Elementary School Students Reportedly Taught Songs Praising President Obama

[WriteDown]

Source: Fox News

A video posted on YouTube appears to show a New Jersey elementary school class being taught to sing praises of the "great accomplishments" of President Obama.

The video shows nearly 20 young children taught a song overflowing with campaign slogans and praise for "Barack Hussein Obama," repeatedly chanting the president's name and celebrating his accomplishments, including his "great plans" to "make this country's economy No. 1 again.

The video identifies the kids as students at the B. Bernice Young Elementary School in Burlington, N.J., with taping taking place last June.

The song quotes directly from the spiritual "Jesus Loves the Little Children," though Jesus' name is replaced with Obama's: "He said red, yellow, black or white/All are equal in his sight. Barack Hussein Obama."

Among other lyrics, touting a fair-pay bill Obama signed in January: "He said we must be clear today/Equal work means equal pay."


Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/09/24/elementary-school-students-reportedly-taught-songs-praising-president-obama/

---

I think the most disturbing part of these songs is that they were originally about Jesus. What if someone slipped up and said Jesus instead of Obama?

*Apparently, the original source wasn't good enough for LBN so we'll have to use Fox.

[Mari333]

1. not a good idea.

I wouldnt have liked hearing a group of kids singing about Bush like that either.

[Mrs. Overall]

2. Why is it so important for you to post this crap that you must use FOX?

[WriteDown]

4. So we should suppress information?

Its outlandish and this teacher should be gone. Can you imagine if this was about Bushler? Although, I wonder what song they would have used. :)

[The Stranger]

23. I think that you have been had.

This was staged.

Come on.

[Mrs. Overall]

It's not suppression. This is the latest right wing talking point and it is posted numerous times in

GD (general discussion).

I would not call this "Breaking News".

[Why Syzygy]

30. It isn't actually a Jesus song..

they use a few familiar words. It's still a praise song/chant. Did you even bother to look at the video?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zrsl8o4ZPo

[WonderGrunion]

31. I don't think this was a teacher.

I think this was a teabagger and I don't believe it happened when they said it did.

[No Elephants]

33. Right. Because those are the only 2 possibilities in the universe: Post crap from Fox or

suppress info.

Please.

Not to mention that a song ALLEGEDLY taught students in June is not exactly LBN. And we are supposed to post only from reliable sources in LBN. That description does not fit FAUX News, which got its name for good reasons.

[Hugabear]

110. If you have relevant information, share it. This is pure right-wing hysteria bullshit.

Stop the presses, some school kids are singing a song about Obama! I know that Beck, Drudge, and FOX are all over it, do we really need to drag this meaningless nonsense here?

[WonderGrunion]

3. When in June?

School is usually out by the beginning of June. This could well be a setup video like the ACORN crap.

[WriteDown]

6. Not up North.

Usually out late June and back in September.

[robcon]

10. Schools around here are out the third week in June.

I think that's a little paranoid - about the setup.

The video is creepy... but certainly not widespread. Just a little propaganda by Fox.

[WonderGrunion]

14. Looking at the original YouTube video

It claims to be recorded on June 19th. Can anyone confirm if school was even in session at this date. June 19th was a Friday as well.

[Igel]

35. School ended on June 18, and that was a half day.

http://www.burltwpsch.org/?pageID=00004&nav=off

However, that's not enough to say it was a faked video. It doesn't say it was filmed on 6/19/09. It says it was "around" 6/19/09.

Now, if 6/18/09 isn't "around" 6/19/08, then it is entailed that the phrase with "around" has no possible meaning.
The phrase has meaning, however, so we're forced to conclude that 6/18/09 is a possible date covered by "around 6/19/09".

Other posters' claims are more valid. I've seen this off and on for a few months, it's doubtful it's LBN.

[Why Syzygy]

41. It was the last day of school.

http://www.burltwpsch.org/schools/ys/newsletter/chalkbcarchive/vol0910/CBCsummeredition62009.pdf

[Beaverhausen]

99. It was from February- Black History Month

[BeyondGeography]

5. You gotta be kidding posting the freeper meme-of-the-day shit in LBN

:thumbsdown:

[WriteDown]

8. Another for suppression...

There are countries you can move to for that.

