WEIRD-ASS political doin's at my daughter's elementary school today

[Bouncy Ball]

(We live in a suburb of Dallas. Let's just get that out of the way first.)

This morning, my daughter put on a black dress, black tights, and black shoes. She put a little black headband in her hair. I thought she looked pretty, told her so, thought nothing of it. I totally forgot about wearing black today. I fasted, I didn't spend a penny, but the black part went right past me.

So I went to pick her up this afternoon. When she came out, three of her former teachers were with her, all dressed in head to toe black. I thought that was odd for a second, then one of them said, "We knew if ANY kid was going to dress in all black today, it'd be her!" Then I slapped my forehead, told them I totally forgot. I didn't even know she KNEW today was the coronation. She told me "I thought you knew why I was wearing all black!"

Then a dad I only vaguely know came up to me and said, "Did you know Ms. Smith was fired?" Ms. Smith is/was my daughter's teacher. I told him I didn't, asked him when it happened. He said two days ago (that explains the subs, I just thought she was sick). Then he rolled his eyes and said, "Get this. She was fired for talking about God and Christianity to the class. Like that's a big deal." (Not everyone in the world knows my politics.) I looked at him and said, "Would you have thought it was a big deal if she were preaching about Islam to them?" And he said, "Well THAT'D be stupid!!!" I could tell he was a hopeless case, so I said, "If she really was proselytizing to the class, then it's appropriate that she is gone. We are SUPPOSED to have separation of church and state, you know."

I walked away from him, because honestly, I wasn't in the mood for the whole "OH US CHRISTIANS ARE SUCH VICTIMS" face-rending, garment-tearing session.

Then I saw a friend of mine whose daughter is in my daughter's class. She is a Democrat, too. (Also in solid black. Dammit, why didn't I remember???) She came running up to me and said "DID YOU HEAR?" and I said "Yeah she was fired for preaching" and she said "NO about today!"

She told me that apparently a group of teachers and parents wanted the principal to kind of stop the school day and have the kids watch the coronation coverage instead of having class. Principal said no. The teachers were upset, but the parents were apparently seething with anger over it. She explained that it was still an instructional day, and that SOME parents might not like the idea. Plus, she pointed out, they didn't stop school all day for the inauguration in 2001 OR in 1997 or 1993, for that matter.

One dad apparently got pretty indignant (this was yesterday afternoon) and said "BUT THIS IS HISTORICAL!!" She told him "They are ALL historical" and she reiterated that there was no precedent for doing that, and that they wouldn't.

WELL. Some parents actually pulled their kids out of school today to see it. A few of the teachers who wanted to watch it all day called in sick.

But here's the really interesting part: my daughter's class had a sub today (again, because her teacher was fired for proselytizing). THE SUB WAS ONE OF THE PARENTS WHO WANTED THE KIDS TO WATCH THE COVERAGE!

So. She proceeded to talk to the kids almost the entire day in this manner (examples I was told of):

"I would give anything to be in DC today. I would kiss the ground bush walks on. And I would spit and vomit on the ground Kerry and Clinton walk on."

and

"Kids, you better learn now, Democrats are LAZY. They're lazy and immoral. And you know what? I don't care if you go home and tell your parents I said that, either, because most of them would probably agree."

(Last time my daughter heard this was from a lunchlady who aroused the anger of so many parents who are Dems, that she was transferred to another school. Last time my daughter heard this, it moved her to tears---because her parents were being insulted. This time, she said, it just made her angry.)

She also told them they should count their lucky stars they are living while "the greatest man that GOD EVER PUT IN THE WHITE HOUSE is president."

My daughter reports (the other mom was backing all this information up, too) that at that point, she nearly vomited on her desk.

I asked my daughter if she said anything to the sub and she said no.

That other mom and I decided we are going to contact other parents we know to be Dems in that class and go to the principal together. This will NOT stand.

If my daughter isn't getting preached at about God and Jesus, she's getting preached at about bush. Hell's bells.

[MichiganVote]

1. This country has gone mad.

[rfranklin]

7. No, half of this country are religiously insane...

They want to emulate the ayatollah government of Iran, though they think that they are completely different and that's why they are insane.

