Obama's message came in more clearly than broadcast

Technical difficulties marred the local official attempt to hear President Obama’s speech to the nation’s students, but the problems did not entirely scramble the message this morning at Commonwealth Elementary in the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Neither cable, Internet, radio nor a roomful of sheepish and harried adults could bring most of the president’s remarks to Alice Cho’s class of 27 fifth-graders at the Koreatown campus.

The apparent culprit was interference from antennas of a line of television vans parked in front of the school. Everything had worked perfectly in a Friday test, district officials asserted.

At 8:50 a.m., 10 minutes before the speech, L.A. schools Supt. Ramon C. Cortines glanced at his watch.

“Has anybody got a radio?” he suggested, calling forth the technology of his own youth. (Cortines recently turned 77.)

Rabbit ears rapidly appeared on the scene, but were no help.

L.A. school board President Monica Garcia took over, soliciting questions from students for U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education Anthony W. Miller, who was on hand.

“What do you think encouraged him to run for president?” one student wanted to know.

“I think our president believes in America and that America can continue to be a better place. He had a vision,” began Miller.

President Obama then flashed briefly on a screen at the front of the room, saying something about speaking in Virginia, before the signal went out again.

“Is Virginia far away or close to us?” Garcia asked the students.

“Far,” came the correct answer.

As a district administrator fiddled with a radio dial, Garcia offered that, “We’re learning when Plan A doesn’t work, you try Plan B.”

Miller jumped in: “That’s one of the things the president is going to talk about. Sometimes things aren’t easy.”

Finally, the stentorian tones of the president filled the room through the speakers of a pink-and-white Hello Kitty cassette radio.

“Maybe you could be an innovator or inventor,” Obama said. He told students they might develop the next iPhone or become a mayor or a Supreme Court justice. But whatever the goal: “I guarantee you will need an education to do it. …You cannot drop out of school and just drop into a good job. …The future of America depends on you.”

Then a radio commentator broke in: “That’s good. No excuses.” The commentator then explained that it was important to listen to the speech before criticizing it, which, it seems, he was prepared to do at just that moment.

A district official hastily turned the dial, vainly trying to find another station.

At last, a video feed of Obama streamed into the room.

“Your goal can be something as simple as doing your homework,” the president said.

The image suddenly froze until the president reappeared saying something about the flu and kids washing their hands. The broadcast went dark again.

At this point, Miller decided to read the rest of the speech himself.

“I’m clearly not the president, but that’s the best I can do,” he said.

When he reached the “God bless America” conclusion, the students applauded politely.

But they managed to get the gist.

“I think the president is trying to tell us if we give up on something we want to do, then we won’t get to do it. But if we try harder and learn more we will get to achieve that,” said Bastian Geiser, 10, who wants to be a soccer player or an archeologist.

His parents had been delighted to learn that Obama would address students.

“My mom is happy I’m here. She voted for Obama. Watching the president live speaking to all the students I think is pretty cool,” Bastian said.

Ditto for Saad Tohid, 9, who plans to be a rocket scientist.

“My parents felt it was a good idea because I might learn more about the nation and how I can learn,” Saad said. “I think it was a very good way for the kids to learn how they could do better.”

No one was more inspired than 10-year-old Odalys Ramos.

“My goal is to be the president,” she declared after hearing the partial speech. “It made me proud when I heard Obama. I would like to help the students, too, like he would like to help us. The speech that he made encouraged me to be president and help the country.”

Her parents, who did not graduate from college, had endorsed the idea of the president addressing students: “They said it would be a nice thing to do and would encourage me to do something great and help me with my education.”

-- Howard Blume

Photo: U.S. Deputy Education Secretary Robert Miller, right, and School Board President Monica Garcia react as Comonwealth Elementary School fifth-graders raise their hands to say they plan to go to college as they discuss education and President Obama's speech. Credit: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times.

Correction: An earlier version of this posting incorrectly stated the age of L.A. schools Supt. Ramon C. Cortines.

 

Comments

[ken6000]

Radio commentators are the most condescending, obnoxious, institutionally arrogant... etc. Under no circumstances should "commentary" be allowed to interfere with, or be introduced during, the President's speech. This has nothing to do with politics, it has to do with basic respect for the office.

