I know I seem to start a lot of posts like this, but... I find the reaction to Obama's speech to be far more interesting than the speech itself.  On the one hand you have a lot of folks on the right who are worried that this is all about "indoctrinating" our children.  On the other side of the aisle you have folks talking about the times with George H. W. Bush and Ronald Reagan made similar speeches to school children.  At the time, Democrats complained loudly and even held Congressional hearings.  Republicans didn't seem to think it was a big deal.  Now that the parties are reversed... so are the opinions.

So my question to both sides is... Were Democrats right then in saying it is inappropriate for a President to speak to children and Republicans wrong... or are Republicans right now in saying it's inappropriate and Democrats wrong.  As I see it, there are really only two explanations for why people on both sides of the aisle are reacting so differently based on who is doing the speaking.  The first possibility is that they could all be a bunch of partisan hacks.  The second possibility is... ummmm... you know what... I'll get back to you when I think of another possibility.

My personal reaction is two fold.  First of all, I actually don't think it's all that wrong for a President to take the time to speak directly to children, at their level.  Most political discourse happens around children, and at a level as well as on issues that are just outside their bounds.  Having the President of the United States (an office we should theoretically have respect for), speak to children on rather bland and generic ideals we all pretty much agree on (finish school and do good things) isn't terrible.

The idea that a President... any President... would be stupid enough to "indoctrinate" children at any level is kind of silly really.  The blow back from any "true indoctrination" would be so huge, that it would be nearly suicidal.  Hell... even Newt Gingrich seems to agree with me.  Of course, there are those who object because this sort of grand standing by any President elevates his importance higher than it ought to be.  I understand that idea... but not enough to understand the kind of reaction people are having.

With that said... I do have issues with the idea that the Dept. of Education passed along suggested materials to be completed by students with regard to the speech.  I have issue with it, not because of any one suggestion being "too political" (though I think there are good arguments that the materials were in some cases).  I have issue with it because it's an unconstitutional role for the Federal government.  Hell, the entire Dept. of Education shouldn't exist.  Classroom materials are created and prepared with approval by local school boards, where parents of the children will have the most say in how their children are educated.

Parents and teachers are smart enough to create their own lesson plans based on the speech without the "help" of the Dept. of Education.  Let them do their job.  That's what the Constitution mandates anyway.