[Left Is Write]

2. Absolutely. Disgusting.

HOW? How is this brainwashing of so many people POSSIBLE? How is it WORKING?

[Bouncy Ball]

4. I swear I wonder if it's in the water.

Wait, no, nevermind, we drink tap water. Maybe it's the bottled stuff?

:shrug:

[Left Is Write]

19. Can't be.

My folks' tap water is so putrid that they only drink bottled water. They're both staunch Democrats.

[guntherconcept]

How is it possible?

I'm originally from Canada, and lived in the northeast from 1990 till 1999 when I moved to Houston. Nothing surprises me anymore about this state. How is this type of thing possible? I ask myself that every day.

[MadHound]

26. Well, there are several ways

First off, a number of studies have shown that watching TV puts one in a light hypnotic trance, thus, those who are suseptible, especially watching Faux wind up getting their brains washed, rinsed and repeated, night after night.

The vast majority of people are stressed and rushed. They barely catch the evening news, and don't have the time to research out what is really going on. Thus, they wind up with the propaganda version of what's going on. Tell the lie long enough and loud enough, and people believe it.

Subliminals abound in our mass media. One has to look no further than 24 or other such shows to see these subliminal messages being put out. Think I'm joking? Then why in the hell is so much money spent on the king of subliminals, advertising?

There is much more I could expound upon this subject, but I've gotta go.

[Bouncy Ball]

29. Hmmm

I rarely ever watch TV and we have no cable or satellite. Interesting.

[Left Is Write]

44. I watch the propaganda-spewers, and I have yet to fall under the spell of

"BUSH IS THE GREATEST PRESIDENT GOD EVER PUT IN THE WHITE HOUSE!"

My father watches Nascar races, CNN, MSNBC, and occasionally FOX. (He really likes to see what people are up to.) He loathes Bush.

I am absolutely serious here when I wonder how the FUCK people can buy that bill of goods! What the damn hell is it about Junior that inspires such blind, unwavering loyalty, even in the face of EVIDENCE that he sent our troops into battle based on LIES! What IS it??

[Bouncy Ball]

47. I wonder if he doesn't remind them of them or something?

Or 9/11 was so scary they just imprinted on him like a momma duck or something?

Hell, I don't know. It's like they turned in their brains.

Maybe the tendency to be a blind follower was already there and this just nailed it?

:shrug: Wish I knew. It's like we're living with pod people.

[Bouncy Ball]

3. Oh and I just want to apologize for the length of that thing.

I just cannot be concise to save my life, I swear. Sorry!

[AverageJoe]

5. That's horrible

This sub should be blacklisted and never "teach" again.

On the positive side, it sounds like you've raised quite a daughter.

[Bouncy Ball]

10. Well thanks

but it is a bit hard to be this way around here.

[derby378]

6. Can you name the school, please?

Fellow Dallasite here - I think these folks need educatin'!

[Bouncy Ball]

13. Ooo, no thanks

freepers in the Dallas area read this board, too. I don't need THEM descending on the school, too. And I was pretty proud of the principal for standing up to the parents and teachers in a really rational way. She had a very good point. And we have state testing coming up very soon.

The sub won't ever sub there again after we get through with her.

[sakabatou]

62. Why not e-mail or PM derby378?

[patrice]

8. Blasphemy, plane and simple.

I heard Bush's chief Baptist ethicist today on Fresh Air, Dr. Lamb, a VERY scary man. It was obvious to me that much of Bush's support comes from people who believe they are engaged in a religious war against Islam, ergo, "the greatest man that GOD EVER PUT IN THE WHITE HOUSE is president."

[Bouncy Ball]

14. Hmmm, I guess that substitute got the talking points, didn't she?

[AngryLizard]

35. Ever? Ever, Ever?

Greater than Lincoln?
Okay, greater than FDR?

Seriously?

Because he, what? Attacked Afghanistan after 9/11? This makes him the greatest president ever, despite the fact that we didn't get Bin Laden, dead or alive? That he went after Iraq under the pretense of a preemptive strike? Despite the fact that there were no weapons of mass destruction, and that country has now become a terrorist hotspot? Our soldiers are dying every day, Iraqis and dying every day, and his administration is still scratching their collective heads and wondering why we're not being greeted with flowers? \

Oh, wait, is it because he's Christian? Supposedly? He doesn't actually ACT like a Christian, but he's Christian, soo...

