politics in the classroom

[PrincessFiona]

Re: politics in the classroom

I have to say that the politics thing was one thing that was really handled well by our schools this year. The kids in middle school took a test to discover what party they belonged to...and it was a pretty interesting little quiz. They talked about each of the candidates and their ideas and then they all got to vote on election day.

Obama won

[GrayMatterWife]

Re: politics in the classroom

Abigail -

I'd have you know that the community organizer bit from Sarah Palin flipped more Republican volunteer votes around here than anything. I think it was poorly considered and cruel. Those of us that work hard for nothing expect to at least get some appreciation and respect from it. To work for free when you could be paid lots (on a graduate degree), organize programs that start as a vague idea and execute them and then get ridiculed really takes the wind out of your sails. Our school district would be sunk without volunteers. Thousand points of light and all that.

As I said, I was not denigrating community organizers. My remarks are not similar to Palin's sarcastic dismissal at the RNC. I am simply pointing out was that Obama's community organizing activities were not particularly historically important and don't particularly qualified him in experience level for the Commander in Chief position. To many people, his community organizing activities qualify him as evidence of the content of his character. But, this aside, being a good person and acting upon that nature alone is not equivalent to leadership experience of a historical nature. However, recognizing this does not lessen the importance of being active to better your community.

I think that, as quick as some Republicans were to laughingly blow-off his "community organizing" as a qualification for being President, many Democrats blew it up into an experience level and achievement that that simply wasn't. And then, when Republicans began to ask the legitimate question, "Well, what exactly did Obama do as a 'community organizer' and why is that so impressive?" many in the media started screaming, "To question the value of community organizers is racist!!" That was baloney. Questioning Obama's experience as "community organizer" was not racist because, among other things, by no stretch are all (or even most) community organizers of a racial minority. It wasn't any more racist than it is sexist to question whether a stint as a small town mayor and a brief period as a state governor is sufficient to qualify someone to be mayor. These were legitimate questions.

[Meenah]

Re: politics in the classroom

I would like tho see the Evidence Based Scientific Proof of Jesus. I am amazed at how many "educated" people believe without any proof.

[Sheherezade]

Re: politics in the classroom

I'd never heard the community organizer part of Obama's resume before the RNC. I don't think it was hyped to voters - but it was vigorously defended as something to be admired after it was attacked. :huh:

Anyway....we are totally OT.

I think discussions of current politics in the classroom should not occur until at least high school. Oddly enough, when we lived in Brookline MA (massive bastion of liberalism!) this was the rule. When the Iraq war started, all parents received notice that we could not even wear protest buttons if we were working in the classroom because not all children/families would share this view. I suppose this is one point in which "political correctness" trumped the mythical liberal teachers cramming their philosophy in to the students.

It is odd that I hadn't experienced these political classroom events until I lived here in "real America". Funny too that Rapunzel experienced it growing up in a conservative state. I wonder what it means. :huh: No sarcasm intended...it is just something to ponder. Maybe liberal teachers see it as a way of "fighting back" against local beliefs? In liberal communities, I'd imagine that the teachers could relax and assume everyone thought the same way they did...and didn't need to be converted?

The head of one of the national teacher's unions was on Diane Rehm during the campaign discussing this issue. He said that they do not approve of current politics in the classroom. For once....I agree with the teacher's union!

[DCJenn]

Re: politics in the classroom

As crunchy as crunchy school is, they don't talk politics except to encourage the kids to think for themselves and ask questions. Each classroom did 'vote' but it was more about teaching them the concept- they are after all 3-8 year olds mostly.

One of the more 'outspoken' teachers wanted to protest the war w/ her class (last year) and everyone shot her down. (the beauty of the co-op) It was especially inappropriate because she wanted to do it on school grounds and the school is three blocks away from Ft. Sam Houston. (and there are at least two other military families at crunchy school besides us)

I think that the concepts of our political system are fine to discuss- I mean, the Boston Tea Party was a pretty radical and rebellious idea. and as a country we have done some things that probably ought to be discussed- (Hiroshima comes to mind among other things) but not until the high school level, I'd say.

