United Liberty

As attention is being drawn to Barack Obama’s speech to kids in government-run schools, there is now a story out of Utah where parents are upset over the showing of the “I Pledge” video to their kids:

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.

The video features prominent Hollywood stars, musicians and atheletes pledging to serve Barack Obama. It wasn’t created or authorized by the president or anyone from his staff. It is, however, one of the more creepy things I’ve ever watched.

Now, I know this particular video isn’t going to be part of this event on September 8th, but it is a reason why school and state should be separated.

It’s not bad, in and of itself, for an important figure to speak to kids. While Obama’s speech is being shrouded with focus group tested words to ask for some sort of self-sacrifice to the state or social responsibility is crossing a fine line…it’s indoctrination.