Michael What is your position on JROTC - Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps - in the public schools, directed by the military, but financed in part by city property taxes?
That's the situation in St Paul (and many other cities in the US). --David Shove Roseville On Wed, 3 Dec 2003, Michael Atherton wrote: > > School Board Member Dennis Schapiro wrote: > > > I'd be interested in the specifics of the flyer. > > I think that Mr. Schapiro should be able to obtain a copy > of the flyer; it does appear to be distributed by one of > his schools and the contact person is one of the MPS > administrative staff (Andy Vollmuth 612-688-1123). > > The flyer is of minor importance given that the > school's 2002 Report to the Community on the MPS > website identifies it as a "world peace site" and > Mr. Schapiro readily admits that there are schools > that have declared themselves as such. I just > happen to believe that it is radically inappropriate > and dangerous for public education to blatantly > advocate a political agenda. My opinion on this > issue hasn't changed since the Sixties when the opposite > agenda was promoted by the public schools. > > Just so that we are clear that this is really a > political agenda I'll quote from the website that > Mr. Schapiro cited: > > "Mission : To involve as many people as we can, > starting with the children, in activities that promote > a Peaceful, Healthy and Non-Violent World." > > And it's intention to influence public school curriculum > is just as clear: > > "1. Imagine the impact on the students! > They will be reminded each day: > a) This is My Home. > b) I'm a passenger aboard this beautiful > spaceship traveling at 18� miles per second > in our orbit around the sun. > c) We are part of one big wonderful Human Family, > regardless of our many differences in culture, > religion, race, creed, nationality, gender and > sexual orientation. > d) We should be loyal American citizens, and also > responsible World Citizens. > e) We must learn to live together in Peace as > brothers and sisters. > 2. The teacher is reminded of the same things, and also: > a) If possible, attempt to weave in a Peace/Global perspective > into every subject at every grade level K-12." > > There is really little difference in intent between this > group and the Alabama Supreme Courts' Chief Justice's > endorsement of the Ten Commandments other than one involves > a deity and the other does not. > > > It is possible to advocate for peaceful resolution of > > conflicts within an elementary school without suggesting > > that the United States disarm unilaterally and declare > > military surrender. > > > > I'll go out on a limb and say I support efforts to help > > young people learn how to resolve disputes without violence. > > But, of course, if that doesn't work, our legislature, by > > legalizing guns in school, would provide an alternative dispute > > resolution option. > > I would not necessarily go out on the same limb. I don't believe > that public education should be promoting ethical values > beyond those necessary to maintain order in their > schools (i.e., manners, courtesy, and respect). Whether conflict > resolution falls into this classification is an interesting > question. However, it should be clear to everyone that the > avocation of "a Peace/Global perspective" does not. > > In case this isn't clear to everyone yet, just consider > this from the perspective of someone who has made the > armed forces of our country their career. Why would they > want to send their children to a school teaching > doctrine that invalidates their contributions. This endorsement > is rude, inconsiderate, and thoughtless. And the Minneapolis School > Board wonders why their enrollment is declining! > > That so many people are oblivious to the concept that there > is rational counterpoint to "world peace" illustrates the > need for the public schools to eschew endorsing political > agendas and to focus more on critical thinking skills. It > also illustrates that "diversity" is a code word for > intellectual conformity and not free expression. > > Michael Atherton > Prospect Park > > > > REMINDERS: > 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL > PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. > 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. > > For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html > For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract > ________________________________ > > Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy > Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls > REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
