Niza, please

GAT_00: Safety is bullshiat. Parental backlash he's right about. In Arizona, there will be all kinds of biatching if Obama would speak at the graduation.

Yeah, presumably the secret service would provide necessary protection for Obama.

But I'm really horrified that there is a legitimate concern about parental backlash over inviting the sitting President to a school.

In the immortal words of Eminem, "C'mon, how f*cked up is you?"

I figure backing it or not the principal is farked. Somebody's getting pissed off for it and firing him.

Yeah, not EVERYTHING school administrators do is silly or stupid.

Hell most of what they do that IS stupid is just an attempt to avoid trouble for the school (meaning parental lawsuits).

This? Not so stupid. Sad, but not so stupid.

I'm unsure if that would be equivalent to inviting Gordon Brown or the Queen to speak at your school.

One is inviting an old biddy who's not terribly in touch with politics, and the other is the Queen.

Still a bit silly to not allow them to petition on the off chance Obama has a free schedule.

Amnestic: Still a bit silly to not allow them to petition on the off chance Obama has a free schedule.

No, the problem is he has a commencement speech in his schedule, and there is a real ^ (if small) chance he would arrive.

jekxrb: But I'm really horrified that there is a legitimate concern about parental backlash over inviting the sitting President to a school.

America has become so un-American. Can we dig up the founding fathers and hook generators to their spinning bodies, now?

Do the students realize what a cluster f... it is when the a President dose an appearance like this? Starting a few days before the event, the whole school and much of the city will have feds crawling over it. The day of the event will have a good chunk of the city closed down. Not to mention the cost. If I were the Principal this is why I would say no.

This principal should be fired today. A new principal should start Monday morning.

Really? Even if you disagree with his politics he is still the President of the United States.

If he had a chance to show up this could be a once in a lifetime opportunity for those students to sit in the same room as the president and listen to a speech or whatever. Hell I hated Bush's polices/politics and I still would have been excited to see him in person.

Wert789: Do the students realize what a cluster f... it is when the a President dose an appearance like this? Starting a few days before the event, the whole school and much of the city will have feds crawling over it. The day of the event will have a good chunk of the city closed down. Not to mention the cost. If I were the Principal this is why I would say no.

But when they are 80 and remembering seeing the POTUS speak at their school at their request, none of that shiat will matter.

President McCain wouldn't have this problem.

One has to wonder whether there would have been as much hand-wringing in the press if Bush had been dissed this way.

randompersons87: Really? Even if you disagree with his politics he is still the President of the United States.

If he had a chance to show up this could be a once in a lifetime opportunity for those students to sit in the same room as the president and listen to a speech or whatever. Hell I hated Bush's polices/politics and I still would have been excited to see him in person.

This, if simply for nothing other than bragging rights.

/Bush is a puppet. Cheney/Rove/Yu/etc. are the real villans

jmadisonbiii: One has to wonder whether there would have been as much hand-wringing in the press if Bush had been dissed this way.

Most students/schools do not want criminals speaking at their events.
Plus Bush is an idiot that cannot put three sentences together when he speaks.

Are you wondering anymore?

jmadisonbiii: One has to wonder whether there would have been as much hand-wringing in the press if Bush had been dissed this way.

One has to wonder if President Bush ever intended to visit a public school but was turned away by the principal, "because he worried about student safety and parent complaints." Do you remember where President Bush was on the morning of 9/11/2001?

...and think of all the extra/overtime work created when they have to unweld all the manhole covers.

Fark, did a 4th grader write that article?

Bush spoke at my college when the class before me was graduating. I missed two classes months before the even because, lo and behold, the police cut Gautier, MS in half to allow President Bush through to observe the Coast or some such bullshiat. That was fun explaining that to my teacher:
Me:"Ma'am, I am unable to come to class today. I want to, but alas I can not."
Her:"Okay, I'll just mark you absent for the day."
Me:"No no, before you do that I need to explain why. You see, I am unable to come to class today because President George W Bush of the United States of America will not let me."
Her:"Are you in Guantanamo?"
Me:"Close enough: south part of Gautier."
Her:"Don't get into legal trouble and I won't mark you absent. See you in two days!"

