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Obama speech being aired at schools.


Zimmer

Obama's Speech  

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The basic thing is, you claim to be a religious man but all I am hearing from you is an incredibly selfish attitude of everyone for themselves. You state that the "...value of human life is comparable to non..." yet still seem to place providing healthcare (and other forms of social help) to those unable to help themselves as something inherently bad.

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Showing the Obama speech is okay for the seniors, maybe for kids in a social studies class that makes the speech applicable, but otherwise, inappropriate for the whole student body. They should be spending that time on their normal studies. Kids don't need to be involved in these matters at this point in their lives. That's why there's a voting age.

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Vako no I recognize that it is impossible to provide health care for everyone with out a huge problems, there isn't enough money to do that with out somebody suffering and I recognize that problem that no solution is perfect but the private one is the best is what I am saying.

CraigHB well said and I agree with that.

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The President: Hello everyone – how’s everybody doing today? I’m here with students at Wakefield High School in Arlington, Virginia. And we’ve got students tuning in from all across America, kindergarten through twelfth grade. I’m glad you all could join us today.

I know that for many of you, today is the first day of school. And for those of you in kindergarten, or starting middle or high school, it’s your first day in a new school, so it’s understandable if you’re a little nervous. I imagine there are some seniors out there who are feeling pretty good right now, with just one more year to go. And no matter what grade you’re in, some of you are probably wishing it were still summer, and you could’ve stayed in bed just a little longer this morning.

I know that feeling. When I was young, my family lived in Indonesia for a few years, and my mother didn’t have the money to send me where all the American kids went to school. So she decided to teach me extra lessons herself, Monday through Friday – at 4:30 in the morning.

Now I wasn’t too happy about getting up that early. A lot of times, I’d fall asleep right there at the kitchen table. But whenever I’d complain, my mother would just give me one of those looks and say, "This is no picnic for me either, buster."

So I know some of you are still adjusting to being back at school. But I’m here today because I have something important to discuss with you. I’m here because I want to talk with you about your education and what’s expected of all of you in this new school year.

Now I’ve given a lot of speeches about education. And I’ve talked a lot about responsibility.

I’ve talked about your teachers’ responsibility for inspiring you, and pushing you to learn.

I’ve talked about your parents’ responsibility for making sure you stay on track, and get your homework done, and don’t spend every waking hour in front of the TV or with that Xbox.

I’ve talked a lot about your government’s responsibility for setting high standards, supporting teachers and principals, and turning around schools that aren’t working where students aren’t getting the opportunities they deserve.

But at the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents, and the best schools in the world – and none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities. Unless you show up to those schools; pay attention to those teachers; listen to your parents, grandparents and other adults; and put in the hard work it takes to succeed.

And that’s what I want to focus on today: the responsibility each of you has for your education. I want to start with the responsibility you have to yourself.

Every single one of you has something you’re good at. Every single one of you has something to offer. And you have a responsibility to yourself to discover what that is. That’s the opportunity an education can provide.

Maybe you could be a good writer – maybe even good enough to write a book or articles in a newspaper – but you might not know it until you write a paper for your English class. Maybe you could be an innovator or an inventor – maybe even good enough to come up with the next iPhone or a new medicine or vaccine – but you might not know it until you do a project for your science class. Maybe you could be a mayor or a Senator or a Supreme Court Justice, but you might not know that until you join student government or the debate team.

And no matter what you want to do with your life – I guarantee that you’ll need an education to do it. You want to be a doctor, or a teacher, or a police officer? You want to be a nurse or an architect, a lawyer or a member of our military? You’re going to need a good education for every single one of those careers. You can’t drop out of school and just drop into a good job. You’ve got to work for it and train for it and learn for it.

And this isn’t just important for your own life and your own future. What you make of your education will decide nothing less than the future of this country. What you’re learning in school today will determine whether we as a nation can meet our greatest challenges in the future.

