Tom Horne Thinks Obama's Plan to Address Students Is a Call to Worship

By James King Fri., Sep. 4 2009 at 8:23 AM

Categories: News

www.kjzz.org

Arizona School Czar Tom Horne

President Obama is heading back to school next Tuesday, and Arizona Schools Superintendent Tom Horne doesn't like it. You'd think he'd be thrilled; maybe now someone will pass the AIMS test.

Horne gave President Obama a lesson in educating children in a statement he issued Tuesday, and when the fearless leader of one of the worst education systems in the country talks, the White House better listen.

"An important part of educating students is to teach them to read and listen critically," Horne says. "The White House materials call for a worshipful, rather than critical approach to this speech."

Oh, how adorable -- Horney thinks Arizona students can read!

The statement is in reaction to the President's plan to address students across the country in a live television address next Tuesday.

The plan to speak to students has drawn criticism from parents, educators, and just about everyone else who finds the idea of the President addressing the nation's youth in a live mass setting a bit more "Soviet" than we're used to.

"There is nothing in these White House materials about approaching the speech critically, or engaging in any critical thinking whatsoever, but only adopting a reverent approach to everything they are being told," Horne added.

Oh, come on, Tom, you're not supposed to criticize propaganda!

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address to students, arizona, arizona schools, obama, tom horne

