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Oh, Florida... at least we think of the children?Follow

#1 Sep 03 2009 at 5:40 AM Rating: Good
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http://politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2009/sep/02/republican-party-florida/republican-party-florida-says-obama-will-indoctrin/ wrote:
Republican Party of Florida says Obama will "indoctrinate" school children with "socialist ideology"

President Barack Obama plans to speak to the nation's schoolchildren on Sept. 8. According to the U.S. Department of Education, the speech will be about "the importance of persisting and succeeding in school," and the department is offering classroom materials to "engage students and stimulate discussion on the importance of education in their lives."

You might think that would be a harmless topic, and that people across the political spectrum could agree on the importance of education.

Not so for the Republican Party of Florida, which released a statement "condemning President Obama's use of taxpayer dollars to indoctrinate America’s children to his socialist agenda."

"As the father of four children, I am absolutely appalled that taxpayer dollars are being used to spread President Obama's socialist ideology," said Jim Greer, party chairman, in a news release.

"The idea that schoolchildren across our nation will be forced to watch the president justify his plans for government-run health care, banks, and automobile companies, increasing taxes on those who create jobs, and racking up more debt than any other president, is not only infuriating, but goes against beliefs of the majority of Americans, while bypassing American parents through an invasive abuse of power," he added.

"The Democrats have clearly lost the battle to maintain control of the message this summer, so now that school is back in session, President Obama has turned to American’s children to spread his liberal lies, indoctrinating American’s youngest children before they have a chance to decide for themselves," he concluded.

The release, which we received via e-mail, told us to click a link to learn more about Obama's speech.

That took us to the U.S. Department of Education Web site, where Secretary Arne Duncan wrote that the speech was about "the importance of education."

"The president will challenge students to work hard, set educational goals, and take responsibility for their learning," Duncan wrote. "He will also call for a shared responsibility and commitment on the part of students, parents and educators to ensure that every child in every school receives the best education possible so they can compete in the global economy for good jobs and live rewarding and productive lives as American citizens."

We asked the Republican Party of Florida for evidence that Obama intended to discuss health care, banks, automobile companies or taxes with the nation's schoolchildren. They couldn't point us to anything.

A spokesman said the party was particularly concerned about the study questions the department had provided. "The goal of these materials is to tell students why they should support President Obama in his overall agenda," said Katie Gordon.

"If the former administration had done something like this, the media would be handling this a lot differently," she added.

We reviewed the study materials but didn't see any mention of controversial issues, let alone any attempt to indoctrinate students in socialism. The pre-K through 6th grade materials said the main ideas of the speech would be "citizenship, personal responsibility, civic duty." The materials for high schoolers mention "personal responsibility, goals, persistence."

We searched previous media reports to see if former President George W. Bush ever gave a nationwide address to schoolchildren, but based on our search, it appears he did not. He did, however, regularly visit individual schools and discuss the importance of education with students.

We did learn, however, that President George H.W. Bush addressed the nation's students in a televised speech during school hours in 1991. ''I can't understand for the life of me what's so great about being stupid,'' Bush said, according to news reports from the time. He told students to ''block out the kids who think it's not cool to be smart'' and ''work harder, learn more.''

Democrats at the time criticized the speech. "The Department of Education should not be producing paid political advertising for the president, it should be helping us to produce smarter students," said Richard Gephardt, then the Democratic majority leader in the House of Representatives.

Republican Newt Gingrich defended Bush's speech, though. "Why is it political for the president of the United States to discuss education?" Gingrich said at the time. "It was done at a nonpolitical site and was beamed to a nonpolitical audience. . . . They wanted to reach the maximum audience with the maximum effect to improve education."

But we digress.

In ruling on Greer's statement, we wondered whether we should give him latitude for legitimate commentary on Obama's speech. But he crossed a line when he said that Obama intended to discuss "plans for government-run health care, banks, and automobile companies" and other policy matters not germane to education. That is factually incorrect, and the party could not offer any support for the statement. For raising the specter of socialist ideology and indoctrination, the party takes its claim to an additional, absurd level.


