I am PISSED. My school district FORCED students to attend speech by Santorum but will not air Obama

[PA Democrat]

First, here is the background. When Santorum was running for reelection back in 2006 our local high school invited him to speak to students on the "importance of science education." Yes that's right folks, Mr. Creationism himself was invited to speak to high school students on science. There was no advance notice given to parents. Students were not given the option to not attend. It was mandatory and then students who asked him challenging questions were censored. I posted about it here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x184847

I just got a recorded message from the principal of the same high school that they will not be airing President Obama's speech live. They will review the speech first to determine its "relevance to the curriculum" and IF they determine it to be relevant, they will air it at a later date but give parents the right to have their child pulled out.

I am FURIOUS. I have to do something, but need to be careful because I still have children in the district and do not want them to face retaliation. And they DO retaliate. I've dealt with it in the past and need to protect my kids above all.

[Pirate Smile]

1. They can read it on Monday when it is released.

[still_one]

4. Maybe they are slow readers /nt

[Pirate Smile]

6. People obviously don't care about its actual content.

[seabeyond]

2. i deal in these circumstances continually. and have always had positive results.

i live in a very repug, very fundie environment. panhandle of texas. constantly and consistently my children's views on religion and politics differ from the whole. sometimes, literally, all of the whole. i have always been able to discuss it with principal, asst pr and teachers with positive results.

do talk to the principle and point out the inconsistency and differing approach on the two politicians and how unhealthy that is for our youth. that it is the right that has created an issue here, and people are falling into line with a very dangerous and unhealthy precedent.

on edit to add.... you must be heard. you must speak reasonably and civilly and intellectually.... calmly. showing the difference from fear and hate and .... reason

[napi21]

8. I find this whole "religion in public schools" thing bewildering!

I'm old now, but I went to a Catholic school grades 1 through 12, and during the 1st 5 or 6 grades, we were always told we weren't permitted to go the the public school BECAUSE they said the wrong version of Our Lords prayer there. That was changed and "prayers" were removed from the public school and we were then told we COULD attend school there, but of course it was preferred that we stay in the Catholic school. I don't understand how the fundies now think it's GREAT to have religion in school "as long as it's THEIR RELIGION"!

[seabeyond]

16. i dont get the whole religion thing pulled out of school. the only religion kids get is when

kids are talking to each other about it, besides the time my kids went to a private christian school for 6 yrs and then of course it was in the schools.

my father and i, different times and different areas never had religion in our schools. so i dont get the people talking about "put prayer back in schools". i never knew they were in schools

and they certainly arent in the schools my kids have attended in the public school system. doesnt mean the topic doesnt come up. which is fine with me cause i have found expression has been allowed from all, always respectful ....

[PA Democrat]

11. You are my hero.

We have had many, many conversations with principals and administrators on a wide variety of issues with very limited success. The few reasonable people in the district always leave within a few years, and I admit to feeling pretty beaten down.

[seabeyond]

17. wow. wow. lol lol. for real... i think penn and i think panhandle of texas

and i am always amazed at the results i get as opposed to what i hear from others in areas that are much more blue than mine.

i even had children in a private christian school and was always, always able to talk about differing views adn demanding a mutual respect in love, .... thru christs lite. lol lol

say the right words and these people topple out of guilt of wrong.

ultimately they want to do right by children. right by their christian beliefs.

last year during election told middle school principle kids are just going to talk politically. but i have taught them they must always do it in a respectful and kind manner. must be their beliefs, their words, their thoughts and knowledge. no parroting. i think it is vital that our kids are informed adn speak out adn surely, in an environment where they are so very few adn the republican is the whole, the majority can handle differing views of the few.

whipped that principal right in line to allow, for all.....

[still_one]

3. Your principal is an idiot. The speech will be up for viewing 24 hours before it is given

I guess the administrators can't determine its relevancy in 24 hours

Maybe THEY should go back to school

In all honesty, it is irrelevant whether it is santorum or the President, both represent an opportunity for students to understand the issues

[rurallib]

5. Maybe you could keep your kids home and have them watch it on CSPAN

You can tell the school that you deem it importatnt to their education and you will make the determination.

[YOY]

7. Santorum: Creationist Catholic

Keep in mind for all their faults, the Catholic Church beleives in evolution and has stated so MANY TIMES.

These are the same people who call Catholics who don't jump on their little bandwagon to 'Cafeteria Catholics' for not sucking off everything the Pope says as their needed opinion..

But you know...that Obama...he's got HYPNOEYES!!!

[izquierdista]

9. How not not be blown off by a school administrator

File suit. I kept getting blown off and ignored. One day I filed suit and had the marshals serve the school board and the principal. Then they would respond. ANYTHING to keep their attorney from turning the meter on and ANYTHING to not have to show up in court.

[Smarmie Doofus]

10. School officials "retaliate"? Never heard of such a thing.

"Retaliate", you say?

I kid.

Re. the disparity: Their side is better organized than our side.

[woodsprite]

12. Sounds like a letter to the paper(s) is in order. n/t

[WCGreen]

13. File a lawsuit....

[NotThisTime]

14. I think all my kids would be sick that day... let them watch it at home...

[TwilightGardener]

15. Rick "Man on Dog" Santorum? Do these school administrators

study up on whom they invite to speak to impressionable kids? I wouldn't let that wackjob drive a schoolbus.

[windoe]

18. There needs to be a response, kids wear an Obama tee shirt or something.

I posted this in another thread too.:-)

[SmileyRose]

19. I could be mistaken but I think Santorum is not the magic negro lying about his citizenship

but I could be wrong.

[PA Democrat]

20. I am afraid that there would be quite a few people in this

right wing community who believe just that.

Why else would a high school kid fly a 3 x 5 foot confederate flag from the back of his pickup truck? Or why would a student wear a Hitler t-shirt to school?

Those students' parents, who would have a FIT if someone tried to stifle their KKKid's free speech, are probably the very ones who are calling the district's administration demanding Obama's speech not be shown.

[demodonkey]

21. Get your tail on the phone to your Superintendent of Schools & Pres of School Board NOW...

...yes NOW over Labor Day weekend. Get all your friends and everyone you can muster to do so as well. Call not only the Superintendent and School Board President, but the members of the School Board as well. Call them NOW, AT HOME.

My late father was a Superintendent of Schools in as Western PA district and received many such calls at home over many holidays, as our School Board still does. And I can tell you, especially when the School Board gets enough calls at home, action generally ensues.

Getting a little press coverage of your action wouldn't hurt either. Bring out the Santorum aspect because he's still pretty well hated on both sides in a lot of areas of PA.