Obama And The Youth

On September 8th President Obama gave a speech to thousands of school children across America urging them to stay in school and work hard to succeed, despite what challenges await them.  The speech seems to be a simple pep talk to start off the new school year on the right foot, but Obama has come under fire from many people saying that he is 'brainwashing' or pushing socialist ideas on our country's youth.  During a radio talk show Glenn Beck stated,  "On Tuesday, the president is going to be speaking to classrooms and your children, if they go to school -- K through sixth grade, I believe. You know, hey, get 'em while they're young." Implying that what is a simple speech might be a way for Obama to start recruiting future generations.  A contributing editor from NewsBusters, Mark Finkelstein, compared President Obama to a Communist Chinese leader.  Stating that  his speech is to brainwash the kids to believe in exactly what the President believes in and that this is just one more step to an education system with primarily government motives in mind.

UT Junior Dylan Vigliotti read the speech then the criticism and replied, "This seems a little out there, Obama is merely trying to motivate the kids to have a good school year and telling them everything is possible.  At no point is he pushing 'agenda' or anything.  He is simply motivating."  This seemed to be the feelings of many who I interviewed. 

Local business owner Kevin Kelli stated, "Obviously the republicans are still a little bitter, this is a positive speech and of course they find a negative in it." 

UT sophomore Sarah Chamberlain said, "I understand the connection between Obama and a Mao of sorts, but its a very long reach to state something like that.  Its something positive for the kids in general, a well educated populas is something to strive for, so I'm not sure where the issue is."

Whether the speech was a harmless speech to motivate the youth of America to work harder towards an education or a brainwashing scheme to create a socialistic society, we'll have to wait and see.