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!”
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I don't know how many in total but the high ground over Itaewon is held by one. It's at the top of Hooker Hill and has eyes on much of Nomson (sp?) from @ 2 miles away.
Okay. One. ;)
Anyway, I don't think the soldiers are destroying Korean mosques and killing people in the mosques, or otherwise.
Mistake on his part. A lot of families are getting really reckless with safety.
When I was in Kuwait I answered some letters from kids that were critical of the war in Iraq. I used gentle language to persuade them that the conservative perspective is best. That's how I handled it.
Just called. This is the correct number. But I guess you knew that. Just additional confirmation.
He should have read the letters and made sure what he was sending out was appropriate. If he found some that were not - as there obviously were - he should have pulled them out an explained to the young letter writers what is wrong with them.
The kids could have raised their concerns about civilian populations without being offensive. Writing effectively used to be taught in school, right?
Ok, so why did you address this to me?
What a blessing my daughter's school is...they have an armed forces pride wall..where everyone can dedicate a space to someone they care about who is currently serving or has served in the service.. of course it's a private school but there you go...
I work at New York Methodist Hospital. I think we've posted to each other before. What bar did he break up? I would have loved to have helped!
Here's the letter I just sent to the principal.
I love your description of the neighborhood! I call it the "P:eple's Republic of Park Slope". They've never met a dictator they didn't like around here.
LoneConservative
Dear Mr. Castelli,
As a graduate of the NYC Public School system, as well as the son of two retired Assistant Principals, I find these letters to be an insult to everyone who has worn a uniform in the service of his or her country.
As a onetime resident of Park Slope, I am not surprised by the attitudes expresed by your students, given the political viewpoints held by many adults in what I like to refer to as "The People's Democratic Republic of Park Slope". However, I do believe that Mr Kunhardt has a responsibility to teach his students how to write a letter without resorting to insults and generalizations such as the ones printed in the New York Post and other papers.
I am in no way suggesting that your teachers censor their students. However, along with free speech comes responsibility. By releasing these letters, you are reinforcing the idea that insults and bullying are acceptable in "Politically Correct" circumstances rather than reasonable debate and concern for a US Army PFC far from home.
XXX
Bayside, New York
Jamaica HS Class of 1983
Yeah. I remember those days. It's when the teachers knew how to spell.
i just tried to call the school, but the Voice mail system was full!
Freep 'em but good!
LC
Chancellor: Joel Klein JKlein@nycboe.net
(212) 374-0200
The voice mail was full when I called the school as well. You might want to try the chancellor's office. They had a secretary answering the phone. Just remember to be nice since it isn't her fault. She sounded nervous when she answered the phone.
Good for your brother! I hope he broke up the loudmouthed idiots too. However, as he's a Marine, that's a given.
Honestly don't know how that happened.
This is the letter I am mailing to that principal. Thanks for letting us in on this. Just terrible.
Dear Mr. Castelli:
In my entire lifetime, I have never written a letter such as the one I write to you today.
With absolute disgust, I read the story the New York Post published about letters several of your students mailed to one of our U.S. Servicemen.
As a child of the 60’s, I am all too aware of the impact our society and culture can have on the morale of our troops, during active duty and afterward. I know what many of our soldiers experienced upon returning home to the States from their tours in Viet Nam. They were excoriated, spat upon, and generally reviled and despised. In essence, they were judged and condemned. The thought that this kind of behavior could continue and, worse yet, be solicited of children is so personally loathsome, words fail me at this time.
If Mr. Kuhardt wanted his students to write a letter expressing their reservations, concerns and opinions about the War on Terror, Iraq, or anything that is politically established by the U.S. Government, then they should be writing our political leaders, whether on a local or national level. To have them send such comments to an individual soldier is reprehensible and just plain mean spirited. I pity the poor guy that got these “little gems of wisdom.”
One of my ancestors fought in the war of independence for this great country, and because of that I am able to be a proud member of the Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. I am deeply offended by the actions of your students and their teacher. He should be ashamed of himself for using his students to promulgate ideas he apparently harbors. Mr. Kuhardt should be disciplined; lucky for him he does not live under an evil regime that would never allow him this freedom.
Our children need to be taught so many things. Apparently, you have made a great effort to have propaganda of a certain ideological persuasion taught at the expense of teaching children basic skills such as grammar and spelling. How sad, indeed, for your students.
Sincerely,
Oh, yeah, they were hurting. No legal consequences either. I'm sorry I missed it but I was otherwise occupied at the source of the smoke.
Sarge - don't know if you found this yet on your own - here's a ping!
BTTT!!! Thanks Diva for the info. I will be writing my letter this afternoon.
It was one of the few that at the time wasn't a lesbian joint, on Fifth near 2nd street. I lived on 3rd Street thirty years ago and my dad was born in a house on 5th between Sixth and Fith Avenues back in the twenties. The Eurotrash and US born flotsam really f***ed that nabe up royally.
Good Lord!! How many idiot moron people are out there?? Thank God NO ONE I know believes this type of bull crap!!
Thank you for your service, and I will guarantee that if any of my children ever write you a letter, it will be exactly the OPPOSITE of the one you received. My children are being taught that soldiers/sailors/marines/airmen/coasties etc. are our heroes.
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