Kansas Speech by Michelle Obama Draws Complaints.....[W:201]

Uh oh. :shock: Looks like some in Kansas doesn't want MO to drop on in. Do you think they will be called racists? Labeled as Conservatives are attacking the First Lady? Will the left blame those evil and vile Republicans? What do you think.....school board invites either Obama there. But then the Parents and students sign a petition that they don't want them to come and politicize the day their kids are graduating? School Board and Admin go ahead with the plans anyways.....are they listening to those who pay those taxes and the funding for that school? Who has the Right here to make this decision?

Oh and since it made the MS Media.....what do you think about them putting it out there for all to see and for MO herself to see? Will she go if they continue to make a stand on it?


If expanding the guest list to include Michelle Obama at graduation for high school students in the Kansas capital city means fewer seats for friends and family, some students and their parents would prefer the first lady not attend.



A furor over what the Topeka school district considers an honor has erupted after plans were announced for Obama to address a combined graduation ceremony for five area high schools next month an 8,000-seat arena. For some, it was the prospect of a tight limit on the number of seats allotted to each graduate. For others, it was the notion that Obama's speech, tied to the 60th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education outlawing segregation in schools, would overshadow the student's big day.

"I'm a single mother who has raised him for 18 years by myself," said Tina Hernandez, parent of Topeka High School senior Dauby Knight. "I've told him education is the only way out. This is one of the biggest days of their lives. They've taken the glory and shine from the children and put on Mrs. Obama. She doesn't know our kids."

Hernandez was among the parents and students who spoke Thursday at a school board meeting and urged district officials to reconsider their decision to invite Obama. Ron Harbaugh, spokesman for the Topeka school district, said Friday discussions were under way to work out the logistics and planning for the event, including how many tickets each family would be allotted.

Harbaugh said officials asked the president or first lady to speak at graduation as a tie-in with the anniversary of the Brown decision, which outlawed school segregation. The district plans to place a priority on seating students and their families, and could broadcast the event to an overflow room at a hotel adjacent to the graduation arena for those unable to find a seat inside.

That's not good enough for Taylor Gifford, 18, who started an online petition Thursday evening to urge the district to reconsider its plans. She and the more than 1,200 people who had signed it expressed concern that Obama's visit would limit the seating options for family and friends.....snip~

Kansas speech by Michelle Obama draws complaints

MMC said:

Uh oh. :shock: Looks like some in Kansas doesn't want MO to drop on in. Do you think they will be called racists? Labeled as Conservatives are attacking the First Lady? Will the left blame those evil and vile Republicans? What do you think.....school board invites either Obama there. But then the Parents and students sign a petition that they don't want them to come and politicize the day their kids are graduating? School Board and Admin go ahead with the plans anyways.....are they listening to those who pay those taxes and the funding for that school? Who has the Right here to make this decision?

Oh and since it made the MS Media.....what do you think about them putting it out there for all to see and for MO herself to see? Will she go if they continue to make a stand on it?


If expanding the guest list to include Michelle Obama at graduation for high school students in the Kansas capital city means fewer seats for friends and family, some students and their parents would prefer the first lady not attend.

A furor over what the Topeka school district considers an honor has erupted after plans were announced for Obama to address a combined graduation ceremony for five area high schools next month an 8,000-seat arena. For some, it was the prospect of a tight limit on the number of seats allotted to each graduate. For others, it was the notion that Obama's speech, tied to the 60th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education outlawing segregation in schools, would overshadow the student's big day.

"I'm a single mother who has raised him for 18 years by myself," said Tina Hernandez, parent of Topeka High School senior Dauby Knight. "I've told him education is the only way out. This is one of the biggest days of their lives. They've taken the glory and shine from the children and put on Mrs. Obama. She doesn't know our kids."

Hernandez was among the parents and students who spoke Thursday at a school board meeting and urged district officials to reconsider their decision to invite Obama. Ron Harbaugh, spokesman for the Topeka school district, said Friday discussions were under way to work out the logistics and planning for the event, including how many tickets each family would be allotted.

Harbaugh said officials asked the president or first lady to speak at graduation as a tie-in with the anniversary of the Brown decision, which outlawed school segregation. The district plans to place a priority on seating students and their families, and could broadcast the event to an overflow room at a hotel adjacent to the graduation arena for those unable to find a seat inside.

That's not good enough for Taylor Gifford, 18, who started an online petition Thursday evening to urge the district to reconsider its plans. She and the more than 1,200 people who had signed it expressed concern that Obama's visit would limit the seating options for family and friends.....snip~

Kansas speech by Michelle Obama draws complaints

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hmmmmm

OP is conservative persecution complex full tilt at 2 sentences into post, disregard thread, acquire sanity.