Barfmaker: In the article there's an excellent quote after he changed his mind to allow the application and the students said to him that they had respected his objection and he answered, "But you didn't".

Right after that the students were also quoted as saying they didn't understand why the principal and administration wouldn't back their application. The thing is, he had explained why. What they should have said was that they not only didn't like his decision, they also didn't respect it and were going to strong arm him into compliance.

The students' objection was that another school was doing it. It was like when my son was young and he'd try the argument, "But Billy's parents are letting him do it". Good argument, really goes to the issue.

So already the students' sense of entitlement is reinforced. I mean shiat, why even have a principal if his only job is to let them make the farking decisions and sign the occasional piece of paper for them? Oh right, someone needs to do all the goddamn work and deal with the bullshiat that comes from the decision.

If they do win it'll probably roll out the way the principal said it would. Parents will be up his ass, the crazier ones will probably phone or visit his house, the rest of the school year will be a huge farking distraction, and the staff workload will be outrageous.

Sounds lovely.

If my rectum had half the suction power of your pointless negativity, I'd be pulling bedsheets out of my ass every morning.

Print out your post and then re-read it after a successful stint on anti-depressants. Having the president speak at your school is a memorable and positive event. Yes it requires extra work and planning, but that's something that doesn't dissuade normal human beings from enjoying it.

In the immortal words of Chris Rock, "I understand". A presidential visit would be a royal pain in the ass for the administration, between coordinating with the secret service, dealing with the media and all the biatching parents, its 99% negative for an administrator.

But that 1% is positive for the students. All of you put your damn politics aside and realize it's the President coming to speak at your school. He's going to talk about the importance of education, not whether your Jesus is better or worse than anyone else's Jesus. Sheesh!

Cold1s: Wert789: Do the students realize what a cluster f... it is when the a President dose an appearance like this? Starting a few days before the event, the whole school and much of the city will have feds crawling over it. The day of the event will have a good chunk of the city closed down. Not to mention the cost. If I were the Principal this is why I would say no.

But when they are 80 and remembering seeing the POTUS speak at their school at their request, none of that shiat will matter.

Now they learned a lesson. Right or wrong, if you biatch long enough, loud enough you'll get your way.

whoflungpoop: Barfmaker: In the article there's an excellent quote after he changed his mind to allow the application and the students said to him that they had respected his objection and he answered, "But you didn't".

Right after that the students were also quoted as saying they didn't understand why the principal and administration wouldn't back their application. The thing is, he had explained why. What they should have said was that they not only didn't like his decision, they also didn't respect it and were going to strong arm him into compliance.

The students' objection was that another school was doing it. It was like when my son was young and he'd try the argument, "But Billy's parents are letting him do it". Good argument, really goes to the issue.

So already the students' sense of entitlement is reinforced. I mean shiat, why even have a principal if his only job is to let them make the farking decisions and sign the occasional piece of paper for them? Oh right, someone needs to do all the goddamn work and deal with the bullshiat that comes from the decision.

If they do win it'll probably roll out the way the principal said it would. Parents will be up his ass, the crazier ones will probably phone or visit his house, the rest of the school year will be a huge farking distraction, and the staff workload will be outrageous.

Sounds lovely.

If my rectum had half the suction power of your pointless negativity, I'd be pulling bedsheets out of my ass every morning.

Print out your post and then re-read it after a successful stint on anti-depressants. Having the president speak at your school is a memorable and positive event. Yes it requires extra work and planning, but that's something that doesn't dissuade normal human beings from enjoying it.

LOL

While I was reading this, my Mastiff was loudly licking his ass.

GAT_00: Safety is bullshiat. Parental backlash he's right about. In Arizona, there will be all kinds of biatching if Obama would speak at the graduation.

I'd put it the other way around. Parents can bite me, but the president has to have the secret service around all the time for a reason.