Dude, seriously. I just don't get this Bush worshipping. I mean, I thought Clinton was cool, and all, but this is ridiculous.

[Bouncy Ball]

37. Don't ask me.

I've NEVER gotten it.

But you know, I remember pre-9/11, even republicans didn't get THIS big of a hard on for him.

It's only been since then. And apparently all you have to do is say "God" and "Lord" a lot and claim you are born-again, and none of your actions matter.

I gotta get me some of that action. And open a fundie church so I can put my paw out for some of those federal faith-based funds!!!

[snippy]

9. Bush's followers are truly bizarre. n/t

[Elidor]

11. I do believe I'd blow my cork if I was in your shoes

And it's really not pretty when I do that.

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

12. BB, that substitute teacher needs a good talking to and fast...

Go get her. She deserves to be fired. What a cretin..

[Bouncy Ball]

15. Oh believe me

several parents, including myself, are emailing and calling each other right now, mapping out our game plan. We are sick and tired of this shit. They act like they are a majority, but even around here, in this school, they aren't. There are a lot of Democratic parents at her school.

If it's a fight they want, they got it. Believe me, I'm fine with that. Sometimes you just gotta throw down. And I do NOT blink.

On edit, we are writing down/documenting all her comments of today. We have already emailed the principal and asked for a meeting for Monday, the soonest we can all meet. And there are eight of us so far, just from that one class.

[patrice]

33. "They act like they are a majority," AND they are WRONG about Christ!

That's the worst thing. What they are trying to do will produce WEAK Christians, not strong ones!

Groupthink/inbreeding is bad for the line.

[fooj]

67. Bravo! That's the strategy to go with!

And please remember to bring a notepad, paper,or whatever works for you and have those talking points listed briefly so that you can touch on each one. Sometimes it's easy to get frazzled or distracted! Besides, if you go in "armed for debate" they are less likely to screw with you and hopefully you'll be able to agree on a rational solution! Peace and good luck!

[Ariana Celeste]

16. That is just terrible.

Sounds like you have yourself a very smart daughter. Good luck in talking to the principal, this should definitely NOT stand.

[guntherconcept]

17. ACLU

Even if the principal might be on your side, chances are the local school board (and possibly the majority of the teachers) aren't. So expecting the principal to solve the problem may not help since their hands will be tied. I say get a good lawyer or call the ACLU in. Schools shouldn't be used for political indoctrination, and I'm sure the ACLU is very familiar with handling this type of case.

But your kid has to live with the fallout of any actions you take, so obviously you have to decide how far you want to take it.

[Bouncy Ball]

20. You know what?

I AM a member of the ACLU. And I just upped my donation amount to them.

I think a phone call to the Dallas office wouldn't hurt.

And believe it or not, the school board is majority Dem and the super is Dem, too.

We have exactly ONE crazy fundie on the board and there is already a huge movement to get her off in 2006 (we have a candidate, he has been on the board before, well-loved and NOT fundie and he ALREADY has a few thousand in his campaign fund and it hasn't even started!).

[Lone_Star_Dem]

18. I wish I were shocked but I've already been in your shoes.

When my daughter was in elementary school we had teacher who decided to tell the class that democrats used drugs.

I called a meeting with the teacher and the principal. The teacher made no effort to deny what she had said, she even went so far as to use the 60's as proof of her statement. She was suspended that day and fired later in the week. :)

[Bouncy Ball]

21. OMG WHAT A BITCH.

I mean, you can dislike people running for office ALL you want. But don't disparage an entire group of people to KIDS, some of whom have parents who BELONG to that group.

I would never stand in front of a class and say "Kids, repukes are DISGUSTING. They are greedy, selfish jerks."

Never. You DON'T insult a kid's parents to the kid. That's just hurtful and nasty.

[Laurab]

28. Oh, she should have been in DC today

and puked her brains out, except apparently she's already done that. If that's not reason for firing her, I don't know what would be.

I'm not sure what I would do if it was my kid, but I know it wouldn't be pretty, and I'm a relatively calm person.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

32. Exactly, it's the same thing as saying that about their parents.

That was one of the points I made to the principal at our meeting. I told him it was as if the teacher had just told my daughter she thought I did drugs.

