bmcd308 0 #1 February 27, 2003 http://www.washtimes.com/national/20030227-8550156.htm Brent Edited to Add: Full article below. But first, what I find disgusting is the holier than thou attitude that "teachers need to be sensitive to children of military parents", as if those children have some sort of problem they can't help because they were born into second class families. My dad was in the army. Don't feel sorry for me because of that. I, and others like me, are so different from you that we are actually proud of it. Children of Maine Guard unit taunted by teachers Members of the Maine National Guard, called up to prepare for an attack on Iraq, have asserted that their children are being harassed at school by teachers who oppose the war. Guard members say their children are "coming home upset, depressed, crying," said Maj. Peter Rogers, a spokesman for the Maine National Guard. "This was based on some incidents that were happening in school, both in the classroom and on the playground." In an e-mail sent to the parents of one child who had complained of harassment at school, National Guard officials said they had "over 30 complaints that name schools and individual principals, teachers and guidance counselors." It was still not clear yesterday whether the state will discipline any of the named teachers or schools over the incidents. "In Maine, local superintendents make local policy for local schools," said Tammy Morrill, assistant to J. Duke Albanese, state commissioner of education. A "fact-gathering" process about the incidents is under way, Maj. Rogers said. The incidents involved students in elementary and middle schools, some as young as 7 years old, he said. "What we're hearing is that some of the educators are talking about the possible war in Iraq being unethical and that those who would fight it are unethical," Maj. Rogers said. The state commissioner of education has urged school officials to be more "sensitive" to military children. "Recently it has been brought to our attention that some school personnel ... may have been less than sensitive to children of military families regarding our continued strained relations with Iraq," Mr. Albanese wrote in a letter sent Tuesday to all superintendents and principals in Maine. "In some cases, parents — who are about to be deployed — have observed added stress and anxiety among their children who perceive a staff member or their peers as being insensitive to their beliefs and the potential danger to loved ones," Mr. Albanese wrote. The commissioner said that, while supporting "the right to discuss controversial issues," he wanted "to remind school personnel ... that the families of military personnel need our sensitivity." Complaints about harassment in schools first surfaced, Maj. Rogers said, after two of Maine's Army National Guard units were mobilized recently for deployment to the Middle East. "About a week ago, we started doing our family-assistance-center briefings," Maj. Rogers said, explaining that the centers provide support for the families of Guard troops on active duty. "In these briefings, a number of families came forward and talked about their children coming home upset, depressed, crying." Maj. Rogers said the state commissioner's office "has been very supportive" of the military families in responding to the complaints. "We're hoping [Mr. Albanese's letter to school officials] will end the issue," Maj. Rogers said. "We're not looking at pointing fingers or anything." Mr. Albanese told the Bangor Daily News that only one complaint involved classroom remarks, after the child of a Guard member became upset during a discussion of Iraq when a teaching assistant "took up the anti-war" argument. Other incidents, according to Mr. Albanese, involved a child who had requested to leave school early for a military-related activity and a student who was teased on a school bus because he has a parent in the military. Teachers across the country have tried to find proper ways to teach children about the war on terrorism. Last year, the National Education Association was criticized for posting a link to an online lesson plan for the September 11 anniversary recommending that teachers discuss "historical instances of American intolerance" so that America could avoid "repeating terrible mistakes." The incidents involving the children of National Guard members in Maine were "a surprise to us," Maj. Rogers said. "We are certainly hoping that none of it was done maliciously. ... We certainly value the freedom of speech and fight for it, but we hope that people would be sensitive to the kids." ---------------------------------- www.jumpelvis.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #2 February 27, 2003 That is a damned shame, infact that outright pisses me off! If you don't agree with the war, fine, that's your choice. If you want to protest the war, fine, that too is your choice and your right, BUT the taunting the children of military personnel that were called to duty, by their teachers? God damnit, those people need an ass whoop'n!--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #3 February 27, 2003 Not a problem at Most Holy Rosary. Lords Prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, National Anthem, ready-break! