All Hell has broke loose and Vetwife is going to school tomorrow !

[vetwife]

I posted onhere some time back about the teacher who asked all the personal questions about religion and sex and all kinds of stuff and went and talked to the the asst principal. Today my daughter comes home and says this same teacher makes a political speech against Kerry and his many wives !

I called the Board just now and told them if they want an issue I am just the one to bring the ACLU in here and we will have a real issue with this teacher. I told her I was not exactly a private person in this town and we would get this straight ! She set up a meeting with the principal tomorrow but I am mad ! this woman downed Teresa Heinz Kerry, made remarks about Kerry marrying rich women, and all kinds of stuff and I went off ! This teacher is going down ! She and her hidden agenda ! I told the Board of education this as well !
I told them, you know I won't hesitate to bring the ACLU in on this !
My daughter has an average of 47 in this class and do I think she is being singled out ! You bet I do !

[Beaverhausen]

1. You go Amanda!

Hit 'em hard!!! :yourock:

[Pirate Smile]

2. What age are these kids?

[vetwife]

4. 14

[DebJ]

3. and what about all the other kids in the class hearing this crap?

I think you should demand equal time, where a Kerry supporter can go into the classroom and speak.

[callous taoboy]

YES!

[Gato Moteado]

5. take her down!

it's time for us to all start taking off our gloves when dealing with fascists whereever we encounter them.

[benburch]

6. You rock

If I can offer any help, just name it.

[Lefta Dissenter]

7. Vetwife

:yourock: More Power to ya, girl!

[johnnie]

8. Go for it

This bs of the teacher spouting their crap to the kids is getting out of hand. It happened to my buddy's daughter also. Her teacher said that if Kerry gets in gay people will start getting married. So this little girl says she is "scared of John Kerry".

[callous taoboy]

9. Give 'em hell, vetwife!

As a teacher, I keep my personal views to myself. The shit this teacher pulled has no place in a public school and she should be written up at the very least and told, in no uncertain terms, to put a lid on it.

[burythehatchet]

10. how awful

you know you have a lot of support here.

[whistle]

11. Great, send your daughter in with a concealed tape recorder....

...and get this teacher on tape. Then take to tape to the local newspaper. That will nail the entire school board, because if a teacher is doing this then you can bet that there is a power base that giving their blessing.

[vetwife]

33. School Board said Oh I bet those quesitons were

from No Child Left Behind. I said, "Do you even remember who you are talking to Lady? I had C-span out here that you all snubbed. I probably know more about No Child Left Behind than you do ! This was no part of that unfunded mandate ! This is out of line. She said, Oh yeah, I rememeber who you are. I didn't get an invitation. I immediately put the board member on defense and said, Yes you did. C-Span from Washington sent you a press release. But we are not talking C-Span yet ! Not this time. We are talking politics in an inapropriate setting. She him hawed around.

[napi21]

12. What class does this idiot teach?

I thought part of the job of a teacher was to keep personal opinions to themselves! Even if this was a civics class (Do they teach that anymore?).\, her opinion has no place in the conversation!

You go get 'em vetwife, and let us all know what happens.

[semillama]

16. Same shit happened to me in high school

back during the reagan years. I had a math teacher who would regularly spend the first ten minutes of class talking about how awesome Reagan was and how bad democrats and liberals were. He was also a football coach, I think. Pissed me off to no end, and thus made it even harder to to do the school work. I don't think anything ever happened to him.

Make a ruckus, vetwife! see if you can't get other concerned parents with you.

[SOS]

55. And

note that Reagan and Kerry were each married twice, divorced once.
But for Kerry it's "his many wives".
The hypocrisy is endless.

[DemBones DemBones]

82. And I don't think Kerry got either of his wives pregnant before marrying

her, while Nancy Reagan was allegedly pregnant on her wedding day.

Then there was the rape charge against Reagan. . .

[sventvkg]

13. Don't stop until this teacher is Fired. I would meet first, then file suit

if need be. This teacher has no place in a public school. Fucking Fundies!!!

[vetwife]

14. She teaches health education ! You all said she had an agenda

I just repeated all of that to the Board. HIDDEN AGENDA !

