Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Diatha DeConstructed
Campus Report ^ | November 11, 2008 | Bethany Stotts

Posted on 11/11/2008 12:31:28 PM PST by bs9021

Diatha DeConstructed

by: Bethany Stotts, November 11, 2008

The actions of one fifth-grade teacher in North Carolina, Diatha Harris, have elicited anger throughout the nation for comments regarding a student’s support of John McCain. In response to damaging video footage of the teacher’s classroom comments, the local superintendent announced a full investigation into the teacher’s actions last Friday.

As of this writing, one YouTube video of the Mary McArthur Elementary teacher had garnered nearly a half million views. (The Swedish documentary aired in Scandinavia on election night).

In the clip, Diatha Harris is seen in her classroom discussing the election and asking which presidential candidate her students were “pulling for.”

“Any of you pulling for John McCain, that’s fine, say him as well.”

Child: “Obama.”

Harris: “Obama.”

Child: “John McCain.”

Harris: “John—Oh Lord, John McCain.”

Child: “John McCain.”

Harris: “Oh Jesus, John McCain, okay.”

Harris later told reporters that the documentary did not show her “sticking her tongue out and throwing up her hands when one student said he supports Obama,” as reported by the Citizen-Times.

Most of the controversy surrounding Harris’ teaching revolves around her calling the Iraq War a “senseless war” in class. She also told one of her pro-McCain students, Cathy Thompson, that McCain would have her father stay in the military for a hundred years.

“It’s a senseless war. And by the way, Cathy, the person that you’re picking for president said that our troops could stay in Iraq for another hundred years if they need to. So that means your daddy could stay in the military for another hundred years,” she said.

Cathy looks nervous and doesn’t respond.....

(Excerpt) Read more at campusreportonline.net ...


TOPICS: Education; Local News; Military/Veterans; Politics
KEYWORDS: diathaharris; iraq; mccain; obama

1 posted on 11/11/2008 12:31:29 PM PST by bs9021
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: bs9021

Does anyone know if this individual is in danger of losing her job over this?


2 posted on 11/11/2008 12:39:33 PM PST by ChocChipCookie (Homeschool like your kids' lives depend on it.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ChocChipCookie

I wonder if the corrupt media will send in the dogs to investigate her.


3 posted on 11/11/2008 12:41:03 PM PST by notaliberal
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: bs9021

I’m afraid this is the rule and not the exception


4 posted on 11/11/2008 12:42:22 PM PST by peace with honor
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ChocChipCookie
Yes, go to the school district's website and you will see that they did not take this lightly. Here is a response to my query: From: "Jennine Goessens" Subject: RE: Journal Suggestions Date: Friday, November 7, 2008 4:25:46 PM We are aware of the video shown on You Tube. It demonstrates the action of one individual which is inconsistent with the values of the district. Our administration is addressing the issue at the school. Our Superintendent has posted a message on You Tube. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9ta9XKQXgE ) and the CCS Homepage at (www.ccs.k12.nc.us) You may want to look at that. Please be assured that we take this seriously and will handle appropriately.
5 posted on 11/11/2008 12:51:47 PM PST by PoliticalDookie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: bs9021

And her intimidation of the child is not even her WORST offense. Did you see the video and listen to her butcher the English language? That lady should not be teaching anyone’s children - she is a disgrace to the teaching profession.

These kids are being ripped off.


6 posted on 11/11/2008 12:53:23 PM PST by Paved Paradise
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bs9021; ChocChipCookie; peace with honor; Paved Paradise
I find the girl's mother's comments as shocking as the teacher's. From the article:

"Cathy Thompson’s mother, Angela Moore, maintains that neither she nor her daughter were upset by Ms. Harris’ comments, according to WRAL News. The family sat in on an interview between Harris and WRAL news in order to show their solidarity with the teacher. However, it seems curious that during the interview with her parents and Ms. Harris, Cathy herself stays strangely quiet. While Ms. Harris apologized for the Iraq comment, Cathy’s mother excused the statement, saying “But at the same time that comment is very true, regardless of whether you said it or someone else said it, he could be in the military for the next hundred years and he could be over there in Iraq for the next hundred years. Nobody knows that.” . . . In a short clip aired separately by WRAL news, Cathy says of her experience, “I was gonna start to cry because I was nervous ‘cause I was worried about my dad when he was in Iraq.”

I think poor little Cathy needs to be rescued from this "teacher" AND from her mother.

7 posted on 11/11/2008 1:53:40 PM PST by GovernmentShrinker
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: GovernmentShrinker

Well.... interesting indeed.

The bottom line is that we cannot rescue our children from stupidity in the home but we CAN rescue them from stupidity in the school.

Additionally, Cathy’s mother does not receive remuneration as does Ms. Harris for doing a very poor job.


8 posted on 11/11/2008 3:25:29 PM PST by Paved Paradise
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson