| Author | Message | ||
     Johnnymceldoo |
A school principal has apologized for showing a video at an assembly that a politically conservative group leader is calling "radical, leftist propaganda." Children at Eagle Bay Elementary School in Farmington were shown a short video called "I pledge" on Aug. 28. The video opens with an image of President Barack Obama and part of a speech in which he says, "Let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other." The video then features celebrities making pledges about how they will help the president and the world -- and that's where some say the problem lies. Many pledges, such as supporting local food banks, smiling more, and caring for the elderly are noncontroversial. But other pledges, such as "to never give anyone the finger when I'm driving again," "to sell my obnoxious car and buy a hybrid" and to advance stem cell research cross the line, some say. "Showing the video in a public school is completely inappropriate," said Jennifer Cieslewicz, whose daughter is a first-grader at the school. "I don't believe a video such as this that promotes certain values should be shown to elementary students, especially without parents being aware. " Chris Williams, Davis School District spokesman, said school principal Ofelia Wade and school PTA leaders decided to show the video as part of an assembly about the school's theme for the year, service. He said the PTA board chose the video and Wade did not see it before it was shown in the assembly. "It got to a point where she turned to her assistant and said, 'Oops, I wish I would have seen this before. I don't think I would have shown it,' " Williams said. He said Wade could see how some adults might find the video political. "She acknowledges she was wrong and apologizes for it and says she's sorry," Williams said. Attempts to reach school PTA leaders Tuesday evening were unsuccessful. Williams said Wade plans to send a letter home to parents Wednesday about the issue. Gayle Ruzicka, president of conservative Utah Eagle Forum, said the video was blatantly political. She said other offensive pledges included, "I pledge to be of service to Barack Obama," "I pledge allegiance to the funk, to the united funk of funkadelica," and pledges to not use plastic grocery bags and not flush the toilet after urinating. "It's very inappropriate to show a radical, leftist propaganda piece that political to children," Ruzicka said. "If parents want their children to learn about those things and do them in the home, wonderful, fine, but it's not the place of the school to show a one-sided propaganda piece to children without parents knowing about it." Cieslewicz said such values should be decided in the home, not at school. "They shouldn't be troubling our youth with the woes of the world and making them feel like we're in slavery or they have to worry about how many times they flush the toilet or if they have a plastic water bottle," Cieslewicz said, referring to pledges in the video to "end slavery." Ruzicka said she contacted local media about the video after receiving complaints from several parents. Ruzicka said she worried the video's messages would confuse children whose parents might choose to use plastic bags when shopping or who want their children to flush the toilet after every use. Also she said she didn't like a pledge "to be of service to Barack Obama" as he is here to serve Americans, not the other way around. Ruzicka said she'd like to see the school district send a link to the video to all parents before an upcoming back-to-school night so they can voice their opinions and discuss it with their children. Williams said it's unlikely the district will send out a link, but parents are welcome to access the video on YouTube. Video: I Pledge http://www.sltrib.com/ci_13249171?source=most_view ed | ||
| Not_purple_s2 |
I can't see the video here at work but is George Clinton in it? "I pledge allegiance to the funk..." LOL | ||
| Johnnymceldoo |
I can't see the video here at work but is George Clinton in it? "I pledge allegiance to the funk..." LOL I dont think so. Iam on a slow connection and havnt watched it yet. | ||
| Darthane |
-=sigh=- There's a reason I'll not only be saving for college, but for private primary and secondary schooling, as well. Ten to one says we all paid for this tripe as part of the 'stimulus bill'...or rather, our children's children's children's children will pay for it. (Message edited by darthane on September 03, 2009) | ||
| Odie |
He's not. But a bunch of I guess famous-like folks are. I pay no attention to anything that happens on the left coast Hollywood/TV-wise so I couldn't tell you all the names. I don't think I would want my kids seeing it without my approval. Mine would be in back of the class raising hell and not paying attention anyways!! | ||
| P_squared |
Nutshell version: Hollywood lefties "pledge" to make a difference in their lives and support POTUS. Lot of "feel good" fluff kind of crap. Ends with, “I pledge, to be a servant to our President, and all mankind, because together we can, together we are, and together we will be the change that we seek.” The underlying issue though, POTUS is our servant. We are not his. Nope, no attempts at indoctrination into a cult of personality here. <sarcasm> | ||
| 5liter |
I pledge to ride my Buell to clear my head of all evil thoughts................  | ||
| Kyrocket |
"I pledge to find the humor in everything." Umm, was she referring to the current administration? And all that they do? BTW it was Anthony Kiedis from the Chili Peppers pledging to the funk. Big surprise huh? (Message edited by Kyrocket on September 03, 2009) | ||
| Kdan |
I pledge to piss off more right wing anarchists whose children cannot think for themselves. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
I pledge I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same Somehow I dont think the current administration is gonna like that one much. | ||
| Smokescreen |
 Semper Fi! | ||
| Xl1200r |
I pledge to piss off more right wing anarchists whose children cannot think for themselves. ??? Do you doubt the amount of influence a video like that could have on a young mind? Hate to tell you, but your kids are just as inept at thinking for themselves as some "right wing anarchist's". That video was a flat out INSANE peice of propganda, with a few noteworthy phrases thrown in to make it less propoganda-like. I will be a servant to my president? I don't f****** think so. He will be a servant to ME, whether I voted him in or not. | ||
| P_squared |
+1 Mudbug. Semper Fidelis | ||
| Fast1075 |
I pledge...to continue to reserve the right to think in my own manner, see things my own way, and to express my opinion in my own words. And....To ride my Cube3 whenever possible  . | ||