[BeyondGeography]

11. Yeah...BTW, you're fooling nobody with the freedom of speech angle

[WriteDown]

13. Freedom of speech is pesky and out-dated isn't it? nt

[No Elephants]

36. Nope. But your political views are.

[LanternWaste]

42. No-- but propaganda is.

"Freedom of speech is pesky and out-dated isn't it...?

No-- but propaganda is.

[Robb]

15. Care to try that angle with me?

It's a story. I want to know about it.

Bury your head in the sand if you want. But screaming la-la-la and holding your ears does not help.

[BeyondGeography]

21. If you didn't know about it already, you're the one with your head up your ass

[Robb]

22. Charming. Welcome to DU. nt

[positrac]

82. Sure hope President Obama isn't considering you for an ambassadorship.

...

[No Elephants]

39. +1

[No Elephants]

46. Delete-Double

[No Elephants]

49. Sorry. Being anti Freeperism does not equal being pro-suppression. Keep building those massive straw

people, though. It may be good exercise. Probably works on some boards, too.

See also, ms. Overall's post, above.

[FSogol]

7. Fox is not a reliable news source. Ever see the film Jesus Camp?

[bc3000]

34. I concur. I'll wait for this story to make the real news before I consider it.

[Turborama]

58. Good call! For those who haven't seen it yet, here's the link to it on Google Video>>>

Jesus Camp: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-988817750017426275&ei=PZC7SrCBKYq6wgP95sjhBg&q=jesus+camp+&hl=en&dur=3#

[Taverner]

9. Why do I have the sudden urge to call bullshit on this story?

Like the ACORN setup, this seems rooted in bull shit

[WriteDown]

12. We shall see....

If true then the teacher needs to be drummed out. If not, then the video creator needs to be sued.

[Taverner]

16. I smell, feel and taste BS on this one

Especially considering the only sources were the PS and FAUX

[Why Syzygy]

44. It's true ...

and jeesh, I thought progressives were OPEN MINDED and big people who can handle the truth.
This thread proves that assumption WRONG.

[No Elephants]

53. Oh, please. Accepting everything FAUX tries to pass off is not the truth.

If you have a reliable source that proves this, post it. But, I hope this thread started in September about an alleged song from June is out of LBN by then.

[Why Syzygy]

64. Proves what?

It IS on youtube. Easy enough to verify.

[The Stranger]

Because it IS bullshit?

[peace frog]

17. This stinks of last week's bullshit

When it's published by one or more credible news sources, I'll take a serious look at it. Otherwise, NO SALE.

[No Elephants]

56. More like June's bullshit.

[babylonsister]

18. Not suppression, just boredom. It's been posted all over DU already.

:boring:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6619539

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6619254

[Mrs. Overall]

27. +1

[sinkingfeeling]

19. Since the YouTube video has been posted about a dozen times since last night, how is this LBN ?

[The Stranger]

20. You actually believe this?

The story is "reportedly" and is from youtube, and no one is identified or interviewed.

Come the fuck on, man. How hard is it to get a class of kids to sing a few things and record on digital camera?

Come the fuck on.

[WriteDown]

25. Not necessarily...

I will wait for more info to come out, but the video cracks me up.

[The Stranger]

26. Then take it to the lounge. Otherwise, you're spreading false information.

[No Elephants]

57. +1. Though the poster does not seem to mind posting anything, as long it is

not pro-Democratic.

[Why Syzygy]

28. It IS on youtube

and is quite disturbing. Did you ever sing praise songs to ANY president during school?
Didn't patriotic mean to our Country/Flag/Constitution?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zrsl8o4ZPo

[The Stranger]

32. No, and neither did these kids. This was a set up. Someone got them to do it and recorded it.

Please, tell me you're not so naive as to believe this.