Not a story, but blow it out of proportion anyway. Seriously whats the complaint? That a high school student is concerned that by having the First Lady speak at her graduation they may possibly not be enough seats for all her guests?

Who gives a **** I'm struggling to think of a more irrelevant and non-newsworthy event than "student concerned about seating arrangements."

this graduation is a combination of 5 high schools...are these 200 class high schools? My HS graduated 1750. How can five high schools have one graduation?

The place seats 8000 people. Even at 2000 students that means each student could allow only 4 persons. That is not many with the first lady there or not.

Let any school who wants to opt out to do so...they can have commencent in the school's auditorium with all the family and friends they wish.

Wiseone said:

Not a story, but blow it out of proportion anyway. Seriously whats the complaint? That a high school student is concerned that by having the First Lady speak at her graduation they may possibly not be enough seats for all her guests?

Who gives a **** I'm struggling to think of a more irrelevant and non-newsworthy event than "student concerned about seating arrangements."

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Well, maybe you can hurry on over to where the actresses Lindsey Lohan is trending and help push that above MO's trending news.

Jetboogieman said:

OP is conservative persecution complex full tilt at 2 sentences into post, disregard thread, acquire sanity.

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Persecution complex talk about a joke.....cmon not Jet. Try again.....why would the meek even be considered to be a threat? You need to come a whole lot better than that BS. Just sayin! :lamo

1750Texan said:

this graduation is a combination of 5 high schools...are these 200 class high schools? My HS graduated 1750. How can five high schools have one graduation?

The place seats 8000 people. Even at 2000 students that means each student could allow only 4 persons. That is not many with the first lady there or not.

Let any school who wants to opt out to do so...they can have commencent in the school's auditorium with all the family and friends they wish.

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Mornin' Texan. :2wave: That was one idea they had mentioned. According to their website they are up 1500 signatures out of that 8k so far......but then a student that described herself as a Democrat sounded off like the Latino woman did.



Abbey Rubottom, 18, a Topeka High senior, described herself as a "die-hard Democrat" but doesn't like the idea of Obama sharing the stage with graduates."No disrespect for the first lady, and it's amazing that she wants to come speak, I just think it doesn't belong at graduation," Rubottom said.

Rubottom suggested separate ceremonies with Obama speaking at one and the address being replayed at the other.

Some people have said bringing in the first lady politicizes the graduation. Others have suggested that if she wants to mark the Brown anniversary, she could just visit the historic site that commemorates the decision, which is just few blocks from the graduation venue.....smip~

MMC said:

Mornin' Texan. :2wave: That was one idea they had mentioned. According to their website they are up 1500 signatures out of that 8k so far......but then a student that described herself as a Democrat sounded off like the Latino woman did.



Abbey Rubottom, 18, a Topeka High senior, described herself as a "die-hard Democrat" but doesn't like the idea of Obama sharing the stage with graduates."No disrespect for the first lady, and it's amazing that she wants to come speak, I just think it doesn't belong at graduation," Rubottom said.

Rubottom suggested separate ceremonies with Obama speaking at one and the address being replayed at the other.

Some people have said bringing in the first lady politicizes the graduation. Others have suggested that if she wants to mark the Brown anniversary, she could just visit the historic site that commemorates the decision, which is just few blocks from the graduation venue.....smip~

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If it is about seating, then that can be fixed...if it about politics, then someone is gonna lose out.

I would have be honored by any First Lady speaking at my Commencement.

MMC said:

Mornin' Texan. :2wave: That was one idea they had mentioned. According to their website they are up 1500 signatures out of that 8k so far......but then a student that described herself as a Democrat sounded off like the Latino woman did.



Abbey Rubottom, 18, a Topeka High senior, described herself as a "die-hard Democrat" but doesn't like the idea of Obama sharing the stage with graduates."No disrespect for the first lady, and it's amazing that she wants to come speak, I just think it doesn't belong at graduation," Rubottom said.

Rubottom suggested separate ceremonies with Obama speaking at one and the address being replayed at the other.

Some people have said bringing in the first lady politicizes the graduation. Others have suggested that if she wants to mark the Brown anniversary, she could just visit the historic site that commemorates the decision, which is just few blocks from the graduation venue.....smip~

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We don't know that the 1500 signatures are of people who would go to the graduation and the fact that the school system invited the President or the First-lady means that Mrs Obama is not injecting herself, she was invited. Other first ladies have spoken at high school graduations with no outrage about seats. I am wondering what is different this time.

MMC said:

Mornin' Texan. :2wave: That was one idea they had mentioned. According to their website they are up 1500 signatures out of that 8k so far......but then a student that described herself as a Democrat sounded off like the Latino woman did.