[RubyDuby in GA]

15. Damn nutcases!

I bet this teacher is one of those who most willingly voted for Sonny Bubba last time. I'm available to picket the school. Just give me the go....

[vetwife]

18. Ruby..She even printed that her son has a job in Texas...that the

preacher has put her poems to music. Questions like if these kids have had sex, if they were pregnant, what church do we attend, do we attend? No kiddin ! What do we do for a living..My daughter said it was none of her business and been failing ever since.

[RubyDuby in GA]

22. This woman has got to go

She has no business being around children, much less masquerading as a teacher. Who asks questions like that to 14 year olds??? You bet your ass that's why she's failing your child. Take this to the school board, your local paper and the AJC. This is absurd!

[July]

37. Can you prove this to the principal?

If you know what date the teacher asked the inappropriate questions and can show that your daughter's grades when down from that point on, you have a real educational issue on your hands. The teacher is behaving in an extremely unprofessional manner if she is singling out a child and using her power to affect your daughter's grades.

Do you have tests, quizzes, papers from the beginning of the year? If not, ask the principal (don't give him/her any warning, ideally) to get the teacher's grade book and show it to you (and insist on a copy) -- it may be documentation in the teacher's own writing of a precipitous decline in your daughter's grade.

You should have the right to ask for a different teacher (if there is one).

[seemslikeadream]

17. We could make some phone calls?

maybe?

[porphyrian]

19. Go get the bastard!

We've got your back.

[intheflow]

20. this teacher has no hidden agenda

her agenda is all too clear.

[vetwife]

24. When C-Span came out I got access to a reporter who gave me good press

I also have access to the local dem party who is part of the University. This town is extremely right winged and I will take the tape recorder in there myself.

[sweetladybug]

21. In 2000 my little grand daughter who was 10 yrs old came home

from school and told me that her teacher told the class that "Gore believes in killing babies" I came unglued. I called the Principle and he told me that he would take care of it and he did. He said the teacher denied saying it, but she was put in her place and was told she would be fired if she spoke another word about either candidate. I found out later (that before this happened with my grand daughter) she constantly was saying good things about Bush but bad things about Gore to other teachers and they finally got tired of hearing her crap and one day they put Gore bumper stickers all over her bumper.

[Rebellious Republican]

23. You go girl!

Maybe you can help this teacher see the importance of Libral social programs by putting her in the unemployment line when she is fired!!!!

:toast:

[Rainbowreflect]

25. You are a true patriot.

[vetwife]

26. Right now I am one mad patriot..Thanks ! I swear I don't need this crap !

[Catherine Vincent]

27. Don't back down, Vetwife!

I would be upset too! I trust you will report tomorrow?

[vetwife]

30. I will report and I NEVER BACK DOWN !

Thanks for the encouragement. What are they gonna be telling the kids after that puke of a movie plays ?!

[Rainbowreflect]

31. I know you don't need this crap,

but I believe this crap needs you. To help fix it.

[nostamj]

28. my nephew's history teacher

told his class that if Kerry was elected, there would be a draft. so he came home saying he would vote for bush so there'd be no draft.

my sister hit the roof. waiting for the follow-up...

[vetwife]

29. This has got to stop ! That is terrible Jeff.

Hey Jeff...See if she can record.Ben will put it online. They will stop this one way or the other !

[MARALE]

32. What does this women teach?

I remember when you told about asking her those questions and what your daughter said. It is hard to fire a teacher, but if you keep catching her abusing her power (cause that is what she is doing)and you document what your daughter has done in the class and question why she is getting bad grades, you may get enough to get her fired. It sounds like your daughter is smart and shouldn't be failing.

[vetwife]

38. Healthcare......My daughter is juvenile diabetic and this is

an elective subject. She spends most of her time these days in ISS.
wonder just how much she is really taking at achool ! Everyday it is Brandy is smarting off..Brandy is talking back..Brandy is not minding. Brandy has ISS. Brandy is having trouble with the other kids..EVERY SINGLE DAY ! Now I wonder, and I know she has a smart mouth How much of this is really BRANDY !

[Buns_of_Fire]

34. (1) Take names. (2) Kick ass.

