POTUS Speaks to Kids, and to (Ahem) Adults

(CBS)  A certain public speaker has been much in the news these past few days, and much in the thoughts of our "Sunday Morning" contributor Nancy Giles:

---

This past week was Big Speech Week for President Obama. Two in particular stand out.

Tuesday was the "back-to-school" speech to America's students.

Would it be an innocent, "Be cool, stay in school" chat? Or an evil socialist indoctrination by some guy with a faulty birth certificate?

I watched the speech online and it seemed inspiring. But when I went back and read the text, the devil, as they say, was in the details:

"How is everybody doing today?"

Sounds like an innocent salutation, but that's none of the president's business. This is an invasion of the students' privacy - an almost Stalinesque question.

"You cannot drop out of school and just drop into a good job. You've got to train for it. And work for it. And learn for it."

Well, this is the president as dream killer. It's an attack on the young person who fantasies about winning the lottery, being Paris Hilton or America's next top model. You're not the boss of me, Mr. President!

"I hope all of you are washing your hands a lot."

Is he suggesting that our children are dirty? That their homes are unsanitary? Who does he think he is?

Well, he's the president! And I'll say this to the students of Arlington, Virginia: They were polite. They were raised well. They sat and listened. And they weren't indoctrinated (as far as I can tell).

Wednesday night was the adults' turn.

"It has now been nearly a century since Theodore Roosevelt first called for health care reform."

So there was the president in front of a joint session of Congress making his case for health care reform. It was political theater - half of the room applauding and the other half sitting on their hands. Some disgruntled muttering. Some texting. ("I am not listening! I am not listening!") Some sign waving and, you probably heard about it, heckling.

At a joint session of Congress!

"You lie!" yelled the Gentleman from South Carolina, to a cascade of boos.

That was Representative Joe Wilson, not some drunk at open mike night, calling the president a liar.

He later apologized, but still it was a frightening mix of disrespect and bad behavior, like this summer's town hall meeting craziness. We should be grateful that there weren't any "Show us your birth certificate" signs.

At least no one beat anyone with a cane . . . which actually happened in the old Senate chamber in 1856.

We don't have to agree. But you wish your elected officials would act like the classy students in Arlington, Va., and across the country, and at least listen to what the President of the United States has to say.

[cameraphone]

Republicans are defining how the President will be treated. Regardless of what they say may have happened in the past, to me treating the President like this is new. If this behavior is acceptable now, it will be acceptable regardless of whatever party holds the Presidency. This is a party that believes that if they can not run the Country, nobody will.

[homer5000]

Nancy,
Keep your bias off this Sunday morning program. Perhaps Dan Rather is looking for a sidekick.

If you think the Dems afforded Bush respect during these sorts of events then you really are blind to the facts. But then it's a good thing we had Bush during these past 8 years so the Dems could teach us that "protesting is patriotic".

[noloyalisti]

I think Obama should make lots of speeches since he and his programs are going to be around for a long, long time.

He needs to counter the outright lies of the right wing Republican progaganda machine.

[griffin6320]

I have always enjoyed Sunday Morning because it gave me information that I really could not find anywhere else. I loved the reports on people that made beautiful music, created lovely art in many forms and of course the flowing dialogue of the perfect host. After Nancy Giles Segment I don't think I will ever look at Sunday Morning the same. It was one safe place to not be assaulted by the turmoil of the moment and feel good about the beginning of my day.

Many times after watching I would go to a music store, buy a book discussed or try to find more information on the inspiring person highlighted. It definitely made a positive impact on my everyday life.

I hope that you will not change your format but stay the course.

[sjc_1]

I remember seeing an article on education around the world. Japanese and European parents were involved in their children's education. The American parents could not be bothered because it was bowling night. This shows a big difference on how we make education work, everyone has to be involved.

[jkbrooks2006]

It is interesting to me that Nancy Giles can be so rightous when she wants to be because we now have a black president. I am getting tired of the notion that if we disagree with this President then we must be racist. She says it would be nice to just listen to the president and hear what he has to say. When did this noble notion come about?? What about the Democrats that booed George Bush in 2005? Where was the outcry from people like Nancy then - was she willing to listen then - hummmmmmmmm????

[ramelott]

I too am confused. I believed this country was bases on certain liberties, one being freedom of speech as long as it was not injuring others. Suddenly those of us that disagree with growing government interference are labeled racist. (Wouldn't it also be racist to call us names just because we are Asian, white, Christian, etc?) My biggest problem with what is going on, health care bills, cap and trade, etc. is the absolute proven record that government can not carry out any program with any degree of effiency. Look back over the last several years at the mess governmental programs have made.
So work on the torte reform, equality of treatment by insurance companies, etc. and forget nationalized health care.

[TVfan123]

I used to thoroughly enjoy watching Sunday Morning...until today. It had become somewhat of a ritual in my life...but not any more. Perhaps what I most appreciated about Sunday Morning was its ability to gently and elegantly launch my Sunday ? the day I give myself a break from the hostility of our current political climate. Well, Nancy Giles robbed me of my Sunday respite today. I was stunned, while watching Sunday Morning today, to be verbally assaulted with Giles' biting sarcasm and divisive opinions. She robbed me of my day off from political hostility. I am exceedingly disappointed in Sunday Morning for running this segment. After many, many years of faithfully watching Sunday Morning, I will find something else to tune into starting next Sunday morning. This makes me sad ? I just lost one of my favorite TV shows. And, Sunday Morning just lost one of its most loyal viewers.

[notdeadyet2]

Sorry Nancy, nobody bought your innocent act. I agree the speech that was given was harmless, but you left out the part about how this was the edited version. The intended speech that offened many Americans crossed the line, the protest started and the offenses were removed. That is the American way, and where were you when Palosi needed a gag she was so disrepectful of our previous president. Where was your outrage when our troops were refered to as Nazis? Please report the news, if you want to run for office do it, then you can support your party without appearing unprofessional.

[randfam]

Maybe you can't remember or just don't care but President Bush was jeered at on many occasions during his addresses to the Senate and House. I really don't like the "Holier than thou" attitude that came across in your report today. Granted, it is your opinion, but it would be nice to see you expect the same respect from your party to the Republicans.

[sonybear1]

Gee Nancy Pelosi calling the people Nazis and brownshirts at those "crazy townhall meetings" now that was classy! They were just voiceing their opinoins as you are doing.