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blewaway5 0 #4 February 27, 2003 Okay, there is very little that actually pisses me off. Seriously, 99% of the time I'm gonna be the most level-headed guy in the joint. The one thing that does get me steamed is bullies. Never liked them, never will. This shit is bullying, plain and simple. Like Aggie said, if you don't agree, fine, you've got that right. If you want to protest, fine, you've got that right, too. If you want to torment little kids because they have parents who made a choice to go and serve and protect the rights they so freely excercise, wait, well, in all honesty, I guess they probably have that right, too, but if I ever meet them I'm gonna beat the crap out of them and try to ship them via air freight to a not so nice sandy place smack dab in between the U.S. troops they are demeaning and the Iraqi troops. We can have a new reality show following them around and we'll see if they run to the U.S. troops or the Iraqi troops. You think they'll be disappointed to see our guys then? Ok, I'm still pissed at this, but I'll shut up. Truman Sparks for President Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #5 February 27, 2003 That's messed up and shouldn't happen. It will be interesting to see some of the comments made here and compare them to what people have said regarding school prayer and the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #6 February 27, 2003 Quote That's messed up and shouldn't happen. It will be interesting to see some of the comments made here and compare them to what people have said regarding school prayer and the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance. It's messed up irrespective of a person's position on God and the Pledge of Allegiance. A teacher is an authority figure, has care and control of children all day. They need to a be a refuge from bullying, not the bully. If the teacher is the bully, other children will follow their lead, and bully those kids, as well. Children will, for the most part, follow the example set. And for those teachers out there who support the child, no matter their personal position on politics, religion, or whatever, thank you....yes, QTPie, LewMonst and Lisa and all other teachers on these boards...I mean you! (edit: thanks, Dave...didn't know.) Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #7 February 27, 2003 You left out QTpi, she's a teacher too. --"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydivegirl 0 #8 February 27, 2003 You don't have to support a war to support the men and women called upon to carry out the orders put forth by the military and the president. Those fighting right now are there because they have agreed to serve and to carry out the orders given to them in service of our country. They follow orders. While people can disagree with the orders, they should still respect the job they're trying to do, along with the sacrifice they - and their families - may be called upon to make. I have a very strong military family background. I'm so proud of my family and am lucky to be related to such brave and honorable people.... I wouldn't want it any other way!Pink Mafia Sis #26 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aufreefly 0 #9 February 27, 2003 Both my parents are in the military as am I. One of them (my parents) is in the Middle East right now and the other one probably will be (and both were before) soon. I have to sit in my "Great Books" and history classes and hear the teachers blast america and the military everyday. But I'm in college, and smart enough to listen to what other people have to say and draw MY OWN conclusions. I make the personal decision to invest my time and energy to forming my own views. That being said, I could probably convince a group of 7 year-olds of just about anything given several months to work on them. IMO teachers of children at such a young age have the responsibility to maintain a level of disinterestedness about current events and give the children a few years to develop and begin to draw their own conclusions. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,063 #10 February 27, 2003 Of course, if teachers were paid more, there would be more "righties" applying for the jobs. In a capitalist society you get what you pay for. ... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyingferret 0 #11 February 27, 2003 The site http://www.grouchymedia.com/index.cfm linked in this thread http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=394798#394798 states that very nicely here: http://www.grouchymedia.com/faq.cfm#11 Quote 11. Why would you make a video that promotes war with Iraq? I don't promote war, I promote supporting our troops. I'd like to think that stationing 200,000 troops off the Iraqi coastline is more like a rattlesnake shaking his tail. It's a clear sign that danger is near and a last attempt to AVOID a strike. Some people just don't listen to warnings and the U.S. and it's allies have a VERY lethal bite! Supporting war and supporting soldiers are two very different things. Some of us happen to support both -- All the flaming and trolls of wreck dot with a pretty GUI. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lummy 4 #12 February 27, 2003 and here I was thinking that the thread was another left hand /right hand debate...I promise not to TP Davis under canopy.. I promise not to TP Davis under canopy.. eat sushi, get smoochieTTK#1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
QTPi 0 #13 February 27, 2003 Quote Of course, if teachers were paid more, there would be more "righties" applying for the jobs. In a capitalist society you get what you pay for. I'm gonna have to jump in here. I'm a teacher because I choose to be. I would love to get paid more because I work my ass off and I do a damn fine job. I'm not going to whine (too much) about pay because this is the profession I chose and I get two weeks at Christmas, a week at spring break, two months in the summer...And just for the record, I'm probably what you would consider one of the "righties" -- A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions. -Oliver Wendel Holmes Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,063 #14 February 27, 2003 Quote Quote Of course, if teachers were paid more, there would be more "righties" applying for the jobs. In a capitalist society you get what you pay for. I'm gonna have to jump in here. I'm a teacher because I choose to be. I would love to get paid more because I work my ass off and I do a damn fine job. I'm not going to whine (too much) about pay because this is the profession I chose and I get two weeks at Christmas, a week at spring break, two months in the summer...And just for the record, I'm probably what you would consider one of the "righties" Since the contention seems to be that our schools and universities are run by "lefties", then we might ask (1) is it actually true? and (2) if it is true, why is it that "righties" on average don't choose these careers? My gut feeling is that is is true to some extent, and that teacher pay has a lot to do with it. I have no actual data.