Again, I need to emphasize that nobody here knows whether or not those things were said.

The stridency of many of these arguments is indicative of two things: (a) people willing to cyber-lynch a social studies teacher on one hear-say account by a 10-year-old have obviously never worked inside the public educational system and do not realize that teachers are accused of outrageous behavior without evidence on a daily basis; and (b) we’re clearly into the universe of “it’s not the evidence that matters, it’s the seriousness of the charge.”

Here’s the problem, folks: much as people in the blogosphere would like to think otherwise, even IF the teacher in question uttered such ill-considered words about a major party’s presidential hopeful (and even then you would have a difficult burden of proof to show that they were uttered out of malice rather than ignorance), that single incident does not constitute just cause for ending somebody’s career.

I’m sorry, but at the moment there’s nothing here to justify the frenetic level of response I’ve seen.

But, in the present example, the statements, “Barak Obama is a muslim. ” “He does not swear on The Bible.” “..nor does he recite the Pledge of Allegence” are not trying to persuade in matters of opinion. They are alleging knowledge in matters of fact.

What is being alleged here is not akin to “Obama’s beliefs about the role of government in society are wrong – headed” or “Obama’s stated foriegn policy objectives are naive.” What is being alleged here is akin to, “Obama is a member of the communist party” or, “Obama beats his wife.”

If these things were said, they’re lies, no matter who that offends.

As a matter of fact, I think Hube might be the only consistent GOP blogger left in DE.

I appreciate the vote of confidence, mi amigo.

Meanwhile, you have this jackass John O’Neill spouting off nonsense he has received in an email, so, hopefully, you can understand why some might have jumped the gun on this one.

Anyway, as your investigation found out, there is more to this story which I am in absolute agreement with you.

Must be true then.

nemski: Please read Steve Newton’s comment #47. It gives just a bit of validity to my initial comments about the nature of biased comments in the classroom.

In addition, it might be worth noting that I actually had several “verbal sparring matches” with my curriculum planning professor (as an immediate post-graduate student) regarding bias in the classroom. Several “hand-out” examples he had us go over for structural (grammar/spelling) problems were also laced with [liberal] bias. (One I recall was a pretty overt slap at Reagan’s views of the USSR.) He’d get fired up when I brought this to the fore. But at the post-course picnic at his house, he admitted to me that I was right (even though he said I should’ve concentrated on the premise of the exercise, that is grammar and spelling!)

One of my two teachers that I consider a “mentor” was a very conservative GOPer, a history teacher. But he never, ever revealed his politics in the class and considered it extremely unprofessional to do so. Even when out-of-class, he refused to discuss his personal views with students. He recognized that someone in his position can have an undue influence on [young] students’ views.

Just did some checking the last few hours, and I discovered that there is a LOT more going on here with this family than is generally known. And let’s just say that the girls’ … “recollection” in terms of what actually has occurred (in various incidents, that is) leaves a lot to be desired. Quite a lot, including the story posted here.

Unfortunately, based on the nature of my sources, I am unable to be more specific at this time. Hopefully, some others can dig into it and offer some more “concrete” statements.

As I think Hube or any other teacher would verify–that sort of thing happens every single day. So my first concern is that people actually allow the facts to be verified before they jump the gun.

My second concern is that some folks are already offering their sentences of what should happen to the teacher: “The teacher should be reprimanded and given time off without pay, to do some research on the truth, before permitted back in the classroom.

I wonder how that 10 year old felt while that “teacher” embarassed her in front of her class and peers.”

During the past 8 years I have waded through literally hundreds of reports (many in Delaware) of teachers comparing Bush to Hitler, or suggesting that Republicans don’t care about starving children. How is that functionally any different from what went on here?

I am sure someone will be quick to answer that comparing Bush to Hitler or saying Republicans don’t care about starving children is just obviously true, protected free speech.

Just what I was looking for.

On Bill Mahr Friday night, a Georgian republican elected, stated that Obama is not saluting the american flag! That Obama doesnt wear the “flag pin”, obviously he is not a patriot!

They put up a picture of Obama, Clinton and Richardson I believe, both Clinton and Richardson had their hand over their heart, Obama did not…but we all know that a photo does not reflect what actually happened. Obama put his hand on his heart a few seconds AFTER the pledge started, but the photo caught him off guard. Now the repukes are using it as if he hadnt saluted the entire time, a lie.

The flag pin, is is against “flag protocol” to WEAR the flag. Perhaps the republicans and some democrats should check it out and stop desecrating the flag.

The teacher should be reprimanded and given time off without pay, to do some research on the truth, before permitted back in the classroom.

I wonder how that 10 year old felt while that “teacher” embarassed her in front of her class and peers.

My granddaughters go to Catholic School. In 2004 the teacher asked the class who they supported. It was equally split between Kerry and Bush. When my granddaughter said, “no bush, no Bush”, the teacher chastized her for her opinion. Teachers are to teach, not bring their personal opinons into the classroom! They certainly should not ask a question and then chastize the child who doesn’t support the personal opinion of the teacher. We enjoy a separation of church and state in America and teachers should no that fact before entering the classroom.