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Hello great site! really perfect and it will be a new inspirations for me
I wanted to post an interview Tom Horne gave to Faux news cable. During the interview he states that he wants our children to think critically and independently, then says he watches Faux news every morning and if he had his way, everyone would Faux news. Here's the link..warning! it's pretty pathetic <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40iyUcwQGMU" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40iyUcwQGMU</a> Mr Horne, try as you may, you will not be able to invalidate or diminish the fact that Barack Obama is President of the United States. Most importantly you have failed the children you are suppose to represent. Shame on you and your political posturing. You get an F. Barbara Beneitone
One parent's opinion as sent to members of the DVUSD school board: (Personally, I feel the choice was made based on their own political agenda). I’m writing in regards to the DVUSD’s decision to not allow students to view President Obama’s speech to American students during school. On the DVUSD website the following was posted in regards to your decision: President Obama’s Back to School Message President Barack Obama will address students nationwide on September 8 at 9 a.m.(Arizona time). Deer Valley School District high school students enrolled in American Government or American History classes may view the broadcast. Advance notice will be given to parents and an alternate activity provided for students whose parents choose to opt out of this classroom activity. Students in K-6, K-8, and middle schools will not be viewing the President’s remarks. Thoughtful consideration of students, parents, and employees was given in reaching this decision: *Our primary and ultimate mission is classroom instruction. *Viewing the President’s remarks should be within the context of curriculum and instruction. *Traditionally, videos or CD’s and curriculum activities are viewed in advance and approved by the Governing Board. Parents and children may view the President’s remarks and discuss the work sheet questions together as a family by viewing the broadcast at www.whitehouse.gov or www.ed.gov. It is also scheduled to air on CSPAN. 　 I realize there was a short period between the time the school districts were notified and the date of the speech, (whitehouse.gov states, “an e-mail went out on Aug. 25 to districts {all 14,000+} and schools {as many of the 100,000+ public and private as we could reach}” With the new Deer Valley phone system in place for contacting parents there was enough time for parents to be informed and there was certainly enough time for us to be sent a form giving us the option to allow our child to view, or not view, the speech at school. I feel the decision to disregard an inspirational, motivational, and historical speech by our president was an error on your part. It would seem that the president’s speech only serves to strengthen the DVUSD mission statement: “In partnership with families and the community, the Deer Valley Unified School District will ensure that all students will graduate with the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed for success in a globally interdependent world.” The speech encourages our children to work harder, do better, and not give up on themselves. Your statement regarding the speech states, “our primary and ultimate mission is classroom instruction.” If this is the case, I would like to know why my child was removed from her class and classroom instruction to attend a PTA sales pitch from Fiesta Fund Raising. How much time was spent encouraging kids to sell door-to-door to win a trinket? How much time is taken from their studies at home because they think they will win a grand prize? Please note, I am not stating that the PTA is unimportant as I join and volunteer every year. But, how could this sales pitch be more important than my child listening to our president encourage her to do better for herself and our country? When you consider the Deer Valley Unified School District is not meeting the AYP (adequate yearly progress) required by the Federal No Child Left Behind Act, you would think encouragement to succeed would be welcome for all grade levels.
I'm very disappointed that Mr. Horne took a cheap shot at Obama attacking his speech to the students of Arizona who could use any help they can get. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce in their Education Report Card graded student achievement in Arizona with a D and our schools merit an F in workforce preparedness. Superintendent Horne's political posturing does a disservice to the state of Arizona. Words have meaning as he should well know and the charged words(i.e."material is very worshipful toward the president") he chose to use demonstrate a desire to ingratiate himself with far right conservatives. In this poisonous political environment we need men of courage more than ever that don't use inflammatory language for personal gain. If he felt there was a better way of handling either the speech or the educational material on it he could have done so without this kind of language. Please focus on the students you are paid to serve rather than politics while on this job.
So much for teaching and embracing good citizenship and civics education in our schools. Tom Horne is a partisan, ideological, fear mongering politicisn. What a disgrace he is as the leader of our educational system in Arizona. CIA says death threats against our President are up 400%. Politicians like Tom Horne try to make people fearful of our President. HE is part of the problem on the right and the others who call Obama a socialist and a Nazi. It's okay to kill a Nazi huh? Tom Horne you are a coward. You are part of the problem and by the way, only Jesus could get out of paying tickets on his moving violations. A little worshipful aren't you? Shame on all you hypocrites.