:thumbsup: :yourock:

[lpbk2713]

35. Don't give em any slack.

Abuse of authority pisses me off something fierce and this is what you are dealing with here. A teacher is a spokesperson for the school board he/she works for and this school board is shoving distorted beliefs down their captive audience's (the kids) throats. Go in to that meeting convinced you are right and they are definitely wrong.

Navy Vet 65 - 69.

[donheld]

36. Our country really is going down the toilet

I'm really sorry your Daughter or any other kid has to go through this.

[JohnOneillsMemory]

39. Tell this 'teacher' Bush* has killed and injured thousands of kids

and is an as yet unconvicted war criminal. Educate this teacher on her own ignorance instead of just calling her out on it! (That's what we all need to do to our mis-informed Fallow Merkins.)

Show this teacher the study proving that Bush* supporters are generally wrong on the facts:
http://www.pipa.org/OnlineReports/Pres_Election_04/html/new_10_21_04.html#1
Study concludes Republican diehards are living in fantasyland.

http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room /

Even if they don't like to say it out loud, lots of Democrats think that George Bush's supporters are a horde of ignoramuses. Now comes evidence that they're right! A remarkable new report titled "The Separate Realities of Bush and Kerry Supporters" from PIPA, the Program on International Policy Attitudes at the University of Maryland, suggests that rank and file Republicans are more benighted than even the most supercilious coastal elitist would imagine.

Analyzing data from a series of nationwide polls, the report finds that a majority of Bush supporters believe things about the world that are objectively untrue, while the majority of Kerry supporters dwell in the reality-based community. For example, Bush backers largely think that the president and his policies are popular internationally. Seventy-five percent believe that Iraq was providing "substantial" aid to al-Qaida, and 63 percent say clear evidence of this has been found. That, of course, would be news even to Donald Rumsfeld, who earlier this month told the Council On Foreign Relations, "To my knowledge, I have not seen any strong, hard evidence that links the two."

Though its language is dispassionate, the report lays responsibility for this epidemic of ignorance at the White House's door. "So why are Bush supporters clinging so tightly to these beliefs in the face of repeated disconfirmations?" it asks. "Apparently one key reason is that they continue to hear the Bush administration confirming these beliefs."

Indeed, it says, "an overwhelming 82% perceive the Bush administration as saying that Iraq had WMD (63%) or a major WMD program (19%). Only 16% of Bush supporters perceive the administration as saying that Iraq had some limited activities, but not an active program (15%) or had nothing (1%). The pattern on al Qaeda is similar. Seventy-five percent of Bush supporters think the Bush administration is currently saying Iraq was providing substantial support to al Qaeda (56%) or even that it was directly involved in 9/11 (19%). Further, 55% of Bush supporters say it is their impression the Bush administration is currently saying the US has found clear evidence Saddam Hussein was working closely with al Qaeda (not saying clear evidence found: 37%)."

Hey-all this hoopla is a GREAT EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE ON THE ABUSE OF AUTHORITY AND HOW PROPAGANDA WORKS. Your daughter can learn alot from it!

My mother is a college history teacher who has students dying in Iraq and others needing time off from classes to attend their funerals.

She wrestles with her conscience every class over how much information to give her students so they know why they're gonna be drafted to hold the leash in oil-rich countries.

Usually she likes to let students connect the dots for themselves but she doesn't want them to kill or be killed.

I keep telling her that facts have an absolute value and are NOT political and therefore BELONG in the classroom.That's what teaching is all about. Teaching kids how to think and showing the consequences of not thinking in the adult world they are headed towards in a very short time.

Your daughter's teacher sounds like she is full of religious passion and is not reality-based, just like the pretzeldent she's supporting.

Share reality with her in the spirit of informed citizenship!!

[The Minus World]

40. I find no difference

between the actions of overzealous teachers who use thier podium as a bully pulpit to propagate their personal, perverse beliefs about politics and religion; and the actions of an individual who willingly takes advantage of a child physically.

At such an early age, opinions can be molded by a conscious party - thoughts corrupted. Such polarizing behaviour deprives them of their innocence.

The classroom is a place where children are taught to think for themselves; to discover facts and make empirical decisions - not have their basest fears pandered to by some self-righteous, politically-driven pedagogue.

Keep fighting the good fight.