[Why Syzygy]

45. dupe

[Why Syzygy]

47. Someone got them to do it and recorded it.

Brilliant. That's the story. :freak:
What did YOU think the story was?

[No Elephants]

63. News Flash. Being on You Tube does not make it true, or news, or late breaking.

And, yes, I did sing praise songs to Presidents while I was in public school. Just not a sitting President.

Funny, when Bush was in office, it was patriotic to support the President. Did you object then?

Oops, Syzygy, your slip is showing. Yours and Write Down's.

[Why Syzygy]

66. Just because I'm not following your conspiracy theory

does not constitute a "slip". Poor effort.

[WonderGrunion]

24. The original YouTube poster is a teabagger

http://www.youtube.com/user/alteredbeat

I have a feeling this was created for Faux to "discover"

[No Elephants]

65. A couple of them seem to be on this thread, too. Over 1000 posts at DU is sure

no guaranty that a poster is not a Con--or a con.

[peace frog]

75. +1000

True that.

[mariawr]

29. Faux Noise is the source??? HAHAHA.....

Everyone knows Faux Noise specializes in lying.

Why should this be any different?

[Why Syzygy]

48. It IS on youtube. WHERE is the lie?

I cannot believe all the infantile denial displayed on this thread. IT IS ON YOUTUBE.
Where is the LIE? Please!

And I am NOT defending Pox. They are slime. That doesn't make this a lie.

[uncle ray]

52. it's on youtube! it must be real!

:rofl:

[Scurrilous]

72. I saw a cat playing the piano on youtube.

It must be real!!1!

[Parker CA]

97. BWAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAAA. Seriously one of the funniest things I read all day! ;) nt.

[WonderGrunion]

54. We're not saying that this didn't happen somewhere or in someway.

But I'm not taking the YouTube posting claims of some teabagging asshole as gospel. Unless there is independent confirmation that this happened at school, during school hours, conducted by a school official then I'm not taking this video or its' claims at face value. BTW, the original YouTube poster has two versions of this video. One without any background noise so all you can hear is the clear singing of the children. How did this teabagger get a clean audio track to post?

[Why Syzygy]

69. That is exactly what the rants are saying.

The story reports the FACT :

A video posted on YouTube appears to show a New Jersey elementary school class being taught to sing praises of the "great accomplishments" of President Obama.

No effort here to discover factuality. Just a bunch of useless cry baby rants.

[WonderGrunion]

84. Yes, A video was posted on YouTube. That is a fact.

What the YouTube poster claims the video to be is what is in dispute. The YouTube poster is an unrepentant teabagger and has access to a Clean audio track of the singing. That would indicate that the video is hardly a pure representation of what the YouTube poster is claiming it to be.

[No Elephants]

60. "IT IS ON YOUTUBE. Where is the LIE? Please! " I'm so embarrassed for you.

[Why Syzygy]

68. Save it.

The story reports QUOTE:

A video posted on YouTube appears to show a New Jersey elementary school class being taught to sing praises of the "great accomplishments" of President Obama.

That is TRUE. All the rest of the rants are dragging their own baggage and making prejudicial statements. I am stating FACT and FACT only.

Get over yourself.

[KamaAina]

74. This is on YouTube, too

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzSVOcgKq04

So I guess that means Obama is really Rick Astley in slight disguise. :eyes:

Come to think of it, maybe that's where all this bilge about him being a British subject started. :sarcasm:

[Hugabear]

111. I've seen aliens, ghosts, and Bigfoot on Youtube also. Case closed, they're all real!

n/t

[LanternWaste]

37. Last June, huh?

Last June, huh?

Guess the GOP propaganda machines are running out of fuel, and are starting to recycle ineffectual and irrelevant "news stories."

Ed: typo

[WonderGrunion]

51. Other than the claims of the teabagging YouTube poster

There is nothing to confirm when this took place. Or where. Or who actually had the children singing. This smells worse than the edited ACORN videos.

[Harry Monroe]

38. I saw it before I came here this morning.

On a union BBS I frequent. We've got a few RW idiots there who loathe Obama (I find it ironic that a union member would hate a President who is backing unions and the working man). The post there was titled "New Hitler Youth", and had the same youtube link. I think it is BS also.