What amazes me is how the right wing starts telling people to look at history and be cautious of our Nazi president who wants to indoctrinate our school children. Obama has been called everything from a Muslim (not that it should make a difference if he were) to Hilter. When "W" was in office, these are the same right wing zealots that wanted to invade Iraq and "get" Saddam Hussein because he flew airplanes into the twin towers. You didn't even have to go back into history to know that Saddam had nothing to do with 9-11. The zealots were just spewing out the information they received from politicians and church leaders. And we all just let that war go on and on even though it was started based on lies. When the Saddam flew planes into the towers lie stopped working because some people researched the truth instead of being dogmatic about something they heard from someone, it suddenly became that there were suspected WMD. We went through 8 years of the most sickening lies and that was OK with the right wingers. But now there is someone in office who is encouraging education and wants to see changes made to the inefficient health system we have in place (because his mother died of cancer and had to worry about insurance and bills all the last days of her life - this is very close to home for me. I know exactly where he is coming from and WHY he would want to see those changes made) and HE is EVIL??? I understand that change is scary for some of us, but it is time to adapt. Seriously, I don't care if Obama is arrogant ... that is something we need in a leader. I sure as hell don't want some flimsy, pansy sitting in office as the US president. And I don't care if he has to strong-arm the American people to see these changes made ... sometimes that is what it takes to correct things that are so seriously screwed up. I think it is great that he is taking initiative as the country's leader to express the importance of education. I am the parent of a very successful high school student and I am disgusted by the general parental attitude toward education and the future of our children. But what else can we expect? The general public thinks that news is what they see on TMZ, talent is what is found on American Idol and truth is what they are told in church. At some point, it just may be that someone more enlightened might need to nudge the sheep in a more rational direction.
It is my job to inspire my kids to get an education, not the state's. It is not the state's job to inspire them, but to provide the raw materials so my motivated children can learn them. I would rather my children spend class time doing something productive than listening to some corrupt politician. That also goes for the speeches from Bush I and Reagan.
Here is the way I see it, the response to the 10/01/1991 Bush address to students by a then Democrat lead congress: "The Department of Education should not be producing paid political advertising for the president, it should be helping us to produce smarter students," said Richard Gephardt, then the House Majority Leader. The left, always a study in contradictions. Even worse than the right.
Know they enemy and keep them close to you.
People, People.. can't we see right through this? Tom Horne is just stirring things up to get himself in the news. He's a do nothing who can't seem to get his name in the news and now that he's running for higher office he needs some name ID. He did the same when he stirred things up with a legislative bill and in the end, there were legislative hearings and nothing happened. This is all his ploy. I am mad that now he's using an opportunity to have the kids listen to the president and Tom Horne is trying to make it controversial. I am a Dem. ver liberal and that's been no secret, however I will always remember seeing our president on TV and he was a Republican and admiring him in awe.. after all, he was our president. I respected that and I respected him. Tom Horne's controversy is un-American and un Patriotic. He should be ASHAMED of himself!
Danielle, Great comment. Thanks for the link. Those in power want to keep the public and their children ignorant. The fuss by PUBLIC SCHOOL Superintendent who wants to run for Attorney General should send Red Flags! These are the tactics of the Republicans. They do not speak for this former Republican and Conservative.
Here is the link: <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/MediaResources/PreparedSchoolRemarks/" rel="nofollow">http://www.whitehouse.gov/MediaResources/PreparedSchoolRemarks/</a>
Well, here is the text of the President's speech to students tomorrow. Read it for yourself and explain where all the atrocious socialist rhetoric is. All I see is a call for students to step up to the plate and do their part to become the hard-working, educated leaders of tomorrow. Oooo, abominable! Public education is the great equalizer between the classes; maybe that's why the Grand Old White Party hates it so...
Scott, Great comment!
This "racism affecting perspective" issue has been discussed in the media as an admittedly subjective and difficult to isolate suspicion for months now. It has really become more obvious in recent weeks, and now the ...superintendent of our Arizona Schools..... in charge of the EDUCATION of our children....has come out of the closet and given truth to the lie- irrefutable evidence of the validity of the allegations that "a black man has no right to be the boss of me", and the utter hypocrisy of "how dare you inccinuate that race has anything to do with" hateful positions and rhetoric. I am glad my daughter is out of the school system, I hope you parents won't let this pass. This is getting dangerous people. The conservatives are calling Obama Benito- but the fact is that Mussolini solidified power through censorship, book-burning, spiteful nationalism, and by outlawing use of languages other than Italian. These lunatics are worried about losing "their" country, but it belongs to all of us, and if YOU don't take a stand against hatred, racism, and extremism, we will lose the country that ALL of us love. The haters have no monopoly on patriotism-TAKE IT BACK! Hatred and intolerance is UN-AMERICAN!
I'm tired of schools districts catering to the right wing lunatic fringe and others caught up in the hysteria generated by the right wing propaganda machines. Districts such as Deer Valley are cowardly hiding behind the phrase, "only if the speech is relevant to the curriculum that's being taught." Under this kind of reasoning, any teacher who encourages students to set goals and take individual responsibility is deviating from the curriculum and parents should have their kids opt out of that part of the lesson. Anyone who has ever taught knows that motivivating and encouraging students sets the stage for learning. We should welcome the fact that Obama wants to use the prestige of the presidency to both motivate and encourage.
