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)

Transcript of President Obama’s 100th-Day Press Conference (April 29, 2009)

Obama’s 100th-Day Press Briefing, April 29, 2009

"I think we're off to a good start. But it's just a start. I'm proud of what we've achieved, but I'm not content."

Obama's Press Conference: Full Text here.

Transcript of Obama’s News Conference, March 24

Obama: The buck stops with me...well it will...soon. But not yet.  The economy is still Bush's fault.  Never forget that.

"Now, it’s important to remember that this crisis didn’t happen overnight and it didn’t result from any one action or decision. It took many years and many failures to lead us here." 

[Transcript of Obama’s News Conference]

Stem Cell Research And Cloning

On Monday, Obama rolled back Bush's restrictions on on federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research. Upon announcing his plan, Obama made some interesting comments:

"The majority of Americans - from across the political spectrum, and of all backgrounds and beliefs - have come to a consensus that we should pursue this research, that the potential it offers is great, and with proper guidelines and strict oversight, the perils can be avoided."

Perils?  What perils?

"...the use of cloning for human reproduction: it is dangerous, profoundly wrong, and has no place in our society, or any society." 

Wow...strong words.  I'm not accustomed to hearing Obama speak with such moral clarity.  Obama did not explain how he has drawn his conclusions, but this is how it boils down:

Grinding up human embryos to harvest cells and make spare parts — Good

Using human embryos to make more babies — Bad

Does this make sense?  If so, in what moral framework is this so obvious that it requires no explanation?

More

Obama reverses policy on stem cell funding.

Wikipedia scrubs Obama page clean of critical entries.

Will you be going Galt?

Online Surveys & Market Research

"To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical." — Thomas Jefferson

Jindal's Rebuttal to Obama's Speech Before Congress

Americans Can Do Anything

(full text)

Excerpts:

"As I grew up, my mom and dad taught me the values that attracted them to this country - and they instilled in me an immigrant's wonder at the greatness of America. As a child, I remember going to the grocery store with my dad. Growing up in India, he had seen extreme poverty. And as we walked through the aisles, looking at the endless variety on the shelves, he would tell me: 'Bobby, Americans can do anything.' I still believe that to this day.  

...

"Republicans are ready to work with the new President to provide those solutions. Here in my state of Louisiana, we don't care what party you belong to if you have good ideas to make life better for our people. We need more of that attitude from both Democrats and Republicans in our nation's capital. All of us want our economy to recover and our nation to prosper. So where we agree, Republicans must be the President's strongest partners. And where we disagree, Republicans have a responsibility to be candid and offer better ideas for a path forward.

...

"The strength of America is not found in our government. It is found in the compassionate hearts and enterprising spirit of our citizens.

...

"To solve our current problems, Washington must lead. But the way to lead is not to raise taxes and put more money and power in hands of Washington politicians. The way to lead is by empowering you - the American people. Because we believe that Americans can do anything.

...

"Democratic leaders say their legislation will grow the economy. What it will do is grow the government, increase our taxes down the line, and saddle future generations with debt. Who among us would ask our children for a loan, so we could spend money we do not have, on things we do not need? That is precisely what the Democrats in Congress just did. It's irresponsible. And it's no way to strengthen our economy, create jobs, or build a prosperous future for our children.

...

"In recent years, these distinctions in philosophy became less clear - because our party got away from its principles. You elected Republicans to champion limited government, fiscal discipline, and personal responsibility. Instead, Republicans went along with earmarks and big government spending in Washington. Republicans lost your trust - and rightly so.

...

"A few weeks ago, the President warned that our nation is facing a crisis that he said 'we may not be able to reverse.' Our troubles are real, to be sure. But don't let anyone tell you that we cannot recover - or that America's best days are behind her."

Full text of Jindal's Speech