MrOsman.com

What Should I do? President’s Speech to Students

I have a big decision to make. Can you help me?

On Tuesday, at 11:00 am CST President Obama plans to address to students of America. The message will be on C-SPAN and streamed live from Whitehouse.gov. Perhaps, in years past this would be a simple matter with little to no ‘hoop-la.’ However, we live in partisan and divided times. Many people, including many in Austin, are quite upset with the President’s plan to speak to the children of America. These people believe that the President will indoctrinate their children with liberal propaganda and push his message of socialism. In fact, Georgetown ISD, Wimberly ISD, and Leander ISD have chosen to simply not show the address at all.

Here at Round Rock ISD the decision has been left up to the individual teachers – myself and my colleagues. It also happens to fall in the middle of 6th period AP Government. Obviously, its quite appropriate to show a speech by the President in an AP Government class. However, is this speech different? Should I take time out of my lesson to show the speech, in part or in full?

AP Government students, what do YOU think? (Right now, the plan during 6th period is a simulation, called ‘Lets Make a Deal’ – sometimes the students simply call it ‘War.’ It’s a blast!)

Innocent bystanders, readers of MrOsman.com, should I indoctrinate my AP students with President Obama’s liberal propaganda? There is also a lesson plan (that was changed) available from the White House. Should I use it? The conversation here will guide what I decide to do come Tuesday at 11 am. Login and comment.

From C-SPAN:

PRESIDENT OBAMA’S ADDRESS TO STUDENTS:

Watch the President’s address to students LIVE on C-SPAN next Tuesday, September 8 at noon ET. The President will deliver the address about the importance of education from Wakefield High School in Arlington, VA. After President Obama’s speech concludes, C-SPAN will open its phone lines for students and teachers to comment about what they heard.  If you or your students would like to call in and comment, you can use these numbers:

(202) 737-0001 for Students

(202) 737-0002 for Teachers

While you’re on the phone, feel free to mention that you heard about this through C-SPAN Classroom! For more details about the President’s speech go to the White House’s website: http://www.whitehouse.gov/mediaresources/.

Types of Government

This video is quite interesting. The author believes that governments have either little to no power, or have complete power. Total chaos – or total control. Then he breaks governments in history down to two basic forms of government: the oligarchy and the republic.

Keep in mind, any author has bias. What point is he trying to make? Does this author’s bias show? (I think it really shows when he speaks of the fall of Rome) What might that bias be?

Do you agree that democracy inevitably leads to oligarchy or anachy? Is the republic truely the best form of government? Is it possible that a republic is simply a euphmism for a government run by elites?

Post your comments below.

September 1st

Today is an imporatant day in the great state of Texas. September 1st. It marks no anniversary (other than my buddy Tom’s birthday!) that I know of, but it is of political significance. Today, almost 650 new laws become official. These laws relate to cellphones and teen driving, cross bow hunting, the State Board of Education, and more.

The Austin American-Statesman has a good run down of eleven of the 642 new laws. Here is a quote from the Stateman’s run-down of the law that probably most relates to the average teen’s life.

Teen driving: Restricts teens under age 18 from using a wireless communications device, either handheld or hands-free, while driving. Teens who already have a license must drive without using a wireless device for six months, even if they turn 18 during that period. (HB 339)