[cperry]

It would not surprise me if someone purposefully jammed the transmission.

[Michael S. O'Day]

The idea that the President of the United States is not a good role model for America's children is contrary to the ideals upon which this country is founded. For a small portion of the population to instill in the children of this country the idea that disrespect for the president is acceptable is just plan wrong.

[art perry in CT]

Because of leaders like those in this story, we will overcome and that starts with waking up our children to responsibilities that that they crave. Viva,Commonwealth Avenue Elementary

[sirene]

So why didn't they just ask the TV news trucks to leave the area?

[Toon Moene]

> If you are under 13 years of age you may read this message board, but you may not
> participate.

Oh, the irony ....

[chris]

So they were in 5th grade and didn't know where Virgina was located?

[Tony Orlando]

Did Obama mention you have to be born in the US and speak English to become president?

[amc8810]

Whether or not people think the president is a good role model has no relation to the ideals upon which this country is founded. This country was founded on the belief that freedom of expression, even if that results in disrespect of the president, is guaranteed for everyone. The fact that people are able to voice their opinions about the president and show that it's perfectly acceptable to dislike him or disagree with him is one of the things that truly demonstrates the ideals upon which this country was founded. The office of President of the United States of America was not founded to create a role model for people; rather, it was meant to be the highest government office and the commander in chief of the armed forces.

In addition, there are no circumstances in which commentary should be banned during any speech. Plenty of stations broadcast the speech, and if someone doesn't like the commentary, they don't need to listen to it, but asking someone to ban the basic freedoms that the Bill of Rights guarantees us is just plain wrong.

People should be careful to remember that disagreeing with the president is a right that the American people have, and no one is ever required to agree with something he says or does. While you as an individual may disagree, it is unacceptable to suggest that by criticizing the president, people are doing something wrong.

Also, when saying that disrespect for the president is wrong, take a look back at the last presidential administration. Did you say the same thing then? Did you criticize people who disrespected the president? My guess is that you did not, and are instead turning the issue of what is right and wrong into an issue of which party you think is right and which you think is wrong.

[Jamfish]

"It would not surprise me if someone purposefully jammed the transmission."
Posted by: cperry | September 08, 2009 at 02:11 PM

You're serious? Egads. Just because this imperfect technology worked one day does not mean it will work the next. Please feel free to remove your tinfoil hat at your earliest convenience.

[pmac]

If you think for a minute that this was the same speech he had planned last week, you're out of your mind. Because of the outcry of people like me, he wasn't able to ask children how they could help the president. Keep politicians out of the classroom.

[Dia]

I don't see anything wrong about getting kids motivated for school, its a good lesson to learn, keep trying your hardest, no matter who it comes from, even if it is your worst enemy.

[Russ]

Well, Well, Well. It looks like I need not worry about my 10 year old grand daughter tearing down her pictures of Jonas Brothers, and putting up pictures of Karl Marx, Fidel Castro, or the old hammer and cycle.
Russ

[George Sheldon]

Don't give in to the fear of narrow minded people. Yayyyy Obama!!!!!

[Chris]

It wouldn't surprise me if cperry is right. Many students and teachers thought that Obama would try to turn the kids into Liberal Democrats, but ignoring that the principal made everyone watch it. Guess they were wrong hahahaha!

[missy]

pmac posted "Because of the outcry of people like me, he wasn't able to ask children how they could help the president."

Ummm, George H.W. Bush asked the kids to do EXACTLY the same thing after his 1991 televised speech to school children. Did you raise cain about that when it happened?

[Chuck Conover]

It's wonderful that the President can inspire our children. It's horrible that, in my state, Arizona, nearly everyone I know would not allow their children to see or hear the President speak. If McCain were President, giving the identical speech, you can bet the whole state would have stopped to listen to him.

[Müs]

@ Russ.

Its "Hammer and Sickle".

[Dean]

@amc8810:

ken6000 was not saying commentary should be banned. He is not saying that disagreeing with the President is wrong - or unpatriotic (unlike those who supported W). What he did say is that commentary should not be allowed to interfere with or be introduced DURING the President's speech.