Sweet Chin Music: President McCain wouldn't have this problem.

Oh, you. Get out of here, troll. You want the thread two articles up.

Wert789: Do the students realize what a cluster f... it is when the a President dose an appearance like this?

No, and now they won't get to thanks to inconsiderate overworrying twats like yourself.

hurdboy: GAT_00: Safety is bullshiat.

It's not so much "safety" as it is "security." You're talking about a process that would normally take three hours now taking eight, parents/family having to arrive three hours prior to the event's start time. Police support. A much bigger crowd than would normally attend, because pretty much everybody would like to see the President.....

Parental backlash he's right about.

See above. Parents will biatch about the incredible amount of time it'll take, and having cavity searches to get in.

In Arizona, there will be all kinds of biatching if Obama would speak at the graduation.

You're giving this guy waaaaay too much credit. If there's someone who's politically tone-deaf, it's a teacher who normally votes for whomever the NEA endorsed.

I maintain the majority of this is worth it for the experience of a lifetime for the kids.

randompersons87: Really? Even if you disagree with his politics he is still the President of the United States.

If he had a chance to show up this could be a once in a lifetime opportunity for those students to sit in the same room as the president and listen to a speech or whatever.

Definitely This.

randompersons87: Really? Hell I hated Bush's polices/politics and I still would have been excited to see him in person.

...not so much of that.

No politicians.

AbbeySomeone: whoflungpoop: Barfmaker: In the article there's an excellent quote after he changed his mind to allow the application and the students said to him that they had respected his objection and he answered, "But you didn't".

Right after that the students were also quoted as saying they didn't understand why the principal and administration wouldn't back their application. The thing is, he had explained why. What they should have said was that they not only didn't like his decision, they also didn't respect it and were going to strong arm him into compliance.

The students' objection was that another school was doing it. It was like when my son was young and he'd try the argument, "But Billy's parents are letting him do it". Good argument, really goes to the issue.

So already the students' sense of entitlement is reinforced. I mean shiat, why even have a principal if his only job is to let them make the farking decisions and sign the occasional piece of paper for them? Oh right, someone needs to do all the goddamn work and deal with the bullshiat that comes from the decision.

If they do win it'll probably roll out the way the principal said it would. Parents will be up his ass, the crazier ones will probably phone or visit his house, the rest of the school year will be a huge farking distraction, and the staff workload will be outrageous.

Sounds lovely.

If my rectum had half the suction power of your pointless negativity, I'd be pulling bedsheets out of my ass every morning.

Print out your post and then re-read it after a successful stint on anti-depressants. Having the president speak at your school is a memorable and positive event. Yes it requires extra work and planning, but that's something that doesn't dissuade normal human beings from enjoying it.

LOL

While I was reading this, my Mastiff was loudly licking his ass.

Oh, sure. Your mastiff.

Barfmaker: In the article there's an excellent quote after he changed his mind to allow the application and the students said to him that they had respected his objection and he answered, "But you didn't".

Right after that the students were also quoted as saying they didn't understand why the principal and administration wouldn't back their application. The thing is, he had explained why. What they should have said was that they not only didn't like his decision, they also didn't respect it and were going to strong arm him into compliance.

The students' objection was that another school was doing it. It was like when my son was young and he'd try the argument, "But Billy's parents are letting him do it". Good argument, really goes to the issue.

So already the students' sense of entitlement is reinforced. I mean shiat, why even have a principal if his only job is to let them make the farking decisions and sign the occasional piece of paper for them? Oh right, someone needs to do all the goddamn work and deal with the bullshiat that comes from the decision.

If they do win it'll probably roll out the way the principal said it would. Parents will be up his ass, the crazier ones will probably phone or visit his house, the rest of the school year will be a huge farking distraction, and the staff workload will be outrageous.

Sounds lovely.

