Kevin, I feel this is more than a political problem. It’s today’s parents. They feel that they can do a better job of talking and teaching their kids than the government can. Believe me, if President George W. Bush delivered a speech to students, Democrats would complain, parents would complain, and everyone would have a problem with it.

Civility and tolerance is in disarray among everyone. I do not see anything wrong with President Obama giving a speech to students. He may relay the same message that previous presidents have given students: “it’s been a tough time for everyone, but don’t give up on school. We’ll support you, despite our differences.”

Secondly, I have become less tolerant of both parties and the skewered way of the world they see (yes including Democrats). I’m still in my early 30′s, and I have grown tired of uncivil individuals and those who go out of their way to inflict their personal agendas without any respect to others who feel differently (Bill O’Reilly and Keith Olbermann to name a few).

As far as schools are concerned, they should have no business placating to parents and doing what the parents wants. A parent is unhappy because their daughter is not starting for the basketball team. They whine and complain until they get their wish. A kid isn’t named first chair for a clarinet, a parent wants to sue.

If parents do not want their children to watch this speech, then request to have their kid sit in the principal’s office during the speech. They have done it in the past, why not use common sense and go the low-key route?

Schools are to educate kids, not cow to the small faction of parents who don’t want it. It’s chicken.