[Maddy McCall]

58. And my son's teacher told his class that Democrats are baby-killers

Which explains one of the reasons why I am now homeschooling.

Oh, and there was that little bit about him being abused by a teacher.

[Spider Jerusalem]

22. This is as bad as things have been in this country since 1860.

And if things keep on like they have been, it's not just going to boil over...it's going to fucking explode. I fear for the future.

Give 'em hell. Threaten lawsuits if you have to. Public schools using taxpayer funds should not condone this behaviour under ANY circumstances, and need to be brought to book when they cross the line.

[Bouncy Ball]

23. Wow, when I first read that I thought it said 1960

then I looked more closely.

Damn, I hope it never gets that bad.

But if it does, so be it. I wouldn't have said that two years ago, but I'm saying it now. Why? I feel pushed against the wall. And when I'm pushed against a wall, I fight back. Hard.

That other mom who was telling me all this actually started crying in the middle of telling me. She's so stressed out by it all AND she was laid off from her job two weeks before Christmas with no notice. She just kept saying "I hate all this. I HATE it."

[Spider Jerusalem]

72. Keep fighting.

Remember, if you're back is to the wall, you've nowhere to go but forward.

[zbdent]

24. Said it before, on another thread - If I didn't know any better, I would

say that they're making a total satire of how they perceived us when it came to Clinton . . .

[ronnykmarshall]

25. I would have walked out

What a pompus asshole! That woman has no business teaching.

[Bouncy Ball]

27. My daughter struggles so much

I mean, we've tried to give her a healthy balance between respect for authority and using her own mind. TOO much blind obedience to authority makes kids who are prone to abuse, etc. Too little does cause problems for the kids as far as getting along in a civilized society.

She's probably too young for it to occur to her to walk out. But I can tell you she was in one of the pissiest moods I've ever seen her in after having to listen to that hag slobber over bush all day. Poor kid.

I took her for an ice cream, by the way! :-)

[ronnykmarshall]

39. Good for you!

I kid need some ice cream after having to suffer through that bull shit.

I hope you guys get that snag canned!

[Union Thug]

30. I'd be on the phone and in the classroom confronting this

bbbbeeeeooootcccch... Wow, that pisses me off.

[Bouncy Ball]

34. Well she's a sub so she's not necessarily always there

they have to hire another teacher to replace the one they fired for preaching Christianity to the class (apparently it happened quite often).

I've decided this is a throw-down (as in, gauntlet) from her. And I'm going to answer it. LOUD AND CLEAR.

[fooj]

31. This woman needs to removed from the classroom! Immediately!

She has behaved unprofessionally. I am a high school teacher and people like this who use the classroom as a place to propagate their own personal beliefs and AGENDAS disgrace and dishonor our profession. I am sorry your daughter had to endure this woman's irresponsible behavior for an entire day. A million dollar question: What curriculum and methods of instruction did she follow? Your daughter isn't going to daycare. She is attending school were all children have the right to competent instruction by accredited teachers. This "sub" was totally out of line! Peace!


BTW...Why didn't the principle inform Ms. Smith's classroom (parent or guardian) that Ms.Smith would no longer be teaching the .....grade,and until a replacement could be found, your children would be under the instruction of substitute teachers? :-(

[Bouncy Ball]

36. I got the letter about Ms. Smith today.

The principal did put out a letter, but I just got it today. My daughter forgot to give it to me yesterday.

As for what went on in class today, I asked her that and she said they sat there and listened to the sub talk about this stuff all day. Apparently she felt like she was ok in doing that, because she was one of the parents who thought all the kids should have been watching the coronation on TV all day in school.

Basically my kid did nothing in school today but listen to bushist propaganda.

[fooj]

51. Just a thought...

Ask around (other parents) and see what type of "feedback" you receive. There may be more of you than you imagine! Lastly, try and remember to ask her tomorrow what she did in class. It'll give you a good indication of how the next few weeks (or longer) will be. What grade is she in? She's a very lucky kid...her mom is an active, caring parent. Peace!

[Bouncy Ball]

52. 4th grade

and thanks! I've asked my daughter to really remember what she says tomorrow, IF they have the same sub (they might not).