Just in case there are any morons out there who believe a presidential address to students has not been done before, please enlighten them with this video of Reagan in 1988: <a href="http://www.c-spanarchives.org/library/index.php?main_page=product_video_info&products_id=5064-1&showVid=true" rel="nofollow">http://www.c-spanarchives.org/library/index.php?main_page=product_video_info&products_id=5064-1&showVid=true</a> Funny how there was no backlash then when it was an old, white republican doing the talking. As soon as you let a young, black Democrat have the stage, they all have to start home schooling their spawn. Sad.
The ignorance and intolerance in Arizona makes me want to pull my hair out!! When will these power abusers go away??
Tom Horne's response to our Commander in Chief wanting to speak to the Kindergartners is beyond the pale! No wonder Arizona's education system ranks at the bottom of the nation. Keep the women in prairie dresses, barefoot and pregnant and don't let the children "hear" anything that might enlighten them. You wrap yourselves in the American flag with a Christian cross around your neck and a assault weapon hanging off your shoulder. You are nothing more than hypocrites. Tom Horne will not get this former Republican's vote, nor will Gov. Brewer, Andrew Thomas, Arpaio, Pearce, Burns and their enablers, SCA, the hate groups and on and on. You've all destroyed this state and also have blood on your hands. While destroying your political rivals you cast the people, who are voters and taxpayers aside.
FYI to all on FaceBook: The Arizona Department of Education has a FaceBook "fan" page. I heartly recommend that any "fan" of Tom Horne's immense blasts of...hot air about Obama's speech pay the page a visit and give Ton a piece of your mind.
I am a school teacher in the midwest who was instructed I have to show the streaming video on Tuesday, like it or not. I was told not to discuss the video' contents but give the children an opportunity to write their thoughts on paper with no verbal discussion, collect the papers, and toss them out. All to avoid paristan conflict and angry parents on both sides of the issue. This whole thing is a waste of time, money and effort. Why didn't the president simply create a public service announcement? This is the first day of school for millions of children nationwide. The first day of school is insanely busy with schedule conflicts and crying kids. The timing of this event couldn't be worse. And now we're throwing away the reflective papers. Ao what is the point of this exercise? Are the children really going to be inspired? No - They are going to be worried about where to find their next classroom. What an absolute waste of paper, time, taxpayers money and establishing order on the first day of school.
It's time to clean house in Arizona. The state is sinking into a deeper hole with each passing day.
mquinsland - you are spot on!!
Does anyone really think that this is about what the President may or may not say to kindergartners? The shrill and vitriolic tone of his critics are no different than the so-called town hall meetings. The fact that so many people are gullible enough to believe this pap reveals the sorry fact that many of our citizens lack essential critical thinking skills. But with guys like Horne in charge of our public schools, what do you expect?
Tom Horne is running the public education system like a private school but using taxpayers' dollars. Protecting the minds of the children from the President of the United States while saying nothing about the violence and sexual images the children have been bombarded with for years of the crucial development?? When Arizona is using taxpayer's dollars they need to learn to be a team player and work for the common good. Now Horne has created another layer of division in the state between those who think like him and the rest who foot the bill for ignorance and intolerance. This former Republican will flip the switch next election!
Our children in America are being raised in a society where over 50% of the families are divorced or live with one parent. They need a message of hope for the future, as they are being raised during one of the darkest periods in America's history. Tom Horne put the lid on it. Tom Horne now go after the violence and disgusting media shows and images that our children are bombarded with 24/7. That would be a better example of a message the public schools should be sending. But you chose the President of the United States - how unpatriotic!! What a terrible example you have set. But then you in your privileged position can play God as the others who control the County and the State also play. This is unacceptable behavior by a so-called leader of the community.
Danielle and Kathy K - Outstanding and thoughful comments which are hard to beat! The "good old boys" network is more powerful than we think and they took us to war. Now Tom Horne exposed who he truly is, which is something you'd expect from a single agenda private school, not a public school paid for with tax dollars where the President of the United States should speak to them and inspire our youth rather than hearing the ranting and the fear language of the Bush era who took our nation to a war -- one that should never have been. Unfortunately Bush/Cheney put us on path that threaten these young children who will probably be sent to a war that will never end! They need to hear from the President of the United States. A message that I believe with offer something meaningful. These children are being raised in a society where over 50% of the families are divorced or live with one parent. They need a message of hope for the future as they are being raised during one of the darkest periods in America history.
