The Party That Cried Wolf....

Today was President Obama's feared address to the school kids of America. I wish I could blog about how Obama was superb, and motivational as expected...but that would be lying. The sad fact is, Obama wasn't expected to give a morally sound, non-political, purely motivational speech as he did this morning, it was supposed to be "something Chairman Mao would do" --or at least he wasn't from the right.

But lo and behold, Obama's speech turned out to be harmless after all. I spent the day searching for a single conservative response to the speech that in effect proved his "socialist scheme". Of course, as I was looking I knew I wouldn't find anything, but I thought it would be worth a try. What you did have however, are conservatives claiming, this is a harmless motivational speech. Even the extremes didn't have anything "indoctrination" to say about it. Glenn Beck was silent as far as I know--which was highly disappointing. Limbaugh had no more to say about the "socialist scheme" either...although that did not stop him from spewing some nonsense about how he KNEW Obama did not mean a word of what he said.

However, one thing which surprised me was that there was no apology from the GOP, let alone a single person claiming responsibility for what they spew. Now I am not talking about Beck, or Limbaugh, or any other conservative in the media...it is their job to spew nonsense as part of the Conservative media. However, the elected officials that cried wolf on Obama's speech is another matter entirely. These people are elected to lead the people, and they should take full responsibility for spreading notions that ended up being false. However, the unfortunate truth is they didn't.

Which begs the question...will this idea of the GOP crying wolf eventually turn their constituents off their far-fetched notions? There really hasn't been an event where the GOP's bold faced lies were proven wrong so clearly and quickly. I feel the incessant stream of crap that comes out of the GOP along side with the false-proven indoctrination ideas, those on the moderate right will start to dissociate themselves with those on the extreme end. Eventually what will happen is one of two things...1) the moderate intellectuals in the GOP will take a stand against those on the extreme end and restore the integrity of the GOP (as they did during the Cold War). 2) the GOP will forever be known as the girl who cried wolf.

Paints a pretty picture huh?

Not to cool for school?...Your a Communist.

Yesterday the notion that Obama's address to school children all across the nation is a scheme to indoctrinate students into Obama's "socialist ideology" really hit the fan. I really can't justified why I am surprised this notion exploded from pundits of Florida's Republican Party to actual legitimate republican elected politicians such as Minnesota Govenor Tim Pawlenty, but honestly I am. I am surprised for two reasons: 1) I am surprised this blew up into such a big issue, or an issue at all and, 2) it is hard to fathom the rhetoric being used against this address.

I mean lets take a look at what Obama actually plans on talking about. Well first, he plans of addressing the children to give them motivational instruction to stay in school, to set goals for themselves, and to stay motivated to succeed. Originally, that's what opposition was against...this apparent, far fetched, socialist agenda to motivate children. Anderson Cooper did a wonderful interview of Jim Greer, Florida Chair of the Republican Party, to which he asked Mr. Greer, how can you claim Obama will be pushing his agenda onto children when 1) You haven't seen his speech or have any hard evidence to to support your claim, and 2) Obama has already told you what he will say, and that is.... well this motivational stuff. Coopers point is valid one, how can people cause such a riot over a fear they are basing off of pure whimsical irrationality. Its not like this is the first a President addressed the school children of America. George Bush sr. addressed the schools of America...and when he received political criticism (which was incredibly mild to what we are seeing now) the Republicans were quick to their feet to defend him. George W. Bush soon followed suit with a double-whammy. Not only did he address the school children, but he actually was promoting his agenda of No Child Left Behind.

So then the pundits turned their argument around. Its not the speech anymore. Its the curriculum. Now the republicans focused their attention on an assignment the White House suggested schools: Have the kids write a letter explaining how they can help President Obama. Keep in mind these kids are well, kids. Its highly unlikely the topic of their letter will be creating left wing "socialist" propaganda for health care reform, or the new cap and trade bill. I think its safe to say the majority of these kids will be writing about generic ways they can help the country and the president as whole. Such as stay in school, don't commit crimes, try to do good...maybe if they get real radical socialist(y) they will write about supporting the country. This assignment should be viewed as what it is... a reflective writing assignment to strengthen critical analysis and writing skills, rather than a secret plot to bring communism/socialism to America.

As if it was bad enough that this blew up into an issue in the first place, the magnitude of the rhetoric used is a bit extreme...and its not exclusive to the pundits either. This speech promoting staying in school, setting goals, and being motivated, its being compared to ...wait for it...fascism. That's right. Fox News Channel and other right wing bloggers compared Obama to "Chairman Mao [Zedong]" creating the Red Guard, to North Korean and former Soviet Union dictatorship. But the Fox News channel is always pretty radical, as are the right wing bloggers; unfortunately it didn't stop there. Elected officials such as Oklahoma state senator Steve Russel made the same comparisons he said, " this is akin to something you see in North Korea or under Saddam Hussein's Iraq"

Like I said, we shouldn't be surprised...this summer has been filled with ridiculous falsities to say the least. But when the right compare a motivational speech about staying in school to fascism and totalitarian dictatorships like Stalin, Mao, and Saddam I just cant help but shockingly say, "What the fuck?!