Abbey Rubottom, 18, a Topeka High senior, described herself as a "die-hard Democrat" but doesn't like the idea of Obama sharing the stage with graduates."No disrespect for the first lady, and it's amazing that she wants to come speak, I just think it doesn't belong at graduation," Rubottom said.

Rubottom suggested separate ceremonies with Obama speaking at one and the address being replayed at the other.

Some people have said bringing in the first lady politicizes the graduation. Others have suggested that if she wants to mark the Brown anniversary, she could just visit the historic site that commemorates the decision, which is just few blocks from the graduation venue.....smip~

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Was she invited by the school board to speak? If so then your faux rage should be directed toward the school board. Nothing more then another one of your never ending

"look what Obama did" threads. You must have a really sad life if all you do is look for things to be upset about.

Jetboogieman said:

OP is conservative persecution complex full tilt at 2 sentences into post, disregard thread, acquire sanity.

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Has Yahoo which reprinted an AP wire story become a right wing outlet? I don't think either Yahoo or AP would qualify as right wing. Now that being said, I would welcome the First Lady to speak on any of my grandkids graduation ceremonies. Even if I couldn't attend because of limited seating.

Then again I would like to know why the limited seating? Could it be the fear of too many attending that did not have kids graduating? That outsiders would come and take seats away from the kids, parents and relatives just to hear the first lady? I do not know.

With the poisonous vitriol the Republicans have created in this country, I can well imagine that I myself wouldn't want to have the First Lady speak at my graduation. Don't get me wrong, I think she is an awesome lady. But, I just wouldn't want the controversy. There shouldn't be any, of course, but there is and I don't think I would want it.

Maybe they dont want to hear her life story again... how she rose from humble beginnings to become the self proclaimed queen of America.

The only noteworthy thing shes ever done was marry well. BFD

BMCM said:

Was she invited by the school board to speak? If so then your faux rage should be directed toward the school board. Nothing more then another one of your never ending

"look what Obama did" threads. You must have a really sad life if all you do is look for things to be upset about.

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Were you asking yourself a question that was given in the OP on her being invited by the school board? :roll: I notice you to must have one since all you seem to talk about and hang out with are all those LGBT issues. Not understanding much where they big boys play. So I doubt I have a sad life since I don't sport wool.

Sababa said:

We don't know that the 1500 signatures are of people who would go to the graduation and the fact that the school system invited the President or the First-lady means that Mrs Obama is not injecting herself, she was invited. Other first ladies have spoken at high school graduations with no outrage about seats. I am wondering what is different this time.

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Either way.....I would go with what the people of the Community wanted. So for me.....its up to these people from Kansas to decide. Considering they voted for who's on the School Boards.

Perotista said:

Has Yahoo which reprinted an AP wire story become a right wing outlet? I don't think either Yahoo or AP would qualify as right wing. Now that being said, I would welcome the First Lady to speak on any of my grandkids graduation ceremonies. Even if I couldn't attend because of limited seating.

Then again I would like to know why the limited seating? Could it be the fear of too many attending that did not have kids graduating? That outsiders would come and take seats away from the kids, parents and relatives just to hear the first lady? I do not know.

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Yeah the AP is all Right wing now. Just like the Washington Post didn't know what they were talking about. Nor CBS eve though they had video coverage.

Isnt amazing that if they put anything in the news about the Obamas.....anything. The left can't stand to see it reported. :lol:

Only if it is giving praise.....kudos. Fairy dust and Obama Poprocks.

Must be all that Bad news they get everywhere else to.....huh? Foreign Policy, Military, Economy, and all the major important issues that gives all.....Their own issues.

I know its got to be ruff for them. :lol:

Smartmouthwoman said:

Maybe they dont want to hear her life story again... how she rose from humble beginnings to become the self proclaimed queen of America.

The only noteworthy thing shes ever done was marry well. BFD

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Nah.....not Queen SMW. Fashion Diva.

I'd make two points about this story and it goes for any "guest" speaker of any political party or persuasion.

1. Graduations should be about the students who accomplished the goal. If the class, in the majority, welcome Mrs. Obama to speak, then the parents should accept that their young adults disagree with their views and be quiet about it. If the class, in the majority, don't want her there, then the invitation shouldn't have been issued and should be withdrawn.

2. Any person, with any class, would decline such an invitation when he/she sees that acceptance of the invitation would cause the focus of the day to be taken away from the students.

MMC said:

Yeah the AP is all Right wing now. Just like the Washington Post didn't know what they were talking about. Nor CBS eve though they had video coverage.

Isnt amazing that if they put anything in the news about the Obamas.....anything. The left can't stand to see it reported. :lol:

Only if it is giving praise.....kudos. Fairy dust and Obama Poprocks.

Must be all that Bad news they get everywhere else to.....huh? Foreign Policy, Military, Economy, and all the major important issues that gives all.....Their own issues.

