Hey, Mr. Obama - you need to read my post about Objectives!

I usually stray away from political discussions. Why? Well the cat is coming out of the bag now. I'm not a Republican. I'm not a Democrat either. I'm of a party that doesn't yet exist. I call it the "Straight Down the Middle" party. I know this disapponts many of my friends on both sides of the aisle because you all assumed I was your way. Well, I am in many ways. In fact, I'll bet, I represent more of a majority than either of the two parties. One thing I CAN say is that of the things that I believe in passionately, neither party will sway me, so please don't try. All of that is being said so that I'm not accused of or praised for Obama bashing. Watching the controversy unfold about his plan to broadcast live to schools, I simply had to post and ask the President and his advisors to read my former post about setting objectives. Sorry, but the school address is a bonehead idea. Why? Let's look at the possible objectives...

Objective #1 - to encourage more kids to stay in school.
Seems pretty straight forward to me, right? WRONG. This is a fluffy, feel good objective that has no basis in reality. Why? Simple - it makes NO sense.

Reasons? You, Mr. President are highly controversial. People either LOVE you or HATE you. As a result of that, your plan to broadcast live will have a direct impact on having kids NOT go to school that day. Think about it. If the County is a Republican County, the District will refuse to show it live. As a result, the Democratic Party parents will keep their child away from school that day in protest. If the County is a Democratic County, the District will embrace the idea and Republican Party parents will refuse to send their child to school that day. Net result - 1/2 the kids get a day off of school. Missed the objective.

Reason #2. Shall I just say the words - Nancy Reagan? Ring a bell? Oh, how about her "Just Say No" campaign. Exactly how many children did she dissuade from taking drugs after launching that multi million dollar campaign. Easy answer - none.

Does anyone, anywhere REALLY believe for one second that the President's message to children to stay in school will make any impact AT ALL on ANY student? Maybe I'm naive, but my guess is NO.

Come on Mr. President. Being a middle of the roader, I try really hard to cut through the crap and screaming on both sides and make an informed decision. I'm not an emotional person who believes in all the conspiracy theories. I don't think you're going to try and warp young minds by some subliminal messages. I do think your objectives are WAY off. I could be wrong. It is highly possible that you and your advisors had a totally reachable objective. Perhaps your objective was: "Let's enflame as many people as possible and make my unpopular health care reform issue get back-burnered" If that was your objective, I think you're closer to the mark. Mind you, I don't think health care reform debates will be silenced, but you may have just found a way to get your extreme lefters to take your cause back up with a vengeance.