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Posted on 09/27/2005 4:33:37 AM PDT by billorites
FARGO - A ninth-grader here has been banned from his school's assemblies after asking a sensitive question to a U.S. Army pilot.
Phil Sannes also had to apologize to speaker Michael Durant after he asked the "Black Hawk Down" helicopter pilot on Thursday whether he had been raped during his capture by hostile forces in Somalia.
"He asked a fair, hard-balled question," said Phil's dad, Jon Sannes. "I don't know why he's being punished."
"I felt the question posed was inappropriate at that time and that place," said Peggy Stibbe, assistant principal.
In 1993, Durant flew a Blackhawk in Mogadishu, Somalia. The Army pilot was shot down and captured for 11 days. His story inspired the movie, "Black Hawk Down."
He spoke to more than 500 eighth- and ninth-grade students at the Fargo middle school.
The pilot talked about being shot down and captured, but told students there were details he didn't want to share, Stibbe said.
"He knew for a ninth-grade group he could only take it so far," she said.
At the end of the presentation, Durant opened the floor to student questions. That's when Phil Sannes asked his.
"I just wanted to know," the ninth-grader said. "It was a serious question."
Durant said it was a good question, but he wouldn't answer it.
Jon Sannes said forcing his son to apologize and to miss future assemblies violates his son's right to free speech. A school is supposed to encourage students to think and ask questions, he said.
Jon Sannes said he and his son talk about world news events at home.
"You hear about people being beheaded and tortured during war," he said. "My son just had a question about that."
Stibbe said the school usually schedules only one assembly a year.
What was the question? Maybe this kid should be on tv instead of Christine Matthews.
THAT would have passed muster...
Fair question.
Islamic homosexual rapists? Wow. That would never happen. /sarc
He asked Durant if he had been raped during his capture.
There are certain things that you just don't ask in front of 500 other people. IMHO, perhaps the child (and his father) could learn a little class.
What a weird question. You are right. That's a tacky question.
What else is new? They're brimming over everywhere.
Actually I was amazed at the PC response by the pilot, he would not answer!
Rape is a hazard to the females in the military and that is why it is a taboo subject to be discussed.
I think he was only reprimanded because it would have put homosexuality in a bad light.
By ninth grade they have sex ed. He probably found out the week before what it meant.
CWO Durant has every right in not answering the question.
The HS student had every right in asking it, however.
It was a fair question. The kid wanted to know the truth about the muslim savages that rule Somalia. The liberals who run the school didn't want the muslim savages to be exposed for what they are.
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I agree. Just because you have a question doesn't mean you should ask it. Priopriety and respect are also values.
It was a bit uncouth, but nothing to be punished for.
Sorry, but I think it was inappropriate and personal. It reflects a lack of sensitivity and the typical culture of today in that what matters is the 'me' and 'what I want', without regard for other peoples feelings.
I'm not saying that the student didn't have a right to ask the question. He did. However, he could have asked so privately, after the forum. To embarrass Durant in front of 500 other people by asking such an intrusive question is lacking in taste.
The student was, what, thirteen or fourteen? He's old enough to know better.
It' is a d*** shame that you are mostlikely right!!
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