I know its got to be ruff for them. :lol:

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The news media pretty much decides what is important or not. One station of that mass media may thing one thing is important carry it all day and night, CNN and that Malaysia airline comes into mind while another station may not pay any attention to it or very little. I really think this story isn't all that important, perhaps a human interest story, but it is nothing in the grand scheme of things. I wasn't going to comment and pass it by until I seen where yahoo and AP were called right wing extremist. That hit my funny bone good. I got a good chuckle out of it.

Perotista said:

The news media pretty much decides what is important or not. One station of that mass media may thing one thing is important carry it all day and night, CNN and that Malaysia airline comes into mind while another station may not pay any attention to it or very little. I really think this story isn't all that important, perhaps a human interest story, but it is nothing in the grand scheme of things. I wasn't going to comment and pass it by until I seen where yahoo and AP were called right wing extremist. That hit my funny bone good. I got a good chuckle out of it.

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Yeah.....I was reading some of their comments on the site. Nothing is offensive to MO. Not that I seen. But I do find it funny that the AP put this out while at the same time Chicago Teachers Administration mentioned complaints about her Food Program. Due to the type of food they are to have for different times of the day. Including after school programs. Which is costing some money for one thing. As well as trouble with parents.

So if they wanted an issue to have to discuss over MO. There was one.....but notice how those on the left are so eager to put anything up on it. Right in the heart of Democratic Chicago and MO's home turf. Did you see one thread put up by those on the left?

MMC said:

Yeah.....I was reading some of their comments on the site. Nothing is offensive to MO. Not that I seen. But I do find it funny that the AP put this out while at the same time Chicago Teachers Administration mentioned complaints about her Food Program. Due to the type of food they are to have for different times of the day. Including after school programs. Which is costing some money for one thing. As well as trouble with parents.

So if they wanted an issue to have to discuss over MO. There was one.....but notice how those on the left are so eager to put anything up on it. Right in the heart of Democratic Chicago and MO's home turf. Did you see one thread put up by those on the left?

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Ignoring bad news and not putting up a thread on it if it involves the party you are for is a mutual thing. I wouldn't expect them too. But I head on the news last night that Democratic controlled Chicago has a lot more problems than just MO and food for schools. It seems the politicians were cooking the books on the murder and crimes stats to make them look good. But stuff like that is normal for Chicago, I expect crooked politics from there.

Personally I think when there is one party control of what ever for decades and decades and longer in some cases without any fear from the opposing party, it invites corruption, complacency, a bloated bureaucracy, high taxes, poor services etc. etc. etc. Human frailties being what they are and it is the same with political parties, one will do just what they have to do and no more. Services decline and government workers and leaders become fat. Chicago, Louisiana or where ever, no fear of defeat in any election breeds this stuff.

I would consider it an honor to have either Obama speak at my granchild's graduation.

Perotista said:

Ignoring bad news and not putting up a thread on it if it involves the party you are for is a mutual thing. I wouldn't expect them too. But I head on the news last night that Democratic controlled Chicago has a lot more problems than just MO and food for schools. It seems the politicians were cooking the books on the murder and crimes stats to make them look good. But stuff like that is normal for Chicago, I expect crooked politics from there.

Personally I think when there is one party control of what ever for decades and decades and longer in some cases without any fear from the opposing party, it invites corruption, complacency, a bloated bureaucracy, high taxes, poor services etc. etc. etc. Human frailties being what they are and it is the same with political parties, one will do just what they have to do and no more. Services decline and government workers and leaders become fat. Chicago, Louisiana or where ever, no fear of defeat in any election breeds this stuff.

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Yeah last weekend we had 36 shootings.....leaving 4 dead. Yet they want to tell you how they have the gangs under control. Also some already know Emanuel will lie to cover his ass. He tried to play it off that he moved cops around put a task force then gave cops more overtime. While all told him he needs more cops out on the job. they never listen.

Now as to putting up things good or bad about one party. I sure notice how those on the Right do, due to its division, manage to just do that. Not so much from the left. As to much news for them must be a sensory overload. My take on it anyways.

The real reason is that many people are disgusted with the Obama's and the rabid anti-Americanism that they constantly spew.

Those people don't want the school to force them to pay unfelt homage to Michelle by having her speak at their children's graduation. What would she have to say that anyone would want to hear?

The school district should have realized this and not tried to make parents pretend Michelle is a respected figure with something to say. That nonsense doesn't work with parents. They know what the Obamas really think about them and their values. And they feel the same about the Obamas.

One might even speculate that the Obamas picked out a school district in the heartland and demanded that Michelle be allowed to speak there as another "In your face" to Americans who "Cling to their Bibles and guns."