President Obama delivered his much-anticipated back-to-school speech to students today after a week of controversy during which Republicans accused him of heaving a socialist agenda upon the nation's school children.
With some school districts still choosing not to air his remarks, Obama spoke for about 20 minutes to students at Arlington, Virginia's Wakefield High School about the importance of hard work and diligence in school, no matter the odds against success. "I know it's not always easy to do well in school," Obama said. "I know a lot of you have challenges in your lives that can make it hard to focus on school work. I get it. I know what it's like. My father left my mother when I was two-years old." He spoke of being raised by a single mother and "getting into more trouble than I should have," but also of going on to Columbia University and Harvard Law School.
"At the end of the day, the circumstances of your life-- what you look like, where you come from, how much money you have, what you've got going on at home-- none of that is an excuse for neglecting your homework or having a bad attitude in school." Ultimately, he said, "There is no excuse for not trying."
Video of a portion of the speech is below. We'll have the full video when it's ready.
Patricia Murphy writes "The Capitolist" column for PoliticsDaily.com. She is the founder of Citizen Jane Politics, a non-partisan website for women... more
That pesky liberal socialist commie nazi! How dare he tell my kids to work hard and be responsible. How dare he say success is hard work, how come he said to do all your work and find out what you are good at. What a socialist, keep your filthy thoughts away from my kids, you you Socialist. LOL, sound familiar.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-7)
Alwayspissedoff@something
1:30PM Sep 8th 2009
moderate,
This was a great speech, once they took the "what can you do for me" bull$hit out of it.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (5)
wakeupwayup
2:05PM Sep 8th 2009
Well, well, well!
Even old (always-piss-say) is coming around; who knows by year end, he might be a Demo...ya think?
There is no more Republican Party...it is now a party of retards.
"Even old (always-piss-say) is coming around; who knows by year end, he might be a Demo...ya think?" -- Wayupyours
Don't count on it Sambo. They finally let you out after serving your 30 for wife-beating? Democrats aren't so bad, but the socialist leftys like yourself are.
Keep flappin them gums boy...common sense will prevail.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (2)
wakeupwayup
2:48PM Sep 8th 2009
(Piss-say):
How many times must I tell your chauvinist ass, I am not a male...all woman, babes.
And I can kick your ass in any debate, "Racist White Trash."
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-4)
Alwayspissedoff@something
3:08PM Sep 8th 2009
Wayupyours,
Are you sure your not sportin' some gear? I sense an apple in that throat. I treat all racist pigs the same, man or shemale. You act like one...I'll treat you like one.
Bring it on shedog!
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neil
1:46PM Sep 8th 2009
lol..you rtepubs are so funny..why do you guys let beck,hannity ,and etc rule your thoughts...can't you repubs think ..our are you guys sheeps..
great speech obama..even laura bush says obama is doing a good job... john kennedy asked all americans to ask for what they can do for their country
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Steve
2:33PM Sep 8th 2009
WHY ON GOOGLE BERRY SONTRRA CHANGED HIS NAME TO OBAMA,,,IT SHOWS HE WASN'T BORN IN AMERICA,,,,SCARY,,,,AMERICANS HATE LIERS
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galvestonfisherman
2:40PM Sep 8th 2009
What kind of country do we live in when children are denied access to hearing from our president but are tested on the life and acts of Adolph Hitler? These same parents allow schools to teach children lies from outdated history books, watch degrading and unethical cartoons, and worship devilist persons as idols. What morals are you teaching your children? In a country where only 70% graduate high school and half of them can't read above 9th grade level, write a complete paragraph, spell simple words, or count out your change without the use of a cash register. You're right; The President shouldn't be talking to your children; IT"S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY!
There's nothing wrong with having a president who cares more for the children than most parents.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (10)
sitokhan1
3:08PM Sep 8th 2009
Conservative Republicans sneered at John F. Kennedy when he spoke to students too. TeaBag Racists Retards insult America and want our country to fail. They are all dirty unAmerican traitors. They insult our nation and our soldiers, who are dying for your right to spout racist hate.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (1)
jhinds6056
3:46PM Sep 8th 2009
Odumbo can now go back on vacation and text Bill Ayers "See you tell em what they want to hear and they think your moderate, too bad a good one like Van Jones and our sweet Rev had to get thrown under the bus. Who else do you recommend we put in Vansies place? Just make sure their communist ties are unknown.
