School forcing me to buy NY Times, what should I do? [vanity]

[sdk7x7]

I am currently a high school student at a public HS in New York State. This year (I'll be a senior), one of the requirements for my AP Gov't and Politics course is to pay a small student subscription fee for the NY Times. As a long-time reader of the Times, as well as a reader of TimesWatch.org and Coulter's SLANDER, I have recognized (and been disgusted by) the paper's clear liberal agenda.

The question is, what should I do? I am considering proposing to get USA Today or WSJ instead, but the former is not a great journalistic paper and the latter focuses more on financial issues than the news. The Wash Times would be a great option, but they don't offer daily delivery outside the DC area.

Any suggestions?

[Cathryn Crawford]

Depending on how much of a creep your teacher is, you might simply go to your teacher, explain your misgivings, and ask them for their advice. That way, you look like you are giving the decision over to them. Ask them to suggest an alternate paper/magazine.

Is that an option?

[Chad Fairbanks]

Or , just tell the teacher that you signed up for a Politics course, not Brainwashing....

[prophetic]

suggestions:

If you own a bird then use the paper to line the bottom of the cage, If you own a dog then use it for picking up the litter, same for cat.

If you dont own a pet then see if you can secretly get a cancellation PLUS become an active writer to the editor to correct their usual biases - who knows they MAY actually print something you write.

[gaijin]

WSJ all the way!

Say something impressive, and I'll bet they let you off the hook:

"Well, teach, the best defense of the truth would be on the common market of free ideas, and I thought subscribing to this alternative source would invigorate debate and stimulate thinking..."

That sounds libby-ish, but spares you from reading stinking liberal drek, right?

[Fester Chugabrew]

What Cathryn said.

[Sparta]

A couple of things.

1) Is this course an elective? If so, just drop the course.

2) If this is a mandatory course, I agree with Cat, go to your teacher and explain your misgivings about the New York Slimes.

BTW: I recommend her blog site instead of the New York Slimes anyday of the week :D.

[lafroste]

I would lean towards getting the paper, but supplementing the BS found there with alternative news sources. Use those sources to compare and contrast what the NY Slimes says while pointing out obvious and egregious bias on the paper's part at every opportunity. If nothing else, you will hone your disernment for bias and drive your teacher nuts at the same time.

[Sparta]

Or , just tell the teacher that you signed up for a Politics course, not Brainwashing....

It is assumed by walking in a public school you signed up for Brainwashing 101.

[Cathryn Crawford]

Or , just tell the teacher that you signed up for a Politics course, not Brainwashing....

Yeah, but then you just look like a little @#@$##$.

I may be only twenty, but I also work in a school. I know how to play the game. :-)

[July 4th]

If it's not just for US politics and government, the Financial Times is an option and has a cheap student rate. They have daily delivery across many parts of the US. It can be left-leaning, but its news coverage is nothing short of fantastic. It normally has a few pages on DC news and a few on EU news.

[bets]

What a wonderful opportunity. Subscribe to it, and then using facts and other papers, point out all the errors to everyone. Write some essays outlaying the bias and errors in a certain article or topic of articles, and use this as a positive opportunity. Wonderful!

[Keyes2000mt]

Go to your teacher but she'll tell you that you need to expose yourself to different ideas. Then ask her why she doesn't require the rest of the class to subscribe to the Washington Times Weekly or at the very least the Limbaugh letter.

Odds are you'll still have to get the Times, but at least the hypocrisy will be clear.

[Fifth Business]

Unfortunately, getting an education sometimes involves buying and reading textbooks and other literature that you disagree with in part or in whole. When you get to college, it will get worse. I recommend you comply but read the material critically.

[gaijin]

You definately sound like you're going to college --probably a really good one.

I hate to be a wet blanket, but this is just the start of that kind of crap; at a good school those profs are fidgity and itching to help usher in a Worker's Paradise.

They just can't wait to slap the cuffs on us all --and on themselves...

[Chad Fairbanks]

I know how to play the game, too. I just choose not to. If that means people think I'm a little ^%**&%(%(%^( then I can live with that.

[sdk7x7]

I think lafroste's idea is best... I'll first see if she has any alternatives, but in the end I'll probably just end up getting it and having a grand old time reading TimesWatch.org on a daily basis and pointing out the biases.

By the way, the class isn't really required because it is college-level, but I'm actually very interested in taking it, this is truly the only minor snag.

I may consider writing a letter to the execs at WSJ or USA Today and seeing if they'll hook me up w/ a complimentary subscription for a few months.

Thanks all.

[Sparta]

What a wonderful opportunity. Subscribe to it, and then using facts and other papers, point out all the errors to everyone. Write some essays outlaying the bias and errors in a certain article or topic of articles, and use this as a positive opportunity. Wonderful!

Or just use it as liner for a bird's cage or kindling for the fireplace.

[Newbomb Turk]

Go ahead and get the subscription. Then come back here and we will help you throughout the year to point out the liberal bias and you can use it to spark debate in the class.

I bet you won't make any friends with the teacher especially if you use what you learn here.

[Cathryn Crawford]

Back to you.