[Mrs. Overall]

40. Since this seems to be going viral, I hope there is an investigative reporter out there who will

track down the exact school, the class, the teacher, the administrators, the exact date this occured, and who filmed it.

It seems too convenient of a talking point and appears to be a set up, in my opinion.

[FlaGranny]

50. Rachel will root it out.

She always digs until she finds out who is behind garbage like this. If the story were true, the teacher should be fired or reprimanded, but I very, very seriously doubt it is true.

[rd_kent]

43. This does NOT pass the smell test!

Seems like a staged event and a set-up.

[LadyHawkAZ]

55. Did they have a "B" carved on their faces too?

This stinks like last week's fish.

The only people that use the full form of Obama's name like that are Freeper types. My money says this was staged.

[FlaGranny]

59. Indeed, I though of that too.

No Democrats ever use his full name - only right wingers who want to accentuate his "foreignness." That really exposes it for a setup. It would be just like one of the wingnuts to dupe 8-year-olds, most of whom probably were excited by the chanting and singing for Obama.

[Historic NY]

61. Here is a song recommeded by GWB.

FIGHTING FEAR WITH FRIENDSHIP
(A request made by Pres. George W. Bush to America's children)
Words- Sam Francis Music- Merrill Jenson

Children of America
There's a way to conquer fear.
It's time that we all get along
So hate will disappear.
There's one thing that we can do
And we should start today.
We'll fight fear with friendship
There is no better way.

CHORUS
Fighting fear with friendship
It is our Nation's call
Our President has asked the ‘kids'
To be a friend to all!
Fighting fear with friendship
There's letters we can send.
Tell the ‘kids' throughout the world
We want to be their friend!

Children of America
We love our liberty.
We wish that kids throughout the world
Also could be free.
If only they could feel our hearts
They would know how much we care.
We all want peace on earth for children everywhere!

CHORUS

(Bridge)
Regardless of our color or nationality,
We should respect our differences
And friends we all should be.

CHORUS

(Tag) Let's tell the kids throughout the world
We want to be your friend.


http://www.classroomclassics.com/filecabinet/htmlfiles/M3.html

A song praising Bush FEMA and congress.
http://thinkprogress.org/2006/04/17/katrina-song/

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2006/04/17/out-of-the-mouths-of-babes/

[JonQ]

62. This is impossible!

No liberal has ever done anything wrong, ever. This is a wrong reportedly done by liberals, ergo it proves itself false.

Now if this were about kids being taught to praise bush during his term that would be true, because conservatives are always doing evil.

In fact we should just start saying that's what actually happened.

[No Elephants]

67. LOL. Hope you didn't hurt yourself shoveling that huge load.

[Spazito]

80. Wow!

Your post is quite revealing.

[Mrs. Overall]

70. Magically moved from LBN to General Discussion--

Glad the mods don't want to give LBN status to FOX for digging up a video from June on YouTube.

[Why Syzygy]

71. Strangely, the entries on "My DU"

are turning up the page for "missing topic". It has to be accessed from the locked LBN thread.

[redqueen]

73. That isn't strange at all.

Man, this is going from bad to worse. And I didn't really think it could get any worse, after the whole "it's on YOUTUBE!" routine.

I can't even laugh... it's just sad.

[Why Syzygy]

77. Thanks.

I'll take strange and sad over Denial any time.

[BeyondGeography]

76. +1 for the mods

[EToft]

78. Truth Hurts

Homework people...homework. It isn't that damn hard...and I found the link on CNN as well as others...not FOX so y'all can shut up about that!!!

http://michellemalkin.com/2009/09/24/mmm-mmm-mmm-new-details-about-the-dear-leader-song-video/

Actually recorded in February as part of Black History month. The school has issued a letter to parents apologizing.

http://www.burltwpsch.org/?pageID=00013&docset=super&docid=200910011

Though it seems to me they are apologizing for getting caught rather than for sanctioning the event. Here is the text of that letter...