Jenn

[MrsK]

Re: politics in the classroom

I would like tho see the Evidence Based Scientific Proof of Jesus. I am amazed at how many "educated" people believe without any proof.

While I am facinated by history, archeology, and science and I think it is amazing when relics are discovered, faith is often a matter of belief without evidence. Belief in the sun even if you do not see it. Belief in tomorrow even if you are not sure tomorrow will come. . .

[PrincessFiona]

Re: politics in the classroom

I think we have discovered a new topic to send to the debate forum!

[PrincessFiona]

Re: politics in the classroom

Well....evolution is a scientific theory that can be tested (and has been multiple times). Religion relies on faith.

Evolution doesn't attempt to inject itself into church doctrine though...it only describes a process....and so just because you can't see God ... well, it doesn't mean She doesn't exist.... It's just not necessarily testable.

[MrsK]

Re: politics in the classroom

I am not trying to get into a "god doesn't exist because I can't see her!!!ELEVENTY-ONE!!!" argument, I'm just trying to say that the "sun/tomorrow/thus god" logic is faulty.

I also don't really get it, because I've never had a Jew or Hindu or Muslim try and prove their religion to me, they just live and let live, in my experience.

The point of the sun/tomorrow statement is that religion relies faith and not on that which is proven (which Fiona stated very eloquently). Some things are just believed even if not known. On a rainy day, we believe the sun will shine again. We all believe that we will wake up tomorrow but we are not sure.

Incidently, I'm not Christian and I'm not trying to prove any religion. I just have a lot of respect for those that have faith in that which they believe. The sun/tomorrow is adapted from a poem written by an oppressed person during the Holocaust -- this person wrote about his/her faith -- which was probably not in Jesus -- and was comforted by believing in that which s/he did not know.

I believe in the sun
even when
it is not shining

I believe in love
even when
I cannot feel it

I believe in God
even when
He is silent

These words were written on the wall of a cellar in Cologne where Jews had been hiding from the Nazis. In the midst of perhaps the most terrible atrocity ever perpetrated by 'civilized' Man, they refused to become less. No one would have blamed them for heaping imprecations on the heads of their oppressors, or even that of their Creator. Instead they entered fully into their humanity and left a message of hope and love to inspire generations to come.

[Meenah]

Re: politics in the classroom

I didn't mean to start anything, I think I am feeling a little angry at God right now and that is probably why I lashed out like I did. As far as personal religion I'm all over the place. I was raised Catholic, joined the Presbyterian church when my first DH and I married because he didn't go to church, and didn't really care, and they were the only church who would marry us. At that time I really wanted to be married in a church. I sent my kids to Quaker prep schools. I also spent some time at the Unitarian church, which I do like. My DH is Jewish, and we were married by a Rabbi. We celebrate all kinds of holidays around here.

I usually say I am multi-religious. In college I dated a wonderful guy from Syria. So, over the years I have been involved with a Muslim, a Christian, and a Jew. I can handle any holiday!!!!!

[McPants]

Re: politics in the classroom

Given my views on religion, I'm proud I've been able to resist the temptation of posting in this thread. Well, except for this post, that is. Ahem. Carry on.

[MrsK]

Re: politics in the classroom

I'm sorry I acted the way I did, I was in a foul mood this morning (thanks, FMIL!) and it was wrong to take it out on someone else. Plus I am super sensitive about religion since I've been bashed in the face with Christianity since I was in 5th grade.

No apology necessary! Really, I wasn't offended. I see both sides of the coin. No one wants to be told what to believe or what not to believe. It's a very personal matter.

[PrincessFiona]

Re: politics in the classroom

I didn't mean to start anything....

Oh...sure

But seriously, Luanne...I hope everything goes well for Bob today. I will be thinking about you all day!

Kris