Obama Speech: Handwashing, Not Brainwashing

School budget cuts more of a worry than socialist indoctrination

(NEWSER) - Despite the worst fears of some right-wingers, President Obama's back-to-school speech yesterday didn't turn Mary Elizabeth Williams' two daughters into "commie zombies," she writes in Salon. Her 5-year-old decided the speech was boring and left the room in a huff, while the 9-year-old decided to "work extra hard now because the president said it’s good to do that, and I trust him," she quotes her daughter as saying. More»

Right-wingers show 'irrational,' gut antipathy to Obama

(NEWSER) - If there’s one thing we should all be cool with, it’s the leader of the free world inspiring kids about education. But somehow the idea of President Obama giving a back-to-school speech has spawned an “outbreak of right-wing crazy,” writes Joan Walsh for Salon—“and this time it's hard not to see racism behind the hysteria.” Ever since the presidential campaign, Obama has been labeled “other” and subjected to “visceral, irrational hatred.” More»

Republicans denounce speech as 'socialist' indoctrination

(NEWSER) - Conservative critics are blasting President Obama’s plan to give a speech on education in Virginia next week as a ploy to brainwash the nation’s children, the Washington Post reports. The address, which the White House is encouraging educators and students to watch, is part of a push to “spread President Obama's socialist ideology," says the Florida Republican Party chair. More»

(NEWSER) - President Obama drew on his own childhood today to encourage students to stick with school to discover their passions and talents, a message nearly overshadowed in advance by criticism from conservatives who feared a socialist agenda. Some of the furor had died down before the noon address—the Florida GOP chief who started much of the "socialist" criticism deemed it "a good speech" after reading the prepared text, and Newt Gingrich and Laura Bush also voiced support. More»

Former first lady addresses school speech controvery in CNN interview

(NEWSER) - President Obama's doing a good job, Laura Bush tells CNN during a wide-ranging chat yesterday about life after the White House. "I think he has got a lot on his plate, and he has tackled a lot to start with," she said, "and that has probably made it more difficult." And of the controversy over Obama's upcoming address to the country's schoolchildren, the former first lady says it's "really important for everyone to respect the president of the United States." More»