I was wondering… I thought we wanted funding for great schools and programs and wages for teachers. I thought we wanted people to notice what good work you were doing in class and to be supportive of education. What if your boss’s boss’s boss’s boss’s boss’s boss, you know the guy that can influence how Billions of dollars is spent, wanted to stop by your classroom for a few minutes and tell your students that they are doing important work and to keep it up? This was his way of showing support. Would you say “no way”? Boycott him? Tell him he is not allowed to speak in this country founded on the 1st amendment? I’m sure telling him to go away when he is trying to raise national awareness to increase your funding would NOT help us. What if the President of the United States himself wanted to SUPPORT you and all of education? Would you let him speak? Don’t Boycott the President just because there are a few people exercising their right of free speech. Instead let them sit in the library surrounded by free speech for the 15 minutes. The Office of President of the United States deserves your respect. Let the kids watch the President of the United States. Good Health & Wealth, Marc Huschke
I just received an automated phone call from the Paradise Valley school district allowing the parents of students to "opt out" of the speech. Do parents really believe that the White House staff is not capable of preparing an appropriate message to a kindergartener? Have we really become so cynical that we no longer believe that the president, or any sitting president of the United States is no longer an effective role model for children? Do we really believe that the nationalization of 1 hour of curriculum per school year is too much to surrender from local control? Parents who "opt out" should consider opting out of U.S. residence as well. They do not deserve our tax dollars for the education of their children.
All this hoopla about how the president is trying to 'indoctrinate' our children, all the hyper-criticism, and all the parents vowing that their children won't be exposed to 'socialist propaganda' is about the best thing that could happen to make the children interested in this address. They probably would have barely paid attention had no fuss been made, but now that it's sounding so sinister...so verboten...so COOL, kids will be scouring the internet trying to find it to see what it's all about. The tinfoil hatters and the vocal, unwashed masses yearning to be heard in all their ignorant glory couldn't have done a better job had they bribed their kids with wads of cash to watch it.....lol And I'm sure the internet will be GLAD to make it available for years to come. Way to go, you self-scaring dorks, fearing the very people trying to improve your lives. You accidentally did something right.
Tom Horne and his cronies can try to hide it all they want. The dirty truth in all of this is that the white men who have been in power for so many years still haven't adjusted to the fact that a black man is our president, and that he has the audacity to speak to our nation's children with a message of hope and equality. Good God! What's next? A woman president? A homosexual? An Hispanic? The times are changing, and we are finally moving toward true equality in our country. The old, crusty "white is right" generation is finally fading from power, and these white devils hide behind their American flags, Bibles, and crucifixes, attempting to drown out our publicly elected leader. When you strip away the lies and propaganda, this religious right wing backlash against Obama amounts to nothing less than base, ugly racism. Shame on you, Tom Horne!
I understand that children of conservative and Republican parents who object to Obama's speech will be allowed to opt out and be given an alternative educational exercise. They will be asked to cover heir ears while they yell out at the top of their voices "NaaNaaNaNaaNa. I caan't Heaaaar youuu!!!"
Florida is done and now Arizona is next -- nothing but carpetbaggers using the states for their personal agendas. Here we go again! Now I know who not to vote for.
Control the minds of the children by not letting them think for themselves and have a learning experience. What was President Bush doing in a Florida elementary school while the World Trade Center was being destroyed on 9/11? What was he preaching?
I'm stunned that a superintendent of schools would have such a closed mind. How disrespectful. My God this is the President of the United States! Arizona keeps it's children in a box with the lid shut tight, no wonder the state is at the bottom in the nation in education. But they are increasing the prison beds by 5,000. Where is that money coming from? Keep the children and the public ignorant so they don't realize where the state is going. Pipeline from schools to prison.
to those of you ow think obama is not out of line with this whole propaganda that history has all ready done this same act his name at that time was adolf hitler and life clearly speaks that thouse how forget there history are destin to repeet it. so wake up america the world every one open your eyes its not about you it about humanity the reason we are over ran by tyrants is because of self centerd mindset that are programed into our brains with mainstreem midea making you concerend about image and wealth this whole world is vain if you all cared about someone or something than your self this world would not be in the state that it is in and we would of taken care of one another that is the truth that was a living example and we killed him and yes it was the sin of all who put the lord Jesus Christ on that cross not just the Jews or the Romans but every single person on this earth. As people we are just like sheep for the slaughter as a person united we are hope and with faith in christ all things are possible but you put your trust in a man who you think can change this world well ill tell you that your investing into the wrong guy and those of you who know truth stand strong in Jesus and be contenders for freedom liberty and justice and our blessed faith this countrys rule were built upon the ten comandments!
Ed says: You are moron -- the 1950's are over my friend -- step into a new world -- because there we are not going back -- most people are trying to improve themselves and leave these prejudices behind them. You need to fix your head. --- I agree. You should see how liberals react to Walter Williams or Thomas Sowell.
