On President's Speaking to School Children

I wasn't going to post on this, but given that there has been a bit of a hubbub over the President giving a speech to public school children, I debated whether or not to express my thoughts.

Fortunately for me, Ann Althouse hits the points I would have shared (emphasis mine):

Ideally, children should learn to understand political speeches and think for themselves about what they mean. I remember as a schoolchild being assigned various political speeches to read and understand. These were historical speeches — by Washington, Lincoln, etc. — but they were by Presidents, Presidents who had a political agenda. These assignments can be especially useful educational experiences, equipping children to live in the world — where politicians will try to influence them and lead them along. Teach them how to see what is being done and why.

There are far too many people already who are illiterate in civics and American government. While there is opportunity for abuse here, in the propaganda sense, I think engagement is a far better course of action than pulling your kids out of school because of a speech. Governors, Presidents and Members of Congress can do far better than the typical photo op illustrated by "reading a book to children" with the cameras rolling. Engagement of ideas, along with critical thinking, is a far more worthy ... and dare I say it, educational ... goal.