President Barack Obama (pictured with Education Secretary Arne Duncan at his address to the nation’s school children earlier this month) says American children spend too little time in school which puts them at a disadvantage with others around the world.
In a recent interview with The Associated Press, Duncan said, “Our school calendar is based upon the agrarian economy and not too many of our kids are working the fields today.” The Presidents wants schools to add time to classes, to stay open late and to let kids in on weekends so they have a safe place to go.
“Now, I know longer school days and school years are not wildly popular ideas. Not with Malia and Sasha, not in my family, and probably not in yours. But the challenges of a new century demand more time in the classroom,” the President said earlier this year.
GOV. PATERSON SPEAKS ON MEET THE PRESS
NY Governor David Paterson said Sunday on Meet the Press that President Barack Obama never directly asked him to step aside, and he refused to discuss what presidential aides had told him confidentially.
Paterson, the state’s first black governor who’s also legally blind, said he’s heard the message from Democrats in New York and Washington: “I’m blind, I’m not oblivious. But I am running for governor. I don’t think I am a drag on the party. I think I’m fighting for the priorities of my party.”
At a Syracuse luncheon last week, Paterson said, “I think if I got to a point where I thought my candidacy was hurting my party, obviously it would be rather self-absorbed to go forward,” which many are saying was Paterson’s hint he may not be running after all.
In a recent interview, New York’s First Lady Michelle Paterson said she had never heard of a president asking a sitting governor not to run for reelection. “I thought it was very unusual and very unfair.”
ITALY’S BERLUSCONI CALLS OBAMA “TANNED”…AGAIN
At a rally in Milan following his return from the G20 Summit, Italy’s Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi (pictured with President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama at the Summit) said, “I bring you greetings from a person who is called…a person who is sun-tanned…Barack Obama. You wouldn’t believe it, but they go sunbathing at the beach together – his wife is also sun-tanned..”
Berlusconi added that his rapport with President Obama was “easy-going”, and he described the President as a “fine man” with a good sense of irony.
At the G20 dinner last week, the First Lady chose to shake Berlusconi’s hand rather than give him a hug and a kiss on the cheek as she had done with other world leaders. The White House’s reluctance to appear cozy with Berlusconi is because he has been the involved in scandal since April with accusations that he “consorts with minors” with his estranged wife, Veronica Lario, suggesting he is obsessed with chasing women young enough to be his granddaughters.
Seventy-two year old Berlusconi, sparked international outrage last November when he first described President Obama as “sun-tanned”. He said that anyone who found it racist had no sense of humor and was an “imbecile”.
If I was Michelle I would`nt hug that Italian president either,look at how he`s looking at Michelle,he`s looks like a horny sex pervert ,he`s looking at Michelle like she`s a juicey steak and he`s a hungry wolf
Education is important,so that`s a good look by President Obama,to try and get our school system current with the rest of the world,because we are falling behind other nations in education.
lol @ 1.
The President is looking salty too.
Overall I think this school issue is a good thing, maybe not popular with the public but it will help alot of students…and leave jobs open for qualified people who want to monitor the students at night or on weekends
I along with most American’s (as evident by all poll outlets) support President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and his administration.
And I’m white, so I guess that makes me a kool-aid drinker and I love it.
Two things I love: God and PRESIDENT OBAMA
And for any idiotic and brainless person who begs to differ, get used to it because he will be president for the next 8 years, promise. So love it bitches!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AMERICA LOVES PRESIDENT OBAMA
I LOVE PRESIDENT OBAMA
I SUPPORT PRESIDENT OBAMA
That’s right Obama, I’d be watching perma tanned Berlusconi as well around females. He’s the freaky deaky creepy type. smh at his ‘chupidness
thank god im done with school!
@#1…….your’re so right. you can look at obama’s face and tell he doesn’t like him! he up there looking at michelle like “aaaaayyyyyeee muyeeeeeeee!!!” lmao
The school thing is NOT a great idea. Kids have jobs and other artistic activities that does not include school. If teachers can’t teach kids in that much time they have, then thats on them. Because kids spend more time at school than they do at home anyways. Plus I’m sure teachers aren’t gonna be too happy about this. Most of them usually run out of stuff to teach towards the last couple months of school and end up putting on “educational” videos for them to watch. I think people on here are just agreeing because it’s Obama.
LMAO! @Tiffany
Those Italian men LOVE them some choco women….that pic with him hld’n his hands out for Michelle to give him a hug….is PRICELESS
Barrack on the other hand is looking like he’s saying not so nice things in his head. I would’ve loved to be a fly on the wall when Michelle and Barrack were along…lol
I along with most American’s (as evident by all poll outlets) support President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and his administration.
And I’m white, so I guess that makes me a kool-aid drinker and I love it.
