Brainwash, rinse, repeat?

I've tried not to write anything about the whole Obama-speech-to-American-schoolchildren thing. Really, I've tried to hold my tongue. Maybe it's the sleep deprivation, maybe it's my sheer amazement at the things I'm hearing and reading from parents who think Obama is out to brainwash their children, or probably a combination of the two, but I just can't keep quiet any longer.

Get real, people.

First of all, the man is a freaking politician, not a hypnotist. What exactly do you think he is going to do or say in 15-minute speech that will cause an entire generation of children to rise up and create a new socialist world order? I mean, honestly? I've seen video of mothers breaking down in tears over the thought of their precious offspring being forever warped by watching a 15-minute speech about education and the need to stay in school. I don't get it. I mean, if their kids are anything like them, they'll probably be sticking their fingers in their ears and screaming "I can't hear you" anyways, right?

Second, to those who don't want their kids seeing the speech without their parents being present: what kind of children are you raising? You do realize that in order to be a successful adult, you're supposed to have the ability to think for yourself, and this ability is not magically conferred upon you the second you turn 18 - you have to practice and hone this skill way ahead of time. Parents who feel the need to vet everything and anything their children come in contact with seem to be setting their kids up to live inside a plastic bubble, because heaven forbid the kids should hear or see something that differs from what mommy and daddy believe or think. What will happen to these kids when they go out into the big old world and have to deal with people who have different thoughts, attitudes, beliefs, and backgrounds from their own? Is mom or dad going to be there day in and day out to protect them from ideas that might challenge their own? Are these parents screening each and every schoolmate and friend to make sure everyone believes the same things, has the same political leanings, and worships at the same locale? Because if you think a 15-minute speech by the President can cause little Susie to turn to the dark side, whoa, what about a 30-minute lunch with friends who aren't the same religion?

But you know what really gets me? The same parents who are upset right now about Obama "indoctrinating" their children tend to be the same parents who want prayer in public school and Creationism in the science books. These are the same parents who don't understand why people of other faiths - or those who have no faith - might take issue with that. If a 15-minute speech can lead to the downfall of everything Mom and Dad have tried to teach their children, what effect do you think having to listen to day after day, year after year, of Christian prayer might have on non-Christian children? Why is it ok to attempt to "indoctrinate" these other children? Or is indoctrination only ok when it's your beliefs that are being pushed?