Imagine you were speaking at a function and someone interrupted you with their own commentary. Wouldn't you believe that person to be rude and disrespectful?

Even when the President is giving the State of the Union address, his opponents have the decency to wait until AFTER the speech to air their counterpoints and opinions.

Your tirade is based on your lack of common courtesy and respect. Coincidentally a trait common among right wing extremists. And please let me head you off at the pass: I DID NOT say all Republicans - just right wing extremists.

[John, Rockville, MD]

To amc8810, studies indicate that many listen only to the media that reflects their notions. Highly edifying, right? I disagreed with much of the previous administration's policies, but I listened to their speeches and advised my kids and their classmates to listen as well. It seems that understanding the views of those in government is integral to understanding one's country; so contributing to one's ability to be an effective citizen in a democracy. The best indicator of an educated mind is the ability to entertain contradictory ideas without necessarily taking them on as one's own. I figure that well-educated kids are capable of listening to and sorting out opposing points of view to arrive at their own conclusions. And if a kid is truly well educated, his or her conclusions will not always coincide with those of the parents.

[h]

"

Did Obama mention you have to be born in the US and speak English to become president?

Posted by: Tony Orlando | September 08, 2009 at 02:40 PM
"

Well Bush was only 1 for 2 if you want to go by that criteria: "You teach a child to read, and he or her will be able to pass a literacy test." -Townsend, Tenn., Feb. 21, 2001

[Churk]

I love all the anti-Obamites who are crying "freedom of speech" for their right to bad-mouth the President. These are the same folks who were calling Bush's critics un-American and calling for total respect for the Presidency. Oh my, how the standard does double with those people...

[curious]

now i'm curious about why the schools people couldn't get the speech piped into the room. cable isn't affected by nearby satellite transmissions; it's possible that old-school rabbit-ears TV is. And internet access shouldn't be affected either. I can't believe the lead of this post is accurate: "Neither cable, Internet, radio nor a roomful of sheepish and harried adults could bring most of the president’s remarks to... (the classroom)"

I'd love to hear more on that. The LAUSD has a pr department, and probably some sort of overstaffed "multimedia" department as well. They couldn't trouble-shoot this?

[Nine1Five]

I completely agree with amc8810. Very well put.

[Timray]

hmmmmm.....Sister Mary St. Joseph said the same thing in 1960.......nothing new here

[sry Traxler]

What the President did was to inspire the kids to do their very best in school. It was kind of a "jump-start" endeavor. I find nothing objectionable aboutit; American children are simply not acheiving like many other countries are way ahead of us. It starts in the home with the parents; unless they motivate their kids, all the speches in the world won"t mean a thing. GARY TRAXLER-camarillo, Ca.

[suzanne]

I am personally upset that the mentality of fear and hate has come into this innocent and ordinary event. Of course, if you check the records, no one protested ex President Bush speaking to school children - which he did.
That is part of the role of the President. I am so sorry that he didn't include a request of all students to help him build a better tomorrow. We need all our children to help us out of this mess. Thank you President Obama for putting up with all this nonsense and continuing to lead with vision and with love for all the people. I am very embarrassed and sad that you have to deal with all of this negativity that is directed toward you personally.

[Tony Orlando]

"So they were in 5th grade and didn't know where Virginia was located?"
Come on Chris, they've only been in the country a few months, we're talking about Southern California.

" Viva,Commonwealth Avenue Elementary"
Art - This is the United States of America, speak English

[Tony Orlando]

Did Obama mention you have to be born in the US and speak English to become president?

Posted by: Tony Orlando | September 08, 2009 at 02:40 PM
"

Well Bush was only 1 for 2 if you want to go by that criteria: "You teach a child to read, and he or her will be able to pass a literacy test." -Townsend, Tenn., Feb. 21, 2001

If you want to go there, you can say the same about Obama.

You are assuming I liked Bush, a common mistake liberals make is to assume all conservatives liked Bush, we didn't.

[NJ-BJ]

"So they were in 5th grade and didn't know where Virgina was located?"

Chris,
Read the article again. The L.A. school board President, Monica Garcia, asked an educational question of the students. "Is Virginia far away or close to us?" The students correctly answered "Far away."
What would your answer have been?