# Some parents throwing fits over "hoopla" in schools regarding Obama inaguration **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 16, 2009, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-parents-throwing-fits-over-hoopla-in-schools-regarding-obama-inaguration/481650 "2009-01-16T19:54:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2009, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-parents-throwing-fits-over-hoopla-in-schools-regarding-obama-inaguration/481650/41 "2009-01-18T15:32:59Z")
Here in the capital region there is this a stupid ass cottage industry that has sprung up around Obama. There are thousands of different T-shirts, hats,cups, pens whateverthefuckelse you can think of with his likeness on them capitalizing on this moment in time. These shirts are fucking retarded and they are for sale EVERYWHERE . Here are just a few of the themes on these shirts that are being pimped around the area: 1. Obama in a redskins uniform standing over McCain in a Cowboys uniform spiking the ball in his face. 2. Obama wearing some dark sunglasses getting out of a limo with the phrase “MISSION ACCOMPLISHED” splashed across the front, like he is a black AGENT that INFILTRATED the WHITE house. 3. 100’s of variations on the superman tearing his shirt off them with Obama being superman. 4. A large assortment of black-power caliber shirts that have his likeness with a message that “blacks run this shit now. It’s on like donkey kong”. I should take pictures of these things and post them. It’s pretty gross. [Obama T-Shirts & T-Shirt Designs | Zazzle](http://www.zazzle.com/obama+tshirts) These shirts pale in comparison to the made-in-my-basement t’s for sale all around here. > **[Barack Obama Superman t-shirt!](https://obamashirts.wordpress.com/2008/09/15/barack-obama-superman-t-shirt/)** > > Find this shirt here. EDIT: You can get the Obama Superman T-shirt at These images come from the artist, Alex Ross’s web site. It’s pretty gross. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2009, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-parents-throwing-fits-over-hoopla-in-schools-regarding-obama-inaguration/481650/42 "2009-01-18T15:56:08Z")
I should point out that Obama probably digs the Superman ones. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2009, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-parents-throwing-fits-over-hoopla-in-schools-regarding-obama-inaguration/481650/43 "2009-01-18T16:20:29Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > Homosexuality lurks! We don’t lurk anymore. The Homosexual Agenda (rev. ed. 2005) dictates that we may “spring, bound, dance, mince, jump, run, strut or walk” but never, ever lurk. Crawling on all fours is also approved, but only in private. ---
**Author:** ![kasuo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8c91f0/32.png) [@kasuo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kasuo)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2009, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-parents-throwing-fits-over-hoopla-in-schools-regarding-obama-inaguration/481650/44 "2009-01-18T18:21:37Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > We don’t lurk anymore. The Homosexual Agenda (rev. ed. 2005) dictates that we may “spring, bound, dance, mince, jump, run, strut or walk” but never, ever lurk. Crawling on all fours is also approved, but only in private. I thought the gays moved forward, not backward, upward not forward, and always twirling. ---
**Author:** ![zamboniracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e9a140/32.png) [@zamboniracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zamboniracer)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2009, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-parents-throwing-fits-over-hoopla-in-schools-regarding-obama-inaguration/481650/45 "2009-01-18T19:38:46Z")
> [@flodnak](#): > > In 1981 my school rescheduled lunch so we could all watch the Presidential inauguration on TV. It was at the time an overwhelmingly Republican area, but it never occurred to me that we were being “indoctrinated” :dubious: That’s how you know its really good indoctrination, when you don’t even realize at the time that you’re being indoctrinated! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2009, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-parents-throwing-fits-over-hoopla-in-schools-regarding-obama-inaguration/481650/46 "2009-01-18T19:46:58Z")
> [@Captain\_Carrot](#): > > First of all, the word is ‘methinks’. Second of all, ‘I could care less’ is an accepted idiom. It’s not incorrect. Accepted or not, it’s a corruption, not an idiom. > [@Markxxx](#): > > When I see kids on TV saying “I want to go because he’s our first African American president, and it’s symbolic of our roots and our trials.” This makes me gag, cause these kids (who are African America) clearly don’t understand Obama’s roots have nothing in common with an average black man of America. In otherwords even when the reasons are good, they’re not correct and no one dares to correct them. Of course they’re correct. They are talking about _their_ roots and _their_ trials; who are you to decide what symbols are appropriate? > [@Guinastasia](#): > > They might have done the same thing with McCain/Palin-as she would have been the first female VP. I can’t stand her, but it still would have been a milestone. Personally, I think students should always be forced to watch Presidential Inaugurations, at least, as long as you’re going to make them study US Government and civics and so on. Every new President is history, whether or not the context is actually historic. ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2009, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-parents-throwing-fits-over-hoopla-in-schools-regarding-obama-inaguration/481650/47 "2009-01-18T19:54:38Z")