[vetwife]

41. I just asked Brandy what was said word for word

She said, How could John Kerry's wife froget that Mrs. Bush had the most important job in the world as a teacher? This is so terrible.
Brandy said, "She apologized to her for forgetting". She said, She didn't forget. Then one of the kids said, isn't T K rich? And she said John Kerry only marries rich women. I said, What did you say, "And she said "Nothing" I am in enough trouble. So tomorrow I am going to ask this teacher one on one What does Teresa Kerry and her marriage and her statements about Laura Bush have to do with healthcare in a classroom in Villa Rica, Georgia. And who is she to ask all of those personal questions about our family and how much does she and her husband make. I will be preparing a list of personal questions of my own I plan to ask her since she tried to invade my daughter's privacy and ours. AND then I will tell her I am a minister's daughter and don't need the likes of a fundie R-Winger having an influence on my daughter and we can make this real public if we wants to . I pretty much said that to the Board today !

[JohnOneillsMemory]

42. Theresa is the ONLY ONE WHO HASN'T KILLED ANYONE among

the candidates and their spouses. That sure counts for something in my book. I think it also counts for something in what is called The Good Book.

[vetwife]

43. Amen !

[Ilsa]

70. That rocks! Love it. eom.

[CrispyQ]

44. Good luck to you, Vetwife.

I am smiling cuz I don't think this teacher has a clue what's in store for her! I doubt she's ever gone up against someone who is well informed, articulate & not afraid to speak her mind.

:yourock:

[OutsourceBush]

45. Arguing with idiots is not going to get you anywhere

you have to storm the school board with other parents and the press. Demand someone gets fired! Strength in numbers. Back and fourth by yourself is what they would hope you to do, it is futile. They will just play you off as a nut.

[vetwife]

47. No they won't..Will someone please inform this poster of how

hard I play hardball ! They know who I am and they won't think I am a nut considering I just had 5 papers including the AJC feature a story on me and C-Span.

http://www.c-span.org/c-span25/stories.asp?code=kato



http://switchboard.real.com/player/email.html?PV=6.0.12&&title=Washington%20Journal&link=rtsp%3A%2F%2Fvideo.c%2Dspan.org%2F15days%2Fwj100504.rm
got to clip 1:58:02 on real player



http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0310/30/nfcnn.02.html

BLITZER: Let's take another caller. Amanda, go ahead. You are on the air.

CALLER: My question is for Katherine Harris. Did you get the opportunity to speak with the Iraqi women and encourage them to follow your lead in going into public office so that they, too, could disenfranchise voters?

...............................................
Email from C-Span
Hello Amanda,
Well, I am finally back in the office after my two weeks on the bus and some
time off from work.
Thank you for the lovely message and I just want to let you know that
Terence, Heath, and myself could not have felt more welcome during our visit
with you. It was a pleasure to meet you and your family and I look forward
to giving you the tour of the C-SPAN Studios when you next visit Washington,
DC.
Here are all the pictures we took during our visit.
Thanks again,
Matthew.

[OutsourceBush]

51. Whatever...

geesh, must have been waiting all day to post your pics huh, I'm glad I gave you the opening.

[vetwife]

52. That is old news and those pics are old. news...weeks old ...I don't

like being referred to as someone who will not be taken seriously. You don't know me and this is for all kids and parents who don't walk in Lockstep with Bush. I am not on some ego trip. Everyone on here knows that ! I don't get paid or need self assurance. I am just an activist in a right winged town. I knew I should have given the old witch my CD I put out. As far as your post, you make it sound like they can fluff me off as a nut, but they can't. I just wanted you to know that taking this to school will make a change. One way or the other. People who have not figured out that keeping one's mouth shut does no good and will stand by and let this country be taken over. Thats all I am trying to say and one person can make a difference. As far as the pics. Some Duers even attended the event. Wasn't news to them or my pics.

[madfloridian]

54. That is a very rude thing to say.

I am not believing you said that to Vetwife.

[Wind Dancer]

57. What is that supposed to mean?

You are giving vetwife a hard time for posting pics? Do you know how much this woman does for veteran's groups and the democratic party? You might want to chill before spewing this BS here against one of the most active and passionate DUers, geeez!

[chiburb]

58. Who the fuck are you?

Rude motherfucker!

[RetroLounge]

95. I would not suggest you fuck with VetWife

Just walk away now...