And yeah, we want to extend this out to other Dem parents. Like I said to someone else on this thread, there are quite a few of us at this school (it's very diverse).

[fooj]

61. One more little thought...

Extend this out to BOTH Dems and Repubs...I think you'd also be surprised at the outcome. Try to use principles...not politics! If the shoe's on the other foot, they (repubs) don't want their kids exposed to this crap, either. Just try and stay away from the extremists. They are the TRUE shit disturbers! Peace!B-)

[LoZoccolo]

38. Are we lazy or are we overeducated elitists? I lost track.

They should post this on a web site, so I at least know as of each morning.

[Bouncy Ball]

40. I know, right?

We are either sucking off the government teat (and for that, I always refer repukes to corporations and THEIR welfare) or we are snobby, snotty intellectuals (oh my GOD, the evilness of reading and being.....gasp.....SMART or something!!!).

[johnnie]

41. I'm sorry but

I would be out of that hellhole faster than you could spit. I apologize to all my friends here who are from "down there", but that is bullshit. I couldn't live like that.
Yes, I am in Ohio, but I live in Cuyahoga County and we are a good bunch up here. I will never move down there and I doubt I will ever visit them again.
I can't believe that there are places like that here in the United States, but obviously there is. I know the cold weather sucks, but it is worth it. Maybe try it somewhere else.

[Bouncy Ball]

43. Believe me

if jobs and money weren't a problem, I hate to say it (because in a way, I think we should stay here, fight and get our state back---we had a Dem gov and congress not that long ago!) but we'd be out of here so fast it'd make your head spin.

I don't know, I go back and forth. I think the fight (when we engage in it and don't hide from it) makes us stronger in our convictions. And dammit, my people have been here a long-ass time.

THEY CAN'T HAVE MY STATE.

[orleans]

42. i say contact the ACLU and make a deal of it; it's only the beginning

and here is another point you can make about this...
recently, the court case got tossed from the guy who didn't want prayer in the coronation because a judge said that hearing a prayer wouldn't cause the man any harm

what type of harm does it cause a child to go to school and hear an authority figure bashing her belief system and her parent's belief system--i would imagine it's a hard hit to a kid.

you're daughter didn't cry and that was very brave. she seems to understand things on a deeper level and that's great.

i hope you pursue this. this type of thing cannot be tolerated. liberals tend to be known for their tolerance--well, we're starting to change (it's like if you listen to a racist talking and tolerate their comments you may as well be condoning what they are saying if you don't open your mouth and tell them it's offensive)

make a deal on this issue! (you know the repugs certainly would if some dem starting bashing bush)

how old is your daughter--or what grade is she in? was this a grade school, middle or high school?

[Bouncy Ball]

46. She's in fourth grade

and believe me, we ARE making a big deal out of this. I'm calling the Dallas office of ACLU tomorrow (I'm a card-carrying member) and we have a meeting with the principal on Monday.

We are meeting on Sunday to bang out the points we want to make.

We won't be mincing words, either. The principal will know we WILL get outside help if we don't get relief from within.

(One of the dads is an attorney, too.)

[Vektor]

45. I'd file a complaint....

Then confront that sub-bitch myself, call her out, set her straight, do a little side by side comparison of what my staunch Democratic family who is FAR from lazy, has accomplished in comparison to her miserable life of trying to convince elementary school kids that Democrats are evil, then I 'd vomit directly on her, and kick the fucking bitch square in the stinking, frigid, Republican crotch.

Maybe you could just file a complaint...and "talk to her."
:-)

[Bouncy Ball]

49. Heh, yeah that might not go over too well.

I'm not looking to make her into the poor victim of some rabid wild-eyed Democrat who is now in jail on assault charges.

But believe me, my tongue is lethal. I learned from the best (my mom--whose words could WITHER a person).

[Vektor]

54. HAHAHAHA

Well, yeah.

The key is to provoke her to touch you first!

Ok, I'm being facetious. I'd verbally annihilate her as well as report her, but boy, oh, boy, my first and most pressing instinct would be the ol' crotch kick.

:-)

[Bouncy Ball]

56. I'm a lot bigger than her, too.

Don't put ideas in my head, you! She's about 5 foot tall and maybe 100 pounds, max. Tiny framed. I'd snap her in half like a string bean.

