Caricatures stare from around the room. Biden, a cartoon of approval with an earphone blaring in his ear, “Clap now!”, or “Wake Up!” Boehner, a picture of disapproval, with a similar headphone demanding, “Sourpuss face”, “Stare deep into his soul”, or “Crack a sarcastic smile”.
Around the room, we spot the usual suspects. Though in a refreshing change of pace, we see a chamber not divided by the usual left and right, but a mixed audience. Most unusual of all, John Kerry sharing an armrest with John McCain. One cannot help but wonder if we would witness such an “act” of bipartisanship had such a tragic event not occurred two weeks ago in Tucson. For what are these politicians if not actors? Alright, alright. Enough meaningless speculation, let’s get into the bulk of this thing.
After at least a half hour of speaking in generalities and people pleasing, the president admits that new world powers such as India and China have stepped up to the plate in regards to education reform, and we are long overdue to not only match, but surpass these new standards.
“That responsibility begins not in our classrooms, but in our homes and communities. It’s family that first instills the love of learning in a child. Only parents can make sure the TV is turned off and homework gets done.… we know what’s possible from our children when reform isn’t just a top-down mandate, but the work of local teachers and principals, school boards and communities.”
The president scores some points by addressing the reality of the situation, that our stagnant education system lacks restoration in both the government, and the household. Quality educators who teach upper-middle class students are hailed as heroic, while teachers OF THE SAME CALIBER that teach in lower income areas are at risk of losing their jobs. Stop blaming quality teachers for being unable to motivate those who come from households where the general stance is “get those silly thoughts out of your head and get a job to support your family.”
“Let’s also remember that after parents, the biggest impact on a child’s success comes from the man or woman at the front of the classroom. In South Korea, teachers are known as “nation builders.” Here in America, it’s time we treated the people who educate our children with the same level of respect. We want to reward good teachers and stop making excuses for bad ones.”
I can’t help but feel like the president is throwing educators a bone by claiming we are “nation builders”, while following up with a Michelle Rhee-esque bone thrown to the standardized test heavy movements plaguing American education today. I was originally filled with hope in the president’s ideas of reform, though now I am somewhat wary. If we as Americans have any chance in topping the curve of education (as we have in our not so distant past), we must eradicate the authoritarian, work-force minded training ground ideals that the public school systems have clung to so strongly. These ideals might have been useful in the days of Bethlehem Steel, but we are no longer an industrial economy. Nowadays, a high school senior can’t take a piss without first asking three people. Do not disrespect students with more testing. Recognize that intelligence is ambiguous, wide-ranging, and surely not based solely on how one scores on a multiple-choice examination.
And while on the topic of respecting students, I’ll have to respond to Obama’s claim:
“I call on all our college campuses to open their doors to our military recruiters and ROTC. It is time to leave behind the divisive battles of the past. It is time to move forward as one nation.”
Fuck that noise!
I’m sick of all the “support our troops” propaganda that we hear on a day-to-day basis. Sure, I support our troops as far as not wanting them to die. This is basic compassion, and it’s a feeling that I extend to everyone, not something that I reserve for Americans. At some point we need to realize that 90% of the military action our country takes is not “defending our liberty”, it is the product of special interest.
On that note, I find it interesting how anyone finds a (now) >$1 Trillion war is justifiable and worthy of vindication, while a budget neutral healthcare bill that provides affordable insurance to millions, and prevents insurance companies from turning down patients with preexisting conditions is a SOCIALIST TAKEOVER.
Call it un-American, I’m okay with that. “Patriotism” in its present meaning isn’t something I’d want to be labeled anyway. I DON’T WANT TO SEE RECRUITERS HERE ON MY CAMPUS.
On a lighter note, I couldn’t help but feel slightly uplifted and nostalgic when the president mentioned Biden’s hometown of Scranton. Memories of my visits to Steamtown mall, playing concerts at Underwood Skate Park, and day-tripping for a pie of Scranton’s signature pseudo-sicilian pizza (mysteriously topped with American Cheese) rushed to the forefront of my mind.
Conclusion?
The president’s speech writer did a pretty fantastic job writing the least inflammatory, least piercing, least provoking piece of oration that I have come across in recent memory. That being said, I hope that this new wave of civility can lead to a more bipartisan congress. Or for that matter, a non-partisan congress. For partisanship is at its core, an illogical sentiment. How on Earth could most of American’s fall under two concrete political categories? Are we that boring? Are we that strongly decided, that stubborn? So stubborn that none are willing to reach across party lines to work for a better future? I sincerely hope that our congresswo/men on both sides of the aisle find the courage to break the archaic habits of the past, and can find it in their hearts to represent the people. Not the party, not the special interest groups, the PEOPLE.
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