Dear Burlington Township Families:

Today we became aware of a video that was placed on the internet which has been reported in the media. The video is of a class of students singing a song about President Obama. The activity took place during Black History Month in 2009, which is recognized each February to honor the contributions of African Americans to our country. Our curriculum studies, honors and recognizes those who serve our country. The recording and distribution of the class activity were unauthorized.

If you have any further questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me or Dr. King, Principal of B. Bernice Young School, directly.

Sincerely,
Dr. Christopher M. Manno,
Superintendent of Schools

[Name removed]

81. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[EToft]

87. Seriously?

Name calling?

Are you in the 5th grade? Were you one of these children?

Any argument from you will be disregarded from now on because you obviously do not have the intellect nor maturity to deal with grown up people in a real world. If you didn't catch that...it was sarcasm...look it up. I used sarcasm because you called me a troll which is an imaginary creature...apparently part of your imaginary world.

You see how much more effective an intellectual slam is? It's kind of fun, but very counter productive. I doubt you will have any interest in reading anything I say from here forward. I might continue to read your posts however to see if your style improves. If not it should at least be fun to revert to grade school antics from time to time.

[Name removed]

83. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[EToft]

85. Old information is still new when you first see it...

BTW. I thought it was a fake video at first, and was thinking that I would find information to prove that it was fake. I found the opposite.

Also, I am not outraged. I merely feel that it is a pittiful situation in this country when some people feel the need to push political agendas on children. It happens from both sides. It needs to be called out when it is noticed. That is all. Can you at least accept that this event happened and that it is probably something that should not have happened?

The school probably invited the Author without ever imagining something like this. Afterwards the school administration probably hoped it would be kept quiet, because in hindsight they probably felt it smacked of indoctrination. When it got out they apologized...if it wasn't wrong to do, they would have had no reason to apologize.

My opinion is that the only thing that could/should have been done differently is that and explaination of what occured should have gone out to parents when it occured. Then no one could be outraged, nor feign outrage because it would have been properly delt with.

As for finding the details to show when it happened, and what happened, I am a bit bemused at how, being presented with facts, you can still try to shift my presentation into a bad light. I presented factual information with commentary only on my opinion concerning the mitivation for the letter.

Truth still hurts...even when it is 7 months old.

[Name removed]

89. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[EToft]

90. Refer to post #87

Not an original thought and not even an original insult. Truly a sad attempt. Keep trying though. You will all get a trophy for trying...there are no winners or loosers as long as everyone gives it their best.

[Jennicut]

91. You reply was not original. You didn't talk about how we over politicize

everything...what is your thoughts on that or do you have a brain that you use (being brainwashed by Faux does not count). And yes, I am 33 and went to school when Reagan was President and looked up to him as a kid...he was my President! It was an innocent thought and had nothing to do with politics.

[EToft]

95. Whatever...

I'm 41. Does that make any difference about what truth is?

I have children too...one is a 10 year old fifth grader. Does that make any difference about what truth is?

The other is a 16 and an honor student with straight A's. Does that make any difference about what truth is?

Both of them know better than to call other people names. Does that matter?

I preffer the style of CNN to that of FOX News. I enjoy the counter arguments provided by FOX News. Does that matter?

I merely pointed you to facts and a source that you can use to look for yourself, and somehow you found the need to attack me.

Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, Clinton, Bush, and now Obama are the Presidents of my life. I respect "my" Presidents. I respect my current President. I respect the office of President. I will never sing nor endorse a song about how great a sitting president is, because it is disrespectful to those who came before him. I will even more emphatically denounce any song, joke, or politically motivated diatribe which serves to condescend the office or the man who currently sits in that office. I don't agree with much of President Obama's ideology. I did not agree with President Bush, or Clinton on many things either, but that does not denote a lack of respect, but rather a difference of beliefs, and/or opinions.

All of your points have been previously been made by others in this thread. I never said that I covered all of those same points. You sealed the deal by referring to me as being something less than human...repeating another poster, who had just used the same derogatory (and apparently banned) condescending term.