But no. Tongue lashing. Those last longer.

[Vektor]

59. I'm the same size as she is,

...maybe an inch taller, but like a carpenter ant, small, but able to carry my own weight times 100. :-)

And meaner than cat shit if provoked. HAHAHAH

Small can be tough, (think Pit bull terriers) but she sounds like she's all mouth and no might.

It would be totally fair for me to kick the crap out of her. We're in the same weight class.

I trust you will put her in her place!

[fooj]

64. OMG! I said I was done with giving advice! Sorry...

You could consider sending a letter to the editor of a local paper or better yet...contact Randi Rhodes! I bet she'd give this some air time! OK! I promise...no more "helpful hints from Heloise"! Good luck!

[Bouncy Ball]

65. No those are all great ideas!!!

Thanks so much!

[Bullwinkle925]

48. Oh Bouncy......

I swear while reading your post that I had been transported back to 1954 or so. The people who are idolizing Bush are scary indeed. It amazes me. I think Clinton was a terrific President, but I seriously don't worship the ground he walks on. I'm still mad at him for giving the Repubs exactly what they wanted!!
I am dressed in black today. I watched the 'goings on' in DC and an fearful of when we are going to invade Iran to force upon them the American Idea of Freedom!

2008 can't get here quickly enough!

[Bouncy Ball]

50. See, that's what I don't understand

even when we really love a Democrat, we STILL hold them to a certain standard.

I once told someone if I were republican, I would be SO DAMN pissed off with bush it wasn't even funny.

And I was fully ready to hold Kerry's feet to the fire had he been in.

[Bullwinkle925]

75. I don't get it either.........

Where are the outraged voices of Bush supporters who have voted for this fool the first time and have found out he L-I-E-D to them the same as he lied to the rest of us? Guess they can't believe they could have been mistaken? And what a mistake to make!! They truly are 'blinded by the light' and it aint coming from heaven!
I'm still waiting for some reporter to ask Bush why his daughters haven't 'saddled up' yet and volunteered for duty......wouldn't that be a great moment on television? Guess I can keep on dreaming!

By the way - how is your brother-in-law doing post surgery?

[demily]

53. I grew up in a suburb of dallas

God the school districts are awful around there. Just sick. Can you please keep us updated on this story? I'd love to hear how y'all get your revenge! (BTW your daughter sounds like an awesome kid.)

[Bouncy Ball]

55. Thanks and I will.

I'll post about the meeting on Monday. Here's hoping it goes well. I have the sneaking suspicion the principal is on our side. Or at the very least, she has some common sense, as evidenced by her decisions to get the hateful lunchlady transferred, the proselytizing teacher fired, and saying no to the requests of an All-Coronation Day.

[Biased Liberal Media]

57. That is horrible

I would complain if I were you...that substitute was completely WRONG about what she did. Frankly, as a Dem I would complain and say how incredibly it is insulting that some moronic sub said "Democrats are LAZY".

Bullshit.

[sakabatou]

60. Urgh...

Hope the kids are okay from listening to this bullshit propaganda.

[UrbScotty]

63. We saw some of the 1997 inaugural festivities in class.

I was so thrilled that Clinton won the 1996 election.

On January 20, 1997, the teacher asked, "Do you know what today is?" I raised my hand and said, "Inauguration Day." The teacher then explained that had Dole won the election, he would have become President that day.

We didn't see the actual swearing-in ceremony itself; lunch started at noon. We did see some of the post-inaugural events afterward.

[fooj]

66. Luckily...your teacher behaved ethically and professionally!

As a result, your memories of the experience are positive and lasting. She explained the transfer of power in simple and accurate terms. She didn't insinuate her point of view or confuse the occasion by biased propaganda! KUDOS!

[UrbScotty]

69. Amazingly, I think she was a Republican.

The day after the election, she said, "I think I heard that Dole won." Some students corrected her to say that Clinton won.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

68. When I was in fifth grade, we watched the inauguration of JFK

on a black and white TV that was brought into our classroom.

However, I do not recall the teacher saying anything about Republicans or Democrats. In fact, she seemed most excited about Robert Frost reading a poem written for the occasion. I have no idea what her political affiliation was.