I’m a little surprised that students _don’t_ watch presidential inaugurations, at least for first term presidents. I don’t think I watched W’s first inauguration, and I was too young to remember Clinton’s first, though. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2009, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-parents-throwing-fits-over-hoopla-in-schools-regarding-obama-inaguration/481650/48 "2009-01-18T20:49:55Z")
> [@oliversarmy](#): > > Tomorrow morning, my son, 17, gets on a plane a flies to the inauguration. I think it is quite an honor because he was selected by his teachers to participate in this event. At the time we were deciding to send him or not, we didn’t know who who would be elected. I’m curious. How is he participating? ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2009, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-parents-throwing-fits-over-hoopla-in-schools-regarding-obama-inaguration/481650/49 "2009-01-18T20:55:51Z")
Not to take anything from Obama, but I believe the excitement about Tuesday has as much or more to do with getting rid of George Bush as inaugurating a new guy. ---
**Author:** ![nashiitashii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7c8e57/32.png) [@nashiitashii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nashiitashii)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2009, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-parents-throwing-fits-over-hoopla-in-schools-regarding-obama-inaguration/481650/50 "2009-01-18T21:29:23Z")
I was in different schools for the Clinton and Bush inaugurations, and each school had a different policy. For Clinton’s, I got to watch it with my classmates in the library, all of us huddled around the television. For Bush’s, the school didn’t have a policy for allowing us to watch inaugurations, so it was pretty quiet. (We did, however, end up seeing the 9/11 footage as it was going on, as the instructor in that particular class was interested in it.) I think it is important for kids to watch inaugurations and be more aware of how their government works, and how they can contribute to not only their community, but their nation. The “hoopla” surrounding the Obama inauguration doesn’t seem unwarranted nor unfamiliar; don’t the media usually make a big deal out of every president’s first term inauguration? ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2009, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-parents-throwing-fits-over-hoopla-in-schools-regarding-obama-inaguration/481650/51 "2009-01-18T22:06:01Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Accepted or not, it’s a corruption, not an idiom. Much like the English language, and Latin, and Classical Greek. We speak nothing but foul corruptions. ---
**Author:** ![MinniePurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@MinniePurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MinniePurl)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2009, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-parents-throwing-fits-over-hoopla-in-schools-regarding-obama-inaguration/481650/52 "2009-01-18T23:06:17Z")
This is not a new thing. About the only thing I remember about first grade was watching Carter’s swearing in. Also not new: all the conservative whining and tantrum-throwing just like the Clinton years, but with that special extra soupçon of racism! ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2009, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-parents-throwing-fits-over-hoopla-in-schools-regarding-obama-inaguration/481650/53 "2009-01-18T23:32:12Z")
> [@Peanut\_Gallery](#): > > Everyone keeps saying it has anything to do with the circumstances of Obama’s election… Go figure. > > It is pretty clear that the complaints are more along the lines of “them damn liberals tryin’ to poison Joe Jr.'s fragile little mind with their homo-communism in the schools!” > > Or as McAlister put it: > "“Honestly, I could care less what color (Obama) is,” she said. “The fact is that they’re using my tax dollars for an indoctrination. And speaking with other people, I get the idea that I’m not alone (in my concern).” > > I \*\*\*love \*\*\*it that these kind of people are bent out of shape. How come I suspect that if its prayer before a football game, at graduation, or over the PA system in a public school, that isn’t indoctrination to her at all - but freedom of religion… Perhaps I am wrong and doing her an injustice. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-parents-throwing-fits-over-hoopla-in-schools-regarding-obama-inaguration/481650/54 "2009-01-19T01:21:18Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Personally, I think students should always be forced to watch Presidential Inaugurations, at least, as long as you’re going to make them study US Government and civics and so on. > > Every new President is history, whether or not the context is actually historic. I quite agree. (I’m really, REALLY disappointed I’m going to be at work on Tuesday, and can’t watch.) ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-parents-throwing-fits-over-hoopla-in-schools-regarding-obama-inaguration/481650/55 "2009-01-19T01:48:20Z")