Two things I love: God and PRESIDENT OBAMA
And for any idiotic and brainless person who begs to differ, get used to it because he will be president for the next 8 years, promise. So love it bitches!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AMERICA LOVES PRESIDENT OBAMA
I LOVE PRESIDENT OBAMA
I SUPPORT PRESIDENT OBAMA
I along with most American’s (as evident by all poll outlets) support President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and his administration.
And I’m white, so I guess that makes me a kool-aid drinker and I love it.
Two things I love: God and PRESIDENT OBAMA
And for any idiotic and brainless person who begs to differ, get used to it because he will be president for the next 8 years, promise. So love it bitches!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AMERICA LOVES PRESIDENT OBAMA
I LOVE PRESIDENT OBAMA
I SUPPORT PRESIDENT OBAMA
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@ Becky
Do you live in a cave? Not all of America loves and supports that man.
Hey, since you love him so much how bout you give him some Becky! Lol
Not to sure if I like Obama’s plan. Dropout rates are way to high and extending the school yr means even more people will drop out. That is the last thing this generation needs. I think he needs to think of another solution to the school problem.
Patterson! Listen here! NY does not want u! Go that way plz——–>
Save urself the embarressment! The 1st blk governor and will be the last with the idiot decisions he’s been making!
What the f*** at Obama being suntanned?
Never was fond of him anyway. NEXT!
lol @ extending the school year…naw this is just another way of doing this babylon new world order shit
That’s right Michelle! Talk to the hand Mr Nasty. Obama looking at him like “you jacka–”
Not only should they be in school longer daily but school should be all year long. It makes no sense to have two months off in the summer only to spend the first part of the year re-learning the past year. It’s a waste of time and why we are gonna be so far behind its ridic.
Hmmm Idk anything about him so whats the deal?
Italy’s PM=HAM!
@ 11 LMMFAO! Omg omg omg that is so fuckin funny hahahahahaa RMFAO hilarious hahahahahahahahaaha!
lol lmao @ 1 and @ 8 lol hahahahahaa
I can imagine whatObama is thinking in his head lol
Watch that hand Michelle you dont know where he was rubbin lol lol hahahlmao
This pic is priceless
I don’t think its a bad idea to extend the school year. It seems like everytime you look around the kids are out of school anyways for some kind of made up holiday, and after 2 wks at home during the summer you only hear “I’m bored.” So I say give them maybe a month out and resume w/class, I mean most teachers get paid year round anyways so they should be at work like the rest of us.
Her hands are so dainty!!!
Oh well PM…should have had a V8!!!
I think extending the school year is an excellent idea. As the President stated, we no longer need to base our school year on the fact that the fields/crops have to be harvested. That no longer happens so we should extend the school year, IMO. Besides, as another commenter stated, during the first couple of months back in school, they only re-teach what was forgotten during the summer.
I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY ITS OK AT THE BEING THAT OUR FRIST LADY AND HER HUSBAND SHACK HANDS AND SHE GIVE A HUG AND A KISS ON THE PRIM MINSTER WHEN THEY FRIST MET HIM AND HIS WIFE . OUR FRIST LADY GIVE ALL THE WORLD LEADRS I KISS AND HUG BUT THEY WAS WITH THERE WIFES AT THE TIME. HE EXSPEX THE FRIST LADY TO DO IT AGIAN THIS TIME HIS WIFE WAS NOT THERE JUST HIM AND HE HAND WAS WIDE OPEN SO HE CAN HUG HER TO BUT HE CAME UP AND OUT FRIST LADY AND OUR PRESIDENT . BUT INSTEAD OF A HUG AND A KISS OUR SMART FRIST LADY HAND OUT HER HAND BECOUSE HE WAS LOOKING AT HER BREAST AND OUR PRESIDENT SAW THAT AND WAS NOT TO HAPPY ABOUT THAT HE WANTED TO CRUSE HIM OUT BUT DIDNT. SO THE PRIME MINISTER LOL AND TAKE THE PICES WITH THEM . HOW DARE HIM SAID THE OUR PRESIENDT IS TAN AND SO IS HIS WIFE HE SAID THAT TWO TIME. WHAT A PIG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IF OUR PRESIDENT DID THE SAME THING LOOKING AT HIS WIFE BREAST IF SHE WAS THERE HE WILL GET UPSET ABOUT IT. WHAT A JURK.
I AGREE WITH OUR PRESIDENT THEY SHOULD HAVE MORE HOURS IN SCHOOL AND SAT AND HAVE ONLEY SUNDAYS OFF TO DO WHAT THEY NEED TO DO. AM SUR THAT IT WILL NEVER HAPPEND BUT SOMETIME OUR KIDS NEED A BREAK TO BREATH. BUT THEY DONT NEED TO HANG OUT IN MALLS AND NOT DOING NOTHING AND NOT BUYING NOTHING AT THE MALLS THEY NEED A BOOK IN THERE HANDS NOT READING STUPED THINGS LIKE PLAYBOYS AND PRUNO CRAPS IN THE MALLS.
