Dear Mr. Kapp,

I came across your message about President Obama’s speech to the families that attend the Prescott Schools and I am very disheartened to see such narrow mindedness from someone purporting to be an educator.

As a registered Republican for the last 30 years I have seen many Presidents, Democrat and Republican, present messages to the children of America’s schools. Reagan told the kids to just say No to drugs and waxed about the evils of the Soviet Union and other countries that don’t adhere the same government style that we do. George Bush Sr., within his speech to school children, asked them to send him letters suggesting ideas to improve the country.

It is a shame and a sham to have a person of your position and statue use their authority to at once condemn the highest office in the land while at the same time perpetuating the myth that our duly elected President is subjugating young minds to some kind of socialist agenda. The transcript of the speech had been posted prior the address and it’s content was purely about encouraging children to stay in school, stay focused and believe in their dream and their country. How anyone could extract an ulterior motive from this is beyond intelligent rationale.

As an educator it is your responsibility to provide students encouragement and motivation to become the best they can. The President’s speech was just that, plain and simple. Your actions have done nothing but prevent students from receiving an inspiring message. Any lesson plans that went along with the speech could have been easily reviewed and determined appropriate or not.

I would hope you would reconsider your position and allow your students to view the speech. Perhaps this would be an opportunity to show it within a Social Studies, History or Government class. I’m sure it would provide some interesting and thought provoking discussion, actually allowing your students to use their minds to formulate ideas rather just hindering the course of education.

Thank you for your time.

Regards,
Andrew Torchon