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May 23, 2004
critical thinking supressed in new mexico
One of my favorite blogs, Bookslut, recently posted a link to a shocking story about a pyscho New Mexico principal who fired one of his teachers for not "censoring" a student's poetry. The girl's mother, who is also a teacher, was asked to tear up the poetry and she has refused and may also lose her job.
The poetry in question had no obscenities. It was a poem that was critical of the Bush administration. She was told that she was anti-American--for evoking the first amendment, one of the most fundamental rights that we have as citizens of this country.
The article goes on to say:
After firing Nevins and terminating the teaching and reading of poetry in the school, the principal and the military liaison read a poem of their own as they raised the flag outside the school. When the principal had the flag at full staff, he applauded the action he'd taken in concert with the military liaison.
Then to all students and faculty who did not share his political opinions, the principal shouted: "Shut your faces." What a wonderful lesson he gave those 3,000 students at the largest public high school in New Mexico. In his mind, only certain opinions are to be allowed.
Absolutely amazing. Sounds a bit like some Nazi thinking...doesn't it.
And our regime leader...well he seems to think the same, as the article suggests:
Writers and editors who have spent years translating essays, films, poems, scientific articles and books by Iranian, North Korean and Sudanese authors have been warned not to do so by the U.S. Treasury Department under penalty of fine and imprisonment. Publishers and film producers are not allowed to edit works authored by writers in those nations. The Bush administration contends doing so has the effect of trading with the enemy, despite a 1988 law that exempts published materials from sanction under trade rules.
Flat out makes me sick to my stomach.
We can be Italian citizens because of Joe's mother...and I'm thinking that if things turn for the worse this fall, we're going to figure out how the hell to get out. Maybe we'll turn all Dean Allen and put Joe's years and years of wine expertise to good use and find a winery and settle in. ;-)
Posted by crystallyn at May 23, 2004 07:00 PM
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Comments
Sigh...lucky you with that Italian citizenship. I'm still trying to figure out how I can get the h-e-double hockey sticks out of here when the fit hits the shan. :)
Posted by: Redpanda at May 24, 2004 03:32 PM
Hey - Disney and Michael Moore. Aren't you glad that Farenheit 9-11 won the best film award at Cannes? Now, SOMEONE in the USA will distribute it and maybe some idiots and (insert word that means "hiding head in sand" here) will let themselves learn something.
This country is so divided. Are we as close-minded about the conservatives? I honestly don't think so. I've got friends who are much more moderate than I am, and I respect them and listen to their ideas. NEVER would I support censorship of anyone - that's what I thought this country was about.
Posted by: niki at May 25, 2004 02:25 PM