RL

[BrotherBuzz]

50. vetwife plays hardball!

[RetroLounge]

96. You obviously do not know shit about VetWife

Maybe you should go search some posts and learn something before making yourself sound ignorant.

This is NOT a woman whose bad side you want to be on.

RL

[Cha]

48. The teacher(sic) picked on the wrong

woman's daughter. And as for propping up the bushes and tearing down the Kerrys..it's fate that you should be able to hear what she's saying..

I have no doubt she'll wish she never opened her big fundy mouth.

:dem:This is definetly war across the Nation on all Fronts!:dem:

[China_cat]

83. Villa Rica???????

This teacher wouldn't happen to have a last name that starts with H and a husband whose name is Stan, would she?

[vetwife]

86. IF you are talking about Stan Hardegree..Nope

I know Stan the Editor is a winger and the editor of a right winged local paper. He knows I am a liberal. He knows me. No this teacher was from Texas and I know for a fact she will be keeping her opinions to herself from now on. I do know Stan's wife is a teacher though, but I am a fair person and Stan has always given me decent press.

Stan has a right to his political beliefs as well as his wife BUT I won't have our children being dissed because their parents are dems or outspoken liberals. Stan and his wife can say anything they wish in their newspaper but they have never attacked me or my politics publicly or privately. That is a fact. There is a place to be partisan and school is not the place nor is church IMO. I believe that to be true for dems and republicans.

[China_cat]

88. Just wondered

because Stan and his merry band of sewer sharks has waged an ongoing war against a friend of mine trying to get her website shut down because she dared to disagree with him and gave him the nickname of Homostannous (tin man in Latin...hollow with no heart). This has included virus attacks against clients of hers who wouldn't know him if they fell over him and an attempt to hack her server.

I wouldn't put it past him to be feeding this crap to school kids.

Your testimony, though, bolsters the impression that many have gotten that he wouldn't do things like this to adults who are likely to actually stand up in his face.

[vetwife]

91. We have stood toe to toe and

he knows me and my positions. If I knew he was doing that for a fact I would report it . He and I live about 5 miles from one another and although he has never crossed me up close and personal I keep my eyes wide open for all wingers in this area.

[TahitiNut]

72. Exactly. It's child abuse. No question about it.

I'd have to be tied down. There'd be hell to pay.

[n2mark]

46. Not new

I've been hearing this is happening throughout the country in our schools from friends. This is not acceptable or legal. The teachers are in our schools to teach not preach. If the teachers are bringing politics in our schools, the taxpayers money should be cut from these schools. I'm suppose to vote this time for more money for our schools. Don't think so, whether it is for elementary, middle schools, high schools or colleges. My money is not being wisely spent.

[friesianrider]

49. OMG, you'd better kick some ass...

That is totally uncalled for, especially after you tried to civily speak to her about the situation.

Raise Hell, vetwife!

[lawladyprof]

53. Sent you a PM, Vetwife

You can do more than complain to the BOE. You can file a complaint alleging a violation of the state Code of Ethics with the state department of education. It issues certificates and has the power to discipline her vis a vis her teaching license.

[lpbk2713]

56. Kick for the results of the meeting.

So what happened?

[RebelOne]

59. Maybe she is still at the meeting.

[Me.]

60. Get In There vetwife

And kick some A double S.

[anarchy1999]

61. I'm talking with VetWife now, all is well.

She met with the principal this am and charges are being filed with Ethics at the State level and this teacher was called in on the carpet, an order for her to cease and desist was issued. The teacher may possibly lose her license for her actions. A formal apology was issued and Amanda's daughter is being placed in another class with another teacher. Her grade level was brought up to passing at the meeting.

[Southpaw Bookworm]

62. Bra-fucking-Vo

I'm glad to hear of such a positive outcome. Vetwife, you're a model for us all!

[The Minus World]

63. Congratulations to her!

It's terrifying to think that such intolerant, self-righteous behaviour like that is still rampant in our public schools. Apparently, one can still be insane and possess teaching credentials at the same time.

[Wind Dancer]

66. Great news!

Thanks for keeping us updated.

[loudestchick]

67. Vetwife is a mother bear!!!!

As I was told at the beginning of the school year, "You must be your child's advocate...no one else will be."

