculous political talking points bouncing around on AM radio. I want to make clear that my outrage has little to do with why the decision to insult the intelligence of my children was made, or for the political sensitivities you may believe you are smoothing. But how on earth does a serious school board feel justified in filtering the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES! I am more than anything embarrassed that either of my children should have to accept a grade in civics or social studies from a district that, despite whatever lofty praise of democracy your lesson plans may include, has demonstrated such cowardice! And please let me know where it will end. Commencement speeches by Ann Coulter?
allow me to butt in (for no apparent reason) –
“Commencement speeches by Ann Coulter?” – presuming the commencment speech was to *adults*, it’d be completely o.k.
this barely opaque political stunt was creepy when ghwb did it, and it’ll be creepy when obama does it. further, obama up-ended his own cart by allowing to be released the text description of his original intent. this very thing, access to my kids by politicians via school, is one of the top reasons i left the dnc years ago. different context then, but basically the same issue.
Here’s the boards’ email: bsdboard@bsd.k12.de.us
Sounds like our community organizer has be out-organized again…
Good. These children do not need any agenda pushed on them at such a young age. Let them discover their stances and views on their own. Save it for the left-wing nutjob professors that they’ll all most definitely encounter in higher education.