Public School Help Needed!

[ninergold3]

I've never started a post on here so forgive me if I've put this in the wrong place. I need some serious help. My 17 year old son (who lives away from home @ a boys center in Sonoma) is a Senior @ Sonoma Valley High School. I just found out yesterday that they are reading Michael Moore's book in their Civics class. My son is taken with this guy and went into how the Supreme Court stopped the Florida count when it looked like AlGore was going to win. I am FUMING! I'm going to speak with the teacher but I get really flustered when I do stuff like this. Can my Freeper friends help me with some facts and talking points so I don't sound like an idiot when speaking with this teacher? I appreciate any help you can give me.

[spunkets]

You can speak to the teacher, but I'm sure you'll find talking to your cars bumper more pleasant. You really need to talk to your son. The relevant FL law covering counts was enacted prior to the election.

[AppyPappy]

Why is he reading fiction in Civics class?

[Blood of Tyrants]

I'm sure you'll find talking to your car bumper more pleasant.

And more productive.

[AdamSelene235]

Excuse me, I need to close my office door and scream now.

First, give no hint to the school administration as to your dissatifaction until you have organized a dozen or more like minded parents. When you have reached this critical mass, release an angry barrage of phone calls, emails, faxes,petitions, and personel visits, etc. *simultaneuously*. Choose your words wisely.

I'd also ask for equal time for opposing views. Say, Frederick Bastiat's classic The Law although Ann Coulter would be more appropriate.

[1stFreedom]

DO this. Buy umpteen copies of a book (Ann Coulter??) and have your son hand them out as students EXIT the class. If you have them hand them out in class the teach will confiscate them.

[leadpencil1]

I would first try to ascertain what they are trying to get out of reading the book. Since it is civics, I am afraid it is being presented as a historical account of events. How unfortunate, but you need to be sure. Also ask what they are reading to present the other side of the story. Do a search on the teacher as well to see where he/she pops up in google.

[Eva]

Don't bother with the teacher, go to the principal first, then the school board. Tell then that the teacher is teaching an obviously false partisan view of the present government administration and that you want to see an alternative presented, like one of Ann Coulter's books, since they are also a fun, over the top view of the political opposition. Also demand that the Coulter book be presented in the same positive manner that he Moore was presented, that is as the truth.

[Eva]

I forgot to add that when that fails, contact David Horowitz.

[bigfootbob]

This happens daily in government schools. The only thing you can do is deprogram the kid daily. Unless of course you can afford private school or have the ability to home school. You're doing your job as a parent it looks like to me. Keep it up and bitch constantly to the school and the board.

[whinecountry]

An excellent resource for de-programming your son would be the Bill Sammon book "At Any Cost: How Al Gore Tried to Steal the Election." I ordered it on Amazon.com.

[evets]

This too shall pass.

[BlessedByLiberty]

Having fought the education culture wars in Sonoma County I suggest that you contact several other parents before the teacher. Have them each register a complaint. You will be told - "you are the only parent to feel this way" "don't worry we'll give the other side some time" "we will not allow the right-wing extremist to dictate to us our academic freedom"

Once you all collect these comments send a registered, certified letter to each member of the school board and superintendent outlining your complaint and the response. Demand an opposing viewpoint be allowed in the school and the issue be put on the board's agenda. You'd be surprised how the idea of negative publicity gets attentions.

Finally, go to Melanie Morgan et al on KSFO - with the responses you receive from all of them.

Good Luck!

[WinOne4TheGipper]

Michael Moore's book being used as a reading assignment in a civics class.

Please FReepmail me if you want on/off this ping list.

[netmilsmom]

Move out of CA and homeschool.
Sorry, I had to say that.
Now, show every boy in the class a picture of Ann next to a picture of Moore. Ask them who they would believe and hand them a copy of Slander.

I think the boys are the way to win the fight.

[GSWarrior]

This website should be a good resource:

[sirshackleton]

Maybe you need to go and find why this book is being read, and what assignments or tests are accompanying it. Also find out what other books are being read. Why his book? I suppose the teacher would be the person to talk to about this. You could also ask your kid what homework/schoolwork he has related to this book.

Most importantly, find out if this is part of the official curriculum or just free-lancing on the part of the teacher. If he doesn't give you a satisfying answer, let him know you'll check with the principal about it. I had teachers in high school who did this all the time, until parents started speaking up.

But no matter what you do through the school, give your kid choices too. Introduce him to Russell Kirk or Rich Lowry's "Legacy". Don't let school be his only source of information. Discuss the Moore book with him...what does he like about it and what does he finds dopey about it. Share your feelings about it....give him something to chew on.

[Indy Pendance]

Make copies for every student, and submit this for his class to read instead of fiction:

SCOTUS Decision (pdf file)

Florida Supreme Court Decision

Per curiam opinion in Bush v. Gore; Rehnquist, C. J., concurring; Stevens, Souter, Ginsburg, and Breyer, JJ., dissenting (pdf file)

[Richard Kimball]

Bush had been declared the winner under Florida law. Gore filed the lawsuit. Bush didn't take it into the court system, he used legal maneuverings to counter Gore's legal maneuverings. Bush won the lawsuit. Bush also won every recount, including those by newspapers done up to six months after the fact.

Remind your son that one of the strategies used to steal a close election is to continue to demand recounts until you're ahead, then declare the election over. This is also a good time to remind him that it's a good idea to read all points of view, but to remember that most people only present the side of an argument that supports what they want you to believe. Also, Michael Moore lies.

[Ron in Acreage]

Get a hold of David Horowitz at frontpagemag.com. He has several books and is often appearing at colleges across the country to point out tha falacies of liberalism.