Tom Horne has got some nerve, here we have another Glen Beck clone spreading fear. Parents who think their children are going to be brain bruised by the president should first start at home with what video games they are playing.I feel so sorry for these children being taught to fear and hate. God help us.
"It's about him be president stupid's. Black has nothing to do with it. We don't need our politicians spewing their garbage to our kids. Obama acts like he's a F**king God or something. He's just as social experiment that's is failing something fierce." It's not about him being Black, huh? You can't even write a paragraph without contradicting yourself. Your racism shows way too much. How can anyone ever want to work with you in a positive way to bridge the devides in our world when you spew this kind of garbage -- this hatred solely based on the color of the man's skin. You are sickening. Ignorant people like you do not allow allow our world to move forward towards a better future. Your stupid irrational hatred for someone's skin color blinds you. You may say at times that you simply disagree with his policies, but you know you are just pulling a Bush in the Iraq moment. To you, it is a foregone conclusion that you will not like Obama based on his skin color -- so no matter what he says, you will disagree even if his policies would actually improve your life, the life of your family, your friends and neighbors -- but you don't care because as long as he is a black, you will not listen. You are moron -- the 1950's are over my friend -- step into a new world -- because there we are not going back -- most people are trying to improve themselves and leave these prejudices behind them. You need to fix your head.
I hope all those here whose knickers are in a twist over Obama's speech to school kids -- I hope you also squawked long and loud when Reagan and Geo W made similar speeches. Kinda doubt you did, though. Hypocrites.
Tom, Please stay home from work on Tuesday. In fact, stay home every day. You won't have to hear any inspiring words from the President about working hard or goal setting. You won't need them come the election. Time to pass the baton to someone who gets it. Do what is best for AZ and resign. You are done.
James King wrote: "The plan to speak to students has drawn criticism from parents, educators, and just about everyone else who finds the idea of the President addressing the nation's youth in a live mass setting a bit more "Soviet" than we're used to." Really? You are aware, of course, that Ronald Reagan gave a speech to students telecast on C-SPAN, and that President Bush (Sr.) made a nationally broadcast speech to students from a Washington high school in 1991? Be a political conservative if you must, Mr. King, but please don't bring this kind of infantile wing-nut propagandizing to New Times. We get quite enough of that already in the comments section. The funny thing is that, as usual, none of these critics has read the speech. The rumors fly on conservative talk-radio (is there any other kind?) and before you know it, everybody's a comedian -- unintentionally, of course. The only word to describe them is "yokel", a term I use advisedly. Here's what a real newspaper (and I DON'T mean the Arizona Republic) had to say in an article today: The White House has said the speech will emphasize the importance of education and hard work in school, both to the individual and to the nation. The message is not partisan, nor compulsory, officials said. "This isn’t a policy speech," said Sandra Abrevaya, a spokeswoman for the Department of Education. "It’s designed to encourage kids to stay in school. The choice on whether to show the speech to students is entirely in the hands of each school. This is absolutely voluntary." Mr. Obama’s speech was announced weeks ago, but the furor among conservatives reached a fever pitch Wednesday morning as right-wing Web sites and talk show hosts began inveighing against it. Mark Steyn, a Canadian author and political commentator, speaking on the Rush Limbaugh show on Wednesday, accused Mr. Obama of trying to create a cult of personality, comparing him to Saddam Hussein and Kim Jong-il, the North Korean leader. The Republican Party chairman in Florida, Jim Greer, said he "was appalled that taxpayer dollars are being used to spread President Obama’s socialist ideology." And Chris Stigall, a Kansas City talk show host, said, "I wouldn’t let my next-door neighbor talk to my kid alone; I’m sure as hell not letting Barack Obama talk to him alone." <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/04/us/04school.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/04/us/04school.html</a> These are yokels, Mr. King. Please do not use them as your inspiration or role models. Uncritically publishing every press release that comes over your transom only makes you look like an idiot. You're from New York: try to show a little sophistication. The next time you get one of these infernal urges, ask yourself WWBBD? (What would Bill Buckley do?)
I am not saying I agree or disagree with Obama's speech to children yet. But here is what amazes me. Parents will let their children watch mind rotting television filled with violence and sex. Yet, they stumble when it comes to this. Wake up. it's not about the fact you care about your children and what they hear. You let them listen to drugged out music that sends messages of hate and violence. Oh, but let's not let them listen to a message by the president. This country is so damned and you can't blame it all on politics.
Tom Horne states: "An important part of educating students is to teach them to read and listen critically"...... I agree but what I find STUPID about his comment is that the President of the United States wants to address children in this country "about persisting and succeeding in school. The president will challenge students to work hard, set educational goals, and take responsibility for their learning." - what part of that does Tom Horne want our kids to listen critically to. Does he want our kids to think that education is NOT important - wait - isn't it HIS job to educate the children in Arizona. Here is some political banter for you - Tom Horne is worried about his run for AZ Attorney General - He has been the superintendent since 2002 - Has our education system gotten any better? His comments are not education based but politically motivated. Anyone who cannot see that his comments are political are as stupid as he is.