You’ll need the knowledge and problem-solving skills you learn in science and math to cure diseases like cancer and AIDS, and to develop new energy technologies and protect our environment. You’ll need the insights and critical thinking skills you gain in history and social studies to fight poverty and homelessness, crime and discrimination, and make our nation more fair and more free. You’ll need the creativity and ingenuity you develop in all your classes to build new companies that will create new jobs and boost our economy.

We need every single one of you to develop your talents, skills and intellect so you can help solve our most difficult problems. If you don’t do that – if you quit on school – you’re not just quitting on yourself, you’re quitting on your country.

Now I know it’s not always easy to do well in school. I know a lot of you have challenges in your lives right now that can make it hard to focus on your schoolwork.

I get it. I know what that’s like. My father left my family when I was two years old, and I was raised by a single mother who struggled at times to pay the bills and wasn’t always able to give us things the other kids had. There were times when I missed having a father in my life. There were times when I was lonely and felt like I didn’t fit in.

So I wasn’t always as focused as I should have been. I did some things I’m not proud of, and got in more trouble than I should have. And my life could have easily taken a turn for the worse.

But I was fortunate. I got a lot of second chances and had the opportunity to go to college, and law school, and follow my dreams. My wife, our First Lady Michelle Obama, has a similar story. Neither of her parents had gone to college, and they didn’t have much. But they worked hard, and she worked hard, so that she could go to the best schools in this country.

Some of you might not have those advantages. Maybe you don’t have adults in your life who give you the support that you need. Maybe someone in your family has lost their job, and there’s not enough money to go around. Maybe you live in a neighborhood where you don’t feel safe, or have friends who are pressuring you to do things you know aren’t right.

But at the end of the day, the circumstances of your life – what you look like, where you come from, how much money you have, what you’ve got going on at home – that’s no excuse for neglecting your homework or having a bad attitude. That’s no excuse for talking back to your teacher, or cutting class, or dropping out of school. That’s no excuse for not trying.

Where you are right now doesn’t have to determine where you’ll end up. No one’s written your destiny for you. Here in America, you write your own destiny. You make your own future.

That’s what young people like you are doing every day, all across America.

Young people like Jazmin Perez, from Roma, Texas. Jazmin didn’t speak English when she first started school. Hardly anyone in her hometown went to college, and neither of her parents had gone either. But she worked hard, earned good grades, got a scholarship to Brown University, and is now in graduate school, studying public health, on her way to being Dr. Jazmin Perez.

I’m thinking about Andoni Schultz, from Los Altos, California, who’s fought brain cancer since he was three. He’s endured all sorts of treatments and surgeries, one of which affected his memory, so it took him much longer – hundreds of extra hours – to do his schoolwork. But he never fell behind, and he’s headed to college this fall.

And then there’s Shantell Steve, from my hometown of Chicago, Illinois. Even when bouncing from foster home to foster home in the toughest neighborhoods, she managed to get a job at a local health center; start a program to keep young people out of gangs; and she’s on track to graduate high school with honors and go on to college.

Jazmin, Andoni and Shantell aren’t any different from any of you. They faced challenges in their lives just like you do. But they refused to give up. They chose to take responsibility for their education and set goals for themselves. And I expect all of you to do the same.

That’s why today, I’m calling on each of you to set your own goals for your education – and to do everything you can to meet them. Your goal can be something as simple as doing all your homework, paying attention in class, or spending time each day reading a book. Maybe you’ll decide to get involved in an extracurricular activity, or volunteer in your community. Maybe you’ll decide to stand up for kids who are being teased or bullied because of who they are or how they look, because you believe, like I do, that all kids deserve a safe environment to study and learn. Maybe you’ll decide to take better care of yourself so you can be more ready to learn. And along those lines, I hope you’ll all wash your hands a lot, and stay home from school when you don’t feel well, so we can keep people from getting the flu this fall and winter.

Whatever you resolve to do, I want you to commit to it. I want you to really work at it.

