Posted on 08/09/2006 9:51:03 AM PDT by lexfreedom
I must confess that I had trouble following David Parker's rambling version of the events surrounding the schoolyard fight between his child and his child's friend (with whom he had a play date later that week).
However, a few questions clearly remain unanswered:
Why is Mr. Parker subjecting his young child to nationwide publicity through the press releases of a fringe political group?
How does this help his child to have normal school relationships (or even a normal childhood)?
How can he use his child to gain maximum publicity for his cause and at the same time decry the fact that Lexington parents are talking about it?
The person who has the most power to protect his son from unwanted attention is David Parker himself.
Vicki Blier
Shade Street
Lexington Minuteman July 20, 2006
Guest Commentary
"Stepping Back" David Parker
I am writing concerning the recent playground incident and guest commentary in the Minuteman paper entitled, "Moving Forward."
With respect to recreating an accurate account of any incident with the testimony of many young children a month later, there are bound to be differences in the exact story. The principal in her "investigation" of the incident attempted to persuade my son to admit that the altercation was just "a game."
She repeatedly asserted, "Wasn't this just a game, Jacob?" She persisted even after he said "no." At some point, my so said, "What kind of a game involves punching me?" She continued, "I'm confused, the aid said it was a game." This technique is called "leading the witness," but my son held firm in the truth. If this is any indication of how the "investigation" was conducted, I have serious concerns over the veracity of the administration's account of the incident. This is an absolute outrage.
When my wife asked the assistant principal about the details of the incident and action taken, she was told, "This is private and personal." However, LexingtonCares issued a press release before the school administration. I guess it was just private from us as parents.
Some have entirely missed the essence of our concerns. At least three children that the school claims did not "participate" at all (there is dispute here), but were in the "observing" crowd, have previously said things to my son to bring him to tears. My wife and I are well aware of what their parents have written and said publicly. It is clear from what these children said to my son, they have been influenced by adults that stand against our views.
Furthermore, the LexingtonCares group knew about the altercation before MassResistance sent out a press release. The story went public on local TV weeks before the press release when I appeared with Laura Tully (of LexingtonCares).
There have been many examples of harmful rhetoric and false accusations. The following excerpt is from Rep. Jay Kaufman's official Web site. It states that these words were read in response to a parental rights rally on the Lexington Green held by supporters of David Parker. I assume these words were read in the presence of the many children that the participating adults brought into the fray:
"I say that teaching your children to hate is not a parental right. It's a parental wrong. Teaching your children that others are lesser souls or should have fewer rights is a parental wrong. Teaching your children that it's OK to feel morally superior or to impose your standards on others are parental wrongs." We are in no way teaching our children this! And wasn't that Tom Griffith and Helen Cohen [school committee members] standing with children at the counter-vigil on parental rights?
The assertion of the School Committee and the superintendent that our allegations of adult influence of the playground incident are "entirely without merit" is self0serving and delusional. There are plenty of facts that MassResistance has brought to light concerning this unfortunate incident and events preceding it that are unsettling and undisputed. There does not have to be a direct "call of attack" by adults on my son to prompt concern here. The deluge of circumstantial evidence should be cause enough for pause and introspection. This is the exact logic used to suspend children from using the term "gay" in a less-than-superlative fashion.
With regard to the assertion of the guest commentary, "some feel that parents who brought the lawsuit against the schools have used their own child and other first-graders to further their agenda," I find this statement highly offensive and ironic. The "misuse of children" referred to is cause for some to look in the mirror.
I acknowledge there is hurt in the community; my family has deeply felt the pain for over a year. I do accept that I should have talked the incident over with the parents of the "perpetrating" child before further external discussion so that they completely understood our concerns. I am grieved to them for my oversight. I acted from the contemplation of the hurt my son and family has endured.
Take a step back and look deeply within yourselves. What have you said about these issues in the presence of children? What was your tone? The demeanor of children can be influenced powerfully by adults. How will they act this out? How will they influence other children?
[Superintendent] Paul Ash has described the incident numerous times as "a playground scuffle." If someone went into his office and punched him in the chest, abdomen, and genitals to the point he fell to the floor, would he describe it as "just an office scuffle?"
Furthermore, Ash has been asked about the validity to the "right wing's claims." Ash replied, "Zero; this is complete bull." Oh really?
Where there is no stepping back in reflection, there will be no moving forward. My right to direct the moral upbringing of my children without undue burden or interference will be secured, so help me God of Abraham.
David Parker is a Lexington resident.
Support David Parker!
*************
That's right, now he's an unfit father for wanting to limit the school's pro-homosexual indoctrination. Good grief.
David Parker has told so many lies about this matter that he has about zero credibility left with the exception of a few freepers who are willing to believe anything and anyone to further their own anti-homosexual driven agenda.
Is this part true? If so, it's hard for a lot of people to understand. The play date part of the story doesn't make sense.
Once I overheard some parents talking badly about my family when they became upset with my stance on (coincidentally) the same issue. My children considered their children "friends". But, from that point on, we stopped associating with their families ever again.
That's why I can't figure out the play date.
I do not understand why people spend gazillions of dollars to live in the psychotic, socialiast paradise of Lexington, MA.
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Parker has told so many lies, I'm surprised he even knows what the truth is any more. What happened to his original story that 8 to 10 kids at the behest of parents attacked Jacob carried him behind the school and beat him with one threatening to finish him off? Does Mr. Parker not stand by that anymore?
What exactly is his point now? Is Ash's story correct as Parker's attorney asserts or is Parker's story correct? Talk about child abuse....
The media has told so many lies about David Parker, and you've bought into them. Didn't you know the liberal media is pro-homosexual?
So you choose to believe what the liberal media claims about David Parker?
Interesting.
#1. YOu don't seem to know that originally Parker claimed that 10-12 kids attacked his son. But now he's pleased with the report which states it was a typical kid fight between two best friends. Big difference, don't you think?
#2. Parker claimed his child was hit repeatedly about the head and in the genitals. But he never took his child to a doctor for an examination to see if there were internal injuries. Odd, don't you think?
#3. Parker claimed that adults stood by and watched the fight yet the report clearly states that no adults were present and as soon as they were notified a fight was going on, they broke it up. Yet another lie by Parker.
#4. Parker claimed that he was arrested for refusing to leave the school because they wouldn't guarantee that his child wouldn't be subjected to a pro homosexual agenda at the school. The truth is that the school promised to notify him, and any other parent who so requested, when homosexual matters were going to be discussed in school. What they couldn't guarantee, naturally, was that the kids wouldn't discuss homosexual matters in the schoolyard.
Now really, you should read up a little about this matter before you lecture me about falling for the liberal media.
No, actually I choose to read the facts and then read what Parker says. Parker is nothing but a flim flam artist, and has been right from the beginning. He makes the MSM actually look it has integrity, and that is no mean feat.
You'll believe the parent who has been caught in a lot of lies? Not surprising. You certainly wouldn't want to let the facts get in the way of your agenda. LOL
So then you still believe what Parker said at first, that 8 to 10 boys attacked Parker's son, took him behind the school and administered a beating? You still believe that it was well planned, and encouraged by parents upset with Parker over his lawsuit? Because Parker's attorney believes Ash, and believes it was nothing but a schoolyard scuffle between two friends over a seat at lunch. Which story do you believe?
Here, on this thread!
Read it where?
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