Dear Friend,
Earlier today President Obama addressed millions of K-12 students around the country with a simple message: "No one's written your destiny for you, because here in America, you write your own destiny."
It's the kind of message that students ought to hear from their parents and teachers everyday, but it's also one that holds special meaning coming directly from the President of the United States -- a role model to young people regardless of political ideology.
That's why parents, teachers, and students embraced similar speeches by former Presidents Reagan and Bush, Sr. And it's why the vast majority welcomed President Obama's remarks, too.
Watch President Obama's speech and sign our petition to support his inspiring message to young people, stressing the importance of hard work and personal responsibility.
Unfortunately some cynics have decided to use this totally apolitical pep talk to students as an opportunity to gin up fear and anger against the President. With impressively straight faces, extremists like Glenn Beck alleged that the President is trying to "indoctrinate" American children with his political ideology.
It's the same folks manufacturing the so-called "birther" controversy, the "death panel" controversy, and every outrageous claim in between. They are dedicated to undermining the President -- no matter what.
So I was troubled that some schools here in Colorado gave in to the calls of a very radical fringe by deciding not to allow their students an opportunity to watch the President's important speech in class this morning.
If that's the case where your children go to school, I hope you'll bring over the kids right now and make sure they watch President Obama's inspiring remarks.
Most parents, teachers, and leaders from both parties recognize the President's unique ability to inspire young people. Newt Gingrich even called it "a totally positive speech" that is "good for America."
I couldn't agree more.
Watch President Obama's speech and sign our petition to support his inspiring message to young people, stressing the importance of hard work and personal responsibility.
We've worked hard in Colorado to reduce the high school dropout rate and allow more students to pursue a higher education.
But as President Obama told students today "...we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents, the best schools in the world -- and none of it will make a difference, none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities..."
Thank you for watching President Obama's speech with your children -- or grandchildren -- and for expressing your support for President Obama's inspiring message to young people.
Sincerely,
Bill Ritter, Jr.
Governor
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