Obama's Address to American Children

OMG,I'm so compelled to write.
First let me say, I have been without TV or internet for almost 3 weeks. In three weeks, it seems the world has gone mad. Mad? Why?
Well, it seems some Americans would now like to censor the President of the United States. They would prefer he not talk to their American children. I've asked a few people why is that and they replied, "well, we don't know what he's going to say".
Ah ha, well we can't have that. I mean the President did schedule an address to school students about the importance of education. Sounded like a good idea to me, but to my surprise, many Republicans or scared Americans of certain nationalites were not too keen on the idea.
Funny thing was, I wasn't aware of any of this until my grandson brought home a permission slip to sign concerning this matter. The letter was generic enough. All a parent had to do was a sign their name and child's name if they didn't want them to view the nationally televised special. The letter stated that there would be an alternative activity for the children who weren't allowed to hear the President speak.
Being in my mid-50's and having raised a few kids myself, I was astonished by this. I don't recall anything of this sort for any other President. This seems to me to be a bit prejudicial considering what I've experienced, not to mention my utter shock by the idea of having to have permission to hear what Our American President has to say. My shock soon lead to anger and now I'm on a campaign to let Houston ISD's know how I feel. I have an inkling I'm not alone.
Here's the letter I sent Ms. Simi. She's the principal of my grandson's school Klenk elementary. Ms. Simi was given the choice to notify parents and of all 3 of the schools my grandchildren go to, she was the only one who sent out permission slips.
This is what I wrote to Ms. Simi:
Thursday, September 03, 2009
A day to remember? Just today, my grandson brought home a permission slip from school asking my daughter's permission for my grandson to watch President Obama's address to students across the United States about the importance of education. This will air on September 8, 2009 at 11:00am nationwide.
It seems the principal of Klenk Elementary school has taken it upon herself to decide the importance of our President's speech. The letter states, "In the Klein ISD, elementary principals will determine the arrangements for students who will view the President's message live and recorded. If you do not wish your child to view the President's message, please indicate below. An alternative activity will be provided for your child. If you do not object to your child's viewing the President's message, you do not need to return this form to the school.
This is a sad day in our times when we have to have parental permission for our children to listen to a President of OUR country's address to the nation. Not only the nation, but to OUR children on the subject of the importance of education.
Are there people who are in denial, who are pretending an election did NOT take place? Wake up! It's 2009 and on November 4, 2008, Barack Obama won the presidency of the United States. Get over it. It happened and Texas is still part of the United States whether they like it or not.
Parents who feel their children should not participate in this school function should simply keep their children at home and this day should be considered an unexcused absence. It's very disheartening to think that some children will be left out of a learning experience and acceptance of what is part of life. Some things can not be changed. That's a lesson right there.
As a concerned grandparent and citizen of this country, I'm inclined to ask you Ms. Simi, who do you work for? Are you a government employee? Are tax dollars paying your salary? I already know the answers. What you implied by sending out this permission slip is you are prejudice against OUR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. Knowing this now, I feel the need to ask for your resignation as an educator of this country and the state of Texas.
I'll be making many phone calls and writing many letters to see that this happens. If need be, a petition will be drawn up and I will personally collect as many signatures as possible.
Thank you for drawing my attention to your silent cause. Shame on you Ms. Simi. Funny thing is, I didn't know about Obama's speech until I received this permission slip.

Sincerely,
My Name


I have not received a reply from her as of this date Sept 9, 2009, but I suspect I will. I'm already drawing up the petition.
BTW,
I asked my grandson what the President said. He was very excited as he told me the stories Obama presented to the children about how to keep trying no matter how hard it gets. He told me that Obama related 3 stories of people who became successful even though there was hardship in their lives and the story of the writer of a book "Harry Potter" who was turned down 12 times before someone finally published the first book. He was very excited telling me this. He also interjected that Ms. Simi must not have wanted to watch it because she was with the children who weren't allowed. Out of the mouths of babes. How sad..Huh? This kinda speaks for itself. No explanation needed.