Rick Perry: Obama Speech "Disturbing," But Don't Skip School

APRIL CASTRO, AP -- Gov. Rick Perry called President Barack Obama's plan to speak to the nation's school children about the importance of education "disturbing," but he said he would not advise parents to keep their children home from school that day despite calls to do so from angry critics.

"I think it's disturbing when you get this message, that you will have your kids, in a forum where the president of the United States is, obviously he's got a message there," Perry said Thursday in an exclusive interview with The Associated Press. "Nobody seems to know what he's going to be talking about ... why didn't he spend more time talking to the local districts, superintendents?"

The White House announced this week that Obama plans to give a speech on the importance of education, aimed directly at the nation's school children, and streamed live on the White House Web site.

But Republican critics are calling it an effort to foist a socialist agenda on children. The conservative backlash has stunned teachers, principals and school districts who have been flooded with calls and e-mails from parents, many who don't want their children watching it and some who are threatening to keep their children at home in protest.

Some schools have announced they will not show the speech and others are leaving the decision to individual teachers.

U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, who is challenging Perry for the GOP gubernatorial nomination, expressed similar discomfort.

"I share the concerns of many parents about the president addressing schools in a way that leaves little choice for parents if the speech includes a political agenda," she said. "The original worksheet put out by the Department of Education raised this possibility and caused a legitimate public outcry."

While Perry said he understands the concerns of parents, he said he's "certainly not going to advise anybody not to send their kids to school that day."

"Hearing the president speak is always a memorable moment, speaking directly to school kids, I get that. I understand that," Perry said.

"Here's the thing that troubles me about it: that local school boards and superintendents weren't involved in the process," Perry said. "When this started it was clearly what appeared to be a mandate coming from Washington, D.C., that you will, we are going to pipe this into your schools and you will promote it."

He said it was another example the federal government trying to usurp state and local input.

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Comments

[Steph55]

What some of you are missing is that, it is "disturbing" to Perry and his ilk; they can ONLY survive IF people stay ignorant!!

Education and a free marketplace of ideas, is anathema to them. It's like throwing the light on, and watching the roaches run for cover! They are scared to death of anyone who dares to move education in this backward looking minority! Everything is twisted if you're always looking backwards.

[mperl95]

Rick Perry is a bafoon! There was nothing disturbing in Obama's speech urgenting kids to get an education.
Rick Perry has a pee brain and there will be more problems if you do not have a President of that stature talkng to kids to urgent them to become more of themselves.
Instructing kids to work hard, respect their teachers and not bow down to peer pressure of doing harm to themselves or others is a good thing. Someone should tell Rick Perry to do the same in his schools.
Seems like Texas has high crime rate in delinquents

[BlueTexasWoman]

Perry can't escape his own financial hypocrisy and mental diarrhea.

"We don't want your stimulus. Tea Baggers Rule! Let's Secede!...­.Hey, look at this big pile of money to spend on my friends...­.."

"It's a disturbing speech, even though I haven't bothered to read it or anything, because I was doing my hair, but don't stay home from school because that will affect our average daily attendance and cost the state Monday."

"Did I tell you I was a cheerleader?"

[tjinc]

My e-mail to governor Perry, and it only took about three minutes:

"We have elected Barack Obama as the President of the United States. One of the duties of the president is to communicate with the citizens of this country. Consider it a blessing that, unlike Bush, he regards the education of our young people as important.
Your actions are not only obstructionist just to defeat a Democratic administration, but harmful to the people of this nation."

[tjinc]

Let's do this... In addition to voicing our dislike for these GOP tinfoil hat legislators, call them and send an e-mail and/or fax.

They need to start hearing from their constituents who support this administration!

I have pledged to contact every one of these knuckleheads.

It takes a very small amount of time.

If you call, just know what you want to say before you get on the phone. If you're a constituent, identify yourself as one. If you are not, you can identify yourself as an American who will be affected by their decisions.

[gettingitright]

Obama's school speech isn't disturbing in the least. What IS disturbing is this bandwagon mentality that these republicans are determined to demonstrate. It is absolutely amazing how individual members of the GOP are trained to react in unison against anything Obama does. Someone decides republicans should be outraged about something and they get right in line and express their outrage. One thing about this "party of no" is that they are trained like seals to say and do whatever is directed in the talking points memo that gets disseminated. Independent thought is not necessary, just go along with the program. What will the phony outrage be next week?

[enlightened45]

What's really disturbing is that partial dead animal carcass on the wall behind him!!!

[spiritpony1]

Rod Blagdono--witchy in drag-------you can see it--

[chomedey]

Mr Perry you don't like Texas, and you don't like America, but you like to see your image in a mirror

[skipling]

Amen.

[denicci1977]

Telling kids to work hard, stay in school, respect their teachers and don't fall in with the peer pressure is very disturbing­..Just let them drop out and be cowboys instead.

[TyneCrescent]

Parry calling President Obama's speech to school children is "disturbing" in itself. He states he wouldn't advise parents to keep children away from school or from hearing the speech, but I don't hear him, or other politicians, speaking out against parents doing so. By not doing so, they are condoning those parents outlandish, ridiculous and disrespectful behavior. It is true now more than ever, especially for the right, desperate times call for desperate measures.

[onegandolf1]

Wow !!! Just read the text. What a commie, pinko diatribe.

No wonder school administrators in knuckle-dragger country didn't want their students exposed.

They might show up their folks and learn to read.

AND wash their hands.

[cbates]

The media should be stopped and now. What is the difference between the President speaking during prime time and school time. The media knows that this tactic is all part of the rights effort to paint this man as a socialist. The President's effort to undo all the harm done by the right wingers is being thwarted and where is the normal or people with common sense? This is how the Democratic party will be defeated in that they all need to be responding to these insane notions and not wait on the President to respond. Remember his hands are full trying to put the agenda in play. Where are all the high profiles people or democrats who want a government of the people and by the people? Why is it that the media doesn't do fairness on these issues? Well, is it because these antics help with advertisement for selling airtime to the manufacturers and or others wanting and outlet for their products.

When this country is down the tubes don't blame our current President. You should blame all the lame democrats who are just sitting back trying to not be seen.

[jeplanet]

Lunatics.s­ure do make life interesting.

[Deschris]

You Know I must be the devil, the collective rights' worst nightmare on racist street. Wouldn't it be funny if the white house released the health care speech instead.Th­at ought to make quite a few teabaggers,anti medicare/m­edicaid(so­cialized medicine) supporters freak to hell out.Mega heart failures and anxiety attacks...­grandma watch that plug puller!!!