It was kind of boring at that point, so I called you out.

BTW...Mrs. Overall is winning against you in the battle of wit. Try harder. HINT: Facts help your argument and bore your audience...opinions are good for color commentary, and entertainment. Opinions are also usually a good source of ammunition for your opponent. A good mix makes for good debate and the best source for truth.

[Mrs. Overall]

93. For all of your intellectual dallying, big words, condescension--you just misspelled "losers"--

Ah, the simple yet profound poetic justice in that.

You insulted my intelligence in a post above because I dared to refer to you as an "imaginary creature," but don't worry, for all of your poutrage, the mods deleted my terrible post in which I used the "t" word.

You will be a fun one to watch. Your intellectual scolds complete with grammatical errors and misspellings will be an added treat.

Welcome to DU.

[EToft]

94. Now that was good...

I am truly curious. What is so bad about that "t" word that it got your post deleted?

I do apaolgise for my spealing error. :-) One of many faults of mine...I tend to get a bit fat fingered and/or miss keys at times. I also, very often, neglect to edit my own writing in online commentary. It's usually a waste of time, because I am likely to miss errors when re-reading things that I have just written. I hope that you (and everyone else will) understand that and be willing to overlook a few errors.

As to the sentence fragment in my post: In online communication small aberrations such as these are usually allowed without reservation and are typically politely overlooked as common/colloquial language. I will attempt to be more careful in future communications. In the past I, have even been hypocritical enough to point out the errors of others...I now make a conscious effort to refrain from such counterproductive behavior. No more glass house syndrome here. You might wish to go check all of your past posts to be sure that I cannot find any rocks...should I get an ornery urge to regress and go looking.

With that said, I will continue to reserve the right to get down right sloppy at any moment, should the mood strike.

In post #85 you will notice that I was intending to prove the video to be a fake. I truly thought it was planted, and I don't care for that sort of disingenuous nonsense...from either side.

Please notice: The information I provided in my original post was an attempt to help you and others find answers to the queries from your post #40. If you want to follow up on the specific points of your queries, you will need to take it up with Dr. Christopher M. Manno or Dr. King, Principal of B. Bernice Young School.

Please be sure to proof read this for me and report back any errors at your earliest convenience.

[Mrs. Overall]

96. Having read some of your other posts, I am wondering what your personal political

views are. I am curious in an honest sense and I don't plan on attacking you. You mentioned disagreeing with Obama on some issues, but also that you disagreed with Bush on various things as well.

You've entered DU with much bravado, verbosity, confidence, and an odd sort of insight that can be off-putting because of the seeming arrogance attached to it.

Your posts show that you are not simply a black and white thinker, but one who does consider the complexities and inherent paradoxes of any given situation or problem.

If you are a "t" at least you are an above average one.

[Why Syzygy]

102. It's only off putting

because of your own arrogant attitude. And because your comments are just plain wrong. You're another one who would do well to get over your damn self.

You are ESPECIALLY wrong about this poster being troll-ish. Perhaps you've never seen a real live one.

You aren't entitled to know his political views. Ma'am. If he shares them it would be due only to his charity.

[Mrs. Overall]

103. Have you read his/her responses to the people on this thread?

Talk about a condescending attitude. I am only responding in kind since my intellectual capacity was called into question on an above post.

I don't flaunt intellectual heft or adopt an attitude unless I am directly challenged. You need to reread what was said to me and to Jennicut. Those responses are quite cutting and rude.

As far as seeing live trolls, I've been around DU for eight years and I have seen many trolls come and go, and in fact, I am quite adept at spotting them early.

You, my dear Why, are kissing this new DUer's ass, and I find that absolutely fascinating.

[Why Syzygy]

104. He posted the story from CNN

I took a lot of beatings from nit wit remarks earlier on. Is it better that they attack me with dumbed down rhetoric? Does that soothe your soul?

He was attacked right out of the gate for posting a CNN story with all the facts spelled right out there for those too stubborn (or fearful or just plain immature) to see.

