Obama Engages Youth: Right Freaks Out

On September 8th, 2009, President Barack Obama is going to give a speech directed at students from Pre-K to 6th grade that they will watch during school hours. The White House has released study guides to help teachers lead the kids in discussions afterwards.

And holy shit everyone on the right is going batshit crazy. I've seen online comments about how Barack Obama is more and more like Hitler. I heard a Hannity caller say that this is how the Nazi Youth started - and Hannity shift away but not denounce the caller's sentiment. The caller went on to discuss the president's upcoming speech like they were going to show a snuff film "without consent" and "without supervision."

I think it's an interesting idea and that engaging the youth of America is and has been an important missing piece in every administration ...ever. Kids are confused right now because they're parroting their parents and are up against others parroting their parents. Irish Dancer, at 13, doesn't give a shit about politics except when she asks for clarification because someone said something that sounded stupid ("Colm said Obama is going to turn the country communist." - obviously coming from his idiot parents).

Obama's address is not going to change everything, but it's a step in the right direction. For too long, politics has held the air of "the grownups are talking - go on, git!" But kids should be involved. Now. And what better way to bring them into the circle than for the President of the United States to give a speech just for them, to let them know that they are as much a part of politics and America as everyone else?

[Sidenote: Hannity also asked, while talking about the CIA torture investigations, how Obama would like "a Palin justice department." I just about peed myself while alternately trying not to vomit.]