I know that sometimes, you get the sense from TV that you can be rich and successful without any hard work -- that your ticket to success is through rapping or basketball or being a reality TV star, when chances are, you’re not going to be any of those things.

But the truth is, being successful is hard. You won’t love every subject you study. You won’t click with every teacher. Not every homework assignment will seem completely relevant to your life right this minute. And you won’t necessarily succeed at everything the first time you try.

That’s OK. Some of the most successful people in the world are the ones who’ve had the most failures. JK Rowling’s first Harry Potter book was rejected twelve times before it was finally published. Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team, and he lost hundreds of games and missed thousands of shots during his career. But he once said, "I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."

These people succeeded because they understand that you can’t let your failures define you – you have to let them teach you. You have to let them show you what to do differently next time. If you get in trouble, that doesn’t mean you’re a troublemaker, it means you need to try harder to behave. If you get a bad grade, that doesn’t mean you’re stupid, it just means you need to spend more time studying.

No one’s born being good at things, you become good at things through hard work. You’re not a varsity athlete the first time you play a new sport. You don’t hit every note the first time you sing a song. You’ve got to practice. It’s the same with your schoolwork. You might have to do a math problem a few times before you get it right, or read something a few times before you understand it, or do a few drafts of a paper before it’s good enough to hand in.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. I do that every day. Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength. It shows you have the courage to admit when you don’t know something, and to learn something new. So find an adult you trust – a parent, grandparent or teacher; a coach or counselor – and ask them to help you stay on track to meet your goals.

And even when you’re struggling, even when you’re discouraged, and you feel like other people have given up on you – don’t ever give up on yourself. Because when you give up on yourself, you give up on your country.

The story of America isn’t about people who quit when things got tough. It’s about people who kept going, who tried harder, who loved their country too much to do anything less than their best.

It’s the story of students who sat where you sit 250 years ago, and went on to wage a revolution and found this nation. Students who sat where you sit 75 years ago who overcame a Depression and won a world war; who fought for civil rights and put a man on the moon. Students who sat where you sit 20 years ago who founded Google, Twitter and Facebook and changed the way we communicate with each other.

So today, I want to ask you, what’s your contribution going to be? What problems are you going to solve? What discoveries will you make? What will a president who comes here in twenty or fifty or one hundred years say about what all of you did for this country?

Your families, your teachers, and I are doing everything we can to make sure you have the education you need to answer these questions. I’m working hard to fix up your classrooms and get you the books, equipment and computers you need to learn. But you’ve got to do your part too. So I expect you to get serious this year. I expect you to put your best effort into everything you do. I expect great things from each of you. So don’t let us down – don’t let your family or your country or yourself down. Make us all proud. I know you can do it.

Thank you, God bless you, and God bless America.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/MediaResources/P...dSchoolRemarks/

Can someone please explain exactly what the problem is with this?

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Like I said before, I used to always watch presidential speeches at school (some were manditory), also NASA launches, all kinds of major events. The only reason it is an issue is because it is President Obama. If it was any other president before him no one would care, and probuly encourage their kids to watch it. Most kids (like me) always thought the presidential speeches were boring though, now kids actully care about what he's saying and those hard core republican assholes are getting angry. It's great that kids are starting to care about what our president is doing now, and wanting to learn more about politics. Maybe more of them will register to vote when they hit 18.

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Vako it is sad you think the reason is racism don't you have more hope in humanity (part kidding part not), while I think one reason is racism I don't think it is the main reason I think it is part dis information, part wasting school time (some schools do teach they are not all crappy), part racism and part thinking it is waste no matter what and part people think kindergardeners shouldn't be watching it (they think they shouldn't have to worry about politics), though it won't be just them just using an example.

Also the big long quote (WHY DID YOU QUOTE IT!!! just put a link) I didn't not find I did not know he posted what he was going to say and that WAS WHY I was worried, I am not so much now.

Also the selfishness thing it is not that I hate what you believe what will happen with Obama's system but what I think what will happen...