I find your responses quite unremarkable and not fascinating in the least. You deem yourself much more clever than the facts warrant; which is an all too common feature.

And, btw, I have a history of being kind to new DU members. If you don't then that's on you. I think enough of myself to care about the people around me. I'm sure the idea of someone being thoughtful highly offends you.

[Mrs. Overall]

105. Let me spell this out more clearly--

I am not talking about the original posting of the CNN story. I am talking about his/her responses to Jennicut and myself.

First of all, the CNN story was posted as "The Truth Hurts" with a "ha, ha, gotcha Obama lovers" attitude.

Here, let me cut and paste the other responses by this new DUer that I thought were arrogant and unkind.

(This first quote is addressed to me because I questioned the motivation of the post and used the word "troll")

"Any argument from you will be disregarded from now on because you obviously do not have the intellect nor maturity to deal with grown up people in a real world. If you didn't catch that...it was sarcasm...look it up. I used sarcasm because you called me a troll which is an imaginary creature...apparently part of your imaginary world.

You see how much more effective an intellectual slam is? It's kind of fun, but very counter productive. I doubt you will have any interest in reading anything I say from here forward. I might continue to read your posts however to see if your style improves. If not it should at least be fun to revert to grade school antics from time to time."


And to Jennicut (talk about condescending):

"All of your points have been previously been made by others in this thread. I never said that I covered all of those same points. You sealed the deal by referring to me as being something less than human...repeating another poster, who had just used the same derogatory (and apparently banned) condescending term.

It was kind of boring at that point, so I called you out.

BTW...Mrs. Overall is winning against you in the battle of wit. Try harder. HINT: Facts help your argument and bore your audience...opinions are good for color commentary, and entertainment. Opinions are also usually a good source of ammunition for your opponent. A good mix makes for good debate and the best source for truth."


I think you are falling all over yourself to make this DUer feel welcome not out of the kindness of your heart, but because this was one of the only DUers on the entire thread that agreed with your point.

And yes, you are so correct about how anyone doing anything thoughtful offends me--that's why I was a nun for a number of years and taught children, worked in soup kitchens, hospitals, and prisons. The whole idea of thoughtfulness really fucking offends me.

[Why Syzygy]

107. Oh.

A nun. Now the vision comes into focus.

Of course I was interested in another member who isn't afraid or offended by the FACTS of the case.
Slap my hand.

[Mrs. Overall]

109. Yes, I am so glad you posted over and over how kind you are.

That is one of the meanest things anyone has ever said to me on DU.

Oh well. There's good days on DU and bad days.

I really need to pick and choose my posts more carefully.

You win.

[Why Syzygy]

112. Embrace the shadow.

http://www.shadowdance.com/shadow/theshadow.html


btw, if you want to make a clickable link in your sig line, use this code:

[link:www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdQJ12Dhb-M|The Musical]

[Why Syzygy]

101. LOL!

You are way too funny to be a troll. If you frequent DU, you'll be able to spot them. They are not funny; just MEAN.

Your welcome pack:

Rules of the road:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/forums/rules_detailed.html

Glossary:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_oet&address=358x190

I do hope you stick around. There are many intelligent peeps who post. Just not nearly enough.

[EToft]

114. Humor and sarcasm...

Thank you for noting that what others percieve as arrogance, was intended as smarta$$ humor.

Life is too short to take oneself too seriously, and the day isn't long enough to take others too seriously.

Thanks for the friendly welcome.

[Why Syzygy]

98. Hooray!

Thanks for showing up and a BIG Welcome to DU! :hi:

You got the full baptism already! I am truly stunned by the reactions of members in this thread. How could this incident possibly reflect on them? I don't get it. But, all the DENIAL! Now THAT reflects very poorly indeed. How is our society ever going to move forward if progressives resort to the same sorts of heads in sand that the freepers do. (rhetorical) and (sad)

DU hint: For a little less suspicion (if you care), unhide your profile.

[BeyondGeography]

86. February...are you guys hurting that bad for material?

ACORN proving not to have any legs or something?