If the 2008 election was any indication, the Republican party down here in FL is ****-poor in organization and running on exactly two things: scared old people and scared rednecks. Unfortunately, FL has both in excess. Still, it does make me laugh to see the chairperson of the FL Republican party raise the idea of socialist indoctrination without any facts behind it. It also makes me Smiley: oyvey. Mostly that second one.
#2 Sep 03 2009 at 6:08 AM Rating: Good
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I caught the first few minutes of the O'riley factor last night while cooking, and this was the topic. I shook my head, and thought,"Wow, how far did they have to spin this to get this interpretation?" But, it's the O'riley factor and I fully expected something asinine. It's another thing entirely when it comes out of the actual Republican party. The worst part in my opinion is that this kind of thing happens far too often for me to be even the least bit shocked.
#3 Sep 03 2009 at 6:11 AM Rating: Decent
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Quote:
But, it's the O'riley factor and I fully expected something asinine. It's another thing entirely when it comes out of the actual Republican party.


That's like the distinction between Marketing and Product Management, really.

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#4 Sep 03 2009 at 6:27 AM Rating: Excellent
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Not that I think it was worth any hub-bub but the White House has already dropped the study suggestions anyway.
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Wow. Regular ol' Joph fan club in here.
#5 Sep 03 2009 at 7:10 AM Rating: Decent
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Not so for the Republican Party of Florida, which released a statement "condemning President Obama's use of taxpayer dollars to indoctrinate America’s children to his socialist agenda."


It's like Varrus is the RP sock Smiley: laugh
#6 Sep 03 2009 at 7:17 AM Rating: Good
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The vast majority of righty protestation of Obama's goings-on nowadays is baseless sputtering anyway.
#7 Sep 03 2009 at 7:45 AM Rating: Decent
Admiral LockeColeMA wrote:
[...] Jim Greer, party chairman [...]


Anyone else read that as "petty chairman?" No? Just me?
#8 Sep 03 2009 at 12:07 PM Rating: Default
Ash,

Quote:
The vast majority of righty protestation of Obama's goings-on nowadays is baseless sputtering anyway.


Could be worse. Lefty protestors apparently think it's ok to bite the fingers off the elderly.

#9 Sep 03 2009 at 12:13 PM Rating: Excellent
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publiusvarus wrote:
Could be worse. Lefty protestors apparently think it's ok to bite the fingers off the elderly.

Yum. Ladyfingers!
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Belkira wrote:
Wow. Regular ol' Joph fan club in here.
#10 Sep 03 2009 at 12:15 PM Rating: Good
publiusvarus wrote:
Ash,

Quote:
The vast majority of righty protestation of Obama's goings-on nowadays is baseless sputtering anyway.


Could be worse. Lefty protestors apparently think it's ok to bite the fingers off the elderly.


Are you sure you haven't got left wing protesters and ghouls mixed up again?
#11REDACTED, Posted: Sep 03 2009 at 12:24 PM, Rating: Sub-Default, (Expand Post) Kavek,
#12 Sep 03 2009 at 12:27 PM Rating: Excellent
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Now that's grass roots activism!
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Belkira wrote:
Wow. Regular ol' Joph fan club in here.
#13 Sep 03 2009 at 12:28 PM Rating: Decent
publiusvarus wrote:
Kavek,

We can understand you not being able to tell the difference between a ghoul and radical lefty.

Quote:
Authorities are searching for a healthcare reform activist today who they said bit off the finger of a 65-year-old counter-demonstrator during a fight at a MoveOn.org rally in Thousand Oaks.

“It all started with their difference in philosophy over healthcare reform,” said Senior Deputy Eric Buschow of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department.

The incident occurred about 7 p.m. Wednesday at a “We Can’t Afford to Wait Vigil” organized by affiliates of the activist group MoveOn.org, which drew supporters of President Obama’s healthcare plan, Buschow said. The rally also attracted several counter-protesters, he said.

During the rally at Lynn Road and Hillcrest Drive, near the Oaks Mall, the two men got into a heated argument and began fighting.


What the article doesn't tell you is the lefty protestor crossed the street to the GOP protestors and got right in the face of the 65yr old instigating the entire situation.


