Mr Bush (left) is a key backer of President Musharraf
Posted on 12/05/2005 8:37:20 PM PST by StarCMC
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Mr Bush (left) is a key backer of President Musharraf
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The anonymous poem, called The Leader, appeared in a recent English-language course book for 16 year-olds.
Critics say it praises Mr Bush. Its rhyming couplets describe someone "solid as steel, strong in his faith".
Officials cannot explain how the poem entered the curriculum. Pupils are to ignore it ahead of a reprint next year.
Not deliberate'
The BBC's Zaffar Abbas in Islamabad says it is a bizarre episode which has left education officials short of explanations.
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THE LEADER by anonymous
Patient and steady with all he must bear,
Ready to meet every challenge with care, Easy in manner, yet solid as steel, Strong in his faith, refreshingly real. Isn't afraid to propose what is bold, Doesn't conform to the usual mould, Eyes that have foresight, for hindsight won't do, Never backs down when he sees what is true, Tells it all straight, and means it all too. Going forward and knowing he's right, Even when doubted for why he would fight, Over and over he makes his case clear, Reaching to touch the ones who won't hear. Growing in strength he won't be unnerved, Ever assuring he'll stand by his word. Wanting the world to join his firm stand, Bracing for war, but praying for peace, Using his power so evil will cease, So much a leader and worthy of trust, Here stands a man who will do what he must. |
At first they put the poem's appearance in the grade 11 textbook down to a coincidence.
Then on Monday they said it may have been downloaded from the internet by a textbook writer, and later approved for publication by the curriculum committee.
An education ministry spokesman argued that the poem was a good description of a true leader - which might explain how it got through the vetting process.
But the poem has prompted criticism in local media in Pakistan, where there is opposition to President Pervez Musharraf's support for the US-led "war on terror".
Some opposition members say the poem shows the government has gone over the top in its support for the US.
Pakistan's government has denied any deliberate attempt to promote the US president.
The education ministry said it would remove the poem from the textbook and discipline the person responsible for including it.
Interesting ping.
Sweet poem.
I saw that the other day. It is very interesting.
Nice idea but very overt. I tend to believe that if there was a plant it was done by islamists to incite islamists
Just saved that Poem off.
By the way, I agree with everyword of the poem.
I just think that anyone who plays word games was Apt to see the overt message.
Perhaps it is honest praise, perhaps the "hidden message" was ment to incite Muslims against Mushareff.
Could you imagine the uproar if it was printed in OUR schoolbooks, let alone an Islamic schoolbook?
Interesting thought -- probably true!!
LOL -- no kidding!!!
I hate to be over analytical but a child could decipher the poem.
And who are these "critics"?
The usual suspects (terrorists, murderers and their sympathizers), no doubt.
I have to say I think it's hilarious that it got thru. I wonder if the letters weren't highlighted and it was laid out differently if it would be more hidden....
Like this....
Patient and steady
with all he must bear,
Ready to meet every
challenge with care,
Easy in manner,
yet solid as steel,
Strong in his faith,
refreshingly real.
Isn't afraid
to propose what is bold,
Doesn't conform
to the usual mould,
Eyes that have foresight,
for hindsight won't do,
Never backs down
when he sees what is true,
Tells it all straight,
and means it all too.
Going forward
and knowing he's right,
Even when doubted
for why he would fight,
Over and over
he makes his case clear,
Reaching to touch
the ones who won't hear.
Growing in strength
he won't be unnerved,
Ever assuring
he'll stand by his word.
Wanting the world
to join his firm stand,
Bracing for war,
but praying for peace,
Using his power
so evil will cease,
So much a leader
and worthy of trust,
Here stands a man
who will do what he must.
However one may support President Bush, praise poems about him should not be in kids' textbooks. It politicizes something that shouldn't be politicized. How would we feel if some dippy European country came out with a children's textbook including an acrostic titled "The Leader" spelling out "President Clinton"?
Ahhh, That is a bit more covert. Is that the couplet format that they refered too?
Reminiscent of Kipling isnt it?
Wow. Ok. Well, my homeschool is pretty darn politicized. ;^)
Um, and, it wouldn't surprise me in the least if they have. But they are such good little revisionists that I doubt you'd ever even notice!!
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