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codyming
3:48PM Sep 8th 2009
Well, here we go again. Even before the President gave his speach the Right Wing Wackos were denouncing him. They said that we were all going to Socialism if our Children even listened to him. Then what happened, he told the kids to work hard in School, be responcible and do their homework, not to quit school before they graduated and to be good citizens. I guess that Rush and his buddies will say something to that. They will probebly tell the kids to do drugs (like he has been doing) and get out there quit school because that is the American Way. Just follow his example.
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robinsme
4:00PM Sep 8th 2009
I don’t care if you are a Republican or a Democrat.. And I don’t care if you like Obama or not. Obama is our President. Even though I couldn’t stand a single thing Bush stood for, he was still my president. and as a person, I had little respect for him, but as our President and Commander in Chief, he had all my respect. (this is not to say I didn't screamed at the TV when he said stupid things)But yes..even then. So...What are we teaching our children when we deny them the words from our President, especially when it was pre-posted so parents would know the content? And I have a problem with school districts dictating and denying children the opportunity to watch our President on TV, but had no problem bring in TVs for OJ's verdict, or Michael Jacksons court case, or even the world series. They denied the children the opportunity to think for themselves, and to have a great civics education today. I remember when we saluted the flag and listened with interest when our President spoke either on radio or TV no matter who it was...I listened to both the Republican and Democrat Presidents in school and our parents were not outside picketing. Too much politics is getting in the way of the United States being great again. Shame on us for letting it happen.
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big fat poopyhead
4:10PM Sep 8th 2009
Don't count on it Sambo. They finally let you out after serving your 30 for wife-beating? Democrats aren't so bad, but the socialist leftys like yourself are.
xxx
note to service attendants: Sambo's will hereinafter be known as 'no place like sam's'.
As to your wife being beat, maybe she'd be a little more spry if she dropped a couple hundred pounds.
she could at least get her job back.
at no place like sam's.....
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-2)
tmitchell0904
4:35PM Sep 8th 2009
All of you people are CRAZY!!! If the man is saying for kids to be responsible, find what they're good at and make it happen....and YOU idiots think this is crazy....HMMMM...that's why they're dumb right now....because YOU ARE TOO!!! I would HOPE that all parents would express this to their kids and appreciate ANYONE who pushes them in the positive direction. And furthermore...if he's trying to get the opinions of what government could do to make things better for them...WHAT'S SO WRONG WITH THAT? They are people too and can speak for themselves. We overlook (as adults) what's important to our children! GIVE THE MAN A BREAK! He probably wouldn't like you either if he met you..but would still respect you! Just imagine that!!!!
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jorge
4:41PM Sep 8th 2009
Good job Mr President Obama for the speech this morning, Im with you and GOD is with ous.
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Dalilah Bee
4:22AM Sep 9th 2009
GOD BLESS OUR PRESIDENT ! A man who wishes everybody should have a chance to be whatever they want to be ! and I'm sure that he really means it from the bottom of his compassionate heart !
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Tammy
5:19AM Sep 9th 2009
What's with the same articles over and over? Do all you journalists have keyword contests and comment wars or something? I can see you now all gathered in someone's livingroom counting comments and toasting whoever gets the most.
How about some info on the rest of the czars, or why Van Jones never mentioned anything about all the great green products we should be purchasing, yet found the time to discuss his close relationships with fellow convicts, whites poisoning illegal immigrants and giving everyone's money to Indians?
Could we maybe get something [positive] on the Tea Party Express making its way across America since thousands of concerned citizens [as opposed to angry mobs] turn out at every city they stop at?
Have any of you PD contributors found out about Obama's school records? If not, why?
What about Obama's comment regarding the political winds shifting where he'd favor his Muslim brothers? Anything on that?
Could we get some further clarification on his personal army?
What's going on with the investigations into ACORN?
What about that union "Card Check" controversy?
How many companies that received bailout money ended up filing bankrupcy?