JUST WHEN I THOUGHT the hysteria from rightwing media couldn't get much worse, I learned about the protests against President Barack Obama's televised pep talk to students today.

A sample of today's speech:

But at the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents, and the best schools in the world - and none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities. Unless you show up to those schools; pay attention to those teachers; listen to your parents, grandparents and other adults; and put in the hard work it takes to succeed.

That's right. Our president wants your kids to be better learners and do their homework. Similar speeches were delivered by presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush and shown to schoolchildren.

But leave it to a few shock jocks like Tammy Bruce to stir the pot and look for a sinister agenda. Per Bruce's Twitter feed calling for parents to pull their children out of school today rather than watch a televised speech from the president of the United States:

Remember, *you* are the moral tutor of your child, not some shady Chicago lawyer and his sycophants.

Bruce, formerly a Democrat, says she's now disavowed any party affiliation but chooses to do political commentary for FOX News.

And then we have 2012 presidential contender Gov. Tim Pawlenty also questioning the speech, calling it "uninvited." According to a radio interview, "the Republican governor says showing the address could be disruptive and raises questions of content and motive."

"I think we've reached a little bit of the silly season when the president of the United States can't tell kids in school to study hard and stay in school," presidential spokesman Robert Gibbs said last week.

AT MY HOUSE, I realize my strong political opinions have permeated my children's belief system. When my youngest brought home a presidential scholarship award signed by Obama he couldn't resist pointing out to his older sister in a bit of triumphant sibling rivalry that hers was (alas) signed by George Bush.

But I've also taught them to respect the office. And no matter how much you disagree with a sitting president's politics, you owe it to your children to teach them that the great traditions of this country and our system of democracy should always be honored.

The text of Obama's speech can be found here.