We must show respect to the president

The recent decision by some schools to not allow students to hear President Barack Obama talk to them shows a disrespect for the presidency.

This is particularly true when his message relates to the importance of staying in school. When one-third of our students nationally are dropping out of school before graduation, his message needs to be heard.

Respect is something an individual must earn, but respect for the Office of President is something our Founding Fathers established years ago. Harry Truman understood that difference. When Gen. Douglas

MacArthur did not meet him on his arrival on a Pacific island, he refused to get off the plane until the general appeared. He said he didn't care what the general thought of him as Harry Truman, but he'd better respect him as the president.

Good teachers are helping students today to desire to get an education, and a key ingredient is those students respect those teachers. However, we have a huge dropout rate from high school and our students nationally do not rank worldwide in the top 20, so this does not bode well for the future of our country.

Everyone must put aside petty differences, and accept the fact that our students must have the desire to achieve more than they presently think they are capable of. Understanding what respect is by our example would be a good start.

Gary Anderson

Cedar Rapids