Nutty – if kids drop out due to the extension of the school year, obviously the root of their problem is not the “length of the school year.” It is probably a factor surrounding their environment, internal issues, lack of role models, etc the list can go on. So Obama would not need another solution, we would need to address their problem. Sorry, but that just stuck out to me….
Basically extending the year would only help US kids compete internationally. We have to step it up as much as possible. And this will also help kids retain the information longer as their brains are continuing to develop.
Americans should have stepped Education up a long ass time ago… these kids should have had longer school days/ yeras a long time ago… we are sooooooooooooo far behind!
I dont blame Michelle for not hugging/ kissing Berlusconi… oh well!
I’m torn behind Governor Patterson and this decison b/c on the one hand who are these (White House counsel) to tell homie to step aside but then again, we need a strong Democratic presence in NY….. lets see what happens!
My heart and prayers go to the family and friends of this poor baby. When I seen this on the news, along with the video, I quickly got on my knees and prayed to God. I prayed for this childs soul, his family and friends. What is going on in this world?! I prayed the Blood of Jesus over my children for their safe journey to school and back! No parent should ever have to bury a child due to this type of violence! Parents-talk to your children! Pray with your children! Educate your children! This young man lost his life for what? Because he didn’t want to join a gang? Or because he was an innocent bystander? Either way, it’s sad and tragic! Parents, please, please tell your children this type of behavior has to stop! We as black people have to come together! We have been apart long enough! Black on black crime needs to stop! All crime needs to stop! Heal the world! I pray the Blood of Jesus Christ over all readers of this comment! Amen
Im with the longer school days thing….totally. Lets do that Mr. President.
Me, too, #6. But unfortunately, not my son. Plus, I’m an educator. This sucks.
I’m tired of black women always saying italians love them some black women No They Don’t trust me just becasue you see robert Deniro with a black women doesn’t mean all like black women i hear them all the time say in new york they won’t to keep their bloodline pure italian and that they only f*ck women of others races, but will never wife them and its true . If they really love black women itlay would have more black women and italian men couples but when i visited I saw more blackmen and Italian women couples. Black women who say Italians love black women need to turn off the tv and really take a look . You make us black women look desperate. and not all Black Women like Italians
I agree w/ ppl who believe the longer school days won’t make a difference; reforming the parents will. Parents (soon-to-be most importantly) are the ones who need to be in school. Unfortunately this country really lacks in public knowledge of child mental health care so not only do the kids suffer, we suffer indirectly by the effects from this.
Also, I’ve been to Italy (my senior year of HS) so #33 needs to speak for themselves because I got a LOT of attention from italian men. Maybe you went to the more racist areas (specifically northern italy) but southern italian men do find ethnic women attractive. Why? Because we look a lot like their women, genius. If you don’t know the history of Italy or their social problems, I suggest you don’t speak on it. That’s just my opinion. Oh and DO NOT include AMERICAN men who are of italian ancestry. They are not the same and even italians born and raised in Italy will tell you that.
Today is the first day that I must say that I truly disagree with Obama. I am a second grade teacher and the thought of being away from my own child for more of an extended period is insane. I would never want to raise another person child but that is exactly what would be taking place. If the child is with me for over 8 hours a day for 7 days a week or year around when does the parent have time to performing parenting activities. Will my child take on the morals of their teacher with whom they are spending the duration of their waking days with (I believe so). Obama talks of our children competing on a global scale. My question is when is this utilized how often are our children going to Europe Spain Korean China to compete (Truthfully almost never). Rarely does their functions effect our children. I think it sad that people who think this is acceptable don’t want to be parents they want to hv babies but the minute they can get away from them they do. I don’t want anyone raising my children I send them to school for the purpose of education not to be raised. You know what’s so ironic that we firmly believe that bs that other countries children are so much better than our countries children (HOW DID WE BECOME A SUPER NATION THEN). It has nothing to do with the longevity of a school day or year but what is being provided in that day and curriculm content. How often do u use algebra not often but children are told they must have it. How often do you use smart decision making skills (Everyday) but that is not taught only preached. We hv no clue what is going on in other countries except what we are told by the powers that be and the bais media. For someone who doesn’t teach I understand your theory if you taught you would understand mine.
obamas face is pricelesss lol hahahaaaaaaaa like back the hell away from my wife lol
I agree with Pres. Obama’s plan to extend the school year. Things are only getting worse and Pres. Obama has a good point. Intellectually, our nation’s children are much farther behind than many other places. If we realistically expect our children to be our future then we need to demand more from them. Otherwise, we will be left behind along with them. I care about not only my future but the future of young ones, too. It’s time to raise the bar! Drop out rates are highest in the inner-city, poor areas. A lot of children who do well in school and who have parents invested in the education have left public schools in favor of charter or private institutions. Dealing with the public schools is another issue on it’s own. The “hood” has to want help, collectively before anything will change.
The Italian PM is the real imbecile. It’s just too bad he’s the only one who sees it.