I disagree with your assessment, though I believe I can see why you would have such. First of, the students quite certainly did respect his opinion, or more specifically they respected the fact that he had beliefs that they did not agree with, and that he was entitled to such. However, respect does not necessitate agreement. What they did not agree with was that his beliefs would potentially deprive them of a once in a lifetime opportunity. Given the reasoning he gave to explain the situation, I am not surprised. In this situation I believe the principal is more guilty of not respecting the students, as he could have likely explained the situation much better had he understood the student's concerns.

You are obviously able to analyze the situation a lot more maturely, and may have predicted the situation the principal will find himself in should this come to pass (an unlikely event if we are being honest). However, do you believe a principal would describe the situation quite like that to kids in his school, especially if it involves matters relating to the actual administration of the school? Based on the school administrators I have known in my life, I find it quite unlikely.

That said, all that was enforced was the student's political acumen. The principal is still in charge of the school, and maintains a significant amount of power. However, he is now aware of the fact that if a matter leaves the academic world and enters the political arena he should either present his case a lot more clearly, assuming there are valid concerns, and accept that the students may not agree even then, or ignore his personal political views if those are in fact the issue.

It never ceases to amaze me how people are surprised that kids can participate in adult games reasonably well.

Didn't he just assure that Obama will come to the graduation?

randompersons87: Really? Even if you disagree with his politics he is still the President of the United States.

If he had a chance to show up this could be a once in a lifetime opportunity for those students to sit in the same room as the president and listen to a speech or whatever. Hell I hated Bush's polices/politics and I still would have been excited to see him in person.

Don't agree with Obama's politics, but was going to say this.

If the President stops by, the place isn't going to -be- any safer. Anyone who pulls any shiat will be stopped instantly.

Would he have to bring his own teleprompter?

it's all fun and games until one parent complains and you lose your job

log_jammin: ah don wan mah kids indoctoranieted!


/first thing i thought of
//hot as an african breeze

GAT_00: Safety is bullshiat. Parental backlash he's right about. In Arizona, there will be all kinds of biatching if Obama would speak at the graduation.

Probably BS to avoid the real problem - the US Secret Service covers security, but the school and local gov may have to cover some costs - which sucks. He's probably using "security" as a reason instead of the more petty "it's too expensive".

A possible parental backlash is the real reason. Still, even if you don't agree with the administration - it's the Pres. How cool would it be to have the President of the US give your HS commencement speech. I don't remember mine, but I know I would remember it if President Clinton (His first year) gave the speech.

/some of the cheerleaders may remember it better...
//here all week.

Who would rightfully complain about one of the best Presidents in the entire history of the United States... nay, one of the best leaders in the history of human existance?

solokumba: jmadisonbiii: One has to wonder whether there would have been as much hand-wringing in the press if Bush had been dissed this way.

Most students/schools do not want criminals speaking at their events.
Plus Bush is an idiot that cannot put three sentences together when he speaks.

Are you wondering anymore?

You would make a great totalitarian dictator.

Having had president clinton speak at a commencement of mine, I can only say the security and the enormous amount of garbage that comes with it are NOT worth it. I hope those kids are ready to show up several hours early and wait a couple hours before they can leave.

What could have been a 2-3 hour ceremony will turn into 5-8 hours easy.

jekxrb: GAT_00:
In the immortal words of Eminem, "C'mon, how f*cked up is you?"

Well -- We did elect him.

I think he's saying the President is NEAR.

Didn't we have a huge thread yesterday about what useless tools school administrators are?

/surprised principal didn't decide to suspend the students involved
//maybe he failed his meglomaniacal douchbag class in community college while he was getting his teaching degree

whoflungpoop: -snip-

If my rectum had half the suction power of your pointless negativity, I'd be pulling bedsheets out of my ass every morning.



This is the finest quote I have ever read on Fark.

They are seriously concerned about upsetting people by having the sitting POTUS speak? Do you remember when people were excited that Nancy Reagan spoke to school children about drugs? When it was acceptable for G. W. Bush to read upside-down books at an elementary school? That was acceptable, but somehow Obama isn't.

But it has NOTHING to do with race. Nope. Not a thing.