| Mizzou_buell |
Are there any liberals on this forum at all? And what did anyone in this video say, that is propaganda, that pisses you guys off? I just don't get it. I would love to know what exactly in this video is propaganda? What to conserve energy? To help people and give to charities? God damn Democrats trying to help people. | ||
| P_squared |
I would love to know what exactly in this video is propaganda? Ends with, “I pledge, to be a servant to our President, and all mankind, because together we can, together we are, and together we will be the change that we seek.” There's a difference between helping when asked, and "helping" because you "know better." | ||
| Darthane |
Are there any liberals on this forum at all? A few, but I should point out that the majority of the frequent posters seem to fall right of center. I would love to know what exactly in this video is propaganda? NOTE: The following presumes you are a liberal, or at least a Democrat (no, they're not the same thing) - Can you tell me with a straight face that if GWB had shown up in your kid's classroom with a video that included, "I pledge, to be a servant to our President" that you would have had absolutely no problem with it? P.S. Your answer doesn't matter, because I'll only believe one of the two choices. Have a nice day! | ||
| Smokescreen |
God damn Democrats trying to help people. Yep. And that is the problem. "I'm from the government, and I'm here to help."  Why not ask everyone to look out for each other? Then you can tell Big Brother when one of your siblings misbehaves.  If you can't see a problem with that propaganda then you obviously don't recall U.S. Government classes we took in grade school.  | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
I, Wolf Ridge Rider, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Although I was attached to the Marine Corps as a translator through the DOD for Kosovo, I was never actually a Marine, Quantico got the better of me. The Crucible claimed me on day 82 of O.C.S. I have nothing but the utmost respect for the men and women that made it through and earned the honor of wearing the uniform. Some of the finest personnel I have ever served with. Semper Fi. | ||
| Not_purple_s2 |
I pledge to continue to not to trust politicians neither Republican, Democrat, nor Independent. I pledge to see actors and musicians for what they are, entertainers... nothing more. I pledge to eye anyone who believes "God is on my side" with deep suspicion. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
If I knew for a certainty that a man was coming to my house with the conscious design of doing me good, I should run for my life. Henry David Thoreau | ||
| Johnnymceldoo |
" (I pledge) to free 1 million people from slavery in the next 5 years" Thats the line that stuck out at me. What are they talking about when they mention slavery? Hollywood sociology interests me. What makes the seemingly majority of hollywood actors tilt to the left? Is it because they feel guilty they get paid so much while so many get so little? What right do they have to tell me to give more? Iam lower middle class and everywhere I turn there is a tax or a company I did work for going elsewhere because taxes and regulation kill their profit. | ||
| Percyco |
I pledge..... to keep and bear arms  | ||
| Not_purple_s2 |
ok, finally got home and watched it.... it's fine(i mean for the usually celerity community service dribble) for the first two minutes... then it goes super "green" and by the end just gets creepy with the chanting. Not horrible but, eh, it's typical goody goody celebrity crap. | ||
| Buellerthanyou |
"This is my Buell. There are many like it, but this one is mine. My Buell is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it's throttle as I must master my life. Without me, my Buell is useless. Without my Buell, I am useless. I must ride my Buell true. I must corner harder than my enemy, who is trying to pass me. I must shoot the apex before he stuffs me. I will. Before Erik I swear this creed: My Buell and my Self are defenders of my Twisties; We are the Masters of our rice-riding enemy; We are the Saviors of my Sanity. So be it, until there is no Whine, but only Thunder. Amen." HellBuelly J (Message edited by buellerthanyou on September 03, 2009) | ||
| Buellerthanyou |
As some have pointed out, the President of the United States is a public servant ('though I bet that not one of them has ever actually believed that of themselves!), not the other way around. However, if you are in the military, he is your Commander-In-Chief and you are, in effect, his subordinate (or "servant") and have sworn to support him (or her?) and do as he commands, provided he is not giving unlawful orders (yeah, try disobeying a Presidential order, whether it is lawful or not, and see what happens...). Anyway, I disagree with political indoctrination towards a certain agenda in government-funded schools that are paid for by all taxpayers, including lots of people who might not agree with said agenda. Some broad "bi-partisan" (as if there are only two possible viewpoints!) politcal indoctrination ("I pledge allegiance, to the flag...") is okey-dokey with me though... HellBuelly J in the interest of full disclosure; Libertarian | ||
| Reindog |
I would love to know what exactly in this video is propaganda? Please tell me you are kidding. You are kidding, right? Doesn't the morphing of the Brady Bunch into President Obama at the end disturb you just the slightest bit? To me it is right out of 1984 but with a smiley face. This is a marketing technique that subliminally coerces the consumer to embrace the Obama brand. It should have morphed into the American Flag. The message is not about America, it is about Obama. This is shameful politics but is true to form of practically everything this administration has done to date. For perspective, if it had morphed into President Bush, then Liberals would probably be apoplectic. As would I. I really am getting sick of the Hollywood Left. These people are all rich telling working people what to do. Bullsh*t. There is nothing stopping them from doing all these things anonymously nor when Bush was our president. This is fascism with a smiley face and you just can't see it. That is sad. | ||
| Wheelybueller |
I pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all!  | ||
| Snowscum |
I pledge to use my electric chainsaw to cut down trees only? at night. (powered by a 15,000watt diesel generator with 4000watts of light) I pledge to let my one ton diesel truck run all day with the AC running to keep the interior cool in case i need to go somewhere. I pledge to leave the water running day and night just for fun. |