I'm soooo sick that it's always about obama being black. It's about him be president stupid's. Black has nothing to do with it. We don't need our politicians spewing their garbage to our kids. Obama acts like he's a F**king God or something. He's just as social experiment that's is failing something fierce. He needs to realize he's just a joke some billionair played on the American public. Maybe it is about him being black. Show me one black leader that hasn't ran their repective country into the ground to the point that it hasn't turned into a civil war or some kind of kill fest.
The only way a politician's message would have been shown in my classroom was if said parasite (left, right or Martian) was lecturing on heterocyclic chemistry. Which is to say, never. And John, the president is half-white, just like Halle Berry; Alan Keyes' skin absorbs more visible light than both of them combined. As a result, any criticism of Alan Keyes by anyone automatically makes them a super-duper double-secret racist.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the President of the United States -- our duly elected leader to address children in school. He won the election people -- stop pretending that the election didn't matter. It matters, he won. If Obama wants to speak to school children, then he has the authority to do so vested in him by the majority -- we won -- you lost -- get over it -- our turn to indoctrinate children about hum.... applying themselves in school -- studying hard to better their lives and those of all Americans and about how science matters -- wow shocking communist propaganda, I know. What bunch of morons -- Obama just wants to address the children and inspire them to excel -- to charge them with the duty to learn and prepare for the future because we depend on our younger generation doing greater things than the ones our generation will accomplish. How they are future, etc., etc., -- come on people get a grip -- this is exactly what our children need to hear -- how even the President wishes them to succeed. Anyone who opposes this needs to take a moment to breath -- stop overreacting people -- you are beginning to look like paranoid morons.
Let's not play or race or religion. Obama is seizing control like Chavez. Even Chavez said Obama makes him look conservative. Wake up people!
Why is it that every time you disagree it becomes a racial issue? I do not care what color Obama is I DO NOT WANT MY CHILD LISTENING to any speech that I have not pre approved. Obama has done nothing to make me feel secure in any of his speeches so far. Why should I trust him with my childs mind?
This sets a precadence that any American should be uncomfortable with. This particular speech may contain verbage we all can agree with, for the most part, however, no president in the United States of America needs to start this type of action...previous post was spot on--read up on your history, people! This is how loss of freedom begins.
The schools where I live in East Texas are not forcing Obama down the children's throats, (unlike the media is doing to us adults)they're recording it, and it will be available on the schools website for viewing if you actually want to do so.
"michael daniel says: This has nothing to do with P. Oboma being black... This has everything to do with this nation dumbing down education while their kids go to private skills." Private skills? I guess you're first in line...
This retard just lost any chance at getting credibility for a run at governor. He should ask Len Munsil how a run from the far right goes. How about encouraging the kids to respect the President of the country? Or teaching them that it's o.k. to listen to people with whom you disagree and engage in a reasoned debate? What if Ronald Reagan had never listened or talked to Mikhail Gorbachev because he didn't agree with his politics? I agree with Tired of This, the Republicans in this state have been hijacked by the extreme faction of their party and have ruined Arizona politics.
Idiot savants like Horne can't help it. All they know is Democrats are socialist if not communists ideologs. When I was growing up we were taught to respect the president. We had to learn the names of cabinet heads, etc, etc. No one ever tried to convince me to be liberal or conserative. However, this predated talking heads like Limbaugh, Beck, ad nauseum. I truly believe this is race based. My God, just think, the president, our president is black. That sums up the controversy.
If brains were gunpowder, Horne couldn't blow his nose. This has nothing to do with "worship" at all and is nothing more than fear and hate-mongering.
I'm really tired of this. I say we give this state what it wants... Pull all Fed funding for SS, Medicare, Medicaid, ACCHS, Education, Highways and see how these idiots run this state with out it. The GOP's done such a good job of running this state's economy and educational system into the ground.
Any president who creates curriculum and expects it to be implemented in a classroom is arrogant and misplaced. He is a politician and is using our children as blank canvases on which he can paint his agenda. The speech may be about "education" but it's really about aligning our children with his propaganda machine. It reeks of Hitler Youth. Read up on your history.
Boy this is rich coming from a man who doesn't follow the law at all. This is the same Tom-speed-limits-don't-apply-to-me Horne, right? This guy is ridiculous -- pay your tickets asshole. We all follow the law and don't speed in school zones. Or what does being school superintendent give you a license to speed?
This has nothing to do with P. Oboma being black... This has everything to do with this nation dumbing down education while their kids go to private skills.
I heard that interview on JD's Radio show. Just tell the truth Tom, JD and all of these other right wing AZ politicians. You can't stand that the president is Black. Bottom line. Just say it like it is - you will feel better in the end. Just say it "Obama is a N....."
I think Tom Horne and all those stupid bible-thumpers are just trying to stir up those tea-baggers that are still bitter because they lost the election.