[B Calm]

74. Everyone should have a mom like VetWife, My god I love her!

[RubyDuby in GA]

79. Outstanding!

I've been wondering about this all day.
Vetwife is amazing! Truly an inspiration..........

[DemBones DemBones]

85. Excellent, excellent, excellent!!!

This teacher was so out of line. After all I've heard lately, I'm really glad not to be teaching now and not to have kids in school, either. What a sad time for our country, when right wingers are running wild supporting fascism and thinking they are patriots.

[Technowitch]

64. You are one of my personal heroes, Vetwife. You GO girl!

[semillama]

65. Right ON!

Vetwife is a definite role model.

I just about spit my water on the screen when I read her question to Katherine Harris, too.

[Sparkle]

68. Come on VetWife. Waiting to hear from you.

[anarchy1999]

73. Check post #61, VetWife has weighed in. She and her family are taking

the night off. Outcome of today's events have been posted. What more do you need to hear?

[BamaGirl]

69. Holy crap!

I posted about issues with one of our teachers the other day regarding politics in school. I was hoping it was isolated! Give 'em hell!

[PaDUer]

71. KICK...n/t

[vetwife]

75. Thanks anarchy and thank all of you for your kind posts

Today was a victory but we all know in these little towns there will be yet another fight somewhere else tomorrow. I talked to Anarchy and told her I was gonna have to take some down time as I was up at 4:00 this AM and running on pured adrenaline. I got all worked up but nice to these people and accomplished what I set out to do and happy you all stood by me.

Anarchy reported it as it was and all of this junk is getting to my vet husband. I don't mean my posting, I mean the deaths in Iraq, the lies, the election, me running in 10 different diferctions and Fallujah and he isn't even watching but he knows. The Sinclair thing and the Swift Boat Ads so I may post later on but I need to take some time down with him tonight. I love you all and thanks ya'll. this election..I wish it were over already !

and For God's Sake why are we not hearing anything about what was reported on C-Span today with the Michigan Senator Carl Levin?. The main commissioner that sits on the Armed Services Committee. He has impeachable offenses against Cheney and all of them regarding the invasion. I saw that today and I nearly fell off my couch. Go to C-Span and watch the whole thing. These people all the way hid the truth and (that we knew) but he has the goods. No one stood with him as he gave a very long press conference on these findings. He referred to Paul O' Neill and several other books.


Check this out !
http://www.c-span.org/search/basic.asp?ResultStart=1&ResultCount=10&BasicQueryText=Carl+Levin

[roguevalley]

76. bless you, honey. you are a damned good woman.

[vetwife]

77. Thanks so much ! Ya'll need to check this out if you haven't seen it.

http://www.c-span.org/search/basic.asp?ResultStart=1&ResultCount=10&BasicQueryText=Carl+Levin

Carl Levin pre war inelligence 10/21

[Tsiyu]

80. Hang in there and thanks for the links

As a parent of kids in Ga schools, I know that you have just gone up against the proverbial brick wall. You didn't knock it down, but you by God punched a hole in it, kiddo.

I am so glad this worked out for Brandy. She is the one getting hurt by the teacher's problems. And make no mistake, this teacher has serious problems and boundary issues. Poor impulse control on top of that.

Keep that hubby safe and when are they going to give you your own talk show?

I will go read the links now. Thanks for being the courageous, wise, big-hearted person you are.

[flpoljunkie]

84. Keep up the fight against these ignorant bigots and thanks for the link.

[Rebellious Republican]

90. No, thank you for fighting the good fight! N/T

:hug:

[GreenPartyVoter]

78. You go, girl! *hugs and prayers*

[Swamp Rat]

81. KICK ASS vetwife!!!

:kick:

By the way, I saw the Carl Levin press conference the other day. We should be kicking the crap outta that story right now!

Carl had Feith-burger live on TV!!!

[lpbk2713]

87. Way to go Vetwife.

You stuck by your convictions, you did what was right, you defended your daughter, and you got results. I like it when the good guys win. Tell the hubby things are gonna be much better in about 10 more days when we fire Chimpy-boy's worthless ass.

