Reply #15: I agree that there is far too much divisiveness , however

[justanaverageguy]

That's exactly why Obama should give the speech. I respect him for it.

I am not a liberal or progressive. I fall somewhere to the right of center and did not vote for Obama. With that being said I am completely baffled why those who I otherwise largely agree with on political issues are so savagely against this speech. I have had this conversation with a couple of my friends who are very conservative and are hell bent on not letting their children see this speech. What is it that they think that President Obama is going to say that is sooooo God awful? I have had this argument with them I think they are NUTS!!! I have 2 kids, both boys. They are in the 1st and 2nd grade. Although I generally disagree with President Obama's political agenda, if he wants to send a message to my kids about the value of staying in school and getting a good education I am all for it. Hell, as far as I'm concerned he can do it once a week if he likes.

As far as the study aids and lesson plans that apparently come with the speech (my friends have a problem with this too) they do not bother me. I guess, and please correct me if I'm wrong, it is in the lesson plan for the kids to discuss what they can do to help President Obama. I want my children to learn how our system works and how to make their voice heard. One way to do that is to learn ways to influence political leaders with whom you agree or how you can help push their agenda. Even if I and my kid (if he was old enough to know) disagreed vehemently with the President, there is an educational benefit in discussing what you could do to help the President, even if you would never actually do it.

There is no shortage of serious and legitimate issues that the right can hammer President Obama on. In choosing this one to make a big deal out of, they really are making themselves look very petty and silly.