There's a not so subtle difference between a random crazy person and someone who's elected or otherwise appointed to represent a group of people.
#14REDACTED, Posted: Sep 03 2009 at 12:28 PM, Rating: Sub-Default, (Expand Post) Jophed,
#15 Sep 03 2009 at 12:31 PM Rating: Excellent
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And bibs!
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Belkira wrote:
Wow. Regular ol' Joph fan club in here.
#16REDACTED, Posted: Sep 03 2009 at 12:33 PM, Rating: Sub-Default, (Expand Post) Duck,
#17 Sep 03 2009 at 12:35 PM Rating: Good
publiusvarus wrote:
Good thing he didn't bring a gun.


That's the republican schtick.
#18 Sep 03 2009 at 12:37 PM Rating: Excellent
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publiusvarus wrote:


Quote:
at a Town Hall meeting in St. Louis, MO, Democrats snuck in SEIU union thugs (see below referenced video) who are shown attacking, beating to the ground and kicking patriot Kenneth Gladney.


How the hell did they take down a football player? Ha, Pats must really suck this season!
#19REDACTED, Posted: Sep 03 2009 at 1:26 PM, Rating: Sub-Default, (Expand Post) What no one want to discuss how this guy was just doing what Obama told him which lead to the dismemberment of an elderly citizens finger?
#20 Sep 03 2009 at 1:55 PM Rating: Excellent
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publiusvarus wrote:
What no one want to discuss how this guy was just doing what Obama told him which lead to the dismemberment of an elderly citizens finger?


Obama wrote:
Bite off Republican fingers, my pretties! FOR SOCIALISM! Hehehehe!


Smiley: eek You're right!
#21 Sep 03 2009 at 2:09 PM Rating: Excellent
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publiusvarus wrote:
What no one want to discuss how this guy was just doing what Obama told him which lead to the dismemberment of an elderly citizens finger?

"If they bring a knife WE'LL BITE OFF THEIR MOTHERFUCKING FINGERS!!!"

Smiley: laughSmiley: laughSmiley: laugh

Although, if more people had their fingers bitten off, there might more more support for health care!

Edited, Sep 3rd 2009 5:10pm by Jophiel
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Belkira wrote:
Wow. Regular ol' Joph fan club in here.
#22 Sep 03 2009 at 2:16 PM Rating: Good
Edited by bsphil
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At least the new-age McCarthy isn't from WI this time. >_>
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If no one debated with me, then I wouldn't post here anymore.
Take the hint guys, please take the hint.
gbaji wrote:
I'm not getting my news from anywhere Joph.
#23 Sep 03 2009 at 4:49 PM Rating: Good
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They're afraid Obama = Hypnotoad.

#24 Sep 03 2009 at 5:19 PM Rating: Excellent
publiusvarus wrote:
What no one want to discuss how this guy was just doing what Obama told him which lead to the dismemberment of an elderly citizens finger?


Thankfully the victim in question was admitted into a hospital and quickly cared for, all covered by Medicare.
#25 Sep 03 2009 at 7:25 PM Rating: Good
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Smiley: laugh

CNN now has this story. Here's the part Varrus left out:
Quote:
Rice said he hit the other man on the nose when he came at him... his left hand ended up in the other man's mouth during the incident, and the top part of his left pinky finger was bitten off.


The old dude threw a punch at the guy, which went into his mouth and THAT'S why he lost the (not whole) tip of his finger.

Fantastic Smiley: laugh

So the correct story is, counter-protester throws a punch at a guy, gets his hand in his mouth, and loses the tip of his finger. Thanks for the derail Varrus! It was really...

wait for it

...

tasteful Smiley: grin
#26 Sep 03 2009 at 7:50 PM Rating: Excellent
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Nah, CNN is just another liberal media outlet. The real story is that the leftist demonstrator tied a lobster bib around his neck before the assault, then used a saltshaker and single-serving butter pat on the offending digit before grabbing the victim's arm and shoving the whole hand into his mouth.
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publiusvarus wrote:
we all know liberals are well adjusted american citizens who only want what's best for society. While conservatives are evil money grubbing scum who only want to sh*t on the little man and rob the world of its resources.
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