Tuesday, March 04, 2008

Something upon which Barack Obama and I agree

Hat tip to Joanne Jacobs (see blogroll):

During a speech to a mostly black audience in Texas the other day, Obama had this to say about education:
“It’s not good enough for you to say to your child, ‘Do good in school,’ and then when that child comes home, you’ve got the TV set on,” Obama lectured. “You’ve got the radio on. You don’t check their homework. There’s not a book in the house. You’ve got the video game playing.”

Each line was punctuated by a roar, and Obama began to shout, falling into a preacher’s rhythm. “Am I right?”

“So turn off the TV set. Put the video game away. Buy a little desk. Or put that child at the kitchen table. Watch them do their homework. If they don’t know how to do it, give ‘em help. If you don’t know how to do it, call the teacher.”

By now, the crowd of nearly 2,000 was lifted from the red velveteen seats of the Julie Rogers Theatre, hands raised to the gilded ceiling. “Make ‘em go to bed at a reasonable time! Keep ‘em off the streets! Give ‘em some breakfast! Come on! Can I get an amen here?”

Whooooooooooooooooo, went the crowd. “You know I’m right,” Obama laughed. “And, since I’m on a roll, if your child misbehaves in school, don’t cuss out the teacher! You know I’m right about that! Don’t cuss out the teacher! Do something with your child!”
Amen!

Good Day to You, Sir

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'd vote for him based upon that speech alone. Can we make Obama our Education Czar or special liason?

George

Don, American Idle said...

Isn't that "Do WELL in school?"

The Vegas Art Guy said...

Even a broken clock is right twice a day. But his point is valid.

Darren said...

It would be nice if he could effect *that* kind of change, but I'm a doubter.