[WriteDown]

79. Now picked up by Chinese news....

http://www.dgshi.cn/content/200909/254066.html

Which is weird all by itself.

[NYC Liberal]

88. So what do you think about THIS video?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oW0kxMUQ8co

OMG! (And it's on YouTube, so it must be real)

[defendandprotect]

92. Not the GOP's doing, by any chance? Manipulation of parents by using kids???

[ddeclue]

100. Brought to you by the department of anecdotal crap.

thanks FakeNews.

:P

[Generator]

106. What's with the fucking hysteria?

Always with the hysteria over the precious children. FYI-I watched it and thought it was cute. It appeared to be a rap made up by that one kid that started it-a little white boy. THE HORROR. Equal pay-THE HORROR. Children singing the president's' name-the HORROR. GOD, what is it with the freaks in this country? Were those kids being marched off to war? To be tortured? NO, they were singing a damn song for two minutes. GAWD, this country is batshit.

Interesting most of the DU responses were to trash that it was real. It looked real. WHO CARES? It wasn't evil. It wasn't wrong. Worse shit every damn day happens to kids in every school in the nation. They get shunned. They get called fat. They get called worse names. Teachers ignore them. Lord, they weren't worshiping Barrack Hussein Obama. AND if they were-HE wasn't the president that sent your kids to die in wars that weren't necessary America. Where's the outrage over that?

[Why Syzygy]

108. Well, see...

we didn't even get to discuss the situation logically due to all the howls and denials.
If DU is any indication, "batshit" hardly begins to describe the state of the nation.

[flvegan]

113. The Aristocrats!!!

Sorry, that's all that was missing from this thread.

[Why Syzygy]

115. SF Gate report - kids made up songs about FEMA/Bush

First, why in God's name would Malkin link to every conservative flack on the block about this matter, and uh, second, forget that in 2006 school kids were instructed to make up a song praising FEMA and its work in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and then sing it directly to Laura Bush!


And speaking, er, writing of President Bush, what about the "Jesus Camp" where kids were worshiping a cardboard cutout of good old Number 43? Ah, didn't see it? I've got it right here for ya:


http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/abraham/detail?blogid=95&entry_id=48336

[LWolf]

116. Well, at least this article gives a little more info

than was available yesterday.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6617224

This educator thinks that the song goes too far. It's not inappropriate to sing songs about presidents as part of learning about them or recognizing president's day; those songs, or any other activity teaching about presidents, shouldn't judge, positively or negatively.

I've used something of the sort myself; a presidential rap. It ends with 41, though. Needs to be updated ;):

http://bp0.blogger.com/_Ha7mUjP6WpA/RjFOwN0JH0I/AAAAAAAABDE/Nj7OX0OkGbE/s400/The+Buck+Stops+Here.jpg

It's also not inappropriate to include Obama in any activities focused on Black History Month, obviously.

Learning about a president is different than filking a song about Jesus for him, obviously. The comparison is offensive in the extreme, and the political slanting is highly inappropriate. Since the teacher in question is retired, there is really nothing that the district can do about it at this point, other than issuing a statement condemning the use of an inappropriate song, and having principals remind staff about what constitutes "appropriate" in this kind of situation.

That said, I have to comment on this:

<snip>

Superintendent Christopher Manno said in a written statement Thursday that the taping itself was out of order, but failed to address whether the lesson was approved. "The recording and distribution of the class activity were unauthorized," he wrote in a note to parents and the media.

Superintendents don't "approve" lessons or activities. Neither do principals. There is some gray area here since the rise of the "standards and accountability" movement; some districts have moved towards the use of some "scripted curriculum," and some of those have harsh consequences for a teacher going off-script. I don't think that would include Social Studies, though. Some districts and principals do require teachers to submit plan books on a weekly basis; usually this is to document what state standards are taught when, not to "approve" lessons.

Generally, though, the lessons and activities are left to teachers' professional discretion. I wonder if the parents of those children expressed concern back in February, or if it's only a concern now that it has been reported in the media. If parents had expressed concern at the time, it would have been handled then.