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gravitymaster 0 #15 February 27, 2003 Quote Of course, if teachers were paid more, there would be more "righties" applying for the jobs. In a capitalist society you get what you pay for. We agree on something Kallend. (grasping my chest) I think the best way to get rid of the lefties is to pay teachers a lot more. This will definitely attracted more intelligent people who tend to be more right leaning. GREAT IDEA !!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mouth 0 #16 February 27, 2003 I chose to be a teacher not for what I get paid or don't get paid. Trust me GA does not pay the highest of any stant in hardly anything. I teach for several reasons: 1. I actually enjoy what I do 2. I am good at what I do 3. Teaching allows me the freedom to spend time with my girls which is very important to me 4. Teaching allows me to show my kids there are options and choices in life. There is one child (African American from a single parent home) that I taught in 4th grade who is now here at the middle school. His mother is in Kuwait and he has not seen her in several months, nor does he expect to. He comes to me every day for a hug and a kind word. I was the one who looked at his report card and praised and encouraged him. All this to say don't knock a teacher until you have walked a mile in my shoes, and saying that all teachers are lefties is like saying all skydivers are freaks, or all cops are crooked. Sorry, I guess I'm really into ranting today. -- Hot Mama At least you know where you stand even if it is in a pile of shit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
happythoughts 0 #17 February 27, 2003 Quote This will definitely attracted more intelligent people Don't know if I would have said this, it hasn't been my experience. "will definitely attracted" nice mixed tense. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mouth 0 #18 February 27, 2003 Guess that makes me a dumb fuck (borrowing Rhino's phrase for NASA people). -- Hot Mama At least you know where you stand even if it is in a pile of shit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #19 February 27, 2003 Wonder how long it'll be before the spitting begins? In his book "Homecoming", journalist Bob Greene investigated the Vietnam "baby burner" / spitting incidents that occured in places like San Francisco by interviewing ex-GIs, and found that they were true. He also invited anybody who had done the spitting and / or taunting to come forward and tell their side of it...none did. They'd better pray I don't catch them doing anything like that (or burning my flag), because I will take any such action as hate speech and will react accordingly. edit for spelling."The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,480 #20 February 27, 2003 Lisa, say along with me with pride: "That's Ms. fucking brain wizard to you!" As long as we have good teachers who will work for what teaching gives them, then the money part will stay constant. And I hope that most people are grateful that teachers like you don't only care about the money, whether they're rightie, leftie, innie or outie. Because we'd never get to keep you. I can't imagine being a middle school teacher -- you have my awe! Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
misskriss 0 #21 February 27, 2003 Wow......that's not how it is at my daughters school. IN fact, the guidance counselor has deployment "workshops" for the kids whose parents are gone. My daughters both attended daily for a month and it was great for them. They also have the class write letters to the parents who are serving away from home. I know that the girls recieved so much support from their teachers when their Dad was away. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sebazz1 2 #22 February 27, 2003 Quote whether they're rightie, leftie, innie or outie. I bet a majority of teachers are conservative liberals... And yes that is a generalization. Just my $.02 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
happythoughts 0 #23 February 27, 2003 When I was in college, I did construction work to support myself. Until you graduate and do something else, there is an attitude towards you. "You are just a ." Some people, when they graduate, adopt that attitude. I thought to myself, "my doctor doesn't have a condescending attitude". He could, but he respects others. My brother-in-law, a farmer, makes 6 times what I do and runs a multi-million dollar business. He is "just" a farmer to some. I have a hard time equating intelligence to employment. Pay scales are supply-and-demand. That is the reason for the salaries. As I have an engineering degree, I am sure that Prof Kallend could do my job, he chooses to teach. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shark 0 #24 February 27, 2003 Regardless of what's going on in Maine, I believe teachers are doing a great job and service. Thanks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DivaSkyChick 0 #25 February 27, 2003 Quote ...like saying that all teachers are lefties is like saying all skydivers are freaks, or all cops are crooked. Sorry, I guess I'm really into ranting today. Wait. You wer just kidding about skydivers, right? M --- www.facebook.com/mandyhamptonfitch Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