In 1953 my entire fourth grade class took a field trip to a classmate’s house to watch the inauguration of Eisenhower. We were excited that it was going to be on television. I still remember several things about that day. I made a television available to my students when Reagan was inaugurated in 1981. The hostages in Iran were released as soon as he was sworn in. I’m a Democrat and a liberal. Tuesday will be the most exciting Presidential Inauguration that I can remember for _many_ reasons. And yes, one of them is because the President-elect is an African-American. He has things in common with the blacks that I have known. He is compassionate and fair-minded. He has lived on food stamps for a while. He is polite, ambitious, family-loving, serious, humorous, and observant. These qualities applied to most of my students. I’m so glad that our country is passing this milestone. But more than that – and more than leaving Bush behind – I really like the man. I have respect for him and his intelligence and I’m hopeful. It’s so good to think about possibilities again. ---
**Author:** ![oliversarmy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/eb8c5e/32.png) [@oliversarmy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oliversarmy)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-parents-throwing-fits-over-hoopla-in-schools-regarding-obama-inaguration/481650/56 "2009-01-19T05:13:01Z")
First, my son got there safely. Second, I shouldn’t have said “participating.” He’s just attending. Third, I’m glad he’s there and I agree with E-Sabbath: Inaugurations are important. They send a clear and distinct message that our system of government works no matter which side of the political spectrum you prefer. That is important to teach our children. After his flight landed, he was able to visit some museums and go to a dance, but he didn’t get to see U2, Beyonce or Springsteen on the Mall. He’ll be visiting more historic sites tomorrow. If anyone cares, I’ll keep you updated. ---
**Author:** ![Piker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba9def/32.png) [@Piker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Piker)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-parents-throwing-fits-over-hoopla-in-schools-regarding-obama-inaguration/481650/57 "2009-01-19T18:23:55Z")
> [@Cubsfan](#): > > Here in the capital region there is this a stupid ass cottage industry that has sprung up around Obama. There are thousands of different T-shirts, hats,cups, pens whateverthefuckelse you can think of with his likeness on them capitalizing on this moment in time. These shirts are fucking retarded and they are for sale EVERYWHERE . Here are just a few of the themes on these shirts that are being pimped around the area: > > 1. Obama in a redskins uniform standing over McCain in a Cowboys uniform spiking the ball in his face. > > 2. Obama wearing some dark sunglasses getting out of a limo with the phrase “MISSION ACCOMPLISHED” splashed across the front, like he is a black AGENT that INFILTRATED the WHITE house. > > 3. 100’s of variations on the superman tearing his shirt off them with Obama being superman. > > 4. A large assortment of black-power caliber shirts that have his likeness with a message that “blacks run this shit now. It’s on like donkey kong”. > > I should take pictures of these things and post them. It’s pretty gross. > > [Obama T-Shirts & T-Shirt Designs | Zazzle](http://www.zazzle.com/obama+tshirts) These shirts pale in comparison to the made-in-my-basement t’s for sale all around here. > > [Barack Obama Superman t-shirt! | Obama shirts](http://obamashirts.wordpress.com/2008/09/15/barack-obama-superman-t-shirt/) > > It’s pretty gross. Why is it gross? I live in downtown DC, a block away from an “inaugural superstore”, and some of the items they have in their are absolutely hilarious. The Audacity of Soap? “Yes We Can” Opener? What’s wrong with a little kitsch? People are excited, why is it so wrong for them to buy a button or a cheap shirt to remember the day? There’s no need to hate. ---
**Author:** ![Zeriel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/58956e/32.png) [@Zeriel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeriel)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-parents-throwing-fits-over-hoopla-in-schools-regarding-obama-inaguration/481650/58 "2009-01-19T18:25:03Z")
Checking in from being raised and going to school in a very conservative area of PA, we saw every inauguration during class time, which for me was IIRC both Clinton inaugurations. 1988 was a bit too early for civics classes for me (I was still in elementary school) and I honestly don’t remember whether we watched it. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2009, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-parents-throwing-fits-over-hoopla-in-schools-regarding-obama-inaguration/481650/59 "2009-01-20T01:58:37Z")
I’ll bet this McAllister bitch was a major proponent of “showing respect for the office of the President” whenever Bush-bashing occurred. But now that the shoe is on the other foot, it’s “This isn’t anything special.” What’s really _most_ offensive about twits like this is that they appear to think they seem reasonable – as if the rest of us aren’t remembering the hypocritical change of stance. It’s insulting to be treated like we can’t figure them out. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2009, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-parents-throwing-fits-over-hoopla-in-schools-regarding-obama-inaguration/481650/60 "2009-01-20T03:44:02Z")
> [@astro](#): > > Some parents are very unhappy that the schools are trying to involve kids in learning what an inaguration is all about. > > [Parent objects to ‘hoopla’ of schools’ presidential events](http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20090116/NEWS01/901160303/1002) It wouldn’t be so bad if it were just an inauguration. I think it’s the deification that they are concerned about. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-parents-throwing-fits-over-hoopla-in-schools-regarding-obama-inaguration/481650.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-parents-throwing-fits-over-hoopla-in-schools-regarding-obama-inaguration/481650.md?page=4)