The President talks to Students

Some conservatives don't want Obama talking directly to school children tomorrow, Sept. 8th. See here . Today, even after the text of the President's speech was released, I heard the commentator on the Glenn Beck show still argue against it.

Here is the text that President Obama is going to deliver to the students tomorrow. I don't understand the big controversy. I actually like it. He tells kids to try their best at school, don't make excuses for failing, and that success takes hard work. What's not to like? I see Obama as trying to use his influence to inspire schoolchildren to do their best and be responsible. I wish more people would say that.

Actually, Presidents H.W. Bush and Ronald Reagan gave speeches to schoolchildren nationwide.

Here is President Bush's speech. He also preached self-responsibility. I don't think it's as inspiring as Obama's, but it's good.

Here is President Reagan's speech. He gave it near the end of his term of office. In it he praises the Founding Fathers and sets forth his view on the role of government.

I'm afraid that the conservative commentators missed the boat on this one. They might have legimately been afraid of what was in the speech, but after it was released, apologies from them to Obama were due. But I didn't see that happening. And look at the history of Presidents making speeches to schoolchildren. It's not new. That just shows me that conservative commentators are just looking for the quick political hit and don't care about putting events in context. Shame on them.