Example

Say someone says Do you think it will be good if everyone would destroy all weapons....

Some would say Yes World Peace then their would be me probably saying no... that with this a guy that comes along with a weapon has the upper hand and we are now the defenseless person (sense we destroyed all of ours).

So it is more I think a different thing will happen with Obama's plan than you do and that is why I don't like it... no because I am selfish.

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Zimmer, why do you fight so hard against doing the right thing?

Its like you have some kind of grudge aganst Democrats or Obama. You just keeping sounding more and more like an idiot with each post.

Stop hating on my president foo!

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He is my president too, Oh and I like him, but I am still against some things he is for I am against and I can be critical of my president.

Also you say doing the right thing.... I explained I don't think what will happen if it passes will be good I think we will go the route of Canada and I don't want that.

So I am against what I believe will be bad... you think what will come out of it will be good... oh and it sounds good but I don't think it will go the way it sounds as evident by other places, Canada tried it and guess what the people hate it and it is going back to the private ways.

Also I believe someone mentioned (correct me if I am wrong) that are schools are getting worse and worse and guess what THAT is government run and you want the health care to be run by the government too!

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Are you from Canada? From what I hear they are doing very well, and their healthcare system is more effective then ours in the US. I Would like to hear from people in Canada about what they think of their healthcare system compared to the US's. From what I hear Canada is a great place with good healthcare and education, and people dont even feel the need to lock their doors becasue crime is so low (in most areas). Lets hear from some Canadians on this issue.

btw; I hear India & some European countries offer free medical and college even as well. It seems US is the ones that are behind on all this. Why does our prescriptions cost 10x more then every other country? Our healthcare system is full of greedy bastards that only care about money and not peoples health. We need to get Americans healthy physically and mentally, then educated :) (not saying their are not educated Americans, just the ratio of educated to non educated)

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Vako it is sad you think the reason is racism don't you have more hope in humanity (part kidding part not), while I think one reason is racism I don't think it is the main reason I think it is part dis information, part wasting school time (some schools do teach they are not all crappy), part racism and part thinking it is waste no matter what and part people think kindergardeners shouldn't be watching it (they think they shouldn't have to worry about politics), though it won't be just them just using an example.

I don't think its the full story, but certainly people like Glen Beck and his fans are pretty much racist, talking about how he hates white people and so forth. A lot of the complaints don't seem to have any other basis than "he's black". Its the type of racism which always starts "I'm not a racist but...".

What specifically is the dis-information in the speech? And why is the speech political? I read it and got "i want kids to believe in themselves, try hard and take responsibility for there own lives". Where is the politics?

Also the big long quote (WHY DID YOU QUOTE IT!!! just put a link) I didn't not find I did not know he posted what he was going to say and that WAS WHY I was worried, I am not so much now.

So you would actually have to read it.

Also the selfishness thing it is not that I hate what you believe what will happen with Obama's system but what I think what will happen...

Example

Say someone says Do you think it will be good if everyone would destroy all weapons....

Some would say Yes World Peace then their would be me probably saying no... that with this a guy that comes along with a weapon has the upper hand and we are now the defenseless person (sense we destroyed all of ours).

So it is more I think a different thing will happen with Obama's plan than you do and that is why I don't like it... no because I am selfish.

What the fuck are you on about? This has nothing to do with the subject at hand, or reality itself. Obama has increased military spending from Bush...

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Showing the Obama speech is okay for the seniors, maybe for kids in a social studies class that makes the speech applicable, but otherwise, inappropriate for the whole student body. They should be spending that time on their normal studies. Kids don't need to be involved in these matters at this point in their lives. That's why there's a voting age.

Yeah, then when they hit voting age they don't vote because they don't know shit about politics.

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Ok the quote I would have read it!