[funkhowser]

89. at my daughter's middle school

... Geography teacher is discussing the election on a daily basis, asking who the students' parents are supporting and, made the statement that Bush-I "has been the best president ever" ... my response to my daughter (who supports Kerry and is hyped that he won Nickelodeon's kids election), what, not St. Raygun ... ask him why the people fired Bush-I after 1 term? So far, he hasn't strayed to an outright endorsement of the chimp, but it is pretty clear who he's supporting. I told my daughter that any public school teacher that supports the chimp is voting against their best interests. (Disclaimer: ... use to work for a public school system ... highly respect teachers, am distraught at the value our society places on teachers).

[mike_c]

92. would you be so angry at a teacher who supported Kerry...

...or one who expressed disdain for Bush? I ask this question as an educator who tries to avoid overt political expressions in my own classes, but whose utter disgust for Bush is generally well known to most of my colleagues and not a few of my students.

I presume your daughter will not be voting in the upcoming election, so the teacher is not trying to influence her vote. It sounds like the teacher is simply expressing her opinions. Would you deny her that right? Would you threaten her employment for articulating ideas you don't agree with. I hope you can see where that leads. I don't agree with her opinion, but what better place to discuss it than in a classroom, a place that should be devoted to the examination of ideas-- even (and perhaps especially) bad ideas?

I'm sorry-- I think you need to step back and reconsider your anger. Again, ask yourself: would you go on such a crusade against a teacher who expressed opinions you agreed with? What you're suggesting is academic censorship. That's a sword that cuts a multitude of ways, most of which you would deeply regret.

[JNelson6563]

93. Seems to me dissent isn't tolerated

From reading this thread I get the impression this teacher isn't trying to kick off an intellectual dialogue on the various political views. Apparently dissent is dismissed as one being a "smart-mouth". Up in this thread VetWife asked her daughter if she countered the teacher's political statement and she said she was "already in trouble" and didn't dare.

That is what makes this so intolerable. A teacher throwing an opinion out there to start a discussion is one thing. An environment where a teacher's opinion is stated as fact and the students dare not disagree, well that's another thing. An unacceptable thing~~at least in a country where free speech is supposed to be cherished.

Julie

[vetwife]

94. Yes I would !

in the past as well she has pushed her r-winged idealog and wanting to know our church and religion and telling the children all sorts of things. School is not the place especially not even in a civics class to diss either candidate. She is paid to teach not opine about Kerry or Bush. Opinions are fine. I do not wish to deny the woman free speech but the classroom is not the place. I cannot opine at the veterans organization I started. It is not for profit and there are plenty of free speech she can give other places but not in a school classroom where no dissent is allowed. This is not the first time this woman has pushed her agenda. This is not the first teacher who calls outright dems or independents communists. Maybe in your part of the country its different but here it is keep your mouth shut and I am the one who gives out detention or failing grades if you disagree. This was a healthcare class. What did JK marriage to TK have to do with Healthcare and his many marriages and his being catholic and all of this junk. Yes I would be angry if this was a Kerry agenda too. Its not the place. It angers children and they have enough to deal without dealing with this kind of nonsense ! Would I have her fired? In a heartbeat ! Kerry supporter hurting kids..In a heartbeat !

[coreystone]

98. I hope I am not out of place, but, .....

I would like to give "vetwife's" grandaughter, and, I hope all DU'er's would also want to give a BIG


:grouphug: to "vetwife's" grandaughter for enduring and standing up for that "NONSENSE"!

:-)

[mike_c]

99. thanks for answering my question....

I'm not certain I agree with you-- I'm a die-hard proponent of academic freedom and an open approach to discussing controversial topics in class-- but I'm clearly not involved in this situation. It does sound like the teacher in question is at least as interested in stifling honest debate as in stimulating it. Best of luck.

[China_cat]

97. I would

"would you be so angry at a teacher who supported Kerry..."

Most definitely. Personal stuff like this does NOT belong in the classroom.

Outside of a scientific sex education class, I don't want teachers discussing sex with students. And a teacher's personal sex life should never be considered as part of a sex education class.

Outside of a comparative religion class, I don't want that discussed with students...and even -inside- a comparative religion class, a teacher's personal beliefs don't belong.

Outside of a civics class I don't want politics discussed with students and even in the class, personal political views should be off-limits. No matter what party they may feel at home in.