The Republicans were not loony in those days, so even if she was a Republican, she most likely would have known better than to make nasty remarks about Kennedy.

[msgadget]

70. I never, ever recall a teacher expressing his or her political views.

Just as I'd never felt such partisan animus prior to Clinton's term. As you already know and have been told here, a personal letter to the school, PTA, and Dept. of Ed. is in order. This woman shouldn't be subbing.

[Lisa]

71. "Democrats are immoral" -- dissing Ann Richards, Jim Bullock ...

.... and LBJ and Lady Bird! Plus Laura Bush's parents.

Wow. What incredibly poor judgement for a teacher. I hope someone confronts her with all those "bipartisan" quotes from W when he was governor and then in the Oval Office. If she is following her idol's sayings to the letter, she will either have to make nice, or admit that she (and by extension, W) are hypocrites.


I remember when Jimmy Carter won the 1976 election -- our Grade 5 teacher (at a Canadian elementary school) had it written up on the board, the next morning when we came in. She used it as a discussion point for the US Civil War, and electoral politics in the Southern states. We knew she liked Carter, but she certainly didn't make inappropriate mean-spirited comments about Gerald Ford and the GOP.

It's one thing for a teacher to comment on current events, and use them as "teachable moments" (I think that's the expression now?) for history and civics. Or explaining the concept of dissent in a democratic society -- why all Americans must defend the rights of their fellow citizens to carry out civil disobedience, etc. But to assume the role of an authority figure, then dish out vindictive judgements about students and their parents -- that's very unprofessional. This would apply if the situation were reversed, and she supported Kerry. If she doesn't understand WHY this is the case, she should not be teaching.


p.s. kudos to your daughter -- and her teachers and classmates who shared their concerns -- and also, to the Republicans in the school who did not join in the gloating and showed an ounce of dignity. (I want to believe that there are some of these!)

[koneko]

73. Grrrrrrr

My blood is boiling thinking about that. It is so not cool of teachers to bring their politics (or their faith, for all but religious schools) into the classroom.

Good luck with the fight you have ahead of you!!!!!

[gollygee]

74. Is this what I have to look forward to when my daughter is school-aged?

I'm already catching flak from the neighbors about putting her in the heathen preschool instead of one of the many church-run preschools.

My child will be an outcast!

[madison2000]

76. I'm glad your daughters teacher was fired and I hope that the powers

who did the right thing keep it up. Involving the kids in this is so ridiculous.

During grade school and high school I only remember two times when real world politics was allowed in the classroom. The first time was when Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. My second grade teacher turned on the radio and we listened. She wept.

The second time was in the summer of 1973 during the Watergate hearings. I was taking a social studies class and the teacher worked this event into the course material. It was excellent.

I cannot believe a teacher would get up in front of a classroom and spout such bullshit. Let them teach in the bullshit private schools.

[x-g.o.p.er]

77. Worst. Substitute. Ever.

Praise God and pass the math book. (rolling eyes)

[BikeWriter]

78. I would go to the school board so #### quick!

Fire the #### ####!

[Misunderestimator]

79. Wow. how fantastic for you that your daughter remembered to wear black!

...and go get'em on that other stuff. I would be so furious.

Reminds me of the only teacher I had that gave me a bad grade in school, for a report I did in support of the ERA (in the 70s).

(Of course, that was also in Texas.)

[TXlib]

80. Best reply from a student to a teacher:

"If I called you an ignorant, arrogant, bigoted, hate-mongering, Jesus-freak, would you send me to the principal's office for it?"

"You would? Then I won't say it to you."

[SweetLeftFoot]

81. My god

I am so glad I don't live in the US. My heart goes out to you poor people.

[Debbi801]

82. That is incredible!! I am so glad that I live in a mainly blue state...

My daughter's elementary school did nothing special. My son's middle school was another story. He goes to a very progressive magnet middle school that really encourages free thinking from the kids. The kids, with the teachers and one VP's help organized their own protest yesterday with signs, banners, singing, etc. Not sure what the few republican kids did during all this. I know that a snow ball battle evolved at one point, but the VP put an end to that. My son came home with writing on his face and hands, as well as signs on the front and back of his shirt.

Debbi