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Parents Can Preview Obama Speech

Monday, September 07, 2009 11:59:07 PM
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09/06/09 - President Obama’s controversial classroom speech to students is scheduled for Tuesday.

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Reported By Kelli Cook

ORLANDO -- Parents have threatened to pull their children out of school Tuesday because of a speech by President Barack Obama.

In the speech he will address schoolaged children across the nation.

For the first time Monday afternoon, Obama's administration released to the public exactly what he plans to say.


CFNews13.com will air the speech LIVE at noon Tuesday.
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This past week has been tough for the president.

Critics accused him of trying to push a socialist agenda with his speech on Tuesday. But not everyone agrees.

"No, I thought it was really a well-written and I think it will be a very effective speech," said Joe Brennan.

Brennan read Obama's planned speech, which focuses on setting goals and developing skills.

Obama will say "and this isn't just important for your own life and your own future. What you make of your education will decide nothing less than the future of this country."

Former Congressman Lou Frey said the content of Obama's speech is something Republicans and Democrats can agree on, but it does have one major problem.

"Well, I think the timing of the speech is what I think makes people wonder," Frey said.

Obama is in a fight for health care reform that has fired up the country and the discussion in Washington.

"It's a diversion,” Frey said. “It takes a lot of people that are angry with him over the health care issue away from focusing on the issue and puts them focusing on something else."

However, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan calls the criticism "just silly," and said the president's speech is about promoting personal responsibility and not politics.

"Like most kids when you talk to them and so forth, and you ask them what was said three days later, I doubt anyone remembers what was said in this speech. This is not the Gettysburg address," Frey said.

How Central Florida Schools Are Handling the Speech

Brevard County said will show the speech to students, but parents may have their children opt out of seeing it if they wish.

Lake County will tape the speech, and it will be up to the teachers and schools to show it if they want. Parents can have their children opt out.

Marion County will leave the decision to each individual school. Students can opt out of the speech by bringing a note from their parent Tuesday morning.

Flagler, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia counties will let teachers and principals decide if they want to air the address in their classrooms.

Osceola County initially said it would not show the speech live, but a spokeswoman cited technology issues that have since been resolved.

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