The random political thoughts thread (Part Deux)

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

Perhaps by some. Others were certainly mocking for me for the very suggestion that it could happen. I was ripped on for doubting the professionalism of public school teachers. I certainly did imply it could be wide spread, but was mocked for much more than that.

Sorry, but one video with unitelligible lyrics that may or may not be a public school teacher does nothing to impugn the professionalism of public school teachers as a whole. It impugns the professionalism of THAT alleged public school teacher.

I will continue to mock you for suggesting that the viewing of one speech by the President of the United States and being asked some questions about it is evidence of a conspiracy toward liberal indoctrination in public schools.

[scaeagles]

I completely agree that it does not mean all teachers are looking to indoctrinate children. I think the disagreement comes from how widespread it is. I posted a link to a different video in this thread of a teacher berating a student for preferring McCain to Obama.

I think this, just like anything made public, is just an example. Kind of like **** roaches. For every one you see there are 100 more. Very little of what really happens comes to light. On the conservative side, I have no doubt that Dick Cheney has told more than one senator (it was a senator if I recall correctly) to f*** off, or whatever exactly it was. He just got caught on tape once.

ETA: How funny. That was supposed to say C0CK roaches, but apparently that word is filtered. Context is everything.

[scaeagles]

Oh, apparently the video was shot at B. Bernice Young Elementary School in Burlington, NJ in June. That makes me wonder, though, if this was actually school or some form of summer program. If a state funded summer program, though, it's still a problem.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

I completely agree that it does not mean all teachers are looking to indoctrinate children. I think the disagreement comes from how widespread it is. I posted a link to a different video in this thread of a teacher berating a student for preferring McCain to Obama.

To which I again ask, if it's such a danger, if it's so widespread as to actually be likely to happen under your nose in such a cunning way that you wouldn't be able to notice it, report it, and stop it, how can you possibly allow your children near these people unsupervised ever? You brushed the question off before as ridiculous, but you're painting a picture here of a system brimming with people looking for just the right opportune moment to start brianwashing your children.

[scaeagles]

I do not think teachers look for opportunities on a broad scale basis. To reiterate, I had two problems originally. One, the speech itself, which after I read it, I said in this thread I had no problem with it. The other problem was the lesson plans provided by the dept of education.. That provided an opportunity for bias (either way, but I make no secret that I think the education system and teachers lean left) to come through in the discussion. I don't think that teachers on a broad scale look for chances to input their political leanings while putting together their lesson plans. However, as with all of us, our biases can and do come through depending in the subject matter, just as with supposedly objective journalists.

[Alex]

So the information coming out about the video is this:

Filmed at B. Bernice Young Elementary School in Burlington New York on June 19, 2009.

Part of a father's day tribute to Barack Obama by children's author and literacy advocate Charisse Carney-Nunes in association with her "interactive digibook" I Am Barack Obama (here, click "books" then "i am barack obama" in left column). So it was not a teacher leading the children in this song. Of course that does not mean it wasn't a school activity.

I have not yet found anything about the specific context of this song but looking at her appearance calendar she frequently speaks at school related events but not as part of the curriculum. Can't find a 2008-09 school calendar but in 2010 the last day of school is June 18, so it is quite possible that Friday, June 19, was still a school day (though quite possibly the last day of school).

[BarTopDancer]

Hey Alex, if you're bored can you do some research on the history of fear mongering and violence around census time?

I would, but frankly you're way better at that than I am.

[scaeagles]

Here's what I found on the lyrics when it was to the tune of the Battle Hymn of the Republic -

Hello, Mr. President we honor you today!
For all your great accomplishments, we all [do? doth??] say "hooray!"
Hooray Mr. President! You're number one!
The first Black American to lead this great na-TION!
Hooray, Mr. President something-something-some
A-something-something-something-some economy is number one again!
Hooray Mr. President, we're really proud of you!
And the same for all Americans [in?] the great Red White and Blue!
So something Mr. President we all just something-some,
So here's a hearty hip-hooray a-something-something-some!
Hip, hip hooray! (3x)

[Alex]

Census takers have long been viewed with suspicion by certain segments.

That said, there is historically a completely separate reason for people in back country Kentucky to be less than accommodating to any representatives of the federal government so I'm not particularly willing to jump to the conclusion that the killing was prompted by fear of the census.

[BarTopDancer]

Here is a non-dramatic "so it begins..." article from the Washington Post on it.