Posted on 02/22/2005 4:09:30 AM PST by Jon Alvarez
Middle School Students Encouraged to Send Demoralizing Letters to Soldier
Pfc. Rob Jacobs is a soldier based ten miles from the North Korean border. His home is in New Jersey. Therefore, it was not a surprise that he was excited when he received letters from sixth-grade students at JHS 51 in Park Slope; near Prospect Park in Brooklyn. But, that was before Pfc. Jacobs opened and read the letters. Monday, David Andreatta of the New York Post reported that these letters were “strewn with politically charged rhetoric, vicious accusations and demoralizing predictions that only a handful of soldiers would leave the Iraq war alive.”
The students’ indoctrinator (AKA “teacher”), Alex Kunhardt, had encouraged them to send letters to Jacobs that were to be filled with leftist rhetoric against the Iraq war, the soldiers and President Bush. At least nine of Kunhardt’s students followed his orders. As an example, a letter from a Muslim boy included: "Even thoe [sic] you are risking your life for our country, have you seen how many civilians you or some other soldier killed?" and "I know your [sic] trying to save our country and kill the terrorists but you are also destroying holy places like Mosques." To add insult to injury, Andreatta also advised that the envelope had a ‘smiley-face’ stamped on it.
Although “indoctrinator Kunhardt” refused to return phone calls, his principal Xavier Costelli responded in an inordinately cavalier fashion when he stated: “While we would never censor anything that our children write, we sincerely apologize for forwarding letters that were in any way inappropriate to Pfc. Jacobs. This assignment was not intended to be insensitive, but to be supportive of the men and women in service to our nation." You can tell he really meant it. Sure he did.
This is merely another example of leftist “academia”, now at the lower-grade levels, indoctrinating our children into their malicious and ever-increasing sadistic philosophies. It’s one thing for the leftists to write letters and complain to government leaders but, quite another to try to demoralize our troops by using their new and improved desperate weapon…our kids. This is a new low, even for the Left. So, the next time you hear a liberal/leftist say “we hate the war but, support our troops”, remember this scenario. Then, you can fairly and accurately (and with all intended sarcasm) say: “SURE you do!”
Shunning would be a good start.
It is OUR responsibility to speak up, write letters, call, boycott and do what is responsibly active to remove this crud or at least respond to this abominable act.
Bill O'Reilly may be a self promoting jerk sometimes, but when he sees someone speaking or acting reprehensible he responsibly acts.
You have to hold these people accountable for their egregious B.S.!
The Fox media-whores have already descended upon the family? When will the guy be on greta and blo'Reilly?
I hope the father has copies of the letters that he will read on Hannity & Colmes tonight. In fact, I think the NY Post should print these letters (with no corrections) in the paper so all of us could read them and evaluate the education of these students.
Thanks for your service. Most Americans appreciate it.
yeah,...you bet,...PRINT THE LETTERS
Yeah; he talks about it on his show, which is basically watched by people who agree with him. "Preaching to the choir" is the term - a lot like people honking-off on topics here where nothing they're saying is outside the general consensus. Herewith, an example:
IMO, The local organizations AND PARENTS ought to act on this: approach the local Board of Ed, and have it arranged for a detachment to make a presentation to the class (better yet the whole school) ABOUT the military and its relation to the government while the teacher is TOLD to sit there and not make a peep. It WILL be, after all, social studies-related and a learning experience about one of the three branches of government (all the more valuable and relevant because it would be presented by those INVOLVED in that branch rather than an academic who may have never seen Service).
My letter to the principal:
Dear Mr. Castel,
After reading several articles on the topic of Mr. Kunhardt's letter-writing project, I feel compelled to write to you.
My son served as a combat soldier in Iraq. When he returned home with his division I was able to meet many of his fellow soldiers. What I found was a great suprise to me. All my preconceived notions about soldiers were turned inside out.
These young men embody qualities we would do well to teach our children. They are self-disciplined. They are loyal to principles and friends. They willingly reach out to help others. They take their jobs seriously, without taking themselves seriously.
Your Mr. Kunhardt would find himself greatly improved were he to spend some time in the company of these soldiers.
It seems to me in the current climate, the principle of free speech has been severely abused, and we are passing that disregard on to our children.
Without responsibility, there is NO true freedom.
Whatever the true circumstances of the "letters to soldier" project- I've no idea. But Mr. Kunhardt has absolutely no idea who he is talking about. His ignorance is appalling, and he needs something favored by academia called "sensitivity training".
Best Regards,
xxxxxxx xxxxxxx
It is probably a waste of time to contact either this "teacher" or his principal.
The more effective strategy is to contact the School Board.
Does anyone know the structure of the School Board in Brooklyn? The effective pressure rests there; not only to either replace the principal or to order him to get his house in order, but perhaps to move that teacher into a more appropriate position.
Freedom of speech does not apply when the words of the speaker are parroted illiterate ravings of a supposed adult presumably providing education, not indoctrination. At that point it becomes child abuse.
Even the teachers own shortcomings as not having even Jr. High school level of education is evident in the embarrasing sprinkling of simple grammatical and spelling errors in his student's parroting of his inane rant.
posted...thx
what a sick letter! looks like a spitter, there.
Must be embarrassing for these leftists to see Iraqis vote, dance, and wave the purple finger...history will not forget. If it was up to them, Saddam would still be in power.
you are right...and we are now turning the right-wing, patriotic juggernaut that is public outrage towards this little coward of a leftist teacher.
the educaional complex be warned...we're watching you!
thx to your family for its service to our country...
great letter...
agree...but it's a start
www.nycboe.nycenet.edu
Must be embarrassing for these leftists to see Iraqis vote, dance, and wave the purple finger...history will not forget. If it was up to them, Saddam would still be in power.
See This is America (local high schoolers go to an anti war/Bush protest)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1016859/posts
I sent an email and tried to call the school. The voice mail box is full! I couldn't leave a message. It looks like they are taking some heat. I would love to be able to write an encouraging letter to the soldier and have my kids do so as well. If anyone has contact information, it would be appreciated. (This is my first post here!)
“While we would never censor anything that our children write..."
Umm, what about a student who chooses to write about Christ, Principal "Liberal-lying-through-his-teeth"?
Here is my letter to the principal; is there a School Board contact available yet...
Mr. Castelli, I am sure that my email to you is just one of thousands that is pouring in at the moment. With the lives of our service personnel in danger, the fact that Mr. Munhardt would facilitate a barrage of negative letters to a member of our armed forces so far from home is appalling to say the least, and possibly paramount to treason in this time of conflict. Those of us who believe in the cause of freedom around the globe will be watching your response to this issue as the day unfolds; the children under your care deserve better than this.
Schools don't teach spelling anymore, it's bad for the kids' self-esteem. They don't teach grammar anymore either, for the same reason.
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