Mmm, mmm, mmm: More Barack Obama

Carney-Nunes, angelic victim of vicious right-wing extremist attacks

Thanks to Obama's friends in the Democrat-Run Media, the "Mmm, mmm, mmm video" is back on page one. Before we go there, let's review the updated story:

On March 23, 2009, Charisse Carney-Nunes (author of "I am Barack Obama") was invited to the B. Bernice Young Elementary School in Burlington, NJ as part of the school's Women's History Month celebrations. The author read from two of her books at two school assemblies.

Carney-Nunes was accompanied by two unnamed individuals.

On the same day, schoolchildren performed the "Mmm, mmm, mmm" Obama praise song for Carney-Nunes "since one of the books she wrote was about Barack Obama." On June 19, 2009, a video recording of the performance was uploaded to Carney-Nunes's YouTube account as a Father's Day tribute to Barack Hussein Obama. A promotional poster featuring the cover of Carney-Nunes's book is seen sitting on an easel in the background of the video, and a voice (strikingly similar to Carney-Nunes's) shouts approval for the children's performance: "All right, I like that!"

By September 23rd, the inflammatory video had become viral, and Carney-Nunes began receiving a torrent of questions from reporters and angry emails from conservatives. School staff denied having any knowledge of the recording prior to the media explosion. Dr. Christopher M. Manno, Superintendent of Schools, stated that "the video was posted on the author's website without district approval or knowledge."

Carney-Nunes told the Washington Post that an associate of hers videotaped the children's performance and later uploaded it, along with video and photos from other of her readings, to Carney-Nunes's YouTube account.

In today's story decrying the lack of civility in "today's viral world", The Washington Post inexplicably concludes that Carney-Nunes "was erroneously linked" to the "Mmm, mmm, mmm video."

My thoughts and observations:

• The Washington Post conveniently leaves out the question of whether Carney-Nunes was aware of the fact that her associate was recording the performance.

• The Post also fails to address the question of whether Carney-Nunes asked her associate to post the video on YouTube.

• Unless Carney-Nunes's associate maliciously and secretly hacked into Carney-Nunes's YouTube account to post the video, Carney-Nunes should take responsibility for this creepy piece of Obama propaganda in which her book is being celebrated.

• The Washington Post did make room in their story to demonize Michelle Malkin for asking the sort of questions that they themselves failed to address.

• The Post completely missed the opportunity to address the real source of controversy in this story, i.e., the question of whether this sort of quasi-religious hero worship is appropriate in government-run schools (whoever is responsible).

Via Memeorandum

Discussion: Left Coast Rebel, Sweetness & Light

Don't miss Michelle Malkin's side of the story

More

Carney-Nunes: "Keep looking for that inner-Obama."

Is this a good idea? Protest rally near B. Bernice Young Elementary School

Update: Protesters gather outside school that sang Obama praises

School Kids Taught to Praise Obama: Lyrics and Analysis, Update: School Responds

By now you've probably seen the creepy "Kids Sing Obama" video. This was was an official school activity, recorded in February at a public school (B. Bernice Young Elementary School, Burlington, NJ), and organized by Ms. Charisse Carney-Nunes, author of I Am Barack Obama. The school denies having authorized the video recording. Here are the lyrics of the chant:

Mmm, mmm, mmm

Barack Hussein Obama

He said we must all lend a hand

To make this Country strong again

Mmm, mmm, mmm

Barack Hussein Obama

He said we must be fair today

Equal work means equal pay

Mmm, mmm, mmm

Barack Hussein Obama

He said we all must take a stand

To make sure everyone gets a chance

Mmm, mmm, mmm

Barack Hussein Obama

He said red, yellow, black, or white,

All are equal in his sight

Mmm, mmm, mmm

Barack Hussein Obama

Yes, mmm, mmm, mmm

Barack Hussein Obama

Here are the lyrics of the song (updated):

Hello Mr. President we honor you today!

For all your great accomplishments

We all [inaudible] say "hooray!"

Hooray Mr. President, you are number one!

The first black American to lead this great nation!

Hooray, Mr. President we honor your great plans,

To make this country's economy number one again!

Hooray Mr. President, we’re really proud of you!

And we stand for all Americans under the great Red, White, and Blue!

So [inaudible] President, we honor you today!

So here's a hearty [inaudible]

Hip, hip hooray! (3x)

Some of the discussion about the chant has focused on the fourth stanza. The words were ripped from "Jesus Loves The Little Children."

Hey kids…can you say "quasi-religious"?!

Fox News describes the video well:

The video shows nearly 20 young children taught a song overflowing with campaign slogans and praise for "Barack Hussein Obama," repeatedly chanting the president's name and celebrating his accomplishments, including his "great plans" to "make this country's economy No. 1 again."

...

The song quotes directly from the spiritual "Jesus Loves the Little Children," though Jesus' name is replaced with Obama's: "He said red, yellow, black or white/All are equal in his sight. Barack Hussein Obama."

I don't particularly appreciate the implications of the first stanza, i.e., "Our country is weak and needs a presidential savior." …And I wonder if kids this age are really ready to be introduced to the ERA (second stanza).

If nothing else, this story highlights the importance of keeping Obama's cult-like following away from the children.

The "Kids Sing Obama" video was posted on YouTube on June 19, 2009 as a Fathers' Day tribute to Barack Hussein Obama.

More

NRO: Kidz4Change: Singing to Dear Leader

Children sing songs of Obama’s glory.

Pop Quiz: Information or Indoctrination?

School Kids Sing About The Greatness Of Obama…No Indoctrination There

Washington Times: "I went to grade school during the early 1980s, and I do not recall a music teacher asking my class to sing the praises of President Ronald Reagan..."

Update I:

Charisse Carney-Nunes (a classmate of Obama at Harvard Law School, and author of I Am Barack Obama) was apparently involved in the “Kids Sing Obama” video. The "Kids Sing Obama" video was posted on her YouTube channel, BrandNuWords (since removed). Note the I Am Barack Obama poster in the background of the "Kids Sing Obama" video.

Ultra Creepy: Does she have a crush?

Big hat tip to ModernConservative!

Update II:

Jon at Exurban League has a response from the school district confirming the rap session as an official school activity.

Update III:

The school issues a non-apology

Hat Tip: Michelle Malkin

Update IV (October 11, 2009):

Washinton Post Plays shifts the blame:

Carney-Nunes said an associate of hers videotaped the children's performance and later uploaded it, along with video and photos from other of her readings, to Carney-Nunes's YouTube account.

"Fathers day tribute to President Obama!! Children sing!"

(above: screen cap, original video removed by author)