The dis information I was talking about the people not Obama's speech

And the military thing WAS an example not something that has happened but an example of how diffrent view points can appear selfish

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OK Zimmer, I do like the fact that your start these topics, your passionate and somewhat engaged in politics which is refreshing, despite us clearly having very different views on many of the topics discussed. However, you are crap at arguing a point, you need to focus more on the structure of your argument and how you get your points across, be clearer about what it is your trying to convince people of.

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i voted NO because he is a socialist. That said sure he can do it. He is president.

I suggest any concerned parent watch this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuMfXeL8lTE...drinkingwithbob

He is a bit nutty.

People have this all mixed up, and use the word "Socialism" to down the president. Is it socialism to have the community to pay for a Fire dept to prevent fire? or a post office? The government did a great job on both, why wouldnt they with healthcare. Obama is probuly one of the most intelligent presidents we had in the last 20 years or so. Its the rich people that are so scared because they may get taxed more. When in reality its the poor people that are taxed all the time not the rich, how many millionaires you know that pay 16% interest on they car. Its time for the rich to give up some of that money or some people may just take it by force. Take the belt off and spank that ignorant rich hardcore right wing -only listen to they daddy, and rush limbaugh on politics, no ideas for them selfs ass!

The republicans are scared, very scared right now.. because the majority people are rising up with their opinions and starting to vote more. oh no! no more 1000$ jackets every week from bloomingdales! you may have to settle with wearing the same jacket twice in one week! haha some of these people can feed a small nation with what they spend every week on crap, and it seems they dont even care about other people in the world, just themselves.

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555, I know what fucking socialism is. don't go explaining to me what it is. i understand things like education. It's policy that works to a degree... However, socialism does not motivate(hence why government employees do fuck all). this whole take money from the rich give to poor is bullshit! You need flat taxes and reasonably fair wages. I mean... FUCK tipping off.

The reason the government is not very productive is because they don't need to be! So the more the government runs the more money wasted. I feel nationalised health is actually a good way to raise the standard of living. Do take note, the government will not be as productive as private industry, it will cost you big bucks in tax. Take it from Australia, government health is pretty bad, especially when one side of politics always(with out a doubt) mismanages money so it has to get taken away from healthcare, yet no one loses a job. So much dead weight ends up in public systems taking all the money.

You have it so good in America stop pissing it away.

Not rewarding hard workers is BULLSHIT!!!! That exactly what trade unions and fools like obama try to encourage... thinking they are making a great America. The USA needs to crack down on wages and eliminate tipping to get rid of things such as the trade unions and make the rat race fairer.

Freedom means choice. So if you're choosing to buy foreign over American well whose fault is that? The rich? I don't fucking think so.

Not only do I buy Australian Made and Australian Owned, i buy product that is owned by the farmers or made locally instead of store brand. I from time to time buy foreign product(computers, plastics and such) and I choose to do that. I'm conscious of my choice impacting my community.

If "the people" made the correct choice and injected money back into their communities you wouldn't be so fricken poor. "the rich" have a good grip on choice and freedom, you just have a shit one, don't got blaming the rich for your and your neighbours shitty judgement.

VaKo the UK is pretty screwed, you guys(like us) are lowering your standard of living by the second. Every government stuff-up, boat load of foreigners and government job created. Check this article out. http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/geraldwa...n-in-doncaster/

I live in a country with free education and health care. I was privately educated like 50% of students in my state because the state system is so poor. I have private health insurance because most of the public hospitals are so poor. I pay my taxes and these private companies. So i actually pay health x2 education x2, that's how bad government is. You just don't know it yet in America because you have been so lucky to right wing government for all this time.

In conclusion. DON'T FUCKING GO TELLING ME I NEED TO SACRIFICE MY WAGES FOR PEOPLE WHO COULDN'T EVEN MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE WHEN THEY HAD IT! I LIVE IN A COUNTRY WITH GOVERNMENT FAR MORE LEFT THAN YOURS. THE GUY WORKING 80 HOUR WEEKS DESFUCKINGERVES MORE MONEY THAN THE LAZY GUY WORKING 40 HOUR WEEKS.

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